171 Comments - Union Man - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:35 pm: Dirty Deeds and They’re Done Dirt Cheap. - 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:36 pm: Isn’t this beneath the Governor? I mean the office, not the person. - Super Gus 123 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:37 pm: Can you say “unfair labor practice?” ULP - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:38 pm: Yet again unfair labor practices. Keep it up. You’re just making our case. - Lunch break - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:39 pm: Yes - last night. They confirmed my name, AFSCME membership, whether fair share or full, and asked if anyone in my household was a member of the media. When they started on the questions I told them I was not comfortable answering, since they had my personal information. The same group has been calling multiple times each evening for a week (same name on caller id). I’ve been ignoring them and letting the machine answer, but answered last night with the intent to ask to be removed from the call list. - TooMadtoSpit - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:43 pm: I got the call last night, for me, on my wife’s cell phone. I first asked hhow they got this number. The guy told me that he couldn’t answer any questions until I completed the survey, so I said to go. I answered many questions until they started to personal. I asked how many more questions after 10 minutes - he said we were half done. I said - NO - I’m done and asked to speak to his supervisor. The supervisor said that they could not answer any of my questions - I was livid by this point and I think I got him mad as well and finally got him to admit that the survey was paid for my Gov. Rauner. So don’t take the survey thinking you’ll answers at the end - you won’t! - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:46 pm: So nice of my employer to give my personal contact info to others? And to the commenter who said they called his wife, they could get her number if you listed her as your emergency contact. Which is not what that was meant for… - name changed for this post - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:47 pm: Looks like my paranoia was well founded then. Wish I wouldn’t have answered anything. I had convinced myself that the state couldn’t give out our personal information (phone numbers) for this purpose. Guess I was wrong… - illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:49 pm: TooMad - “…finally got him to admit that the survey was paid for my Gov. Rauner.” Surprise. Surprise. - DuPage - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:50 pm: Thank you for participating in our survey. Your pink slip is in the mail! - Truthteller - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:51 pm: What a waste of money asking state employees how they feel about Rauner. They like him even less than does the general public. Hope it’s Rauner political dough, not taxpayer money, being wasted - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:51 pm: on another note, this could be an AFSCME trick to just put that fear of the Governor out there. I am not saying it was or wasn’t but it could have been either or neither… it could have been commissioned by anyone, CNN, any newspaper, etc… - TooMadtoSpit - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:54 pm: Allen D - did you use the whole roll of reynolds wrap for that hat you’re wearing - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:54 pm: I really don’t know if this will work, but it might be worth filing with the FTC is you think they got access to your phone number illegally- https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:55 pm: “I am not saying it was or wasn’t but it could have been either or neither…” Then what are you saying? Is it nothing? Is it something? Is it… everything? How very deep and contemplative. Almost zen… - Humboldt.Man. - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:57 pm: I got that call. They called me a few times (untill I answered). I generally refuse to take polls on principle. The fact that they called my cell phone was especially odd. Only friends, family, and work have my cell number. - AC - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:59 pm: Walmart called, their anti union playbook had gone missing and they wanted it back. - State Engineer - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:59 pm: Allen D. How does CNN or a newspaper have the Personal contact info of State Employees? There are 36k state employees out of 13 million that’s pretty good quessing. AFSCME has stewards in the office with employees why do they need a survey? Why would AFSCME risk a stupid stunt like pretending they are the Gov. in a poll? You do realize that if that were true and the Gov office proved it AFSCME would have the unfair labor practice issue seems like a lot of risk for no reward. I’m sure you’ll tell us all that it never happened? I wouldn’t know if I was surveyed with all the Election polling for the primary I’ve stopped answering any number I don’t recognize. - Rufus - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:01 pm: I really answer calls from numbers I don’t know. However, on Tuesday, It was the 5th time I received a call from a caller ID ‘SSI’, so I answered it. They said they were conducting a survey. I asked who was doing the survey,and they said that information was confidential….. And why don’t I answer the first few questions. Before I could respond, she asked how much money did I make, I responded that I sure wasn’t going to tell you, since you won’t tell me who you are. She said she was just trying to verify that I was making over 100K. I repeated that I refused to answer that question. She again said it was just for verification. Again said, I will not answer that question and that I want to speak to her supervisor. She hung up. Now I am going home tonight, find out the phone numbers and report it to whomever wishes to investigate this. - Mouthy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:01 pm: I