Pat Quinn Appoints Alexander Rorke, John Spring Co-Chairs of New Illinois Economic Recovery Commission

Governor Pat Quinn

(Chicago, IL) – October 31, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today named  35 Illinois professionals to the newly-formed Economic Recovery Commission, a panel charged with providing  guidance to Quinn to address the Illinois economic crisis.

“The Economic Recovery Commission will help develop strategies to improve the state’s economic climate,” said Quinn in a press release.

The Economic Recovery Commission consists of Illinois citizens with experience in business, academia, finance, non-profit administration and government.

Quinn named Alexander I. Rorke and John A. Spring as co-chairs of the Commission.

Rorke, of Evanston, is an investment banker with experience working with state and local governments, start up companies and civic organizations. Spring is the Mayor of Quincy. A longtime community activist, Spring was also a school administrator.

This Commission–among the blizzard of new state boards, commissions, panels, task forces, advisory councils empaneled by Quinn during his 10-month tenure–will provide independent, non-partisan information and economic advice to Quinn.

Topic areas include:

• Infrastructure
• Innovation Sustainability
• Global markets
• Education
• Government.

The Commission with submit a report outlining its findings and recommendations to Governor Quinn on or before March 31, 2010.

The first meeting of the Commission will be Monday, November 2, 2009, at 2 p.m. in room 2-025 at the James R. Thompson Center and in the lobby theater at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at 620 East Adams Street in Springfield.

Among the avalanche and maze of newly-created advisory groups, the economic recovery panel–if it works as intended and produces independent recommendations that may be at odds with Quinn’s political imperatives–is one of Quinn’s better inventions.

However, Quinn may soon need to appoint a new panel–The Commission on Keeping Track of New Commissions.

Carol Adams Declines Pat Quinn’s Offer of South Africa Trade Post after AP Reports “No Work Product” from Ex-Chauffeur

Ex-DHS Secretary Carol Adams

(Chicago, IL) — October 31, 2009. Former Illinois Department Human Services Secretary Carol Adams has reversed gears on the Illinois trade representative job in South Africa offered to her by Governor Pat Quinn. She quit.

The Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia reports today.

Carol Adams, a former Illinois Department of Human Services secretary, sent Quinn’s office a letter Friday saying she could not accept the job, explaining, “Pressing family medical issues make my relocation to South Africa prohibitive.

Adams’ tenure at DHS came under renewed fire just this week when her former agency revealed that the her state chauffeur performed no other state work, contradicting Adams’ earlier assertions.

The AP’s political reporter, John O’Connor, broke the story–and apparently broke Adams’ chances to hang on to the $110,000 per year trade post:

The Illinois Department of Human Services says it has no evidence that two highly paid ex-employees did any work other than acting as chauffeurs, a position that contradicts earlier statements by former Secretary Carol Adams.

Adams, recently appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn to an international trade post, claimed the two men did more than drive her and her chief of staff when lawmakers questioned her about the matter two years ago. However, she refused to prove it by releasing examples of the men’s other work.

Now, after another request from The Associated Press, Adams’ agency said there’s nothing to release. No work products exist.

Ah, huh.

Either no one at DHS reported that itsy-bitsy nugget to Quinn before he tapped Adams to the high-profile, cushy trade post or Quinn knew and appointed her anyway under pressure from key lawmakers. Either way, it’s a botched, mishandled mess.

Adams claims she has a new job lined up.

Illinois Elections 2010: Pat Quinn’s Poll Numbers Sink; Dan Hynes Endorsements, Ad Buys Grow–and Questions that Hynes May Drop Out Drop Off

Comptroller Dan Hynes

(Chicago, IL) — October 28, 2009. Oh, how a few weeks can rewrite the political narrative.

Governor Pat Quinn’s job disapproval ratings have hit 53% and his approval ratings have skidded to 45%, according to a new Rasmussen poll in the Illinois 2010 governor’s race.

Meanwhile, Quinn’s primary opponent, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, upped his TV ad buys to more than $1 million, got endorsed on Monday by the state council of electrical union workers, and on Tuesday snagged the pipe trades unions.

Voilà. A new political day.

A few weeks ago, questions began to bubble on whether Hynes would or should drop out of the race against Quinn. The Governor was on a roll. He was piling up key endorsements, such as the Cook County Democratic Party, the union-heavy weight Teamsters and SEIU, and high profile progressives, like U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky.

No more. The “will Hynes drop out?” questions have dropped off. Gone.

Quinn’s poll numbers have dived while Hynes’ ad buys have increased and endorsements grown. Hynes has no incentive to bug out. Droplets of Quinn’s blood are in the water. And by splurging on his recently retooled ads, Hynes is clearly signaling he’s in the race to stay.

And Hynes’ union allies are drawing more blood from Quinn.

Governor Pat Quinn

Ken Lambert, the chairman of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers state conference, said in a statement on Monday: “When Gov. Quinn had the opportunity to create jobs, he showed he’d rather play politics, and people’s livelihoods suffered for it.”

Ouch.

But Quinn has shown more political deftness in this campaign than many long-time insiders were willing to concede. And it shows. The Governor has been raising oodles of campaign cash, pinching key endorsements, dashing higgledy-piggledy across the state to both official and campaign events, and nearly matching Hynes’ TV buys. Not too shabby.

It’s still Quinn’s race to lose.

He has the incumbency. He has a personal charm that oozes every-man-on-street. He’ll have the money.

But he also has a death-spiral Illinois budget on his hands. In fact, yesterday, he told House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno that he plans to borrow $1 billion more to pay the aging, unwanted, and unpaid stack of bills to vendors. Quinn also borrowed $1 billion in the summer. And the $2 billion borrowed has to be repaid by summer 2010. Good luck on that.

Moreover he has an income tax proposal–raising Illinois’ regressive flat income tax from 3% to 4.5%–lashed to his back that 65% of Illinois voters dislike, according to a recent poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.

Quinn can win the primary–but Hynes will make him pay for it. And Hynes will stay in the race. Bet on it.

Meanwhile, fire up the popcorn, campers.

Pat Quinn Tells Madigan, Cross, Cullerton and Radogno He’s Borrowing $1 Billion More to Bail Out Illinois Budget

(Springfield, IL) — October 29, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today told House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno that he plans to borrow another $1 billion to help pay the state bills, the State Journal-Register’s Ryan Keith reports.

With budget problems climbing, Gov. Pat Quinn says he’ll need to borrow another $1 billion soon to keep state government running this winter.

Quinn emerged from a meeting today with legislative leaders saying he’s looking at another short-term borrowing plan to keep up government’s liquidity – having enough money to pay its bills – between November and February, when tax revenues are traditionally slowest.

