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* The House has just voted to approve an omnibus appropriations amendment 90-25.
Speaker Madigan rose after the vote to thank Leader Durkin and the Republicans who voted for the amendment.
I think it’s a good step forward. A step that we can build upon. There’s much work yet to be done. Therefore the House will be in session tomorrow.
Momentarily I will send a message to the bond rating agencies asking them to defer credit ratings on the state of Illinois until we have sufficient time (to work things out)
Next I will be convening a meeting of the leaders today (to talk about budget and non-budget issues)… and I will convene a meeting of interested parties on the revenue bill…
Let’s keep up the good work and we’ll get the job done.
More in a bit.
* The amendment which passed can be found by clicking here.
Today’s House debate was remarkable for its bipartisan nature, which isn’t often seen in that chamber. GOP Rep. Steve Andersson received thunderous applause for his remarks, with Rep. Greg Harris saying it was the finest speech he’d ever heard delivered in the chamber.
* From Speaker Madigan’s office…
“The work of the governor and General Assembly is clearly not done. As a result, the House will remain in session. While we’ve made progress on solving the governor’s budget crisis, we are not done. We will remain in session to continue our progress toward passing a balanced budget. In light of this ongoing progress, I would ask that bond rating agencies temporarily withhold judgment and allow legislators time to negotiate a bipartisan, balanced budget.”
*** UPDATE *** As I noted earlier today in our live coverage post, this amendment vote was Speaker Madigan’s idea. He wanted the budget amendment adopted as a sign of good faith and then he’d restart negotiations on the non-budget issues and revenues. The budget itself is still not agreed.
So, a “top Republican source” described today’s floor action as more of a “procedural vote” than a sign of support for the underlying bill. There’s still a lot of work to do.
* Meanwhile…
Here's a letter Madigan sent to bond houses asking to delay cutting credit rating to junk status. Calls it the "governor's budget crisis." pic.twitter.com/qGkObVQ1tl
— Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) June 30, 2017
* Sun-Times…
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he committed Republican votes as a “gesture of good faith.”
“I’m telling you we are close. We are so close. I can taste it,” Durkin said, while emphasizing there is still more work to be done.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:02 am
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Wow. What about the revenue bill? Is it in here?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:05 am
The spending bill got 90 votes. I predict the revenue bill will get 71.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:06 am
The didn’t pass the bill. They adopted the amendment.
Comment by not again Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:06 am
===They adopted the amendment===
Um, I wrote…
===The House has just voted to approve an omnibus appropriations amendment 90-25.===
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:08 am
Next step, Raunster also tries to call rating agencies to encourage junk status. A leader acting as such in the house and a fast talking charlatan as the state executive.
Comment by former southerner Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:09 am
==until we have sufficient time (to work things out)==
Seriously? Will the rating agencies fall for this again?
Comment by enoughalready Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:09 am
Is this a big step forward or more game playing?
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:09 am
How would the GOPers who voted for this justify voting AGAINST the revenue needed to produce a balanced budget? Seems like they should be all-in either way. {CC sniffs smelling salts, wakes up, wipes the rose colored glassed off his face}
Oh, nevermind.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:10 am
They are still short of the 30 Repub votes that Madigan is demanding for the tax bill. I think there were only 21 Repub on the amendment.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:11 am
The Dude Abides- THIS is a big step forward. Rauner may try to keep the “game” in play, but hopefully the ILGOP GA members will let him play alone.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:12 am
Does this mean no revenue vote today?
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:12 am
Hey Speaker, can you also reach out to the Higher Learning Commission to save the accreditation of the public universities?
Comment by Because I Said So.... Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:13 am
It’s great that they’re applauding each other for doing their job…two years late. That’s like my dentist giving me a standing O for brushing my teeth every now and again.
Comment by Mr. Know-It-All Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:13 am
“We gave him the molasses, now let’s feed him the sulfur” - CINCPAC II
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:14 am
I think the credit agencies will see this vote as a good sign and worth their time to give another 24 hours. If there hadn’t been a vote like this, I doubt they would listen to pleas for more time.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:14 am
I’d like to hear a statement from the Governor’s office on this.
Comment by Impasse Casualty Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:15 am
71 is still a heavy lift for revenue, especially if Rauner stays on the milk carton.
But this is the first ray of light in years.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:15 am
Missed Steve’s speech. Does anyone have video?
Comment by KAA-boom Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:15 am
I say “Ye Steve Andersson”
Very well done, Representative.
Thank YOU.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:16 am
My rep, Mark Batinick, apparently can’t bring himself to compromise. Very disappointed by his vote to continue the impasse.
Comment by Markus Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:18 am
= ===The House has just voted to approve an omnibus appropriations amendment 90-25.=== =
And that is all they did, the bill is still on second reading. More amendments coming?
