29 Comments - Linus - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:04 am: But they’re (temporarily) still earning more than than they will be when their employer folds and they’re taken over by the for-profit that’s owned by a company that’s owned by a company that’s owned by GTCR affiliates/subordinates/associates. - DuPage - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:08 am: $11/hour cut in half would be below minimum wage. - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:11 am: Radogno must be thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. This is necessary — and long overdue. Bravo! We need more like Radogno to tell it like it is. /s - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:14 am: ‘Nember the PowerPoint presentation Gov. Rauner has that pointed out that… Union workers make too much money. … I do. Trades, Public Sector… all unions and Union workers; understand…. You make too much money and if Rauner can lower your wages, even by unintended consequences like this, it’s the feature not the bug of holding a budget hostage. If the Labor Movement gives quarter to any Raunerite up for election, and especially don’t send a message in the handful of races that can matter, these stories will continue, but at a more alarming rate. So… If Labor thinks “yellow” is ok, walking on votes is fine, being “red” when it matters most… this is what happens to Labor. Work, campaign, and vote accordingly. Might want to ell a friend or two as well. - Matt - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:17 am: This is Mike Madigan helping the middle and low income people. - Fusion - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:26 am: I fear Linus @9:04 may be exactly right. Are we as citizens going to allow the destruction of our social service system? - Langhorne - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:29 am: If only these workers would take a look at the big picture–term limits and redistricting reform, in the long run, will be worth the short term pain. Of course, it may not be a short term shakeout. And they may have already lost their child care. In the meantime, head down to the bank for strategic merger financing. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:32 am: How can you cut their pay in half? The only way to legally do it is to cut their hours. So less Home care for everybody. Good job Gov. /s - Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:34 am: OW - This is not an unintended consequence. This is a calculated action by the governor to destroy the social safety net that the elderly, poor and defenseless count on for survival. - Bootsie - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:35 am: So, success, right? I mean, the whole idea of the Turnaround Agenda (with it’s 60% disapproval rating) has been “I’m gonna raise your taxes, but first I want to cut your pay.” - Jack Stephens - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:41 am: Cant we cut the pay of Union Prison Workers downstate? I hate having my tax dollars wasted on overpaid bologna sandwich tossers. What if we hired the retired mustard shooters from franchise burger places? Would that save money? Just thinkin’ like Bruce!!!!!!! - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:48 am: - Huh? - I’m only going to say this one time; “Bruce Rauner has no social agenda” That was the quote from Diana Rauner, - Huh? -, the President of Ounce of Prevention, and Illinois’ First Lady. Either she knew this was going to happen, and didn’t care and spoke up for Bruce because being First Lady of Illinois is more important than people… or Diana Rauner was duped and she’s out there protestin’ all these hostages taken by Bruce, speakin’ and pointin’ out that the Bruce, her husband, is doin’ wrong to people she calls peers. One or the other, - Huh? - You by now know this is indeed snark. To your point? I do feel Brube Rauner didn’t think it work this “well”? That’s where I’m at, to be honest. I don’t think Rauner thought after a year he could destroy Illinois Social Services as “well” as he did. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 9:49 am: Is the governor’s office going to give us the skinny on the “merger” strategy for social service agencies that was revealed here yesterday in that DHS email? Sounds like a big deal, something you should share with the public. If you’re going to willfully push social service agencies into financial distress, then urge those in financial distress to contact a specific group to discuss mergers, it would be nice for the game plan to be transparent. Otherwise, some could get the impression that it’s just a bust-out; running going concerns into the ground so that some favored few can swoop in, pick at the remains and pick up future state contracts. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:04 am: =Otherwise, some could get the impression that it’s just a bust-out; running going concerns into the ground so that some favored few can swoop in, pick at the remains and pick up future state contracts.