Vallas Plan
Is Vallas the only one actually releasing concrete plans to address issues that should be at the forefront of every voters' minds?
- A hyper-animated mayoral candidate Paul Vallas on Monday laid out his five-year plan to confront a $28 billion pension crisis that Mayor Rahm Emanuel — even after an avalanche of tax increase — has only begun to solve.
Almost screaming from the podium at a City Club of Chicago luncheon, Vallas called for creating a “third-tier pension program” requiring a third of all city employees — those earning more than $100,000 a year — to contribute more toward their pensions and health insurance.
Vallas would further squeeze the city’s unionized employees by negotiating “revenue-based labor contracts” that tie future pay raises to available city revenue.
“I’m not begrudging people a fair wage. But we’ve got … to look at those individuals making those higher salaries and we’ve got to ask them to pay more. We’ve got to control those salary increases, but we’ve also got to require that they make a larger contribution,” Vallas said.
He's certainly not courting the city worker vote.
Labels: city politics
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
89 Comments:
I beg to differ with your last sentence, SCC. Most of the retirees drawing six figure pensions are worthless, well-connected political hacks. Repeal the gold braid scam.
Give the man credit.
He's at least actually proposing ideas
that may dwell in the realm of the possible
All of the other candidates are fixated on
beating the shit out of The Police in the name
of "Reform" and enacting more pie-in-the-sky
free shit because that's the ONLY strategy
they've come up with to keep the aggrieved
and sanctuary voting blocs hotted-up.
welp he just went from my #1 vote to my last. fix the pension mr. magoo, maybe introduce legislation that says anyone at the rank of exempt earns the pension of the last department tested position. you want to be a commander? fine. but you will retire with a Lts pension.
Abolish TIF Districts there is plenty of money!
https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/news/cook-county-tifs-bring-record-1-billion-according-clerk-orr-transit-tif-revenue-doubled
Will Politicians be required to join this "Third tier" pension?
He's the only person in that cesspool of mayoral wannabees that makes any sense when he speaks...not only now, but in offices he's held in the past, both here and elsewhere. And as such, I can almost guarantee he will be in last place on election night with the fewest votes of any of them. Mine will be one of those votes...for whatever it turns out to be worth... :(
Tax the rich. What a unique idea.
Well I guess Gary Chico it is
Not courting the city worker vote perhaps, but the only one offering a way to not have our retirees eating cat food and forgoing their prescriptions for blood pressure medicine.
Stroke, no chance of winning.
Vote Joyce!
Will be shot down in state courts; Unconsistutional.
The park district attempted to have employers pay around 2 percent more and was shot down by the state supreme court.
Make sense, you make more you contribute more. But are we not doing it already since our pension contribution is a percentage of our gross? Caping pension payouts at Lieutenant's grade would make more sense. We would have less commanders and possibly more capable commanders left.
You think for a minute city council would pass that?
Well, any thought of voting for this mope certainly went out the window!
Hasn't anyone of these fine candidate ever heard of budget cuts? Chicago has way to many unnecessary programs that waste the tax payer's money. I don't understand why we are paying for new street lights? Just replace the current lights as needed. Why does the city borrow money from a bank with the higher interest rate? I could go on and on.
How about ending the double dipping. Why allow a pension for every position held? Why does an Alderman (a part time job) get an 85% pension after only two terms in office?
we may not like it but it makes sense. But what about the real solution to the pension crisis. The legislature PASSED the law to allow a Chicago casino (profits to the pension) so why no Casino????? Could it be the Mayor and his fifty thieves get a envelope full of cash every week from the casinos just over the border in Indiana???
How dare he! You are more than welcome to pick my pocket any time, city employees! I mean. That's what all the middle class, regular folks are here for. To make all of "your" retirements comfortable. Who cares if I have to work until I'm 80 years old.
Your never going to win a democratic political office by telling the truth.
Sooner or later they will come after your pensions. You can't go fetal, blow off crime victims and expect public sympathy.
Same with teachers. People won't accept seeing their daughter's volleyball coach draw a $70,000 pension.
You are going to have to be accountable, eventually. Right or wrong, they will eventually run out of money and amend the constitution if need be. It is reality.
Im not contributing any more than I was required to when I came on the job.
I never wanted to pay into a pension anyway, I did very well in my 401k before coming on the Police department. 4 years to go. I gues i have to look for a NEW candidate.
I wouldn't count on the city worker vote either. It's too predictable.
