Tuesday, May 28, 2013

UPDATE: No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape. | Fred Klonsky

No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape. | Fred Klonsky:

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No on SB1, SB2404, the cost shift and yes to changing the landscape.

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The regular session of the Illinois General Assembly ends Friday.
Reuter’s reports:
The Illinois legislature, which over decades has built up a $100 billion unfunded pension liability, now is a study in gridlock. Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton each are pushing competing versions of a fix and each refuses to take action on the other lawmaker’s bill.
There is no clear path toward resolution. A Madigan-backed bill is hung up in the Senate, where Cullerton controls the legislative calendar, and Madigan has Cullerton’s plan bottled up in the House, which he controls.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross said the Democratic leaders have the power to take action and need to exercise it. “When the two of them want to accomplish something regardless of its magnitude they get it done,” Cross said. “There is no upside to inaction.”
Of course there is an upside to inaction. The Republican House leader only says that because his pension won’t be cut and his pals in the Commercial Club will continue to make out like bandits.
The upside is that public employees will continue to have their promised constitutionally protected pensions.
That is why we call for no votes of SB1, SB2404 and no votes on a pension cost shift.
There is a downside. The unfunded pension liability will continue to grow. That would happen anyway, since

CPS board member’s schedule: Close 50 public schools. Go to the gym. Dinner at Vinci. Play at Steppenwolf. Tend the vegetable garden.

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CPS board member Andrea Zopp.
Shia Kapos in Crain’s:
Andrea Zopp, CEO of Chicago Urban League, is moving into the long weekend the way we all should—with a long work-out and massage.
Saturday
8 a.m. Start with Zumba class in Beverly and then a workout with trainer Kathy Dalby at HiFi Fitness on Orleans Street.
11 a.m. Get a massage at XSPort Fitness on State Street with Gary Smith.
1 p.m. Hair appointment at Ulta on State Street. “I’ve been going to Heidi White for a long time.”
6 p.m. Dinner at Vinci Restaurant on Halsted Street.
7:30 p.m. Attend Steppenwolf’s