= Unsurprisingly, Word nails it. Well done sir. - Skeptic - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:12 am: “that it’s just a bust-out” Well, that *is* running government like a business after all… - Tony - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:13 am: I can only imagine the smile on the Governors face this morning. I wonder what restaurant he will take the President of Ounce of Prevention out to celebrate the good news at? I especially noticed the article did not say “every” workers pay. - AnonymousOne - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:16 am: Half of what they earn is probably too much according to some. They should do it for free for the love of helping others. /s - Norseman - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:41 am: Remember, the Raunerbots told us their is no economic impact to Rauner’s impasse. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:45 am: The State has contracts to honor. The State Executive has chosen not to honor those contracts through various means (veto, spending freeze, etc.). The State Executive is standing by and allowing “hostile take-overs” by outside for-profits. How many more will be forced out of business by Rauner and Co. LLC??? The “shakedown” continues. - Earnest - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 10:59 am: I still can’t comprehend that this is happening, willfully targeting people with disabilities, illness, the poor, making them suffer in the service of a political agenda. Rauner could have chosen to hold K-12 funding back–he’s in favor of consolidation and efficiency there. He could have used any other of the tools available to him. He could have compromised and gotten progress towards his goals completed. He chose this population out of many other options. It is just difficult to believe, even seeing it with my own eyes. - Langhorne - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:07 am: Word is right–that DHS merger strategy memo needs thorough public scrutiny. They could not come close to passing a bill to do it above board. Yet here they are, w a damnable strategy, that even names a preferred partner. Does not seem like a legit way to procure financial services, or social service providers. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 11:28 am: That DHS email, in the hands of a Scorsese or Puzo, could go something like this: “That money you say Brucenzo owes you? Yeah, that’s a problem. A big problem, see, because he has a lot on his mind with this unpleasantness. Lot of money going out, nothing coming in…. “Let’s talk about your problem. I gotta guy — a friend of mine, kapeesh? — who helps people like you with problems. “You talk to him. Tell him I sent you. He knows me. Maybe he sees a way to throw you some samolians, help you with your problem….” - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 12:20 pm: Is there a link to the Chicago news conference??? - Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:35 pm: Oh boy, I got a classic OW blast. I feel so honored. My day is complete. I know what the chief enabler said about 1.4% not having a social agenda. You have repeated many times. However, I am going to challenge that supposition that based on the facts of what is occurring to the social services, that there is an agenda. The closely held agenda is to decimate the not for profit social services so the for profit agencies can pick up the pieces and cash in on state business. Others have mentioned a DHS email. 1.4% is doing what he does best, gut a company and sell the remains at a profit. Ms. Rayner stated that 1.4% doesn’t have a social agenda. Given what is happening, do you believe her? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:46 pm: - Huh? - I was being playful more towards Diana Rauner than you. By miles. I missed the mark, I am sorry. My real comment was; ===To your point? I do feel Brube Rauner didn’t think it work this “well”? That’s where I’m at, to be honest. I don’t think Rauner thought after a year he could destroy Illinois Social Services as “well” as he did.=== ===Ms. Rauner stated that 1.4% doesn’t have a social agenda. Given what is happening, do you believe her?=== I’d like to believe Mrs. Rauner didn’t know. I’d like to think that. Diana Rauner’s complete silence isn’t lost on me. I mocked Mrs. Rauner, using your comment to do so, badly as I did, to highlight that point. I want to believe Diana Rauner is upset, but the President of Ounce of Prevention is quite content being silent(?) With respect. - Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 1:53 pm: With great respect. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:27 pm: Diana Rauner, three months ago, United Way of Lake County- interesting comments at 19:00 on impacts of stress on children, 23:00 on changing adults’ views. Wonder if she and Bruce have ever had this conversation?? - Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:30 pm: Helps to post the link;( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEn8lkomzfM - Dr X - Tuesday, Feb 2, 16 @ 2:51 pm: I know the Gov is callin’ his wealthy friends everywhere to be compassionate conservatives and they will donate time and money to free these clients from government bunglin’. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.