* I heard this was coming, but there was literally nothing I could do about it. LSSI is one of the finest social service groups in this state and I’ve helped them raise money for years. Their overhead costs are a lean 7.3 percent. They serve people that nobody else wants. I just cannot find the words to describe what a loss this is for Illinois. This impasse has to end. This state is wrecking a cherished organization over a paltry 1.4 percent revenue growth projection. I’m literally sick to my stomach about this…
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), the largest statewide provider of social services, today announced program closures and staff cuts throughout Illinois due to the state’s inability to pass a budget for the past seven months.
“The state’s budget deadlock has severely challenged LSSI’s ability to provide services to those in need,” said Mark A. Stutrud, LSSI President and CEO. “Over the past months, LSSI has relied on a bank line of credit and available resources from our foundation to compensate for the state’s inability to pay its bills. Currently, we are owed more than $6 million by the state for services delivered. After seven months, we can no longer provide services for which we aren’t being paid.”
The seven-month-long-and-counting budget impasse forced the organization to cut back programs and restructure services as LSSI seeks to bolster resources for the 149-year-old faith-based nonprofit’s continued viability. In consultation with LSSI’s Board of Directors and an independent advisory group, LSSI created a plan to restructure its services and shore up resources for the viability and continuation of the organization.
In all, over 30 programs are closing, and more than 750 positions are being eliminated, or 43 percent of LSSI’s total employees. As a result of these closures, approximately 4,700 people will no longer be receiving services from LSSI.
“We are eliminating spending that is most linked to non-payment of services and redesigning our administrative support around a newly restructured organization,” said Stutrud. “Our plans respond to this year’s budget impasse and an anticipated lingering state financial crisis over the next several years. We’re doing this at a great cost to LSSI and those affected by our services. It has been an agonizing process, particularly its impact on our clients and their families who depend on us for their care, as well as our employees whose jobs were eliminated. Many of our employees are direct care personnel who have built relationships and strong trust with the people they serve.”
The programs that saw the largest cuts were those helping seniors, including home care. Programs eliminated were case management for seniors, adult protective services, and LSSI’s Adult Day Care Center in Moline. Although LSSI is receiving some payment through Medicaid, the organization has been accruing several hundred thousand dollars a month in unpaid bills for home care services since July 2015, when the state’s budget cycle normally would have begun.
LSSI also has not received payment for programs reimbursed through the state’s general revenue fund and other state agencies. These include residential rehabilitation for adult drug and alcohol treatment in Chicago and Elgin, community counseling services, and prisoner and family programs at several locations.
LSSI is grateful for the support of ELCA churches statewide, other faith communities, and donors. LSSI is committed to continuing services that include: mental health, alcohol and drug treatment; Head Start; services for at-risk families; residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities, foster care, affordable senior housing; home care, and programs that help children maintain connections to their incarcerated parent.
“These decisions were the result of a thorough and painful process,” said Stutrud. “We know this will impact clients, their families, our employees, and communities throughout Illinois. We made these choices with a long-term view of the organization and its mission, and ultimately the ability to continue serving people.”
* Here are the program cuts…
About Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Founded in 1867, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is a statewide, nonprofit social service agency of the three Illinois synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For more information, visit LSSI.org and LSSI’s Facebook page.
Programs Affected
Residential Rehabilitation for alcohol and drug treatment
Behavioral Health Housing Opportunities, Chicago
Elgin Residential Rehab, Elgin
Men’s Residence North, Chicago
Men’s Residence West, Elgin
Social Detox, Chicago
Women’s Residence, Chicago
Mental Health Counseling for children, youth, adults and families
Community-based Counseling, Berwyn
Community-based Counseling, Des Plaines
Community-based Counseling, Downers Grove
Community-based Counseling, Elmhurst
Community-based Counseling, Mendota
Community-based Counseling, Prospect Heights
Community-based Counseling, Wheaton
Dixon General Counseling, Dixon
West/Northwest Suburban Counseling, Villa Park
Youth Services
School-Based Counseling Services, Sterling
Youth Emergency Shelter, Nachusa
Re-entry Services for former prisoners and their families
Connections, Chicago
Employment Skills School, East St. Louis
Homeward Bound Supportive Housing, East St. Louis
River Bend Re-entry, Alton
In-home Support Services for seniors
Intouch Home Care, Canton (serving Fulton County)
Intouch Home Care, Chicago (serving Chicago South and Southern Cook County)
Intouch Home Care, DeKalb (serving DeKalb, Kendall, La Salle Counties)
Intouch Home Care, Freeport (serving Stephenson, Jo Daviess Counties)
Intouch Home Care, Moline (serving Rock Island, Henry, Mercer Counties)
Intouch Home Care, Peoria (serving Peoria, Marshall, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford Counties)
Intouch Home Care, Rockford (serving Winnebago, Boone, Ogle Counties)
Respite Services supporting veterans and their families
Legacy Corps, Rockford
Legacy Corps, Streamwood
Adult Day Care for seniors and adults 18+ with disabilities
Intouch Adult Day, Moline
Comprehensive Case Management and Protective Services for seniors
Case Coordination, Sterling
Adult Protective Services, Sterling
I’m done posting for a while today. I’m just too disgusted to go on right now.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:28 pm:
===Community-based Counseling, Downers Grove===
Ron Sandack is frustrated too.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:29 pm:
Special thanks to St Bruce and the Child Emperor Mike.