have no doubt it was Rauner and the info used to contact you was from your personnel files. I believe he’s looking for AFSCME Dunkins.. - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:02 pm: – There is power in a union… - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 12:55 pm: ** Then what are you saying? Is it nothing? Is it something? Is it… everything? ** if you had finished rather than reading only a couple words you would have seen that it could have been the State Administration, AFSCME, or neither it could have been a newspaper or CNN they both do polls as well. - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:04 pm: If it is SSI- https://www.surveysampling.com/about/ http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/05/01/1945751/south-carolina-push-poll/ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ssi-launches-us-voter-panel-300203640.html - Stumpy's bunker - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:05 pm: Yep - my call came the day before yesterday. I smelled a rat three questions in, and pulled the plug. - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:06 pm: Almost the exact same thing happened to me. I’m a union member (I took vacation this afternoon) and got half way through the questions, got uncomfortable, asked who commissioned the poll, was told they didn’t know, so I told them that I didn’t feel comfortable answering any more questions if the poll was sponsored by Rauner and they hung up. They’ve called me back again 3 times to “complete the survey” and I just hang up on them. Hopefully, I didn’t paint an even larger target on my back, since I answered truthfully when they asked me what I thought about Rauner. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:07 pm: I do not want to judge prematurely, but this seems like a clear unfair labor practice if it is in fact tied to the State officials (any of them). It would be dumb to do that. Best advice is to hang up. - Jwscott72 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:08 pm: I received the first of two calls from them on Tuesday not later than 10 minutes from walking into the house after attending the AFSCME informational meeting. I answered their questions with questions of my own and hung up not more than two minutes into the call. They called Wednesday night but I just hung up on them. I did ask about the no call list and was told that it doesn’t apply to these situations. I don’t know why pollsters call me in the first place seeing as I will intentionally lie to them just to be the outlier in their polls. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:08 pm: Is it a 501 area code? - Seriously serious - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:08 pm: Serious question here for those that know better than I: is the Governor beginning to wade into the unfair labor practice pool with these surveys, emails to employees and recent public statements? I don’t know near enough about labor law and collective bargaining to know if this type of behavior is allowed during negotiations. It all just feels wrong. - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:09 pm: This is intimidation if nothing else. How is this legal? - Mouthy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:10 pm: I’d think if Rauner provided information from you personnel files to a push polling operation it could be a violation of the law. Maybe someone could comment on that possibility that knows something about worker’s rights and the law. - Forgottonian - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:11 pm: My mom wife has been getting phone calls from First Media Research on a nightly basis. Anyone else? I hang up as soon as the caller identifies who is calling. - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:11 pm: Anonymous@1:07- “It would be dumb to do that.” ****** Not the first misstep for this administration if they were involved in this. I would really question, especially since cell phones were involved, how they got your number. Answers would be very helpful before the 10th or at least by the 17th of this month. Need to trace the money trail- who hired them! - Union Leader - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:12 pm: Elections have consequences. AFSCME and all other unions in this state, be it private or public, now need to stand together and convince non-union workers how dangerous Governor Rauner and his TA agenda really is. In March, we all need to vote against Rauner allies and those who vote “yellow and red”. - cardsmama - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:12 pm: We have received a call from this caller very frequently. Last night my daughter answered it. She flat out told them that I didn’t want to take the survey. Kept asking for me by my full name. I took the call. I asked who authorized the survey. “I don’t have that information in front of me” ??? Really? I asked the subject of the questions. “Sorry. I don’t have that in front of me right now. You may stop at any time.” I said “ok. Ask” “are you currently or have you been an Illinois state employee?” Click. An hour later, same call. Daughter answers and told them that I have taken all of the survey that I care to take. Leave us alone. I knew exactly what was going on. - Jack Kemp - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:13 pm: TooMadToSpit’s story is what is classically called “a lie.” - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:14 pm: Trolling Troll- Arkansas - 618er - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm: Got it from a number from central Utah. I tend to answe neuteral. Fun part was at the end, the caller verified my name, but told me the answers. were anonymous.. - George - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm: Caller ID was SSI. Called 10 times the past several evenings but we never answered. Finally torquede off so I answered and immediately told them not to call again. I guess I knew who it was now. - Omega Man - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm: Thanks Governor for all the help that you are giving us in building an Unfair Labor Practices case! - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm: At our office they suddenly offered overtime at the same time as our informational meeting. Funny that. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:16 pm: We are getting these calls at work, especially in the IDHS, HFS, and CMS offices. It’s starting to get really annoying. This is making me sick. - illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:17 pm: === If it is SSI- === This expenditure could well show up on the Citizens for Rauner D-2 filing, the next not due until 4-15. Or it could have been commissioned by Proft or another secret super PAC. Could be hard to follow the money. - cardsmama - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:18 pm: My calls were SSI, too. A 217 area code. I tried calling number back when the first calls came…dead air. - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:18 pm: Hey, ck, nobody believes you anymore. Many of the folks in the informational meeting we had last night had gotten the call. - Forgottonian - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:19 pm: We have been the these phone calls on a nightly basis. When I answer the caller asks for my wife. When I ask who is calling the person says her name (Kimberly) from First Media Research. I hang up. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:19 pm: Thank you annon221. They have called my spouse numerous times. We didn’t answer and just blocked the call. To the update. You didn’t call an impass either. /s - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:19 pm: Btw, the poll also asks if you or any member of your family are with the media. From what I understand, if you answer ‘yes’, they hang up. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:20 pm: To the update: well if there is anyone I trust… /s - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:20 pm: Honeybear at least you get meeting notifications… I never get anything on the meetings, either email or call. - DPGumby - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:20 pm: thanks ck….Nixon also denied the break-in and didn’t someone say there was no impass before saying there was an impass? Or calling when there were no calls, etc., etc…. - Captain Illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:20 pm: Yep, took the call, and the survey, and basically told them to pound sand. SSI was on the caller ID, so that’s the group doing it. Clearly also, some of the questions couldn’t be answered due to how they were framed, and the total lack of knowledge in existing law…I pointed those out as well. The young lass that was asking the questions wasn’t doing well reading them either, so I told her to think of them as twitter feeds, hashtag BS. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:21 pm: Things are getting serious… How do I know things are getting “serious” The crazy begins to define the norm. - Union Leader - That’s the ball game. Get to work. OW - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:21 pm: ===This expenditure could well show up on the Citizens for Rauner D-2 filing=== He denies it, but even if it was him, he wouldn’t use a campaign account. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:21 pm: Allen, fair share can’t go to meetings… - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:23 pm: illini- Could be hard to follow the money, agreed, but it should be attempted. Still, the question remains, how did they get State employees phone numbers? You can find names of employees, their dept., and salaries on the Comptroller’s site ( http://ledger.illinoiscomptroller.com/index.cfm/find-the-salary-of-a-state-employee/ ), but no contact info. Maybe DoIT needs to investigate if there was a hack (and this final statement is total snark!). - TooMad to Spit - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:23 pm: I’m sorry - Jack Kemp - were you on the phone while I was talking to them? NO?- then you can believe me or not but the last thing I got out of the supervisor was - Yes -when I asked if Rauner paid for the survey. He may have just been trying to get rid of me by that point, but that is what he said - have a nice day! - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:23 pm: Please pick a side. Your behavior is boorish. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: Apologies. That Allen D post was me. Supposed to be to him. I’m big enough to admit my mistakes. - Seriously serious - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: Has anyone ever been this successful at doing that exact opposite of what they intend? Rauner wants to destroy unions but he has done nothing except to seemingly cause AFSCME members to become stronger together. It’s amazing to watch. - Lots of ? - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: The agency I work for just had us update our contact information a month or so ago. They claimed it was just an “annual thing.” Now this. I got a call too and I went off on the person. I got out of the girl she was in Idaho. So Idaho calls and relays the number through a Beardstown number. Does anyone know if the state violated our privacy by providing employee information? Could this be turned into a federal case because it crosses state lines? I don’t hear any merit comp employees complaining about the calls. - Forgottonian - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: I also got a phone call from a “national polling firm” that was essentially a push poll for Bryce Benton. The pollster was very aggressive and would not accept that I had not made up my mind yet regarding who I would vote for. I had to hang up. - ash - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: The governor’s office says they aren’t involved — must be true. They have never mislead anyone so far… uh, yeah. - Union Leader - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm: OW– I have been working against Rauner since Day 1. I read and absorb everything you write on this blog and preach to my fellow co-workers and anybody else who will listen. So