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* Daily Herald editorial…
J.B. Pritzker made waves in the days before his inauguration with the announcement that he plans to match salaries for top staffers with his own money. […]
In an Illinois News Network article posted Friday, State Rep. Grant Wehrli, a Republican from Naperville, raised legitimate concerns about mixing state salaries and private money.
“Who do they work for?” he asked. “Do they work for the people of the state of Illinois? Or do they have a greater loyalty to the governor as that’s where a large chunk of their income comes from?”
In addition, Wehrli questioned setting a precedent that only the wealthiest future governors could sustain.
We share Wehrli’s concerns and have others. Boosting salaries to attract top talent is one thing; doubling them at a time when the state is struggling financially is another.
* First of all, if Pritzker is doubling their salaries out of his own pocket, then what the heck does that have to do with the state’s financial struggles? That just doesn’t make any sense, particularly since many of those folks’ state paychecks will actually be somewhat lower than their predecessors’ salaries.
Second, the concept of “mixing state salaries and private money” has been enshrined in state law for years, as Scott Kennedy accurately points out…
Today it was announced that the Pritzker administration plans to supplement some government staff salaries with additional pay out of an LLC funded by the Governor himself. He also would have been legally permitted to do this out of campaign funds, from 5/9-8.10: pic.twitter.com/x6q7ewX6fM
— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) January 11, 2019
So staffers: feel free to ask the boss for a raise and remind them that they can supplement the pay for that raise out of campaign funds.
— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) January 11, 2019
Double-exempt state employees, the roughly 2,000 or so that are at-will employees (including all in the Office of the Governor) serve at the pleasure of the Governor. This pearl clutching is excessive.https://t.co/xt0oLpX3bM
— Scott Kennedy (@ScottTKennedy) January 12, 2019
Legislators, for instance, can supplement the pay of their district office staffers out of their campaign funds. They can also pay for their state offices out of campaign funds. They can’t do the reverse, of course, and pay for their campaign staff/offices out of their state funds.
* More nonsense…
The most reasonable criticism, at least so far, comes from Mark Glennon of Wirepoints.
He pointed out that Pritzker is “subsidizing” political operatives — top aides and spin doctors, most of whom “helped Pritzker get elected.”
Since when has a new governor not hired anyone from their campaign staffs? By this logic, top staffers at the start of Bruce Rauner’s administration who worked for his 2014 campaign were being “subsidized.”
* But I’ve pointed this out before…
Rachel Leven of the Better Government Association called the move “good intentioned.” But she asked, “what if another private individual or entity wanted to fund state positions. Could a future governor create a private fund based on donations from other individuals? What are the rules that would govern this?”
They’re making “slippery slope” arguments, raising suggestions that some governor in the future may do what Pritzker is not doing now and wondering if those hypothetical actions might cause a problem.
Well, they might. But it’s still comparing apples — what Pritzker is doing — to oranges — what some future governor might do.
Slippery slope arguments are inherently weak.
* Look, I really don’t have an opinion one way or another on this salary thing. But I do think many (not all) of the arguments against it are based on ignorance of the current law or partisanship.
Jealousy plays somewhat of a role here, too, and that’s a natural human response and I don’t know if Pritzker calculated that into his equation. It could very well damage the morale among the rest of his staff. And that wouldn’t be a good thing at the start of his administration. He is in effect saying that 20 people are vastly more important to him than the other 1,500, or whatever the number is.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 3:51 pm
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Can we check for Daily Herald hand wringing when GovJunk shelled out tax dollars for big payouts for BTIA magoos like Lingle and Purvis?
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 3:58 pm
I’m with Wherli on this one. At the very least we need to know with 100% certainty that zero special interest money is funding ANY of this. Gaming, pot growers, unions, utilities, etc could potentially “buy” a position with direct access to the Governor? I know that is not what JB is intending but call me skeptical. Also, Isn’t working for the people an honor of a lifetime as many say? Now it is only the rich (small r!) that can be Governor as they will be the only ones that can pay the going rate? Unless… donors can form a pool of money! See the circle that is being created?!!
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:03 pm
===Gaming, pot growers, unions, utilities, etc could potentially “buy” a position===
There is already a law on the books strictly prohibiting this.
Again, ignorance of state laws is behind much of the opposition and it’s maddening. Try the Google or something.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:08 pm
-IL can’t afford to fix mansion, so private money is used;
-IL can’t afford to buy school supplies, so private money is used;
-IL can’t afford to fix fairgrounds, so private money is used;
-IL can’t afford to mail license plate registrations, so private ads are sold;
-IL can’t afford to pay exec salaries, so private money is used…
it’s not an innocent cure; it’s a symptom of a larger problem that makes IL look small by wrapping itself in the State flag to enable begging. Public service is about sacrificing for public service; and if in it for the $$ - then wrong & questionable motivation.
Comment by honest services Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:09 pm
I think it’s more of a problem for JB when he negotiates with other employees and the unions to deal with their goals of salary. Look at the quote today from CTU we want more and the rich people will pay for it.
Comment by DuPage Bard Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:09 pm
===more of a problem for JB when he negotiates with other employees===
I don’t disagree.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:12 pm
Okay, so I’ve “evolved” on this because Pritzker did his bit to get me back on my proper wage step. Without this yeah, I was mad.
But really when I think about the incompetent dofusses that Rauner hired to lead agencies, I see why Pritzker is paying out of his own pocket for the best he can get. I’m good with that.
Sure it may turn out to cause problems…it may
I sure know hiring folks at low state salary for bigwigs didn’t work out. It was awful.
