Home State News - Illinois, Quinn vetos Operating Budget

Quinn's press release:

CHICAGO - July 7, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today vetoed House Bill 2145 saying the General Assembly's bill fails to make any significant cuts in state operations. Instead, the Governor proposed passing a responsible "Tough Choices" budget, which calls for cutting an additional $1 billion in state costs.

"I am vetoing this bill in its entirety because it favors preserving the government status quo and fails to make the necessary cuts and reductions in state government operations," said Governor Quinn. "It does not reflect the spirit of shared sacrifice that must prevail throughout our state government, particularly during these harsh economic times."

HB 2145 appropriates $3.8 billion to fund state operations. However, HB 2145 fails to adequately cut the cost of state operations, including the budget of the General Assembly and other Constitutional Officers, including the Attorney General, Treasurer, Comptroller and Secretary of State. (Attached is the Governor's veto message)

Governor Quinn said the General Assembly and all statewide officers should cut their budgets by at least 10 percent, a cost-cutting move that includes an option of ordering up to 12 furlough days for all employees.

"I presented my budget to the General Assembly on March 18 with a clear message: When it comes to making cuts, we have to make tough choices, not bad choices. It was true then and it's true today," said Governor Quinn. "My goal has always been to pass a fair and comprehensive state budget that serves the fundamental needs of the people of Illinois."

The Governor's "Tough Choices" budget proposes cutting $1 billion from the state budget including:

* $185 million from state operations, including approximately 2,600 layoffs and 12 furlough days for state employees
* $140 million from Medicaid and health insurance
* $250 million in targeted reductions in grant programs
* $125 million from the Department of Corrections
* $175 million cut from proposed increases for K-12 education
* $25 million from other state offices, departments and agencies not under the Governor
* $100 million in additional reserves

There are real problems here in Illinois. Governor Quinn wants to raise the income tax, temporarily, to get funds to pay for services but the Illinois House and Senate don't want to raise taxes.

From the Chicago Tribune:

For the second time in a week, Gov. Pat Quinn backed off his threats to make major cuts in state spending, instead vetoing much of the state budget Tuesday and trying to pressure lawmakers to help him find a solution.

But legislative leaders said Quinn's latest move only deepens mistrust of the rookie governor. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have urged Quinn to avoid a crisis situation, but state government edged closer to that as Illinois entered its second week with no budget in place.

As recently as Monday, Quinn said he would cut $1 billion in state spending as part of plans to fill a budget hole he estimates at $9 billion. On Tuesday, however, Quinn vetoed another budget bill, saying it was flawed from "beginning to end" and should be completely rewritten to reflect spending cuts across state government.

The decision allowed Quinn to try to spread responsibility for budget cuts. He called for a "partnership" as he said lawmakers must "start from scratch" to come up with a spending plan he can sign.

"If the General Assembly passed a budget that's out of balance, the proper thing for the governor, the executive, to do is to veto it and send it back and say, 'Do it again, do it right,' " said Quinn, who wants an income tax increase to raise more money. "Now if you need some help, I'm here to help."

The latest veto was a repeat of Quinn's budget maneuver last week. With the deadline to get a spending plan in place approaching, Quinn vetoed a different budget bill on social services after threatening for weeks that he would slash such spending by 50 percent.

Legislative leaders derided Quinn's vetoes, but said it was too early to say if they would seek to override them when they return to the Capitol on Tuesday.

"It looks at the front end as sort of his biggest flip-flop yet," said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown.

Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said the governor's veto came as a surprise and was not mentioned during a meeting between Quinn and the Senate president earlier in the day. Phelon questioned why Quinn didn't instead use his amendatory veto powers to alter the budget bill instead of rejecting it outright, and said the decision will add further tension to negotiations.

"If we just had to deal with the budget gap in these meetings, that would be one thing.Now we have to maneuver around his credibility gap," Phelon said.

