Includes video report
The ongoing budget impasse in Illinois was under the heat of the national spotlight this week when the 'Daily Show' took a jab at the state for its treatment of lottery winners during the stalemate.
One of the show's correspondents Jordan Klepper headed to central Illinois to speak with Danny Chasteen and Susan Rick, who have won $250,000 in the Illinois lottery, but have yet to receive their winnings. The lottery is not paying individuals who have won more than $600 during the budget stalemate. The state has been operatiing without a budget since the start of the fiscal year, July 1.
The skit poked fun at the situation with a trip to Gov. Bruce Rauner's office in Chicago's Thompson Center with a giant check written for $250,000 in hopes of getting the governor to sign it. Klepper also took Chasteen and Rick to JCPenney for a shopping spree in Peru, Illinois and tried to pay for the purchase with an I.O.U.
VIDEO: See the full comedy sketch
Illinois politicians should all be paid in I.O.Us. until they fix this problem. They don't deserve to be paid, while lottery winners are being screwed.
We saw this on an episode of Pawn Stars; Rick Harrison defined Politics.
'Poli means many and Tics means blood sucking.'
Good one.....
Perfect example of what the Illinois government is doing -
"Klepper also took Chasteen and Rick to JCPenney for a shopping spree in Peru, Illinois and tried to pay for the purchase with an I.O.U."
Meanwhile in Springfield:
Lawmakers still using print perk during budget battle
SPRINGFIELD -- The lack of a state budget hasn't stopped Illinois lawmakers from ordering up thousands of taxpayer-paid copies of coloring books, brochures and other print-based promotional perks in recent months.
According to the results of a public records request, members of the General Assembly have placed 542 orders for printed material since the fiscal year started July 1 without a budget on the books.
The list of the 141 lawmakers participating in the program crosses party lines and includes many of the same Republicans who have been calling for cuts to state programs to help balance the budget.
State Rep. Jeanne Ives, for example, ordered 500 activity books and 13,000 cards to distribute in her suburban Chicago district.
The material ordered by the Wheaton Republican came after she proposed ending special stipends given to lawmakers for their service on committees and on leadership teams.
"It is time for legislators to share the burden. The state needs to make budget cuts, and $1 million is a great start," she said of the stipends at the time.
State Rep. Tom Bennett isn't taking a paycheck during the budget fight. But, he has placed four print orders since July 1.
The Gibson City Republican stocked up on book marks, activity books and a pamphlet on identity theft.
The brochures, cards and flyers are the product of the Legislative Printing Unit -- a $2.1 million department that serves 177 members of the General Assembly. In February, Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed cutting the agency's budget by 10 percent to $1.9 million.
Continued:
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/state-and-regional/lawmakers-still-using-print-perk-during-budget-battle/article_553fb699-45c4-5897-8f64-6ea7a88e30d7.html
Coin Toss -- REALLY?? Are you trying to hold the legislature to the same rules that we the people are held to ?
Tisk, Tisk, Tisk...
Daily Show's attention to Illinois' short changing lottery winners will not convince the stalemated parties to settle the budget
but at least it draws attention to the ruling elite's attitude towards it s citizens.
Lol the best part was when the guy said he was still buying lotto tickets. Guess he wants to rack up those I.O.U's rather than count some dough
November is just around the corner: Time to vote the uncompromising Legislators Out-Of-Office!
which begs the question, are IOU's taxed ??
I laughed at the picture of the guy holding the winning ticket, the commentary was classic humor!!
playing and winning more than 600.00 in the illinois lottery and being owed your winnings is still better than playing any other state's lottery and losing. they will work it out. just when is the question. winners in illinois probably could sell their tickets to some speculator for a slight discount if they need the money right away. this shouldn't have to be the solution but if you need it now.......sell it.
When will the people learn, the solution is simple. Stop playing the " Lottery " and the legislators will get off their duff and get a budget passed....
Funny vid. Wait till the winners list comes out. It will say Peter Patel-$5000, Bob Ahmed-$1000, John Muhammad-$10,000. I bet all the Muhammads,Patels and Ahmeds are buying up the tickets.
This is almost like the Jamaican/Nigerian Scheme where they promise you $$$ but you never get it. You paid into it, they get your $, but you get short changed in the end. lol
Illinois should be ashamed for not paying out. Lottery winners won fair and square and now cannot get the money they rightfully deserve.
All lotteries over $600 should be shut down immediately and no new revenue for any such game should be permitted till they cough up and pay those they owe. I bet they'd find the money then.
At the very least put a disclaimer saying you'll be paid in I.O.U. till we feel like paying you the money and let the fools that want a I.O.U. judge for themselves whether they want to play or not.