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* Center Square…
State Sen. Darren Bailey, who’s running against incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, said he’ll use reduced state spending to pay down pensions.
“We’ll find the fat in the budget and we’ll begin to apply that to get this pension situation under control, but first and foremost, I will be sitting at the table with pensioners,” Bailey, R-Xenia, told The Center Square. “I fear that the pension debt may be that large looming problem that will sneak up on Illinois if we continue to ignore it as J.B. Pritzker has.”
Um. OK.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:13 pm
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Yowza. I need two hands to count the number of misstatements of fact.
Comment by Vote Quimby Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:17 pm
Wow. Just wow. He is truly not bright.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:19 pm
lol, this is an almost perfect 180 from the Republican position as of 5 years ago, when paying pensions was crowding out all other spending.
But it’s also all nonsense. State government has been cut to the bone over the last several decades. It’s well below the capacity needed to provide the services that the people demand. Maybe, if you squint, you can just barely make out JB trying to expand its capacity? But there’s almost nothing left to cut. And frankly, JB has, albeit quietly, made big steps on the pension debt.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:19 pm
First of all Pritzker hasn’t been ignoring the problem. He’s been paying more than is required. Second, what is he going to sit down with the pensioners for? To let them know he’s going to pay for pensions? Third, there’s always someone saying that they are going to reduce state spending and they never say what exactly they think they can cut. It’s always the generic waste, or in this case the “fat.” Last guy who said he was going to cut the budget decided to just not pay our bills.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:22 pm
===The Center Square===
Welp, I know I learned a great deal today about that “Center. Square. Thingy.”
===“…if we continue to ignore it as J.B. Pritzker has.”===
The bond markets disagree.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:22 pm
Darren Bailey’s comments…empty words from an empty head.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:23 pm
Maybe he’ll get rid of the state air fleet…
/s
Comment by DHS Drone Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:25 pm
Who the heck would actually run a Bailey Administration? Obviously he isn’t going to be up to the job himself. By this time we had pretty good ideas of who Pritzker and Rauner would listen to, but outside of a profile of Bailey’s campaign manager, I have no idea who would be around him.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:26 pm
Today is a bit unseasonably warm. Is beetle talking again?
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:26 pm
In the very unlikely event that Bailey were to win, magic beans would be back.
Can’t say I’ve missed them.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:28 pm
Like the hearing Rauner’s directors went to and couldn’t name a thing they would cut.
I’ve sat through enough COGFA closure hearings to know the GOP lack one ounce of courage when it comes to actually voting to close or cut.
Big talkers, no courage to follow up their talking points.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:28 pm
==Wow. Just wow. He is truly not bright.==
==Darren Bailey’s comments…empty words from an empty head.==
Alternate explanation: Bailey assumes the voters are uninformed and no one will check his answers.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:28 pm
Maybe he can sell the Thompson Center again.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:29 pm
The problem is not being ignored at all but only some much can be done at once. Finding fat in the budget is going to be hard.
Comment by clec dcn Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:29 pm
Dear Arsenal, sorry to learn you are understaffed and do not have necessary equipment and feel cut to the bone. I have a suggestion to your problem; transfer to a federally funded agency. There are no broken chairs in the conference room and the computers are less than four years old. Plus, you don’t even need to bring toilet paper from home. That stuff in the Stratton building is rough. Also all tavern buddies of the Bureau Chief get pension spiking overtime because, …”we have always done it that way.”
Comment by Joshua P. Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:30 pm
His math ain’t good, but he’s got a big heart.
Comment by Accountant from Xenia Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:31 pm
It’s really difficult stomach how facts no longer mattered.
Comment by very sad Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:31 pm
When a court had to step in to find what absolutely must be paid when there is no budget… it was found that higher ed and social services were the only places cuts could be found.
See, the GOP GA votes no to hurt Illinois’ most needy and vulnerable, they didn’t realize where cuts actually existed.
