McHenry County Blog

The unions decided to keep their benefits. That was more important than letting the commuters ride the CTA.

The grief of Scott Lee Cohen's 11-year old son at his father's fall from grace was more important to the Chicago Sun-Times than the "doomsday" for CTA riders trumpeted on page 5.

And the personal grief of Democratic Party Lieutenant Governor Scott Lee Cohen’s son was more important that the doomsday for CTA strap holders who read the Sun-Times.

There was a  CTA bailout in the spinrg of 2008.  It probably cost State Senator Kirk Dillard the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

You remember.

The tripling of our RTA sales tax the week before the Crystal Lake City Council decided to play pile on by hiking its city sales tax by 75%.

Dillard voted for it and Andy McKenna blasted away on radio, TV and in direct mail about Kirk Dillard having voted for a regional states tax as evidence that he was not rock solid on opposing an income tax hike.

That doomsday was on the front page of the Chicago Tribune right before the vote.

But, today, another so-called “doomsday,” the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times featured Democratic Party Lt. Gov. nominee Scott Lee Cohen announcing he will not accept the nomination. Cohen, by the way, carried the Democratic Party primary in McHenry County.

Take a look:

40% of McHenry County Democrats voted for Scott Lee Cohen for lieutenant governor.

State Senator Terry Link, chairman of the turnaround Democratic Party in Lake County, came to Woodstock to ask for support of McHenry County Democrats, but that doesn’t seem to have done him much good, as he placed fourth behind State Representatives Art Turner (Chicago) and Mike Boland (East Moline).

Making a pitch to the Young Democrats of McHenry County was Thomas Castillo.
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Turned over the Tribune that was delivered to my driveway and discovered it did have something about the CTA cuts…below the fold. The snippet directing people to pages 6-8 had a photo of a family who had to wait 30 minutes for a bus while on the way to a party.

And, inside–wouldn’t you know it?–the word “Doomsday” turns up in a headline:

Wednesday night Lake County Democratic Party Chairman and State Senator Terry Link went courting McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman and McHenry County Board member Kathy Bergan Schmidt Wednesday night at the McHenry County Farm Bureau building.

Before the above photo, there was a slight bow as Link went up to where Schmidt was putting out goodies for the assembled committeemen and guests. It would have been a classic.

During the meeting Schmidt explained how Link had been helpful to McHenry County Democrats back to when John Bartman chaired the central committeeman.

“I’d like to welcome Cal Skinner.  I never thought I’d live long enough to do that,” he said before saying,

Link explained that he had been Lake County’s Democratic Central Committee Chairman for eighteen years.

“We took a very bright red county and made it light blue.  It took a lot of work.  I could not have done it by myself.”

Referring to his candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for lieutenant governor, he said,

“I’m not ready to retire.”

He said he would use the position to advance issues across the state the way he had passed the Smoke Free Illinois bill.  He wants the office to advance economic as it does in Indiana.

Link said his re-write of the Workers Compensation law–the first time in 30 years–had pleased both labor and industry so much that both gave him awards for his role of facilitator.

He was extremely proud of getting the Early Voting law passed.  He pointed out that he “carried all election law” bills and had faced House Speaker Mike Madigan down over Early Voting.

“I stood heel to heel with (Madigan).  I told him I wouldn’t sign off on (his bills if he wouldn’t pass Early Voting).”

Making his pitch to his fellow suburban residents, Link observed,

“We have nobody on this ticket who had announced–and I’m saying ‘announced’–who lives outside of Cook County, except me.”

Guess Link was referring to the possibility of McHenry County’s State Rep. Jack Franks running for governor or some other statewide office.

“I have the experience.  I come from business.  I know what it’s like to run a business.”

He also pointed out he knew what it was like to live in a rapidly growing county.

“I was born and raised in Lake County.  We have our problems.  We need to have that perspective (at the table).

“I’m asking for your support.”

