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* My annual medical checkup is this morning. I’ll be back after lunch. Keep it Illinois-centric and be nice to each other, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:14 am

Comments

Pokemon: A Rastafarian proctologist.

Just trying to start things off on an upbeat note.

Comment by Scamp640 Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:15 am
ILRB told Rauner Tuesday to put us at our right steps, give back pay for missed steps, and 7% interest per annum. He has 20 days to report back and let them know how it’s proceeding.

https://www2.illinois.gov/ilrb/decisions/boarddecisions/Documents/S-CA-16-006-02bd.pdf

Nelson laugh

Comment by union proud Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:21 am
According to SJR, Rauner has 20 days to come up with a plan to make steps whole. So, do you think Rauner will do what’s right or stall some more?

Comment by Backpaynow Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:25 am
Glad to hear you’re sticking to your recommended maintenance schedule. In case you didn’t know, we kind of value you around here.

Comment by SpaceForce One Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:28 am
Did anybody read the Mother Jones article about Cairo? I guess I should be more aware of Illinois history, but I was shocked by so much in this article.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/07/cairo-illinois-hud-public-housing-ben-carson-donald-trump/

Comment by #5 Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:28 am
#5 - nice hit piece by Mother Jones considering that a) Cairo has been in disrepair for 50+ years and b) the HUD issue has been a problem for almost as long (if not longer).

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:33 am
Backpaynow, I think they’ll wait out the 20 days and let AFSCME file a petition for compliance which will then give them an additional 75 days to drag things out. The money for back pay under Quinn was appropriated but hasn’t been paid, so I don’t see why Rauner would be in any more of a hurry to pay this debt.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:34 am
FWIW, seconding #5’s Mother Jones recommendation.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:37 am
And a lot of the Cairo housing issues stemmed from the former executive director who abused the system, ran a rampant nepotism scheme, skimmed money and padded his retirement all during his “reign”.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:37 am
==According to SJR, Rauner has 20 days to come up with a plan to make steps whole. So, do you think Rauner will do what’s right or stall some more?==

This has the makings of a good observational joke, but it doesn’t seem to be finished. Is the punchline coming in a later post, or …?

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:41 am
== So, do you think Rauner will do what’s right or stall some more? ==

Stall until he is out of office or jailed for contempt by a judge.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 10:42 am
Hope Capt Fax not headed to Correct Care Solutions LLC for check up

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:03 am
Cubs run away and hide in the second half in a pretty weak National League.

The starting eight put up fat runs without taters, the bullpen is solid, Lester might get his Cy Young, Bryant’s back, Hendrick and Quintana’s last outings were filthy.

If we get anything out of Darvish, and can sit Chatwood on the pine, we might get to see one of those nasty American League teams in October.

Personally, a Wrigley/Fenway or Wrigley/Yankee Stadium series would fit quite nicely on my bucket list.

See how greedy you get when the Sox and Cubs each win a World Series in your lifetime?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:12 am
Labor Board question - I think he’ll stall as long as possible while the 7% interest keeps accruing. Some people I know think that he’ll grudgingly put everyone at the appropriate step now and the back pay will take years to get. But I’m not sure I agree.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:13 am
Start making your travel plans now for Peoria’s Murray Baker Bridge work;) This will add twenty more miles a day to my commute. At least the Shade-Lohman will be done by then.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20180711/work-will-close-murray-baker-bridge-in-2020

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:19 am
There’s been a lot of punditry about why Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez was able to defeat establishment Dem Honcho Crowley in NY. Personally I think she had the right message for her district, a better connection to her constituency, and most importantly a direct, hard working community organizing based campaign that was able to communicate that message and build those connections.

All this to say, could something similar be replicated in Chicago, especially in regards to Madigan? I think every election is local and there are many differences between Madigan and Crowley, but then again I think many in NY saw the latter as equally untouchable as the former. Would love everyone’s insight.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:22 am
I agree, the step will come soon but it will be years before the backpay gets appropriated. No 2011 checks have been sent and I don’t hear any discussion about it either.