Quinn did move forward with some cuts, however. His administration sent layoff notices to 2,600 of the state's 58,000 employees, including 1,000 corrections workers. He said he also has started negotiating with worker unions for 12 unpaid days off. Combined, those measures are expected to save the state $185 million. If an agreement isn't reached on the furlough days, Quinn said another 2,500 workers could lose their jobs.

There has to be an agreement between Quinn and the Illinois legislature soon or there will be major problems for the most vulnerable in Illinois. Many of us. here in Illinois have been calling, emailing, and writing to both Gov. Quinn and our local Reps and Senators to pass something soon. I also added that I would like to see more transparency for the government of Illinois so we know where this money is going. A web site would be nice.

So far we haven't had to send IOUs like California but if they don't agree on something soon...

Our Local fight for Freedom of Speech

Here's an update from our local fight for Freedom of Speech. This little drama is happening in Illinois' DuPage County which has been a staunch Republican county from the beginning.

Read on:

People’s Weekly World

July 14, 2007

Rumblings in suburbia for peace, free speech

By Cristobal Cavazos

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — For peace activists, being in west suburban Chicago often feels like being behind enemy lines. But fissures are developing in this land of right-wing heavies like Republican Reps.

Dennis Hastert and Peter Roskam and former Rep. Henry "nothing to" Hyde
— corporate and bellicose all. Behind the big box stores, fast food places and luxury townhouse construction sites, poverty and homelessness have risen. Meanwhile, gentrification in the city has led to urban flight into the suburbs … and then there’s the war.

"We are active in what is seen as one of the most conservative areas in the country," said local antiwar activist Kevin Lindemann, "but our Honk for Peace rallies receive an overwhelmingly positive response."

Such local events have educated suburban residents about the war and motivated new people out onto the front lines.

Jeff Zurawski is one such person. "I remember a day, several months ago, when I realized some disturbing truths, the first few on what’s become quite a long list of disturbing truths," he said. "The people of Iraq, who posed no threat to us, are being slaughtered and their country destroyed."

The power of such revelations would lead Zurawski and friend Sarah Hartfield into action May 6 on a local tollway overpass, armed with a banner reading "Impeach Bush and Cheney — liars" and an upside-down American flag, both expressions securely within their First Amendment rights.

"What propelled me was the need to express myself," said Zurawski. "The more I’ve learned, the more outraged I’ve become, and that motivates me to do something to help stop the injustice."

Local entrenched forces are motivated by other demons, however. Weeks after the event, on May 25, a sheriff showed up at Zurawski’s door to arrest him on the allegation that he had tossed unknown objects onto the tollway from the overpass. Sarah later turned herself in after a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Prosecuting the case is DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett, apparently in a desperate attempt to rally his right-wing base after his failed bids for attorney general in 2002 and lieutenant governor in 2006. Birkett was a lead prosecutor in the racist prosecution of Rolando Cruz in 1994 for a murder that DNA evidence revealed he didn’t commit.

Local antiwar groups have mobilized behind Zurawski and Hartfield in this battle for free speech in what is obviously a political case against the pair. Local press coverage has been sympathetic.

"I have a feeling the sheriff truly didn’t anticipate all the attention this is getting," Zurawski said.

With around two dozen supporters seated behind him, Zurawski appeared in court on June 27 to challenge his arrest. Prosecutors may try to amend the complaint against the pair, upgrading the charges from disorderly to reckless conduct. If convicted, the two could face up to a year in prison and $2,500 in fines. Zurawski ‘s next court date is July 16.

To help get the charges against Zurawski and Hartfield dropped, supporters are urging the public to contact States Attorney Joe Birkett’s office by phone at (630) 407-8000, by e-mail at stsattn@dupageco. org, or by mail at 503 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton IL 60187 and demand all charges against Jeff Zurawski and Sarah Hartfield
be dropped.

Activists say they want to let Birkett know that attacks on free speech will not be tolerated, and the antiwar movement — both suburban and urban — will not let up until the war is ended.

