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Illinois

Thumbs Down: To the Illinois House lawmakers who cheered Wednesday upon learning the planned session scheduled for Friday would be canceled.

“I have an announcement. Perk up, perk up your ears, listen close. Friday’s session has been canceled,” House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, announced Wednesday. She was met with immediate cheers and applause from some of the people in the chamber.

The state has been operating without a permanent budget for more than 22 months. Universities are laying off employees and students are seeking to complete their higher education studies in other states. Social service agencies are turning clients away, if not outright shutting their doors, because of late payments of state funding. The state’s bond ratings creep ever-closer to junk status, which will mean higher interest payments for the borrowing we know is coming.

And that’s just a few items on the long list of problems facing Illinois.

House members are paid to do what it best for Illinoisans — and they don’t have to wait in line to get paid, like the people they aren’t helping. They should be working every day they’re scheduled to — we’d argue the weekends too — until a budget is approved. Cheering because they don’t have to come in and work toward productive solutions that would benefit the people of Illinois is disgraceful.

* The Question: Your thoughts on this?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:33 pm

Comments

In the meantime, Goveror Rauner is cross crossing the State in full campaign mode. My response to SJ-R is “Puh-lease.”

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:35 pm
===…House members are paid to do what it best for Illinoisans — and they don’t have to wait in line to get paid, like the people they aren’t helping.===

… and yet they didn’t get paid. Not paying them, that’s a constitutional issue.

I’m not sure about the point here.

…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Well since the Governor’s unbalanced proposal included items from a Grand Bargain that isn’t even ready per the senate Republicans, there doesn’t seem any point in them sticking around Springfield at the moment.

Comment by A Jack Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:41 pm
SJ-R does not seem to understand that for many it is a full time job to stand up to DopeyDuct and his sttooges. House members are paid to represent their districts. And they are.

Comment by Annonin' Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:42 pm
My thought is move to a system like in NH, state legislators get $200 per term.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:43 pm
To the question,

It’s embarrassingly off to actual events, given that Rauner first blew up the first grand bargain, then second, refused to support any current bargain.

The only way this editorial makes sense is if the Senate and Rauner decided to send something to the House.

Cullerton wanted to, Rauner did not.

When Rauner decides he wants to deal in good faith with Cullerton to force Madigan and the House to act, editorials like this aren’t remotely close the what’s going on.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:44 pm
We have nothing for you to vote on. We will not have anything for you to vote on in the next week. We need you to stay in town instead of directly communicating with the providers and servicers struggling to survive in your districts. Please stay. Gimme a break, SJ-R, and actually call out our incumbent governor for blatantly lying as he buries our state six feet under.

Comment by Stark Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:45 pm
What do these goons make in the IL legislature? We have the worst government in the union.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Besides, it is Mother’s Day weekend. The only ones that need to be working are the Senate Republicans who need to get their Grand Bargain bills ready.

Comment by A Jack Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Ron, this thing you’re using to comment, the computer, would be of help to you if you want to know that information.

Comment by Stark Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:46 pm
They most certainly do not need taxpayer guaranteed pensions

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:46 pm
Please, do not feed the Troll.

Thank you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:47 pm
Jack, it was rhetorical. New Hampshire legislators make $200 per elected term and that state is run very well. Illinois is an economic basket case with the worst legislators in the nation.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:48 pm
Lol, Willy is public union supporting troll

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:48 pm
I’d like to think the SJ-R knows better, but apparently not. Sometimes you keep them in Springfield voting on soup. Sometimes you send them home so constituents can yell at them to go make soup. Both can be productive, though only one helps the hospitality industry in the State Capitol.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:48 pm
Bad idea to cheer leaving early, but until their overload shift (respectively) tell them they can do their actual job, no need for per diem

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Hard to argue against that sentiment.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:53 pm
Overlords, not overload shift. Forgot to spellcheck, as usual

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:55 pm
Those that applauded showed off their true character

Sad!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 12:57 pm
I favor locking the gov. and four legislative leaders in a room until they figure it out.

To the question, yeah, its a terrible optic. But, they probably weren’t doing anything productive. They don’t have a whole lot of power; they just take marching orders from the big four and Rauner.

Comment by Taxation = Civilization Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:00 pm
That “some people in the chamber” lacked the good sense to maintain decorum should not be sufficient reason write a poison pen editorial.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Cheering it wasn’t smart.
But if nothing is going to get done,why should they be there?

Comment by btowntruth from forgotonnia Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:02 pm
They have personal lives and its mother days weekend. It’s not like they get paid that much.

