Mayor LIghtfoot Op-Ed: Why I am asking you to support one of the most painful budgets in Chicago’s history – Chicago Sun-Times*
Wirepoints Original Stories
Madigan’s loss, Illinois’ damaging COVID restrictions and the potential impact of Biden’s new stimulus – Mark Glennon on the Steve Cortes Show
Mark was on the Steve Cortes Show this week talking about Mike Madigan's historic fall from power, the continued destruction wrought by the state's overly-restrictive COVID lockdowns, and the potential size and impact of Biden's stimulus plan.
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Illinois may be in line for nearly $14 billion in federal help for state and local government – Quicktake
President-elect Joe Biden on Friday provided some details on his proposed $1.9 billion pandemic relief bill, called The American Rescue Plan. It includes $350 billion for state and local governments.
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Illinois’ COVID-19 data: Daily update for Jan. 16, 2021 – Wirepoints
Daily COVID-19 data update for January 16, 2021. Includes new data on vaccinations in Illinois.
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Please, Illinois, lift the ban on high school sports – Wirepoints
Tragedy should beget solace, but not silence.
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Illinois A.M. (After Madigan) – Wirepoints
Mike Madigan’s tenure as House Speaker is over after nearly 40 years at the helm. In his place, Democrats have elected Hillside Democrat Emanuel “Chris” Welch to lead the chamber. Madigan’s loss of power is a monumental change, but just because he’s gone it doesn't mean Illinois’ problems are over.
“So, if there were a responsible way to close our budget gap that didn’t involve raising taxes or requiring some level of furloughs for our City employees, we would have already taken it.”
That’s a very offensive statement. This is a no-brainer. Of course, there is a responsible way to close the budget gap without raising taxes. Reduce the excessively large salaries, pensions, and health care benefits of workers and retirees.
Its not exactly a “no brainer” in practice. In the real world its easy to say but extremely difficult to do with political forces from various quarters well organized and favoring the status quo.
I know it won’t be easy, but pols like Lightfoot and Pritzker won’t even try, because they always choose the easier route of abusing the taxpayers.
What will it take before public sector workers, their unions, and the politicians they own understand that if they don’t agree to some pain now, the pain will be far worse in the future? They are like a heart patient who refused a bypass because “my heart has always worked before”. The consequences will be dire.
I agree with the idea you’ve expressed, but what real incentive do they to believe any such deal would be permanent? The assumption in your argument here to invite that sort of conversation is that the Pension Clause in IL Constitution will at some point be considered totally worthless by the courts or nearly so in favor of something else dealing with the same issues. Essentially if something already in the constitution is rendered null and void what is the probability something put in its place won’t be eventually treated likewise. In short, the public unions put no faith in… Read more »
You are right, there are no guarantees. That is how the real world operates, and most of us have learned to adjust to that reality. There are also no freebies- somebody always pays. So the public sector needs to evaluate their risk, and act accordingly. I think it is very clear that pension restructuring is needed to keep any hope of pensions being paid in the future. Heart bypass is needed, but it doesn’t come with a guarantee.
Nothing will change until A) the Dems burn state to the ground B) Republicans(that are fiscally responsibly) are elected. B is unlikely.
Not sure there’s a C option.
“There are also no freebies- somebody always pays”
Yes. They are called taxpayers. Pensioners will continue to get paid in full.
I’m sure the understand what you’ve said. Still, they do have a “guarantee” (of sorts) accoding to the Pension Clause. Reality may well kill that at some point, but what other clauses in the IL Constitution ought to be obliterated at the same time? When is a Constituion raised above the level of toilet paper really? You tell me. Personally I don’t trust government that really anything is secure. One time one idea is sacrosanct, then the winds blow differently and another “brilliant” idea takes its place just as it does in nearly every other facet of life’s journey.
No Constitution can or should attempt to guarantee income to anyone. That does not mean that a Constitution has no value. It just means that reality must be respected.