Now, to put things in perspective, lets look at States Attorney Birkett's past. Did you know he ran for Governor of Illinois? And then Lt. Governor? A little digging reveals some interesting information:

Birkett plea sets off firestorm
Women’s advocates and politicians on Wednesday traded barbs on the significance of a controversial DuPage County domestic abuse case and what it may say about whether DuPage State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett ought to be elected Illinois attorney general this fall.

From the Daily Herald:

How Birkett loan could alter system
By Joseph Ryan Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted March 20, 2003

SPRINGFIELD - Reacting to a controversial loan DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett's campaign for attorney general received, the Illinois Senate Wednesday approved a proposal to ban that and similar types of campaign financing.

The measure prohibits loans from criminal defense attorneys to candidates for both county state's attorney and attorney general. Supporters said such loans taint the judicial system.

Birkett came under fire for accepting more than $100,000 in loans last year from criminal defense attorneys who handle cases in DuPage County.

"It is a relationship where the prosecutor has a tremendous amount of control," said state Sen. John J. Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat and the plan's sponsor. "It's really not appropriate in my opinion to have loans outstanding. It can be an ongoing sword over a prosecutor's head."

However, Birkett said he did nothing improper in accepting the loans and has since repaid them. Democrat Lisa Madigan, a former state senator, won the state attorney general's race last year.

"This is politics, and you expect this kind of thing," Birkett said. "I just don't think it makes a whole lot of sense. It should apply to everyone."

Several suburban Republicans argued against the measure by making similar points. State Sen. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, questioned why lawmakers should focus solely on defense attorneys and prosecutors. He said loans and contributions should be outlawed from any profession to a candidate in a supervisory role.

The legislation, which also would cover sitting attorneys general and state's attorneys, applies only to criminal defense attorneys who have practiced in those jurisdictions within the previous two years.

A violation could carry a $5,000 fine.

The proposal now goes to the Illinois House.

Here's an article where Birkett agrees with Judy Barr Topinka, candidate at that time for Illinois Governor with Birkett her choice for Lt. Gov., where they both agree to bring back the Death Penalty to Illinois.

Will the Death Penalty Return to Illinois?
By Eric Ferkenhoff/Chicago
This week's sweeping guilty verdict in the federal corruption case against former Illinois Governor George Ryan seemed sure to seal the gruff Republican's legacy as yet another in a long line of crooked Illinois politicians. But Ryan�s other major legacy — the moratorium he placed on executions in 2000, which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination — is also under attack, and the reverberations could be felt across the entire country's criminal justice system.

Six years after Ryan's unilateral move set off a wave of capital punishment reforms nationwide, conservative prosecutors throughout the state are hoping a change at the Governor's Mansion this fall can usher back the death penalty. While Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich has said Ryan's moratorium should remain in place, at least for the foreseeable future, his Republican challenger and state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka has hinted that enough safeguards have now been put into place for the death penalty to be reinstated.

"It's time to have a Governor who exercises authority in the way it was intended," said Topinka's running mate Joseph Birkett, the state's attorney in Republican DuPage County, who helped author some of the reforms in Illinois. "People felt betrayed by what Ryan did."

I'm looking for more, but if you have anything to add, with links please, please leave it in comments and I will move it to the main blog.

Illinois Business-4th of July, March in Wheaton

Operation Turn DuPage Blue is asking people to march with them in the Wheaton, Il (DuPage County) Parade.

Here are the details:

Even though Operation Turn DuPage Blue is a fairly new group, we are marching in 7 parades on the 4th of July! OTDB T-shirts will likely still be available but to order ahead of time please send an email to otdb@ameritech.net with number and sizes of shirts (M, L, XL, XXL).



WHEATON Parade Step off is 10:00. The surrounding streets close to cars at 9:00 AM, so plan to park (in surrounding neighborhoods) and walk. You may come at 9 AM if you like. There is some pre-parade work to do if you are there early.