Sickening is an understatement.
- Demoralized - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:30 pm:
This isn’t stuff that you can just turn a light switch on and it all comes immediately back to life. The social service network is literally being obliterated in this state. When things like this aren’t enough to move the needle and get the Governor and Madigan and whoever else off of the dime to do something then I’m not sure what will. Is the Governor really willing to let things like this happen just so he can “get” the unions? Is this carnage worth it? And what about the job losses? Is there some alternate universe where making the state “better” involves job LOSSES? I don’t know how these guys sleep at night.
- Niblets - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:30 pm:
This may be crime that will make things change. One can only hope.
- MasterPiece - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:32 pm:
This is only the short-term pain. The long-term pain comes in trying to re-establish what the governor has pulverized. No, bulldozed. No, disemboweled. No, nuked.
- horse w/ no name - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:34 pm:
The impasse has reached the point of immoral.
- jim - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:34 pm:
sounds like a good reason for Madigan and Rauner to sit down and work out a compromise.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:35 pm:
“Bruce has no social agenda.” - Diana Rauner.
That’s…
Diana Rauner
President
Ounce of Prevention
- thunderspirit - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:36 pm:
== The social service network is literally being obliterated in this state. ==
That’s a feature, not a bug, to the residents of 410 E Jackson in Springfield.
- East Central Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
Hello??? Governor?? anybody in the Governor’s office?? Is anybody in Governor Rauner’s office paying attention to any of this??? 750 positions! God knows how many senior citizens and others that will be feeling the impact of these services being cut, let alone the 750 positions. Geez, c’mon man, you have been in office for a year now. Do something positive for this state!
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:38 pm:
As Bruce retreats to one of his 9 homes for the weekend.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:40 pm:
These things would not happen if programs to help people were valued, hence the people were valued. These people do not matter to our governor. Are they producing? If not, there’s a problem.
- tuco - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:41 pm:
wow this is on rauner, bet all the seniors in his family are well taken care of.to bad he doesnt care about the others who arent so lucky to be rich,
- walker - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:42 pm:
=== “I’m literally sick to my stomach about this…” ===
Yes
One of many, but one of the best.
- Union Man - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
THANKS BRUCE.
- Former Hoosier - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
After reading this, I feel like my head is going to explode. When I was a graduate student, I did two years of clinical work at LSSI. They truly took all comers, regardless of the ability to pay. Their staff are dedicated and hard working. 4,700 people will no longer receive services. When will this nightmare end?
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm:
Leverage.
– MrJM
- Anonymiss - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm:
“Bruce Rauner: Competitive and Compassionate”
- wayward - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm:
Rich, I don’t always agree with everything you say, but I agree with you 100% on this.
- Niblets - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:48 pm:
You go Bruce! Never mind the pain of others, they are powerless and takers unlike you and your friends. Clearly this short term pain that won’t hurt you.
- illinois manufacturer - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:48 pm:
I Was adopted through lssi. Can we say the i word or the worse than blago word yet?
- Fusion - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:49 pm:
Raise. Taxes. Now.
And just so everyone is clear, 5% personal and 7% corporate isn’t high enough anymore. That ship sailed after undertaxing the population for over 12 months now.
Begin the bidding at 5.25% personal and 7.35% corporate. Feel free to go up from there.
- ILPundit - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:49 pm:
Read my lips: Bruce. Doesn’t. Care.
- Plain Jane - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
This is devastating beyond words. My anger toggles between those who failed to show up at the polls in the last election and
Those Legislators that sit around and allow this to happen…. For fear of retribution from Rauner. In the meantime those without a real voice suffer! At the very least I hope that some folks have a hard time going to sleep at night. Also, If you choose to elect or re-elect anyone of this particular heartless species… From either side of the aisle… You are just as guilty.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm:
What we need now is a memo from Goldberg criticizing these places.
- Mason born - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm:
Honeybear
We’re on the same page there. Personally I don’t think afscme has the tools to fight this or ever did. All evidence points to Rauner being a true believer willing to suffer any pain to get his solution. Images of AFSCME strikets doesn’t just not bother him he relishes it as proof he is succeeding.
To me AFSCME’s only play is to run the clock out. AFSCME is pretty much out of cards till november ‘18.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm:
What does Gov Honey Badger think about this? Oh yeah, he don’t care. Ugh.
- Dome Gnome - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
It’s just as disgusting for me to read this as it was for you to write it. A civilized society would never permit this.
- Secret Square - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
“This isn’t stuff that you can just turn a light switch on and it all comes immediately back to life. The social service network is literally being obliterated in this state.”
It’s developments like this that get me to thinking that moving out of IL might be the best thing to do for the future of my disabled young adult child. Where to, I don’t know at this point; but if this keeps up, it probably won’t matter because ANY other state will be an improvement.