I work in the private sector and those who make more pay more for health care (and other benefits) than those who do not. Only fair. CPD pays their fair share--definitely not CTU or other unions. Non city workers can not continue to "carry the load" for crooked politicians who are afraid to make tough decisions and who cater to a certain sector. I applaud Vallas for not sugar coating, having a plan and not being afraid to be honest. Daley ruined this city, Emmanuel had to do what he had to do regarding taxes (hate what he did to CPD), but they can not continue to tax. What would the City do without uber and all these "newer entities" that they can now tax? Millions they never dreamt about before. Private sector is all about efficiency (doing more with less)--something Chicago and IL do not know anything about.
How about “ I squeeze your nuts” Paul...
Seems like the most Republican of the mayoral candidates to me. I know, I know. We like the tough-on-crime, lose-on-guns, steak-eating Republicans. But things get a little fuzzy when fiscally conservative actions start to impact our income potential.
why does the fire dept brass make so much money???
it is seriously out of whack.
He might have have concrete plans but his campaign is a ghost. That's why he won't win.
"He's certainly not courting the city worker vote."
Yeah maybe not but what's the alternative?
Keep raising property taxes on little old ladies until their taxed out of their homes?
Sorry SCC, CPD and the FOP KNEW for YEARS that the DemoRats were underfunding the pensions and said nothing.
Time to pay the piper.
I met Jerry Joyce yesterday at the Hamlin park boxing show. Great guy. I always has my vote. He supports the police.
Don’t need a third tier. You need to cut the fat at the top of every city agency. You thieving politicians need to stop rigged contracts and kickbacks. You people spending the budget money need to be frugal and treat it as it was your own cash.
Vallas is right...
"... a third of all city employees — those earning more than $100,000 a year ..."
That is seriously fucked up. No wonder the city is broke.
No Vallas for me now.
Get rid of the cold braid pension!!!!
Lieutenant should be the last pensionable rank, see how much you will save.
WHEEEEZZZZEEEE was overheard saying that after the "midterms" thats when you will start to hear more about the election....Then she took 4 hours on the end because she came in late....She was overheard saying that she had to take her son to the DMV to get his Drivers License straighten out....
Social Security "running out of money"
Medicare "running out of money"
Pensions "running out of money"
All of above which are PAID INTO by the annuitants, each and every paycheck.....
No one ever says welfare is running out of money, Medicaid is never said to be running out of money, Section 8 housing money is never
said to be running out of money, SNAP isn't in danger of running out of money, likewise with the free phones, free internet, free utilities provided......
If the politicians would stop STEALING from the first three and pay their fair share in as proposed, instead of fully funding the latter "entitlements" perhaps this city, county, state, country wouldn't be in such dire straits......and particularly here in Chicago, maybe those Gold Braid merits should only be pensioned out with whatever level EARNED, not GIVEN......
This is complete bullshit. Vallas wants to squeeze us for their f-ups? Like making $100,000 is a lot of money now a days. Give me a damn break. I'm a single income family three kids barely making and you're gonna f??k with me?
Sounds like a solid plan, the man has my three votes...
He does have a point though.
I’m retired now but every time an increase in our contribution was floated I always said I’d have no problem with contributing a little more if I knew with absolute certainty that it would truly go to our pension fund to address the problem.
Of course there in lies the rub.... the citty’s track record of doing the right thing for our pensions is absolutely horrendous.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Hasn't anyone of these fine candidate ever heard of budget cuts? Chicago has way to many unnecessary programs that waste the tax payer's money. I don't understand why we are paying for new street lights? Just replace the current lights as needed. Why does the city borrow money from a bank with the higher interest rate? I could go on and on.
10/26/2018 05:25:00 AM
As Alex Trebek says on the commercial: Rahm, Rahm, Rahm.......
This is Chicago! We don’t need no plans!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Hasn't anyone of these fine candidate ever heard of budget cuts? Chicago has way to many unnecessary programs that waste the tax payer's money. I don't understand why we are paying for new street lights? Just replace the current lights as needed. Why does the city borrow money from a bank with the higher interest rate? I could go on and on.
10/26/2018 05:25:00 AM
---
pretty sure lessening the pension of city employees counts as a budget cut ... you go to public school?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I beg to differ with your last sentence, SCC. Most of the retirees drawing six figure pensions are worthless, well-connected political hacks. Repeal the gold braid scam.
10/26/2018 12:10:00 AM
Speaking if scams, does anyone know do our brilliant union officials get a bump in pension due to their union wages?
listen guys and gals - we're all fucked up. Maybe we should all just grow up a little bit and pretend problems need solutions. I was shocked when they made a "second tier" pension for police that wasn't a whole lot worse. Vallas talks about capping property taxes at 5%. 5 fucking percent. That's unreal. Indiana's is capped, I believe per their constitution, at 1% for private residences.
