Statewide Update—May 16, 2012

Chicago Tribune—Senate leader wants to legalize online poker, “Senate President John Cullerton floated the idea Tuesday of making Illinois an Internet gambling hub, suggesting the state could organize a major online poker game and gain worldwide popularity. The Web-based gambling plan comes with little more than two weeks left until a scheduled May 31 adjournment and was rolled out as supporters of expanded casino gambling consider another push.”

Chicago Sun-Times—Editorial: A primer on what’s at stake at NATO Summit, “If you live or work in Chicago, you may be shocked to learn that the NATO Summit this weekend is about more than protesters and traffic headaches. OK, maybe not shocked. Chicagoans know that leaders from 60 countries and organizations around the world are descending on Chicago for the NATO Summit. But with all the focus on the logistics (tell me again which roads should I avoid?), we decided to offer a basic primer on the issues confronting international leaders at the May 20-21 meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. To guide us, we relied on experts from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Atlantic Council, a Washington D.C.-based policy institute, and others elsewhere…”

Daily Herald—Villages to pay for teacher pensions?, “Municipal leaders are pushing back against a proposal in Springfield that would have villages, townships and other local governments give up some of their tax revenues for teachers’ pensions. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan filed that proposal and others this week. They could be debated as early as today. Under the plan, villages and other governments outside Chicago would be hit for about $982 million a year to help cover teacher pensions.”

Bloomington Pantagraph—Pension fix could take $1.4B from local governments, “A House panel is scheduled to discuss a plan Wednesday that could divert more than a billion dollars from local governments to help plug a hole in the state’s underfunded teacher retirement system. The legislation, introduced by House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is just one piece of an emerging proposal designed to fully fund the state’s pensions within 30 years. Other elements that remain under negotiation include raising the retirement age to 67 and requiring state workers, university employees and school district personnel to pay more toward their pensions.”

Statewide Update—May 15, 2012

Jon Burge

Chicago Tribune—County pays $600,000 to get out of Burge torture case, “Cook County commissioners agreed Monday to pay $600,000 to settle the county’s portion of a lawsuit brought by a freed prison inmate whose allegations of police torture have shined a spotlight on former Mayor Richard Daley. By voting to settle, commissioners removed county government as a defendant in the case brought by Michael Tillman, who alleges that detectives working for then-Chicago police Lt. Jon Burge tortured a confession out of him in a 1986 rape and murder case.”

Chicago Tribune—Most Chicagoans think Mayor Emanuel is doing a good job, poll shows, “Chicagoans generally approve of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s job performance but are taking a wait-and-see attitude on whether he’s making the city a better place to live, a new Tribune/WGN-TV poll shows.  Voters also are sharply split on the question of whether Emanuel has ushered in a new era of reform as he promised during his extensive campaign for mayor.”

SouthtownStar—Cook County treasurer presses Southland governments for debt data, “Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is trying to determine the collective debt of the county’s 553 government bodies, but more than 30 Southland villages, park districts, library districts and others are among those that so far have not cooperated, Pappas’ office said Monday in a news release. To rectify that, her office is sending them Freedom of Information Act requests, usually used by citizens or media, rather than by another governmental body, when public information is withheld.”

The Southern—Clock ticking on Quinn’s attempt at $2.7B cuts, “The clock is ticking on Gov. Pat Quinn as he attempts to convince Illinois lawmakers to reduce the state’s massive Medicaid costs by a whopping $2.7 billion. For any funding reductions to take effect when the new fiscal year begins July 1, the Quinn administration must give the public a chance to have input into any changes. The deadline to submit a public notice about the comment period ends May 21. The possible flurry of last-minute negotiations over the state’s Medicaid problems comes as the General Assembly is juggling a number of controversial and complicated issues.”

State Journal-Register—Quinn: Reform plans a rescue operation, “Gov. Pat Quinn appealed Monday to an influential group of business leaders in Chicago to add their weight to his push to reform Illinois’ debt-laden Medicaid and public pension systems, describing the plan as a tough sacrifice and an urgent “rescue operation” for future generations.   With barely two weeks left in the legislative session, the Democratic governor has gone on the offensive and turned to unlikely allies in the business community to pressure lawmakers to pass his proposals. On the other side, unions and advocates for the poor say the reforms will hurt the most vulnerable.”