Comment by Backpaynow Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:39 am
-#5-
Back in the ’70s, I went to Cairo to represent the Black United Front in some election litigation. One story that stuck with me was the town of (inaptly) named Future City, just north of Cairo. Back then, Cairo was (as Mother Jones describes) racially changing. Future City was, even then, entirely African American in population. Story was that plumbing ran north from Cairo to other towns past Future City, but Future City was purposely denied access to the water lines, so as to discourage African American population growth. My Cairo clients, many expatriates from Mississippi, maintained the racial animosity in that area was worse than “back home”.

Comment by Mike Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:43 am
Me thinks the BrewCrew lands Machado and another starter. Brewers not looking back.

Comment by BlueDogDem Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 11:52 am
==All this to say, could something similar be replicated in Chicago, especially in regards to Madigan?==

Highly unlikely. Crowley got lazy and complacent, ignored his district. Madigan won’t do that, especially after the Rauner-funded Tony Peraica/Jason Gonzalez comedy tour a couple years back.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:01 pm
–Me thinks the BrewCrew lands Machado and another starter.–

You’s don’t understand that renting Machado will cost starting pitching. Not exactly a secret.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:10 pm
–Brewers not looking back.–

If they did, do you think they could make out the distant figures of the Cards, way back there?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:23 pm
===Backpaynow, I think they’ll wait out the 20 days and let AFSCME file a petition for compliance which will then give them an additional 75 days to drag things out. The money for back pay under Quinn was appropriated but hasn’t been paid, so I don’t see why Rauner would be in any more of a hurry to pay this debt.===

The Quinn back pay should be issued to state employees this summer. Restoring AFSCME members to their proper steps and making them whole regarding back pay — which the LRB this week ordered Rauner to do — is trickier because (unlike the Quinn back pay), money for that wasn’t appropriated. Probably it will require a supplemental appropriation from the GA, either in special session or in the veto session.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:28 pm
One of Kass’s better columns-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-met-calhoun-county-peaches-20180711-story.html

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:31 pm
RNUG - That is a bummer to hear you are predicting that. Most the state employees I speak with seem to be under the impression that the steps will actually be happening this October/November. Was hoping Rich would post a story about this either of the past two days to ready your interuption of the ILRB minutes.

Comment by Seats Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:34 pm
–One of Kass’s better columns–

Better than the one from Russia, where he was hanging out in the whip store, checking out the young Cossack thugs?

–A group of about 10 Cossacks came up and began to heft the whips, whistling and cracking, and laughing. They seemed like they could handle themselves in a scrap but were decent fellows, young and rowdy and lean.–

Oh,behave.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-18/opinion/sns-201402181430–tms–amvoicesctnav-c20140218-20140218_1_new-shop-honey-mead

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:42 pm
To Actual Red’s point about Ocasio vs. Crowley, re: Madigan

That NY District was majority people of color. Don’t know the stats on Madigan’s, but I’d read it has a large Hispanic community. Millennials helped put Ocasio over the top. If Madigan’s district also has lots of millennials, then maybe he’s vulnerable in the same way.

Comment by DarkHorse Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:44 pm
Re: Steps

It sounds like the step back pay is court ordered. I was told by a Council 31 rep a couple months back the back pay would be ordered by the court. If this is the case, the comptroller is authorized to pay without an appropriation. However I think the comptroller still needs vouchers from the agencies.

Comment by Steve Polite Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:50 pm
#5: That is a great read about Cairo and the reality of the current state of affairs and how the history of the area still impacts it today.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:50 pm
39 years ago tonight at old Comiskey:

http://ilikeillinois.com/home/on-this-day/923-on-this-day-july-12-1979

Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Interesting read on Lori Lightfoot’s lack of progressive policy positions. https://thinkprogress.org/lori-lightfoot-a-oc-1c3435db6232/

Comment by LuckyCharms Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:02 pm
I think Cleveland comes away with Machado before the deadline. Unlike the BoSox or the Yankees their window is smaller due to salary constraints. They have good enough pitching to win out in October.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:08 pm
@LuckyCharms
Thanks for sharing. I am desperately looking for an alternative to Rahm, and I think Rich was right to say Lightfoot is probably the one to watch. That said, I am worried she isn’t willing to be bold and present a clear policy alternative to Rahm. We’ll see.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:15 pm
Mike, thanks for the insight and thanks for working for justice for those who have been wronged. Im the mid-’90’s, I went to Anna, Il. and couldn’t believe what was spray painted on the sign. I hope Southern Illinois has changed since then.