Bankruptcy might provide for a renegotiation of these agreements… Which takes all influence out of the hand of the unions. One can only hope that outcome is achieved… And, with the exodus of tax PAYERS, this eventuality becomes more possible and probable. Sadly, nothing will change as our politicians are both unintelligent and morally and ethically bankrupt.
Exactly, pro-union is anti worker
Whatevs LL… Cut all non-essential services. Fire the vast majority of the public employees. Stop leaning on the citizens to fund your largesse.
What L-Dog proved is that it doesn’t take a career’s time in politics to become a tool of your master… Love this state… So good at plumbing the depths of a (wo)man’s soul…
Parkinson’s Law: bureaucracies never shrink. Only the commoners are subject to layoffs.
She is the one who is responsible for the shortage of money. What does she think is going to happen if you cut off tax revenue?
Does this budget include selling the futures cannabis tax revenue? Are there ANY city work layoffs?
PENSIONS
Is this the Onion? She wants to seriously attempt to legitimize this garbage? Hey Lori, go have a discussion with the woman who is about to lose her restaurant, or any other small business owner for that matter. This is insulting to read and should be for any other Chicagoan. I thought she was an agent of change and was going to reform the city of Chicago!! Hey Rona the Destroyer, what about next years budget after everyone leaves (or at least those you want to tax). Let’s get to the table and start to make some adult decisions. I… Read more »
Lori didn’t close restaurants or small businesses. That was JB. The state runs the show on this.
Moody’s/S&P likely won’t downgrade Chicago for another year. I think the Mayor worked with the ratings agencies to ensure no downgrade.
The State on the other hand I expect will be downgraded shortly after the spring session.
NO. JB’s orders were declared null and void on 7/2 going back to April. Did she utilize this to re-open?? Not a chance. Leadfoot is fully on with the communo-destructo course of the city. Admitted NWO worshipper.
It’s only painful to the taxpayers. Govt employees continue to feel NO pain.
Looking back, perhaps Mayor Daley was right, it is just time to sell the rest of the city to the same people that bought the parking meters. I think that the Kings of the Emirates could do a better job of running the city than the Dems. At least he would cut the heads off of those that defy the laws. I would bet crime would plummet.
Selling soldier field and/or leasing/selling the airport/certain terminals would be a smart move. The City effectively subsidizes these venues currently.
She’s full of sh@t. She was about to chop $200million in city workers that were probably redundant anyways and then had a visit from the mob, err AFL, last week and like magic they found a way to “save” those union jobs by you guessed, more borrowing against future cannabis sales.
And CPS enrollment (separate budget) was down 15,000 students this year. Fun times in the city.
Incompetent corrupt communist. She should be impeach so she can focus on her costume making skills.
You have to support this budget because I’m incompetent and scared to stand up to the greedy union thugs!
You have to support this budget because the people of Chicago voted for my liberal/socialist agenda.
Just out of curiosity, who else was there to vote for that had a reasonable chance of being elected that could do anything differently?
Two words. Paul Vallas.
Paul Vallas is as useless as Bob Fioretti and couldn’t get elected under any scenario. Lori has a constant welfare program going for the south and west side ghetto crowds and she will ride this to re-election. Blm controls Chicago now, a white man will never be elected Mayor.
If you don’t run for mayor, all you’ll have is the runs worrying about it. Get off your whining ass and run for mayor. 😁
Blacks are leaving Chicago, so it’s quite possible to have a White mayor. 😐
Does this budget account for less revenue due to loss of population (to the suburbs or out of state) due to the violence, taxes, …….
And why is it so essential that you dont furlough any employees? Every business in your city has either cut pay, cut back hours, furloughed employees, or worse– shut down. How about the $850k you are spending on your new Office of Equity. Are they essential? Would it be painful to lay them off?
“Furlough” and “Lay Off” are foreign terms to greedy unions. That type of cost cutting only applies to those in corporations and small businesses. It only applies to taxpayers footing the six figure pensions. And the REALLY fortunate couples enjoy a household with two six figure pensions. Greedy people see nothing amoral about that. Quit your bitchin’ and prepare for increased taxes.