State Senate

The News-Gazette editorial today:

A challenge to Jones from within his Democratic majority might be the best option. Eleven Senate Democrats, including Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Champaign, voted last Thursday to put recall on the ballot. Time will tell whether theirs was a courageous challenge to Jones or just a calculated maneuver that gave them political cover in their home districts. The real test is whether those Democrats, and others, are willing to offer an alternative leader to Jones and restore some semblance of respect and responsibility to the people and the government of Illinois.

A comment I made last week:

Who is going to be the first Senate Democrat to stand up and say Jones' leadership and devotion to protecting Blagojevich is part of the problem? 

Are any of the Democratic State Senators "tough and independent" enough to admit that Jones is is part of the problem?

It's not that I'm tweaking the NG for echoing me, as I hardly think that's the case. 

The point is that it's obvious that the Senate Democratic leadership, and their supporters (including our own Sen. Mike Frerichs) are a key part of the intractable problems in Springfield, due to their protection of and acquiesence to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Someone needs to challenge Senate President Emil Jones' leadership of the State Senate, even if it's only a challenge to this policy of deference to Blagojevich.  Mike Frerichs campaigned as a "tough and independent" Representative for the 52nd District, but has so far challenged Jones only superficially, if at all. 

Does Frerichs not see the need to challenge Jones, or is his unwillingness to do so due to loyalty, policy agreement, and/or the massive campaign contributions Jones gave Frerichs in 2006, and likely will again in 2010?

The constitutional amendment proposing recall of the Governor and other state and local elected officials failed in the State Senate, three votes short of the 33 votes necessary for passage.

UPDATE:  You can also see at the same link that Democratic Senate President Emil Jones thinks legislators and the Governor should get another huge pay raise.  For excellent job performance, I'm sure.

Maybe this year, Sen. Mike Frerichs will take responsibility how he votes on the pay raises, rather than blaming his staff.

ANOTHER UPDATE:  Recall roll call vote here.  Sen. Frerichs voted in favor.

From the UIUC News Bureau:  Poll: Most still undecided about constitutional convention for Illinois

"Support is lagging for Illinois’ first constitutional convention in four decades, but could get a boost from growing unrest over political in-fighting that many citizens fear has paralyzed state government, according to a new University of Illinois poll.  Nearly 40 percent of respondents in the Institute of Government and Public Affairs survey support a convention to draft a new state constitution, well short of the majority needed when the question goes to voters in the Nov. 4 election.  But with 43 percent still undecided – coupled with strong support for reforms such as a California-style recall for top state officials – there’s plenty of room to swing the balance..."

“Given how little discussion we’ve had in the media and in general, it’s no big surprise that most people don’t know if they want a convention,” Gaines said. “But I think if someone tries to build a case for a convention, there’s a fairly receptive public. People don’t seem to think our current constitution is working great.”

“In the end, there has to be a Pat Quinn figure who’s pretty good at whipping up a crowd who seizes on the idea, using issues like recall and term limits and telling people this is how to get them,” Gaines said.   “If nobody has touched it by August, I think it will be too late,” he said. “There’s no way that you can get people to think about it and make a decision that quickly when there’s a presidential election, a war and possibly a recession overshadowing it.”

No better way to get the conversation ignited...

It's always strange to see names which are well-known only to Illinois politics (like Senate President Emil Jones) pop up in national politics.

From TalkLeft, which I assume is supporting Clinton (or at least the author of this post is):

Barack Obama frequently cites his impressive record as an Illinois state legislator as an indicator of his experience in running for President.

Turns out, according to former Chicago reporter Todd Spivak, all of his legislative accomplishments were in his final 7th year and were handed to him by his mentor, Ill. State Senate President Emil Jones.

The TalkLeft post is mostly quotes from a longer piece in the Houston Press, which is just brutal.  Our old local boogeyman, Chicago State University, also features prominently.

From a press release:

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) will be conducting his legislative business from a Colorado hospital this week while he recuperates from a fall that fractured both his jaws. Rutherford hopes to return to Illinois by the end of the week.

Rutherford’s jaws are currently wired shut, preventing telephone calls. Instead, he will communicate with his constituents and staff via electronic mail at danrutherford@danrutherford.com.