Quinn borrowed $1 billion during summer to keep the lights on. The $2 billion must be paid back to banks by the end of the state fiscal year on June 30. Good luck with that.

Watch. Illinois will need a loan to pay the loan, because the probability that the legislature will raise the income tax this spring to prop up the Illinois budget are close to zippo.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Warns Without New ‘MAP’ Money, Take Old Money and “Flush it Down the Toilet”

Governor Pat Quinn

(Chicago, IL) — September 30, 2009. Tens of thousands of college students in Illinois have been told that they will get no more tuition funding from the state for the spring semester.

The state fund is broke.

And the state student loan program is talking toilet flush.

Oy.

The Illinois Monetary Award Program, known as MAP, will be out of money by January because of Illinois budget cuts–courtesy of the Illinois state legislature.

Students, however, are showing up at town hall meetings on campuses across the state to tell lawmakers that without the help they’ll have to drop out, many in their senior year.

Andrew Davis, the executive director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, says many of these students are the first in their family to go to college, and they’ve been making good use of MAP grants every year.

“To abandon them now is to really take that previous investment and flush it down the toilet.”

Davis says the stories the students have been bringing to the town hall meetings have been heartbreaking. One student, whose parents are both unemployed, has been struggling to make it to graduation day.

“This young lady is in her senior year at Illinois Wesleyan. She is working three jobs in addition to carrying a full load of courses. If she has the money, will graduate this spring and be an RN.”

Students look forward to receiving, on the average, 2500 dollars in state grant money each semester. For most students who are eligible for MAP grants, Davis says, that’s a lot of money to raise by the spring semester.

“Generally speaking, the recipients of the MAP grant in Illinois are in the bottom 40 percent, by income, of the state’s population.”

Governor Pat Quinn held a town hall meeting yesterday at the University of Illinois-Chicago to hear from students who are in danger of losing state grants. More town halls meetings are planned in the coming days.

State lawmakers are expected to look for ways to restore the MAP grants during the veto session which begins October 15th.

And they better find the dough. Quick.

AFSCME Council 31 Wins Court Round–Judge Halts Governor Pat Quinn’s Planned Layoffs

(Vienna, IL) — September 28, 2009. Judge Todd Lambert of the First Judicial Circuit Court in Johnson County today ordered a halt to more than 500 Illinois state-employee layoffs that were scheduled to take effect on Wednesday.

Judge Lambert’s order also bars the administration of Governor Pat Quinn from effectuating any further layoff of AFSCME members until the union’s grievances arising from the layoff process have been resolved.

Governor Quinn had threatened to lay off more than 2,500 employees, despite warnings from the union that such cuts would harm vital public services, erode public safety and drive up the state’s overtime costs.

Lambert’s decision came in the wake of a suit filed by AFSCME Council 31.

“The governor’s threatened layoffs would harm essential services, including public safety, and add to the ranks of the unemployed,” AFSCME executive director Henry Bayer said. “We welcome the judge’s ruling today that prevents those layoffs from going forward.

“AFSCME calls on Governor Quinn to use this opportunity to revisit his ill-advised layoff plan,” Bayer added.

“The real root of this issue is the [Illinois] state budget crisis,” Bayer said. “The governor and every state lawmaker should commit to passing comprehensive tax reform that raises adequate revenue to fund essential services and preserve the jobs of those who provide them.”

Hearing set for AFSCME Council 31 Suit to Block Pat Quinn’s Planned State-Employee Layoffs

(Chicago, IL) — September 23, 2009. Today in Vienna, Illinois Judge Todd Lambert of the First Judicial Circuit will hear a request from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 for a preliminary injunction to block the September 30 layoff of hundreds of Illinois state employees by Governor Pat Quinn.

AFSCME is seeking an injunction to prevent the state from moving forward with layoffs until the union’s related grievances are resolved.

Outside the courthouse, AFSCME leaders and local elected officials—including State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg), Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman, Vienna Mayor John Simons–will rally and hold a 10 a.m. news conference.

At the press conference, perhaps a reporter may ask Rep. Phelps why he voted against raising the income tax (Senate Bill 2252) that would have produced money to pay for the jobs that he is now looking to protect. Oh, irony.

Perhaps the AFSCME leaders, while they have the opportunity, will ask Phelps if he has changed his mind on an income tax?

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

UPDATE: 10:42 a.m.

Judge Lambert has denied the state’s request for a change of venue from Johnson County . Hearing underway.

State tuned for more.

Governor Pat Quinn Approves Soto, Delgado Bill to Create State Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages Targeting Youth

Governor Pat Quinn

(Springfield, IL) – September 2, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn last week approved legislation that creates a new state advisory council to help state government develop effective HIV/AIDS prevention messages targeting youth.

The legislation, House Bill 3974, sponsored by State Representative Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) and State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) would create the Illinois Advisory Council on Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages to advise the Illinois Department of Public Health on effective prevention messages to deter youth from engaging in risky behaviors that lead to HIV/AIDS infections.

“The percentage of Illinois HIV/AIDS infections that is represented by youth has been growing enormously over the last eight years, and that growth, in part, represents a failure of HIV/AIDS prevention messages to effectively reach youth” said Cathy Krieger, President & CEO of The Children’s Place Association based in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.

“We are grateful to Governor Quinn that he recognizes the problem of youth HIV/AIDS infections and is acting to address the problem.”

On February 27, 2009, at the 2nd annual Illinois Youth & HIV/AIDS Forum sponsored by The Children’s Place Association, the Illinois Department of Public Health presented data that revealed that the youth proportion of reported HIV/AIDS infections in Illinois has grown from 10% in 2000 to 20% in 2008—a 100% increase.

“This is a staggering increase,” said Krieger.

In addition to the IDPH data, new research was presented by Dr. Dexter Voisin, an Associate Professor, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration that examined the attitudes of Chicago-area college students in seven focus groups, including blacks, Latinos, whites, males, females, and gay men—regarding HIV/AIDS prevention messages.

The research findings revealed all groups reported a significant reduction in the intensity, range, and the length of media messages on HIV prevention and testing over the last 5 years.

More specifically, the research showed that young blacks and Latinos in Chicago tend to distrust most sources of government information on HIV/AIDS prevention. And young Latina women in Chicago fear getting an HIV/AIDS test out of concern that they may be labeled negatively as “fast” women.

“The bottom line is that AIDS media prevention messages targeted at young people in Chicago are not working,” said Krieger. “We think the advisory council approved by Governor Quinn is a good step to address the problem.”

Good job, Governor.

Illinois AFSCME and Governor Pat Quinn Meet to Discuss Job Layoffs

(Springfield, IL) — August 18, 2009. AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer met yesterday for 90 minutes with Governor Pat Quinn with the aim forestall 2,600 state employee layoffs due to the Illinois budget crisis.