Comment by cover Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:20 am
Missed Andersson’s speech as well, but the glowing reports make me hope we have a new statesman in the making.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:21 am
“While we’ve made progress on solving the governor’s budget crisis” Heh
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:22 am
We are going to save the state together, not that we drove it off a cliff together. So clap for us.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:24 am
Help me out here… is there any ways to pass a full budget at this point (revenue and spending), or is the earliest that could happen tomorrow?
Comment by TCP Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:25 am
Been There - there were 23 “yes” votes and 25 “no” votes from the House GOP caucus. That is as close to balance as you can get.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:25 am
A quick look at the bill shows that this covers spending through June 30, 2017, not next year’s budget.
Comment by Pelonski Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:27 am
Anyone know where the Gov is on the Bill?
Comment by Horatio Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:29 am
But, will the public applaud?
Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:29 am
My mistake, it covers next year as well.
Comment by Pelonski Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:30 am
Rich, ginger ale is better than nuthin’
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:31 am
Horatio - Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:29 am:
–Anyone know where the Gov is on the Bill?–
Anyone know where the Gov is?
Comment by UISer Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:32 am
This was a symbolic vote at a time when I think it’s safe to say we all needed to see evidence that the end of the world would be averted. This was a bi-partisan signal that offers hope to people like me, who were beginning to lose all hope.
I watched 30 of my colleagues depart this week due to layoffs at my organization, victims of budget cuts because of this budget impasse.
So thanks for the kumbaya moment, but get back to work and bring this thing home.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:32 am
Thankful for some good news; hope the rest of the day continues to be positive. I just checked on my rep (D. Olsen); very disappointed he voted no.
Comment by Tired Teacher Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:39 am
Whatever else you think of Madigan, I still appreciate his systematic approach to things. I don’t always agree with him but he’s a smart cookie and has his game plan all laid out, one play at a time.
Comment by Former Merit Comp Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:41 am
As much as I want to applaud this seemingly bi-partisan agreement, I am still pessimistic that this will materialize into a full budget.
yet it still boils down to the required revenue, not the non-economic compromises being discussed.
Show me the money to pay for this!
Comment by illini Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:43 am
The action this morning on the House floor is what the people of Illinois want to see more of, not the negative campaign rhetoric coming out of the Rauner campaign, the IL GOP, Do Your Job and the JB campaign.
Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:44 am
Still very skeptical of a deal because the only person really holding up the show wasnt involved in this. Yesterdays “axing” (im blaming the gov for this) of Radogno seems to have shown a lot of Rs that the governor is willing to drag them all to ruin with no regard for their personal reputations or relationships. They deserve some credit for this realization and subsequent push back imo.
Comment by Dr. Bronners Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:45 am
“But, will the public applaud?”
Probably not.
As for me, I have The Who’s classic, Won’t Be Fooled Again, playing in the background.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:46 am
Calling it the “governor’s budget crisis” is pretty much the most accurate thing you can call it. Governors own vetoes and that’s what has happened over and over and led to this crisis.
Comment by Chucktownian Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:49 am
Ok hold the champagne - but send in the Jimmy John’s
Comment by Texas Red Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:52 am
Still at 65 percent likely to have a budget, though need a day or two more.
Downsides for both sides, if they fail, are just too stark.
Comment by walker Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:53 am
Fast track sale of JRTC?
Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:56 am
Your move, Governor #DoYourJob.
Comment by Flippy Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 11:57 am
The Madigan letter more chance of succeeding if all the leaders and Governor were to sign a joint letter. But that would require the Gov to not want junk which im still on the fence about where he is on this. Why is he so quiet today?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Disappointing partisan letter from Madigan…
Comment by Nony Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:02 pm
When it’s a done deal, I will celebrate. The Speaker saying the “Governors crisis” is enough to derail it all.. And he knows it. It is obvious MJM and Bruce are equally to blame. It would be nice to see an uprising of both sides of the rank and file. They are the only hope left.
Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:09 pm
===Disappointing partisan letter from Madigan===
Perhaps, but remember, he’s writing this as the leader of the House Democrats. He isn’t speaking on behalf of the state or anyone else.
Also, this is a way of memorializing the compromises Madigan and House Democrats are willing to make. It’s Madigan’s way of communicating and, disappointing or not, he is outlining the position of his caucus.
What would be interesting is to see a similar letter from the Governor’s office or from Leader Durkin and compare the two. Then mere mortals like us would know if a deal is possible or close or a complete fantasy. I’m sure S & P would like to know that too.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Let’s hope the SB 6 vote represents a genuine first step to addressing the budget impasse. What’s next?
Comment by nikobey Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:22 pm
The Speaker calling it the “Governor’s crisis” is enough to blow it up? Is the Governor really that thin skinned? He said he could take the arrows. The speakers been demonized on a daily basis for three straight years, yet he’s still engaged. Total nonsense.
Comment by GOP Extremist Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:28 pm
Echo, you must think Rauner is a delicate daisy or a petulant child if you believe he would blow up a deal over such a mild tweak.
