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* Senate President John Cullerton attended a Sun-Times editorial board meeting today. Click here to watch the whole thing. Cullerton was asked about the governor’s televised “unity” speech tonight. “Do you think there could be unity after two and a half years of a budget impasse?”…
Not by him giving a speech. You have a meeting. You exchange information. You talk about policy. They don’t do that. They, I’m sure, have polls before they walk into a meeting. It’s that frustrating, and believe me there’s frustration on the Republican side. Tremendous frustration.
* He was then asked if he was hopeful that the state will have a budget by the end of June 30th…
You don’t have to watch the play ‘Hamilton’ to know that there’s a separation of powers. I’m only in charge of what I can do in the Senate. I can’t go over and vote in the House. I can’t sign bills.
* The Question: Are you hopeful that the state will have a real budget by this coming June 30th? Click here to take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 1:57 pm
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I voted NO. If they do come up with a real budget, Rauner will veto it. There is no way the GOP will put any votes up for a tax increase. No leadership on the House GOP side at all.
Comment by ILGOV2018 Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 1:59 pm
Yes, I am hopeful. There is too much at stake for my organization and dozens of others like it serving 150,000 Illinoisans to give up hope. Without hope that this nightmare will end soon, I don’t think I could get out of bed in the morning.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:01 pm
I see no evidence that Rauner is prepared to do what it takes to make it happen. The same could be said for Madigan. So sadly for our State, no.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Well if we had a casino in Chicago and it was on the board I would guess the odds at 100 to 1. No
Comment by Nieva Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:03 pm
No. Rauner does not want a real budget. I predict stopgap partial budgets.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:03 pm
Nope - Rauner is an ideological warrior who overestimates his powers as governor to get something done. He does not overestimate his power to stop things. He has shown nothing in the last two years that he wants to move forward. As much as people hate Madigan, many realize that to cave in would destroy the party. Your bargaining position as governor cannot be “Give me all I want and then destroy your party in the process” But that has been his MO.
Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:06 pm
I voted, yes.
Based on the question asked, I try to remain optimistic that the State will function at the end of the day.
However, if the question asked was “Do you believe there will be a full-year budget by June 30th?” Then no because of the past evidence of the sparring between the legislature and the Governor’s office. And a speech by the governor tonight will not materially contribute to resolving this impasse.
Comment by Ockile Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Voted No. Real easy answer. Rauner does not want one.
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Zero chance.
Rauner is pinning his re-election hopes on blaming Madigan for the lack of a budget.
Once there’s a budget, Rauner has no one to blame (except himself for the results of the impasse). But — and we all know this — “blame Madigan” is what polls well — and what will win the election.
Comment by Mr. K. Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Voted No. There have been so many opportunities … a new date won’t matter. It’s all about the blame game now.
Comment by BBG Watch Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Not a chance in hell. This is sadly the perfect ultimate opportunity for each side to say they came into the session in good faith and then proceed to blame the other for not ending the crisis. There will be no official budget until 2019.
Comment by J IL Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:09 pm
No! Rauner continues to escalate the war instead of trying to negotiate. Perhaps after June 30, when contractors go nuts and the ratings agencies totally smack IL with another round of downgrades.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:10 pm
Our governor represents a behind-the-scenes cabal of very rich people. They pursue an agenda approximately that of Ayn Rand. Once they break Illinois, they will turn to New York, California, and Massachusetts. Because of this national agenda, the governor will drive the state into sovereign default. However, he needs to seem reasonable on TV so he makes these speeches.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:11 pm
This so-called unity event may be Rauner’s strategy to position himself as a leader before he forces GOP members to vote for revenue and a budget he desperately needs to avoid the state from going down the toilet, whose flush handle he will be portrayed as having his hand upon.
Or not.
Comment by Winnin' Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:11 pm
It’s all about the votes, about the votes, about the votes…
I voted NO. If the governor will only sign the so-called Republican “compromise” plan (which contains absolutely no compromises) there will never be the votes to pass a budget. Simple math.
Comment by Way South of I-80 Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:12 pm
Voted No. At every point I’ve thought we had hit critical mass and the pressure would finally get to them and force a resolution, we’ve blown right past that point.
If lawmakers have up to this point been able to face their districts while the destruction is going on, I have no hope they will finally decide to put the state’s good above their own political lives.