Gimee, gimee, gimee doesn't work anymore.
"How about ending the double dipping."
So let's punish someone one who comes on he job in their early 20s, does their 30 years and retires at 52 or so and then goes and get another job in another pension system?
Not with the CPD, but I've been a drawing pension (24 years) from a county system since 1991. I then worked for another county in another system for 12 years, and am drawing a pension from that county (been pulling that one for 13 years). I then worked as contractor for 4 years to qualify for full SS benefits (benefit is a big $325 per month, but it gives me medicare) and then worked 15 years as a college teacher.
Pulled the plug at 69 and am doing very well.
Why would you want to punish someone who is willing to put in the years?
Boy if that doesn’t sound socialistic/communistic to me I don’t know what does let’s to control the amount of money people make have to make them pay the government back more vendor their fair share while
im still voting for vallas maybe the cpd promotions will get fairer
Vallas has my vote.
Rahm came here and never had a financial plan other than maintain and hide the corruption schemes of ShortShanks and then divise his own share of dealings with his brokerage outfits.
As far as city workers go, why is a truck driver, plumber or electrician making more than a First Responder?
There’s more of tradesmen than First Responders.
We work around then clock - straight time, weekends and holidays, cancelled days and all in the shitiest sewer shitholes this city offers.
We sit all day and night on downed wires, trees, water/sewer cave-ins and every other type of city service waiting for the trades to arrive.
Health insurance payments are salary tiered, makes sense they’d tier pension payments.
But what about CPS and the sweetheart-need-your-votes 2%?
A sensible city worker may look at this as fair, provided they’re not an exempt or long time boss.
My opinion, Vallas is the only one talking reform finances.
Shanks 3.0 wants term limits...why? He’s lying and only in for the short haul.
Chico wants police constraints and higher taxes.
Gmac wants what again?
The rest of the fools are all corrupt pandering progressive tax stealing instigators.
Those who earn more do pay more.
Simple EZ arithmetic:
Joe earns $50,000 and pays 10% = $5,000
Jane earns $100,000 and pays 10% = $10,000
What's needed is to change the contribution rate.
PO pays 9%, Sgt pays 10%, Lt pays 11%, Capt pays 12%
The Exempts should pay 2% more with each promotion.
Also tap the OT checks.
This would be a good faith contribution by us.
Now build the casinos that Ralm promised four years ago.
Have Nick & Vinny run it. Don't cook the books.
Profits (there better be profits) go to the pensions.
end gold braid pensions now
end prevailing wage rate for trades , tradesmen do not receive a lucrative pension , 12 paid holidays , sick time , 4-5 weeks vacation , we also work very hard in private sector , sent home in bad weather and often layed off
that is why we are paid more than tradesmen in places like US Steel
City tradesmen do little for big salary
garbage crew are the hardest workers
electricians change light bulbs
Finally someone who admits city pensions are way to high.
OT:
Just came back from Early Voting @ 41st Ward Rodin Library, steady flow no or short wait, no palm card chumps.
Takes about 10 mins to run thru the list of judges up for retention - Voted NO.
JB - NO.
Kwame - NO.
Amico (D) - NO.
Spending weed money, plastic straws, expanding government- Voted NO.
Couple things that the FakeNews Information Ministry didn’t report or keep the taxpaying public up to date on:
1: Term Limits IS in the Referenda.
2: There’s a WRITE-IN Candidate for Cook County Bd. President challenging Preckwrinkle (unopposed?).
- - - I wrote in JONATHAN H. LUERS (R)
Spread the word about JONATHAN H. LUERS (R) for Cook County Board President.
Proposing that people contribute according to what they eventually receive? That will never fly in a Communist city like this one.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Will be shot down in state courts; Unconsistutional.
The park district attempted to have employers pay around 2 percent more and was shot down by the state supreme court.
10/26/2018 01:36:00 AM
And what does that have to do with the CPD? That same Supreme Court refused to hear the retirees health care case after ruling in favor of a similar state employees health case a few years earlier
That’s only for those who’s base salary is over 100k. Which are merit bosses! This doesn’t effect any current retirees! So it will effect ALL the exempts and Capra, Lts and Sgts! They should pay more for us! We do all the work!
Yeah, I’ll contribute more just as soon as they end all the thieving corruption, welfare abuse, and money wasting pet projects among other things. Yeah, I’m the problem with my $100,980 a year salary at D2A with 20 years on this shithole. Let’s raise my pension contributions since I’m living so high on the hog. That’ll solve all the pension problems. Get the fuck out of here Vallas.
Start with the alder creatures. Make them work 34 years to get a 80% pension.