Bailey is both disingenuous and ill-informed…both purposely too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:32 pm
=== I will be sitting at the table with pensioners,” Bailey ===
I’m free tomorrow night and all day Friday. Make it quick, my decision on recommending you to family has a time limit.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:35 pm
-I fear that the pension debt may be that large looming problem-
Welcome to 30 years ago? 40?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:36 pm
=== will sneak up ===
LOL. Your definition of “sneak up” is far different from mine.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:38 pm
I wish JB would ignore me like he’s ignored pensions. I.e., by throwing hundreds of millions of extra dollars my way.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:41 pm
=Finding fat in the budget is going to be hard.=
Particularly when your copy is riddled with bullet holes.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:48 pm
Before he sits down with the pensioners, he might want his lawyers to explain some recent Illinois State Supreme Court decisions to him. He also might want to understand that the pensioners benefits cannot be negotiated away by ‘some group of pensioners’. Why doesn’t he already know this? We really need RNUG to talk to him.
Comment by thoughts matter Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:53 pm
==Dear Arsenal, sorry to learn you are understaffed and do not have necessary equipment and feel cut to the bone.==
I appreciate your concern, though it’s based off of several incorrect assumptions about my professional life and I’m a little confused as to why you’re writing fanfic about me.
Although I won’t confirm or deny where I work, I’ll just say that I don’t think I suffer undue hardships there. What I will say is that as a citizen of Illinois, I don’t believe that my share of state services is efficiently and effectively delivered to me, and I don’t believe that I’m alone in that.
You understand, then, that your recommendation of moving to the federal system (as if they’d have me) does not really address my concerns or my reaction to Bailey’s gobbledygook.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:54 pm
===I will be sitting at the table with pensioners===
I look forward to it, but I don’t think you’ll like what I tell you. And what your lawyers tell you.
Comment by Simple Simon Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:56 pm
Dear Arsenal, I did not mean look for work with the federal government. Transfer to a State agency that is funded by the federal government. We have plenty of everything. The feds pay for everything.
Comment by Joshua P. Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:01 pm
Friends, we just need zero based budgeting and the debt snowball to pay down our debts. I have selected Dave Ramsey as Director of Faith and Finance and god willing we will get er done /s
Comment by Kayak Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:04 pm
Meanwhile, the “pension for the rest of us,” Social Security (and Medicare), is on the chopping block again for Republicans in DC.
I honestly don’t know why anyone votes for these people.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:08 pm
“Social Security (and Medicare), is on the chopping block again for Republicans in DC”
FactCheck.org Headline…
Democrats Misleadingly Claim ‘Republicans’ Plan’ Would ‘End’ Social Security, Medicare
https://www.factcheck.org/2022/04/democrats-misleadingly-claim-republicans-plan-would-end-social-security-medicare/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:14 pm
If ‘the pension debt may be that large looming problem that will sneak up on Illinois’ what has Bailey done to address it as a State Rep and Sen in the last four years? Does he or his staff not read any of the committee info that comes through his office?
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:20 pm
I remember that guy from a few different places over the years.
Comment by XonXoff Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:23 pm
- Donnie Elgin -
You are in the verge of being as bad as - Lucky Pierre -
Friend, that was in April.
It’s November. Either you’re willfully ignorant or blissfully unaware.
I’ll catch you up.
“Republicans, Eyeing Majority, Float Changes to Social Security and Medicare”
NYT… link… 11/02/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/us/politics/republicans-social-security-medicare.html
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:26 pm
==Dear Arsenal, I did not mean look for work with the federal government. Transfer to a State agency that is funded by the federal government. We have plenty of everything. The feds pay for everything.==
That’s nice. I’m really very sincerely glad it’s going well for you. But it doesn’t address my concern that citizens of Illinois don’t receive state services efficiently or effectively.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:29 pm
==Claim ‘Republicans’ Plan’ Would ‘End’ Social Security, Medicare==
Senator Scott’s “blueprint” would indeed “end” them. He wants to sunset them after 5 years and force a vote on continuing them.
And Republicans have been chomping at the bit to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for years.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:31 pm
Donnie, I’m sorry you got taken in by Republican rhetoric, but fear-mongering about Social Security and Medicare going bankrupt is indeed an attempt to cut those programs. The tell is, as that article even says, the Republicans aren’t saying what they’ll do about it. For some reason, that article- and by extension, you- just want us to assume that even though they’ve tried to cut those programs my entire adult life, their solution THIS time will be different because…well, a couple of them say so, I guess? What is that, “trust, and no need to verify”?
