As you know IAR(Illinois Association of REALTORS) has been working hard the last several months in opposition to the real estate tax increase which has been part of the proposed bailout for mass transit. Both the House and Senate approved a long-term mass transit funding bill today. The Governor has vowed to support the bill while using his amendatory veto authority to make sure senior citizens can use public transportation for free.
The bill increases sales and real estate taxes in the Chicago area by more than $500 million for the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes CTA and the suburban PACE bus system.
Here are some links with more information.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-legis_11_webjan11,1,1176332.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/735936,ctaupdate011008.article
http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/01/10/this-just-in-95/
Thursday, January 10, 2008
railway plan met with protests
From the Daily Herald
The protest signs were indication enough that Barrington-area residents aren't welcoming the prospect of more freight trains with open arms.
Hundreds jammed the Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington this afternoon to comment on the Canadian National Railway's plans to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern railroad.
CN's planned $300 million acquisition of the EJ&E, which runs from Wauconda to Gary, Ind., through Lake, Cook, DuPage and Will counties, still needs approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. Wednesday, federal regulators held the second of seven forums to hear community reaction to the plan.
CN intends to move freight trains from some of its more congested lines to the EJ&E. Overall, the changes mean 34 towns will see more freights and 80 will see fewer.
In Barrington, where 15 more trains a day could rumble through town, "there's no positives to this whole thing," said Deer Park resident Priscilla Roder, who left the meeting with a lawn sign protesting the move.
Good Shepherd Hospital physicians added their concerns, saying that more freights at crossings could delay ambulances and cost valuable time in the crucial "golden hour" right after someone falls ill or is injured.
"Every minute that someone's heart isn't beating reduces their ability to survive 10 percent," said physician Joseph Giangrasso, medical director for the emergency department at the Lake Barrington hospital.
U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo also showed up at the forum to deliver a formal objection.
For McHenry County residents who rely on already congested roads such as Route 14 to reach their jobs, "the addition of freight trains will back up traffic even more," the Egan Republican said.
Trains using the EJ&E could be about 8,000 feet long and travel at speeds of about 40 mph, CN said. The average time it takes to get through a crossing is about five minutes.
The railroad maintains that the region will benefit as a whole by moving freights to the EJ&E, with traffic going down significantly in areas such as Chicago and Des Plaines.
"We're committed to addressing the impact as best we can. It's in our interests to come up with solutions," CN senior counsel Theodore Kalick said.
A second Barrington hearing on the changes was scheduled later the same day at the same location.
The EJ&E tracks also were intended to be a crucial part of the STAR Line, a proposed Metra rail service connecting Cook, DuPage and Will counties.
CN doesn't want STAR Line trains to piggyback on the EJ&E, although officials said Metra is welcome to build additional track alongside.
"That's a double whammy," Manzullo stated, adding new track costs are prohibitive.
The Surface Transportation Board will hold another hearing Jan. 17 in West Chicago.
The protest signs were indication enough that Barrington-area residents aren't welcoming the prospect of more freight trains with open arms.
Hundreds jammed the Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington this afternoon to comment on the Canadian National Railway's plans to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern railroad.
CN's planned $300 million acquisition of the EJ&E, which runs from Wauconda to Gary, Ind., through Lake, Cook, DuPage and Will counties, still needs approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. Wednesday, federal regulators held the second of seven forums to hear community reaction to the plan.
CN intends to move freight trains from some of its more congested lines to the EJ&E. Overall, the changes mean 34 towns will see more freights and 80 will see fewer.
In Barrington, where 15 more trains a day could rumble through town, "there's no positives to this whole thing," said Deer Park resident Priscilla Roder, who left the meeting with a lawn sign protesting the move.
Good Shepherd Hospital physicians added their concerns, saying that more freights at crossings could delay ambulances and cost valuable time in the crucial "golden hour" right after someone falls ill or is injured.
"Every minute that someone's heart isn't beating reduces their ability to survive 10 percent," said physician Joseph Giangrasso, medical director for the emergency department at the Lake Barrington hospital.
U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo also showed up at the forum to deliver a formal objection.
For McHenry County residents who rely on already congested roads such as Route 14 to reach their jobs, "the addition of freight trains will back up traffic even more," the Egan Republican said.
Trains using the EJ&E could be about 8,000 feet long and travel at speeds of about 40 mph, CN said. The average time it takes to get through a crossing is about five minutes.
The railroad maintains that the region will benefit as a whole by moving freights to the EJ&E, with traffic going down significantly in areas such as Chicago and Des Plaines.
"We're committed to addressing the impact as best we can. It's in our interests to come up with solutions," CN senior counsel Theodore Kalick said.
A second Barrington hearing on the changes was scheduled later the same day at the same location.
The EJ&E tracks also were intended to be a crucial part of the STAR Line, a proposed Metra rail service connecting Cook, DuPage and Will counties.
CN doesn't want STAR Line trains to piggyback on the EJ&E, although officials said Metra is welcome to build additional track alongside.
"That's a double whammy," Manzullo stated, adding new track costs are prohibitive.
The Surface Transportation Board will hold another hearing Jan. 17 in West Chicago.
