THE STATE OF THE STATE IS … VAGUE
Gov. Pat Quinn called for ending the state’s natural gas tax, pension and Medicaid reform and championed a series of economic development ideas in his annual State of the State address Wednesday in Springfield. “While we have downsized Illinois government more than ever before, we continue to face very difficult decisions to restore financial stability to our state,” Quinn said. Yet Republicans immediately criticized the governor for not offering details about how he would fund the many initiatives he touted. http://bit.ly/yFlb9H
-Republicans expect Quinn to explain his plans for funding these programs in his budget address on Feb. 22. http://trib.in/xiOyaP
-Quinn’s camp cited his speech in a fundraising email sent shortly after it ended. http://bit.ly/A5dNoO
SPRINGFIELD SKIP DAY
Despite Quinn’s call for pension and Medicaid reform and bipartisan support for the cause, lawmakers will have little time in Springfield to get either done. The General Assembly adjourned early following the State of the State speech, canceled a work day scheduled for Thursday and decided to meet only two days next week instead of three. Lawmakers are on course to spend 53 work days in Springfield, the least amount of time since 2006. http://bit.ly/yPZQSp
TOO POOR FOR PRESERVATION?
Illinois is in such dire financial shape that even historic sites connected to storied son Abraham Lincoln could face significant cuts in the upcoming state budget. State preservation officials warn that expected deep cuts, coming after reductions of 15 percent and 16 percent in the past two years, will risk shuttering some of the 60 historic locations operated by the state’s preservation agency. http://bit.ly/yVGIt3
CULTURAL CROWDSOURCING
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is drafting a new cultural plan for the city, the first one in 26 years. The administration is seeking public input on the plan, which is expected to include Emanuel’s ideas for an Uptown Music district and “cultural hubs” around the city. Chicagoans can voice their ideas at public meetings scheduled for this month and through the new website chicagoculturalplan2012.com. http://bit.ly/AzynTI
Roundup …
Remap Timing: Chicago’s new ward boundaries won’t take electoral effect until the 2015 elections. http://bit.ly/xa7mrJ
Oversight Restored: The Cook County Board of Commissioners will now have the final say on whether big events like Lollapalooza get exemptions from the county’s amusement tax. http://bit.ly/x4kXZs
Power Prep: Illinois nuclear plants will be reassessed for earthquake safety. http://bit.ly/xgxOAZ
Hometown Help: Chicago bundlers netted at least $4.7 million for President Obama’s re-election in the last quarter. http://bit.ly/zXYAcA
Campaign Cash: U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and former Rep. Debbie Halvorson have similar-sized campaign war chests heading into their Democratic primary showdown. http://bit.ly/Aemtdx
Rust Belt Rebel: Indiana became the first state in more than a decade to implement a right to work law. http://nyti.ms/yGCurh
Seattle Soundoff: Seattle’s police chief during the 1999 WTO clashes there said Emanuel’s new protest restrictions “could well backfire.” http://bit.ly/xwGEUo
Morgue Motion: The Cook County Board tabled a motion by Commissioner John Fritchey to allow the firing of the medical examiner following allegations of malfeasance at the morgue. http://bit.ly/yuLxDp
Digital Divide: Chicago Public Schools lifted its ban on YouTube. http://trib.in/xQEwST
Field Day: The Illinois Sports Facilities Board tabled a $2.6 million payment to the Chicago Park District for Soldier Field repairs. http://trib.in/AAQYor
Recent Relic: The Chicago Department of Transportation discovered a Cold War fallout shelter during Wacker Drive construction. http://bit.ly/wIY10n
Beer Run: Cicero fired the nephew of its town president after he was charged with stealing beer using a Cicero car. http://bit.ly/zsPBg0
Parking Pushback: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White opposes eliminating free meter parking for disabled motorists. http://cbsloc.al/xqVbuB
Breast Cancer Battle: The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation’s move to stop funding Planned Parenthood will not affect breast cancer screenings in Illinois. http://trib.in/wdm2bG
Hang Up Your Coat?: Unlike Punxsutawney Phil, Woodstock’s groundhog didn’t see his shadow, meaning spring is around the corner. http://bit.ly/yof5uH