Rauner can dish it out pretty good with his multi-platform propaganda machine. Do you really think he’d fall apart over a wee bit of flak?
You don’t think much of his testicular virility.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:30 pm
===Is the Governor really that thin skinned?===
My Magic 8 Ball said, “Without a Doubt,” and past experience leads me to agree. Governor Rauner never forgets a slight, and sometimes goes out of his way to find them.
But I think Madigan’s phrase was misunderstood. He was almost certainly referring to the crisis that is threatening the governor’s budget. I’m pretty sure Madigan wrote this meaning sentence such that “governor” is modifying “budget,” not crisis. It is the governor’s budget that is in crisis, it’s not the governor crisis.
I’m sure this is just a little poor grammar, not an intentional insult. Let’s all get back to work down there.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 12:42 pm
Hopefully Rauner can get the agreement to the Koch Brothers for review and approval asap.
Comment by DeseDemDose Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:07 pm
Ok, here is what I don’t understand. Repubs want to see spending cuts, so they say. My understanding of the budget is that approps are made for what the Govs administration is allowed to spend. Can he not then spend less should he so choose?
Comment by Proud Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:31 pm
Nobody’s stopping anyone else from sending their own letter to Standard & Poor’s, right? But what, for example, would the Governor’s letter say? “Go ahead and junk us; we stink.”?
Comment by The Real Just Me Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:34 pm
I am aware that numerous social service agencies are in a state of collapse and are happy to see any budget likely to be adopted. But the House amendment to SB 6 just adopted spends $36.4 billion — an estimated $3 billion less than what the state is currently spending under court orders, and also lower than the governor’s proposed spending plan of $37.3 billion on which Senator Cullerton originally drafted SB 6. The adopted amendment includes those $3 billion in cuts and $5 billion in revenue assumed by the Senate bills unless the Speaker pushes through an income tax increase to 5.25% and Governor Rauner agrees. If that doesn’t happen most of the back bills will not be paid off and only $7 billion would be covered by SB 4 bonds as it was written. That bill has yet to be adopted by the House.
What is also not surprising is that all House Democrats voted for this amendment even though some objected to earlier cuts in SB 6 that Sen Cullerton and his caucus passed as being too harsh on the poor of our State. We have seen this all before too.
Comment by Rod Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 1:38 pm
===Disappointing partisan letter from Madigan===
Think what you want of the letter from the Speaker but at least he made the effort. Where is the Gov on this? Shouldn’t he been on the phone ASAP????
Comment by Are Ya Kiddin' Me? Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 2:01 pm
According to one analyst hospitals and nursing homes in Illinois will suffer the most under this budget with the reduced revenue numbers.
Nursing homes in Illinois are already selling at a steep discount.
Comment by goofy66 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 2:28 pm
So, I spent a little time scrolling through the 650+ pages of House amendment 2 to SB6. I am pretty confused. Does anyone have a synopsis that states what agencies are getting new money for FY17 under this amendment, and how much some of the key cuts are to agencies for FY18? And if we’re talking cuts, are they cuts from FY15 appropriation levels or some other appropriation level?
Comment by redeft Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 2:44 pm
Signed Michael J Madigan. The “J” stands for junk.
Comment by Trump2020 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 2:48 pm
redeft: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4Bi-iePG1O6X3BYYVBlbnE0WUk
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 2:59 pm
Thanks, Rich.
Comment by redeft Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Only partisan Democrats,Republicans, Raunerites and followers of Jim Edgar are cracking open the champagne. You see, they got there one and only wish. Temporarily prop up the state with increased taxes on the working poor and middle classes. Its the way we always fix our financial problems. I want to particularly thank the hard core Dems,progressives and liberals for staying true to your beliefs and sticking it o the little guy….you wonder why I know the two party system has abandoned the middle class.
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 4:04 pm
Dear Mr. Petek,
Please give us one more day to solve the Governor’s budget crisis. I am new in town.
Sincerely Yours,
Michael J Madigan
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 4:07 pm
Today’s poll should be…Will we have a budget? Explain! No, Madigan and the Governor both don’t want one.. This celebration and vote was a farce..They will be “too far apart” on the revenue side. Ugh
Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 4:16 pm
With all due respect to Leader Durkin, Leader Radogno thought she was so close to a deal a few months ago where she could taste it,too.
Comment by GA Watcher Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 6:02 pm
KAA-boom- Here’s Andersson’s speech
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRJ0Bs7m8yc&feature=youtu.be
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 9:31 pm
Thank you Anon221. Andersson deserves the praise that has been lauded on him. Let’s hope this goodwill carries on to a final agreement this weekend.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 10:22 pm
Although I live just outside Rep. Andersson’s district, I have known Steve for many years and am proud to consider him a friend. Every state legislator should take his words to heart. “Let’s get this done.”
Comment by Retired SURS Employee Friday, Jun 30, 17 @ 10:27 pm