Bad Decision
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday ruled out layoffs in city government to accommodate declining revenues and rising costs tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are not expecting to do any layoffs,” the mayor told a news conference hours before Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order was extended for another month.
“Our economy in this region is incredibly diverse. And if you look at how we have fared in other economic downturns — whether it was 9/11, the Great Recession of 2008 or 2009 — we’ve had some impact, of course. But, we rebounded back very, very strong and well.”
Certainly the nation came back. Recessions are cyclical, 9/11 was a one-off event. But when airlines were grounded for a week, or the economy ground to a crawl, this time there's a difference.
Every single economic engine has stalled and no one knows exactly how many people aren't even going to work. Bars are closed, sports are shut down with all the accompanying work, casinos are closed with all their attached workers, service workers of all stripes, Michigan Avenue is a ghost town, museums, parks, etc.
This is unprecedented, and unless Groot's money tree is growing at twice the rate it used to, her ruling out even looking at layoffs is foolish in the extreme.
Every single economic engine has stalled and no one knows exactly how many people aren't even going to work. Bars are closed, sports are shut down with all the accompanying work, casinos are closed with all their attached workers, service workers of all stripes, Michigan Avenue is a ghost town, museums, parks, etc.
This is unprecedented, and unless Groot's money tree is growing at twice the rate it used to, her ruling out even looking at layoffs is foolish in the extreme.
Labels: dumb ideas, money questions
posted by SCC at 12:02 AM
54 Comments:
Just have them join the police department...
NO WAY, NO HOW she anticipated such a dramatic drop in revenue("economic downturn", ha!), AND has an adequate plan to offset it. I would guess restaurant and hotel taxes alone will be in tens of millions.
This is a short sided dumb statement only to try and keep her city workers vote. Taxpayers and all other workers seem to be getting screwed and laid off. The ONLY people who should be absolutely safe are first responders of all types. No reason every single government worker should not share in the pain. Teachers getting all this crazy pay,janitors, maintenance guys all getting premium time in empty schools. Can only imagine how many useless secretaries and do nothing fools are getting paid simply because they work for the city and government. What a joke.
This is the same thing Pritzker did. Despite the state's financial mess, he didn't cut anyone.
Come election time, who do you think they'll vote for?
In the meantime, just keep blaming your predecessor, and kicking the can down the road.
rb
FOP, did you hear that?
Chicago has money!
20% over the last three years.
20% over the next three.
CTU Could get it, you better.
Or your all gone.
SCC: Why doesn't Groot pare down the number of do nothing gold star Exempts which you have previously identified?
Retired.38 spl +P
Think of all the money this city would have earned if they allowed online casinos. LOL Karma at its finest!
no layoffs yay! ill just pay them out of the municipal pension fund and kill it once and for all. orange man bad, viva groot !
Shut down the CTA train lines! All riders can go back to using the buses.
She has a plan. Will ask for a huge tax increase. That is the Democratic cure for everything. She will tell you all you have to dig deeper in this tome of need. The Free Store needs more from the taxpayers. Your response will be to vote them back into office.
This gives bug eyes a perfect excuse why her budget failed. It was going to fail before anyone heard of covid-19. You cannot act like gandhi when you are running a city. The city and state were already insolvent before general tso's flu came here. The only answer bug eyes and biggy small will have is to raise taxes.
Your TAXES and FEES will go Up and No CONTRACT
I was promised legal weed and a Chicago casino would cure all woes... Was I lied to by Democrats? Is such action - liberals lying- even possible?
All Powers to Da People
Budget is Busted So Now Have to Reassess Need more Money for Free Things
Keep Paying your Taxes and Fees
They Say Not My President
How about Not My Mayor
Obviously Chicago democrats are VERY bad at math - thus the reason, this city and state are such shitholes.
Groot and grahm appeared like best buddies yesterday.almost 3 years without a contract and these two are yucking it up for the cameras.
"tome of need" ???
CPD....NTB
(not too bright)
google "right mouse click"
LMAO!!!
All she would need to do is build another Navy pier!
Drop a casino on it
Have some premium weed shops
ANd charge to even walk in to keep some of the jag offs from stealing purses and phones.