No concrete results were announced afterwards.

“This meeting was held at our union’s request to urge the governor to rescind the state-employee layoffs he has threatened,” said Bayer. “I told the governor that layoffs will harm vital services that Illinois residents rely on. They will also hurt families and our economy by throwing thousands of men and women out of work.”

AFSCME’s goal remains an income tax hike to replenish the exhausted state treasury.

“AFSCME continues to believe that the only solution to the state budget crisis is comprehensive tax reform that raises significant new revenue,” said Bayer.

The Quinn Administration will meet with union representatives in Springfield in early September regarding layoffs and contract concessions.

The legislature returns to Springfield on October 14 for the fall veto session and may–or may not–attempt further to deal with the $3.9 billion in unpaid bills from last year’s Illinois budget and a festering $1.4 billion hole in this year’s.

Stay tuned.

Governor Pat Quinn Aims to Boot Predatory Credit Cards off Campus

Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias

(Chicago, IL) — August 11, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday signed a bill to halt predatory credit card marketing practices on Illinois college campuses.

“This legislation cracks down on greedy marketing ploys aimed at getting students to sign up for a credit card while attending college,” Governor Quinn said.

The Credit Card Marketing Act, drafted by Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, bans free gifts and makes contracts between the credit card providers and schools open to the public.

In addition, the new law prohibits the transfer or sale of student names and contact information to credit companies. It also requires colleges and universities to offer consumer finance education to freshmen if credit cards are marketed to undergraduates.

State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago)

Companies use free gifts, coupons and food to entice cash-strapped college students to apply for credit cards, which often carry low introductory rates but also have hidden fees. Often credit card issuers have lured students off campus with free sandwich coupons, but required a completed application before they could eat.

“A free gift or lunch today can cost a student hundreds of dollars in interest years later,” said Giannoulias.

A $375.95 ham-and-cheese? Yep.

This new law coincides with the federal Credit Card Bill of Rights. As of February 2010, no one under age 21 can get a credit card unless a parent, guardian or spouse is willing to co-sign or unless the underage person has proof of sufficient income.

State Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and State Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago) sponsored the legislation.

Several schools and consumer advocates also backed the new law, including the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities, University of Illinois, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, and Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Chicago.

Of course, one has gotta wonder if high school home economics courses teach Credit Cards 101. No?

Illinois Politics 2010: State Senate Candidate Jim Madigan Raps Heather Steans’ Video Gaming Vote to Fund Road Construction, School Repair

Jim Madigan

(Chicago, IL) — August 10, 2009 – In his quest for a seat in the Illinois State Senate from Chicago’s north lakefront, gay rights activist Jim Madigan focuses much of his campaign fire against opponent and fellow Democrat State Senator Heather Steans‘ vote to legalize video gaming to help fund a $31 billion state capital construction program.

“It’s a pretty catastrophic vote,” said Madigan in a recent interview with THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER, referring to Steans “yes” vote for legislation that would enable potentially 45,000 video gaming machines in bars, restaurants, truck stops, and other locations around Illinois.

“We are beginning to incorporate into our revenue stream a business that has been reportedly included organized crime influence,” said Madigan, a civil rights attorney. “It’s the last thing the district needs.”

For her part, Steans says she equally dislikes video gaming, but construction-starved and economically-battered Illinois needs the repaired roads, fixed schools, and 439,000 jobs that the new capitol construction legislation will bring, legislation partially funded by video gaming legalization.

“It’s not ideal,” said Steans. “I’m not a fan of legalized video poker, but, that said, in June of this year we lost 5,600 construction jobs in Illinois–unemployment here is at an all time high.”

“This is a crucial economic recovery initiative that will generate what’s needed most in Illinois: jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Governor Pat Quinn at the bill’s signing. “Illinois Jobs Now! provides many long-awaited improvements to our bridges and roads, transportation networks, schools and communities.”

Carol Marin Targets Illinois Budget Cuts on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight

(Chicago, IL) — August 4. On Monday’s edition of Chicago Tonight, host Carol Marin targeted the impact on drug treatment, mental health care, child welfare and other human services by the Illinois budget cuts imposed by Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly in mid-July.

more about “Carol Marin on Illinois Budget“, posted with vodpod

Pat Quinn Unveils New Illinois Budget–and It Ain’t Pretty, Folks

(Chicago, IL) – July 31, 2009. After the new Illinois budget unveiling descended into a major media kerfuffle, Governor Pat Quinn–who had not originally intended to appear to discuss the budget–held an impromptu press conference today to discuss the financial beast.

Bottom line: the beast is going unfed. From last year’s bills, there is no money for $3.9 billion in unpaid obligations. Additionally, even with all the slicing, hacking, and chopping at this monster–still it comes up $1.4 billion short.

And the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA), for example, lost $32,434,600 and addiction prevention was cut $1,666,000.  These cuts represents 25% of all state money for substance abuse prevention and treatment, resulting in a 18% system-wide loss.

Additionally, the Quinn Administration cut community mental health grants cut $228,375,900 to $180,757,400, a 21% reduction.

““If the cuts stand, thousands of working men and women will lose their jobs. Human services, health care, education and public safety will be harmed. Our communities, families, children and seniors and our environment will suffer,” said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31.

The Illinois General Assembly has bequeathed to Quinn a financial calamity, a looming humanitarian one, and the political jacket for the cuts he has, grudgingly, imposed. Quite a feat.

If want to view the financial gore, visit the Quinn’s FY2010 budget Web site: http://budget.illinois.gov/.

Children under 12 should be discouraged from viewing.

Governor Pat Quinn Will Cut Illinois Department of Public Health by $38 Million to Help Balance Illinois Budget, Source Says

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

(Chicago, IL) – To help balance the Illinois budget, Governor Pat Quinn’s Administration has decided to cut the Illinois Department of Public Health by $38 million, which could reduce some programs by 50% or more, according to a legislative source.

Reacting to looming IDPH cuts, particularly to HIV/AIDS prevention programs, State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago) urged the Quinn Administration to avoid disproportionate cuts that “harm the state’s most vulnerable citizens”.

Harris, recognizing that budget cuts are inevitable to programs due to the deficit, urged “across the board cuts” to spread the budget pain more evenly.

State Representive Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), Chair of the House Appropriations Human Services Committee, said, “These cuts [at IDPH] will destroy my life’s work.”

Feigenholtz says public health programs face heavier budget cuts than other line items because they fall outside of “human services” designation adopted by the Quinn Administration. Feigenholtz rejects that classification.

Commenting on the potential IDPH cut, Elizabeth Austin, Communications Director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, said, “… [W]e we will announce the Governor’s allocation of the $3.4 billion lump sums tomorrow afternoon [Friday, July 31]“.