Comment by Rocky Rosi Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:06 pm
They need to be secretly cheering in their head, not out loud.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:06 pm
Yeah, blaming them for not doing their job? It’s the governor who is supposed to put a budget in place. Budget related items go in a budget, the rest of the year you argue non-budget related items. Let’s not forget this person also bankrolls the state GOP and owns nine homes. Louis, are you ever going to say something productive?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:07 pm
“House members are paid to do what it best for Illinoisans — and they don’t have to wait in line to get paid, like the people they aren’t helping. They should be working every day they’re scheduled to — we’d argue the weekends too — until a budget is approved. Cheering because they don’t have to come in and work toward productive solutions that would benefit the people of Illinois is disgraceful.”

Impossible to disagree with this.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:08 pm
“They have personal lives and its mother days weekend. It’s not like they get paid that much.”

They get paid way too much, especially for the work they produce.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:09 pm
I’m saddened to announce that Big Muddy is officially leaving Illinois. I’m taking with me my business that employs 12 people. Those 12 employees are more like family and all have been invited to keep their respective jobs should they too choose to move anywhere near our new location.

I’m sad because I was born in Southern Illinois and now live and work in the far western suburbs. Illinois has always been my home. It is just gotten too bad of a place for business and the future here doesn’t look too bright.

Closed on the new digs May 1 and move in by May 31.

Goodbye Illinois.

And Oswego Willy, BITE ME.

Comment by Big Muddy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:10 pm
Dude Taxation, Rich is gonna hammer you about the lock them in a room stuff

It’s illegal
Just sayin

Also I’ve seen rich rip someone a new one over it

Comment by Honeybear Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:13 pm
Good riddance!!

Comment by GOP Extremist Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:14 pm
- Big Muddy -

Good luck, all the best to you and your family.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:15 pm
@Big Muddy- Did your mom or dad get transferred?

Hope you adjust well to your new middle school.

Just guessing your age by the intellectual level of your remarks./s

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:16 pm
“It’s the governor who is supposed to put a budget in place.” - it is just as much the GA’s job to put forth a revenue and spending plan, a budget.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:18 pm
@Ron
You don’t hold others hostage especially the aged, blind, college students, and the disabled while refusing to enact a budget to get your way. There is a huge difference between campaigning and governing also governing doesnt’t include bankrolling people.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:18 pm
===- Big Muddy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:10 pm:

I’m saddened to announce that Big Muddy is officially leaving Illinois. I’m taking with me my business that employs 12 people. Those 12 employees are more like family and all have been invited to keep their respective jobs should they too choose to move anywhere near our new location.

I’m sad because I was born in Southern Illinois and now live and work in the far western suburbs. Illinois has always been my home. It is just gotten too bad of a place for business and the future here doesn’t look too bright.

Closed on the new digs May 1 and move in by May 31.

Goodbye Illinois…=

Dang. If only we had those term limits. Bid’niz goes bananas over term limits!

Well, as was said in Inglorious Basterds, “Au revoir, Shoshanna!”

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:19 pm
@Big Muddy
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:20 pm
@Big Muddy.

Please take @Ron with you!! I hear New Hampshire is nice this time of year.

Comment by GOP Extremist Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:25 pm
Harrumph, harrumph. The SJR edit board must be new in town. They think the work gets done on the chamber floors.

The governor has ever-changing if not incoherent pre-conditions before he’ll engage in the budget process, if you actually believe that he is even willing to do that in good faith, after more than two years.

Considering his ongoing sabotage of the Senate process, I don’t believe he’s acting in good faith. So why hang around Springfield?

I’m sure the SJR is more interested in keeping the Springfield bars, restaurants and hotels full.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:26 pm
=== GOP Extremist - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:25 pm:

@Big Muddy.

Please take @Ron with you!! I hear New Hampshire is nice this time of year.===

And LP, Sue, Louis Atsaves, yellowdog, etc. Imagine the utopia you’d live in in your little commune! All makers—no takers.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:27 pm
I see it as a buy-in to distracting from Rauner’s deliberate destruction of state vendors, human services and higher education while he intentionally digs the budget hole deeper and deeper.

House Republicans don’t do any legislating anyway. They just wait for Rauner to tell them what they’ll do while they parrot his mandated talking points.

House Democrats should be getting a budget ready to send over to the Senate, so they should be pushing hard on that right now rather than taking a day off.

Comment by Earnest Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:30 pm
Ron’s comments sure have me missing Bill.

Comment by Original Rambler Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:30 pm
Ron. What bridge do you live under?

