September 22, 2014

QUOTE OF THE DAY

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AP: Quinn: No Pension ‘Plan B’ Before Court Ruling

Amid signals that Illinois’ pension overhaul could be found unconstitutional, Gov. Pat Quinn argued Friday that it makes no sense to develop a contingency plan.

The Chicago Democrat, who “fervently” believes the plan is constitutional, said in an Associated Press interview that he’d like to get feedback from the courts before proceeding despite Illinois’ urgent financial difficulties.

“You don’t exactly help your position before the court if you say, `Well I’ve got a plan b out here, maybe you could take that instead,’ and it’s not even passed by the Legislature,” Quinn said. “That’s a very bad strategic position …”

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Crains: Tech Chicago 2014

Here are 50 people you should know if you care about Chicago tech. Some are movers and shakers; others are names that might not be familiar today but you’ll hear more about in the future.

If you’re wondering how we could leave out someone like TechStars’ Troy Henikoff, Google’s Brian Fitzpatrick or Modest’s Harper Reed, check out our lists from 20112012 and2013. Most of the faces are new — this is by design, because it best reflects Chicago’s growing tech community.

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USA Today: Tax refunds will be cut for ACA recipients

A significant benefit of the Affordable Care Act is the opportunity to receive money-saving tax credits up front to cut the overall cost of health insurance, but now hundreds of thousands of consumers could owe back some of that money next April.

Those affected took advance payments of the premium tax credit for health insurance. Some married couples could owe $600 or $1,500 or $2,500 or even more. It might feel like a raw deal for some who are already suffocating under the escalating costs of health insurance.

“Health insurance is confusing enough, and now they’re adding the complexities of the Tax Code,” said Lorena Bencsik, a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs and owner of Prime Numbers in Ferndale.

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USA Today: Don’t expect ‘perfection’ on health care site

The federal health insurance website is trying to resolve glitches and security questions raised by the Government Accountability Office, so people can safely and successfully sign up for insurance at open enrollment Nov. 15.

Much of the Obama administration’s success in enrolling 8.1 million people in health insurance over the past year was overshadowed by the momentous problems with HealthCare.gov and several state exchanges. As administration officials prepare to test the site with insurers Oct. 7, they’re trying to manage expectations while portraying some confidence.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn Tavenner told a House panel Thursday that there will be “visible improvement, but not perfection” on HealthCare.gov.

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Chicago Sun Times: If money was no object, where would Chicagoans live?

Two-thirds of Chicago-area residents would stay in the Chicagoland area, even if money were no object, according to a new poll from Charles Schwab.

That’s despite the fact that about three-quarters of Chicagoans rate the metropolitan area as “one of the worst” in the country in terms of crime and tax rates.

The Charles Schwab poll, “The View from Chicago,” was conducted with a representative sample of 1,000 Chicago-area residents, ages 21-75.

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Crain’s: Illiana lands on national ‘boondoggle’ list

A national research organization has put the proposed Illiana Expressway on its list of top highway “boondoggles”pending anywhere in the country.

In a report prepared for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group that was released today by the group’s Illinois affiliate, PIRG says a road projected to cost $1 billion could end up costing three times that, may charge tolls too high to attract truck traffic and could leave the taxpayers stuck with a subsidy tab of more than $1 billion.

Those gripes echo complaints here from the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and others. But the Illinois Department of Transportation and some south suburban officials say the road is needed to pull traffic off of crowded Interstate 80 and would stimulate economic growth in areas that need it.

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Huffington Post: How to keep your federal workers from looking elsewhere

The federal workforce is shrinking, as more and more employees leave government and the rate of hiring declines. Unfortunately, this also comes at a time when the demands upon government are growing.

While this trend is hardly surprising given the current budgetary and political climate, it is incumbent on federal leaders to look behind the numbers. They need to see exactly who has departed at their own agencies, why they left, what steps need to be taken to keep highly qualified employees, and what will be required to maintain a workforce that can achieve short-term agency goals and long-term missions.

According to an analysis by my organization, the Partnership for Public Service, retirements made up the largest category of departures, accounting for 54 percent of all separations in 2013 — reflecting the graying of the baby boom generation and the loss of much experience. Many of these older workers, for example, served in the Senior Executive Service.

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CARTOON OF THE DAY

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