Governor Pat Quinn Signs Veterans’ $100 Bonus Bill

(Chicago, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn just signed into law a bill compensating Illinois veterans for their service during the Global War on Terrorism.

Any Illinois veteran who served on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 is eligible to receive $100.

“We can never fully repay the debt to the service men and women who have fought for our freedom in the Global War on Terrorism,” Governor Quinn said.

The “War on Terrorism Compensation Act” will provide for Illinois veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom the same service compensation that is provided to Illinois Veterans who served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and Operation Desert Storm.

Eligible veterans must have been residents for at least a year preceding service. Additionally, they also must still be serving, be honorably discharged, furloughed to a reserve, or be retired, and have received at least one of two medals awarded for service in the terrorism effort.

Applications must be made through the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

“We believe that the ‘War on Terrorism Compensation Act’ ensures that Illinois recognizes all veterans …,” said Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Dan Grant.

Feigenholtz, Steans, Harris Blast, Lament New Illinois Budget

(Chicago, IL) — To say Chicago Lakefront lawmakers State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, State Senator Heather Steans, and State Representative Greg Harris dislike the new Illinois budget would mock the art of understatement.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)

“On July 15, 2009 the Illinois General Assembly passed a pitiful excuse for a budget – a haphazard borrowing plan that indiscriminately cuts services and will exacerbate the already grave problems facing the state of Illinois,” Feigenholtz, Chair of the House Humans Services Appropriations Committee, wrote to constituents on July 20.

“It is being … reported that human service providers and grant-funded services will receive 86 percent of their normal funding — this is patently false. In reality, while some providers may be fully funded or see their budgets cut by only 5 percent, others will be faced with cuts of 50 percent or more.”

For the first time in her 15 years as a legislator, Feigenholtz voted against a new Illinois budget.

“This budget is highly irresponsible.  We are essentially borrowing to fund state operating costs, thus delaying, and increasing the size of our problem later,” Steans wrote to her constituents on July 16.

“I could not support such an abdication of our responsibility to Illinois residents for needed services and basic financial responsibility to balance our budget.”

Steans also voted against the budget.

In fact, Steans and Feigenholtz were the only Chicago lawmakers to oppose the new Illinois budget, Senate Bill 1216.

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

For Steans, who is facing a spirited primary challenge from gay rights activist Jim Madigan, her “no” vote will innoculate her against potential charges from Madigan that the wealthy freshman lawmaker is insensitive or out-of-touch with lower-income group needs in the district.

“If you are hoping find good news about our FY10 State Budget, you will not find it here,” Harris informed his constituents on July 17.

“The final action taken by the General Assembly did cobble together a budget, but we have only succeeded in pushing the day of reckoning off until later this fiscal year at the earliest or FY11 at the latest.”

Harris voted for the new Illinois budget.

Harris also concurred with Feigenholtz’s analysis regarding human services funding.

“The 86% funded number for grant-based programs, while true in the macro sense will be very untrue on a program by program basis,” Harris wrote.

Harris thinks human service providers “should be advocating loudly and often to preserve funding at acceptable levels” but he wants advocates to target Governor Pat Quinn.

“This advocacy should be directed to the Governor and his staff, as they have total discretion on the allocation of these funds,” Harris noted.

Despite Harris’ plea, Your Two Cents is certain providers and clients, who are also constituents, will besiege him, Feigenholtz, Steans and other lawmakers to intervene with the Quinn Administration.

Katie bar the door.

Pat Quinn’s Office Says 86% for Human Services in New Illinois Budget is “Speculative”

(Springfield, IL) – Governor Pat Quinn’s office today said the widely reported 86% funding level for state human services in the new Illinois budget signed by Quinn is purely ”speculative”.

Elizabeth Austin, the communications director at the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, says the 86% number–which is currently swirling and bobbing in the media–is only speculative because in addition to the $2.3 billion the legislature committed to human services there is $1.2 billion available to the Quinn to spend at his “discretion”.

Moreover, Austin noted that agency directors were still preparing budget plans for submission to the Governor’s office; so, the funding level is unknown.

Austin refused to speculate on whether any of the $1.2 billion may be allocated to human services, only to repeat that the Governor could spend that dough at his “discretion”.

Governor Pat Quinn

That emphasis on “discretion” is enough of a signal, however, to human service lobbyists: start your engines boys and girls.

Additionally, Austin was unable to clarify whether and what portion the $1.1 billion in budget reserves–which House Democrat budget documents refer to as “mandated” reserves until new revenue materializes this year (cue the flying pigs)–are included in the estimated 86% human services funding level, except to reiterate that agency budget plans were in formation.

What Austin could confirm, however, is that the state–with a $3.9 billion bill backlog from last year–is now on six-month bill payment cycle. Submit a bill on July 17, 2009; expect payment on January 17, 2010. Ouch.

With those financial institutions formerly known as banks shrinking and shriveling credit lines, that six-month stretch will almost certainly drive many social service agencies into bankruptcy. Poof.

As a result of the new Illinois budget’s plan to push $3.0 billion in money owed to state service provider payments into next year, one state human services association estimated that of that amount, $1.5 billion would be money owed to human services providers.

Austin was unable to confirm that number.

Whatever the human services spending percentage may be, Quinn’s real–and thankless–job is to cut the budget. A lot.

“The Governor is expected to reduce spending by about $2 billion and the legislature granted him the authority,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan.

So, regardless of the $1.2 billion discretionary of money given to Quinn, his bigger problem indeed is cutting $2 billion from the budget in the next 10 days or so. And his biggest problem is bearing the bad news to Illinois voters.

Quinn himself acknowledged today the personal political risk in comments made in a Chicago Tribune story by Ray Long and Rick Pearson.

“I got the honor of cutting the budget by over a billion dollars. Most of the legislators didn’t want to attach their names to those cuts,” Quinn said. “That’s my job. I’ve got the jacket.”

Good luck, Governor.

Good News: Pat Quinn Signs New Illinois Budget; Bad News: Pat Quinn Signs New Illinois Budget

(Springfield, IL) – The good news is that Illinois now has a regular fiscal year 2010 budget. The bad news is Illinois now has a fiscal year 2010 budget.

Last night, the Illinois General Assembly approved the new Illinois budget and the Governor Pat Quinn signed the financial beast.

The Illinois budget borrows $3.5 billion to pay the annual mandated state employee pension contribution. Simultaneously, the budget pushes more than $3 billion in payments owed to state services providers into next year. There is no income tax increase.

Governor Pat Quinn

Still, Quinn and lawmakers left the budget unbalanced by $4 billion or more. Who knows? Nice.