It appears to me, they all have adopted a policy of mutual destruction rather risking their necks.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:12 pm
A budget would require a Republican revolt in the GA. I do not see that happening.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:14 pm
No. Governor just wants to make it seem as if he wants one, but any spending constraints would impede the State’s descent into the bankruptcy he thinks will save us.
Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:16 pm
If they haven’t got one in all this time, I don’t think they’ll get one by June 30th. To make a sports analogy, a victory doesn’t have to wait until the last minutes of the game. One team or another can take the lead and call plays and runs during the first three quarters that determine the winner. (In a way, while I realize the mound of bills is staggering already and will just become more so, I don’t want a state budget so that Rauner will have ABSOLUTELY ZERO to show as any achievements.)
Comment by Christopher Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:16 pm
This governor won’t govern until he’s in complete charge. We’d be insane to upend our government for his satisfaction.
NO
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:18 pm
No. If Gov. Gaslight wanted a budget, we’d have a budget. He does not want one, so there won’t be one.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:19 pm
No. the governor fired up the anti Madigan commercials. he’s still in that spot and there’s no getting out of that.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:21 pm
I voted yes. There has to be a point where the pressure that has been building will lead to something happening. The governor may not be concerned with reelection, but the speaker still is. If we don’t have a budget by the next election, there will be no winners, only losers. And there may finally be enough public disgust to cause a major house-cleaning across the board. I don’t think they really want to risk that.
Comment by weary Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:22 pm
There won’t be a budget signed by July 1, but hopefully the public outcry combined with extreme credit downgrades with K-12 uncertainty will be enough to get this down. Can’t believe that this amount of pressure would be required, but this is where we are now.
I’m still hoping that there will be a court reversal to end state automatic payments without an appropriation. That is the ultimate pressure that could get this done.
Comment by Nope Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:22 pm
Am I “hopeful?” You cannot survive in this business if you’re not hopeful.
Is it foolish to expect we will have a budget by June 30? Yes
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:23 pm
NO!
Rauner’s actions are not matching his words. And, short of issuing orders and campaign statements, he doesn’t seem to want a deal that requires him to compromise on anything.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Nope. As I’ve said and agreed with others here before, the Governor is not interested in a budget. Ever. His idea of compromise is not only do I get everything, but you get nothing and will be destroyed in the process.
Comment by Flippy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:26 pm
Not this coming June 30.
Yes by June 30, 2019.
Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:30 pm
No. If anyone involved had the best interests of the state at heart, this would have been over months ago.
Comment by lincoln's beard Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:30 pm
For the sake of so many people, organizations, schools, employees, etc. relying on a budget I still remain hopeful something will be worked out by next week. But I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen by June 30th.
Comment by SmallTown Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:31 pm
I voted yes. The local and national press have awakened recently and have been brutal on both the governor and the past and present Dem controlled legislatures. Therefore, I am uncharacteristically hopeful that the governor’s speech tonight may in fact offer movement and put some things on the table publicly that both the the Dems and Reps will be forced to respond to publicly.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:33 pm
No because like everyone in this bubble bog Rauner is eve il. Or it could be Madigan will never, ever get behind a budget as long as Rauner is Governor. And that suits organized labor and trial lawyers just fine.
Comment by Bored Chairman Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:35 pm
I’m hopeful but think it highly unlikely that either the Governor or Speaker will lay down his sword before June 30.
Comment by Hack in the Back Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:37 pm
No, Republicans won’t be allowed to raise taxes to per moneybags Rauner. They have purposely put our state of Illinois in a hole we may never get out of. Rauner’s speech tonight will be a rerun of his stale talking points.
Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:38 pm
I voted no. Since the focus now seems to be on mutual assured destruction, I think the best option is to not pass any stop gap budgets either. Illinois citizens need to know the end game (whatever that may end up to be) sooner than later as the last two years have proved.
Comment by Res Melius Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:39 pm
No. That has about as much a chances as me willing the lottery.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:40 pm
I voted no because we now have a Rauner history that has become predictable.
Rauner claims that there are Democrats who agree with him (in private). Cullerton says that Republicans are conveying frustration (in private). Normally I would see this as a positive sign that should point to compromise. But these aren’t normal times.