The Southern—Education could take next budget hit, “As lawmakers grapple with a bleak budget picture, a proposal in the Illinois House could cut education funding by at least $258 million. General State Aid appropriations to school districts could be reduced by $258 million, $500 million or $750 million, depending on how close lawmakers are able to get to the $2.7 billion target in Medicaid cuts.”

Statewide Update—May 14, 2012

Crain’s Chicago Business—As contractors bend the rules, Public Building Commission stands pat, “Commission contracts show more than $10.6 million in payments to [minority- and woman-owned enterprise] Fullerton for plumbing, electrical and other construction materials over the past four years. But Crain’s can find no evidence that the company maintains a supply warehouse or delivers materials to job sites. In fact, based on PBC records and numerous interviews with other subcontractors, Fullerton appears to be nothing more than a pass-through broker. Some of those in the building trades call Ms. Bellagamba [of Fullerton] a ’2 percenter,’ a reference to the typical fee she receives for passing those payments to actual suppliers while allowing the construction companies to list her as a minority subcontractor to meet the PBC’s requirements. This kind of financial sleight of hand is pervasive among the handful of big contractors that control most PBC projects, a Crain’s investigation shows.”

Chicago Sun-Times—Wrigleyville rooftop club owners donated more than $170,000 to Ald. Tunney, “A week before Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) declared his opposition to new advertising signs the Cubs want to erect that could block the views of rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley Field, the alderman’s political fund got contributions from three club owners.”

Chicago Sun-Times—City to give $2 million to companies to hire City Colleges grads, “Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a $2 million stipend for companies willing to hire City Colleges of Chicago graduates. ‘You hire one of our community college kids, we’ll pay their stipend for the first four weeks of work,’ Emanuel said Saturday during his commencement address to 3,300 graduates at the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion. ‘. . . I want the rest of the country and all the people to know we got great community colleges with great kids who are ready to go to work.”

Daily Herald—State, teachers far from deal on pension reform, “Suburban teachers turned up the heat on Illinois leaders last week, gathering by the hundreds to get information about their future retirements while state lawmakers face a deadline in less than three weeks to find a way to lower the state’s escalating pension costs… For the first time, the Illinois Federation of Teachers is hinting they might be willing to give a little.”

Peoria Journal Star—Dixon scandal looms over possible merger of state offices, “An alleged $53 million theft in Dixon by a public official in charge of handling all of the city’s finances has fueled opponents’ efforts to kill an initiative to combine the state comptroller and treasurer’s offices…. The comptroller’s office was created because of a scandal in the 1950s involving the then-Auditor of Public Accounts, who embezzled more than $1 million to fund his private jets and automobile purchases.”

State Journal-Register—Quinn, business form unlikely alliance on budget cuts, “Gov. Pat Quinn built his career on populism and consumer advocacy. But, in the middle of what might be his defining political moment, he finds himself in an unlikely alliance with major Illinois business groups in a battle against unions and advocates for the poor.  Quinn has proposed sharp cuts in both Medicaid and pensions for government workers to save billions of dollars. In that, he for the most part has the support of the state’s business community.”

Statewide Update—May 11, 2012

Former IDOT Director Michael Stout (blue shirt) at a July 2008 event. (Photo courtesy of Blu Moon photos)

Chicago Tribune—Report finds IDOT official abused post, “The former head of traffic safety for the Illinois Department of Transportation violated state ethics rules by using his position to obtain several free passes to NASCAR events, then lied to cover it up, according to a report investigators released Thursday. The Office of Executive Inspector General recommended that Michael Stout be fired for requesting the passes from a consulting firm that received grants from IDOT to promote safety. Stout resigned in December while agency officials were reviewing the findings.”

State Journal-Register—Quinn will sign bill to end free health insurance for state retirees, “A bill requiring retired state employees to begin paying premiums for their state health insurance is on its way to Gov. Pat Quinn. The Senate voted 31-20 to approve Senate Bill 1313. The House approved it Wednesday. Gov. Pat Quinn issued a statement saying he will sign the bill.”

