Rep. John Fritchey's Open House...my view from the inside
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My Thanks to our Men and Women in Service
This is from an e-mail my father sent me a couple years ago. Happy Veterans' Day to him and to all the other veterans who have sacrificed for our Country.
It is theSOLDIER, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is theSOLDIER, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is theSOLDIER, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is theSOLDIER, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is theSOLDIER, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is theSOLDIER, who salutes the flag,
It is theSOLDIER, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
The following is a briefing report that I have been graciously allowed to publish for you courtesy of its author, respected U of I economist, Dr. Geoffrey Hewings. (There is a graph missing from the version below, basically because I couldn't get it to format the right way). Dr. Hewings offers some very interesting insights as to the state of Illinois' economy, how we got here, and how we get out of here. Give it a read.
Illinois Economic Briefing September 2009 prepared by Dr. Geoffrey J.D. Hewings Director Regional Economics Applications Laboratory University of Illinois www.real.illinois.edu
Challenges, Issues and Opportunities
Illinois’ economic growth remains anemic.
- Through June 2009, the cumulative job growth for Illinois, RMW (i.e., Rest of the Midwest - IA, MO, WI, MI, OH, IN), and the nation compared to January 1990 stood at 7.99%, 9.54%, and 20.65%, respectively. Illinois has been growing at less than half the rate of the US for over a decade and a half and the issue has received no attention.
- Problem in IL is not with the structure of the economy but with our growth rates. We “look” very much like the US economy but on a sector-by-sector basis we grow less rapidly.
Past Governor and Legislators have invested little effort to understand Illinois economy.
- Current state policies have been enacted without a full understanding of the economy, how it has changed and degree to which a Governor’s policies can make a difference.
- Elected officials are under mistaken impression that because the economy is large and complex it will sort itself out.
Need a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis with input from government, public, private sector, unions and other stakeholders with commitment from Governor and Legislators to act on recommendations.
- Census estimates 80 million new residents in US between now and 2050 – how can IL position itself to attract a significant share? - Over last 15 years, Chicago and Illinois have lost significant revenues as a result of out-migration, especially of retirees. Currently estimate that the state loses $1.5 billion a year from net migration (in minus out) translating into loss of state income and sales tax revenue:
- Result of significant retiree out-migration (Chicago is second only to New York in retiree out-migration).
- Result of fact that average salaries of in-migrants lower than average of the out-migrants.
- If that $1.5 billion were spent in the state an additional 20,000-30,000 jobs would result.
- Illinois needs an integrated transportation system approach (not one in which airport, road and rail planning are separated).
- Evidence from Europe shows strong correlation between location of corporate headquarters and intercontinental airline connections.
- Improvements, via project CREATE, in freight transportation will enhance Chicago’s leadership position in this rapidly growing activity.
- Interstate trade is increasing more rapidly than gross national product.
Human capital is being exported because we are not creating attractive jobs that would keep workers in Illinois.
- Investment in human capital is the most crucial element to economic growth even though returns may not be evident for a decade. Long-term vision required.
- University of Illinois estimated that lifetime benefit from BA degree is close to $700,000 – significant impact on individual welfare but also to Illinois in terms of additional income and sales taxes.
- Illinois currently is a net exporter of skilled labor.
Renewable energy, high speed rail, public transportation, and energy efficiency all have enormous potential to generate significant numbers of high paying, sustainable jobs.
- Investment in renewable energy and energy retrofit will reduce state’s dependency on oil-based products (where a large percentage of the ripple effects “leak” out of the state) AND will also create significant numbers of jobs within state.
- Political turmoil of the last decade has cost the state in terms of: - businesses relocating out of the state. - local firms expanding out-of-state plants and operations. - businesses that explored but did not locate in Illinois.
- Illinois’ gross product exceeds $500 billion yet the state spends virtually no money either to understand or monitor its economy.
Economic Highlights
- Illinois has never fully recovered from the 2001-2002 recession – in contrast, the US recovered by February 2005.
- Illinois has never had a period since the end of World War II in which the recovery of a prior employment peak took more than eight years. Yet, with continued month-to-month employment declines, it is still impossible to forecast recovery of the prior employment peak of November 2000.
- Illinois is 373,300 jobs below its November 2000 peak. If growth in population is added and “equilibrium” labor force participation rates, then that figure increases to a net deficit of 476,300 jobs in Illinois.