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The photos are of State Senator Terry Link.  In the top photo he is talking to McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Bergan Schmidt. In the bottom picture, he is talking to Spring Grove’s Jeff Thirtyacre.

And here’s the press release inviting you to come:

Lt. Gov Hopeful Terry Link to Speak to Democrats

State Senator Terry Link (D-30), a candidate for Lt. Governor will be a featured guest at the September meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County at the McHenry County Farm Bureau, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock at 7 PM, Wednesday, September 16.

Senator Link has served since 1997 and is the Majority Caucus Chair. He is a recognized leader on tax and financial issues.

Link is also Chair of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee and has led a Democratic resurgence in that once reliably Republican County. He has supported the growth of the McHenry County party. In the crowded field of Lt. Governor candidates, Link is sometimes regarded as the voice of the collar counties.

The McHenry County Democratic Party will continue to invite candidates to speak through the primary. The county party does not make endorsements in the primary.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Yesterday I wrote more stories about Springfield than I ever have before in one day.

I covered Mike Tryon’s campaign sign bill, Jack Franks’ recall constitutional amendment and the John Cullerton/James Meeks’ 67% income tax hike/ services sales tax imposition and Terry Link/Dave Syverson four casino bill.

But before all the action, I picked up on State Rep. Art Turner’s comment on the incomplete “COURAGE” being displayed by House Democrats.

I entitled it

After an extended part caucus in which a reported 39 of the needed votes seemed to have identified themselves, according to the Chicago Tribune, Turner said,

“We’re looking for courage. We’re close. We’ve got it spelled C-O-U-R, but we’re looking for the rest of it.”

I observed that the last four letters of “COURAGE” are

Meanwhile in the Illinois Senate, the article says,

“…an even bigger tax plan emerged, courtesy of Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago).

“The proposal — which could raise upward of $6 billion — would increase the income tax by 67 percent and expand the sales tax on services such as dry cleaning, video rental, dating services and carpet cleaning. The theory is that a larger tax bite would mean fewer cuts.”

I ended the article with

And that admonishment was before the State Senate voted to raise income taxes by 67% and taxed every electronic signal coming into our home except radio.

So, Turner has half of his wish.

Senate Democrats provided all the letters to his word “COURAGE” and now House has two income tax choices:

But the RAGE may have to wait for readers of two of the four newspapers I read.

Look at the front pages of the Sunday editions of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Elgin Courier-News and McHenry County’s Northwest Herald.

Nothing about the pending tax hike above the fold on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. But there was room to hype a “summer fun” guide.

There’s a story about state politics on the Tribune’s front page, but it’s about politicians trying to get kids into the University of Illinois, not about politicians trying to pick our pockets.

Nothing about the tax hike below the fold either.

The Chicago Sun-Times did figure out that the tax hike story was important enough to mention on its front page, though. Kudos to the Sun-Times

In the Elgin Courier-News there is a large word that might be appropriate if applied to taxpayers:

But i’t about abandoned homes.

There is an ad for Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino on the bottom of the page. Guess the paper has learned who is paying its bills.

But there is nothing in the paper about the 67% income tax hike passed in the Senate.

And, finally, the Northwest Herald’s front page:

Nothing above the fold, but the Associated Press story is found below.

So, the score card is 2 for 4.

Readers of the largest circulation newspaper in Illinois won’t know anything about the tax hike, if that is there only source of news today.

They will be in for a big surprise tomorrow, if either bill passes.

If you want to call your legislator, the state switchboard in Springfield is open. The number is 217-782-2000.

A 50% income tax hike was not high enough. Slot machines in every convenience store and tavern wouldn’t tempt enough people.

Senate Democrats caved into the Rev. and Senator James Meeks’ goal and voted 31-27-1 to raise income tax rates 67%, plus putting sales taxes on 39 services, including internet service providers, cable television, photocopying, private clubs, dating services, oil exchange and goodness knows what else, except sponsor Senator John Cullerton told the Senate that barbers had been left alone.

