Rockford Going Alone on ‘Chronic Nuisances’ Updated X1

Add comment March 6th, 2008

Rockford may abandon its push for legislation to give it additional power to crack down on “chronic nuisances.”

A House committee on Wednesday voted 9-0 in favor of the bill sought by Rockford after Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, presented it. The bill would add the following language to state law:

Chronic nuisance ordinances. The corporate authorities of any municipality may, by ordinance, regulate chronic nuisance offenses within the municipality. The term “chronic nuisance offenses” includes, but is not limited to, illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor, mob action, repeat violations of municipal building codes or sanitation codes, noise, and disorderly conduct. The ordinance may provide increased penalties for repeated violations.

But city Legal Director Patrick Hayes told me today, during a visit to the Capitol, that the city put the plan on hold. He said the city plans to focus on the authority it has under existing law.

Committee members on Wednesday approved the bill with a unanimous vote, sending to the House floor for consideration, after two members said they were confused by the bill’s language.

One member wanted to know why the definition of “chronic nuisance” included mob action. Another wanted to know why it included drinking by minors.

Jefferson told the committee he didn’t know the answer to either question. He said he believed the city wanted the bill so it could more closely regulate vehicles blasting loud music. He said after the hearing that Hayes drafted the bill and that he’d have to get back with Hayes for answers.

UPDATE 1

Our coverage today includes more comment from Hayes.

Red Light Cameras on the Way?

4 comments March 6th, 2008

Rockford wants to install red light cameras at certain intersections:

Run a red light in Rockford and you might find a ticket in the mail, if a bill winding its way through the Legislature becomes law.

Winnebago and five other counties could install cameras photographing motorists illegally cruising through traffic signals. Only Cook and seven other counties, all near Chicago and St. Louis, may do so under current law.

“They have this back where I come from,” said Rockford College student Ryan Soto, 23, formerly of Bolingbrook. “People shouldn’t be running red lights anyway. This will cut down on bad driving.” […]

City Legal Director Patrick Hayes said motorists running red lights is an event that
occurs with an “unfortunate” level of frequency.

“Our Police Department has plenty of things to do besides sit at intersections and watch people disobeying (the law),” he said.

Wednesday, a House committee voted 9-0 in favor of the bill, sending it to the House floor for consideration.

Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford and the bill’s sponsor, doesn’t anticipate opposition. But Hayes expects to hear from critics convinced that local governments use such cameras to generate more cash through fines.

Here is an overview of Jefferson’s bill. The full text is here, with the relevant changes at the very bottom.

New State Ag Director

Add comment February 28th, 2008

The governor’s news release:

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today named Illinois Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Tom Jennings as Acting Director of the agency.  The Governor accepted the resignation of Charles “Chuck” Hartke, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture since 2003.  Effective Monday, Jennings will take over the Director’s responsibilities for the Department of Agriculture.

“I want to thank Chuck for all of his hard work at the Department of Agriculture over the last five years,” said Governor Blagojevich.  “As a family farmer and longtime state legislator, he brought unique experience and enthusiasm to the post.  I wish him and his wife, Kathy, the best.”

Under Hartke’s leadership the Department of Agriculture has received federal funds to fight to keep emerald ash borer out of Illinois, created a statewide veterinary emergency response team that strengthens Illinois’ ability to contain animal disease outbreaks and increased sponsorship of the Illinois State Fair by 25 percent since 2003.  Before becoming the Director for the Department of Agriculture, Hartke served in the Illinois House of Representatives and held a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, from 1985 until 2003.

The SJ-R has more on Hartke’s departure.

Chuck Hartke, who spent more than 18 years in the Illinois House before getting his dream job as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture in 2003, is stepping down from that post.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Charles Hartke will be retiring from his position. In part, it’s to spend more time with his ailing wife, he said, and in part because it’s time.

Syverson Objects to NIU Building Plan

2 comments February 27th, 2008

Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, objected to plans to replace Cole Hall with Memorial Hall in a press release:

Syverson supports honoring NIU victims, questions whether new building is right approach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 27, 2008/bc

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) agrees the victims of the Northern Illinois University (NIU) shooting should be honored in a respectful way, however he questions whether demolishing Cole Hall and constructing a new facility is the right approach.

“I think everyone agrees a tragedy of this magnitude should be recognized in some way,” Syverson said. “But razing Cole Hall and constructing a new building isn’t necessarily the right approach. It will likely be a major financial commitment in the tens of millions of dollars at a time our state budget is facing a $1 billion budget deficit. I believe we can honor the victims of this tragedy, and do it in a fiscally responsible way.”

