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* Subscribers were told some of the details…
A plan could be coming together to end the 18-month-long state budget impasse, but one lawmaker is still concerned the logjam may continue.
State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, said he hears a deal is being worked amongst legislative leaders in the State Senate as a means of circumventing the bad blood between House Speaker Michael Madigan and the governor.
“It does kind of make sense that maybe there would be some shoots out of the Senate because the relationship there is a little more cordial, to say the least,” Batinick said.
While the exact details of the deal are not yet known, in the past Gov. Rauner has expressed openness to considering an increase in the state income tax, if it were paired with significant economic reforms, such as property tax freezes, workers’ compensation reform or term limits.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:37 pm
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“said he hears a deal is being worked…”
Translation: “told us he read in Capitol Fax a deal is being worked…”
Comment by Telly Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:44 pm
Well I bet somebody is gonna get sold down the river to appease the hostage taker. Who’s it going to be? Higher Ed? workers? Somebody is going to get it. But it won’t end there. I guarantee it won’t satisfy Rauner. He’s gotta have it now though before he can prosecute his Labor War. He has to have someone to blame.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:49 pm
I’m reminded of two past developments.
Last year the House crafted a budget without the input of the Senate and passed it over as a fait accompli, the Senate revolted at being subjected to a budget framework they had no input in and it failed.
In 2009 the House failed to pass a tax increase to fund the budget, I believe all Republicans were against and not enough Democrats were for it. At the same time the Senate managed to narrowly pass Meeks’ “tax swap” bill that was revenue positive and changed the education funding mechanism to reduce the reliance on property taxes. The bill then moved over to the House where it wasn’t even called, it was reported that in the Democratic caucus meeting the tax swap bill had fewer supporters than the regular income tax increase bill that had failed the day before. My memory on this may not be perfect but I believe the broad strokes are correct.
When it comes to heavy lifting on the budget, and the current budget situation is probably the heaviest lift in anyone’s living memory, it takes buy-in from all. I’m very pleased to see that the Senate is making progress and laying the groundwork. But the recent past suggests not to get your hopes up based on the unilateral actions of a single chamber.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:53 pm
Rauner does not know what the word “Compromise ” means.
The minute you give him an inch he will then want a foot, then a yard, etc.etc.
Comment by MOON Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm
If labor has to be shafted it would be nice if they just stuck it to higher paid tier one employees, and worked to make tier 2 more fair.
Raises are not and the current healthcare is not constitutionally protected but the pensions are. The money will have to come from somewhere.
Labor also protects higher income people and is perfectly willing to shaft the next generation to protect what they have
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm
The Rauner Tax is going to be one of the Pillars to keep this whole thing up.
If Democrats give unabridged shelter to Raunerites on the Rauner Tax and… have to give concessions that tear at their core… then it will be Democrats that will be the ones, with $120 million possibly spent against them, that they (Dems) raised taxes, and sold out “x”.
If there’s an agreement, Raunerites need to eat, at more than a healthy clip, the Rauner Tax and… Rauner signs it clean.
I fear, as it’s always been, will be realized(?)
“We went 2 years without a budget… for ‘this’?”
Make a deal, get it done, everyone carry the weight.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:59 pm
“It does kind of make sense that maybe there would be some shoots out of the Senate …”
Wow. He’s one smooth talker.
Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:00 pm
Does Rep. Batnick have any credibility left on here after his last go around with Rep Welch?
Comment by ILGOV2018 Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Just this morning sara was on the talk radio saying nothing is happening. Are they leaving raunerites out of it?
Comment by Union thug Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:13 pm
It isn’t soup until Rauner publicly endorses it and promises R votes for it.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:14 pm
That’s it boys and girls. Once again we stick it to the working poor and middle classes. I hope all those clamoring for a budget deal are happy.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:16 pm
“….. Peace is at hand….”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Call me snippy, but if you are going to tout a bill you have up for consideration, give the reporter the bill’s number. And, to INN or the Trib or the SJ-R (or TV or radio, etc., etc.), report those bill numbers in your articles. Encourage the voters to look those bills up, read them, and (oh my!!) maybe even be able to give the GA members some feedback. The “I Have A Bill” should not be a scorecard or checkmark. “Grading” should be on substance, not just a title.
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:20 pm
Are they to the point where they argue about the shape of the negotiating table yet?
Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Wow! Balancing the budget on, literally, the backs of injured workers, requiring them to give up rights and pay higher taxes too. Talk about a one-two punch. And not just union workers, all workers.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:34 pm
OW - Not sure where you are going with your comment, but a tax increase is inevitable and necessary. Both sides are going to be blamed by voters regardless. You can blame Rauner, I can blame Madigan, but what’s the point? Both sides should pick one budget-neutral issue that is popular with the public and pass a budget and tax increase in one giant swoop. Bonus points if the issue provides a boost to the state economy.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:36 pm
In a better world rank and file R’s and D’s forge a compromise and force leadership to get on board.
This sounds about as close to that as we will ever get so it is probably a good compromise..
My concern is that R’s put enough votes on any tax increase.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:36 pm
===… but a tax increase is inevitable and necessary===
Not according to the Governor. Rauner has said, repeatedly, that he will raise taxes as the Democrats want if… (the Dems also vote to hurt Labor and/or Social Services)
Words matter.
Rauner will use the $50 million to argue…
“The Democratic Tax increase I was reluctant to sign was the only way I could…”
No.
Not good enough.
This isn’t a deal…
“You vote to raise taxes and then vote to hurt labor and social services and I’ll use my $50 million to pin it on you anyway.”
Nope. Not good. Why would Dems agree to that.
Raunerites need to carry, “heavily”, the Rauner Tax that Rauner will sign.
===Both sides are going to be blamed by voters regardless.===
#TaxHikeMike
BossMadigan.Com
Please, keep up.
===Both sides should pick one budget-neutral issue that is popular with the public and pass a budget and tax increase in one giant swoop.===
Which is why I typed…
“We waited 2 years for a budget… ‘for this’?”
That’s the rub. That’s why this isn’t a budget standoff/impasse… It’s about Raunerism, $50 million, no trust, no respect, and the 2012 quote by Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 3:45 pm
Is the Batman going to vote for an income tax increase?
Comment by Decaturland Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:01 pm
If the “deal” includes prop tax freeze and maybe term limit outs for leaders, suburban GOP will have a tough time saying no even if there is income tax increase.
Comment by the Cardinal Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:22 pm
Stop with the constant misdirection Rauner said he would raise taxes OW as long as a few reforms were passed.
Words matter especially when you twist them into a pretzel
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:27 pm
–State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, said he hears a deal is being worked amongst legislative leaders in the State Senate as a means of circumventing the bad blood between House Speaker Michael Madigan and the governor.–
How does any “deal” “circumvent” the governor and the House? If I recall my 8th grade civics class, they’ll have to get on board for any “deal.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:40 pm
Lucky Pierre “Stop with the constant misdirection Rauner said he would raise taxes OW as long as a few reforms were passed.
Words matter especially when you twist them into a pretzel.”
Do you really think that Rauner is not going to use that $50 million to beat Dems with the tax increase? Why would the dems ever agree? They gut unions while being blamed for a tax increase. OW’s point is that there is no reason to trust Rauner. An extortionist is only empowered by acceding to his extortion.
Comment by TominChicago Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:51 pm
===…as long as a few reforms were passed.===
“as long as” - even you see this as Democratic Tax increase, “as long as”…
Please stop. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 4:55 pm
OW - What’s your point? If Madigan is scared of Rauner, he should do the state a favor and retire now.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 5:04 pm
(Tips cap to - TomInChicago -)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 5:05 pm
===What’s your point?===
Divided government only works with trust.
Seriously, keep up.
Otherwise - willfully ignorant, blissfully unaware.
You want me to chose?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 5:08 pm
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
Or set up a Tier 3 with even lower pay. People would still take the jobs for the security which is still better than a lot of what else is out there.
If labor has to be shafted it would be nice if they just stuck it to higher paid tier one employees, and worked to make tier 2 more fair.
Raises are not and the current healthcare is not constitutionally protected but the pensions are. The money will have to come from somewhere.
Labor also protects higher income people and is perfectly willing to shaft the next generation to protect what they have
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 5:45 pm
Rauner remains a complete and utter disappointment.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Jan 5, 17 @ 6:16 pm
No sugar tax or overall tax increase do what they people of Illinois voted for in 2014 a tax increase on millionaires. Anything else will kill the economy especially in Springfield. After the governor imposes his contract and state employees have double insurance premiums to also hit them with a tax increase is too much
Comment by Publius Friday, Jan 6, 17 @ 8:36 am