Suburban Political Recount

Winners and losers

State lawmakers have taken on a huge number of controversial proposals in their annual session, finishing at about midnight Tuesday. That much controversy is bound to create some winners and losers.

Aspiring Democrats: Winners

A proposed new Congressional map protects Democrats' long-standing Chicago base and creates two open suburban districts where Democrats have already announced plans to run. Batavia scientist Bill Foster Monday announced formal plans to run in the proposed 11th District, which includes Naperville, Aurora and Joliet. Former comptroller candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth have each expressed interest in the new 8th District roughly centered in Schaumburg.

Suburban Republicans: Losers

No one arguably felt the pain more than 13th District Rep. Judy Biggert, whose current congressional district was carved up into not one, not two, but five different pieces. Freshmen Republicans Joe Walsh and Randy Hultgren were also drawn into the same district, as were Kenilworth Republican Robert Dold and Evanston Democrat Jan Schakowsky.

Arlington, Park City: Potential winners

Arlington Park would get up to 1,200 slot machines and Park City in Lake County would get a casino under the gambling plan being weighed by Gov. Pat Quinn. So far, though, he says he's not a fan.

Existing casinos: Potential losers

Those gambling winners, though, create losers out of the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin and the to-open Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. More competition for gamblers could mean less money for each casino.

Suburban mayors: Winners

We've told you about the so-called “stealth tax” in this space before — where mayors were worried the state would take some of their share of the income tax. Well, lawmakers approved a budget. And it didn't happen.

Yet?

Schools and services: Losers

Even though state lawmakers have sent a budget to Quinn (and on time, to boot), suburban schools and social service agencies are still feeling the pinch, as they're owed as much as $8 billion by the state in back payments.

Elgin Area School District U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders said the governor's office told schools not to expect school transportation funding for the fourth quarter of this year.

They're not taking that lying down. We're told school districts across the area have been loudly protesting the move to their local lawmakers.

Suburban teachers: Winners

Suburban teachers won't have to put more of their salaries toward retirement for the time being, as lawmakers punted on the state's underfunded pension system. They might try again in the fall.

Same-sex couples: Winners

For the first time Wednesday, suburban county clerks issued civil union licenses — making Illinois the 12th state in the nation to recognize same-sex relationships. In Cook, Kane, Lake, McHenry and DuPage County, applicants showed up as soon as doors opened.

Civil union legislation sponsor Greg Harris, of Chicago, cracked to us that he's “going broke” (happily) from all of the toasters, punch bowls and place settings he's purchasing as gifts for the ceremonies he's invited to.

Harris tells us he's not nearly finished fighting for full marriage equality. He plans to file — and call — gay marriage legislation when the time is right.

Senate decorum: Loser

Sen. Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican, was just a few feet away from Republican Sen. Kyle McCarter and Democrat Sen. Mike Jacobs when they came to blows this week on the Senate floor. Duffy says Jacobs charged up to McCarter's desk after McCarter pointed out Jacobs' family's lobbying ties to ComEd.

After a bit of finger jabbing, Duffy says, McCarter got a punch in the chest. Capitol police are currently investigating. “It was wild,” Duffy says. This incident follows one earlier this spring when Duffy and Democratic Sen. Tony Munoz, of Chicago, had a heated exchange in committee over whether abortion rights activist Terry Cosgrove should get a state job. No punches that time, though.

Ÿ We want to hear your 2 cents. Check out — and make sure to comment on — Kerry Lester and Mike Riopell's Suburban Political Recount at blogs.dailyherald.com. And follow us on twitter, @kerrylester and @dhstatehouse, or just drop us a note at klester@dailyherald.com or mriopell@dailyherald.com.