(AP) Daily Herald—Lawmaker won’t answer questions on bribery charges, “An Illinois House committee reviewing the federal bribery charge against a lawmaker must decide whether to proceed with possible expulsion after Rep. Derrick Smith refused to testify. The Chicago Democrat declared his innocence Thursday before the special investigative committee. But neither he nor attorney Victor Henderson would answer the committee’s questions.”

The Southern—Plan to cut regional school offices advances, “A plan to reduce the number of regional school administrators advanced Thursday in the Illinois Capitol. On a unanimous vote, the Senate approved legislation to slash the number of regional superintendents to 35, down from the current 44, in an attempt to squeeze some savings out of the state’s education bureaucracy. A special panel was formed to study the mid-level administrators after Gov. Pat Quinn attempted to eliminate the offices last year in a bid to save $12 million. The commission estimated the reduction of nine offices would save about $1.5 million.”

Chicago Tribune—Quinn makes it clear he supports same-sex marriage in Illinois, “A day after President Barack Obama endorsed equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, Gov. Pat Quinn made it clear that he stands with the president on the politically divisive issue of marriage equality. The governor signed a bill legalizing civil unions in Illinois last year but has long been vague about whether he supports same-sex marriage.”

Statewide Update—May 10, 2012

State Rep. Monique Davis

Chicago Sun-Times—House passes bill that spares state rep $444,500 in disputed taxes, “State Rep. Monique Davis’ Democratic friends in the Illinois House Tuesday spared her from a tax bill of at least $444,500. By a 60-54 vote, with Davis voting present, the House entered into the legal dispute between the longtime South Side lawmaker and the Chicago Board of Education over her refusal to pay back rent and leaseholder taxes on her district office, which is in a school-owned building. The measure would bar taxation on any property owned by a state or local government leased to another state or local government. It makes no mention of Davis, but the bill would essentially undercut a school system lawsuit against Davis.”

Chicago Tribune—Illinois House Oks bill to require retired state workers to pay something for health care, “Retired state workers would have to pick up more of the costs of their health insurance under a contentious plan the Illinois House approved Wednesday. The goal is to reduce the more than $800 million a year that state government spends on a program that sees thousands of retirees now get coverage for little or nothing. Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago and House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego implored colleagues to make the measure part of an effort to save billions of dollars by cutting health care for the poor, reforming public employee pensions and making trims to the state budget.”

Daily Herald—Audit reveals big problems in College Illinois program, “An Illinois college-tuition investment program was beset by shoddy management, including possible conflicts of interest by top officials, as it went underfunded and administrative costs tripled, according to an audit released Wednesday. New managers of the College Illinois Prepaid Tuition Program who took over when Gov. Pat Quinn cleaned house last year were quick to embrace the findings by Auditor General William Holland and point out changes they’ve made to fix problems.”

Peoria Journal Star—Local officials hope to learn lessons from Dixon theft, “A theft case in Dixon involving an astonishingly large amount of taxpayer money has some local officials, including one Peoria city councilman, wanting to make sure it cannot happen here. Peoria staff is compiling information they will release in the coming weeks after 4th District City Councilman Bill Spears requested a policy report on how the city’s finances are handled. Spears noted he did not have any reason to believe there was any reason for concern, but acknowledged the events in Dixon prompted rationale for the inquiry. City Manager Patrick Urich said a larger policy discussion about the city’s finances will take place within a month.”

 

The Southern—Plan to block Quinn from closing facilities fails, “An effort to give lawmakers the power to block Gov. Pat Quinn from closing large state facilities fell one vote short of passage in the Senate on Wednesday. State Sen. Gary Forby, whose district includes Tamms Correctional Center, which Quinn wants to shutter as part of a budget-cutting plan, had sought to give the General Assembly a say in whether closures can go forward. But, the measure received just 29 of the 30 votes needed to move to the House for further deliberations.” http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/plan-to-block-quinn-from-closing-facilities-fails/article_c03b646a-9a53-11e1-8118-001a4bcf887a.html

Statewide Update—May 9, 2012

Chicago Sun-Times—Rahm’s pension reform: Freeze retiree pay hikes, up retirement age, “Drawing a huge union outcry, Mayor

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel Tuesday proposed freezing pension increases for retirees, raising the retirement age and hiking employees’ retirement contributions. a move that he said would keep the city’s underfunded pension systems solvent and avert a property-tax hike of as much as 150 percent… Making his first trip to the statehouse as mayor, Emanuel made his own pitch for pension reform, lending a powerful voice to pension scale-backs sought at the state level by Gov. Pat Quinn and top lawmakers before the General Assembly is set to end its spring session by month’s end.”

