Quinn urges unions to 'leave the door open' to contract changes

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Pat Quinn said teachers unions and public sector employees should be open to concessions and voluntary cost savings as all agencies from state government down to local school and municipal districts struggle to balance their budgets.

"What I have found is that in a bind, human beings want to help their neighbor. They want to help themselves, but they understand that working together often times is the best way to get through a crisis," Quinn told the Daily Herald in an interview Friday. "The bottom line is shared sacrifice in tough times. That's what Americans do."

His comments come as school districts across the suburbs contemplate layoffs and program cuts at a time when local property tax dollars are not keeping up with increased expenses, most notably salary increases required under legally binding teacher contracts.

At the state level, Quinn has asked the state employees' union to reopen the contract approved last year and agree to furlough days, a new, less generous retirement plan for future employees and higher contributions for health care and pensions.

State unions were voicing their opposition before his speech Wednesday had concluded.

Asked if he thought local teacher unions should similarly open their contracts, Quinn said:

"I had a public employee tell me, 'You know sometimes folks are willing to do things above and beyond what you're asking in order to help their co-workers.' And I think we should leave the door open to that at the local and state level as a way to help us solve the problem," he answered.

The pension changes and call for four furlough days are among the major spending cuts in Quinn's plan, which also calls for a 50 percent increase in the state's personal income tax rate and higher business income taxes. Quinn says under his plan, a family of four making $60,900 would see no increase in its tax burden and possibly a tax break. But the burden increases for those paying more.

The tax plan was roundly panned as fixating on higher taxes and maintained spending rather than enacting deeper cuts and reforms. But Quinn said his hands are tied on health care and education, which make up roughly 69 percent of the state's operating budget. If the state cuts there, it loses eligibility for federal stimulus funds it's counting on to help balance the budget. And Quinn's not inclined to cut those areas anyway.

The governor, who took office Jan. 29 following the impeachment and ouster of Gov. Rod Blagojevich after his federal arrest on corruption charges, reiterated his opposition to higher gasoline taxes to finance road construction, preferring his plan to increase license and vehicle fees.

As for his income tax increase, Quinn said he believed the political reality is Democrats will have to pass it on their own with no Republican help. He again told critics to come up with a better plan rather than "carp" about his.

"One thing to keep in mind is that this is the only plan out there," Quinn said.

And he predicted that he could in fact pass it out of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly, even though one legislative leader - House Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago - has called for more reforms before tax hikes are on the table.

"I think if it comes down to one tough vote - I think the votes are there," Quinn said.