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The Illinois State Senate approved legislation introduced by powerful Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, that would rewrite the rules on where Illinois residents are allowed to file lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of state laws or seeking court orders blocking state officials from enforcing such laws or taking constitutionally questionable actions. The legislation further makes clear that it would not matter how far away from Chicago or Springfield plaintiffs may live, or the difficulties involved for those attempting to press their constitutional rights claims, as the legislation states that “the doctrine of forum non conveniens does not apply” to such actions.
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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This HAS to be illegal!?! Wirepoints- can’t you find a PAC or lawyer who will preemptively fight this? File an intent to sue, something, Anything!!!
A lawsuit, even if thrown out, will draw some much needed attention to this lunacy.
Why should Wirepoints get involved? They laid out issues in the elections and the people voted. The people don’t want what Wirepoints is selling. Let the people live with the consequences.
While I dislike your tone, I do agree your statement is accurate. It’s sad that your perspective is spot on… That said, WP does seem to care about fixing the state and has a broad reach to folks who are likely JDs/attys who may be so inclined to help. But, like you implied, votes have consequences.
Boy, if anything tells you the judges and courts are a rigged system for the D’s in this state, this is it. They are saying if you don’t file your lawsuit in the counties where we totally selected, paid off and control the judges, we don’t consider it legal. Totally un-American, and very Russian (Communist.) Every state and county judge that does not condemn this loudly should just be mocked as they are nothing but a low information shill for this rigged system
This makes me chuckle. The Murdaughs in South Carolina (they of the Alex Murdaugh murder and financial crime fame) passed a law in South Carolina that any railroad claim of any kind in South Carolina must have been brought only in the courts of the tiny town of Hampton South Carolina. When the law finally drew outrage and was eclipsed in 2007, well that is when the fraud by Murdaugh started. Illinois is proposing its own variant of this.
Illinois legislators, Governor full bore Communists.
This is some sneaky fly under the radar last minute behind the scenes power grab con bill as usual. But then they have the audacity to add that disputes between state and unionized state worker are exempt?? WOW, it never ends!!! (fantastic Bylik writing as always)
“The legislation, however, would specifically exempt any legal claims “arising out of collective bargaining disputes” between the state and unionized state workers.”