Rauner doesn’t seem to believe in compromise. He expects capitulation. His education secretary made that clear a week or so ago when she claimed that a 90% solution wasn’t good enough. Rauner has only underscored that through his non-stop campaigning.
The frustration on both sides should be more than enough to prompt them to get together to hammer out an agreement. Rauner doesn’t seem to have any desire to allow that to happen. His actions are quite the opposite.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:41 pm
Voted No. If the House does move the Senate budget package, they will have to put GOP votes on the bill and I don’t see that happening.
I just don’t see a deal happening. No full budget, no stopgap. If Rauner did want a budget passed he would be in meetings with leaders or members of the working group hammering out a deal instead of having a speech at 9PM expecting people to take him serious. I look for this to be like the movie Leap of Faith: Rauner the Dishonest Governor, who uses all the tricks in the book to con the people attending his shows.
Comment by Get it Solved Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:41 pm
Hopeful, yes! MLK, Jr. said “you can’t see the stars without the darkness” but realistically that is a really cold light. No budget til mom, dad, grandma, employers, etc. feel the heat of K-12 schools not opening.
Comment by Emerson Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:43 pm
Voted no. “Crisis creates leverage.” Remember when the decisions were being made regarding reducing pension benefits in order to reduce the underfunded pensions? That “crisis” was cured by raising the income tax for 4 years by two percent. All pension payments were made including the ramp payments and the backlog of bills was steadily reduced. Some “crisis” that was.
By any objective standard we are in worse shape now than during the last “crisis.” But I do not believe that we are at a Rauner crisis levels yet. Not yet enough leverage. My guess is that he won’t take the brick off of GOP votes until Illinois is in such bad fiscal shape that it can’t make court-ordered payments. He will stay in this mode until he is stopped (with the help of bi-partisan negotiation) or there is (near?) complete capitulation to his demands; Something he apparently believes will happen if he manages to run Illinois into deeper and deeper debt with no relief on the horizon. Rauner has not yet brought Illinois to a Rauner-level, leverage-creating crisis stage.
That rascal.
Comment by 37B Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Voted No. No revenue bill without a lot of Raunerite votes and Rauner can’t sign a balanced budget with millions in new taxes and still scream ‘but Madigan’!!!
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:45 pm
I used an inside source to get me an embargoed, advance copy of theGovernor’s remarks. Here’s the ending:
“Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering Speaker; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear! …And a property tax freeze!”
Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:45 pm
===I used an inside source to get me an embargoed, advance copy of theGovernor’s remarks===
I obtained a practice video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXo_EBR45R0&feature=youtu.be
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:47 pm
I am hopeful. The alternative is so devastating , it is hard to believe anyone in their right minds would allow it. The shutting down of all construction, would cause deep economic impact everywhere. It would hurt workers, business, communities, etc. etc.. Einstein had a saying about insanity.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Voted “No”
“Why?”
Rauner attack ads will flank the speech.
The ads and IPI tell me all I need to know where Rauner and Raunerites stand.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:50 pm
No. Illinois GO bonds are not yet junk. One month of junk will get many funds and pension plans to sell. The it will take a few weeks for citadel fortress and the Caymen Island not blind trusts to scoup up th bargains. Only then will Sham Wow get around to that budget thing.
Love how not having a budget is the excuse for billions in procurment to not go through the formal bid procurement rules.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 2:59 pm
There is still no real motivation for a real budget to be passed by either D’s or R’s.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:00 pm
===a practice video===
That is the hardest I’ve laughed in a long time. Well played Rich.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:07 pm
I voted no. Would Rauner be this invested in attacking Madigan and Democrats if he wanted a deal? Plus, if Rauner wanted to, he could shepherd a deal and has enough money to cover himself politically. He could say he’s a leader who brings opposing sides together.
Every day I hope something will change, but history says something else.
Cullerton basically said last night on “Chicago Tonight” that the Senate’s job is over, and it compromised with Rauner. Carol Marin tried to quibble about finding a compromise between two years and four years for the property tax freeze. I mean, really, after all this time, and after Rauner pulled the plug on the Grand Bargain? It seemed so silly.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:09 pm
No. Rauner has never wanted a budget, and he doesn’t want one now. He wants a complete shutdown, nothing less. This whole affair has been one big waste of time, energy, and resources. Madigan knows what Rauner is doing. It’s all about which one will end up with the monkey on their backs. The problem is, thus far the monkey keeps hopping back and forth. Neither can get a tactical advantage.
