Tag: Cullerton

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J.B. Pritzker Walks Back Pledge To Veto Politically-Drawn Legislative District Maps

Last year, Pritzker pledged to veto a map that was drawn “in any way” by legislators, political leaders, or their staffs; now, Pritzker says he will veto a map that he “[thinks] is unfair”


“Supporters of fair maps should be concerned that they must now rely on Pritzker’s personal determination of what’s ‘fair’ rather than a concrete pledge to veto gerrymandered legislative maps and enact independent redistricting reform. Pritzker walking back his fair map pledge is unfortunate, yet unsurprising. Voters always knew Pritzker had the support of Speaker Madigan, but now we know why. Pritzker is flip-flopping on fair maps so he can protect Madigan’s grip on power for another decade, overriding the will of Illinois voters. What will Pritzker’s next flip-flop be?” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot


In an interview yesterday with the State Journal-Register, Governor J.B. Pritzker seemed to walk back a pledge to veto legislative redistricting maps drawn with political considerations. Pritzker said, “I would veto a map that I thought was an unfair one.”

“Unfair” is a far cry from Pritzker’s concrete pledge in 2018 to veto gerrymandered maps drawn by elected officials with political considerations.

Last year, Pritzker told Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller he would veto a map that was drawn “in any way” by legislators, political leaders, or their staffs. At the time, Miller asked gubernatorial candidates:

“Will you pledge as governor to veto any state legislative redistricting map proposal that is in any way drafted or created by legislators, political party leaders and/or their staffs or allies? The exception, of course, would be the final official draft by LRB.”

Pritzker replied:

“Yes, I will pledge to veto. We should amend the constitution to create an independent commission to draw legislative maps, but in the meantime, I would urge Democrats and Republicans to agree to an independent commission to handle creating a new legislative map…”

A bipartisan, bicameral coalition of lawmakers in the General Assembly support fair maps. The only people standing in the way of redistricting reform are Mike Madigan, John Cullerton, and now, J.B. Pritzker. It only took Pritzker 100 days in office to flip-flop on fair maps and side with Speaker Madigan over the people of Illinois.

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Illinois House Democrats Are The Only Legislative Caucus To Not Have Leadership Term Limits

At least 31 House Dems, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have stated they support or are open to some form of leadership term limits

 

“The people of Illinois do not vote for legislative leaders, but they strongly support the concept of term limits. That’s why Illinoisans deserve the opportunity to amend the constitution via a binding ballot referendum and term limit the four legislative leaders. Governor Pritzker, all members of the State Senate, all House Republicans, and at least 31 House Democrats, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have voiced support for some form of leadership term limits.

“There is a bipartisan super-majority that supports leadership term limits. The votes are there to pass a constitutional amendment referendum in both chambers. It’s time for the General Assembly to finally act on this critical issue and take one step towards restoring the people’s control over state government.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

 

Three of the four legislative caucuses in the Illinois General Assembly have instituted some form of leadership term limits.

Through a unanimously-adopted resolution of their chamber rules, Illinois Senate Democrats and Republicans imposed a five-term, ten-year limit on the Senate President and minority leader for the 101st General Assembly. The Senate first enacted this term limit in the 100th General Assembly. That resolution was also unanimously-adopted.

Illinois House Republicans have enacted term limits on their caucus leader via their caucus rules.

And even Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated he supports leadership term limits.

That leaves the Illinois House Democrats – the only legislative caucus without some form of leadership term limits. The House Democratic caucus has been led by Speaker Michael Madigan for decades – 18 terms as Speaker of the House and several more terms as minority leader – but that doesn’t mean House Democrats are opposed to leadership term limits.

At least 31 House Democrats, including 3 members of Speaker Madigan’s leadership team, have affirmatively stated that they support or are open to some form of leadership term limits or term limits on all legislators.