Comment by #5 Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:32 pm
== RNUG - That is a bummer to hear you are predicting that. ==

Employees may be placed on the proper steps in October / November as you are predicting, but I don’t see the back pay and 7% interest for those steps happening in any hurry.

Remember, I’m the contrarian around here and often expect the worst to happe based on a person’s previous track record

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:41 pm
Has anyone heard what Lisa Madigan is going to be doing? The old “spending more time with my family” thing?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:42 pm
Wordslinger and other Cub fans, enjoy it while it lasts. The Cards will be back atop the perch soon enough.

Cubs Cards
2017 92-70 1st 83-79 3rd
2016 103-58 1st 86-76 2nd
2015 97-65 3rd 100-62 1st
2014 73-89 5th 90-72 1st
2013 66-96 5th 97-65 1st
2012 61-101 5th 88-74 2nd
2011 71-91 5th 90-72 2nd
2010 75-87 5th 86-76 2nd
2009 83-78 2nd 91-71 1st
2008 97-64 1st 86-76 4th
2007 85-77 1st 78-87 3rd
2006 66-96 6th 83-78 1st
2005 79-83 4th 100-62 1st
2004 89-73 3rd 105-57 1st
2003 88-74 1st 85-77 3rd
2002 67-95 5th 97-65 1st
2001 88-74 3rd 93-69 2nd
2000 65-97 6th 95-67 1st

World Series Wins(since 2000): Cubs 1 / Cards 2

As you can see, over the past 18 years, the Cards have had 1 season of under .500 ball: while, the Cubs have had 9. As they say, “History repeats itself”.

Also, the last time the Cards lost 100 + games goes back to 1908. No need to tank and rebuild for the Cardinals.

Comment by Once Every 100 Years LOL Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 1:52 pm
Re: Lightfoot not progressive enough? Lol. From the article:

“In her interview with ThinkProgress, she criticized ICE but did not go so far as to call for its abolition.”

So anyone not calling for abolition of a major federal agency isn’t progressive enough to be Chicago’s mayor? She has the same position on health care as Obama, who also famously is not a progressive.

Ask a socialist which candidate is the most progressive choice vs. Rahm, then ask a normal Chicago voter which is the most progressive. Anybody trying to earn the endorsement of ThinkProgress isn’t going to be elected mayor of Chicago.

So consider the source.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:08 pm
Wordslinger at least the Cubs and Sox have better records this year than my Royals. Sox barely better, but still better.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Hey Word, enjoy the Cubs little run while you can. Of course, that WS in ‘16 will likely be the only one they nab. Fortunately, Cleveland was missing their best hitter and their number 2 and 3 starters and still almost won the whole enchilada.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:16 pm
The only thing I like about St. Louis Cardinals fans is that I can wear my jorts and feel at home at Busch. It’s the second best road stadium to watch the Cubs, right after Miller. Both the beer and the sausage are vastly superior in Milwaukee. Lately the baseball has been too.

And while I can’t wear jorts in Milwaukee, I always feel a lot thinner in Wisconsin.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:29 pm
Ron. Ron. Where are you??

Wrigley field. Simply the best. Fenway. Not in its league. Pittsburgh’s new gig. Very nice.

Comment by BlueDogDem Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 2:55 pm
Russians set up local news sites including Chicago Daily News since. https://www.npr.org/2018/07/12/628085238/russian-influence-campaign-sought-to-exploit-americans-trust-in-local-news

Comment by lost in the weeds Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 7:58 pm
Phone typo. “Site” not “since”

Comment by lost in the weeds Thursday, Jul 12, 18 @ 8:13 pm
Here is an interesting chart about best states to do business. Illinois is in the middle.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/10/americas-top-states-for-business-2018.html

It’s interesting that 7 of the top ten states have a higher cost of doing business than Illinois.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 6:44 am
I can remember when the Cards were always loaded with fundamentally sound ballplayers who could run and field their positions, and their fans weren’t chronic whiners with an embarrassing sense of entitlement.

I guess it’s the difference between Whiteyball and LaRussa Juice (all kinds of juice).

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 13, 18 @ 10:59 am