Pension "Reform" Derailed
- A hulking pension reform package pushed by Gov. Pat Quinn and House Minority Leader Tom Cross collapsed late Thursday, leaving the last big issue of a productive spring legislative session a casualty of partisan bickering and a heavy union pushback.
Cross (R-Oswego), who took sponsorship of the pension package Thursday after House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) abruptly dropped his ownership of it a night earlier, announced he wouldn’t call the measure for a vote before lawmakers concluded their work for the spring at midnight.
Madigan left Cross holding the bag in the end, withdrawing as sponsor and supporter of the legislation. Cross was long suspected of being Madigan's stalking horse on the entire issue.
Now we'd say he just looks like Madigan's bitch. It's a lot more complicated than all of that, but Madigan gets to keep hiding for a while more.
Labels: pension
posted by SCC at 12:07 AM
45 Comments:
Quinn says that he is meeting with legislators next week to finalize a pension reform package to be passed into law . This isn't over and they are determined to force these pension cuts.
Madigan won't make a move until the November elections are over. After that, the reforms are a done deal.
I Received this email today:
To: Tom Cross
Since the Police Pension benefits are codified in the Illinois Constitution, I don't know how they could substantially be changed without changing the Constitution, which only happens during a Con-Con, of which the next one is up for vote 8 years from now.
Am I right?
Charlie Ford
Immediate Past President, Chicago Police Detectives' Association
From: Tom Cross
To: Charlie Ford
Subject: Re: Pension reform for the Chicago Police Department.
Charlie,
The General Assembly is not at the moment considering changes to the Chicago Police Pension fund.
Not sure what the mayor is up to but it's quite at the moment.
Tom Cross
Charlie Ford wrote:
I have spoken with you via email a couple of time in the past regarding the pension problems for the Chicago Police Dept. That pension fund has been in existence since 1887, and the past and present pensioners have been faithfully contributing
9% of their salaries since before 1920.
It seems incredulous to me how the fund could function almost a 100 years with that formula and have nary a problem and
all of a sudden now be on the brink of doom and the fault somehow be attributed to the individual police officer, or his/her promised benefits??
At one time I was promised free hospitalization upon retirement, and that turned into over a $600 (out of my pocket) monthly contribution for my wife and myself (before I went on Medicare). That obviously cannot be the cause of the short fall?
The problem falls squarely on the shoulders of the City of Chicago and their refusal to live up to their fiduciary responsibilities and put the City's share into the fund. Instead of funding the pension plans, as they were required to, they squandered millions on flower boxes, wrought iron lamp posts and slush funds for the Olympics.
I maybe speaking for myself (probably not) but if I am to give up part of my pension, I will be willing to do so, the minute I
see the politicians who diverted the pension fund monies to their pet Scam projects being fined and jailed for doing so!
Charlie Ford
Let Madigan hide another four years, and I'll make it out the door...or at least another two, and then two more years to tie it up in the courts.
Let's see if these Bastard politicians apply the pension reforms to include their pension benefits. By cutting their medical benefits, their cost of living adjustments as they are proposing to do the retirees and future retirees.
The big issue seems to be having downstate and Chicago suburb schools pay their own pensions instead of having the state pick up the tab. Chicago taxpayers have been paying into the teachers pension system forever. Why should the rest of the state outside of Chicago get to shift the pensions of teachers onto to the state. They were also getting free health insurance paid for by the state. I dislike Madigan to no end but this is something that should be addressed.
Yep!!
Hahahah. The "World Class City" and the World Class State" are busted. Just declare bankruptcy and get it over with.
These people have no integrity left with their meaningless false promises. Look at the bills not being paid and the signed contracts, signed laws being ignored.
End the GOLD BRAID scam for the clout babies.
When is cross up for re- election? We should all support his oponnent. We need to show Springfield a message!!!
Getting anything past Madigan would be like trying to catch a dozen greased pigs in August on Lake Shore Drive. Like Madigan or not he is one smart conniving SOB. Any pension bill that passes will be the one he wants.
The Gaming Bill just passed. It will create 20,451 new jobs and produce 200 million in revenue annually . In addition, it will result in 1 billion dollars for the state in licensing fees. Why the hell can't the pension crisis be resolved with this projected windfall? Where will this money be going?
No doubt about it, Madigan is the Shotcaller.We can breathe a sigh of relief for now...
We pay our contribution to the fund...it's these assholes that have been using it as a bank account for 20 years...let them give up their pensions and cost of living...leave the retirees and the rest of us alone...
huh? what just happened? in English...