- With consensus forecasts suggest continuing job erosion for another 4-6 quarters, Illinois can be expected to begin the recovery with a job deficit in excess of 500,000 jobs.
- A robust recovery of 50,000 jobs a year would still take 10 years to reclaim the November 2000 peak – and Illinois has experienced only one year since 2000 when job growth exceeded 50,000.
· Illinois economy has lost 272,600 jobs in the last 12 months.
· Illinois, RMW, and the nation all lost jobs in June. However, for all three, the job loss rates were smaller compared to the first four months of 2009. Within the rest of Midwest, over 80% of job losses occurred in Ohio and Michigan.
· Since the beginning of the recession in December 2007, Illinois has lost 307,600 jobs, of which 268,400 jobs (87.3%) have been lost since September 2008.
· Through 2008, Illinois lost an average of 11,808 jobs per month. However, for the first five months of 2009 that jumped to an average loss of 27,200 jobs per month.
· Over the last 12 months, Illinois payroll cut 272,600 jobs at a rate -4.57%, the rate is higher than the -4.12% national rate. RMW continued to lose jobs at a rate of -5.12%, its 16th negative month in a row.
· The official unemployment rate may underestimate true numbers of unemployed since labor force participation rates have declines; the Regional Economics Application Laboratory at University of Illinois calculates a shadow unemployment rate that accounts for those who have dropped out of the labor force altogether. For Illinois, RMW and the nation, the shadow unemployment rates were 12.0%, 13.7% and 10.7%, compared to official unemployment rates of 10.3%, 11.0% and 9.5%.
· Illinois has not outperformed ANY of 10 aggregate sectors in the nation over the period of 1990-2009 and only two sectors compared to the Rest of the Midwest.
· If Illinois were able to replace its lost jobs, without any increase in tax rates its coffers would see an annual increase in: Income tax revenue: $700 million Sales tax revenue: $500 million
Rep. Fritchey Applauds County Board Action on Veto Override
Urges Immediate Effective Date
for Pending Legislation
CHICAGO – State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago) today applauded the Cook County Board for passing a resolution urging state lawmakers and the governor to pass legislation to reduce the vote requirement necessary to override a veto by the Cook County Board President.But he went on to caution that the currently pending legislation doesn’t go far enough and urged that it be strengthened.
“I applaud the Cook County Board for passing today’s resolution supporting this important initiative that I have been working on with Congressman Quigley since 2006,” stated Rep. Fritchey. “All that Cook County residents have to do to understand the importance of this issue is to look at their most recent sales receipt and see the highest sales taxes in the nation,” added Rep. Fritchey.“This tax burden could have been eliminated this past summer if Cook County had the lower veto override threshold.”
Fritchey went on to caution that the legislation presently pending in Springfield does not go far enough because it would not take effect for over one year, until January, 2011.
“While I agree with the idea of the resolution that the majority vote should be lowered, under the pending bill, the 3/5 majority vote will not go into effect until January 1, 2011.There is simply no reason to postpone ending this onerous burden as soon as possible, and accordingly, the bill should be amended to provide for an immediate effective date,” added Rep. Fritchey.
Rep. Fritchey stated that he has already prepared such an amendment for filing and has additionally introduced new legislation with an immediate effective date. The bill is House Bill 4632.
I'm not sure but I think that I have just made my decision as to who to endorse for Cook County Board President. I think that after you watch this whole video, your mind may be made up as well.
I know it's been forever since I've regularly been posting here - you can blame Facebook and Twitter for that - but for anybody that still checks in here, below is a video from one of the news stories about my announcement yesterday that I am running for Cook County Commissioner for the 12th District. Under the video is the press release from yesterday's announcement.
Fritchey to Seek
Cook County Board Seat
Claypool & Quigley Endorse Fritchey as Needed Reform Voice
CHICAGO – In a significant political announcement, State Rep. John Fritchey stated that he will not seek re-election to the General Assembly seat that he has held since 1996, opting to run to fill the vacancy created by Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, who has announced he will not be running for another term.Congressman Mike Quigley and Commissioner Claypool joined Rep. Fritchey at his announcement and pledged their full support of Fritchey’s bid, citing the need for the County Board to have a proven reformer who can hit the ground running.