- Mason born - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:54 pm:
25 Comments »- 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:28 pm:===Community-based Counseling, Downers Grove===Ron Sandack is frustrated too.- Formerly Known As… - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:29 pm:Special thanks to St Bruce and the Child Emperor Mike.Sickening is an understatement.- Demoralized - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:30 pm:This isn’t stuff that you can just turn a light switch on and it all comes immediately back to life. The social service network is literally being obliterated in this state. When things like this aren’t enough to move the needle and get the Governor and Madigan and whoever else off of the dime to do something then I’m not sure what will. Is the Governor really willing to let things like this happen just so he can “get” the unions? Is this carnage worth it? And what about the job losses? Is there some alternate universe where making the state “better” involves job LOSSES? I don’t know how these guys sleep at night.- Niblets - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:30 pm:This may be crime that will make things change. One can only hope.- MasterPiece - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:32 pm:This is only the short-term pain. The long-term pain comes in trying to re-establish what the governor has pulverized. No, bulldozed. No, disemboweled. No, nuked.- horse w/ no name - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:34 pm:The impasse has reached the point of immoral.- jim - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:34 pm:sounds like a good reason for Madigan and Rauner to sit down and work out a compromise.- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:35 pm:“Bruce has no social agenda.” - Diana Rauner.That’s…Diana RaunerPresidentOunce of Prevention- thunderspirit - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:36 pm:== The social service network is literally being obliterated in this state. ==That’s a feature, not a bug, to the residents of 410 E Jackson in Springfield.- East Central Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:37 pm:Hello??? Governor?? anybody in the Governor’s office?? Is anybody in Governor Rauner’s office paying attention to any of this??? 750 positions! God knows how many senior citizens and others that will be feeling the impact of these services being cut, let alone the 750 positions. Geez, c’mon man, you have been in office for a year now. Do something positive for this state!- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:38 pm:As Bruce retreats to one of his 9 homes for the weekend.- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:40 pm:These things would not happen if programs to help people were valued, hence the people were valued. These people do not matter to our governor. Are they producing? If not, there’s a problem.- tuco - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:41 pm:wow this is on rauner, bet all the seniors in his family are well taken care of.to bad he doesnt care about the others who arent so lucky to be rich,- walker - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:42 pm:=== “I’m literally sick to my stomach about this…” ===YesOne of many, but one of the best.- Union Man - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:43 pm:THANKS BRUCE.- Former Hoosier - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:43 pm:After reading this, I feel like my head is going to explode. When I was a graduate student, I did two years of clinical work at LSSI. They truly took all comers, regardless of the ability to pay. Their staff are dedicated and hard working. 4,700 people will no longer receive services. When will this nightmare end?- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm:Leverage.– MrJM- Anonymiss - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm:“Bruce Rauner: Competitive and Compassionate”- Niblets - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:48 pm:You go Bruce! Never mind the pain of others, they are powerless and takers unlike you and your friends. Clearly this short term pain that won’t hurt you.- illinois manufacturer - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:48 pm:I Was adopted through lssi. Can we say the i word or the worse than blago word yet?- Fusion - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:49 pm:Raise. Taxes. Now.And just so everyone is clear, 5% personal and 7% corporate isn’t high enough anymore. That ship sailed after undertaxing the population for over 12 months now.Begin the bidding at 5.25% personal and 7.35% corporate. Feel free to go up from there.- ILPundit - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:49 pm:Read my lips: Bruce. Doesn’t. Care.- Plain Jane - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:50 pm:This is devastating beyond words. My anger toggles between those who failed to show up at the polls in the last election andThose Legislators that sit around and allow this to happen…. For fear of retribution from Rauner. In the meantime those without a real voice suffer! At the very least I hope that some folks have a hard time going to sleep at night. Also, If you choose to elect or re-elect anyone of this particular heartless species… From either side of the aisle… You are just as guilty.- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm:What we need now is a memo from Goldberg criticizing these places.- Mason born - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:51 pm:HoneybearWe’re on the same page there. Personally I don’t think afscme has the tools to fight this or ever did. All evidence points to Rauner being a true believer willing to suffer any pain to get his solution. Images of AFSCME strikets doesn’t just not bother him he relishes it as proof he is succeeding.
To me AFSCME’s only play is to run the clock out. AFSCME is pretty much out of cards till november ‘18.
The biggest threat to you is fasle bravado on members part. If AFSCME strikes and folds it proves they are a paper tiger.
- Trolling Troll - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 2:56 pm:
My family has a lot of friends that work for LSSI. Sorry to hear this news.
When the governor gets done with his duck hunt I’m sure there will be a somber looking face and the words “structural change”. He may even have cried in his duck blind when he heard it.
- Young State Worker - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
How can one respond to this without profanity?
“Short term pain,” huh, Governor?
I don’t understand how this could be happening. It’s like saboteurs have infiltrated the highest levels of our government.
What should the people do when their leader intentionally hurts them?
I’m at a loss. I entered the public sector to serve, not to destroy. How is anyone staving off complete and utter despair?
- Soccermom - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
Here’s a question — will the agencies that manage to keep the doors open receive the late payment premium? In other words — how much MORE is this going to cost us?
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
“Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda.”
You’ve got that right, doctor.
We just misunderstood what you were saying.
See you in church.
What a year it’s been, what a revealing week it’s been as to the lunacy of the agenda.
It’s going to take many years to clean up this willful, misanthropic sabotage.
I never thought it would happen here. This hateful zealotry.
I’m ashamed.
All we can do is to get to work to clean it up.
Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a crew of carpenters to build one.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:02 pm:
Ignore the headline, and just use the interactive map from the study. Many, many, IL counties are supported by workers in the health care and social services professions. Rauner and Co. LLC Management Services will do well, I’m sure. And, yes, this is 2013 data, but has this past year done anything to improve the situation!!