Here are House Democrats in their own words:

Kelly Cassidy: “Yes… I have cosponsored legislation creating leadership term limits.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Asst. Majority Leader Linda Chapa LaVia: “Chapa LaVia pointed out… that she has voted for term limits for the legislative leadership.” (The Beacon-News, 2/10/17)

Deb Conroy: “I am supportive of leadership term limits.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/15/18)

Melissa Conyears Ervin: “I believe voters could benefit from having new voices and new ideas on a regular basis. But if term limits are going to be applied to the legislature, they should be applied so they include statewide officials, as well.” (Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire)

Terra Costa Howard: “I think term limits sound like a really good idea to voters who are frustrated with unresponsive governments and legislative deadlock.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/10/18)

Jerry Costello, II: “Costello said he supports term limits for the leadership of the General Assembly.” (Republic-Times, 7/18/18)

Asst. Majority Leader Fred Crespo: “I support term limits for legislators as well as constitutional officers.”  Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/13/16)

Anthony DeLuca: Introduced a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would prohibit State Representatives and State Senators from serving more than 3 terms in their respective chambers  (HJRCA 1, 101st G.A.)

Mary Edly-Allen: “While term limits on leaders may help, the only way to keep so much power out of the hands of so few is to overhaul our campaign finance system and limit the amount of money in our elections.” (Daily Herald, 10/31/18)

Sara Feigenholtz: “Yes, [I support term limits for legislative leadership positions].” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Robyn Gabel: “I support term limits for leadership and proposed such legislation in 2011.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz: “I believe in term limits for legislative leadership because those positions are not directly elected by the voters of Illinois.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Mike Halpin: “Halpin ok with term limits for leadership positions” (WHBF-TV, 9/12/16)

Fran Hurley: “I do support term limits on leadership positions.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Stephanie Kifowit: “I am open to considering proposals for leadership term limits.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Theresa Mah: “I do support term limits for legislative leaders.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Asst. Majority Leader Natalie Manley: “If a term limit proposal ever appears on a ballot, I will support whatever decision my constituents make.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Joyce Mason: “I am supportive of term limits for legislative leaders.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/23/18)

Rita Mayfield: “I support term limits at every level: local, county, state and federal.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/13/16)

Bob Morgan: “I support term limits for legislative leaders to ensure that voices from across Illinois are heard in the lawmaking process.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Marty Moylan: “I support term limits for legislators.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Michelle Mussman: “I support giving voters a say in a constitutional amendment to establish term limits for statewide and legislative offices.” (www.votemichelle.org/issues)

Diane Pappas: “I believe in a democracy it should be up to the voters, not the legislature, to decide whether Illinois should adopt term limits via a referendum placed on the ballot.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Delia Ramirez: “I am open to considering legislation that establishes term limits but cannot offer unilateral support on this issue without seeing the specific language for the legislation being proposed.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Lamont Robinson, Jr.: “Voters should decide their representation, but we should lean towards limiting decades-long legacies from developing. I think 20 years is plenty of time to perfect your craft and really make improvements in your districts. I will commit to sponsoring legislation to that end.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Anne Stava-Murray: “Term limits for legislative leaders are necessary to avoid dangerous consolidations of power.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/22/18)

Karina Villa: “Villa supports term limits for all state representatives, including Madigan.” (Daily Herald, 9/24/18)

Mark Walker: “Yes, I think there should be term limits on legislative leaders and I would vote in favor of this.” (Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, 10/12/18)

Ann Williams: “I’m open to limits on leadership, though I don’t believe there will ever be another leader who will serve as long as the Speaker so I don’t think the issue will be very relevant in the future.” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Lance Yednock: “What [Yednock] is certain about is term limits… [Yednock] believes a decade is enough time for one individual to hold office but is open to discussing alternative limits.” (The Times, 10/20/18)

Sam Yingling: “I have always supported term limits…Yes, [I support term limits for legislative leadership positions].” (Chicago Tribune candidate questionnaire)

Republican State Rep. Tim Butler is currently carrying a leadership term limit constitutional amendment in the House, HJRCA 12. Democratic State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is currently carrying a similar measure in the Senate, SJRCA 3. Last session, Senate Republican leader Bill Brady also carried a similar measure, SJRCA 2, that had bipartisan support.

There is a bipartisan supermajority that supports leadership term limits. It’s time for the General Assembly to finally act on this critical issue and take one step towards restoring the people’s control over state government.

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Coming Soon! Orange is the New Blago: Illinois’ Tragic New Sitcom

Critics are raving about the newest farce from the Democratic Party of Illinois

This fall’s hottest new series is just around the corner! Orange is the New Blago follows a misfit band of politicians all vying to outdo one another and win the affections of Mike Madigan, head of the yard.

