Weekly Review

Yesterday, Senate President Emil Jones announced he will retire from the Senate when his term expires in November. In an interview with Crain's Chicago Business Jones said he, "has wanted to retire for a long time but friends and allies have restrained him. "My mind is already settled on doing it, there's never a right time."

Jones also told Crain's, "he would like his son, Emil Jones III, to succeed him in Springfield. "That would be nice," he said. But he declined to elaborate, saying only that, "more than likely," he would resign his position and be replaced on the November ballot by his son.

The State Journal Register reported yesterday that several Senators were lining up to replace Jones as Senate President. The newspaper reports that "Democratic Sens. Rickey Hendon of Chicago, Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston and Terry Link of Waukegan all said Monday they want to take over Jones' leadership spot once he leaves. Others mentioned as possible contenders include Sens. John Cullerton of Chicago, James Clayborne of Belleville and Don Harmon of Oak Park."

No Action During Last Week's Special Session
Last Tuesday the Governor called a special session "to consider measures aimed at increasing school funding, improving the school funding structure and eliminating any current inequities." Nothing occurred during the session.

Wednesday another special session to consider a "capital infrastructure plan, along with any other measures necessary to provide for the capital infrastructure needs of the State of Illinois" was held. The capital plan proposed by the Governor is a $25 billion program (scaled back from an original $34 billion) to be funded through a partial lease of the Illinois State Lottery, Road Funds and gasoline sales tax revenues. (Currently gasoline sales tax revenues go toward the State's General Fund. That means any gasoline sales taxes diverted from the GF to a capital program would require more GF budget cuts).

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability testified against leasing the Illinois State Lottery due to concerns over lost revenues for education. Lottery revenues for schools usually increase each year. Any proposal that sets up a flat funding mechanism to replace those revenues would mean a funding decrease after accounting for inflation. Further, sale or lease of a long term revenue generating asset to cover ongoing operational expenses is questionable fiscal policy. Once the asset is sold or leased and the money spent the state loses all or most of the ongoing revenue, putting pressure on other revenue sources to cover the lost revenue.

House Passes Small Capital Bill
Last week action did occur in the House. Members passed a slimmed down version of a capital program. The $1.8 billion plan would be financed through $360 million in state funding that would trigger a federal match and be used for roads, bridges and rail. The Senate is scheduled to convene today at 2pm and could possibly take up the legislation. The two bills are SB 1116 and SB 1460.

Legislators Vote Down Pay Raise
Last week the Senate joined the House in voting down their pay raise. HJR 132 rejects the raise. The resolution can be accessed here.

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