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/01/22/fewer-manufacturing-jobs-housing-bust-haunt-many-us-counties
*****
Rich, nothing I would be able to say would be enough. Thank you for continuing the work you are doing. LSSI and all the other people, both staff and clients, should NOT have to be going through this H***. The winter isn’t even into it’s worst yet, and some of the people who were being cared for are now at their most vulnerable.
- Dread Pirate Roberts - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:02 pm:
Devastating.
These program cuts will also further burden other social service providers as LSSI’s former clients will come to them seeking services.
- Homer J. Quinn - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
Young State Worker @ 3:00: “It’s like saboteurs have infiltrated the highest levels of our government.”
Thomas Frank’s book “The Wrecking Crew” explains this.
- olddog - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
This is heart-breaking, and it is a direct consequence of Rauner’s choice of negotiating tactics.
And it’s no longer just a political issue. See Matthew 25:41: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
- Honeybear - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:04 pm:
This is the dam collapsing. You can’t put this back together. This is a big big chunk. I had really hoped that we could hold out for longer. But it’s too late. It’s done. We’ve had a massive uptick in applications for food stamps, medical, and TANF. Even if we aren’t out on strike. The wave that is about to hit will swamp us.
Loving and Gracious God please be with all those of our state who are great need. Hear their prayers and guide them to safety.
- East Central Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
Mark A. Stutrud, LSSI President and CEO says “we are owed more than $6 million by the state for services delivered. After seven months, we can no longer provide services for which we aren’t being paid.” . . . .
They having been trying to provide services to some of the most needy citizens and are owed $6 million. Because Bruce can’t govern and get a budget passed.
Every other governmental agency MUST approve a budget, send it to the state, be transparent, on and on. Community colleges and universities are on the hit list, today it is over 4,500 citizens not getting services and 750 out of a job.
What’s next week gonna look like Bruce? Sure hope your “Turnaround Agenda” is working for you. Seems more like “Turn your Back on Illinois Agenda” would be a better title for it!
- kitty - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
Unconscionable and unbelievable. I respect the office of the Governor but the current incumbent is demonstrating he is not worthy of the title. How many other hostages will have to suffer before moderate GOP members demand that the Gov stop using T/A poison pills to hold up the budget process?
- 100 miles west - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
I expect we will get this tweet from the all stars soon. “If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”.
- Pawn - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:07 pm:
i feel like we are attending a wake.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:11 pm:
“This state”?
That spreads the blame pretty thin — kinda like blaming “The Pacific” for the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
– MrJM
- Buzzie - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:11 pm:
Why the shock? Rauner’s career ideological priority has always been money over people.
- Kyle Hillman - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
At what point does it become clear closing social services in the state was the plan all along. If you look at Donna Arduin’s playbook - it was always to reduce eligibility and force agencies to close. Combining the two you are allowed to make budget cuts without ever making a actual cut. It is sick, but it always was the plan.
- crazybleedingheart - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
More closures will be announced next week.
Let’s talk again about how keeping people out of prison is this chartalan’s one bright spot.
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
It’s taken Rauner just seven months to destroy a 149 y.o. organization that is doing the Lord’s work. I have so many things I want to say but can’t. My personal belief is we’ll all have to account for our decisions one day. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help keep LSSI’s doors open today.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
+1
– MrJM
- crazybleedingheart - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
Constituents seeking services should know that Sandack’s house is conveniently located just a few blocks from the Metra.
- Bystander - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
Rich, you are the greatest. The greatest. Your wise, straight-talking words this morning and your heartbreak re LSSI now are beautiful examples and beacons for all of us. Please be easier. All this will pass. We need you strong and well. Do some extra rehab today. Thank you for everything.
- Anon - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
Rauner has torn businesses apart leaving people to suffer. And now he is tearing the state apart leaving people to suffer. To what end? To his own end. This is the wedge Rauner promised to drive between Democrats and unions.
- burbanite - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:27 pm:
Read my lips, raise my taxes! This is not the first time I have said it and many of my peers have said it as well. But it is probably too late, some things can’t be undone.
- Young State Worker - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:27 pm:
@Homer J. Quinn, thanks for the recommendation, I’ll check that out.
- Excessively Rabid - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:30 pm:
Well thanks for the list anyway. Looks like Lutheran Child and Family Services is not part of it. Different organization, I guess.
- William Jennings Bryan - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:31 pm:
Hell bent on destroying unions at all costs. He may win in the end but nothing will be left.
- Robert the Bruce - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:32 pm:
He doesn’t travel in circles that include people working there, let alone those receiving services. He doesn’t care.
- El Conquistador - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
Haters are winning
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:35 pm:
We let a stranger in our house
- JB - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
What is is going to take for this Governor to start governing? Surely he realizes that his Walker-style ambition of breaking unions instead of working with the Democrats on a budget is tearing this state apart As long as he is in office and the Republican legislative leaders caucus supports this governor I will no longer be voting Republican
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
– MrJM
- 4 percent - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
It’s sad but we are in January and it takes 30 & 60 to pass a bill. Last time I checked, Dems had supermajorities in the House & Senate. PASS A BUDGET on various smaller programs. Let Rauner take action on various programs.
- cardsmama - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
One of the most sad casualties of this MESS!!!
- Forgot finish - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
Looks like the Burn it Down agenda is firing on all cylinders.