Another Transit Deal Come Apart
From the Daily Herald
SPRINGFIELD - Doomsday for Chicago-area bus and train agencies drew another day closer after an apparent deal for a state bailout fell through Wednesday.
The Illinois Senate rejected a plan late Wednesday that would have raised suburban sales taxes and a Chicago real estate transfer tax to provide millions for the transit agencies. Earlier in the day, the House had approved a nearly identical plan.
The House also approved Wednesday taking the state's portion of the sales tax on gasoline in Chicago and the suburbs and sending it to the transit agencies. But that deal had little support in the Illinois Senate.
If a state bailout isn't approved by Jan. 20, transit officials said they'll raise fares, cut routes and layoff hundreds.
This issue has lingered in the General Assembly for months. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has both called for quick action but also threatened to veto the plan that relies on sales taxes.
Blagojevich had a video monitor erected outside his Capitol office, and throughout Wednesday it played taped testimonials from Chicago-area transit riders, urging lawmakers to act.
State Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bailout, said he believed Blagojevich would sign the sales tax plan if lawmakers could get it to his desk.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman begged to differ.
"Nothing about the governor's position has changed," said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.
Wednesday's rejection also deals a blow to DuPage and possibly other suburban counties. The transit bailout was based on a quarter percentage point sales tax increase, but the same plan would have given those counties the authority to approve their own quarter point sales tax increase to fund transportation or public safety issues.
That provision was inserted at the request of DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, whose county is facing its own financial crunch and has repeatedly, but so far unsuccessfully, turned to lawmakers for help.
"I thought at least the suburban Republicans would have support of it," said Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat.
He later blamed suburban Republicans for the plan's demise.
The odd turn of events Wednesday at the Capitol leaves the future of Chicago area's mass transit in uncertainty. Lawmakers could take up the issue again today when they reconvene, their final scheduled session day before the Jan. 20 doomsday.
SPRINGFIELD - Doomsday for Chicago-area bus and train agencies drew another day closer after an apparent deal for a state bailout fell through Wednesday.
The Illinois Senate rejected a plan late Wednesday that would have raised suburban sales taxes and a Chicago real estate transfer tax to provide millions for the transit agencies. Earlier in the day, the House had approved a nearly identical plan.
The House also approved Wednesday taking the state's portion of the sales tax on gasoline in Chicago and the suburbs and sending it to the transit agencies. But that deal had little support in the Illinois Senate.
If a state bailout isn't approved by Jan. 20, transit officials said they'll raise fares, cut routes and layoff hundreds.
This issue has lingered in the General Assembly for months. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has both called for quick action but also threatened to veto the plan that relies on sales taxes.
Blagojevich had a video monitor erected outside his Capitol office, and throughout Wednesday it played taped testimonials from Chicago-area transit riders, urging lawmakers to act.
State Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bailout, said he believed Blagojevich would sign the sales tax plan if lawmakers could get it to his desk.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman begged to differ.
"Nothing about the governor's position has changed," said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.
Wednesday's rejection also deals a blow to DuPage and possibly other suburban counties. The transit bailout was based on a quarter percentage point sales tax increase, but the same plan would have given those counties the authority to approve their own quarter point sales tax increase to fund transportation or public safety issues.
That provision was inserted at the request of DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, whose county is facing its own financial crunch and has repeatedly, but so far unsuccessfully, turned to lawmakers for help.
"I thought at least the suburban Republicans would have support of it," said Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat.
He later blamed suburban Republicans for the plan's demise.
The odd turn of events Wednesday at the Capitol leaves the future of Chicago area's mass transit in uncertainty. Lawmakers could take up the issue again today when they reconvene, their final scheduled session day before the Jan. 20 doomsday.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Springfield Update
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”
~Benjamin Franklin
Quorum Call is distributed Fridays when the Illinois General Assembly is in session. For more information, contact Greg St. Aubin, Director of IAR Governmental Affairs, gstaubin@iar.org, or Julie Sullivan, Assistant Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, jsullivan@iar.org. Full text of legislation cited in this newsletter can be found at www.ilga.gov.
- The Governor began 2008 by issuing, as he had threatened to do, his 19th Special Session proclamation, calling the legislature into session on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. He charged the General Assembly with passing legislation to resolve the CTA/RTA crisis.
- The day’s activities began with a well-attended hearing of the House Mass Transit Committee. Chairwoman Julie Hamos (D-18, Evanston) had the “subject matter” hearing specifically to discuss possible funding sources that would fill the state “budget hole” that would be created by Senate Bill 307, an alternative to the sales tax/transfer tax mass transit plan (SB 572, which we strongly oppose). Senate Bill 307, as you’ll recall, has many of the same substantive elements as SB 572, but does NOT contain a sales tax or transfer tax increase, but instead proposes to divert the proceeds from the sales tax on gasoline sold in Cook and the “collar counties” toward the mass transit plan.
The Mass Transit Committee heard from several witnesses regarding three possible revenue sources to fill the estimated $385 million budget hole that would be created by the SB 307. Two senior advisors from the Governor’s office briefed the committee on potential revenues and issues relating to fund transfer as one revenue option, and closing business tax “loopholes” as another. Kathy Drea from the American Lung Association briefed the members on issues relating to a proposed 90-cent per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax as a possible option.