Chicago Tribune—Quinn says gambling not the focus this spring, “Quinn warned lawmakers against getting distracted by the gambling push, which happens almost every year near the end of the spring session, saying they need to keep their ‘eye on the prize.’  ‘We have very, very high priorities in restructuring Medicaid and reforming our pension system and getting a good budget. So, we don’t want to get distracted here,’ Quinn said…”

Chicago Sun-Times—More Chicago Police disciplinary charges sustained, “Chicago is seeing a rise in the number of disciplinary charges sustained against cops — partly because more of those cases are being resolved through mediation, according to the agency that investigates police misconduct. The Independent Police Review Authority sustained charges against officers in 70 investigations last year.”

State Journal-Register—Illinois House votes to retain auditor general, “Auditor General William Holland is poised to receive another 10-year term after the Illinois House approved his re-election unanimously on Tuesday. Members of both parties praised Holland’s performance, but Republicans argued the office’s existence is more evidence that having both a state treasurer and state comptroller is unnecessary, drawing House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, into a rare floor debate with his opponents.”

Bloomington Pantagraph—County-wide wellness program shows financial benefits, “For every dollar invested in McLean County’s latest wellness challenge, the community saved $9.11, according to the county Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday, apparently for the first time, a McLean County-wide health and fitness competition was able to put a dollar value on results of the program. While the savings figure is an estimate, it will provide ammunition for corporate wellness advocates.”

Statewide Update—May 8, 2012

Chicago Tribune—City prepares $2.1 billion in bond deals for Midway debt, water and sewer upgrades, “Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to use only financial firms owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans on a bond deal to pay for $300 million in water and sewer improvements during the next two years, officials said Monday.”

Chicago Sun-Times—Is Midway Airport privatization deal back in the works? “Chicago aldermen signed off Monday on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to refinance $1.5 billion in Midway Airport debt — and got a strong sign that the $2.5 billion Midway privatization that collapsed for lack of financing may yet be cleared for takeoff.”

The Southern—‘Moment of truth’: Pensions, Medicaid must be changed, state official says, “Opportunity Acting Director David Vaught hosted meetings Monday in Murphysboro, Peoria and Champaign to discuss the governor’s plans. Vaught told The Southern Illinoisan’s editorial board Monday morning there were no alternatives to Quinn’s pension reform plan because the governor had already incorporated many other ideas into his proposal.”

Chicago Sun-Times—Editorial: Lineup of jobs and perks doesn’t pass smell test, “Sometimes something just smells. Legal or illegal, who cares? It smells. Case in point is the cozy arrange­ment of jobs and perks Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) and his family have worked out, all at taxpayers’ expense. Ald. Beale is on the City Council. His wife, Dana, worked full time for the state as a $76,897-a-year securities auditor from 2000 until last May. At the very same time, she worked as a legislative aide to state Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), whose district overlaps Ald. Beale’s ward.  Add in the fact that Ald. Beale’s daughter was admitted to Whitney Young Magnet School after he called the principal, and don’t forget the Better Government Association’s report last January that Rita gave the Beales’ daughter a legislative tuition waiver worth $37,000 to attend the University of Illinois.”

Chicago Sun-Times—City’s failure to fix crumbling viaduct to cost taxpayers $450,000, “Chicago’s failure to repair a crumbling downtown viaduct — despite a “task order” generated by a call to 311 — will cost taxpayers $450,000. The City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday approved a $450,000 settlement to compensate a pregnant woman and her husband injured when the roof and front windshield of their car were smashed by a 50-lb. chunk of concrete that fell from a viaduct in 2007.”

Chicago Sun-Times—Alderman opposes Mayor’s plans for Wrigley revenue, “Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) on Monday declared his opposition to key elements of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to help the Cubs wring $150 million more in advertising and sponsorship revenues out of Wrigley Field and surrounding streets to minimize any taxpayer contribution toward renovating the 98-year-old stadium.”