THE DEM OR THE FRIEND Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel defused some of the drama of the 2014 gubernatorial election this week when he told Crain's Chicago Business that he will back Gov. Pat Quinn over his close friend and potential Republican opponent Bruce Rauner. It was Rauner, of course, who brought Emanuel into the investment banking world that made the future mayor a wealthy man, and Rauner has been a big presence in Emanuel's advisory circle as mayor. But Republican candidate Kirk Dillard says Emanuel's support of Quinn is less than sincere and, ultimately, will help Rauner in the primary. Find out how in my blog post today.
PENSION SQUEEZE Senate President John Cullerton's remarks in a radio interview that Illinois state government's pension situation shouldn't be considered a crisis made lots of news this week from those who disagree. (Count me among them, and I explain why here.) The numbers tell it all, especially the numbers that show the ever-increasing percentage of state revenue that goes into the pension systems (which still are destined for insolvency under the current setup). Take a look at this infographic and watch pension payments go from consuming less than 4 percent of state revenue in 1996 to more than 24 percent today. A state that spends near a quarter of every dollar it brings in on pensions has a crisis on its hands. And it gets worse. See it here.
PENSION JOCKEYS Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis has created a terrific body of work on the state pension crisis. This week the General Assembly gathered for the first week of its fall veto session and did nothing on pensions. They'll try again, maybe, in November. This cartoon from last spring is just as timely today. Is there a finish line in this race? Is there a starting gate?
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DEATH, TAXES, GASOLINE There are few things more futile than complaining about the price of gasoline, but there also are fewer things more fun to complain about. In Illinois, Chicago and Danville are separated by 140 miles and 70 cents per gallon. Local taxes can have a big influence on what you pay at the pump. See how your town stacks up in today's chart.
WHITE HOUSE DOESN'T "LIKE" DURBIN POST, CONTINUED The dust-up over Sen. Dick Durbin's Facebook post alleging an unnamed Republican congressman (possibly Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas) is getting ever more dusty. Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass has no sympathy for Durbine. "Sen. Bullhead," Kass writes, "not only baited his own hook, he swallowed it whole." We've got a running tally of updates on this one here.
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4. Opinion: It’s understandable why an alderman would propose a bicycle tax for Chicago, but it’s not a good idea. (Chicago Sun-Times)
3. Despite no vote coming up on pensions or same-sex marriage, Gov. Quinn felt the veto session was productive for discussions. (Associated Press)
2. Opinion: Gov. Quinn has a better grasp on the severity of the pension crisis than John Cullerton does, but Quinn’s good intentions might have an adverse effect on keeping Archer Daniels Midland in Illinois. (The Southern Illinoisan)
1. Kirk Dillard says by endorsing Pat Quinn for governor, Rahm Emanuel is actually helping his friend, Bruce Rauner. (Chicago Sun-Times)