So I make over 100,000 as a cop and they want me to pay more than I am now for health coverage. So when I get a 5 percent raise over 4 years I will be taking home less because I will pay more or pension and health. Take our command staff out of our pension plan.
He still has my vote
Once the household budget adjusts to the little pain this will require, it'll soon be forgotten. Otherwise the big hurt waiting down the road will be a real ballbuster.
exempts should retire at last rank they earned , no merit promotion should receive a pension more than the last rank he earned
Gold Braid Pension must end
No pensions higher than Lt.
Captains are all hand picked , no test .
welfare rats contribute nada , never receive cuts
work for welfare or go to a soup line
baby mama keep knocking out kids for $$$$$$$$$
He has my vote. He is realistic. Capt. Phil Chomiak, an accountant, wrote about this 25 years ago. It cannot be avoided. You can be angry or prepare by investing, your choice. Illinois pols will screw us every time. See the frog and scorpion story.
Politicians and the media have been making the police and their pensions out to be the scapegoats for this budget "crisis" for decades now. Pensions aren't the problem. Chicago has a spending problem. Chicago is earning more revenue than ever in its history despite a population decline. Contstuction is going on everywhere in River North despite it being the most likely place to be a victim of property crime right now.
CHA has a budget just shy of a billion dollars. CPS has a budget over $6 billion. The 50 Aldermen, with their $1 million plus slush funds, cost at least $50 million a year, in addition to their pension and benefits. Over 10 years, Aldermen have squandered at least $500 million with no accountability whatsoever.
A few more percent out of our checks for the pension isn't going to help anything at this point, Vallas. That would be a drop in the bucket. Look elsewhere if you're looking to close budget gaps.
Maybe stop the Gold Braid pension. Bosses top out at Lieutenants pay for pension purposes, that's it. But that would eliminate the incentive for exempts to implement all the political bullshit foisted on the Department, right? So I guess that won't happpen.
Anonymous said...
I met Jerry Joyce yesterday at the Hamlin park boxing show. Great guy. I always has my vote. He supports the police.
10/26/2018 08:35:00 AM
He is a Daley family protege. What don’t you understand.
The next contract a p.o. with 15 years will be making almost $100k. Property tax raises, double income tax coming. Coppers will have to be on welfare. Screw this guy
Anonymous Anonymous said...
How about ending the double dipping. Why allow a pension for every position held? Why does an Alderman (a part time job) get an 85% pension after only two terms in office?
10/26/2018 05:29:00 AM
You need to check your information.
20 years of service is required under current State Law for a pension as Alderman. But under the 1991 State Law, there is a loophole that allows Aldermen to purchase time at a cost lower than the value of the retirement benefits.
That loophole is what needs to go. And we need Term Limits for the Aldermen. No more than 3 terms max.
I am still voting Vallas
Off topic. JB spends 160 million of his own cash to elect himself governor. JB goes ‘toilet free.’ JB braintrust advisors do impression of black-face wearing Al Jolson! They post it on the internet. Tell me........Why should I vote for this guy again.
Those who earn more do pay more.
Simple EZ arithmetic:
Joe earns $50,000 and pays 10% = $5,000
Jane earns $100,000 and pays 10% = $10,000
What's needed is to change the contribution rate.
PO pays 9%, Sgt pays 10%, Lt pays 11%, Capt pays 12%
The Exempts should pay 2% more with each promotion.
Also tap the OT checks.
This would be a good faith contribution by us.
Now build the casinos that Ralm promised four years ago.
Have Nick & Vinny run it. Don't cook the books.
Profits (there better be profits) go to the pensions.
Tap the OT Checks? Fine but add
that to my annuity. Are crazy?
If we get a decent 5 year contract a 20 year blue shirt will be making over $100k base. That means everyone pays more. Don’t give them one penny more.
Villas seems to be the only mayoral candidate that realizes that the CPD is in dire shape and needs fixing.
And that doesn't mean an unnecessary consent decree.
Nobody talking about Vallas plan,for affordable housing (Section 8) Citiwide. It's a fact he came out for it. He must be hanging with John Arena and Tim Heneghan again.
I'm still voting for Vallas. He's by far the lesser of all the evils in the field.
Im not contributing any more than I was required to when I came on the job.
I never wanted to pay into a pension anyway, I did very well in my 401k before coming on the Police department. 4 years to go. I gues i have to look for a NEW candidate
You obviously do NOT understand what a defined pension benefit is, and what a great deal it is for us. P.S. you can also contribute to our 457B plan 4 year wonder
Police retirees are also paying 37.50 a month to O'bama care for the deadbeats. As far as I can tell only the retired police are paying. No comment from the FOP or city was ever made or questioned it was a total surprise engineered by the socialist-democratic party of Cook County.
