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* From Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield)…
With the Illinois General Assembly scheduled to return to session today amidst a crippling 22-month long state budget impasse, State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has announced he will not be voting on any non-essential legislation until a state budget is brought to the House Floor for debate and a vote.
Representative Batinick identified four categories of essential legislation that he will continue to vote on. Those categories include: any budget-related bills, legislation that would make state government more efficient, legislation that has the ability to produce private-sector job growth; and any bills which impact immediate public safety concerns.
“We have to put our priorities in the right place,” Rep. Batinick said. “Right now, that means passing a state budget and ending this destructive, unnecessary impasse. I may be only one legislator, but I can do my part and set an example by personally refusing to participate in wasting the legislature’s time by voting on any bills that are non-essential or distract from the most important thing we should be doing right now, which is to pass a budget.”
The Illinois House of Representatives is scheduled to return to session in Springfield April 24-28.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:02 pm
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I don’t get it. What is the purpose of not voting? Now if he had said he was going on a hunger strike, it might have some meaning.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:06 pm
So rather than vote No or Present he’s now just not going to bother hitting the switch?
Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:08 pm
Perhaps he could try holding his breath until he gets his way
Comment by 51st ward Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:09 pm
I think he is trying to create another pressure point and also just make a statement that until pressing business gets done we should not be doing other things.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Good. Then he shouldn’t vote on anything in the TA.
Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:11 pm
He got his name in the paper today. If he votes present or doesn’t vote on the a large number of bills going forward it will one day be a campaign issue for him. His plan is a lot like Illinois’ budget history, do something popular that makes you feel good today but with a lot of obvious self-inflicted pain down the road.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:11 pm
will he still take a paycheck??
Comment by Not Rich Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:11 pm
He had his chance to vote for a budget three weeks ago and chose to paraphrase Doctor Seuss. Love the lecture on relevancy, though.
Comment by Conn Smythe Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:12 pm
===”Right now, that means passing a state budget and ending this destructive, unnecessary impasse. I may be only one legislator, but I can do my part and set an example by personally refusing to participate in wasting the legislature’s time by voting on any bills that are non-essential or distract from the most important thing we should be doing right now, which is to pass a budget.”===
Some people understand a functioning government can do more than 37 things at once…
… Some people think acting like a 5-year old Kindergartner who can’t focus on coloring and numbers and letters before their nap is actually sounding “smart”.
Holy Bat-Ignorance, Rep. Batinick!
You can’t focus enough to vote and do your job some of us sent you down there for that you, like a toddler will sit in your “big, comfy, chair” and shake your head and hold your breath and refuse to eat your PB and J?
Are you that pathetic of a legislator that issues that need legislative action, you feel the need to make yourself look embarrassingly ridiculous by not voting?
What are you proving? Are you proving that you’re grossly inept at being part of a solution to get a budget that the only silly stunt you have is to… not vote?
“I’m so useless the only thing I can do to be recognized is by not voting so someone will ask why there aren’t 118 votes on a student safety bill brought about by something that happened in Plainfield.”
Maybe Mr. Batinick is just that useless.
He would know.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:17 pm
I think a great visual would be for all the house and senate dems to meat at the capital steps and walk over to the Gov. office (like a civil rights march) asking the Gov. to give the people of Illinois a budget. Set aside non budget items and please set down with us and pass a cuts and revenue budget that puts this state back on solid footing. Tell the Gov. we have an election coming up in 2018 so let that be a referendum on your non budget items and let the people speak, but until then we must have a budget and keep this state running. Our bills must be paid and our universities must continue along with programs that help the most vulnerable among us. A state that has a budget and is running well is the foundation for a business friendly state.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:17 pm
This is how you can avoid votes on things likeHB-40
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:21 pm
Batinick crazy!
Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Does this mean he will stop introducing his “non -essential” legislation.
Comment by Get it Solved Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:36 pm
“Mark Batinick batinicks his way into batinick publicity”
Comment by MissingG Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:40 pm
Is he going to vote on the attendance roll call so he can get his per diem?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:42 pm
If you don’t play my game, I’m taking my ball and going home. Stunts and symbols, but no substance.
—“We have to put our priorities in the right place,” Rep. Batinick said. “Right now, that means passing a state budget and ending this destructive, unnecessary impasse….”—
Ok Batinick. File your bill that represents a balanced budget. We’ve all been waiting for over 2 years. The well is open.
Comment by unspun Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:47 pm
The Representative casts a wide and ambiguous net for what will/will not be voted on.
For example, a bill naming the state bicycle as the “Schwinn” could easily be construed to support private-sector job growth and therefore require his vote, despite being a purely toothless and symbolic bill.