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:32 pm
“Changes to Social Security and Medicare”
Do nothing and the programs are doomed - take a look at the 2022 Summary Actuarial report
“The projected reserve depletion date for the combined OASDI trust funds is 2035… the OASI Trust Fund can pay full benefits until 2034″
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/trust-funds-summary.html
So yep I agree with that NYT headline. Changes are needed.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:35 pm
“we’ll begin to apply that to get this pension situation under control”
Bailey’s folks need to brief him on tier II that plus time will go a long way toward fixing the problem.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:46 pm
Sun-setting Social Security and Medicare would hand the GOP a huge weapon. They currently use the debt ceiling vote to threaten the economy unless they get their way. Imagine how they’d hold Social Security and Medicare hostage every five years.
No thanks.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:52 pm
===So yep I agree with that NYT headline. Changes are needed.===
Go take a nap, come back tomorrow.
You just said that no changes are being made, now you feel the changes are needed?
This is - Lucky Pierre - type of waffling to wanted wins.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:52 pm
==Do nothing and the programs are doomed - take a look at the 2022 Summary Actuarial report==
Again, this is what I’ve heard my entire adult life. “We have to cut social security benefits now, or we might have to…cut them later.”
Tell ya what, show me where Rick Scott or Mitch McConnell or whoever support lifting the income tax limit for Social Security. If they don’t support that, then anytime they say “changes” they mean “cuts”. Lie as many times as you need to, but they mean “cuts”.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:03 pm
As you all know I am no fan of JB. But Bailey’s comments here expose him for being an idiot. Pritzker has made all of the required payments. He did mistakenly relax some rules imposed by Quinn to reduce some future pension liabilities which was ill advised and demonstrated an unwillingness to stand up against the public sector union lobbying. Bailey is the worst statewide candidate I can remember. He deserves to be crushed on Tuesday. Then again JB got him nominated so it shows the problem of billionaires with too much money to spend but also that JB could spot a loser when he saw one
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:24 pm
As a pensioner I will be more than happy to sit with Governor Beetle as long as he buys lunch and serves something besides Mt. Dew./s
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:26 pm
==Then again JB got him nominated===
… by telling the GOP who Bailey is and Bailey won a 6-way primary with 56+% of the vote… aided by racist thinkers, insurrection apologists and conspiracy theorists… all base ILGOP voters.
Try again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:31 pm
Republicans want to cut Social Security and Medicare. This is not news. Kevin McCarthy said so himself. He didn’t say he wanted to use the debt ceiling to force fixes in entitlements, but to force cuts. Please stop trying to gaslight America and especially here. This is not FB. We are not that dumb.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:38 pm
Republican voters like their Social Security just as much as anyone else so I don’t know to whom GOP leadership is attempting to pander.
Comment by Big Dipper Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:44 pm
===attempting to pander===
Big money donors… always.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:49 pm
if you keep repeating lies, and keep repeating dumb things, people start to think they are true. Bailey is Farmer Trump.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 5:54 pm
At that sitdown, the pensioners will be represented by Richard Roundtree, who will say “Xenia, you ain’t gonna do (banned word).”
Comment by Barnaby Wilde Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 6:24 pm
I’m what is wrong with the pension system.
When I retired the actuaries predicted I would get eighteen checks.
I will have completed 32 years in January.
Comment by Big Fot Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 7:23 pm
He forgot to mention that when he sits down at the table he’ll roll up his sleeves.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 7:30 pm
Darren - Bruce can tell you about an agency where there are no computers (darn you AF-Scammy!). That’ll be a good place to start. /s
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:11 pm
easy to say when you are part of the “No” caucus
Comment by One to the Dome Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:17 pm
b=Boy oh boy. Bailey is dumb. But it should be noted that buried in the end of Center Square story is the libertarian candidate Scott Schluter talking about why he “thinks” pension plans “went away”. Apparently Schluter “thinks” they were “not great plans”. I guess he never heard of the Revenue Act of 1978. But Bailey is still the dumbest.
Comment by SouthSideGT Thursday, Nov 3, 22 @ 7:06 am