Members of the committee expressed varying views and requested more information on several aspects of these proposals, and some members also discussed the importance of including fare increases as part of the funding package.
Rep. Hamos indicated her belief that a real estate transfer tax could and should still be a part of the final package, even in an alternative plan along the lines of Senate Bill 307! Rep. Hamos plans to have a proposal ready to vote on by Wednesday, January 9th, when the General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield in regular session.
- When both chambers convened later in the afternoon on January 2nd, 70 of 118 House members were in attendance, and just 14 of 59 Senate members answered the roll call. Additionally, only one of the four legislative leaders was in town. Both chambers gaveled the 19th Special Session to a close a few minutes after convening, and did not act on any substantive legislation.
- Please be prepared to act once again to contact your legislator, as we expect that a mass transit package may well be voted on next week, as mentioned above. Watch for a Call to Action, or check www.iaractioncenter.org. YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED AND KEY TO OUR SUCCESS THUS FAR!
- The last day to register to vote in the primary if you are not already registered is JANUARY 8th. You will need two forms of identification with one showing your current address. You do not have to re-register unless you moved or changed your name. Go to State Board of Elections for more information.
For more information, contact Greg St. Aubin, Director of IAR Governmental Affairs, gstaubin@iar.org, or Julie Sullivan, Assistant Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, jsullivan@iar.org.
Contact information for members of the House and Senate, notice of committee hearings, text of legislation and roll call votes are all available on the Illinois General Assembly’s Web site, www.ilga.gov.
Illinois Association of REALTORS
522 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62701
PH 217/529-2600
FAX 217/529-3904
www.illinoisrealtor.org
~Benjamin Franklin
Quorum Call is distributed Fridays when the Illinois General Assembly is in session. For more information, contact Greg St. Aubin, Director of IAR Governmental Affairs, gstaubin@iar.org, or Julie Sullivan, Assistant Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, jsullivan@iar.org. Full text of legislation cited in this newsletter can be found at www.ilga.gov.
- The Governor began 2008 by issuing, as he had threatened to do, his 19th Special Session proclamation, calling the legislature into session on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. He charged the General Assembly with passing legislation to resolve the CTA/RTA crisis.
- The day’s activities began with a well-attended hearing of the House Mass Transit Committee. Chairwoman Julie Hamos (D-18, Evanston) had the “subject matter” hearing specifically to discuss possible funding sources that would fill the state “budget hole” that would be created by Senate Bill 307, an alternative to the sales tax/transfer tax mass transit plan (SB 572, which we strongly oppose). Senate Bill 307, as you’ll recall, has many of the same substantive elements as SB 572, but does NOT contain a sales tax or transfer tax increase, but instead proposes to divert the proceeds from the sales tax on gasoline sold in Cook and the “collar counties” toward the mass transit plan.
The Mass Transit Committee heard from several witnesses regarding three possible revenue sources to fill the estimated $385 million budget hole that would be created by the SB 307. Two senior advisors from the Governor’s office briefed the committee on potential revenues and issues relating to fund transfer as one revenue option, and closing business tax “loopholes” as another. Kathy Drea from the American Lung Association briefed the members on issues relating to a proposed 90-cent per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax as a possible option.
Members of the committee expressed varying views and requested more information on several aspects of these proposals, and some members also discussed the importance of including fare increases as part of the funding package.
Rep. Hamos indicated her belief that a real estate transfer tax could and should still be a part of the final package, even in an alternative plan along the lines of Senate Bill 307! Rep. Hamos plans to have a proposal ready to vote on by Wednesday, January 9th, when the General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield in regular session.
- When both chambers convened later in the afternoon on January 2nd, 70 of 118 House members were in attendance, and just 14 of 59 Senate members answered the roll call. Additionally, only one of the four legislative leaders was in town. Both chambers gaveled the 19th Special Session to a close a few minutes after convening, and did not act on any substantive legislation.
- Please be prepared to act once again to contact your legislator, as we expect that a mass transit package may well be voted on next week, as mentioned above. Watch for a Call to Action, or check www.iaractioncenter.org. YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED AND KEY TO OUR SUCCESS THUS FAR!
- The last day to register to vote in the primary if you are not already registered is JANUARY 8th. You will need two forms of identification with one showing your current address. You do not have to re-register unless you moved or changed your name. Go to State Board of Elections for more information.
For more information, contact Greg St. Aubin, Director of IAR Governmental Affairs, gstaubin@iar.org, or Julie Sullivan, Assistant Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, jsullivan@iar.org.
Contact information for members of the House and Senate, notice of committee hearings, text of legislation and roll call votes are all available on the Illinois General Assembly’s Web site, www.ilga.gov.
Illinois Association of REALTORS
522 South Fifth Street
Springfield, IL 62701
PH 217/529-2600
FAX 217/529-3904
www.illinoisrealtor.org
Welcome Back
I hope everone had a safe and happy holiday season. The blog will not be back up and updated on a regular basis.
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Members meet with Senator Murphy after Legislative Breakfast