One possibility, Syverson suggested, is the creation of scholarships in the names of the shooting victims that could be developed through private partnerships – scholarships that could last for perpetuity. Another option would be to rename Cole Hall “Memorial Hall” – the name of the proposed new building – and to create an appropriate memorial in or around the current facility.

“I am 100 percent behind paying tribute to the victims, and helping NIU move past this tragic event,” Syverson reiterated. “But let’s not rush into anything. We should take an appropriate amount of time to come up with something that balances the need for remembrance with the need to ensure our state budget remains fiscally sound.”

Syverson also noted the proposed new building comes at a time tuition costs have skyrocketed in Illinois, rising by 50 percent in a few short years. He says part of the reason is the lack of a commitment by state leaders in funding higher education.

“We need to be thinking about how we can better help college students, not just at Northern Illinois University, but around our state,” Syverson said. “Tuition is rising at alarming levels, and families are struggling to put their students through college. Let’s look at ways of alleviating this burden – and perhaps the funding being proposed for this new building could be used for that purpose.”

Winters Belatedly Responds to Budget Plan

1 comment February 22nd, 2008

Press release from Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland:

On Wednesday, Governor Blagojevich delivered his State of the State, or SOS, address to inform the public of the affairs of the state and his proposals for the spring legislative session. But his unusually short speech was extremely vague and provided no real picture of our state’s true financial condition. He camouflaged the fact that Illinois is facing another kind of SOS - a warning for a state drowning in debt.
 
The fact is that Illinois is sinking. Because of the Democrats’ insatiable appetite for spending, the budget under the Blagojevich administration is growing faster than incoming revenue. As a result, our state is behind in paying more than $1.7 billion in bills to service providers. Many of these liabilities are owed to nursing home and healthcare professionals who offer help to Medicaid participants! His failure to pay is not only sending our medical providers into debt, it is forcing some of them to deny treatment to patients.
 
A recent report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability found that due to a downturn in the national economy, the current Fiscal Year 2008 revenues will fall short of estimates by $600 million. To top it off, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias announced investment income will fail to meet expectations this year by an additional $38 million to $50 million. So it seems our fiscal ship is foundering, even before we begin negotiating an FY09 budget.
 
Over the last 5 years, the Democrats who control all branches of Illinois government have paid for their “credit card” philosophy by raising fees and taxes, by borrowing, and by using one-time gimmicks.  This has created an insurmountable structural deficit. In that time period, they have increased spending by $5.2 billion, or 23 percent. And our general obligation bond debt has risen from 7.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2002 to 19.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2007.
 
Unfortunately, Illinois faces even greater challenges in FY09. Early estimates show only a $500 million to $700 million growth while Medicaid needs alone will likely reach $700 million, and another $700 million is needed to fulfill our state pension obligations.
 
Yet the governor in his SOS message proposed more tax-and-spend initiatives for which he has become notorious. Most of the schemes he proposed were recycled from previous years, including new taxes on employers to pay for a healthcare expansion, fund sweeps, and a lease of the state lottery.
 
While the Governor talked about cutting taxes on businesses, the reality is the governor plans to provide a one-time tax cut of 300 M, while pushing for a $1.2 billion tax increase on employers which will last year after year. Currently, the state’s unemployment rate is 5.2 percent – the 13th worst in the nation. Raising taxes on businesses that create jobs for families will only make matters worse and contribute to a slowing state economy.
 
Leasing the state lottery was proposed by the governor during his address, which is a scheme that has been rejected by the General Assembly over and over again. He would use a large portion of the proceeds for the sale to pay for a capital construction program. While I am pleased the he supports the prospect of a capital plan to pay for road improvements and school construction, leasing state assets such as the Lottery is only a quick fix and will cost the state approximately $40 billion in education funding in the long run. We must explore other options to generate revenue for a capital program which is extremely important to create new jobs, boost our economy, improve state facilities, and provide better classrooms for students.
 
Illinois is certainly facing harsh economic times, but now is the time to confront them before the state is completely swamped by debt. The way to do that is to stop introducing new spending plans and program expansion, start paying our bills, and introduce measures to stimulate job growth and ignite the economy. I’m sending out an SOS to the governor and my Democrat colleagues in the General Assembly – help save our state. Join me and other House Republican members in choosing fiscal responsibility this spring.

Sieben Responds to Budget Speech

1 comment February 21st, 2008

Sieben’s press release: 

SPRINGFIELD – Despite his claims of addressing an economic slowdown, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is calling for a sixth year of increased spending, higher debt and more hits on businesses that employ Illinois citizens, according to Assistant Senate Republican Leader Todd Sieben (R-Geneseo).