If he had any real sense for his sentiment, he would actively tank said bills (which isn’t that difficult, even when you are in the minority).
Comment by Flip357 Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:48 pm
to paraphrase…..”Since the Governor & Leaders are refusing to do their jobs, I’m not willing to do mine either.”
Flawless logic, Rep Bartnick /s/
Comment by Get a Job!! Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:51 pm
Will Batinick only be paid for the bills he votes on while he’s doing his constituents a disservice? What a joke.
Comment by Stark Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:03 pm
That’s okay. This just provides more substantive language for mailers next year. And this refusal welcomes a challenger.
Comment by plainfieldliberal Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:03 pm
- blue dog dem - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:21 pm: This is how you can avoid votes on things like HB-40.
May apply to other members…if proponents of HB40 were counting on Batinick, I’d question their intelligence (which I don’t). Batinick would surely delight in being a nay vote on HB40. Probably more harmful for him to abstain from voting no on that one.
- The Captain - Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 12:11 pm:
…makes you feel good today but with a lot of obvious self-inflicted pain down the road.
By making this statement, you tacitly accept the behavior of continuing to go without a budget. If enough legislators joined him, this could work. If you can’t get to 60, nothing can pass. (In my jaded view though, any hope that this state could stop decimating our future is beyond slim.)
To the post:
I hope this could at least make legislators think twice before filing bills & resolutions for things like state bacon day or establishing a state bird/fruit/veggie/dessert/flower/tree/etc. Legislators should be embarrassed spending time entertaining nonsense while our state is burning all around us.
In fact, all those lawmakers out there looking for ways to eliminate waste/fraud/abuse should take a gander. Save paper/ink cost and costs associated with staff time ala LRB staff time, bill analysts’ time, committee staff time, parliamentarian time, chamber doorman time, etc.
It won’t fill our gaping budget hole, but it has the added benefit of reducing the number of times my blood boils each time I listen to the house and senate “debating” these on floor, especially with the state spending $11M/day to go budget-less.
Comment by Facts are fun Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:24 pm
===By making this statement, you tacitly accept the behavior of continuing to go without a budget. If enough legislators joined him, this could work.===
That’s like children deciding not cleaning their room will lead to the parents deciding to take them for ice cream.
Your child-like silliness is up there with not paying legislators until a budget. The difference is the constitution forbids a 3rd world republic, your silliness is so embarrassing that suggesting it usually stops it from being considered.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:31 pm
So this Representative will deprive his constituents of representation on the vast majority of bills called for a vote. There are always some priorities higher than others, but that has never stopped votes on lower priority proposals from well-meaning representatives.
When a GOP colleague anticipates a close vote on a “non-essential” bill, will Batnick tell him he’s out of luck? How about gun legislation? Is a bill to require state licensing of gun dealers about making the state less safe?
Comment by anon2 Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 1:57 pm
Will he still be a regular at the non essential cocktail parties?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:01 pm
I get the message he’s trying to send about topsy-turvy priorities and all, but this maneuver doesn’t do anything beside create some short-term buzz and prime the inevitable mail piece about how Mark Batinick missed 37 million votes last session.
Comment by SAP Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Take Your Ball. Go Home.
Comment by Shake Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Does this mean he’s not going to vote on his own bill to prohibit public universities from paying speaking fees?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 2:56 pm
I’m sure he got this move approved by his owner (Rauner) before he shared it with his constituents. So he’ll be fine (no primary challenger, lots of Rauner money) and the people in the 97th District can go pound sand.
Comment by Biscuit Head Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:14 pm
He just “present” on a bill he co-sponsored that tries to bring IL bedbug epidemic under control
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:30 pm
Illinois government is a complete and total embarrassment. Both sides are responsible. For two years, human beings have literally suffered because of a lack of a budget and a lack of leadership. The time for lip service, finger-pointing and voting “present” is over. Be bold. Take a real stand. Governor, legislators…get in a room and get a budget done. Stay in Springfield as long as it takes and make it happen. It’s your job.
Comment by Wow Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 3:56 pm
If he wasn’t clutching a red sleeping bag, he really didn’t mean it.
Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 4:42 pm
Mark Batinick, the new chair of the Grandstander Caucus.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 4:42 pm
Does anyone know who he is? Is he an elected official or something?
So he’s goin’ on strike.
Surely he’d be supportive of teachers, cops, firefighters, nurses, professors, meat inspectors and the like if they did the same, right?
Comment by Carhartt Union Negotiating Team Monday, Apr 24, 17 @ 11:43 pm