COME BY 9:30 IN ANY CASE.



Assembly is in the DuPage Medical Group parking lot, 1800 N. Main, Wheaton, at the south WEST corner of Main and Cole, at the first traffic signal south of Geneva Rd. The parade will proceed south on Main to Wesley, then west to Wheaton, south to Front and east to Cross.



We will provide signs and items to pass out.



OTDB is marching along with the Milton Township Democrats. Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois State Treasurer, will be marching with us! Lisa Madigan will be marching in the parade as well, in her own entry. There will also be DuPage for Edwards marchers and staffers/supporters from the Obama campaign.

Email otdb@ameritech.net for more info:

Illinois News

Illinois Legislature passes a tough Cable the toughest Consumer Protection Standards in the nation:

From Citizen's Utility Board:

Don't toss the remote! CUB's got good news!

Cable companies aren’t exactly winning popularity contests. That's why the Illinois Legislature recently passed the toughest cable consumer protection standards in the country, including customer credits for bad service. Read CUB Executive Director David Kolata's Daily Southtown column. (pdf format)

And more here on the Electric Rate issue:

TV probe finds the CORE
of our power problems

A TV investigation reports that while ComEd claimed it was on the verge of bankruptcy it was pouring millions into CORE, a supposed consumer group that ran slick TV ads in favor of huge rate hikes. In another TV report, find out what CUB Executive Director David Kolata said about talks with Ameren and ComEd to give consumers relief from the high rates. And be sure to watch our website for breaking news on the electric front.

I'll try to keep you updated on these issues.

A little Illinois Business:

As members of this list may already know, two DuPage County antiwar
activists were arrested after bannering over the expressway. I urge
everyone on this list to read the *Daily Herald* article about the case
below and then call or write the DuPage County State’s Attorney, Joe
Birkett, to demand that the charges against the two activists be
dropped.

Joseph Birkett, States Attorney
503 N County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-407-8000
630-407-8151 (fax)
stsattn@dupageco. org

According to the *Daily Herald*, Birkett’s office says the case has
nothing to do with free speech, but that is false. The actual charge
raises a number of First Amendment issues. It says the two activists
"knowingly without a county permit, staged a war protest on the Great
Western Trail overpass in unincorporated DuPage County, Illinois causing
the vehicles on the highway (I355) to swerve causing a traffic
disturbance because unknown objects were being thrown on the expressway,
as well as the American flag being displayed in an upside down manner
from the overpass."

Jeff Zurawski had his first court date today, and I heard the judge read
those charges myself. Apparently, she does not know that, with the
exception of the charge that "unknown [!] objects were being thrown on
the expressway," everything in those charges is perfectly legal.
Contrary to what Birkett’s office claims, then, this case is very much
about free speech and the First Amendment.

Jeff’s next court date is July 16. Between now and then, let’s flood
Birkett’s office with messages demanding that they drop the charges
against the two peace activists.

It is especially important that Birkett hear from residents of DuPage
County, but he should also know that people all across the country are
aware of this case, so please forward this message far and wide.

–-Kevin

Peaceful protest or road hazard?

Activists deny prosecutors’ allegations of throwing objects off bridge
during display

By Christy Gutowski
Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer
cgutowski@dailyhera ld.com
Posted Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Fed up with the war in Iraq, Sarah Hartfield and Jeff Zurawski decided
to let others in on their views.

The friends rode their bikes May 6 to a pedestrian bridge that spans
I-355 near Glen Ellyn and unfurled a banner that read: "Impeach Bush and
Cheney — liars." The protesters also displayed an upside-down American
flag.

They insist it was a peaceful demonstration. A DuPage County sheriff’s
deputy disagreed, and, two weeks later, pursued criminal charges.

Zurawski goes to court this morning for the first time since his May 25
misdemeanor arrest. The 39-year-old Downers Grove man said he spent
seven hours in jail after police led him away from his home in
handcuffs.

