 “We’ve had various ideas on the table (and) we’ve been very close to a
resolution for about five weeks. I believe a resolution is now about done,” he
said.
But then Rauner chuckled and added, “Of course, I’ve believed that for a little
while now.”
The governor did not directly answer a questions about a proposed 2.25 percent
across-the-board budget cut reportedly floated by House Democrats, but he didn’t
discount the idea, either.
“I’m hopeful that in the coming few days we’ll have a bill introduced and it’s
one based on recent discussion that I’ll be supporting,” Rauner said.
Rikeesha Phelon, spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, when
asked for comment responded, “I’ve had to respond to the ‘days away’ remark for
30 days.”
Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said, “The
speaker continues to believe a settlement is days away.”
Asked whether an across-the-board cut might apply to school funding, the
governor deferred to legislative leadership.
“I don’t want to get out in front of the General Assembly, the leaders, on what
will be in or out of that particular reallocation of budget money,” Rauner said.
“I’ll leave that (for) the right announcement.”
Earlier, the governor told an audience of Illinois Chamber of Commerce members
the process “is sausage being made. It’s not real pretty. But it will be tasty
when it’s done, I believe.”
Workers comp
The governor gave a version of his well-traveled remarks in support of his
“Turnaround Illinois” agenda to a largely receptive audience of Chamber members
Wednesday morning.
The governor asked for his audience’s help, as he usually does, but on Wednesday
he focused on workers compensation reform.
[to top of second column] |
 Rauner said it’s one aspect he needs help with if he’s to make
Illinois more of a competitor for jobs.
Rauner says his political opponents and the media misstate or
understate the size of workers compensation costs in Illinois.
Rauner and other critics of the workers compensation system in
Illinois say the state’s premiums are out of line compared with the
rest of the nation and make it hard for businesses to compete.
Among other changes, they want codified standards for causation. In
other words, claims for injury or aggravation of injury must be
directly tied to employment.
Illinois doesn’t have to have the lowest cost, the governor said.
“We can even be above the average on the cost, but we can’t be one
of the top, the most expensive and that’s where we are today,”
Rauner said.
Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the chamber, said he understood
the governor’s call for help from business leaders and he thinks
chamber members will pitch in.
“Consistently, the governor stresses workers compensation in front
of employers and I think that’s a strong statement.”
“I think there’s widespread support in the employers’ community,”
Maisch added. “The cost is tremendous and it (workers comp reform)
has to be on the table.”
[This
article courtesy of
Watchdog.]
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