Leadership still MIA in Springfield

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By The Times Editorial Board | Thursday, July 17, 2008 |

Instead of governing, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues bluffing and feinting, tossing gauntlet after gauntlet to bait his warring Democrat legislative leaders into ... something. We’re not sure what. The governor has offered a succession of conflicting ideas — we can’t call them plans. Broaden the corporate income tax. Expand gambling. Close prisons. Open prisons. The latest scheme is an odd array of $1.4 billion in budget cuts which will devastate some valued services and extend Illinois’ shameful tradition of paying bills late.

The openly hostile Democrats leading the legislature — Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan — seem to hold private agendas that preclude honest debate.

In this absence of leadership, Illinois taxpayers are left to fear the worst. Black Hawk State Historic Site advocate Janet Moline says the governor’s proposed budget cuts will effectively close the site. She is careful to say the site will be accessible to the public. But the staffing, maintenance and security would be mostly eliminated, leaving the impression this Rock Island historic treasure would be closed.

In a letter on this page, Bethany for Children & Families President Bill Steinhauser laments proposed cuts in the state’s foster care program. He sees the governor, “balancing Illinois’ budget on the back of the state’s most vulnerable citizens — children in foster care.”

They’re not alone. The governor’s budget cuts target all kinds of vulnerable citizens.

-- $18 million cut from college-tuition assistance for low-income students;

-- $52 million cut from services to people just released from prison.

-- $21 million cut from programs that encourage independent living for those with developmental disabilities.

-- And the kicker: The governor has cut $37 million from the same local public transportation providers he ordered earlier this year to offer free rides to senior citizens.

Illinois’ deep, deep, deep budget hole needs a combination of careful cuts and prudent revenue increases. That requires collaborative leadership, not a succession of ultimatums.

By tossing another gauntlet down at lawmakers, Blagojevich effectively vetoes collaboration while he attempts to balance Illinois’ budget, “on the back of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

About that raise

Among the hidden agendas fueling the demise of Illinois’ Democrat-led government are the inexcusable pay raises for state office holders. Illinois law allows indexed pay raises for elected state office holders every two years unless the House and Senate vote them down.

The House did its job. But the pay raises will still go through unless the Senate votes no. That’s one reason observers suspect Senate President Emil Jones has declined to reconvene the Senate. Jones enthusiastically supports the raises. But it is likely a state senator not beholden to him (any Republican, for example) would call for a vote on the raises. That vote would provide legitimate campaign fodder against any senator foolish enough to hike his or her own salary while everyone else in Illinois faces severe cuts.

Some observers suspect Jones will wait until after the November election to convene the Senate and face a possible vote on the 7.5 percent hike boosting annual pay to $72,985.

Legislative salaries, like all salaries, have to be earned. We’ve seen little evidence lawmakers have earned the $67,836, each is supposed to be paid right now.