“I can speak, but I am somewhat limited at this time,” Rutherford wrote. “I cannot accept phone calls. But what I can do is be fully engaged, communicate with my staff and conduct business for the district with electronic communication.”  For the coming two or three weeks, Rutherford will maintain a limited appointment schedule.

Rutherford’s injury will cause him to miss the two scheduled legislative days on Jan. 9 and 10. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the spring legislative session when the General Assembly reconvenes in February.

State Senator Mike Frerichs is the guest on today's WDWS podcast with Patrick Pfingsten.

Rich Miller at CapFax has a long post about, among other things, the UI selling tickets to the Rose Bowl to elected officials.

Generally, I don't have a problem with any of this - the bigwigs are paying for the tickets, and if it can earn the University a little goodwill with the anti-Higher Education Democrats who run this state, I'm all for it.

I am amused, thought, that Senate President Emil Jones wanted four tickets.  I guess his disdain for all things related to the University doesn't extend to the football team's bandwagon.  (But, again, if that's what it takes to make him appreciate the larger mission of the UI, so be it.  I hope President Jones enjoys the game...)

From today's News-Gazette:

Illinois still has one of the most chronically underfunded state pension systems in the country, but a potentially bigger problem is looming: the health care bills for all those retirees.

According to a 50-state study released by Pew Charitable Trusts on Tuesday, Illinois' unfunded pension liability for state workers, judges, lawmakers, teachers and university employees was $41 billion in 2006, while its projected bill for retiree health care, dental and life insurance benefits was an estimated $48 billion for state workers alone.

"We produced this report because states' fiscal health relies in large part on their ability to wisely manage bills that are coming due, and this one is significant," said Susan Urahn, managing director of the Pew Center on the States.

For the first time, government accounting rules will require states to include estimated actuarial liability for nonpension benefits like health, dental and life insurance in their annual reports starting in 2008. But the analysis of Illinois' liability for those benefits is still being developed, and will not be ready until early next year. As a result, Pew used an estimate from the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago in its report.

Discuss.

The long-awaited and much-discussed renovations to the venerated and dilapidated Lincoln Hall will begin this summer:

A long-awaited project for the University is set to begin next summer. Teachers, faculty and staff will move out of Lincoln Hall, 702 S. Wright St., with building renovations planned to begin fall 2008.

According to Linda Katehi, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, the project includes drastic changes on the inside of the building, as well as upgrading the building to make it more environmentally friendly. The renovations are slated to take two to three years to complete.

"While this may prove an inconvenience, this is a dream come true for all of us," Katehi said.

The project is going to cost about $70 million, Katehi said, and most of this money should be coming from the state.

"The state has promised they are going to fund it," Katehi said. "Even though the state budget has not been finalized, we thought we needed to make a decision to move forward (with the project)."

That seems awfully risky to me, given the recent track record of our State government with respect to keeping promises and delivering funding.

As you may have heard by now, Governor Blagojevich has called the legislature back today for another in a long line of special sessions. The problem is, his call to special session only included a bailout for Chicago Area Mass Transit systems. I say that because numerous downstate lawmakers have said they won't support an RTA bailout without a capital plan. Without a capital plan mentioned in the Governor's proclaimation. So what's going to happen? Nothing probably. State government at its finest.

So I pose this question to you: What is more important, a capital bill or a mass transit bailout?

The floor is yours.

This is probably interesting only to me, but I noticed something when browsing the filings for Democratic Presidential Delegates for the 15th Congressional District:

State Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Gifford) is no longer (D-Gifford) - he's moved to Champaign. 

Congratulations to the Frerichs' on their new home.  I'm sure the shorter commute to Springfield was a factor, especially given the incessant Session schedule this year.

This is from the weekend, but follows up on a blog post from last week with a few (but just a few) more details.

It won't be an easy task. The Illinois Constitution specifies that "a tax on or measured by income shall be at a nongraduated rate." Frerichs and state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, are forming a committee to work on changing that provision of the constitution.

"This isn't going to happen with just me and Sen. Raoul; we are looking to build a much larger coalition," Frerichs said.

Getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot requires a three-fifths majority vote in both the House and the Senate or a petition with nearly 280,000 signatures – enough to equal at least 8 percent of the total votes cast in the last election for governor. Once it gets on the ballot, it needs approval from 60 percent of those voting on the question or a majority of the people who voted in that election.