- Downstate - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:39 pm:
This is tough.
I’m involved with a large social services agency. 18 years ago, 85% of our funding came from the government. We purposefully decided to reduce our dependency on government funds.
We’d marched it down to 55%, when the new foster care rules came out. While we had to cut our staff over moving away from foster care - today only 25% of our funding comes from government dependency.
I’m never more grateful, than today, for the decision making that started 18 years ago.
- Arguenda - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:40 pm:
I am concerned that these positions will never be filled, and that folks that are willing to run social services agencies will be gun-shy. This will take years to undo.
- DeliaC - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:43 pm:
I’m literally fighting tears. And I’m mad as hell. And I can’t even think about what my colleagues at LSSI are going through. Jobs. People. Communities. All stomped on for a BS turnaround agenda. I can’t even process this. I’m SO MAD.
- Langhorne - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:43 pm:
Short term pain for long term gain?
Is this what winning looks like to you, radogno and durkin?
(Gee, silence)
Immoral. Shameful. So what. Full speed ahead for capt rauner
- Jack Kemp - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
If Madigan and his caucus wanted a budget, they could’ve had one on June 1st. They didn’t have to waste a single second of their time playing political games. They had the votes. So why didn’t they do it? Perhaps it is that they don’t care nearly as much about the most vulnerable as their rhetoric suggests.
They have the votes to stop this — to save LSSI and any other social service agency in crisis. They can override any veto. So why don’t they do it? Perhaps they are perfectly aware that their budget and budgets past have written checks that can’t be cashed and made promises that couldn’t be kept.
For all the finger pointing at the Governor, if anyone ought to be ashamed of themselves it’s the legislative Democrats who intentionally, knowingly, willingly passed a budget billions of dollars out of balance because they didn’t care to negotiate in good faith with a Republican Governor. It’s *their* budget. They starved these social services. Not the Governor. And they have the tools to fix it. But they won’t.
Nope, they won’t. They’ll just keep pointing fingers at the Governor, rather than have to choose between the unions who will finance their reelection, or the vulnerable underclass who get the shaft from their empty promises.
- Handle Bar Mustache - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:46 pm:
I serve a tiny nonprofit. Last night layoffs were announced. There were tears. Lives are ruined. We are but a trickle. LSSI is a flood. Rich, I am sorry this is happening.
Like others here, I am tired of the one-dimensional reporting on these issues focused almost singularly on the Mike v. Bruce drama. This is about Bruce. He is failing badly as a governor. If he doesn’t want to do the job, he should resign.
When the little people, en masse, point their finger at Bruce Rauner and remind him THIS HARM IS HIS FAULT, maybe the tide will turn.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:48 pm:
No, - Jack Kemp -, no.
I’m so upset right now, so as you pretend Madigan can stop this, remember;
Rep. Ken Dunkin blows your theory out if the water, so stop.
- Homer J. Quinn - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:49 pm:
“They have the votes to stop this — to save LSSI and any other social service agency in crisis. They can override any veto. So why don’t they do it?”
ken dunkin’s 40 pieces of silver is why.
- GraduatedCollegeStudent - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:50 pm:
They have the votes to stop this — to save LSSI and any other social service agency in crisis. They can override any veto.
NO. THEY. CAN’T.
They need Dunkin’s vote to override a veto. Which won’t be forthcoming.
- Hoping for Rational Thought - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:50 pm:
No excuses. This is crappy and the Governor needs to get his act together and lead. But I also want to know why Madigan and the Dems don’t say enough is enough. The Dems can pass a budget WITHOUT the Governor or GOP. What is stopping them? The fear of the election to come? The sad truth is their is no leadership ANYWHERE in State Government right now. So who blinks and does the right thing first regardless of the coming election?
- illini - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:51 pm:
Another Friday afternoon news drop, but not because it was purposeful.
Hopefully other organizations and the media will start paying attention and realize how this impasse is effecting real people who rely on Social Services Organizations to provide basic services to the most needy and worthy of our neighbors. Yet, given the “business” experience and the self proclaimed prowess of our Governor, I’m fairly certain he sleeps well every night.
Sad. Sad. Sad.
No Social Agenda - Short Term Pain - All meaningless hyperbole’s when we are talking about the people who rely the most on our charities, and their support ( contractual, for the most part ) from our State.
It has been said many times here before, and I will say it again HE DOES NOT CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Handle Bar Mustache - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
==I also want to know why Madigan and the Dems don’t say enough is enough.==
Please. They have been saying this. See Ken Dunkin.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
The next utterly ignorant person who forgets or doesnt know of Ken Dunkin…
Enough.
- East Central Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:53 pm:
Dunkin. Dunkin. Dunkin. Not the donuts.
Representative Dunkin is why they can’t do it.
It. Is. Rauner.
- Jack Kemp - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:55 pm:
Willy, please. You honestly believe that Dunkin would cut his throat and vote against funding for social service programs like this one? There’s not a snowballs chance in the California desert that he’d do that.
- Bored Chairman - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:55 pm:
Jack Kemp is 100% correct.
- illinoised - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:56 pm:
Governor Gordon Gekko.
- 13th - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:57 pm:
to bad they set it up basically he cant even be recalled, as that what needs to happen
- Quest - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:57 pm:
As a retired social worker, I know the good this agency has provided to a number of disadvantaged individuals/families.