But there’s more. At least 2,600 state workers–perhaps more–may still lose their jobs, and Quinn and lawmakers themselves are docked 12 days of pay–even in an out-of-whack “budget”. Ouch.

At least the pension borrowing shovels $2.2 billion to social service providers. This money is intended to offset the 50% Illinois “doomsday” budget cuts that the legislature had previously handed to Quinn. However, Quinn and lawmakers decided to fund human services at only at an average of 86% of last year’s budget.

Additionally, the budget mandates state agencies to set aside $1.1 billion total in “reserves”— read “cuts” –which withholds appropriated money until a “review” later in the year. Budget “reserves” are a fiction. That money is almost never released.

Speaker Michael Madigan

Therefore, if state leaders start claiming that Illinois human services are being funded at 86% of last year’s budget—a generous sounding figure during the Great Recession granted—one can credibly doubt the veracity of the claim.

Welcome to Illinois Doomsday Budget-Lite.

To manage this budget, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno agreed to confer unprecedented spending authority to Quinn to allocate the dwindled $26 billion pile as he see fit.

State agencies received lump sum appropriations, not detailed line item appropriations. The General Assembly declined to appropriate money to division, to program or to line items for the state agencies. Governor Quinn and agency directors, like Illinois Department Human Services Secretary Carol Adams, will need to make decisions on how the 86% funding levels will be distributed and whose ox will be gored and roasted and eaten.

“Essentially by doing this, we have made him the king of Illinois,” Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) said.

Commenting on the budget deal, Quinn said, “This budget tonight is the best we can do to get our work done.”

Cullerton, however, acknowledged that the “best” was not good enough.

“We’re doing this because we have to do it. But it’s wrong to do it, The General Assembly will reconvene in January to address our need for additional revenue.”

However, there appears to be no agreement among Madigan, Cross, Cullerton, and Radogno at this time about the future shape of an income tax increase. Zero. Zilch. Zippo.

Cross and Radogno are actually giddy that they threw sand in the budgetary gears with their rope-a-dope budget negotiating demands, which included changing the primary date and the legislative redistricting process.

“It [the budget] avoids a tax increase,” Radogno said.

It also avoids any sign of real leadership—an observation Radogno left unsaid.

Pat Quinn’s New Illinois Budget Plan Dumps Tax Increase–For Now–Targets More Pension Borrowing

(Springfield, IL) – From the Department of New Budget Plans By The Minute, Governor Pat Quinn is dumping his plan for an income tax increase from 3% to 4.5%–at least until fall–and now wants a temporary 5-month budget built–which he recently opposed.

Additionally, Quinn wants to float $3.5 billion in 5-year pension obligation bonds instead of the

State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago)

originally proposed $2.2 billion plan, according to a tweet from State Rep. John Fritchey during a meeting with Governor Quinn in Springfield on Friday, July 10.

Quinn’s objective with the new FY 2010 budget scheme is to fund Illinois human service providers at 90% of FY 2009 levels instead of at the 50% level approved by the Illinois General Assembly–SB 1197–a.k.a. the Illinois Doomsday Budget–and vetoed by Quinn.

Even with the extra dough in hand, Quinn still intends to cut the state operations budget by $1 billion, which boots 2,600 state employees out of jobs–1,000 alone from the Illinois Department of Corrections. That move could lead to the politically risky early-release of 6,000 non-violent drug offenders. Oy.

Quinn’s new plan, however, failed to inspire a whiff of confidence in Fritchey. “This meeting with the Gov. and his staff is not giving me a good feeling about session next week,” the Chicago lawmaker tweeted.

Quinn recently and obliquely noted his shifting support from various budget plans. “There are many ways to get to heaven,” Quinn said a few days ago after another flip. Ok, points for optimism.

Quinn and the legislative leaders–House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno meet to continue negotiations in Springfield on Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Perhaps Quinn and the leaders will cobble, paste, and wire together a ramshackle budget deal that will allow the Illinois to sputter and wheeze forward for few months. Or not.

Tom Cross Meets with Pat Quinn

(Chicago, IL) – Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross went into a meeting with Governor Pat Quinn approximately an hour ago, according a House GOP tweet.

Well, it’s good to see Cross’ rope-a-dope game continues. Quinn must have had a free hour to indulge him.

Expect no resolution to the Illinois doomsday budget crisis. That’s not part of the rope-a-dope rules.

Governor Pat Quinn Appoints Michael McRaith as Director to Newly Created Illinois Department of Insurance

(Springfield, IL) – From the Department of New Departments, Governor Pat Quinn on Monday, July 6 promoted Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Michael McRaith to Director of the newly created Illinois Department of Insurance.

Governor Quinn’s Executive Order 4 split the Department of Insurance (DOI) from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) on June 1, 2009. New boxes on the organizational charts.

In addition, Quinn tapped Brent Adams to serve as Acting Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Before working for the State, McRaith worked 15 years in private practice as an attorney in Chicago.

At IDFPR, Adams has chaired the Mortgage Fraud Task Force and coordinated the Mortgage Relief Project.

When talking behind McRaith’s back, multiple lawmakers give him high marks for professionalism. Good to know.

Pat Quinn, Madigan, Cullerton, Cross, and Radogno Agree on Key Illinois Doomsday Budget Number

(Chicago, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois General Assembly leaders reached agreement on a single number regarding the Illinois doomsday budget: it began at today 12:01 a.m.

Yep–12:01 a.m. It was the only number to which they agreed. Everything else? Forget it.

Governor Quinn, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House

Governor Pat Quinn vetoes the Illinois doomsday budget.

Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate Minority Christine Radogno and many rank-and-file lawmakers tied themselves in confused knots during many weeks over many of the key competing budget numbers and budget positions and budget plans.

Governor Quinn today vetoed the only budget plan on the table—Senate Bill 1197—the Illinois doomsday budget. But Quinn’s veto does not lessen the confusion. And—unfortunately—the Governor has bred much of that confusion.

Much of the budget confusion in the capitol has hovered over the most fundamental number–the budget deficit’s size. It’s been reduced to “eeny-meeny-miny-mo catch the budget deficit by the toe.”

Here are an assorted of deficit estimates:

• $11.6 Billion – Combined FY 2009 and Quinn 2010 FY 2010 introduced budget – March 2009
• $12.2 Billion – Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability claimed Quinn underestimated the deficit by $860 million.
• $7.2 – Billion – only FY 2010 – Quinn FY 2010 introduced
• $9.2 – Billion – FY 2010 Quinn estimate of legislature’s FY 2010 version
• $7.9 – Billion – FY 2010 Quinn revision – June 2009 (few days ago)
• $6.2 – Billion – FY 2010 Senate Democratic Analysis – June 30, 2009
• $2-3 – Billion – FY 2010 State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford)

Take your pick.

