Quinn's extortion not working

EXTORTION VS. NEGOTIATION How well does extortion work as a bargaining strategy in your house? It doesn't work any better in government, though Pat Quinn keeps trying to win pension reform through hostage-taking. First casinos, then lawmaker salaries, now tax break negotiations with Archer Daniels Midland. Still no pension progress. "That’s the thing about extortion," writes Reboot's Madeleine Doubek. "It rarely works well and it rarely occurs without lasting, unintended consequences." Well, sometimes it works in Illinois for corporations seeking tax breaks. Doubek has a nice history of this phenomenon in a blog post today.

PRESSURE Holding gambling bills, legislative salaries and business negotiations for a ransom of pension reform may not work, but we think a steady message to your lawmakers, Quinn and the four legislative leaders will help keep them focused on fixing the greatest threat to the state's finances. We've made it easy to send that message (and find your representative and senator if you don't know who they are) with our Sound Off tool. In just a few clicks you can help keep the pressure on for pension reform. Use a pre-written message or write your own. It's easy and effective. If you haven't tried it, click here.

OUTRAGE OF THE DAY Cook County judges make $182,429 a year. They pay $1 a month for their health insurance. Need we say more? Well, yes, because this nearly free ride may be on the verge of ending thanks to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. That's good news. Find out the history of this expensive perk here. You need to read it to believe it. (There's more on this story in the headline summary below.)

TRENDING UPWARD, UNFORTUNATELY Today's infographic shows Illinois on the verge of becoming the nation's leader in the tax burden it places on its citizens. Tax burden isn't computed just on taxes you pay today. It's also based on debt state government has accumulated. Check out our graphic, made in partnership with Truth In Accounting, to see how you carry a personal tax burden of more than $42,0000 and will carry a lot more if the current trend continues.

WE NEED JOBS Illinois has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation at 9.2 percent. This is not going to improve until the state fosters a climate that is more friendly to business. One way to do that is to lessen the workers compensation insurance burden Illinois places on businesses. We have the highest rates in the region and among the highest in the nation. This is a major inhibitor to Illinois businesses trying to grow and it discourages outside businesses from coming to Illinois. Tell your representatives in Springfield to do something about this. Click here and use Sound Off to send your message.

EXPLOSIVE COMBINATION Who would have imagined that health insurance, public transit and technology would become a lethal combination? Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis, that's who. With apologies to non-users of the Chicago Transit Authority who may not fully get the joke, we think everyone can appreciate this one. Click to see the whole thing.

TODAY'S HEADLINES Here's what's making news in Illinois today:

• 5. Before they reconvene for the veto session later this month, some Illinois lawmakers are traveling abroad. (Pantagraph)
  4. Many Cook County criminal court judges are shrugging off Toni Preckwinkle’s plan to end their nearly free health insurance. (Chicago Sun-Times)
  3. Michael Madigan and John Cullerton want the Supreme Court to reject Gov. Quinn’s appeal in the lawsuit over the suspension of lawmakers’ pay. (Associated Press)
  2. Bruce Rauner won’t take a position on whether tax breaks for Archer Daniels Midland should be approved. (Chicago Tribune)
  1. An analysis by Reuters explains why pension reform in Illinois might still be far away. (Chicago Tribune)