Now both D & R’s have some ownership on this fiasco, but Rauner has more blood on his hands than any other. He has failed to find a common ground, and in fact his message in the last week has changed so much, it brings you to question his sanity.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:58 pm:
- Jack Kemp -
What votes did Ken Dunkin miss, while in NYC, while a dying Rep. Golar was advocating for children?
Your ignorant and foolish pandering ignores reality.
How pathetic.
- Jack Stephens - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:58 pm:
Jack Kemp,
Where is Bruce’s Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget? Oh, thats right…his was a few billion out of whack.
Please talk to your friend Bruce. Maybe tutor him on basic math. Do something. Ask him to resign since he has NO interest in Governing. But I’m sure up at the Wine & Cheese party in Winnetkastan they’ll just be laughing it up!
Love,
Jack
- East Central Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:59 pm:
So, to speak to Dunkin’s track record, at least for 2015. On one of the most important votes during the 2015 legislative sessions, he is ‘too busy’ on the east coast to cast his vote.
Actions (or in-action) in Dunkin’s case, speak louder than words.
- crazybleedingheart - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:59 pm:
Dunkin’s got to go, but he’s not the only bought off coward.
Others in his party are relieved he exists.
And there is a slew of Republicans who shouldn’t have the guts to leave the house right now.
Feeling pretty proud these days, Patti Bellock?
But this blame falls singularly on Rauner. No Republican or Democrat would have dared to do this under any sane executive.
- zatoichi - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:59 pm:
There are thousands of other organization like LSSI going through the exact same issue throughout the state. They are not the same size as LSSI, but they do many similar services and facing the same financial crunch. Aging, disabilities, homeless, mental health, drug/alcohol, residential, crisis, independent living. Wherever you live these groups are there…for now.
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:02 pm:
There is a balance in nature. For those who ignore or defy this fact, the truth of it will eventually become manifest.
- illini - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:03 pm:
Willy - I’ve got your backside on this conversation. And so do many of us.
- crazybleedingheart - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:03 pm:
It’s clear that Rauner wants to shut off the spigot just long enough for the nonprofits to fold so that he can bring his private-industry friends in to do the job, poorly and at untold cost. Then, whoosh, the cash will flow again.
- jt - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:03 pm:
So much for the Illinois Constitution Preamble.
- Dupage - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:03 pm:
Awful!
- No Longer A Lurker - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:04 pm:
This is sad news indeed. Unfortunately I doubt this news makes it in any of the major papers across the state. I don’t see the Chicago Tribune placing this story anywhere in the first few pages or any pages of their newspaper.
- Boss Tweed - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:10 pm:
“They can override any veto.”
They obviously CAN’T, because they HAVE NOT. In fact, their inability to override Rauner’s veto is the only thing his dwindling number of defenders points to as a “victory” for him.
Rauner, by his words and actions, has shown that he wants pretty much the same thing from the budget that Madigan does. He just wants his precious Turnaround Agenda first.
- SAP - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:12 pm:
The Tribune just reported that Illinois lost a net 3,000 jobs in 2015. With LSSI and CPS layoffs we have already lost another 1,000 in 2016. As much as I want to say “Heckofajob Raunie” it would be unfair not to give the Legislature its share of the blame. A pox on all their houses. Ugh.
- Wensicia - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:14 pm:
I expect Katrina McQueary is satisfied. It’s the kind of devastation she hoped for.
- Another prof - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:14 pm:
What does it take to have a recall vote?
1. I mean literally what does it take?
2. Is it time?
3. Would it work? Will the political will be there?
- GraduatedCollegeStudent - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
===Willy, please. You honestly believe that Dunkin would cut his throat and vote against funding for social service programs like this one? There’s not a snowballs chance in the California desert that he’d do that.===
I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t. He’s that far in Rauner’s pocket at this point.
- Jack Kemp - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:16 pm:
You have a selective memory. I’m sure that it’s just a mistake and has nothing to do with pandering, ignoring reality, etc.
But, for the record: Dunkin may have missed the vote. (Maybe the Speaker shouldn’t have ran the override, knowing he didn’t have the votes. But that’s neither here nor there.) But he cut a deal with the Governor his first day back in town, and restored those cuts.
Maybe the Speaker could learn a thing or two from Ken Dunkin. He struck a deal with the Governor (who was said to be against piecemeal budgets) and managed to get out of it funding for social services.
Why in the world would he do that if he was so against them? I’m dying to hear your explaination.
- illini - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:16 pm:
After a day and week like we have had ——— maybe I just need to see another picture of Oscar!
Not that it will change anything, but it may help me feel a bit better.
- Very fed up - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:19 pm:
Wonder how Madigan and Rauner look at tjemselves in the mirror. Both are millionaires many times over pretending to care about anything other than their damn agendas. Hope Madigan gets voted out of leadership by his members as does Rauner in 18 primary.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
At least the Superstars can add this to the list of Rauner’s accomplishments for the State of the State address.
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
The Governor isn’t to blame for gutting LSSI! The Democrats are to blame because they didn’t do enough to keep the Governor from gutting! Of course!
– MrJM
- Honeybear - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
OSCAR PICTURE STAT!!!!!!!
