RAUNER: Took a political hit |
The
Illinois House pushed forward a bill that allegedly details the specifics that
Rauner wants in a new law that would undermine the concept of organized labor
and unions in this state.
OF
COURSE, MADIGAN’S bill wasn’t put together by Rauner’s people. His staff had
nothing to do with it.
The
whole purpose of Thursday was a political stunt so that the Democratic majority
that runs the Illinois House (and the state Senate too) could vote “no” in such
an overwhelming manner that they could say the idea was dead.
This
was a political hit, similar to the scene in “The Godfather” where Clemenza
killed Paulie Gatto in the car. The only thing we don’t know is if the Madigan “hit
job” involved ditching the murder weapon, but making sure to take the canoli.
So
yes, Illinois House Minority Leader James Durkin, R-Western Springs, wasn’t
totally out-of-line when he ranted Thursday that the vote – which was 0-72,
with 37 other legislators voting “present” (and seven other legislators
conveniently being absent from the House chambers when the vote was called) –
was pointless.
“WHAT’S
HAPPENING TODAY... is really a disservice to this body, to this chamber and to
this building,” Durkin said.
But
excuse me for not being terribly sympathetic toward the Grand Ol’ Party, which
I know is really only upset that they can’t use the exact same tactics on
Democrats.
MADIGAN: Following Pate's lead? |
It
was an issue in which there was an attempt at negotiation, of sorts. Then-Gov.
Jim Edgar and then-Mayor Richard M. Daley had reached a compromise and had
publicly announced their deal – which Daley was to then persuade Democrats to
support while Edgar would do the same for Republicans.
THE REASON THIS issue sticks in my mind some two decades later is the fact that then-Senate President James “Pate” Philip was offended that HIS staff was not included in the negotiations.
PHILIP: His memory lingers |
He
didn’t like the idea of being told what to do, not even by a governor of his
own political persuasion who was supposed to be his ally.
So
the very next day, before any talks to try to persuade legislators to back the
governor/mayoral deal could take place, Philip had his staff put together a
bill supposedly based on the ideals of the issue.
Then,
Republicans in the Senate voted unanimously against it. All of the Democrats
voted “present.” Officially, Philip said that the vote was legitimate because
it showed “nobody wants this.” As I recall, a watered-down version of the issue
eventually did get passage, although bitter feelings never truly withered away.
COULD
THIS LATEST action have a similar effect – in that it makes it appear that the
incumbent governor is weak and capable of being pushed around by a united front
on the part of legislative Democrats?
Too many similarities to politics |
It
would be an equal response to the tough talk that Rauner has engaged in
whenever issues of organized labor come up.
Although
if it were to wind up that both sides of labor/business disputes were to wind
up realizing the need for compromise and to back off the cheap trash talk when
trying to resolve the issue, then perhaps something good will have come from
Thursday’s politicking.
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