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Nov 14, 2007 6:23 pm US/Central
Officials Discuss Transit Funding; Still No Deal
Madigan Complained Meeting Ended In Shouting, Was Unproductive
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan said he walked out of a meeting on transit funding when it turned into a shouting match. (File Photo)
CBS
Transit agencies in Illinois are hoping for some cash. Lawmakers promised to have a long-term funding deal for the Regional Transit Authority done by Tuesday. They met Wednesday and still have not agreed on a deal.
As CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, some lawmakers are betting on casinos to raise enough money to keep the trains and buses running, and to generate billions for new schools, roads and bridges.
Some were smiling, even laughing, when cameras were allowed in to record the opening of the unusual political summit session. An hour later, all agreed that this round of negotiations had started well. One participant, though, reported that it ended badly.
House Speaker Michael Madigan says he left the meeting with legislative leaders when it degenerated into "nonproductive shouting, threats and allegations."
"That was not anything that deteriorated into yelling or shouting," Gov. Rod Blagojevich countered. "It was a spirited disagreement."
Madigan left the Wednesday morning meeting after Chicago Mayor Richard Daley did. Daley had said he was "very optimistic" about the gathering.
"They're involved in how do you fund this, and that's the key. That's the stumbling block," Daley said.
Daley left the meeting early and when asked why, he said, "Well, now they're getting down to so many particulars that, you know, there're so many people in the room."
Sources said Daley was "frustrated" that the meeting failed to address directly next month's new "doomsday" deadline for mass transit service cuts and fare increases, focusing instead on a vast expansion of gambling that would convert Cook County into "Las Vegas East;" Chicago would get a full-land-based casino, the south suburbs likely a river boat, and slot-machine-only casinos going into four local race tracks.
"Just because there was a little shouting doesn't mean it was a bad meeting. I thought, I think that's how some people act. Some people have different styles," said Rep. Tom Cross. "So… we're moving forward."
Several participants identified West Side State Sen. Rickey Hendon as one who "reacted loudly" at something Madigan said. Hendon denied shouting.
While the governor wants everyone back in his office Thursday morning, sources close to Daley said he has a schedule conflict and will likely send a representative.
Two short-term bailouts have so far kept the transit agencies from increasing fares and cutting service.
Madigan reiterated that he supports a regional sales tax increase to fund mass transit.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery and the Associated Press contributed to this report.cbs2chicago.com's Most Popular Pages
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