Comment by Realist Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:10 pm
Voted no. There is more of a chance now to… win the Powerball jackpot then have a budget signed. In my opinion.
Comment by Ractin Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:12 pm
Hope IPI and the other networks give the Dems equal time to respond. Lol.
On a serious note, I dread the happy-go-lucky, naive coverage local tv networks will give Rauner. Like he is sincere.
There really does need to be some balanced coverage here.
Comment by Winnin' Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:14 pm
To the question “Am I hopeful?”? Yes, I desperately hope for a budget. Will it happen: NO.
Why “no”, because crisis creates opportunity.
Comment by golfman-r Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:32 pm
No. Does anyone really think that a Koch Bros disciple is going to raise taxes at this point? The misinformation and political theater will continue with no one calling for an end to Rauner’s dysfunctional failed leadership.
Comment by El Conquistador Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:41 pm
Voted ‘no’. Rauner didnt wait until the middle (seems like) campaign season to ink a deal that makes him look like a Madigan clone.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:42 pm
Rich. Were on earth did you remember that scene.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:45 pm
No.
The rest of the leaders, mostly the governor but also Madigan, aren’t willing to compromise like the Senate leaders are.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 3:47 pm
Not a chance.
Two of the three main actors–Madigan and Rauner–don’t want a deal.
Madigan and Rauner will sign off on a stopgap agreement and make Cullerton stand alone in opposition. The pressure will be too much and the Senate will go along.
Politics makes strange bedfellows.
Comment by Chicago Guy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Voted no. Until Rauner pulls negative ads and calls off IPI, it is clear that he really isn’t not interested in a budget. Or he is most incompetent politician in history. Maybe both? Either way, it just gets harder for those in Illinois.
Comment by Tired Teacher Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:17 pm
First, kudos to Newsclown for the Captain Ahab reference.
Second, voted No on the poll — desperately want to be hopeful, but cannot make the political math come out that way. Rauner and Madigan, and most of the GA, are boils on the body politic.
Comment by Flapdoodle Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:31 pm
Newsclown, Rich Miller, I picked up the final copy. Illinois Trek II: The Wrath of Rauner.
I feel like were playing out the kobayashi maru test in real life.
Comment by whataboutbob Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:31 pm
== He wants a complete shutdown, nothing less. ==
No. Rauner had chances to achieve a complete shutdown but he made sure to get K-12 funding and to keep state employees being paid.
What Rauner wants is a complete MELTDOWN of State government and everything funded by State government. And he’s almost there ..
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 4:40 pm
Voted no because of partisan attack ads from Governor.
It’s getting hard to push off reality though. Junk ratings after June 30th, escalating failures, several key court rulings pending. I smell stopgap after June 30th.
Comment by peon Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 5:55 pm
Pardon my ignorance but what will Rauner achieve with a complete meltdown? Does he just want to rule like an emperor and issue edicts? The state is way behind on payments to health care providers among many others and they can’t deny services to sick people. In Springfield if there’s no state money there’s no school in Jan. and that’s just the start.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 5:59 pm
Riddle me this….what happens in 2019 if BR wins again ?? We go a full 8 years without a budget ?!?! It may be moot as we likely won’t be able to recover from the damage already done….
Comment by JDuc Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 7:06 pm
The problem Rauner has is that all unions are against him. You can include most current and retired state employees. Parents of students in college and those in the state school system will likely vote against him. You can probably include those in the health care system waiting for payments and social service employees and any “hostages” affected by the impasse and probably fair amount of Republican voters who are tired of the Gov. arrogant attitude. That is a lot of votes hoss. As long as the ILDEM doesn’t self destruct during the campaign there’s a chance.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 8:11 pm
I’m surprised he did not wear a Carhartt.
Comment by Glengarry Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 8:53 pm
No budget. Why? Because this is the “Give a mouse a cookie” story in real life with Rauner as the mouse. Give him right to work, he’s going to ask for term limits. Give him term limits, he’s going to ask for a property tax freeze. Give him a property tax freeze, he’s just going to go on and on forever asking for more cookies before he’ll agree someday maybe to a budget. And the Democrats know it.
Comment by Dutch3001 Tuesday, Jun 20, 17 @ 10:10 pm