Build the Chicago casino, legalize recreational marijuana, redo medical marijuana to eliminate the stupid petty school teach type rules that Quinn put in and legalize sports betting. start by putting the tote boards in the current offtrack betting parlors and the race tracks in illinois. All kinds of revenue. simple.
Didnt the fire dept eliminate the gold brad scam on the pensions a few years ago?
Is he going to "reform" Aldermanic pensions, benefits,and salaries? And Aldermanic staffs, too?
Pensions? Don't talk about pensions. You kidding me? Pensions? You should just hope you get a check, another check.
With apologies to Jim Mora.
Anonymous said...
I met Jerry Joyce yesterday at the Hamlin park boxing show. Great guy. I always has my vote. He supports the police.
10/26/2018 08:35:00 AM
I heard he is running on a cut spending, law and order platform, but what is his plan, and where is he? Let’s hear what his agenda is. Is he willing to expose the dead weight, bottom feeders of this city? Is is willing to drain the swamp? Curious voters need to know.
Anonymous said...
Vote Joyce!
10/26/2018 01:28:00 AM
Nobody North of Cermak has heard anything about what he stands for. Needs to get his message out to everyone. Mt. Greenwood and Beverly are not going to carry this Mayoral race by thier voters alone. Wait until the Mendoza insurance policy is finalized and she is re-elected comptroller, then she will shoot for Mayor, because if she fails with the city, she can fall back on the state. What a joke.
That should tell every voter where the priorities are, making yourself rich and powerful off the hardworking citizens. Should be ashamed!
While Vallas is coming up with plans, they will hurt many. Wait until after November elections when the other bigger names in this race step up campaign talks. Think it through and don’t believe all the bs. The bullwinkle will most definitely tax the hell out of everyone in the city and take much away from us in contracts. Gary Mc is a boozing mush with a chip on his shoulder Chico has not said much neither has Daley I’d pay attention to those two the most
city payroll is beyond top heavy..how many fucking Deputy Commissioners does this city need!!!
Anonymous said...
If we get a decent 5 year contract a 20 year blue shirt will be making over $100k base. That means everyone pays more. Don’t give them one penny more.
10/26/2018 11:22:00 PM
After decades of criminal mismanagement it may come down to paying more in order to get ANY pension.
The police Department is way too top heavy . We need to eliminate all these extra exempts . Take for example the academy or detective division. Chief , deputy chief , commander, XO...why so many ? What the hell do they all do ? How much work do they really get done ? Cut out the XO at least . There's a few million bucks in salary right there. This Department went down the tubes . So bad on racial divide than I have ever seen . What ever happened to the smartest guy gets the job . What about making a rule that in order to be promoted merit , you must pass a test on your own through score . I just can't see how you can be merit det, sgt,Lt ,capt,com,and above yet never pass a test . No one is that good ! No one ! This Department sucks
After decades of criminal mismanagement it may come down to paying more in order to get ANY pension.
10/27/2018 10:51:00 PM
And you think by you paying more they're not going to mismanage those funds as well? What it's going to come down to is putting money in the pension fund instead of building DePaul a new stadium and building Obama libraries we don't fucking need. That's what it's going to come down to. I'm not paying another fucking cent to this city in taxes voluntarily because I pay enough already. Wait until you get your newest property tax bill. Soon you'll by paying as much property tax as they do in the suburbs without any of the benefits. They always seem to come up with money for bullshit that they want but they turn their pockets inside out when it comes to funding the pensions. It reminds me of the loser that says they can't afford to pay their rent while they're smoking a cigarette, scratching a lottery ticket, and drinking a Miller Lite.
Im not contributing any more than I was required to when I came on the job.
I never wanted to pay into a pension anyway, I did very well in my 401k before coming on the Police department. 4 years to go. I gues i have to look for a NEW candidate
You obviously do NOT understand what a defined pension benefit is, and what a great deal it is for us. P.S. you can also contribute to our 457B plan 4 year wonder
10/27/2018 02:28:00 AM
You obviously can't read because he said 4 YEARS TO GO which would not make him a 4 year wonder by any stretch of the imagination. As far as contributing to a 457b plan so what? I can create a self directed IRA myself. I don't need the city for that and since they're not matching a single penny of your contributions it's irrelevant. As far as defined pension benefits, you're right, it's a great deal for us if the thieving politicians leave any money to actually pay out the promised benefits. If I have to keep contributing more and more of my paychecks to the thing (which is what politicians like Rahm and Vallas are both in favor of), sooner or later it becomes not so great a deal.
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