This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Jan. 2, 2011 - State leaders cannot borrow and bicker their way to improving the climate for job creation in Illinois. They must stop selling bonds and start forming them. Otherwise, they will fail to secure the fiscal stability and predictability key to businesses locating and expanding here.
If Gov. Pat Quinn and legislative chieftains somehow move beyond the distrust and disrespect among them, they can bolster corporate and public confidence in them. They can spearhead a comprehensive, strategic approach to conquering a smothering deficit -- one that embraces revenue-generating tax reform and substantial spending cuts.
They can responsibly fund and reconfigure pension programs for public employees. They can catalyze education improvements that help assure a workforce attractive to potential employers. They can eliminate unreasonable regulations. They can bring worker compensation administration and benefits into line with neighboring states.
However, absent rapport at the highest levels of its state government, Illinois will continue its descent toward mediocrity or worse.
In other moments of crisis -- none nearly so grave and compelling -- Illinois governors have seized the initiative. They engaged Democratic and Republican lawmakers in often contentious but usually constructive negotiations to resolve major issues. Gov. James R. Thompson, a Republican, created a tried and true template to resolve a recession-rooted budgetary bind in 1983 through a temporary increase in the income tax, permanent boost in the sales tax rate and spending restrictions.
His successors employed it. House Speaker Michael J. Madigan knows it well. The Democrat participated actively and productively during his debut as a kingpin 28 years ago and spent hours enmeshed in the ritual through the decades.
Yet, Madigan has balked at such involvement in the last couple of years. He came to distrust then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Republican Leader Tom Cross, who he believes betrayed him in dealings with Blagojevich. Moreover, legislators from both parties harbor understandable doubts that the pliable Quinn would stick to all elements of a controversial, multi-faceted pact under pressure from disgruntled constituencies.
Thus, folks in the state government sphere have been abuzz about the possibility Madigan will make an effort in the waning days of this legislative session to maximize his majority muscle and the late-blooming courage of lame-duck lawmakers to pass a substantial tax increase packaged with business-friendly measures.
Many cite his amazing performance in 1989, when the House Democrats unilaterally passed an income tax surcharge within hours after he unveiled it. But the speaker was confident Thompson would sign it and provide clear bipartisan parentage. The measure also did not require complex discussions about how the new revenues would be spent; half went to local governments and half to education.
What about the bipartisan support Madigan has been demanding this time? Would even a hefty revenue boost avert the need for more borrowing, spending cuts and additional tax hikes? Would corporate executives view this as the comprehensive approach they have been advocating -- one that addresses fiscal duress in Chicago City Hall and local governments as well? Perhaps. But the magnitude of the problems suggests a more inclusive, enveloping and deliberative process -- one more akin to the 1983 Thompson template than the 1989 Madigan magic.
Senate President John J. Cullerton and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno already have demonstrated the mutual respect that bodes well for bipartisan problem-solving. But Gov. Quinn needs to become more gubernatorial than gadfly, and the two House leaders must summon their professionalism to mitigate their acrimony.
It won't be easy. Trust is often elusive and always fragile in the political arena. It also is fundamental to reviving and rebuilding our state.
Mike Lawrence, former reporter, press secretary for then-Gov. Jim Edgar and director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, is retired. He writes a twice-monthly column.