You SW siders who recently reelected that asshole Madigan don't have anything to complain about...bought and paid for like a common prostitute.
They'll hold this issue hostage until they get the gambling bill they want. Quinn wants this compromise pension bill; but is still threatening to veto the gambling bill without proper oversight. Its the democratic way -ordinary people be dammed!Are you registered to vote?
ALL politicians need TERM LIMITS! I would LOVE to see someone make this an issue and place it on the ballots in November.
MADIGAN must go!
Politicians first. I will consider all of it a bad joke unless they cut their own pensions first. Until they cut their own pensions first I will consider all these pension bills for what they are, total and complete bullshit.
Want pension reform? Then let the General assembly show us how serious they are by cutting into their own pension hog.
We all know that won't happen so they can shove pension reform up their elected asses.
Keep Voting Democratic, Stupid. These Socialist creeps have been raping us for years and depleting our pensions for their own benefit and to fund the "Plantation".
send a message to all the pols, we will remember in november!
The State of Illinois pension fund is 83 BILLION dollars in the hole which is the largest in the country. It is the biggest threat to our state's dire financial well being. We are in serious trouble and in danger of total collapse. It's so dire that Madigan waited until the last day of the legislative session to concoct a bill that will save us all. Cutting pension benefits is against the Illinois Constitution (Article 13, Paragraph 5). Shifting financial responsibility to the suburban and downstate school districts is a good idea but will never fly. Packaging the two together is just another attempt to circumvent the Constitution. All past challenges to cut pension benefits have lost, so Madigan excluded the Judges from the COLA cuts to grease the skids. This does not include our pension fund but we will be next in line, whatever the outcome is. Any legislation that is passed that will cut our benifits will be challenged in court. Unfortunately, the case will be heard by the same Judges that owe their jobs and their futures to Madigan, who approved, slated, or appointed all of them. Our Union Leaders need to be vocal and unrelenting or we will all get hosed, which may happen anyway, but lets go down swinging.
BrOken record
Any rank above LT that is an appointed rank should be paid via stipend and NOT pensionable. Really, the only way you get to that position is by "who you know" so why are we forced to pay inflated pensions for suxkholes who wanna game the system.
once they start doing the same "call" based move for detectives Ma Bell is going to need a ear replacement.
The Gaming Bill just passed. It will create 20,451 new jobs and produce 200 million in revenue annually . In addition, it will result in 1 billion dollars for the state in licensing fees. Why the hell can't the pension crisis be resolved with this projected windfall? Where will this money be going?
6/01/2012 01:26:00 AM
Into Rahm's and Quinn's pockets?
I read somewhere that madigans pension will be 120% is that true?
No doubt about it, Madigan is the Shotcaller.We can breathe a sigh of relief for now...
6/01/2012 02:02:00 AM
NO, WE CAN'T.
Something is going on. Rahm has been to Springfield to interfere in State pensions at least twice recently. He told Quinn he wants to take Chicago municipal pensions 'off the table' until later this year. Madigan withdraws his support for a law he SPONSORED and championed.
SOMETHING is going on. Now, we just have to figure out who made what deals and why.
Did anybody else catch that judges were going to be exempt from any new pension legislation. Only saw it mentioned in one article. Wonder why???
vote straight republican in nov.
let's turn ill into a red state
Moe, Larry, Cheese!
No time to let Cross off the hook, contribute to his opponent and have downstate pay their own teacher's pensions.
i couldn't have said it better as mentioned from a previous comment. we clearly pay into our own retirement. it is deducted from every paycheck. how on god's green earth is there a shortage? simply, why is our crooked government using it as part of their funds?
Gaming bill didnt really pass. Passed one house and the governor is against it and will veto it. It passed the senate but not with enough votes to veto proof it Long way to go on the bill
http://tinyurl.com/7b4dua3
IL Rep Mike Bost (R) goes nuts over Madigan stealing our pensions on House Floor.
Call him and thank him
Mikebost.com
Last night I was listening to tapes LBJ kept of phone conversations.
I was listening to one July 1966 recording where LBJ tells Richard J. Daley that he's got $450 million going out which will have a big impact on RJD's area.
I got to thinking. How much would that be today, about $3 billion?
Illinois' unfunded pension liability alone is about $83 billion. There are Trillions in other liabilities.
We are fucking broke.
Decades of Welfare to illegals and those who can work and sending our money outside the country to buy all the things that were once made here are gone along with the tax revenue multiply effect manufacturing provided.
The Country is Bankrupt.
