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* The governor is making good on a promise today, which is sort of a first…
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has officially signed a capital improvement plan designed to give the state’s ailing economy a shot in the arm.
The plan creates a $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program that’s expected to create and retain more than 439,000 jobs over the next six years.
I was a bit skeptical going into today’s noon signing ceremony after reading a quote from Quinn’s spokesman in yesterday’s Tribune editorial….
We hope the governor will echo that concern for citizens’ opinions as he weighs this decision. Quinn spokesman Bob Reed said late Friday that the capital package’s gaming provisions were still being reviewed by the governor: “Right now, the plan is to outline his position on Monday at the capital bill signing.”
But, people on the scene say Quinn has announced that he’s signing all of the bills as-is. He’s apparently doing a partial veto of one bill to take out the pension bond language, however. Quinn wants a different borrowing bill now.
* Senate President John Cullerton’s response to the signing ceremony was not exactly effusive. From a press release…
“By signing our job-creating statewide construction plan, he is ending the practice of using out-of-work Illinoisans as political leverage while also removing a major roadblock to bipartisan cooperation and trust among political leaders.”
Oof.
By the way, the legislative leaders plan to meet with Quinn in Springfield this afternoon at 4 o’clock.
* As an aside, I’ve been wondering lately how long it will be before somebody does a state plane usage story on Quinn. He’s commuting to Springfield far more than Blagojevich ever did, and it’s almost always by plane. Those costs add up fast.
* Meanwhile, AFSCME members are demonstrating in front of several state legislators’ offices demanding a tax hike. From a press release…
With the Illinois budget crisis unresolved, Governor Pat Quinn threatening deep cuts to vital human services, public safety and thousands of jobs, and legislators due at the capitol for special session tomorrow, thousands of union workers, human-services providers and other advocates will take part in “Send-Off to Springfield” events at the offices of some 40 state representatives TODAY, Monday, July 13.
The events are part of a massive, coordinated effort to raise public awareness of the dangerous potential cuts to state services and jobs-and scores of community-based human-services programs-that loom as a result of the budget crisis, and to urge every state representative to return to Springfield and support House Bill 174, comprehensive tax reform that raises revenue, cuts property taxes and preserves vital services and public safety functions.
Here’s a recent report from AFSCME about how the protests are going…
40 demonstrators at event co-sponsored by AFSCME and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Report from Aurora event – 75 demonstrators at AFSCME event where Rep Chapa Lavia joined the crowd and signed a pledge to support HB 174!
In Springfield, crowd estimated at 300 marching to Stratton building now.
I’ll have a photo of one event if it ever uploads on this slow Intertubes connection.
…Adding… Here’s the pic…
*** UPDATE - 1:33 pm *** From Rep. Will Burns’ Twitter page…
VOTE trying to disrupt bill signing. VOTE is anti-labor. Anti-Dem. Based on westside.
33 minutes ago
*** UPDATE 2 - 2:27 pm *** More from AFSCME…
CHAPA LAVIA - Aurora
A crowd of 75 demonstrators was joined by Rep. Chapa Lavia, who signed the pledge of support for HB 174 and joined the demonstrators to wave a sign reading, “It’s time for the House to do the right thing!” See photos attached.
BRADLEY - Marion
Report from the scene: About 120 in attendance, even split between AFSCME and the Our Directions day vocational program [for individual with developmental disabilities]. Closed down the parking lot. Signs visible on both sides of IL Rt 13 during the event, horns honking in support. Our Directions had around 40 clients there, as well as foster parents. We did a line into Bradley’s office with people introducing themselves and telling his staff why new revenue is needed, gave them a poster with all our signatures on it, and left the HB 174 pledge.
BRAUER / POE - Springfield
From the scene: Estimates as to numbers vary from between 300 and 400. With a permit from the city we were able to march on the streets. The crowd was spirited and orderly. And noisy, blowing whistles. They’ll know we were there, for sure.
D’AMICO - Chicago
Three dozen demonstrators from AFSCME and neighborhood advocacy groups organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:17 pm
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Rich - Do you know if he signed the trailer bill to HB 255 as well?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:20 pm
not to defend Quinn, but Obama’s plane trips each cost millions of dollars, and d.c. beuracrats trips abroad cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per trip that they go on depending how and where. Plane stories are the definition of overkill.
Comment by shore Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:50 pm
RT @HernandezGomez
Gov. Quinn used a different pen for each part of the capital bill. Can Illinois afford all these pens?