Rep. Fritchey was first elected to the Illinois House in 1996, representing a district including Bucktown, DePaul, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, and Ravenswood.The former Illinois Assistant Attorney General has been the Chairman of the House Civil Judiciary Committee for the past seven years.He previously chaired the House Consumer Protection Committee.
During his legislative tenure, Fritchey has been an unwavering reform leader in Springfield, having authored and sponsored numerous ethics and campaign finance reform laws. Milestone accomplishments include his work with then-State Senator Barack Obama to pass the Ethics Act of 2003 and more recently, the enactment of a law to finally ban ‘pay-to-play’ politics in Illinois.
A vocal critic of both former Governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich, Fritchey was a member of the Special Investigative Committee that drafted the impeachment resolution against Blagojevich.
“When I first arrived in Springfield, nobody really wanted to take on the fight to reform state government,” said Fritchey. “There were a lot of uphill battles and even resentment, but I persisted and slowly but surely, we started fixing a very broken system.And while there’s definitely still work to be done, the good news is that there are a lot more legislators now willing and able to do it.”
By contrast, Fritchey stated that the recent departure of former-Commissioner Quigley, who defeated Fritchey in a Special Primary this past March to succeed Congressman Rahm Emanuel, and Commissioner Claypool’s decision not to seek reelection, have created an urgent need for reform leadership on the Cook County Board.Talks among the three elected officials convinced Fritchey to give up his seniority in the House to run for the Board.
“Now more than ever, we need a proven reformer with the common-sense, experience, and willingness to take on the big issues,” said Congressman Quigley.“The times demand and the voters deserve elected officials like John Fritchey who will challenge the status quo and fight for taxpayers.Reforming government saves us money, and amidst the greatest economic downtown in a generation, we can’t afford not to keep working for change.John will be a terrific addition to the Board and a fitting successor to our friend Forrest Claypool.”
Working together to fix county government is nothing new for the three officials.Over the years, Fritchey, Quigley, and Claypool have joined forces to take on initiatives including the elimination of pension abuses by county officials, as well as trying to lower the number of votes needed to override a veto by the Board President – an issue looming large as the Board once again tries to roll back the recent county sales tax hike.
“Even when the odds were against us, I’m proud to have been able to accomplish a great deal at the County,” said Commissioner Claypool. “John has had a similar experience at the State, and so he is ideally-suited to not just carry on, but build upon, the work Mike and I have done on the County Board. When it comes to fighting for taxpayers and cleaning up Cook County, John Fritchey is the clear choice to become the next Commissioner for the 12th District.”
“Just like nature, reform abhors a vacuum,” said Fritchey. “Mike and Forrest have been groundbreaking reformers at the County level, and with the loss of their two key board votes, we need to make sure that taxpayers are getting responsible and effective government for their dollars.Serving on the County Board will provide an opportunity to continue my past work and bring it closer to home.Whether it is property tax reform, increased transparency and accountability, or environmental initiatives, there will be no shortage of important issues to take on.”
“I am as proud of my record and my ideas as I am to receive the support of these two County reform pioneers,” said Fritchey.“I’m looking forward to making a very compelling case to the voters and starting this next chapter of public service.”
The Primary Election will take place in February 2010.
On this day, I'll simply pass on some words from our President:
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
With very best wishes, President Barack Obama
July 4th, 2009
P.S. -- Our nation's birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.
At some point while you're enjoying this holiday weekend, try to remember the meaning behind this, and every, Memorial Day.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
Below is a letter that was sent to all legislators by Dawn Clark Netsch, former State Senator, former Comptroller, and one of my former law school professors.
I think a lot of Dawn, but in her support of campaign contribution limit legislation (a bill on which I am a Chief Co-Sponsor), she makes a statement with which I simply can't agree - "We cannot get back on track without regulating the amounts and sources of the money that goes into electing our representatives in government."
Dawn Clark Netsch May 18, 2009
Dear Senator/Representative
Having spent 18 years as a member of the Senate, I am fully aware of the tensions and occasional chaos of the last few weeks of a legislative session—so many big issues to resolve and so many different approaches to how they should be resolved. But I also still feel strongly that it is important that the General Assembly emerge from the process with its credibility and integrity intact, that the voters believe that it has done its job well, however difficult the circumstances.
