Disillusionment with the Status Quo

I had the privilege of attending the second session of my IBA Future Leaders Alliance program at the State Capital these last few days. Our topic for this session involved banking regulation on day 1 and lobbying state legislature on day 2.

While I knew this session would represent the biggest step out of my comfort zone, I was eager for the opportunity to round out my banking experience. One of the more enticing parts of this entire experience was the opportunity to directly meet with our state legislation.

Over the course of our two days in Springfield, I met with 5 separate Representatives. With the exception of one of those meetings, they did little to contradict the stereotype emblazoned upon legislation. I appreciated their willingness to open up and speak to their honest assessment why Illinois is currently in its 10th month of a budget impasse.

When given the opportunity to present their tactics for solution however, not a single representative missed the chance to cast blame on the other sides unwillingness to compromise. Citing philosophical differences as the point of contention, I proceeded to ask one representative the following question:

"If the trouble truly is philosophy, conventional wisdom suggests an agreement will not be happening any time soon. If EIU laying off 100+ employees wasn't a big enough catalyst, will Chicago State University closing its doors in 3 weeks represent a large enough threat to bring the two sides together?"

Responded by a pause, then a "good question" followed up by, "I hope it doesn't get that far," the representative could not have backed out of that question quicker. Others I spoke with are far more fearful that a resolution won't come until threats of grade school closures arise this coming August.

Both parties recognize the problem, neither side is willing to do anything about it. It's a sad state of affairs and truly disappointing to see the stereotypes proven true. Things only got worse when all parties combined on the floor of the general assembly. Reminiscent of a bunch of 5 year olds fighting, one representative went as far as to say, "I really want to say something nice, I can't, so I just won't say anything."

I kid you not, that was an actual rebuttal heard on the floor during live session while debating the $3.9 billion higher education budget that was later approved and sent on to the Governor's desk in hopes of ending this turmoil. Unfortunately, it won't be the end many are hoping for. As the Illinois House Republican Leader so eloquently put it, "the assembly will pass it, Rauner will veto, and there won't be enough dems willing to attach their name to the right of override given it's an election year. Just a waste of time."

In the end, that's what it all boils down to. Our elected representatives unwilling to speak for their constituents out of fear they might offend that one key demographic that would tip a 2% win in the general election to a 1% loss.

None of this comes as a great shock to me, but it does leave a far more bitter taste in my mouth after witnessing it all in live action. To end on a positive note though, regardless of when they actually pass a budget, at least both sides were able to work together in order to identify an appropriation of non-existent funds to cover their annual salaries!