The mayor is idiot. The comment that she made that they knew of the virus early on is such bullshit. If they knew about this why didn’t we have the proper supplies for first responders. With the teachers strike she gives them 16 percent. But CPD nothing. And expect us to do our job in time of crisis. We have no plan we have no extra po’s and we haven’t made it to the middle of April when the numbers are supposed to spike, if you look on a map cook county numbers keep doubling. Mayor wants us to do our job and we don’t have a contract or supplies to protect first responders.
1:42, further, they could have allowed "legal" gaming machines in the bars and restaurants! The burbs are raking in a ton of money and a whole lot of the gamblers are city residents. But we are still waiting for the "casino", who is getting paid to keep it all away from Chicago?
We had horse racing and that wasn't enough.
The lottery was going to cure our woes.
The lottery wasn't enough. We needed casinos.
The casinos were going to cure our woes.
The casinos weren't enough. We needed legal marijuana.
Legal marijuana will not be enough.
We need legalized prostitution!
Regulate it and tax it.
A jackpot. A bonanza.
Not.
Hoping and praying for a Fed bailout
Funny how weed is now considered "essential"and every effort is being made to keep the supply flowing. I guess this is where her diverse revenue is coming from.
Property taxes, fees, fines, parking rates etc are going to skyrocket when/if this is over.
Don't worry about being five months behind on your mortgage payments since you will be taxed out of your house anyway
Even the thought of a budget cut gets any politician thrown out of the Democratic Party. Perish the thought. More like how big will the tax and fee increase be? That they understand.
The shutting down of the trains is a very good idea. Maybe two hours of train service in AM 6-8 and two in PM 5-7. That's it the rest bus service only. Of course that will cause a corresponding rise in car jacking since the bangers need more convenient transportation. But a small price to pay to keep the Mag Mile mobs cooped up.
Since all Democrats flunk Econ 101, this is no surprise.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
Chicago and its democratically controlled cohorts have run with negative budgets for years. They plan on placing this burden with the federal government. Then when they do not receive enough money to fill the years of abuse, they can blame the president for not doing enough in a time of crisis. There is always a political plan in place. Fiscal responsibility......HAHAHAHAH
Hey buddy.....
Can ya spare a dime bag???
This is unprecedented, and unless Groot's money tree is growing at twice the rate it used to, her ruling out even looking at layoffs is foolish in the extreme.
Labels: dumb ideas, money questions
Of course she can always use whatever money rahm didn't steal or give away from the TIF account...
Lori, Lori, Lori, there you go, thinking with your head up your ass, what are you going to do when alot of these companies realize that they dont need office space, and its better to let their employees work from home? Then you will be on television telling everyone, that we have a serious shortfall in our budget and I need to raise taxes, then lets see how your citizens react?
Mini mayor stupid,....real stupid.....
If she laid them off, they would be on unemployment plus stimulus
money at FEDERAL EXPENSE.......
Right now, that’s for at least four months.....
Who da fuck in her finance department does she have who should be
telling her these things????
Is she really that fucking dumb?
Mean’t to post this here.....
Order lets Lightfoot deal with virus without needing approval
By John Byrne
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has created a new section in the city’s 2020 budget to consolidate coronavirus expenses and give her the ability to eventually move money around to cover the costs without needing City Council say-so.
It’s part of the extraordinary powers the mayor has granted herself to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order she issued earlier this month declared a state of emergency and gave her budget director the authority “to establish new funding lines, consolidate funding lines, and transfer or otherwise reallocate currently appropriated funds, including making fund transfers between City Departments, all as needed to maximize effectiveness of the City response to the Emergency.”
It also allows the city’s procurement department to “negotiate and execute contracts for emergency supplies and services” up to $1 million, up from the $500,000 cap on such emergency contracts that’s usually in place.
The higher ceiling on those deals is set “so that the city can swiftly secure supplies or services as needed to aid in the citywide response to COVID-19,” mayoral spokesman Patrick Mullane said.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle also took on added powers to respond to the crisis. But after Preckwinkle issued a disaster proclamation for the county, she got the county Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution extending her authority to issue executive orders, procure some contracts and conduct other business.
Lightfoot mentioned in a March 17 news release announcing the delay of the March City Council meeting that she was taking “several emergency executive actions over the next few days to allow for the continuance of government before the next City Council meeting.”
“These actions will increase procurement authority, ensure employees are paid while on extended leave, and allow for the City to appropriate money from the federal government to pay for costs incurred in the response to the spread of COVID-19,” Lightfoot’s release reads.