House Speaker Michael Madigan

Syverson’s estimate is dismissed even by his GOP colleagues as willfully ignorant. So that one can be tossed. But the rest of the numbers are in play. Still, there remains a vacuum of credibility and–whoosh—chaos and confusion are sucked in–like an industrial-size Hoover zeroing in on a hairball.

Among those remaining deficit number estimates exist large enough differences that can drive significant policy choices and consequences depending upon which is the agreed number. A permanent 67% income tax increase? A permanent 50% tax boost? A temporary 50% tax bump? A $2.2 billion pension refinancing scheme? Quinn has supported all four options. And opposed several of those options. More confusion.

If that is insufficient confusion to whet your budget whistle–try this: the budget term:

• 12 month human service budget at 50% (SB 1197)
• 12 month human service budget at 70%
• 6 month human service budget at 100% – drawn from 12 months of revenue
• 60 day budget patch at 100%
• 30 day budget patch at 100%

Quinn prepared to sign the Illinois doomsday budget before he vetoed it today by sending reduced contracts to human service providers across the state. Various lawmakers and leaders–Cross and Radogno and Cullerton–have tossed out the other options. Quinn has opposed and supported the 30-day version nearly simultaneously. Oy.

Speaker Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton today jointly announced a special legislative session for July 14 to override Quinn’s budget vetoes—otherwise state employees will go unpaid—and try again to pry “new revenue” out of rank-and-file makers.

For any progress, the Governor and lawmakers need to agree on more numbers than: 12:01 a.m.

Tick, tock.

As Illinois Doomsday Budget Looms, Illinois House Adds Session Days, Week, Sources Say

(Springfield, IL) – The newest word making the rounds–like a drunken sailor on a pub crawl–is that Illinois House lawmakers have been told to be prepared to remain in Springfield until Friday.

A House lawmaker who had planned to attend a press conference in Chicago this Thursday called the organizers today to back-out because of the expected extended session.

Additionally, the word being peddled is that lawmakers are likely to back in Springfield next week, too.

That same well-traveled word also reports that the outline of a budget deal exists but all the required moving parting will unlikely be assembled until week of July 13–beyond the start of the Illinois doomsday budget.

Of course, “the word” has limits to its insight.

It is unknown whether Senate President John Cullerton will send Governor Pat Quinn the budget–Senate Bill 1157–currently idling in the Senate on a parliamentary “hold” or will the state just ride on budgetary fumes after the this year’s budget expires on June 30.

And political conditions could change and reshape the calendar and speed a solution sooner. However, a pre-July 1 solution could deny partisans a potent cudgel to wield–doomsday blame.

There will be no partisan direct mail pieces blaring: “Representative John Doodlefink almost allowed seniors to lose their Meals-on Wheels.”

But if Quinn implements the doomsday budget. Bang. The mailers will fly out the door–absent the word “almost”.

Stay tuned.

News Video: Quinn Fights for Illinois Income Tax Hike; Threatens to Toss Out Babies and Bath Water

(Springfield, IL) – Governor Pat Quinn has begun his “Human Misery Media Tour” around the state highlighting the human carnage that will ensue if the Illinois General Assembly fails to find new money to plug a $7 billion whole in a $28 billion budget.

Now, before Your Two Cents readers are seized by the impulse to yell “cut the fat” from the state budget, consider these facts:

1. Illinois has shed nearly 13,000 state employees through early retirement since 2003 to around 59,000 today from 72,000.
2. The current state payroll is only $3 billion of the $28 billion annually.
3. The required pension payment for retired employees is $4 billion this year.
4. The cost to run prison is $1.2 billion or so.
5. The rest of the dough is allocated to health care, education (elementary, high school and university aid) and human services.

That’s it folks. The “fat” is from human services.

Governor Pat Quinn

The “fat” – the discretionary money – is money, for example, to provide 40,000 home healthcare workers to seniors, workers that keeps seniors out of nursing homes. Gone.

The “fat” – the discretionary money – is money, for example, to provide drug and alcohol treatment services–methadone and a safe bed to sleep–to 65,000 people in the death grip of addiction. Gone.

The “fat” – the discretionary money – is money, for example, to provide child care to 80,000 working parents. Gone.

The “fat” – the discretionary money – is money, for example, to provide mental health care and medication to 175,000 people suffering from mental illness–self-mutilation, teen-suicide risk, pyromania, dimencia, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders, etc. Gone.

You get the idea.

Cut the “fat” and toss granny out of her house and into a nursing home. Cut the “fat” and toss addicts out of treatment and into the local 7-11 with a .45 caliber in hand robbing the joint. Cut the “fat” and toss toddlers out of day care centers and into unsupervised homes to fire-up the oven to cook dinner. Cut the “fat” and toss the mentally ill out of care and toss them, untreated, unmedicated into your library, your supermarket, your sidewalk.

This is fat in frying pan.

So, the “cut the fat” crowd needs to suggest which of the above slabs of “fat” should be cut and fried. Your prize? The consequences on your doorstep. Have a nice day.

While the “cut the fat” crowd is slicing everyone else’s throats but their own, citizens who believe that a little “fat” is healthy to keep the body warm, you need to cut to chase with your local state lawmakers.

Call them, write them, fax them–whatever–just let them know that neither  tossing granny into a nursing home nor letting untreated addicts wander into town is a good idea. Tell them to grow a pair.

Tell them to relay to House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno that tax payers are unwilling to accept an Illinois doomsday budget but are willing to tolerate a little extra “fat” to keep the body–and granny–whole. Tell them to get the job done.

That means–you will support an income tax increase. Tell them.

Otherwise, I may have to turn my Aunt Joan loose on them. She’ll tell them. And that’ll fix their wagon.

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ABC7-TV’s Charles Thomas Reporting House Vote on Illinois Increase Tax Increase Will Fail – Mark Doomsday on Your Calendar

(Chicago, IL) – ABC7-TV’s political reporter Charles Thomas is predicting that the Illinois House will fail to approve Governor Pat Quinn’s income tax increase and that lawmakers will then move to take up a “Doomsday” budget.

Gulp.

From Thomas’ story:

As of 11:30 a.m., there are reportedly not enough votes in the Illinois House to pass an income tax increase. The word is that every single Republican will vote no and that anywhere from seven to 10 Democrats will join them. Those Democrats, mostly from downstate and suburban Chicago districts, are making the difference.

If the House does vote down the tax increase Friday when the vote comes up, they would then immediately begin the work on so-called doomsday appropriations bills that would mean deep cuts for many programs run by the state of Illinois.