With the return of star-turned-felon Rod Blagojevich, the series is shedding new light on what it takes to survive in the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Featuring old and new faces, Orange is the New Blago resonates with everyone (unless you believe in real reform and responsible government). From Blago Bankroller J.B. Pritzker to Machine Boss Mike Madigan, the series takes a firsthand look at the prison yard mentality it takes to make it in the dog eat dog world of Chicago politics.

Coming March 2018 to a ballot box near you.

And don’t forget the popcorn.

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ICYMI: Madigan and Cullerton “jeopardizing the start of the school year”

Editorial Boards Slam Democrats for Holding Up School Funding

Editorial boards this weekend slammed Mike Madigan, John Cullerton, and Democrats in Springfield for holding school funding hostage to their Chicago bailout demands.

The Chicago Tribune: Dear Illinois parents: You’re being played by Democrats in Springfield
Yes, parents, while you’ve been preoccupied with lemonade stands and summer camps, Democrats in Springfield have been jeopardizing the timely opening of schools.

… Just when you think Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan couldn’t be more scheming, they prove you wrong. In this case, they’re jeopardizing the start of the school year. Brinkmanship at its worst. A game of chicken with school families trapped midfield.

To emphasize, parents: August is here and your legislature has not agreed on how to send your state tax money to your schools. You’re being played. You’re supposed to panic and blame a governor who’s, yes, still waiting for that May 31funding bill to arrive.

The Belleville News-Democrat: Illinois lawmakers set time bomb to get Rauner, hit students instead
Lawmakers couldn’t pass a budget for more than two years and were willing to owe other people $15 billion, but they sure got their paychecks on time. The rest of us don’t get paid if we don’t work.

So could it be that they realize the optics are bad on that issue? They fear facing voters in 2018 looking like a bunch of self-serving, ineffective louts? Do they think limiting the per diems would give them the ability to say, “See, we aren’t all about us”?

They got a chance to earn another $111 a day plus mileage this past week, when Rauner called lawmakers back into session to advance Senate Bill 1, the education funding bill. They failed to do so because Rauner promised an amendatory veto to remove a Chicago Public School pension bail-out. Big surprise, because they are likely doing all this to force an August showdown to get that Chicago money and hand Rauner another fanny-whoooping — at the cost of our students.

Herald & Review: Our view: We’re back where we started with Springfield
What’s the better solution? Remove the Chicago pension funding proviso from the legislation.

That would meet Rauner’s satisfaction while preserving the core mission to fix the backwards funding formula.

It’s easy for us to say, but Chicago pensions shouldn’t break this legislation. We must think of students statewide.

Remove the pension rule.

Sign the bill.

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ICYMI: Editorial Boards Slam Cullerton as “a Disgrace”

Cullerton, Madigan Refuse to Send Gov. Rauner Education Bill

Even more editorial boards are slamming John Cullerton, Mike Madigan and the Chicago Machine for holding schoolchildren hostage. They’re refusing to send Governor Rauner an education funding bill that passed two months ago.

From the Chicago Tribune editorial board:
Springfield is an orgy of deplorable these days. The inaction, the dysfunction, the empty chairs in the House and Senate — a disgrace. Of the 118 members of the Illinois House earning full-time salaries for part-time jobs, 32 did not show up for the start of Thursday’s special session. And there were dozens of empty desks in the Senate, a chamber that doesn’t take daily attendance. Lucky for those hard-to-track senators playing hooky.

Then both chambers adjourned within minutes of convening, sabotaging a rightfully called special session to address a serious issue for schoolchildren and their families. But because Cullerton and Madigan signaled it was OK for their members to blow it off, many did.

Let’s get a few things straight, given that legislative leaders and lawmakers have difficulty navigating right vs. wrong. The right thing to do in a part-time government job is to show up for special sessions when the governor calls them. The right thing to do — yes, you, Mr. Cullerton — is to quit playing games with a school funding bill legislators passed eight weeks ago and put it on Rauner’s desk. The right thing to do is then vote to accept or override whatever changes Rauner makes in an amendatory veto.

…Brinkmanship, pressure, lurching. The whole idea is to continue manufacturing — let’s copyright this phrase and not let him change the subject — “Cullerton’s School Crisis” ©2017.