Comment by Saluki Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:33 pm
Spot on. Why would anyone who truly cares about our state disagree?

Comment by Altois Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:34 pm
Saluki, which public employee union are you a member of?

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:36 pm
===Cheering because they don’t have to come in and work toward productive solutions that would benefit the people of Illinois is disgraceful.===

I thought the SJR ed board would be savvier when it comes to understanding what is happening in the General Assembly. The Governor, the leaders and their negotiating teams, the Governor’s senior staff, counting everybody who is relevant to ending the impasse, that’s about 20 people?

So the other 150 members of the General Assembly, who have been doing their jobs day in and day out (I was just there this week and watched votes being taken on the House floor), they are supposed to beg to stay in Springfield longer than they have to, with nothing to do?

Let the 20 or so people who are actively engaged in this stay. And maybe the SJR could list them all next time, then at least their criticism would be fair.

It’s not fair to blame passengers for the car accident. You blame the drivers.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:38 pm
Altois, great question. I think a lot posters here work for the state.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:39 pm
I wouldn’t be “cheering” for anything right now if I was a member of the General Assembly.

Comment by Just Me Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:42 pm
Legislators make over 100 K in salary, health care and pension benefits for part time job. That is the fifth highest compensation for state legislators. I think the other 49 states have passed budgets so why are ours taking long weekends during crunch time?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:44 pm
The SJR has cut back its staff so much that the newsroom looks like the Illinois House on a Friday.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:45 pm
I work for the state. so what’s your point?

Comment by filmmaker prof Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:48 pm
@ Big Muddy. Where are you going? What tax incentives did you take to move? What was the catalyst for your departure? It is one thing to make a scene as you depart, but not telling us the specifics makes us wonder about your true motivations. Just curious.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:53 pm
We’ve heard this song before. It sounds great to the folks, but doesn’t reflect the reality of the process and the impediments to achieving anything meaningful. Of course, Springfield earns some financial benefit from the solons staying in town another night. Not convening for an unproductive day saves the state some per diem money.

Now back to the unproductive chest thumping by the editorial pages, etc…

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:55 pm
The SJ-R opinion is embarrassing. A state capital’s newspaper should be more enlightened and not fall for juvenile anctics.

There is no work which can be done. Locking legislators under the dome like hostages is foolish, silly and pointless.

Worse, the editorial seems to want citizens believing that the lack of progress is due to laziness under the Dome.

FAKE NEWS! SAD!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:56 pm
Meh. There’s no reason for them to be here while negotiations are ongoing. Not all members are part of the negotiations. It’s not as if a budget would pass today if they were here.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:06 pm
It looks bad, but even the SJ-R knows that the real work isn’t done on the floor.

Comment by SAP Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:23 pm
“Legislators make over 100 K in salary, health care and pension benefits for part time job. That is the fifth highest compensation for state legislators. I think the other 49 states have passed budgets so why are ours taking long weekends during crunch time?”

And yet the usual suspects defend these useless legislators. They could spend some time finding spending cuts.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Is there a connection between how long the rank and file are present in the Capital and the quality of governance. I suspect not. I suspect that a lot of final decisions are made rather quickly, by a few powerful legislators. Or not.

The rest of them might be better off holding more office hours back in their districts, thus being more available to their constituents, however
pesky those constituents can sometimes be.

Comment by Cassandra Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Cassandra, agreed. Which is why they should be paid as New Hamsphire’s state legislators are, $200/term.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:51 pm
===I think the other 49 states have passed budgets so why are ours taking long weekends during crunch time?===

Because your Governor won’t let them vote on any budget bills yet. Even with reforms. He needs more time, he says, but they’re getting close.

He needs more time. Lol. We’ll give him another 18 months, and that’s all.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:00 pm
If there were no cute ‘call to arms’ and the schedule was just announced…sans applause of course, it would just be another procedural announcement.

The idea that; from the leadership down to the rank and file, didn’t realize what the perception of this silly scene would be, is a bit surprising.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:02 pm
Big Muddy,
Sorry to see you go. Hope your family and business successfully manage the dislocation of relocation.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:05 pm
And the SJ-R knows that our helpless victim of a Governor can call the Legislature into session if he wants to,right?

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:38 pm
What can’t legislators vote on budget bills?

The Governor controls what bills the Speaker and Senate President call?

What reforms has the Speaker proposed?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:48 pm
It would be wise to show more grace than children hearing on the radio that school is cancelled due to snow.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:58 pm
Just lazy useless legislators feeding off the taxpayer teat.

Comment by Ron Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:00 pm

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