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:54 pm
Also, the fact that Quinn is using the state plane to go to Springfield means he’s actually going to Springfield. Which, of course, Blago did not do often.
Comment by Just Sayin' Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:57 pm
Rich,
Just thought I would reiterrate that while his signature may represent his keeping his promise to Democratic legislative leaders (who appointed him by default), and labor unions and contractors, that supported him, he simultaneously broke his promise to the people that ultimately elected him (OK-only Gov-Light), with the expansion of gambling.
The funny part is that there is a good likelihood that a substantial percentage of both the appointees, as well as the electors, have no intention of supporting him for election for Gov. going forward.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 1:57 pm
This is the best thing to ever happen to the State of Illinois! Kudos to Governor Quinn for such bold and decisive action!
Comment by AT LAST! Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:05 pm
*This is the best thing to ever happen to the State of Illinois!*
Holy hyperbole, Batman.
If people start giving him a hard time about the plane trips, that is insane. How dare the Governor of Illinois travel around the state of Illinois! My question is - are you saying he is not living in the Governor’s mansion like he said he would, or is it simply he is traveling back and forth from Chicago and Springfield for various meetings?
Comment by montrose Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:10 pm
I was one of the AFSCME demonstrators today, at Rep. Mell’s office in Chicago. I didn’t have a black armband to signify mourning over state job/service cuts, so I tied a black sock around my arm–the black sock of despair.
I heard an ironic story today from Mell’s staffer. She said Mell voted against the state income tax increase bill in May of this year because not all of her constituents support an increase. She said an old man, 80 years old, came to her office to urge her to reject the tax increase. After a while the staffer said the man is on food stamps. How ironic. He’ll probably be complaining when he goes to have his eligibility redetermined and he won’t get serviced in a timely manner. What will he say when his food stamp eligibility expires and his application is sitting on an untenable pile of work? Many of us at her office today service her constituents.
After all of this, I have a deeper respect for soldiers and police officers, who leave their homes and won’t know if they will be coming back alive. Illinois politicians could do the courageous thing and raise the income tax now to prevent or minimize service cuts and job losses. It’s not like they’ll be in welfare lines if they get voted out of office. Many will go into law practice or someother lucrative field and more than make do.
Comment by Stoned Prophet Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Only chance to plug the budget hole is to cancel or postpone every non-urgent project in that capital plan. Apparently that thought is not going to be entertained…which is incredibily foolish.
Comment by Segatari Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Did Quinn sign the “member initiatives” HB0312? Does “Jobs Now!” incl. the “member initiatives”? thanks
Comment by moron Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:18 pm
Segatori and others:
the capitol bill has its own funding source, and the benefits come early but the income rolls in over the next 30 years to pay off the bonds.
If we diverted the revenues supporting the public works bill, it would not fill 1/12th of the state government fiscal problem. And the jobs that the bonding bill creates will help stimulate the state economy, hardly impacted by the federal economic stimulus plan because it has been so slow rolling out of the federal agencies other than in transportation and education.
Apples and oranges - this spending area does not deserve your wrath.
Comment by Capitol View Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:24 pm
QuinnT:
take a look around video poker is going on all over IL RIGHT NOW….this just give the state some $$$$
No one thinks this is expansion
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:27 pm
Rich,
I also have another ? and did not know where else to post it because I am on the go this afternoon; but thought it was still worth asking.
Headed over to the ALL STAR FAN FEST; before the HOME RUN DERBY Tonight. (Leave the comments open and I will live blog the event).
My question is about the Auditor General’s Report about the Loop Lab School.
In the report DIGEST, the Auditor provided a pretty comprehensive synopsis and timeline of what took place and when; and was performed by whom, with one very notable exception.
The report indicated that the $1million was essentially split into two tranches, with the first one being $100,000, and the second one at $900,000.
According to the report, the second tranche of $900,000 was deposited into a lawyer’s client trust account; but the name of the lawyer was intentionally redacted, without further explanation.
This makes the “follow the money” exercise rather difficult, and without any clarification as to why it was intentionally ommitted, one can only speculate. Is it likely that the lawyer; or law firm, is a target of any ongoing investigation? Could the lawyer/law firm be perceived as a potential deep pocketed target of liability for potential recovery?
I would think that the depository location of public funds would be considered public record; at least until such time that the grant recipient becomes compliant with the terms & conditions of the grant. In the case of the Loop Lab School, they never became compliant, so the question begs, why not name the lawyer/law firm that took initial possession of the funds?
