Hinz: 'At its core, the Nekritz-Biss bill was a Republican bill'

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

Speaking, one would think, for a significant section of Chicago corporatists, Crain's Greg Hinz comes out swinging with his post mortem on the failed pension heist -- swinging at everyone he can think of. And even though he's on the wrong side on the pension battle, he still makes some cogent points:

On the Legislature: "...a true witch's brew of ego, greed, arrogance, irresponsibility and plain old political cowardice. But, I guess, what else could you expect from a General Assembly that now includes no fewer than three members awaiting criminal trial on felony charges ...?

The Democratic Party leadership: "Like a football team with an affable but unsuccessful coach — hellloooo, Lovie Smith — the people of Illinois are going to decide to make a change at the next election if Mr. Quinn can't get the job done."

The Republicans: "At its core, the Nekritz-Biss bill was a Republican bill, one that would have mostly burdened workers rather than taxpayers. There's no reason at least 40 or 45 of the 54 House Republicans weren't publicly on the bill. If they were, the speaker may have had to call it — forcing a lot of squishy Democrats to pick a side."

His pals in the Civic Committee: "They talk and bluster big. But they've offended too many people in Springfield to be effective and neglected to use their best weapon: campaign contributions to unseat recalcitrant lawmakers."

Put it all together and what have you got? The gang that couldn't shoot straight.