There is one issue that is critical to that outcome: reform of the culture of corruption that has damaged the standing and self-confidence of our state for too long. Addressing it is essential to our ability to deal rationally with the other problems facing us: horrendous budget deficits, economic development and jobs, unfunded pensions, healthcare needs, etc.
While there are many good proposals for reform pending—and I support most of them—there is one that is the rock-bottom essential first step, without which the goal of “reform” will not be taken seriously. And that one is campaign finance reform: strict and strictly enforced modest limits on campaign contributions by individuals, business, unions, PACs and all other political committees. I genuinely believe that we cannot get back on track without regulating the amounts and sources of the money that goes into electing our representatives in government.
For this reason, as both a frequent candidate and a frequent contributor to other candidates, I urge you—I plead with you—to enact campaign limits consistent with those reflected in Representative Harry Osterman’s HB24. They are reasonable, they will work, they are fair to candidates and parties alike, and, yes, we can live with the “millionaire” and independent expenditures challenges. Most importantly, it will go a long way to restoring confidence in an institution which I cherish and which all of Illinois wants to respect.
Sincerely, and best wishes,
Dawn Dawn Clark Netsch
While limits are unquestionably needed, people need to understand two things.
First, limits in no way take money out of politics. I could just roll out the 'look at Washington' line, but on a more personal note, I would point out that under the federal guidelines (which are more stringent than those proposed for Illinois), I raised about $750,000 in just over 6 weeks during my Congressional bid earlier this year. And while there is no question that contribution limits inherently limit the influence of any specific individual or entity, having gone through what it takes to raise that kind of money, I will say that it's all but certain that candidates will spend more time raising money, not less.
Second, no amount of laws are going to get us back on track in and of themselves. The countless individuals who have gone to prison didn't go there for doing things that common decency tells us that they shouldn't have done...They went there for violating laws already on the books. My point is not that we shouldn't pass long-overdue reform measures, of course we should. That includes limits, faster disclosure, and other related items.
Rather, my point is that we need to manage people's expectations so that they recognize that while good people won't do bad things even in the absence of laws, even the best of laws won't stop bad people from doing bad things.
Just because my blogging has been, um, sporadic of late, doesn't mean that other elected officials don't have something to say. To that end, join me in welcoming Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila to the blogosphere. It's hard to imagine a MWRD commissioner more passionate about their job as is Frank.
Plus, along with Debra Shore, Commissioner Avila is at the forefront of recognizing the impact that his job can have on the environment. Hell, the guy is so green even his blog is green.
Speaking of which, here's the link to his blog. Go check it out.
While I have my share of criticisms about much of the recent output of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board (which I'll discuss at a later date), I want to give credit where credit is due. They put out a cogent and thoughtful editorial in support of HB2234, Rep. Harris' bill which would legalize civil unions in Illinois.
In so doing, they recognize the fact that much, but certainly not all, of the tensions over this bill are rooted more in semantics then they are in substance:
Unnoticed in the uproar is that most Americans favor extending the benefits and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples -- just as long as it goes by a different name. Call it marriage, and most people bridle. Call it a civil union, and some 55 percent of citizens are in favor.
While Rep. Harris and other advocates of the bill have put in countless hours trying to explain to our colleagues what the bill is, and isn't, about, there are obviously many of them who are nevertheless opposed to the proposal, often times citing moral or religious reasons. It's to this mindset that the Tribune does, IMHO, a great job of setting the record straight.
If it's enacted, gay couples will gain the right to do things that heterosexuals take for granted: make emergency medical decisions and funeral arrangements for a partner, visit each other in the hospital and share a nursing home room. More important, perhaps, it will protect kids by placing same-sex couples that split up under the same rules that govern divorce, while assuring access to survivor benefits when a de facto parent dies.
By this compromise, the state would promote long-term commitments and the well-being of children. But it would avoid the intense emotions that surge around anything altering the traditional definition of marriage, which for many people has deep religious meaning. Harris' bill stipulates that no religious entity may be forced to bless such unions.
Nothing in HB2234 requires anybody to approve of homosexual couples if they choose not to. Rightfully, nothing in the bill imposes any requirements or restrictions upon any religious institutions or entities. Rather, in a modern-day version of the civil rights struggles of the 60's, the bill simply extends equal legal rights to a class of people that some people would prefer didn't have those rights. The bill should be passed. Now.
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