On Monday, the mayor said the city is keeping a close eye on the expenses.
“We have been keeping a tally, really since January, on what the various costs are related to the response to coronavirus, whether it’s at our airports, now more recently the public health response, first responders, making sure we’re getting equipment out,” she said at her daily news conference about the pandemic. “So we’ve been tracking those expenses pretty rigorously. It’s our hope that we’re going to get a substantial reimbursement from the federal government.”
In an interview last week, Lightfoot alluded to further steps she might take to grapple with the emergency. “We’re looking at a lot of different measures that we will socialize with City Council at the appropriate time. What I need mostly right now is public health authority, which we have,” she said.
Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Pratt contributed to this article.
jebyrne@chicagotribune.com
She likes talking out of both sides of her mouth. She will handle this like a Democrat. She will raise taxes and decrease services. Oh, and there will likely be layoffs and hiring freezes citywide. This crisis will be the perfect vehicle to justify anything for years to come. The old "It's All for the Children" was getting a little tired...
Start by laying off the Revenue people. They are useless and with the order to stop writing tickets unless absolutely necessary why pay them. Let people who are essential workers park on the streets where they work for free. Next lay off some TMA's, why because no traffic control needed because of no traffic and no special events going on.
Sounds like a good time to build a casino. That industry is going to lose 45 Billion between March and June.
It's absolutely going to grow. She will just increase taxes dramatically.
oh please...the layoffs are already planned - this is just the false advertising that there won't be any.
want to layoff some non essential and useless people start with lightfoot, all her staff, and all the aldermen. they all all useless scum.
She will bill the Fed for ALL of the city expenses; then when the Fed questions those expenses, and refuses to totally reimburse the city, she will scream that Trump is FORCING her to raise taxes..
Fun COVID-19 news out of Texas. A company based in Austin is having it’s employees sign a “reduction in pay agreement” where any any direct monetary aid paid out to workers by the federal government is deducted from the worker’s salary. A not too subtle way to let employees know this rapidly expanding economic crisis is really just fake news.
Like I said before she is waiting for the billions the federal government will be giving to states especially the ones hit hardest. Then she will use that money for more entitlements for the underprivileged and the shit Chicago school system. No money for police, fire or pensions.
Pension reform coming, can’t let a good crisis go to waste.
"Groot Backs Her/Him/It -self into a corner..."
Well... Angry, perpetually aggrieved, know-so-much,
racist/racialist/radical misandrist, myopic, tone-deaf
and bulge-eyed political skunks do tend to put themselves
in a corner.
"It's in dey naycha an' shit!"
Then they swap ends and spray...
"Grrr!"
>SPRITZ!<
Groot walked in the door with it's back up
and tail raised ready to spray anyone who
deigned not to pay homage to it and it's
lofty status.
"Can't NOBODY tell ME what to do!"
>SPRITZ!<
Ugh!
Mean and nasty little critter.
Can’t cut the door bell ringers,1st responders will get cut in the form of no more hires!
Lying racist Lori will never lay-off the patronage armies of permanent victim class, lgbtq warriors and Latinos. She needs their votes more than ever because her time as Mayor will be over.
"Can only imagine how many useless secretaries and do nothing fools are getting paid simply because they work for the city and government. What a joke"
Although I don't disagree with many govt. workers being useless...I have little pity for those in the "private sector" in times like these. WE chose Gov't work and they DIDN'T. When the economy is booming and people are getting bonuses or opening up more locations etc. nobody is envious of us govt. workers. Sky is the limit for many private jobs, raises based on performance etc. meanwhile we go year after year without a contract and negotiated pay. So now that all these people and jobs are termed "non essential" WE'RE the bad guys cause we chose Gov't work years ago?? I'm not a gambler, so I knew that a steady, dependable, paycheck as a P.O. was more desirable for me than a career where I could make $150k a year one year, then be out of a job the next. Many of my past acquaintances just couldn't give up things like weed or other vices long enough to become police officers, now how's that working out for them? Waiters, waitresses, bartenders, etc... Times are great with $1000 nightly in tips in some downtown locations, but now what? We all have choices early in life. If you chose to fly by the seat of your pants instead of choosing a safe, predictable, career like CPD or other similar situations, then you have yourself to blame. Despite all the negatives of this job, it's great to know those paychecks will always be there. Maybe we can work from home and respect the quarantine? Nope, can never do that either in our line of work. So unless you want to suit up and join CPD, don't point fingers at govt workers who chose slow, steady and predictable vs. all the perks and big bucks of the private world.
