Talk of responsible bidding during labor event

Sen. Mike Noland Labor Breakfast
Pat Barcas/staff photographer
State Sen. Mike Noland talks to union member and supporters during his recent Labor Breakfast. He acknowledged Illinois is a strong labor state and nothing can overcome the accomplishments organized labor has made.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

SCHAUMBURG — State Sen. Michael Noland said it’s going to take shoe leather over dollars to beat big money politicians such as Republican nominated Bruce Rauner, who is running to unseat Gov. Pat Quinn for Illinois governor this fall. Union members must get out to vote, simply put.

“You really have to look to your rank and file, the people that are actually out in the field to organize. This is not going to become another Wisconsin. My feeling on this is so strong that it’s more knowledge than belief, but it’s not absolute, and it’s going to require us to come out, starting now.”

Noland hosted his annual labor breakfast fundraiser in Schaumburg June 24. A united front was suggested as a way to beat Republicans in the fall.

“The challenge is going to be to try to keep different campaigns from being hyperfocused on their own campaigns. Shoe leather over dollars. They will always have more money. But there are lessons out there. We have to keep the conversation going that we’ve started today,” he said.

Gov. Quinn faces a tough race from challenger Rauner this fall. Quinn’s union support has wavered since his handling of the inherited Illinois pension crisis, but the alternative in Rauner could be far more damaging.

Noland called Quinn “very smart,” in his government of the state. Since taking office Quinn has cut state spending by more than $5.7 billion. The cost of running the state government today is below 2008 levels, with among the lowest ratio of government employees in the nation.

The Governor’s pension reform plan, which Rauner tried to sabotage, will save the state $140 billion over 30 years. Unlike in previous decades, Gov. Quinn has also made the state’s full pension payment every year.

The Governor bargained a three-year agreement with public employee unions that saves the state $900 million in health care costs.

Noland was asked what will unite the building trades when a responsible bidder ordinance bill has stalled, even in a state with a Democratic governor and a super majority. He said more construction spending will ignite the troops who have waned out of frustration.

“We need a vertical capital bill. It needs to be truly comprehensive, including buildings, schools and more infrastructure,” he said. “We could probably pass a bill like that every five years for the next 30 years to meet the need for infrastructure improvements in Illinois.”

He said he hopes to see a graduated income tax option on the ballot during the next election cycle as well.

“Here in Illinois, such a strong labor state, when we choose to be, there is no external force that can overcome the accomplishments we’ve made together,” he said.