Of the hundreds of amendments proposed since the 1970 constitution was adopted, fewer than 20 made it onto the ballot – and only 10 received the required voter approval. The 1980 cutback amendment, which ended cumulative voting and reduced the size of the Illinois House, is the only one that was the result of a successful petition drive.

"It's a big hurdle, but I also think I was elected to do what is right, not what is easy," Frerichs said.

Back in May, Dan Johnson-Weinberger had a long, detailed blog post discussing ways to make Illinois tax system more progressive without a constitutional amendment by playing with exemption levels.  That post may or may not be relevant here, but Sen. Frerichs' efforts made me think of it.

Regardless, discuss if you like.

There are few details here, but this sounds more extensive than the old SB750/tax swap plan, as it involves amending the Illinois constitution:

Still, Frerichs said getting the fund started would be a key to eventually campaigning for the constitutional amendment needed to change the tax system.

A graduated income tax, Frerichs hopes, could be a way to send more money to schools while reducing some property taxes. A similar plan that would raise the income tax to send more money to schools has lingered in Springfield for years without any success.

“This is probably, I hope, an easier way of getting that done,” Frerichs said.

Read the whole thing.

The House has overwhelmingly overriden the Governor's budgetary vetos, and sent them over to the Senate, where President Emil Jones, the leader of the Democratic caucus, has said repeatedly that he will not allow a veto override vote.  So some Senators, including some Democrats, are doing some public posturing:

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, was one of about a dozen Senate Democrats who appeared onstage at the event. He called the rally "impressive."

"I think they make a strong case for override of the governor's budgetary vetoes, and I'm very hopeful that in the next week, parties can come together and reach some sort of agreement so we can cast that vote," Frerichs said. "There are a lot of important state agencies and state services that have been cut by the governor's vetoes. I think we worked a long time this summer in putting together a good budget and the governor comes in at the last minute and changes it. I think we ought to stick to our original agreement."

In addition, it's refreshing to see that some are starting to recognize that it's not just Governor Blagojevich, but rather that President Emil Jones is a huge part of the problem:

Shortly after the House voted 105-4 to override Blagojevich's mostly petty and politically motivated budget vetoes, Jones was asked if he would allow the legislative process to work as it is supposed to. "Oh, no, no, no," he said.

Later, however, Jones was quoted as saying, "I don't know. You know, things change. I might change my mind." And Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Champaign, said Wednesday that Jones has hinted that he might allow override votes on some budget items. Frerichs declined to say which ones.

A vote on only some of the items vetoed by Blagojevich will not suffice. That was the message from an override rally in the Capitol Wednesday afternoon, attended by advocates for employee unions, social service agencies, park districts, arts groups and others. It also should be the message that Democratic senators, including Frerichs, send to Jones.

I'll be the first to admit that I have no idea of what, if anything, Sen. Mike Frerichs and the other Senate Democrats are doing behind the scenes to try and pressure Jones to allow a vote.  And I'll reiterate that I'm not defending the local projects - it's the process that's bothering me.

So I think it needs to be emphasized that the Senate Democrats, including Sen. Frerichs, are the only people who can pressure Jones.  He is the Senate President because they chose him.  He gets his power directly from the Senate Democrats.  If he fails to allow a veto override vote, it's because the members of his caucus are unable or unwilling to hold him accountable.

Former State Sen. Rick Winkel had an op-ed about the dysfunction in state government in Tuesday's State Journal Register.  A snippet:

The depth of mistrust and personality clashes is much more than an embarrassing political black eye. It threatens the respect and authority of public officials and the desire of individual citizens, especially our young people, to participate in politics and government. We have seen symptoms of low voter turnout, and the refusal of qualified candidates to run for public office, which will only worsen if the power struggle goes on indefinitely.

What is more, when government is dysfunctional, timely delivery of needed public services suffers. These consequences are serious, and the damage done to Illinois state government may be difficult and costly to reverse.

A Harvard professor has noted that, if politics is a matter of "who gets what, when and how," then the "who" in terms of who deserves to be the most important among political leaders is a necessary prerequisite to political success. In a word - who deserves "respect"? Specifically, who is the most respected Illinois leader?

Read the whole thing.

(Hat tip: Capitol Fax Blog)

The News-Gazette today has an article about area projects including in the huge gambling expansion and capital bill passed by the State Senate this week:

The $25 billion capital construction plan the state Senate approved this week included money for several local projects, including $850,000 for the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, $5.9 million for an Interstate 74 interchange east of Urbana and $55 million for Lincoln Hall at the University of Illinois.