Albeit, it has mostly been by the hands of Democrats, especially as we in Illinois know all too well, Chicago Way, Democrats, RINO's are guilty of contributory negligence as well.
Vote 'em out. Every fucking one of them.
The whole ting is going to crash in on itself. There isn't enough money in the world.
-not a cop
"MADIGAN must go!"
He should hang before he goes.
He's been in state government since this debacle began. He and his cronies, both past & present need to be held accountable for their fiscal malfeasance.
We're talkin' jail time here, at the very least. What would happen to a pension fund manager if he performed this way in private industry?
"Want pension reform? Then let the General assembly show us how serious they are by cutting into their own pension hog."
Stop calling it reform. They're cuts.
But otherwise I agree with you.
"Shared sacrifice."
The whole ting is going to crash in on itself. There isn't enough money in the world.
-not a cop
6/01/2012 03:47:00 PM
No silver lining?
Mr Ford, sorry to say you are not correct. Changes to the pension can be an agreement between parties... During contract negotiations for example. Rahm already knows his numbers. He wants 3% more from us, Freeze cola for 5 years, raise max age to 55 But first he has to get the minority out people who have 25 plus but not yet 55...
From your future President. MS better wake up, He sat in a squad car for 10 years and did shit. Like now, when was the last time MS attended a roll call about the pension????? THE ONLY TIME YOU HEARD FROM HIM WAS ELECTION TIME. Pension reform is here, FOP better make a deal while they still can. Rank and file should wake up, If you have not made your 20years yet you are at risk. My resources come right from downstate, and downtown.
Anonymous said...
I read somewhere that madigans pension will be 120% is that true?
6/01/2012 09:44:00 AM
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I don't think it will be that low.
Anonymous said...
Mr Ford, sorry to say you are not correct. Changes to the pension can be an agreement between parties... During contract negotiations for example. Rahm already knows his numbers. He wants 3% more from us, Freeze cola for 5 years, raise max age to 55 But first he has to get the minority out people who have 25 plus but not yet 55...
6/01/2012 07:57:00 PM
---
Any agreement to change pensions would need to be by a vote of the membership or the president who puts it together would have to fear for his safety. That means the entire bloc of retirees will vote NO to any negative changes. Plus the usual 30% of active membership who bother to send back a postage paid ballot. The others will find it on their dresser a year later and curse the FOP for not printing it in bright red letters marked THIS SHIT IS IMPORTANT.
Rahm thinks he can ram this through. He has some legal opinions in his pocket. The City hired a large law form that advised the City on how to change pensions without a Con-Con. That goofball from the Civic Federation is also involved.
Shields is putting lots of miles on his company car going back and forth to Springfield. Remember that the FOP hired Mark Donahue as a lobbyist in Springfield. They are down there (Springfield) a lot keeping an eye on things. An attempt to screw us will be made. Let's hope our guys catch it and kill it in time.
The whole thing is going to fall in on itself. There isn't enough money in the world....not a cop
Sure there is enough money. Ever hear of quantitative easing? As long as we have paper and ink we can print enough money. Hopefully it will be more valuable than toilet paper, unused that is...
"The others will find it on their dresser a year later and curse the FOP for not printing it in bright red letters marked THIS SHIT IS IMPORTANT."
Don't forget the percentage who upon finding this in their dresser/briefcase/bathroom, etc., will come on the blog and bitch anonymously about the "FOP do-nothings", rather than actually go to a meeting/contact the FOP with their concerns.
It's little wonder we're so weak.
"Vote 'em out. Every fucking one of them."
...and then hang them. High. Put their heads on a pike for future "legislators" to see.
Don't be surprised when a man you've given nothing to lose begins to act like a man with nothing to lose.
Current pension law demands that the City of Chicago begining in FY 2015 (after the mayoral and aldermanic elections, naturally) bring it's pension funding levels up to 90% within 30 years. This legislation was passed at the request of labor and was co-sponered and backed by Democrats including speaker Madigan to address the previously low funding levels that put our funds into their precaious positions to begin with. Remember what Emanual said? That "he" reforms our pensions OR he will be "FORCED" to raise taxes 150%. So he knows the law of the land too. Why would we and the rest of orgainized labor agree to anything less? What on earth could any politician offer us in exchange for our pension security?
So why would anybody continue to negotiate pension and the contract together? Thats what I want to know
Please Jesus, let the whole world watch and see what a crook Mr. Madigan truly is. Let the whole city read and see what an ass-kissing fool Sneed is to suggest that the rant was a premeditated act to make Madigan look foolish instead of corrupt. Shame on both of you.
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