Political writer: Troubles ahead in Washington, Springfield
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Chicago Tribune political writer Rick Pearson sees more trouble ahead as he eyed coming legislative sessions in Springfield and Washington D.C. Pearson shared his thoughts this past week at Southern Illinois University.
"I don't have a great deal of optimism," he said of the state budget. "Our pension system will be selling off ore assets and municipalities are struggling. It doesn't look good at all, but political courage is an elusive quality to find."
Pearson, who spent a decade covering Springfield politics for the Tribune before moving to the Windy City, drew comparisons between the state and national capitals.
"Springfield used to be a functional place," he said. "Increasingly, Springfield is looking like Washington. I don't see Washington is going to move anything. I'm not sure there's motivation on either side to get he country moving and the same is true in Springfield."
The pundit placed some of the blame on State House Speaker Michael Madigan, whose daughter Lisa Madigan is the attorney general. Springfield rumors hint she may eventually run for governor.
"His primary concern is to get people elected who will vote him for Speaker of the House," Pearson said. "It's moved into a partisan war over power. The kingdom is crumbling and people are fighting over who's in charge."
The state budget deficit burgeons, and could jump to $15 billion by next summer. Democrat Pat Quinn and Republican Bill Brady proposed opposing plans in their push for the governor's seat earlier this month. Quinn won despite a desire to increase the state income tax. Brady proposed widespread cuts.
At the local level, SIU administrators talk furlough days while the state lags in payments to K-12 districts.
"Things aren't being cut as much as they're being withheld," Pearson said. "It's a high-stakes pressure game. Madigan will make the call that they're not going for tax unless he has to."
Pearson believed lawmakers needed to work to convince the public a tax increase would be wise.
"Before any tax increase, there has to be a demonstration of real cuts for people," Pearson said. "I don't know where those will come from."
The General Assembly will return to session for three days after Thanksgiving. Lawmakers may meet again before new members take office Jan. 12, 2011.