Inquiring minds want to know; but it should require a FOIA request to find out.
What say you?
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:27 pm
“Click below to find out how your community benefits from Illinois Jobs Now..”
http://jobsnow.illinois.gov/
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:30 pm
Here’s a list of the bills signed today:
HB 255, HB 312, HB 2400. HB 2424, SB 349, SB 1959, and SB 1221 (w/line item veto).
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:39 pm
He signed all the bills, people.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:40 pm
Is he using the state plan or flying commericial the way he did when was Lite Guv?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:45 pm
What is the line item veto?? Was it specific projects?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:49 pm
Police ordered AFSCME members to leave the area in front of Rep. Cavaletto’s office in Salem today.
Comment by transplant Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:50 pm
anon, read the post.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:51 pm
Did Lang ever take his hold off HB 313?
The ILGA bill search still lists the hold… (Or did 313 get rolled into something.
Comment by Rob_N Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 2:55 pm
off topics….. sort of……does anyone know if more layoff notices went out????? when will we know when this “first round” is over? So we know who is in the clear of layoffs????
Comment by spring79 Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 3:20 pm
313 was rolled into 1221
Comment by Lou Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 3:56 pm
Thanks Lou. That explains it.
Comment by Rob_N Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 4:20 pm
Capitol View, apparently you’ve not heard of the prior incidents where lawmakers took money out of the pension fund to fill prior budget gaps–which is why it’s grossly unfunded. They could do the same thing with the capital plan very easily.
Comment by Segatari Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 4:27 pm
Who is at the leader’s meeting? Heard Cullerton got back from vaction and now has to go to an All-Star Game. Is this true? Not another Rod!!!
Comment by Had enough Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 4:36 pm
spring79,
I checked the AFSCME web site, and there is no new information on more layoffs. The layoff target date is at the end of September, so there is plenty of time to issue layoff notices.
It’s really hard now to get definitive information on layoffs, since so few people seemingly know what’s going to happen next. I have tried asking around, but all I get is rumors.
We’ll see what happens tomorrow in the Capitol. I think the 2,600 layoffs are all but set in stone, especially now that Quinn is giving the anti-tax legislators their cuts, albeit maybe less than what they wanted.
I heard from a high-ranking AFSCME person that layoffs are negotiable. In this dire economic climate, I don’t see how they are. I still think that the harm will outweigh the good. State workers in different agencies are already severely understaffed. One billion in cuts with such a large deficit seems to me to be a token gesture by Quinn to his opponents, so that other legislation can move. The human cost of severely disabled people losing their services, and other people losing jobs and services, is inestimable.
I believe I’m safe, because of my seniority level. But I’ve done much demonstrating and petitioning, not for myself, but for others.
Comment by Stoned Prophet Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 5:14 pm
RT @melissahahn
Gov. Quinn, leaders mtg’s postponed ’til tomorrow. Quinn office says it’s cuz Quinn got to Capitol late n not all leaders could meet late.
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 5:49 pm
Nice management. I think I will just tell my customers that all of my employees just couldn’t coordinate their schedules to make it to work today!
Comment by Mom to 50 Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 6:21 pm
In other news several million Ill. taxpayers went to work today, so that others can live of our hard earned tax dollars.
Comment by fed up Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 6:56 pm
Live blogging Rich on Chicago Tonight, PBS affiliate in Chicago.
Rich, Carol Marin is your new pr machine, telling the world that you are giving the facts on your blog. very corporate gray suit
look.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:14 pm
Carol and Rich critique Mike Madigan, who is not doing anything with his Democratic majority. “Madigan misreads history,” Miller.
“you talked in your sun times column recently, ” Rich to Carol.
quite a team on Mike Madigan assessment, Carol and Rich.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:17 pm
“I don’t remember what I had for lunch today,” Rich. come on, don’t undercut yourself with this style.
Chris Kennedy, Rich wants you to return his calls.
“you built an empire, Rich” “yeah, like Sanford’s garage,” Rich himself.
“do you ever worry that you are driving policy?”
nice, deferential yet idea driving answer to that, Rich.
and, we’re off to the cemetery discussion, presumably without the nattily corporate dressed Mr. Miller.
ok, at least we still have the hair and beard to point to a rock and roller heart.
nice appearance, Rich!!!!!