Hartfield, 45, of Naperville, said she turned herself in shortly after
learning of her friend’s arrest. She is due in court next month.

"We didn’t do anything wrong," Zurawski said. "All we did was exercise
our constitutional right, and we’re being censored and intimidated. "

Prosecutors said the charge has nothing to do with free speech. Rather,
the protesters are accused of disorderly conduct on suspicion they
tossed unknown objects from the overpass, causing motorists on I-355 to
swerve to avoid the debris.

A passing truck driver complained and is prepared to testify,
prosecutors said. The original allegation of disorderly conduct likely
will be amended to reckless conduct, officials said.

Hartfield and Zurawski, who met in January during a bus trip to a
Washington, D.C., war protest, deny throwing anything onto I-355. The
friends say they displayed their sign and upside-down flag for about 90
minutes without incident when a state police trooper approached them.

Hartfield said the trooper never mentioned anything about falling debris
or swerving cars, but did advise them that the protest could distract
motorists and cause an accident. The pair said he politely advised them
to get a permit to protest elsewhere.

As they packed up, Hartfield and Zurawski said sheriff’s deputies
arrived and began questioning them. They said one of the three deputies
was particularly agitated.

"He was immediately red in the face," Hartfield said. "He asked what
prompted us. I told him I had enough and want to get the message out and
raise awareness. He thought that was a show of disrespect to the troops.
I did my best to explain that, to the contrary, it was out of respect
for their service."

If convicted, Hartfield and Zurawski face up to one year in jail and
$2,500 in fines. Hartfield works in the medical field; Zurawski is a
small-business owner. Neither has a criminal history.

A little Illinois News

Since I live in Illinois and Specifically the 6th District, I'm going to take the opportunity to give some news about Illinois and promote Operation:Turn DuPage Blue. It's very important to pay attention to local elections and politics for two reasons.

1. The people we elect locally will some day represent us in the State and Nationally.

2. We need to get the right people into office to change the direction for positive and innovative ideas for the people of the village, town, city, county we live in.

First the news from Election Central:


LaHood May Resign To Head College

Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) is considering resigning from Congress to become president of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, his alma mater. LaHood said he will make his decision in "ten days to two week." A special election for his seat could potentially be competitive, though the district does have a definite Republican lean.

Duckworth Considering Another Congressional Bid

2006 Congressional nominee Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is considering a rematch against GOP Congressman Peter Roskam, who defeated her 51%-49% in the open-seat race. However, as Roll Call notes that Duckworth could be weakened by continued discord between the Democratic establishment and the local activists, who backed Christine Cegelis in the primary last year. "For a Democrat to win in that area, they’re going to need to heal that tension,” Cegelis said.

Now here is the new site I want to promote to forward thinking progressives:

Operation: Turn DuPage Blue:

Who they are:

Operation: Turn DuPage Blue is a volunteer grass roots organization that was formed by several longtime county residents who have supported Democratic candidates and causes for one unsuccessful election too many.

But it is an organization borne out of optimism, not frustration. For as group President Bob Peickert notes: "In recent elections, several Democratic candidates came far closer to winning DuPage County races than ever before, and several state and national Democrats—such as Jesse White and Lisa Madigan last year and even Barack Obama in 2004—carried the county handily. Numbers have clearly shown that DuPage is not the Republican stronghold it was 10 or 20 years ago, especially if we can get more people involved in the voting process".

OTDB represents an ongoing action plan that has been developed -- and will continually evolve -- to turn this upward spike in Democratic potential into real gains.

What they want:

-> To get Democrats elected in and from DuPage County.

-> To fill Precincts with Democratic Committeemen and Committeewomen We are underway with our efforts -- Phase 1: Friends & Neighbors -- and have already added several new PCs

-> To keep DuPage County Board Member compensation commensurate with the part-time commitment required

Why this matters:




It's time, Illinosians, to get active and take back your cities, counties, and country!