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Isn’t this where we came in?

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Illinois

* AP…

Illinois Democrats seemed poised to rule almost unchallenged in the state Capitol after winning super majorities in the House and Senate last fall. But as intraparty divisions have surfaced, things haven’t been that simple.

Heading into the final week of the legislative session, Democrats are split on some of the state’s biggest issues, from the nation’s worst pension crisis to the public possession of guns, gay marriage and gambling expansion. Lawmakers also have yet to get a deal on the state budget, the expansion of Medicaid or how to regulate a high-volume oil and gas drilling process known as “fracking.”

It’s a weighty agenda to wade through by Friday’s scheduled adjournment, even in a statehouse accustomed to leaving legislation to the last minute.

“It is unusual in the scope of what has to be done,” said Rep. Greg Harris, a Chicago Democrat who’s working to pass a measure in the House to legalize same-sex marriage. “Those are each big things on any one day, much less all at one time.”

Also too, McCormick Place expansion. That’s kinda disappeared from the media’s radar screen.

* We’ll get to the individual topics later. The budget, however, is moving forward…

House and Senate Democrats have agreed on a proposed Illinois budget that would keep education funding at the same level and increase human services spending.

Sen. Heather Steans is one of the Legislature’s budget negotiators. She says Democrats will present their 2014 spending plan early next week, after which Republicans will get a chance to weigh in on it.

Gov. Pat Quinn proposed cutting education funding by about $400 million, a cut he said was difficult but necessary.

But Steans says unanticipated revenue increases helped restore that money. Democrats also want to reduce the amount of money that goes to local governments.

* More…

In his budget proposal, Gov. Pat Quinn called for a cut of about $300 million to K-12 education and another $100 million to higher education. Cullerton said the cut to K-12 education would have resulted in general state aid to schools being prorated at an 82 percent level, rather than the 89 percent this year.

The General Assembly’s budget plan calls for maintaining an 89 percent level, he said.

Sullivan said the budget will also preserve transportation assistance for school districts, a priority for downstate lawmakers.

Cullerton said the issue of accounting for back wages owed to union employees as well as raises contained in their new contract is “still up for negotiation.”

Sullivan said some areas of human services will see additional cuts, although they will not be across-the-board.

* Transcript of Cullerton’s comments about the budget from Friday…

Q: What’s the agreement principle on the budget from here?
A: “Well the fact that the House and the Senate Democrats actually worked together on a budget is a first in the last four years. So, I’m really encouraged by that. And we have an agreement on the amount of money we have to spend and a general idea of where these categories of money should go. You know, how much for higher [education, how much for elementary and secondary, that sort of thing. And we’re working through all the different line items over the weekend to make sure we have an agreement. Then we will share this with Republicans. We will not vote on it on Monday. We will give data that we have to them, at least in the Senate. I can’t speak for the House. And we’ll vote on it maybe two or three days later.”

“I’m very confident that the Republicans are going to like the budget, and hopefully we can get them to vote for it.”

Q: Will education money be restored?
A: “That was our number-one priority to restore education money and to try to not create new old bills.”

Q: How much will be restored?
A: “We’re hoping to get back to 89 percent of [the foundation level]. The governor’s budget was like 82 percent.”

Q: Have you figured out how to deal with the back-wages owed to unions?
A: “That’s still, I think, up for negotiations in terms of how to deal with the back-wages as well as the new contract.”

Q: Do you see forcing the governor to choose between paying the back-wages and laying off workers in state agencies?
A: “Well, I would just say that if you look at what we’ve done this year, there’s been a number of supplementals that we’ve passed. As you see, a budget is just an authorization to spend, and we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen during the course of the year in terms of revenues…So, I would say if you manage your agencies and if you look like you need more money, you come back and we react.”

* Related…

* 10 Things to know about Legislature’s final week

* Lawmakers have a week left — and much unsettled: With the state’s top four ruling Democrats at least appearing out of sync, the long out-of-power Republicans are wondering what the endgame will be.

* Big issues remain as adjournment nears: The legislation to provide state incentives to attract a $1.2 billion fertilizer plant on Tuscola’s west side is struck in the House Rules Committee. Rose said he is confident the measure will be considered in the closing days of the session. “I think this is classic Speaker Madigan. He holds all of his cards until the end,” Rose said. “There are too many jobs at stake with this.”

* With one week left, lawmakers have lots left on their plates

* New lawmakers have to hustle on big issues

* Big issues remain unresolved for state lawmakers

* McCormick plan vexes hoteliers

posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, May 26, 13 @ 2:18 pm

Comments

It’s kind of odd to have McPier go directly into competition with private hotels in such a big way.

The hotels, after all, are the ones who largely service the Mac Place/Navy Pier bonds with the pillow tax.

If there’s such a great need or demand for a 1,200 room hotel at Mac Place, why not let a private developer have a crack at it?

Comment by wordslinger Sunday, May 26, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Word, if a private developer builds a hotel at McCormick Place, they’re getting all the benefits. If the public builds a hotel at McCormick Place then McPier gets to give out a management contract to a well-connected firm which will inevitably end up having employees donate a lot of money to campaigns while providing patronage. It’s a win for everybody!

Comment by Precinct Captain Sunday, May 26, 13 @ 2:55 pm
Some where smart enough to realize even with large majorities Ds don’t march in unison much.
Plus it is good to bring the GOPies in to help justify knocking down those big checks

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Sunday, May 26, 13 @ 3:41 pm