Comment by Amy Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:22 pm
RT @melissahahn
AFSCME’s filed suit demanding that state workers get paid even though there’s no budget. Things are heating up
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:25 pm
Not only the non-profits, their clients, foster parents and abused kids, and Lord knows how many others, but now also all state employees and retirees need to plan for possibly not getting paid on 7/29/09.
Very hard to live like this. Not guaranteed for being paid for work done (AFSCME union beginning to take legal action in order for us to be legally paid–the state is literally criminal in its actions now–for everyone to see), and layoffs looming. I will downsize. Will not spend any discretionary money. Looking for another job. Looking to move out of state.
The state of IL feels more and more like a third world country run by power-and-money-hungry thugs. Responsible for people suffering and dying now, our most vulnerable people.
How do you feel right now Quinn, Madigan, Cross, Rodogno and House GOP, this is what you wanted by refusing to raise taxes which is the only way out of the fiscal and moral abyss this state is in. Where is your leadership? Do you care about humanity and human life?
Comment by state employee Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:41 pm
Anonymous Coward, why should workers have to ‘fight’ to get paid? Quinn has said several times that he expects workers to get paid, yet he never sent out a email to boxes telling them ‘hey, come to work but you might not get paid or if you do in a timely fashion’.
These paychecks are electronically deposited and many of the workers have set up automatic payment withdrawals for such n such a date to be taken directly out of their bank accounts.
WHile this might be all fun n games for some, exactly why should a worker have to now face perhaps having payments ‘bounce’ for things like their utility bill, car insurance, credit card? One tiny click of a mouse and these bounced automatic withdrawals could cause serious damage to workers credit rating, put them in default ect.
Yeah good times, good times.
Oh, or maybe they’ll be cute and funny and just send out $6.55 an hour. Glad to hear the GA has all had nice golf outings, vacations and went to ballgames. Suppose those mouse clickers will take that as a good excuse before they trash ratings?
Many of the businesses that make auto withdrawals get discounts for doing it this way. Should we all call and ask them to try and stop the auto withdrawal and loose the savings? Can they afford to loose the discount and maybe the credit smack? The state is afterall then wanting to take a day’s pay from workers each month. Even less money then to pay bills with lost discounts and trashing credit ratings.
Yeah, good times, good times.
Comment by Princess Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:44 pm
Is it true that Cullerton was on vacation and then a game today???
Comment by state employee Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:45 pm
Princess,
At least if we’re paid minimum wage on the 29th, the rate is now $8/hr as of 7/1/09. I help clients on public assistance, and know these numbers. Lucky for us, we’d also partake of the extra 25 cents per hour if that is what we’re paid instead of our normal salaries.
Comment by state employee Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 7:49 pm
state employee, they’ll likely have to ‘fight’ over that too. Headlines today were suggesting State Police may get only $6.55 even though Fed is now $7.25 and IL is $8.00.
Guess after they deduct the health insurance, taxes ect, maybe the car payment might make it through auto withdrawal, guess us lazy, overpaid, underworked public sector pawns used as a symbolic gesture …eh, forget, you know the routine.
Comment by Princess Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 8:00 pm
Princess,
U R awesome!!
Comment by state employee Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 8:13 pm
Hey ‘Princess’,
I’m just reposting what I saw on a Twitter feed..
Do try to keep up:
@melissahahn = Melissa Hahn - Springfield Bureau Chief
Of…
http://www.illinoisradionetwork.com/mhahn.htm
RT = “read this”. (phonetically - in past tense - think ‘red’ - I JUST READ THIS ARTICLE)
Don’t get your Tiera in a bind.
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 9:08 pm
Actually, fed minimum wage doesn’t go up until the 24th. Those due to be paid the 15th would get paid at that rate.
Comment by Swell Summer Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 10:09 pm
Okay, anonymous coward, don’t worry over the family jewels, they are just fine. Only as a poor frontliner all they contain is a diamond stud in my 3rd upper ear piercing (a gift from the hubby).
I knew what your posting was about/from, my reply was in continuing the ‘thought’ of the ‘tweet’, I should have posted the opening of it differently and saved you the time of explaining your post to me.
But as you’re the second in about a week to take a crack at my ‘nickname’ which has nothing to do with lifestyle I think it’s time to change it again. I had changed it about a year ago to clearly id myself as who I am and not mistaken for who I am not. After I shortened it a year ago I didn’t realize how ‘cheesy’ it would become.
But anyway, time for a change again.