The first to go should be the safe passage workers standing right next to each other around Riis park while no kids are in school......Why are they collecting a paycheck
Again, when you’re a failed attorney, you become a politician. Barry, prime example #1.
As senile Old Joe says “Look, here’s the deal”...
Layoffs would make imbecile LightLoafer look more like a bad manager than the obvious. Someone already proposed than idea and was swiftly moved out of the inner circle. Has there been a meeting of the minds to put together lay-off contingencies citywide? Who ratted? Employment is under a freeze as are those contract negotiations.
Look here’s the deal again...
The entire purpose of the shutdown was to break the economy and bust both Chicago IL budgets.
Underlying motive: No money for public service pensions and healthcare obligations.
They will rely on a Federal bailout or a Chapter 9, the latter likely not available under GOP Administration.
Apparently Paul Vallas launched a shot at her “budget” and it really steamed her at today’s invitation-only presser.
She had an Line item response well prepared rehearsed for that reporter.
Larri is going to pull the usual poor mouth after the “reserves and set asides” she put into the 2020 budget runs dry, hence the $1 billion shortfall will at least double by October. Open those mattresses, here come the tax and fee increases.
Bottom line:
These are dire, troubling times. People Are Gonna Die™️.
If and when FOP contract negotiations resume, whatever we expected from the Arbiter was just cut in half.
But Striking Red4Ed CPS CTU made out like bandit again, as if they knew financial troubles were on the horizon... by the way are still sitting up in the crib getting paid - for nothing.
Larri won’t lay-off, that’s political suicide... People Are Gonna Die™️ !
How quick Leapin’ Larri learned how ride The Big Boys Machine.
All these negative posts against Groot coming from the complete morons who probably voted for her. She has been out front and center with her hatred of CPD for the past 20 years. We’re her main objective. Completely destroy us. Preckwinkle is a corrupt, incompetent buffoon but CPD wasn’t number one on her list like this midget bug eyed freak. Once again thanks to everyone who voted for this thing.
Anonymous said...
Start by laying off the Revenue people. They are useless and with the order to stop writing tickets unless absolutely necessary why pay them. Let people who are essential workers park on the streets where they work for free. Next lay off some TMA's, why because no traffic control needed because of no traffic and no special events going on.
4/01/2020 09:19:00 AM
Okay bright boy...
All but 20 Parking Enforcement Aides are off the streets until April 30th. Those that are working are only working the CBD.
No Expired plates/missing plates tickets. No RPP Enforcement. No City Sticker tickets. No street Cleaning tickets (from what I heard).
Just the actual Public Safety parking violations: hydrants, HCP, double parking, bike and bus lanes.
I realize my coworkers are not popular on a good day on this blog, but do you actually think they want to be working during this shit?
Mayor and Comptroller consider us “essential” for some fucked up reason. I’d be happy to stay home off duty until this passes. But we are on call 24/7 until it does.
It is amazing how much hate I see for other city employees from some of the posters on this blog. It’s not SCC, I know that. It’s not every
Cop, I know that as well.
But the people that should be laid off are the Exempts. The 6 digit paycheck earners that are non union and are probably 95%+ Clout hacks.
Not the TMA or PEA that’s making less than 52k a year and is worried sick about getting sick.
Sorry for how long this is, SCC.
Lay off the civilians in the District Situation rooms and half the Detention Aides. They are useless!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Fun COVID-19 news out of Texas. A company based in Austin is having it’s employees sign a “reduction in pay agreement” where any any direct monetary aid paid out to workers by the federal government is deducted from the worker’s salary. A not too subtle way to let employees know this rapidly expanding economic crisis is really just fake news.
4/01/2020 11:29:00 AM
But now they have changed their mind and apologized. The company, ImageNet Consulting based in Oklahoma City with an office in Austin. Listen to this load or rubbish from their PR company. “Our intentions were to serve the greater good and protect our most vulnerable employees. However, we understand our plan was ill-advised. We have rescinded the potential program, and we apologize for any pain or confusion it caused.” I hope that company drowns.
https://www.kxan.com/news/company-that-wanted-its-workers-stimulus-checks-apologizes-for-ill-advised-plan/
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