Blagojevich outlined his $49.7 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2009 to a joint session of the General Assembly on Feb. 20. Fiscal Year 2009 runs from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.

Sen. Sieben says the Governor’s financial blueprint for the coming fiscal year relies once again on record-high state debt; a record-high backlog of unpaid bills; financial gimmickry such as leasing the state lottery, yet another pension bond sale, more raids from the Road Fund; and continued attacks on business.

“You certainly have to wonder if this Governor ever reads the newspaper or watches the news,” Sieben said. “He seems to be on the same reckless financial course that has left Illinois in such bad economic shape in the first place. Even his fellow constitutional officers have recently issued strong warnings about the need to hold the line on spending. He should not be adding new programs when the state cannot meet its current financial obligations. We should, instead, work within our available resources.”

The 45^th District Senator noted that past fiscal policies have resulted in several harsh financial realities:

* Illinois faces a deficit for the current fiscal year, conservatively estimated at $750 million.

* The state has a $1.7 billion backlog of unpaid bills – the highest in state history.

* The state’s Medicaid program requires at least $500 million in new dollars, just to meet existing obligations.

* The state’s unfunded pension liability is among the worst in the nation.

Gov. Blagojevich also continues to target employers and the jobs they provide, and the long-term effects of his policies show in state’s lackluster job growth. Illinois is 45th in the nation in job growth since Gov. Blagojevich took office.

According to federal jobs numbers from December, Illinois has a 2.5 percent job growth rate, while Iowa has a 5.9% rate, followed by Wisconsin at 4.3%, Kentucky at 4%, Missouri at 3.9% and Indiana at 2.8%.

The 45^th District Senator says strong job growth – not huge tax increases – is a better way to address budget woes. If Illinois had kept pace with the national average in job growth, it would have more than 213,000 additional jobs today, which would mean more than a half-billion dollars in additional tax revenues.

Sen. Sieben says the Governor’s budget proposal is the first step in a long negotiation process, and he looks forward to working with his fellow lawmakers to craft a fiscal plan that reflects the spending priorities of the citizens who live and work in northwestern Illinois.

Tuite Responds to GOP Lawmakers

Add comment February 20th, 2008

Greg Tuite, the Rockford lawyer and Democrat running against Rep. Ron Wait, R-Belvidere, joined the conversation by e-mail:

After reading the comments of our two Senators, all I can say is hear we go again. As usual they spout their Republican Party talking points instead of proposing solutions for the problems we face as a state. Their press releases are filled with attacks on the governor, following a pattern for the past five years. They cite the dire financial situation of the State of Illinois, yet they take no responsibility for the conditions that they have created as long term legislators. Two of the biggest drains on our budget are the unfunded pension liabilities and our unpaid Medicaid bills. These are problems that have existed for over 15 years under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Our legislators should admit that this has been a long term problem, explain it to the public and resolve to solve it. The public would appreciate the truth and and effort to deal with the problems truthfully. In reading the press releases I don’t see any proposals, ideas or solutions – only attacks. No wonder we are falling behind.

Burzynski Reponds to Budget Plan

Add comment February 20th, 2008

Burzynski’s press release:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Responding to the governor’s budget address on Wednesday, State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Clare) said that as a state with the largest debt in its history, the people of Illinois deserve better than continuing a tradition of irresponsible spending. 

“When you have a fiscal situation as dire we’re facing, you have to show restraint in spending,” Burzynski said. “To put the state back on track, we have to stop spending money that’s not there. We’re capable of a better budget than this.”

Despite acknowledging the state’s 2008 budget is $750 million out of balance, Governor Rod Blagojevich continued to push for more spending, borrowing, taxes and selling of state assets in the upcoming fiscal year while putting additional burdens on Illinois businesses. The governor’s budget included $917 million in tax hikes, $21.5 billion in borrowing and selling up to $12 billion of taxpayer-owned assets.

Burzynski said the governor’s plan to push ahead with a $2 billion healthcare increase isn’t the answer.

“We had the highest backlog of unpaid bills in state history, $1.7 billion according to the Office of the Comptroller,” Burzynski said. “Our first priority must be to eliminate any new spending and program expansions in the budget and stop being a deadbeat government.”

Burzynski also added that the governor and his allies in the Senate should focus on encouraging businesses to flourish – not go out of state. While the governor has proposed a one-time rebate of $300 million for businesses, he wants to hit them with more than $650 million in taxes each year.