- Charlie Wheeler - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
Point of Information, Illinois Constitution, Article III, Suffrage and Elections
SECTION 7. INITIATIVE TO RECALL GOVERNOR
(a) The recall of the Governor may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the
preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties. A petition shall have been signed by the petitioning electors not more than 150 days after an affidavit has been filed with the State Board of Elections providing notice of intent to circulate a petition to recall the Governor. The affidavit may be filed no sooner than 6 months after the beginning of the Governor’s term of
office. The affidavit shall have been signed by the proponent of the recall petition, at least 20 members of the House of Representatives, and at least 10 members of the Senate, with no more than half of the signatures of members of each chamber from the same established political party.
(b) The form of the petition, circulation, and procedure for determining the validity and sufficiency of a petition shall be as provided by law. If the petition is valid and sufficient, the State Board of Elections shall certify the petition not more than 100 days after the date the petition was filed, and the question “Shall (name) be recalled from the office of Governor?” must be submitted to the electors at a special election called by the State Board of Elections,
to occur not more than 100 days after certification of the petition. A recall petition certified by the State Board of Elections may not be withdrawn and another recall petition may not be initiated against the Governor during the remainder of the current term of office. Any recall petition or recall election pending
on the date of the next general election at which a candidate for Governor is elected is moot.
(c) If a petition to recall the Governor has been filed with the State Board of Elections, a person eligible to serve as Governor may propose his or her candidacy by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to the requirement for petitions for an established party candidate for the office of Governor,
signed by petitioning electors not more than 50 days after a recall petition has been filed with the State Board of Elections. The form of a successor election petition, circulation, and procedure for determining the validity and sufficiency of a petition shall be as provided by law. If the successor election petition is valid and sufficient, the State Board of Elections
shall certify the petition not more than 100 days
after the date the petition to recall the Governor was filed. Names of candidates for nomination to serve as the candidate of an established political party must be submitted to the electors at a special primary election, if necessary, called by the State Board of
Elections to be held at the same time as the special election on the question of recall established under subsection (b). Names of candidates for the successor election must be submitted to the electors at a special successor election called by the State Board of Elections, to occur not more than 60 days after the date of the special primary election or on a date
established by law.
(d) The Governor is immediately removed upon
certification of the recall election results if a
majority of the electors voting on the question vote to recall the Governor. If the Governor is removed, then (i) an Acting Governor determined under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article V shall serve until the Governor elected at the special successor election is qualified and (ii) the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the special successor election is elected Governor for the balance of the term.
(Source: Amendment adopted at general election November 2, 2010.)
Charlie Wheeler
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
- Jack Kemp -
===Dunkin may have missed the vote.===
No, he DID miss the vote. Are you that dense? He missed it, end of discussion.
===But he cut a deal with the Governor his first day back in town, and restored those cuts.===
Not all the cuts - hostages first.
You are so ignorant to actual facts, yiu woykdn’t know truth if it snuck up and tickled you.
Rauner is choosing to destroy groups like LSSI, your lemming-like mouth breathing loves it.
I feel sad for you, you don’t even realize what’s really going on.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:24 pm:
===But he cut a deal with the Governor his first day back in town, and restored those cuts. ===
First, get back on topic.
Second, you’re wrong.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:26 pm:
===He struck a deal with the Governor ===
If Dunkin is with the Governor, genius, how can Madigan hace 71 to override.
You don’t even realize what you say…
- Boss Tweed - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
Did I miss something? I thought Rauner vetoed all the budget bills except primary/secondary education. Meaning, including the funding for LSSI?
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
This travesty on Rauner and his desire to destroy unions, especially public sector unions. The best the Raunerbots can do is cite the unbalanced budget passed by the Dems. Besides the fact that Rauner’s budget was also unbalanced, at least that was a budget. A budget where the deficit looks good compared to the unpaid bills we’ve now racked up.
Is Madigan a saint, no, but he and Cullerton were focused on funding state government. Rauner focus has solely been on his T-agenda.
Rauner’s disingenuous mantra is that he wouldn’t support tax increase until the T-agenda is passed. OK, it hasn’t passed so don’t support a tax hike. Submit a no tax budget. Give Cullerton his reset. You like to negotiate with Cullerton - take a budget that provides cuts to him and work out a deal. This may involve the recognition that they won’t support all your cuts, but I believe you can come to an understanding on a budget that you feel doesn’t leave mines item/reduction vetoes problematic. If you had done this and Madigan trashed the Rauner/Cullerton BUDGET undertanding, then I would have gladly point the finger at Madigan.
No. What we have here is Rauner wanting his agenda and a tax hike. Kill the unions, avoid taking blame for terrible cuts and having a campaign issue to paint all over the Dems. This is the win-win-win he wants for which he’s sacrificing programs and people throughout the state.
This is the message that needs to be shared throughout those Lutheran and Catholic churches and Jewish Synagogues that have supported their excellent social service agencies. Yell it from the rooftops. This is Rauner’s doing and he’s being enabled by all but one of your local GOP legislators.
- Boss Tweed - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
==The best the Raunerbots can do is cite the unbalanced budget passed by the Dems.==
In a government where the Governor is given a line item veto. If he wanted a budget, he coulda had one…
- Austin Blvd - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:31 pm:
Bruce will just blame Mike. And he will get away with it.
- Jack Kemp - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:32 pm:
Mr. Miller … I’m wrong?
Well that blatantly contradicts your own reporting from
November 10th, the day after Rauner restored the cuts.