I guess they talk so much they are dangerous.

Speaking against the bill were

• Lake Barrington’s Dan Duffy
• DuPage County’s Kirk Dillard
• LaSalle’s County’s Gary Dahl
• Okawville ’s David Luechtefeld
• Dixon’s Tim Bivens
• Bloomington’s Bill Brady
• Chenoa’s Dan Rutherford
• Palatine’s Matt Murphy

Silent was Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno.

By far the most effective was Matt Murphy.

He is in the Ronald Reagan of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

His best line was,

“To me this is a prescription to win the race with Michigan to the economic bottom of this nation.”

Murphy began by asking that people disagree agreeably, that they not take the debate personally.

Next he moved onto the fact that Illinois is “one of 7 states with fewer jobs than we had ten years ago.

“That means $4,000 in lost taxes for every job we don’t have.

“The people in this state are leaving. They are assessing the value of the American Dream and are sadly finding it someplace else.

He said the proposal was “the highest tax increase in Illinois history.

Then, he compared Illinois with Michigan.

Murphy warned Democrats that the promise of property tax relief held out by Senator Meeks and others in promoting Senate Bill 750 would backfire, just as the lottery did.

People heard Zeke Giorgi tell them that the lottery would solve the problem of funding education and were surprised when it did not. (In fact, the lottery was passed to fund the Regional Transportation Authority in 1974, which Murphy apparently did not know or his point would have stronger. The lottery was not earmarked for education until the mic-1980’s when the next generation of legislators got tried of complaints that it wasn’t going to education.)

Murphy was referring to the so-called “tax swap” part of the bill.

People will think,

“My property tax bill is finally going down.

“It’s not.

“It’s going up.”

Had Murphy (or anyone else) a longer perspective, they might have pointed out that (and I’m virtually certain I am correct here) have pointed out that the property tax credit used to be 10%, but was cut back to 5% in order to use the money for something else in the budget.

“Be careful. Be careful,” he said.

He again assuaged the feelings of the bill’s supporters.

“I appreciate the Senate, the intentions of the (supporters of the bill).

“If you look at Governor Quinn’s budget, it balances.”

“You can come up with cuts (to balance the budget).

“I did my homework. I didn’t share it, Mr. President. I didn’t share it,” referring to Senate President John Cullerton’s chiding of Republicans for not coming up with suggested cuts.

“You can make the cuts.

“You don’t have to raise taxes.

“To fund the pension, you may have to short term borrow.

Referring to the bill, Murphy concluded by saying,

“This is a dagger hanging over the head of everyone in Illinois.”

There were so many other good arguments by Republican senators.

But it’s late and I’m tired. Maybe I’ll find time to give some of the other speeches justice tomorrow.

If the House doesn’t decide to follow the Senate Democrats’ lead and try to mortally wound Illinois.

I do want to tell you that Murphy’s demeanor and presentation impressed me the most.

Is he running for governor?

Oh, yes.

With Rockford Republican Dave Syverson leading the way for the GOP, Lake County’s Terry Link managed to pass his bill to put casinos in Waukegan, Rockford, Danville and Chicago. The vote was 30-28-0. It failed the first time up.

State Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Rochelle), who represents part of the Rockford area, verified the vote, that is, made sure the 30 votes necessary to pass a bill in the Senate really were on the floor.

The Senate lists the bill being debated on its web site as it broadcasts debates. Senate Bill 174 was the 67% income tax hike and service sales tax imposition bill. Senate Bill 744 was the casino bill. Murphy has a photo with the casino bill’s number under his name because he spoke against that bill.

26th District Democratic Party State Senate candidate Bill Gentes, Round Lake Mayor, obviously hopes his fund raiser tonight will raise big bucks. The notes he sent out by email follows:

Co-Chairs

Recently named a Tier One candidate by the Senate Democrats, Bill is running to be his district’s first Democratic senator in recent memory and to improve development and education opportunities in Northeast Illinois. Currently serving his second term as Mayor of Round Lake, Bill Gentes has led his village through unprecedented growth and development, led efforts in Lake County to widen Route 120 and bring smart growth to Western Lake County.