Comment by Cindy Lou (formerly Princess) Monday, Jul 13, 09 @ 10:34 pm
Another $3 billion is to be blown on the “school construction” program, perhaps the most wasteful and ineffective programs out there.
My local district couldn’t even give one of the program’s justifications on their application for their grant of a few years ago, but that didn’t stop them from getting $3 million from the state due to “unhoused” students.
Here’s how the scam works, folks.
First the district and the architect send in an application that shows dropping enrollment and more than adequate classroom space. This should be an immediate “reject”, but that’s not the way clout works in Illinois.
The Capital Development Board and ISBE sent representitives, and after one morning’s visit they revised the architect’s report to show that our classrooms were only “adequate” for 15 students, even though they had been serving over 25 students well in those same classrooms for years. It’s amazing how a bureaucrat from Springfield could make this change in over 100 classrooms’ capacity after a few hours visiting the three schools.
Since priority for the construction projects is determined by percentage of “unhoused” students, we were ranked as the 14th highest priority in the state even though our enrollment had dropped by about 10% over the last few years, and was projected to drop another 15% by this year (which it did).
Because even our small class sizes of 22 were much more that the state-determined 15 student “capacity”, the state gave us $3 million for an $8 million classroom project.
Because the district wanted new libraries and the most gym space per student in the state in our middle school,they concocted one of the worst classroom projects I’ve ever seen just top be able to sue the state dollars for their gyms and libraries, where the political PR is.
They gutted the library at one school and put in undersized, catacomb like classrooms there so that they could use state funds to build a new library.
They did something similar to the gyms at one school, and built brand new science classrooms that could only hold 17 students even though class size was about 25. It was far worse than what our kids had before the project.
Of course, the project costs ballooned to over $20 million and was funded by working cash bonds without referendum. This was because the Board knew they couldn’t sell this boondoggle to the taxpayers, and state law allows schools to raise property taxes up to about 20% for just about any purpose without voter approval.
We successfully petitioned to have the bond sale put on the ballot, but the Board simply cancelled the bond sale one month and created a “new” bond sale for the same amount and purpose the next month. We needed to organize and get over 2,000 signatures in less than 30 days to get it on the ballot. Eventually they outspent us on lawyers and we gave up because the law is made to circumvent voters for working cash bond sales.
Everyone in the Board’s “network” was able to feed at the project’s trough, and over 50% of the work was given to “local” contractors.
Change orders were generous, and costs were hidden by taking them “off budget” to one of the unreported “shadow” projects the Board was executing.
The school construction program is a cesspool, folks, and HB255 just made it a lot smellier.
Comment by PalosParkBob Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 12:04 am
Cindy Lou,
Don’t let them get to you (as you always tell me!), keep whatever name you want!!
As though “Anonymous Coward” were any kind of name to be proud of anyway?! It’s probably Fritchey or one of the House GOP!!
Comment by state employee Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 7:44 am
I think the real boat has been missed here. I wrote last week that I was waiting for the other shoe to drop to see what Mike Madigan got out of Lisa staying AG. Uhhh…72 hours after her announcement the governor relents on the capital bill and the tax increase. This is no different then what Blago did. Instead of trying to sell the Senate seat, he paid off the dad of his biggest opponent in the campaign for Governor. Are those phones still tapped?
Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:26 am
–“By signing our job-creating statewide construction plan, he is ending the practice of using out-of-work Illinoisans as political leverage while also removing a major roadblock to bipartisan cooperation and trust among political leaders.”–
My, my, that’s not happy. Do you get the feeling that Cullerton doesn’t really enjoy being a boss? He doesn’t hold up to well to a lot of light. It’s easier to be the sidekick, wise guy joker.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:32 am
Pardon my brash reply, CL.. Some ‘take home’ work and my blood pressure got the best of me.
No SE, I’ve got nothing to do with state guvnment. (other than I have a sister and some friends in the same predicament as you all) I’m just an innocent bystander..
Comment by Anonymous Coward Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:34 am
State Rep, Mike Boland, who was on holiday, was also picketed by a huge gathering of labor leaders from around the Quad Cities. Estimated crowd 180.
Comment by RedTrack Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:58 am
Segatori at 4:27 - bond funds cannot be used for general operating expenses. It is limited to 20 year durability spending, such as on buildings. Cannot be used for salaries, etc., or even pension obligations.
It is possible that not all the bond projects get released, and therefore some of the revenues intended to pay the bonds get diverted, but this is highly unlikely. It is a public works program, and expected to roll out ASAP.
Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 11:47 am