And I believe you said he positioned himself “pretty darned well,” after that.
What’s changed?
- Bigtwich - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
There are several versions of this story. The one I heard was that in the early days of the New Deal a staff member leaving the White House late at night saw a light on in the office of Harry Hopkins. He stopped by, leaned in and said, “Don’t worry Harry. It will work out in the long run. Hopkins replied, without looking up, “People don’t eat in the long run, they eat every day.”
- Matt - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
I read that there was no comment thus far from Rauner’s administration. If it is anything like Chicago State or higher ed in general, Rauner will instead rant about how LSSI isn’t operating efficiently enough and ask that they prove to him that LSSI is reforming their finances before the state releases money.
- Sangamo Sam - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:37 pm:
This is heartbreaking.
And you know - Jack Kemp and others of your ilk - out here we don’t give a rats tail about the inside blame game.
==if anyone ought to be ashamed of themselves it’s the legislative Democrats==
All that sort of dialog does is keep the fires burning. That maybe plays well to one side under the rotunda but not out here.
Real people are hurting and The Governor IS the face of Illinois. Like it or not, fairly or not, he carries the mantle for all that is right and all that is wrong with Illinois.
And this is very, very wrong.
- Anon - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:38 pm:
@Langhorne. Is this what winning looks like to you, radogno and durkin? Apparently, it is.
- Moonbeam time - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:39 pm:
Dear Bruce,
If you don’t want to lose, 360 from the Kansas model to the California by Monday! U bleeeep.
- Anon - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
@Jack Kemp Rauner first proposed a budget that was not balanced. And then he kept saying that he was going to propose a budget, and Madigan kept asking him to do so. The Democrats proposed Rauner’s spending plan - the plan he kept speaking about publicly. People need to remember that. This mess has Rauner and his obsession written all over it.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
==Is Madigan a saint, no, but he and Cullerton were focused on funding state government.==
Then use the majorities. Expose him. Pass a bill. Drop it on Rauner’s desk.
Don’t give him any excuses not to sign it. Make it clear as day, that only a mad person would not sign a properly funded, balanced bill to fund these social programs. Or sit by and watch this wreck happen.
- Union Man - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:44 pm:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.
Proverbs 29:2
- Commonsense in Illinois - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:45 pm:
Its going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the public over the next week or so.
That said, all of us here, regular common-taters and not-so-regular, have seen this inept, selfish administration and a recalcitrant, arrogant legislative leadership heading for this cliff for months. All are at fault - not one is innocent, and that includes the minority leaders who have done nothing for years but sit on their hands.
LSSI is an organization like very very few others across the nation. For them to shutter programming - programming that nobody else wants to engage in - is just…criminal just isn’t strong enough.
Children, it’s time to grow up and clean up your utter disaster. You weren’t elected to impose one set of values, so knock it off.
None of you deserves to stay in office. None of you.
You ALL have made Illinois and all of us to live here a joke.
Go to Hell.
- Politix - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:49 pm:
“Make it clear as day, that only a mad person would not sign a properly funded, balanced bill to fund these social programs.”
Cmon man
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
- Jack Kemp -
https://capitolfax.com/2016/01/20/circling-back-on-the-child-care-program/
Read. Learn. (Banned Word)
- Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:53 pm:
=== Pass a bill. Drop it on Rauner’s desk. Don’t give him any excuses not to sign it. ===
LOL. You’re in-depth analysis is so awesome.
- Bob Lafollette - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
Has there been an attempt to override a budget veto yet? Make Dunkin publicly side with the Governor?
- Boss Tweed - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
=== Pass a bill. Drop it on Rauner’s desk. Don’t give him any excuses not to sign it. ===
I mean, he already vetoed the funding for this once, right?
- Archiesmom - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
Jack Kemp, Ken Dunkin is a pro at publicly taking credit for deals worked out by others - as was noted in this blog.
- Bob Lafollette - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
I mean outside the isolated Child Care issue
- Momof2 - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
I never thought that I’d ever see the day when I would say that there couldn’t possibly be a governor worse than Rod B. I think I have seen that day.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
Oops, I having browser issues too.
The Anon post with the LOL was mine.
- illini - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
I’m not certain if JACK KEMP is a Troll, FratBoy or is of the Superstars that we were promised would lead this State out of its quagmire, but he has made his presence known once again on this site. I followed the advise of MrJM and abstained from commenting to his inane remarks!
- George - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 5:00 pm:
Well the good news is the govs wife has a new 100k chief of staff. Nice timing.
- Amalia - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 5:03 pm:
Rich, thank you for your dedication to raising funds for this group. this latest news is very sad.
- Politix - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 5:09 pm:
For what it’s worth, wbbm newsradio just reported this.
- Jimmy H - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 5:10 pm:
Rauner’s circle of hell.
- Mouthy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 5:12 pm:
Dunkin made a career decision a while back. He was convinced that his life would be better off by being bought off by Rauner. The die has been cast. There’s no turning back now for him. So passing anything veto proof that the Governor doesn’t want ain’t gonna happen.
The Governor’s only use for those in need is to use them as leverage to get his way. He won’t quit no matter how rough it gets on people. That’s the Captain Ahab in him.
I don’t think he has any intention of running for another term. The war is all or nothing in the next 3 years.
God help the people that are his necessary “collateral” damage..