Communities in Vermilion and Champaign counties "will all benefit from projects to be covered by this capital spending plan," said state Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Gifford, who added that it would also create jobs.

The multiyear program includes $13.4 billion in state funds and nearly $12 billion in federal and local matching funds.

The state share is to be funded with revenues from a gambling expansion bill, which includes a land-based casino in Chicago, two additional riverboats at unspecified locations and permission for existing boats to expand.

But it's still a long way from becoming law. House leaders have warned that their chamber would have difficulty approving such a major gambling expansion, and there are still many unanswered questions about how the money will be distributed.

This list seems to have been released by Sen. Mike Frerichs and the Senate Democrats, which makes me guess that they're doing so to put some pressure on State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson to try and pressure Speaker Mike Madigan to pass this out of the House.  Madigan and the House Democrats, you may remember, have been organizing local budget veto hearings to put pressure on Democratic State Senators to allow a veto override vote.

Discuss.

Last night, the Illinois State Senate passed a huge gaming expansion bill, that includes a Chicago land-basd casino, to fund capital projects and a Chicago-area mass transit bailout:

The gambling legislation would authorize three new casinos -- a land-based one in Chicago and two riverboats at unspecified locations. The casino proceeds would fund the construction plan and assist mass transit until a more permanent funding agreement could be reached.

The Chicago area mass-transit systems would get $200 million from a one-year loan that would tide over the systems until that permanent solution is determined, said Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), who sponsored the casino legislation.

The construction program, worth about $25 billion in local, state and federal funds, would be the most far-reaching public works initiative in eight years.

Jones' favorite college, Chicago State University, could reap millions of dollars from a new riverboat as part of an arrangement set out in a prior law.

State Senator Mike Frerichs voted in favor of the plan.  He will claim that he did so to support the possibility of locating a casino in Vermilion County.

CapFax has a lot, lot more.  At this point, the plan's fate in the State House is uncertain.

UPDATE:  From the News-Gazette:

"I had a lot of constituents from Danville who said they would like to have a chance at a casino," Frerichs said. "This gives them an opportunity to compete for that. Also, there are a lot of critical projects in my area that will be funded by this capital program, for roads, schools, the university and other important projects.

"This is not a perfect bill; there are some changes that I would like to make, but all in all I think it's good for the area."

Here's the NG's story on last night's House Democrats' hearing on the budget cuts made by Governor Blagojevich and (so far) upheld by the Senate Democrats and Senate President Emil Jones:

Speaker after speaker testified about the devastating impacts of cuts totaling nearly $470 million in areas ranging from education and public safety to health care and social services.

The governor, who plans to use the funds to expand coverage to the uninsured and underinsured, has defended the cuts as pork and unnecessary spending. But would-be recipients rejected that characterization.

"The people that I work with, 100 percent of them have no idea where they are going to sleep from one night to the next," said Ervin Williams, executive director of Restoration Urban Ministries, which lost $155,000 worth of grants for facility improvements. "It's not Gov. Blagojevich that's going to have to sit across the desk and have to look at a mother or child this winter and say 'I cannot take any more because my funds have been cut.' "

And:

State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, said there is plenty of support in the House to override the governor's changes, but Senate President Emil Jones said he would refuse to call such a motion in his chamber, essentially dooming the effort.

Jakobsson said she hoped the hearing would help increase the pressure for Jones to change his mind but urged citizens to contact him and the governor directly as well.

Feel free to call State Senator Mike Frerichs' office (217-355-5252) and ask him why his support for Senate President Emil Jones has been good for Illinois and for the 52nd District.

UPDATE:  From the Daily Illini:

Representatives also addressed Senate President Emil Jones' refusal to allow a vote to override Blagojevich's budget cuts.

"It disenfranchises every legislator except him," said Alan G. Ryle, Champaign Mental Health Center board member. "(Emil Jones) is stopping democracy."

ANOTHER UPDATE:  The NG also covered the Blagojevich/Jones hearing defending the cuts:

Nearly one in four people in state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson's Illinois House district doesn't have health insurance, said Duffett, executive director of Campaign for Better Health Care. And another 40,000 to 45,000 Illinois families are projected to lose coverage this year if state politicians don't rally behind the governor's initiative to expand health insurance statewide.