From the Dispatch Argus editorial board:
Why wait, Mr. Cullerton? If you have not already done your duty, do it now and send the bill immediately so that, whatever happens next, lawmakers will have time to act to ensure that schools will open for the fall semester and stay that way.

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ILGOP Releases Digital Video – “Get Back to Work”

Madigan and Cullerton Holding Schoolchildren Hostage

Mike Madigan and John Cullerton are holding school funding hostage by refusing to send Governor Rauner the education funding bill they passed two months ago.

It’s a perversion of the democratic process in order to force through their $500 million Chicago bailout.

Today, the Illinois Republican Party is releasing a digital video highlighting the Madigan machine’s refusal to honor the Illinois Constitution and send the education funding bill to the Governor’s desk.

Watch “Get Back to Work” here.

 

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ICYMI: Mr. Madigan, Mr. Cullerton, Wisconsin thanks you for blocking Illinois reforms

“It’s Madigan and Cullerton who’ve set up Illinois to fail in these contests for jobs.”

Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune reported electronics manufacturer Foxconn will build a $10 billion factory in southeast Wisconsin – an investment that’s expected to create up to 13,000 jobs over the next 15 years, the largest economic development project in Wisconsin history.

Illinois was one of several state’s being considered for the historic investment, but as the Chicago Tribune noted, economic development of this magnitude is not occurring in Illinois.

Why?

Because career politicians like Mike Madigan and John Cullerton refuse to change – they are blocking reform to protect the Chicago Machine, at the expense of Illinois families and taxpayers.

From the Chicago Tribune’s editorial:

Early this month, when they hit taxpayers with a 32 percent jump in the individual income tax rate, many legislators broke a promise they had made: No more tax hikes without major reforms to help Illinois’ moribund economy. Don’t worry, said Democrats who pushed the tax hike. We’ll get to those reforms soon enough.

But not soon enough, we now see, to keep electronics giant Foxconn from bypassing Illinois to make a jobs-rich investment in southeast Wisconsin. This is a huge win for Scott Walker, the Republican governor of Wisconsin whom Illinois Democrats loathe. Just as this is an embarrassment for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.

Once again, the people of Illinois see how Madigan and Cullerton, with their combined 86 years in Springfield, have left Illinois ill-prepared to compete for 21st-century jobs. Their agenda is about raising taxes, not about delivering those reforms. As we wrote a few days ago, every other state on Foxconn’s short list looked better than Illinois by the basic measures of financial stability and pro-growth economies.

…Cranky Springfield apologists for Madigan and Cullerton will say we’re overreaching, that Gov. Bruce Rauner is somehow to blame for losing Foxconn to Wisconsin. Except Rauner has been pushing exactly the kinds of employer-friendly reforms that Madigan and Cullerton have resisted, often to please their allies who lead labor unions.

It’s Madigan and Cullerton who’ve set up Illinois to fail in these contests for jobs. Madigan and Cullerton who haven’t sent Rauner a no-gimmicks property tax freeze to even slightly offset the extra $5 billion their income tax hike will gouge from companies and workers. Madigan and Cullerton who won’t make major fixes to a workers’ compensation system that drives away employers. Madigan and Cullerton who can’t deliver significant pension reforms to Rauner’s desk. Madigan and Cullerton who can’t bring themselves to slash that costly roster of 7,000 local governments.

Early this month we urged Madigan and Cullerton to run for re-election from their districts if they wish, but to step down from their leadership posts. We asked them to emulate former Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno, who in recently announcing her retirement said, “I’ve really tried hard. It’s time for someone else to take the reins.”

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Cullerton ADMITS Chicago Machine Holding School Funding Hostage

“We slowed down the process”

Senate President John Cullerton admitted yesterday for the first time that Democratic politicians in Springfield are intentionally holding SB1 from reaching Governor Rauner’s desk.

Cullerton told the Chicago Tribune that “We slowed down the process in the Senate in order to let everyone blow off some steam, politically speaking.”

This is a direct admission that the Chicago Machine is holding school funding hostage.

John Cullerton has no right to pervert the legislative process in this way. It’s an affront to democracy.

John Cullerton and Mike Madigan should stop helping try to get their friends in Chicago a $500 million bailout and allow SB1 to reach Governor Rauner’s desk for an amendatory veto.

Anything less is a slap in the face to the voters of Illinois and their confidence in our democratic system.

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