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* Four of the ten pension reform conference committee members were on “Chicago Tonight” this week. Right up front, they were asked whether they thought a bill would be voted on during next week’s veto session. Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) said he thought it would happen, as did two Democrats, Sen. Kwame Raoul and Rep. Mike Zalewski.
Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville), however, said “I’m not sure.”
Senger said she believed they were “not far off” from an agreement, but said she’d like to see more savings.
But her comments about not being sure appear to jibe with her caucus leader’s recent statement that he would rather wait for a good pension reform bill than rush into something next week.
* Watch…
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:11 am
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How many times have we heard his before? Its possible they call it for a vote, but I wonder if anyone of them believes it will pass.
Comment by Pepe Silvia Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:14 am
They can call it for a vote, but they have to answer two questions: 1) will it get any R votes, or will the Rs look to 2014 and say that anything put on the floor by the Ds doesn’t go far enough? 2) Does it have the support of the Speaker? Is there reason to believe the Speaker will put his clout behind anything other than SB 1? So far the Speaker has let it be known that it’s Quinn’s job to round up 60 votes in the House. Good luck with that.
Comment by Eugene Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:21 am
Cullerton has already alienated the Trib and business class with his assertion there is no pension crisis. Now he will alienate the unions with whom he negotiated an agreement which he is about to abandon by calling a bill which will whack pension benefits. Then everyone will be angry with him. Any wonder why Madigan and the lower chamber continue to dominate the Capitol?
Comment by Truthteller Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:32 am
It would be interesting to know where Senator Murphy would make cuts in the budget.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:40 am
Am I wrong for watching this and wondering how Kwame Raoul and Darlene Senger ever got elected?
Comment by What the... Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:43 am
Video was interesting. Not that it is news to most of us here, but it was very clear that the major target and major source of savings in pension “reform” is the AAI (COLA). Also didn’t sound like these people were expecting Quinn to be involved in pushing the bill through. There was a non-specific hint about expanded taxpayer involvement (new taxes or dedicated funding stream?) Also emphasis on improving the bond rating so the State can keep borrowing and spending.
The Chicago comments were telling. I know it’s been floated but I couldn’t believe they were talking about taking a pension holiday there. These people are the pension “experts”; they know pension holidays are what got them in trouble to begin with.
Reading between the lines, they want to use the “momentum” of shorting State employees to do the same thing to Chicago employees. Maybe I’m reading the tea leaves wrong, but I kind of came away with the impression that the proposed state employee diminishment might be more draconian than needed because they need to take drastic steps in Chicago and need the stae example to railroad the Chicago changes through.
Finally, the statements on retaining the temporary income tax sounded like either a complete disconnect from reality, counting the pension “reform” savings before it is passed, or a political candidate who won’t speak the truth until after the election.
Going to be an interesting week …
Comment by RNUG Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:50 am
=Am I wrong for watching this and wondering how Kwame Raoul and Darlene Senger ever got elected?=
I really like Senator Raoul, but public speaking is not one of his strengths.
I also like Darlene as a person, and she has a strong academic background, but she gets too much credit on her knowledge of this issue.
Comment by Denim Chicken Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 10:54 am
Is the camera angle distorted? Or are the senators both actually 2x bigger than the state reps? Both Zalewski and Senger literally look like Hobbits just in terms of physical size sitting next to Raoul and Murphy….
Comment by John Galt Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:02 am
–The Chicago comments were telling. I know it’s been floated but I couldn’t believe they were talking about taking a pension holiday there.–
Unreal.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:03 am
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:07 am
What the…Kwame had a funny sounding name like his predecessor.
I don’t know how or why Senger got elected…she reminds me of Radogno, dresses the part, and well, that’s about it…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:10 am
Two factions on the CC: those running for higher office who will try to back away from compromise, and those who might agree.
My guess is that the Leaders will force some agreement this week.
If both this and marriage bill are not presented to the Gov. in the same time frame, he’s in a tough spot about his promise to veto any bill before pension reform.
Comment by walkinfool Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:19 am
walkinfool @ 11:19 am:
I think Quinn signs the marriage bill regardless of the status of pension “reform” … to many votes at stake.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 11:38 am
@Loop Lady-=I don’t know how or why Senger got elected=
I know how and why.
Republican candidate + Naperville = Elected!
Comment by DuPage Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 12:04 pm
Not a chance it gets called.
Comment by Mouthy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 12:37 pm
Whatever they do it does not matter. The state made a great case for the pension clause being iron clad in the health care premium hearing. I would, of course, rather have the least harmfull pension bill we can get while the SC gets ready to rule.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 1:22 pm
Well if they’re at least ready to VOTE up or down on something reasonable, Hallelujah! Amendments can always be offered to tinker with strengthening it and/or the Governor offer modifications. As Illinoisans picture another $5 MILLION greenbacks flutter out of the window to “no man’s land,” it sure is about time some real progress is being indicated…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:33 pm
Good. Vote on it so we can all move on and find out what the Court will say. I don’t want the pensions cut but I’m also tired of this hanging out there. There’s going to be a bill eventually. Might as well be now.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:50 pm
Just The Way It Is One @ 3:33 pm:
That $5M a day is the cost of paying back what was already diverted … it’s a great talking point for the uninformed but it isn’t going to change much.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:09 pm