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Chicago Tribune: Rauner, Madigan now can't even agree on how to negotiate
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan remained far apart on a new budget Tuesday, unable to even agree on a way forward for negotiations.
The two sides gathered at the Thompson Center following weekend talks, with Madigan emerging from the closed-door huddle to say he proposed restarting so-called working groups of rank-and-file lawmakers to discuss items on Rauner’s legislative wish list.
Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan: Rauner holding budget ‘hostage’ for ‘wealthy friends’
House Speaker Michael Madigan emerged from a leaders meeting on Tuesday with the fiery yet unexplained accusation that Gov. Bruce Rauner is holding the budget hostage “to help his wealthy friends and large corporations.”
When asked to elaborate, Madigan would only say: “I mean by that exactly what I said.”
Associated Press: Illinois budget still elusive as leaders lash out
As Illinois remains without a budget, legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner are succeeding more at frustrating each other than at striking a deal to end an 18-month budget impasse that is damaging the state’s fiscal health every day.
The relationship between ruling Democrats, Republican leaders, and the governor has only grown more toxic after several meetings where both sides are more likely to lash out at each other than to report meaningful progress in passing a full budget that’s been overdue since July 1, 2015. The finger-pointing gives little hope legislative leaders can get a budget done by year’s end when a six-month partial spending plan expires, leaving some social service providers struggling to stay open, and colleges and universities facing an uncertain future.
Chicago Tribune: Two days in January. One first step toward fixing Illinois.
Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders held another meeting Tuesday — if your definition of “meeting” stretches to include “shameful hissy fit.”
Another day, another showdown, another exchange of petty back-stabbing. If you were hopeful (yes, we were) that legislative leaders and the governor getting together in a room over a series of days would force some cooperation, even a sliver, your hopes were most certainly dashed with the collective sniping that those meetings have produced.
Mark Brown: Brown: Term limits might be the answer, after all
Illinois Democrats need to find a way to break up the political logjam with Gov. Bruce Rauner.
A gesture would help, if not necessarily a gesture to Rauner, then at least a gesture to the voters who elected him.
I suggest moving forward with term limits.
News-Gazette: New comptroller, same problems
There’s a new person sitting on one of the deck chairs of the Titanic ship of state that is Illinois.
Chicago Democrat Susana Mendoza was sworn in Monday as the new comptroller of the state of Illinois. Amid congratulations to Mendoza on assumption of her new office came suggestions that she has the potential to play a key role in working out a budget compromise between House Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner.
It would be in everyone’s best interest if Mendoza actually could play a role in working out a real compromise agreement between Democrats led by Madigan and Republicans led by Rauner.
Peoria Journal Star: Judge blocks administration from imposing contract on AFSCME
A St. Clair County judge has issued a temporary order blocking the administration of Gov. Bruce Rauner from imposing contract terms on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.
Judge Robert LeChien issued the temporary restraining order Tuesday and said the administration had to rescind any contract provisions it has already implemented.
Associated Press: Illinois manufacturer plans to close, lay off 86
Alabama Metal Industries has informed the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity that it plans to close its plant in Bourbonnais and lay off its 86 employees.
Tim Nugent is CEO and president of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. He tells The Daily Journal in Kankakee that he was surprised by the news that the plant will close by Feb. 28. Alabama Metal had told him in the summer that the company was investing $5 million in upgrades for the facility.
Associated Press: Rauner to sign Exelon subsidy to spare 2 nuclear plants
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is set to sign legislation that provides billions of dollars in subsidies to Exelon Corp. so the power giant can keep unprofitable nuclear plants running in Clinton and the Quad Cities.
The Republican is scheduled to sign legislation Wednesday to keep the Quad Cities plant open in Port Byron in the morning and do the same later in the day in Clinton to keep the plant there running.
NPR Illinois: Maine Fishes For Future Flagship Students In Illinois
Illinois has long been number two in the nation for a rather dubious distinction — the net out-migration of college students. Now there’s a new program targeting Illinois high school students who want to attend a state flagship university, even if it’s not in Illinois. The catch? You’re going to need to love flannel shirts, lobster, and maybe not come home for Thanksgiving.
The program, called Flagship Match, is designed to lure Illinois students to the University of Maine. It’s the brainchild of Jeff Hecker, provost of Maine’s main campus.
Politico: Chris Kennedy moving closer to bid for governor
Businessman Chris Kennedy is interviewing potential pollsters and consultants as he moves toward a possible 2018 gubernatorial run, sources close to Kennedy told POLITICO Illinois.
Kennedy, son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has increased his public profile since the spring and has publicly discussed the possibility of running for governor — without making commitments.
Chicago Sun-Times: Emanuel extends wellness contract despite IG concerns
Sixteen months ago, Inspector General Joe Ferguson raised “serious questions” about whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s highly touted wellness program was “achieving any demonstrable benefits or whether it will ever do so.”
Now Emanuel has granted a one-year extension to Healthways SC LLC at a $5.8 million price tag, nearly double the annual cost of the expiring agreement, with a few tweaks in hopes of getting more bang for the city’s buck.