March 09--With one week to go before the primary election, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner scolded House Democrats Tuesday for taking a monthlong "vacation," saying they should join their Senate colleagues at the Capitol to address the budget crisis that threatens state universities.
The House isn't due to return to Springfield until April 4, and while Rauner said he wouldn't call a special session to force them back, his criticism is timed to put pressure on the many House lawmakers spending this week campaigning in their districts.
"The Senate's here. The Senate's working today. I'm here today. We could be negotiating bipartisan compromise, real solutions," Rauner said, adding that the House's departure amounted to a "dereliction of duty."
But compromise has been rare at the Capitol, as both sides continue political games while blaming one another.
For instance, Rauner accused House Speaker Michael Madigan of repeatedly introducing "sham" bills to fund higher education even though there's no money to pay for them. Rauner, meanwhile, has introduced his own legislation to spend money that's tied to giving him sweeping powers to cut the budget as he sees fit, which Democrats liken to giving him "imperial" powers.
The dynamic provides plenty of campaign fodder for Democrats and Republicans alike, but does nothing to break the record nine-month budget impasse that's left universities struggling, social service programs on life support and driven the state's multibillion deficit even higher.
Both Chicago State University and Eastern Illinois University have laid off hundreds of employees to make it through the spring semester, but they face uncertainty after that with no end to the budget stalemate in sight. The latest House Democrat spending plan for higher education is awaiting action in the Senate, where a spokesman for President John Cullerton said it remains under review.
Cullerton was also on the receiving end of Rauner's barbs Tuesday, as the governor demanded the Senate immediately pass a plan to overhaul the state's employee pension program. Rauner has repeatedly said he would sign any language Cullerton sends him, arguing the proposal would eventually save $1 billion that could be used to backfill current budget shortfalls.
It's an optimistic estimate, given previous legislation to scale back employee pensions was eventually thrown out by the Illinois Supreme Court following a challenge by employee unions.
Cullerton's office issued a statement saying, "We appreciate the governor's support. But passing pension reform is a contentious process.
"The potential savings can't be spent now. Under the plan the governor and Senate president have been discussing, there are no savings in the first year. In addition, it would be unwise for the state to spend savings before the court weighs in."
cbott@tribpub.com