The only problem I see though is with the levels 1-2 down from agency head. Those folks put their time in and have tremendous experience. RNUG’s merit comps who’ve been slogging away in the trenches for years. Those folks may look at their new bosses and say “bite me”. God help us if we lose our finest over this. We gotta be super careful here.
But that’s why JB is in the big chair
He’s gotta make the hard calls.
He needs the best advisors.
He needs the brightest staff.
Just don’t forget the Chiefs, as I’ve said before.
Us frontliners are happy as clams that we’re going to be put on our correct step.
A month from now and there is no word of backpay.
Well then we gotta problem.
Correction, Management has a problem.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:15 pm
This is not a good idea and sets a bad precedent for the future at so many levels.
Dupage Bard makes a solid point when contract negotiations are renewed.
Comment by Nonbeleiver Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:15 pm
Rutherford using his campaign fund to pay staff while he was in the Senate was an issue in the 2014 primary (although he was also using his campaign fund to pay for his district office). https://capitolfax.com/2014/02/04/turn-on-the-wayback-machine/
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:16 pm
===was an issue in the 2014 primary===
And that’s where the issue belongs, in the campaign. Voters can make up their own minds.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:17 pm
I don’t object to the practice and I think it probably necessary to get Dan Hynes and Jesse Ruiz (both of whom were making big salaries in the private sector) to join the administration.
But I disagree with the notion that you can’t get “good people” to take jobs in the guv’s office that pay “only” 130 or 140k a year. There are plenty of capable political pros in Illinois that would work for that.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:23 pm
If it’s legal on the books, that removes the biggest concern I had for it. Not fond of the idea of having to subsidize top spots in an administration with private funds, but for all the complaints about how the state can’t afford this or that, this is a workable solution. Good on the Pritzker crew for at least trying to think outside the box.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:25 pm
1) Wehrli - political rhetoric, don’t care.
2) Wasn’t JB’s supplement from LLC instead of political committee?
3) Just because there is a law authorizing something, doesn’t mean it is something that should be continued. I seem to recall a lot of controversy over the mixing of state/political business in legislative offices.
This is wrong and if JB doesn’t reverse, it needs to be taken up by the GA. It’s a needed reform just as stop gerrymandering needs reform.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:31 pm
Why start with this? Why subject yourself to the scrutiny? Agree or disagree. Ignorant or not. This makes a lot of people uneasy. Why taint an otherwise very good start.
Comment by 19th ward guy Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:32 pm
===Wasn’t JB’s supplement from LLC instead of political committee===
I was commenting on the concept of mixing public and private funding. But if the state allows politicians to do this with campaign funds raised from outside entities, I can’t see how funding it out of his own pocket is somehow worse.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:35 pm
In hindsight he probably should have just given them bonuses out of campaign funds and disclosed it there, end of story.
Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:36 pm
” I’m with Wehrli” that is a scary line we will hear more and more. One of IL’s top empty suits is all that left to guide the GOPies. They are in trouble.
BTW did you miss the big video poker opus?
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:36 pm
===given them bonuses out of campaign funds===
And since he self-funded, how would this be any different?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:37 pm
Wehrli’s claim to fame is being a twitter troll and being against almost everything.
Wehrli and the Herald hold no chops to criticize since they were supportive or silent when Rauner was lying people extra money to make up for their Tier 2 benefits while supporting a stripping down of benefits for everyone else. And he did it with state money and no “superstar” outcomes.
I am still opposed to what J.B. is doing, but I see it as well intentioned but a poor precedent.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 4:56 pm
I had a successful career in the private sector, before joining State government at literally 1/3 of what I made in the private sector. I did that because I wanted to try and do the right thing and contribute to a greater good. I was fortunate to be able to do that. Most people could not. I expect JB wants to make it easier for people to make that decision. If they underperform, he’ll stop and will likely replace them. He wants to make a difference, do it quickly, and needs people to help. He’s willing to invest his own money… I think we should get out of his way at the minimum. Better yet, try and step up to help make a difference yourself. I was fortunate, and believe that by forgoing potential earning power - I chose to try and make a difference on a small scale. I personally invested. He’s a billionaire and can do more. I say good luck, God bless, and please make a difference for the people of Illinois.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 5:26 pm
For the record, not that anyone really cares, I have no issues with what the Governor is doing here. Zero, zilch, nada. At least the additional money isn’t State money, which should cause people to jump for joy.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 5:31 pm
–Slippery slope arguments are inherently weak.–
Is it a slippery slope argument?
If it’s legal for an individual — Pritzker — to set up an LLC to subsidize state employee salaries, I’m guessing a group could do the same thing.
Again, a guess. This is all a new one to me, not even sure where to look. I saw some chatter on the twitter that Rauner had been doing it for one of the crew in his office.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 5:53 pm
I don’t personally like this practice, but more important to me is that Mark Glennon consider saving himself all of this frustration and moving to a state that more closely aligns to his conservative principles. If that doesn’t interest him, maybe he could earn a ride to New Zealand by carrying the Rauners’ luggage, non-metaphorically this time.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 5:57 pm
I believe the move was well intentioned by Pritzker, but I think it is problematic and will cause him and others a host of problems.
I get not being able to get top people due to salary constraints. The state just needs to examine the law and fix it for specific positions. Geesh I know gov workings in the municipal world (and no, not the city of Chicago), that make $250-$300K a year, plus all those nice benefits.
Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:05 pm
Ole Nelson- agreed
Comment by Annonmorty Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:22 pm
Not sure that supplementing state employee salaries is “customary and reasonable expenses of an officeholder…”.
Comment by justacitizen Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:51 pm
Everyone is fooling themselves if they don’t know that IT contractor’s are making $275k a year. Get rid of some of those “ITRP” contracts. And these aren’t really “salaries” they are more like annual contracts.
Comment by Mimi Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 9:39 pm