May 29--Earlier this week, after several rounds of testy, theatrical votes aimed at embarrassing Gov. Bruce Rauner, the Illinois House actually debated a bill on circuses. Oh, the irony.
Perhaps you've noticed Springfield is heavy into lawmaking, aka sausage-making, as the spring legislative session winds down. Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn Sunday. They still have to pass a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, along with a host of other bills floating through both chambers.
The circus legislation dealt with the illegal possession of dangerous animals. If that doesn't make it to Rauner's desk, well, there's always next year. But a few other bills sitting in the state Senate, after clearing the House, would make government more transparent and efficient. Here's hoping they don't get lost in the end-of-session ... circus.
Voters made it clear during the College of DuPage board of trustees election in April that they wanted change. That change included sweeping out board members who had signed off on an eye-popping $763,000 severance package for the college president, Robert Breuder. A new majority is now overseeing the Glen Ellyn-based community college.
The details of Breuder's go-away deal came to light only because the Tribune got a copy of it. Such deals would be public information under legislation awaiting action in the Senate.
Breuder's parting gift, along with any buyouts offered to nudge public employees out the door, would be available upon request: The legislation, sponsored in the House by Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena, says all settlement agreements "entered into, by or on behalf of a public body are public records subject to inspection and copying by the public." It would close a loophole that has allowed severance packages funded by taxpayers to be exempt from inspection.
Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry, is carrying the bill in the Senate, but the Democrats assigned it to a subcommittee. Not a good sign.
Here's a strong nudge to pass a good-government bill -- we're looking at you, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton -- and not let it die in committee.
Cullerton also is steering a bill that would make it easier for Lake and McHenry counties to dissolve obscure governments. Do taxpayers really need a Nunda Township Cemetery District? Perhaps not. Local governments should be able to streamline, and legislation awaiting Senate action would do just that.
A similar law for DuPage County allows the county to consolidate and dissolve useless layers of bureaucracy.
Althoff had picked up the bill but wanted to water it down. We hoped Cullerton would pass it intact. But then he filed an amendment that would protect jobs targeted for dissolution. So much for saving money. Sponsored in the House by Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, the bill was a taxpayer-friendly proposal that would empower local governments. There should be no partisan motivation to weaken it.
Another Senate bill would allow Lyons Township High School to withdraw from the township school treasurer's office, an obscure layer of government that most school districts do just fine without.
Trouble is, Sen. Steve Landek, D-Bridgeview, picked up the bill in the Senate. Landek is sympathetic to the school treasurer's office, which is a patronage base for him and home to a number of his political allies. He attached an amendment to the LTHS bill Thursday afternoon that would make it less desirable for LTHS to move ahead with the separation.
Landek's amendment would force LTHS to set aside $6.5 million in escrow, just in case the school loses a court battle with the treasurer's office. His amendment would force the school to pick up the termination and/or early retirement costs of any employees at the treasurer's office who might lose their jobs. Yes, it's almost as if Landek is admitting the treasurer's office has no reason to exist.
But no way should LTHS be forced to cushion outgoing township treasurer employees with taxpayers' dollars.
Last month, Landek assured us he merely wanted to tweak the bill -- but that he would work sincerely toward passage.
Fool us once ...
This is yet another opportunity for Illinois lawmakers to show they can work together toward more efficient government. Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, sponsored the bill in the House.
Put an end to Landek's stunts to protect his buddies. His amendment should be killed, and the bill passed by the Senate. Clock's ticking, Mr. President.
