Who runs Illinois? The members of the Civic Committe and Ty Fahner?
May 31, 2011
Bully-boy head of the Civic Committee, Ty Fahner.
The shocking inclusion of bully-boy Ty Fahner’s name on the pension surrender (for now) statement from GOP House Leader Tom Cross and Democratic Speaker Mike Madigan raises tons of questions about the corporate Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and their role in state decision making.
This from the State Journal Register in Springfield:
Claims of strong-arm political tactics, numerous legislators with state facilities and public employees in their districts, and concerns about fairness sunk a bill that would have increased the amount current public employees would have to pay for their pensions.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego issued a statement Monday with Ty Fahner, the president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, saying the issue is dead until the legislature’s fall veto session. They plan to hold meetings this summer to look for solutions to the state’s $86 billion in pension obligations.
Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, a member of the House Republican leadership, said some GOP members were told by leaders in the Civic Committee, a group of chief executives from Chicago’s largest corporations, that they would face primary challenges for re-election, if they didn’t vote for the bill.
“Hopefully they learned something from this, that if you do want help implement change, top down may not be the best model,” Watson said. “Calling caucus members and threatening them — that doesn’t play well. Yes, they may have lots of money, but some of these members down here who just won have good relationships with people. They know what they need to do to service their districts.”
An email to a Civic Committee public relations representative seeking comment was not returned late Monday.
Most folks didn’t realize that the Capitol had been moved from Springfield to 21 S. Clark Street in Chicago, the home of the Civic Committee.
Advertisement
4 Comments
leave one →
I bet he’s collecting a state pension also.
The publication of the Civic Committee’s power in Springfield is critical. Surely they will not stop at the pension issue and will have their hands on other state issues in no time. Why is there no equal representation from TRS at the table?
I do not recall ever voting for members of the Civic Committee to have any say in state issues.
Joan,
If you’re on Facebook, join the Orange Sweater Caucus for pension justice. No IEA at the table if members are on the menu.