Lawmakers would need to slice nearly $7.5 billion–that’s billion–from the state budget, eliminating drug treatment for 98,000 people, mental health care for 45,000, school aid, prison guards, two state drug prisons (2,200 drug offenders on their way to a community near you) state police officers, road salt, 35,000 to 40,000 social service jobs tied to state contracts, etc.

You get the idea. If it’s not nailed down–it’s gone. Taxpayers will get what they pay for–and it won’t be much.

If you depend on state government, you can kiss your behind good-bye.

CLTV Video: Pat Quinn and the $15,000 Question

(Chicago, IL) – The facts–the fun facts at least–are now well known.

During the last days of the legislative session, A campaign aide for Governor Pat Quinn, Holly Copeland, dialed for dollars to special interest groups—the very groups whose influence Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission is trying to crush like an unwelcome insect—and put the squeeze on the willing and unwilling for $15,000 to meet-and-greet Governor Quinn. Brazen.

Copeland had apparently not received Quinn’s reform memo.

Quinn said it was a “mistake.” I believe him. Sincerely. Still, it’s like discovering Mother Theresa in a brothel.

Last night, Your Two Cents had more to say on CLTV’s Garrard McClendon Live.

County Board, Quinn Cut Pay; Illinois Lawmakers Should do Same if They Want a Doomsday Budget

(Springfield, IL) –The Sangamon County Board will cuts salary by about 10 percent as a step to fill a projected $2.7 million deficit. The cut would save $28,609.

With Illinois facing a $12 billion deficit, one wonders if the Illinois General Assembly–especially the slash-and-burn Republicans–would propose cutting lawmaker salaries by 10%? or 25%?

Nah. It would tarnish the sterling hypocrisy of the place.

Lawmakers and Governor Pat Quinn are pondering a doomsday budget that cuts nearly 25% from each state agency budget, but lawmakers are certainly not entertaining a cut of 25% to their salaries. Oh no. That’s talkin’ smack.

Of course to Quinn’s credit, in the  face of the staggering budget hole, he is accepting only $150,000 of his $177,000 annual salary and turning the rest back to the state treasury or charity.

If lawmakers insist on a doomsday budget of 25% cuts, Quinn should insist they cut their salaries by 25% too. For their part-time gig, they earn a base salary of $67,000. The geese and gander should stew in the same pot.

That would be quickest route to raise the Illinois income tax.

Quinn Axes IDOT’s “Midnight Raises”

(Springfield, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn has canceled the “midnight raises” of more than a dozen Illinois Department of Transportation administrators granted in Rod Blagojevich’s last days in office, the Associated Press’ John O’Connor reports.

The raises ranged from 8 percent to 31.5 percent.

Good job, Governor Quinn. Nothing more to say.

Quinn Makes Major Staff Announcement – Yawn

(Chicago, IL) – From the Department of Wake Me When It’s Over, Governor Pat Quinn yesterday announced Chicago Alderman Billy Ocasio would join his administration as a senior advisor on social justice issues. Yawn.

Nothing against Alderman Ocasio. He’s a decent, bright guy. Yada, yada, yada.

But Governor Quinn’s office yesterday billed yesterday’s press conference as a “major staff announcement.”

And one would think that after House Speaker Michael Madigan lobbed a legislative cannon ball across the gubernatorial bow last week–House Bill 4450–that aimed to toss George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich holdovers overboard that Quinn’s announcement would highlight some plankwalkers. One would think. But no.

The same clowns, cretins, incompetents, and worse with which Ryan and Blagojevich have littered state government remained firmly embedded still merrily marking time and making the same hash of the place as ever before.

On many fronts Quinn is doing a damn fine job of remaking state government’s image. Hardy cheers. But on his pledge to fumigate the joint of Blagojevich cronies–a Bronx cheer.

Come on, Governor. Fumigate.

Quinn’s 1st 100 Days – Lang, Murphy Comment on Fox-TV

(Chicago, IL) — Deputy House Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) comment on Quinn’s 1st 100 days.

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Quinn Gives a Blast from His Fumigator and Zaps Blagojevich Appointee

(Springfield, IL) — On Friday Governor Pat Quinn squeezed the trigger on his fumigator and vaporized a former Blagojevich patronage bureaucrat buried in the Illinois Department of Transportation. Zap.

Once the fog lifted IDOT personel manager Scott Doubet was out of his $106,000 a year job. Dang.

Doubet’s principal skill seemed to have been engineering raises for himself. He started at IDOT in 2004 at $55,000 and nearly doubled his pay in five years. A nice trick if you can manage it.

Doubet was one among 11 IDOT managers who snagged last minutes bonuses before the General Assembly booted his patron, Rod Blagojevich, from office. He had begun salary-raising career spree in Blagojevich’s patronage office.

Hooray for Quinn.  Making good on his “fumigation” of state government pledge is always welcome. However, Quinn’s administration is still littered with Blagojevich cronies and incompetents and worse. And the natives in the legislature are restless.

Keep the fumigator humming, Governor.

Quinn Manages to be Frugal and Generous Simultaneously

(Springfield, IL) – Governor Pat Quinn continues to outshine his predecessor Rod Blagojevich.

Admittedly, that bar is pretty low. A 7 watt bulb could outshine Blagojevich. But Quinn does it without the

Governor Pat Quinn at Easter egg hunt on the grounds of Governor's Mansion. (Springfield Journal-Register photo)

Blagojevich “razzle dazzle machine” theatrics that House Speaker Michael Madigan’s press secretary, Steve Brown, once ascribed to the former governor.

On Saturday, April 11, the Quinn brand was on full display at the Executive Mansion–both frugal and generous simultaneously.

Quinn organized an Easter egg hunt for Springfield-area children with developmental disabilities. More than 100 children, siblings, and parents attended, the Springfield Journal-Register reported.

In addition to the plastic egg hunt, the Springfield Theatre Centre put on a vignette of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, arts and crafts were made available to the kids, and Quinn read “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” to the folks assembled.

Of course, Quinn is a politician and there is public relations value for staging a kids event like this. So, one is inclined to ask what was the event’s cost to taxpayers? Zero.

Local businesses covered a portion of the expenses–and Quinn paid the rest out of his own pocket.

Quinn’s frugality is legendary. As Lt. Governor, Quinn traveled overseas on state business 10 times in six years. But he billed the state for just two of the trips. And when on other state business Quinn never accepted the $32 daily meal allowance to which traveling state workers are entitled. And he often payed his own hotel bill.

His predecessor? Blagojevich for all his blather about his commitment to kids, he appears to have held no Easter egg hunt, though Patti Blagojevich hosted a hunt in 2006. And during his terms Blagojevich allegedly seemed intent on filling his pockets.

And what’s the reaction of Springfield Journal-Register readers to Quinn and his Easter egg hunt?