"This is what is savage," Duffett said at a hearing Monday morning in Champaign that was held by the governor's office in advance of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's hearing Monday night in Urbana.

Madigan has scheduled hearings around the state to gather support for reversing what he called "savage" budget cuts made by Blagojevich. The governor cut $463 million out of the budget approved by the General Assembly, characterizing the cuts as pet projects of legislators that the state can't afford. But some legislators have said the reductions will have devastating impacts in their districts.

And Tom Kacich doubts the motives of Blagojevich spokesman Dick Kay:

Dick Kay, who used to work for WMAQ-TV in Chicago, came out of retirement not because people lacking health care aren't being heard -- they are -- but because he wanted the money that came with being a flack for Rod Blagojevich.

Spare us the phony sympathy, Dick. Tell us the real reason you're flacking for the governor ... the $47,587.50 in state funds you received between March 16 and Aug. 31. That's almost $2,000 a week.

Ouch.

First, I wasn't happy with the state's budget as passed by the legislature, and I'm not happy with the budget as vetoed by the Governor.  I don't generally like pork, but one of the arguments which we always hear on the campaign trail is that it's so good for our area to be representated by Democrats, so that we'll have a "seat at the table."

Really?

AREA AGENCY GRANT CUTS

Prairie Center: $200,000 for intensive methamphetamine treatment program that has helped 50 addicts recover in two years. Efforts to include the money in regular state operating budget failed.

Restoration Urban Ministries: $155,000

– $75,000 for more energy-efficient heating and cooling units.

– $80,000 for new water heaters.

Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club: $100,000

– $75,000 for after-school program that provides homework help, tutoring, mentoring and computer training for about 120 students a day, ages 6 to 18. Money would pay for staff and materials to absorb 95 students who attended similar program at Stratton Elementary School, whose grant ran out. Program will likely cut enrollment now.

– $25,000 for Smart Girls, which helps teenage girls build self-esteem, avoid drug and alcohol abuse and make good choices. Money would double the program's size.

Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois: $65,000

For outreach program to help prevent teen pregnancy.

A Woman's Place: $35,000

To hire second child advocate to help children cope with domestic violence and give them tools to avoid it as adults. The one advocate now is overworked, requiring other staff to fill in, said manager Deborah Williams.

Cunningham Children's Home: $30,000

For after-school program to reinforce skills taught to special education students enrolled in Circle Academy, many with behavioral issues, and help them return to public school sooner.

Carroll Fire Protection District: $25,000

To provide second egress for second-floor bunkroom and training room. Board member Barney Bryson joked the department will hang "governor's memorial rope" out the window in case regular exit is blocked by fire.

Champaign-Urbana Area Project: $20,000

For a program that provides performing arts opportunities for at-risk teens. Agency also runs mentoring and "peer jury" programs.

Circle of Friends Adult Day Care: $20,000

For new van to transport rural seniors and help them live independently longer. The agency's second van keeps breaking down.

Those agencies facing cuts should call Sen. Mike Frerichs (217-355-5212). 

One, it's Frerichs' leader - Senate President Emil Jones - who won't allow a veto override vote, breaking the budget deal that he had negotiated with other legislators to stand staunchly with Gov. Blagojevich.

Two, Frerichs is probably going to have a bunch of money to pass out, as a payoff from Gov. Blagojevich to Jones and his oh-so-loyal caucus.  These agencies should ask Frerichs if he would be willing to fund some of these vetoed projects out of "his" money.  And I hope these agencies put pressure on him to do so, as Frerichs bears just as much responsibility for the vetoes (actually, for the lack of a veto override vote) as anyone.  His leader is the roadblock, and he and his caucus are getting the millions in taxpayer-funded handouts as a payoff for not overriding.

Three, supporters of these and other agencies dependent on state funding should remember this during the next election.  Your "seat at the table" only further empowers Emil Jones and Rod Blagojevich, and they don't care about Champaign, Urbana, or Champaign County.  They care only about their own power.

Gov. Blagojevich has signed the legislative pay raise.

Sen. Mike Frerichs voted yes, and had an interesting explanation for doing so.

So, after the longest overtime session in Illinois history, and even though we still don't have a budget, elected officials are getting a very healthy pay raise.