“If you really want to secure the financial future of our state, then you need to find ways to add more jobs,” Burzynski said. “And part of that includes encouraging the business community to grow stronger. We shouldn’t be lagging behind our neighboring state in providing our citizens with opportunities.”

Currently, Illinois has lost more than 60,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector during the governor’s tenure and ranks 45th in the nation for job creation. If Illinois had kept pace with the national average for job growth, 213,000 more people would be employed today – meaning more than half a billion dollars from natural sales and income tax revenue growth. 

“This is an important time to move Illinois forward,” Burzynski said. “In the past we have worked to find solutions, but we can’t do this alone.”

Syverson Responds to Budget Plan

Add comment February 20th, 2008

Syverson’s press release:

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said Illinois families and taxpayers deserve better than the budget unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Rod Blagojevich – a budget that would continue Illinois down the path of rising debt and unemployment.

“This is more of the same ‘government by gimmick’ that we’ve seen from this Governor during the past five years,” said Syverson, the Republican Spokesperson on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Once again, he’s seeking to impose costly new programs at a time we can’t even afford the services we already provide. And once again, he wants to pay for it by pushing the burden onto our children and grandchildren through greater borrowing and fiscal quick-fixes.”

Syverson noted that the budget hinges on several controversial proposals that lawmakers have voiced skepticism about in the past, including a leasing of the state Lottery to generate cash, raids of dedicated state funds, and billions of dollars in new borrowing that would add $1,300 in pension debt for every man, woman and child in Illinois.

Also included in the budget – more than $2 billion in new programs and spending at a time Illinois faces, by the Governor’s own numbers, a $750 million deficit.

“There should be no new programs – period – until our current programs are paid for,” Syverson said. “There is wide consensus on both sides of the political aisle that Illinois doesn’t have a revenue problem right now – we have a spending problem. The Governor is pushing ahead with costly new programs we simply cannot afford. Illinois already has $1.7 billion in unpaid bills owed to service providers across the state. The explosion of spending contained in this budget will compound that problem, and make it even more difficult for service providers here in Winnebago County to get the money that’s owed to them.”

Syverson also expressed skepticism at the more than $650 million in tax hikes on the Illinois economy contained in the Governor’s proposal.

“Under Gov. Blagojevich, Illinois has fallen to 45th in the nation in job growth since 2003,” Syverson said. “We trail every one of our neighboring states in job growth, and have lost more than 60,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs since the Governor took office. The job-killing tax hikes contained in this budget are precisely the reason we’ve lost so many jobs, and why Illinois small businesses are struggling to compete.”

Another troubling part of the Governor’s budget for Syverson is a 30 percent diversion from the state’s Road Fund, which will mean Rockford-area projects already waiting for funding will be put off even further.

Jefferson Responds to Budget Plan

2 comments February 20th, 2008

Jefferson’s press release:

SPRINGFIELD, IL– State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, responded to the governor’s State of the State Address on Wednesday cautiously, recognizing the difficulties that lay ahead for the General Assembly and the State of Illinois.

The governor addressed the economic challenges facing our nation and purposed a state economic stimulus plan that mirrors the national plan.  It would include a tax credit for families with children under the age of 18, a 20% tax break for big corporations that pay corporate taxes, and a capital bill.

“Many of the Governor’s proposals are lofty and it is especially important right now that the state take measures to be fiscally responsible,” Jefferson said.  “In an uncertain economy with a massive budget shortfall, we need to tread very carefully before funding new initiatives.  It is my priority to talk with constituents about budgetary and legislative proposals that arise in the coming months to make sure the people of Rockford have a voice in this process.”Once again, the Governor promised to focus on increasing health care programs but did not say how the state would pay for them.  In the past, options to fund such increases have been cuts to other programs and tax increases on small businesses.   While the governor plans to pursue a 20% tax break for corporations, Jefferson said he will continue to be fiscally responsible and stand up for small businesses to ensure that our local economy will not be devastated by the Governor’s plans.

Governor Blagojevich announced his intention to pursue a much needed capital bill.  The capital bill would include $25 billion in projects across the state and several large projects for Central Illinois. The proposed bill would create 700,000 jobs throughout the state. The Governor proposed to pay for these projects by once again leasing the lottery.

“A capital plan will be an investment into the state of Illinois by creating good jobs and stimulating our economy,” Jefferson said. “It will make our state more attractive to businesses because of improved infrastructure and better schools for our kids.  It is important that, in the face of economic downturn in the state and nation, we act responsibly to improve education, roads and job opportunities.”