Hard not to notice that it is in Downtown Chicago.

26th District Democratic Party State Senate candidate Bill Gentes, Round Lake Mayor, obviously hopes his fund raiser tonight will raise big bucks. The notes he sent out by email follows:

Co-Chairs

Recently named a Tier One candidate by the Senate Democrats, Bill is running to be his district’s first Democratic senator in recent memory and to improve development and education opportunities in Northeast Illinois. Currently serving his second term as Mayor of Round Lake, Bill Gentes has led his village through unprecedented growth and development, led efforts in Lake County to widen Route 120 and bring smart growth to Western Lake County.

Hard not to notice that it is in Downtown Chicago.

Round tabling.

• The practice of people sitting around a table signing names on petitions from a phone book or other source.
• Technique for lazy or disparate politicians to get enough signatures to get on the ballot.

Around McHenry County, people became aware of the practice when Republican Kane County State’s Attorney Gene Armontrout was indicted for round tabling signatures to help get a meaningless advisory petition on the ballot at Governor Jim Thompson’s behest in 1978.

Daily Herald reporter Tony Gordon reports that two of State Senator, Senate Majority Caucus Chairman and Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Terry Link’s paid workers have been indicted for perjury and forgery.

Link told the Daily Herald thqa he was busy in Springfield to be personally involved.

Obviously, the buck stops somewhere way over there.

Link’s primary opponent, former North Chicago mayor Jerry Johnson, brought the fraud to the attention of the State Board of Elections, but the board ruled Link had enough signatures even without the potentially future felons and convicted druggies help.

Republican Keith Gray is Link’s GOP fall challenger.

The two indicted were not the brightest bricks on the block.

One forged signature was former Springfield correspondent of the Waukegan News-Sun Ed Nash. Another was former Link GOP opponent Charles “Chuck” Fitzgerald, according to Team America’s Tenth District Blog.

McHenry County Democrats were not tempted to emulate their successful brothers in Lake County. Only one countywide Democrat, McHenry County Coroner candidate Dave Bachmann, even bothered to pass petitions. Democrats caucused the rest onto the ballot after the primary election was held. State Rep. Jack Franks also passed petitions.

Here’s more information from Team America’s 10th District Blog.

Round tabling.

• The practice of people sitting around a table signing names on petitions from a phone book or other source.
• Technique for lazy or disparate politicians to get enough signatures to get on the ballot.

Around McHenry County, people became aware of the practice when Republican Kane County State’s Attorney Gene Armontrout was indicted for round tabling signatures to help get a meaningless advisory petition on the ballot at Governor Jim Thompson’s behest in 1978.

Daily Herald reporter Tony Gordon reports that two of State Senator, Senate Majority Caucus Chairman and Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Terry Link’s paid workers have been indicted for perjury and forgery.

Link told the Daily Herald thqa he was busy in Springfield to be personally involved.

Obviously, the buck stops somewhere way over there.

Link’s primary opponent, former North Chicago mayor Jerry Johnson, brought the fraud to the attention of the State Board of Elections, but the board ruled Link had enough signatures even without the potentially future felons and convicted druggies help.

Republican Keith Gray is Link’s GOP fall challenger.

The two indicted were not the brightest bricks on the block.

One forged signature was former Springfield correspondent of the Waukegan News-Sun Ed Nash. Another was former Link GOP opponent Charles “Chuck” Fitzgerald, according to Team America’s Tenth District Blog.

McHenry County Democrats were not tempted to emulate their successful brothers in Lake County. Only one countywide Democrat, McHenry County Coroner candidate Dave Bachmann, even bothered to pass petitions. Democrats caucused the rest onto the ballot after the primary election was held. State Rep. Jack Franks also passed petitions.

Here’s more information from Team America’s 10th District Blog.