• Debi5 Thank you Governor Quinn for doing something wonderful! It is nice to see the mansion being used and opened to the public once again.

• walt38 Great going Gov. Quinn!!

• fourfootedpals Thank you, Governor Quinn, for doing this. Thank you for making the SPARC kids feel very special. I’m so glad you chose these kids instead of a bunch of the legislators kids, grandkids, relatives, and other assorted kids ‘adopted’ for the day just so they could go to the Mansion’s Easter Egg hunt.

• starstruck A very positive event. Thumbs up Gov. Q!

• Lillie Mae Very cool, Governor Quinn, thank-you. Glad all had a good time.

• Ambrose Bee Whethe you agree with his politics or not, this guv is CLASS. Events like this, paying the difference out of his own pocket. Wish the media would do a story on this instead of all the garbage they chase

• Oldman What a difference a NEW Governor can make.

• cubshater Thanks Gov,,,

• Mumps Oldman and others, I’ll add another. What a difference an impeachment makes. We might have had Pat Quinn a few years ago if others had done their jobs instead of choosing to re-elect Blago. That being said, Governor Quinn couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks, governor, for all your efforts. It’s nice to see this event back on the calendar. And Happy Easter, everyone!

How’s that for – razzle dazzle? It’s the kind of razzle dazzle Blagojevich never understood.

Harris Wins House Approval of $1 Million Boost to Help Homeless Youth

(Springfield, IL) — The Illinois House yesterday voted 76-40 to increase state assistance to homeless youth by $1 million. Most Republicans voted no. Naturally.

State Rep. Greg Harris

The measure, House Bill 2469 sponsored by State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), would fund shelter and transitional housing and employment assistance for homeless youth through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Harris has repeatedly advocated for increased funding for homeless youth services.

DHS, headed by Secretary Carol Adams, however cut youth services programs by more than $6 million in Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget. These programs represent 1.07% of the total DHS general revenue fund budget, but program cuts represent 14.7 % of the total GRF budget cuts.

The kids took it on the chin in the Quinn budget. But they have Harris and an array of powerful supporters in their corner.

In addition to Harris, the bill sponsors include State Representatives: Harry Osterman, Robert Pritchard, LaShawn Ford, Beth Coulson, Deborah Graham, Mike Boland, Esther Golar, Rosemary Mulligan, William Davis, David Miller, Brandon Phelps, Will Burns, Elizabeth Hernandez, Deborah Mell, John D’Amico, Paul Froehlich, Charles Jefferson, Lou Lang and Ken Dunkin.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

However, the real budget battle begins behind the scenes. Harris and his colleagues have a heavy rock to push uphill–winning the new money and restoring the old.

In the meantime, most Republicans will need to unspool their spin to explain why homeless kids are undeserving of shelter and help with a job. Sheez.

Quinn Fires Louanner Peters, Clayton Harris, Lucio Guerro, Sources Say

(Springfield, IL) — When people enter the capitol building on Wednesday, they should be careful to avoid heads rolling down the corridors.

According to sources in Governor Pat Quinn’s Administration, the newly-minted Governor today fired aides to former Governor Rod Blagojevich including Deputy Governor Louanner Peters, former chief of staff Clayton Harris, former spokesman Lucio Guerro, and others.

Blagojevich named Peters, previously his deputy chief of staff for social services and deputy campaign manager, to the Deputy Governor post on December 11, 2006.

Before Blagojevich, Peters served for 10 years on Capitol Hill as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Gus Savage. Peters also worked on campaigns for U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush and Savage as well as Mayors Marion Barry and Anthony Williams in Washington, D.C.

Harris was appointed Blagojevich’s filet-of-fish shortly after his predecessor John Harris was arrested and subsequently resigned.

Guerro also entered his position near the end of Blagojevich’s tenure.

More to come folks.

Granberg Fired, Peanut Gallery Goes Crazy for Quinn

(Springfield, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn fired Kurt Granberg as director of the Illinois Department of Natural

Gov. Pat Quinn

Resources on Wednesday, less than three weeks after former Gov. Rod Blagojevich installed him in that post–and Springfield State-Journal Register readers have gone eye-popping wild for Quinn.

Cheers have replaced jeers for an Illinois Governor. Routine SJR reporting on Blagojevich’s latest moves would unleash torrents of reader abuse on Blagojevich in the readers comment section. Quinn today was pelted with verbal rose petals.

Here’s a sample of SJR reader comments. Read ‘em and smile:

walt38 17 hours ago
Hooray for Governor Quinn!!!

abc17 hours ago
Thank goodness someone in this State is starting to see the importance of this department! I just hope they can restore it before too much damage is done. We have already lost years of research under blago.

Hunterdon 16 hours ago
Good for you, Gov. Quinn!!! It should be YOUR choice, NOT our former governor’s choice!
It’s a brand new day for Illinois.

bmrnp 16 hours ago
Congrats Gov. Quinn. Gov. Quinn should take a long hard look at the other agency directors also. Most are all Blago appointees that don’t know the job or don’t even care to know the job. They are there to collect a fat paycheck, while the front line employees are the ones getting laid off. Great move Governor and hopefully there will be more to follow.

ItSeemsToMe 16 hours ago
Wow, our new governor is trying to do the job as a businessman. About time we have someone that cares about the departments of state government.

MrsBrown 16 hours ago
I really hope Gov Quinn doesn’t plan on stopping with Granberg. There are still SEVERAL other Blago apointees in SEVERAL different agencies that need to go! Gov Quinn needs to take a real close look at HFS & DHS. While front line staff were being laid off, Blago was apointing people left and right. It’s time for Gov Quinn to clean house and send ALL of those people packing!

SSD16 hours ago
Thank you Gov Quinn.
Lincolnrocks16 hours agoReport Abuse
Illinoiscitizen-don’t forget the IHPA! That is one of the most brutalized agencies, with closing the historic sites and the director there was right smack in the middle of Rezko’s hiring list!!! Time for these people to go.

Darla sez 16 hours ago
Thank you, Governor Quinn, it is about time DNR quits getting destroyed. Please rebuild the agency in a proper manner when it is possible. Thank you again.

greenlake16 hours ago
Thank you Governor Quinn..Hey..Can we just call you Gov? Every department head and their assistants, Every committee chairman, Everybody who has been appointed by Blago and Ryan, Everybody who doesn’t have to answer to the Governor ,needs to be looked at..I would suggest a committee of 5 but I doubt if that many honest polititions could be found,so how about 3 or you may have to do it yourself..Let the heads rollllllllllll

Shades14 hours ago
I am a Republican and I like this guy already! Way to go but you have more to ax!

Quinn is off to a grand start.