thank you for making me better informed. - That One Dude - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm: Last night they called my coworker’s girlfriend’s cell phone asking for him. She doesn’t work for the state and never has, so how did they get her number for him? - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm: Here is the company website for SSI https://www.surveysampling.com/ - Shazam - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm: At Jack Kemp - nope witnessed it all …as it was my cell phone. I had also received the call and refused to take the survey and they refused to tell me who ordered it. That is why Mad as spit even took the survey B/c they told him they would tell him who ordered it when it was completed! State of IL cannot pay its light bills, but can pay for a third party poll. It is illegal for our employer to give out our personal information. I do not believe the gov. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm: Could someone please record one of these calls? - illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:27 pm: Rich - I realize that BVR is still a novice at understanding it means to be Governor for everyone in Illinois and that his agenda has some problems, but, I agree that this will never show up on his D-2. Surely he would not be that “transparent”! - Union Leader - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:27 pm: *** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office… Hi, Rich: The administration is not aware of this survey and has nothing to do with it. Best, ck Ummmm…. sorry ck, but Governor Rauner has been known to, ummmm… stretch the truth before. Regards, UL - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:28 pm: So this is what a new government looks like? I thought there was graft, corruption and it all needed to be cleaned up? Ha. This administration wants to bring a new, higher level of it. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:30 pm: “The agency I work for just had us update our contact information a month or so ago. They claimed it was just an “annual thing.”” They did that for strike prep. Want to be able to call you back and ask you to cross. Happened at my office too. It was less than a year from our last contact update and our manager sends out a panicky email demanding super updated contact information by end of day. Said it was because of tornadoes. When it was the wrong time of year or geographical location for tornadoes… - Tinfoil - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:31 pm: Just think how much more efficiently this kind of phone survey will be once Rauner has his new centralized IT system. - Foster brooks - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:31 pm: Just use the Jolley roger telemarketing app - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:31 pm: if you want to opt out of SSI polls you can on their website … https://www.surveysampling.com/about/faqs/#collapse9 that is the page that has the opt out instructions at the bottom - Earnest - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:31 pm: >The administration is not aware of and has nothing to do with it. I think I’ve heard responses like that one before, many times. As to the call, it’s very creepy that someone had all that information at hand. I’m not sure things are boiling, but they’re coming to a simmer. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:32 pm: That one dude: i suspect they are taking our info from our emergency contact sheets. They are in your regional agency personnel file. Probably your supervisor file too. Meant to be used if you have a medical crisis at work. - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:32 pm: Allen D, dude, I go to all the meetings I get involved. I don’t wait to be asked or invited. If you really wanted to go you’d find out. No you just want to grouse and complain. Heck, I don’t think you really are who you say you are. With your attitude towards the union why would anyone want to invite you anyway? I sure the hell wouldn’t. Oh, and Power in a Union is right. Fee payers can’t go anyway. I’m not calling them fair share anymore because there is nothing fair in what they are doing. They are fee payers. - Rhino Slider - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:35 pm: This would be an interesting poll to run on this blog. How about it? - Grandson of Man - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:36 pm: I got four calls in the early-mid part of this week. Suspecting what it was, I answered the last call and was told it’s a short survey. I asked if it was about unions and was told it was. I asked for more info but was given none. I told the person to remove me from the call list and haven’t received any calls since. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:37 pm: Even though they aren’t accreditated with BBB, you can still file a complaint- http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/market-research-and-analysis/survey-sampling-international-llc-in-shelton-ct-1003542 Chris Fanning ring any bells? He’s the CEO of SSI and was formerly with The Boston Consulting Group out of Chicago- https://www.surveysampling.com/about/news/2012/chris-fanning-appointed-ssis-new-president-and-ceo/ - Politix - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:37 pm: Hi, ck: When you say no, we know it means yes. When you say go, we know it means stop. When you say right, we know it means wrong. Best, politix - The Dude Abides - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:40 pm: “It could be an AFSCME trick”. Congrats Alan, you win the tin foil award for today. I can’t say for sure if Rauner wants a strike or not. I do think that if his people feel that they will win the PR battle during a strike he will do it. He has already shown that he can live with making citizens suffer if that’s what it takes to get his TR Agenda passed. For all you state workers out there I sympathize with you, I really do. - Cubs in '16 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:41 pm: If I get ‘the call’ maybe I’ll trick them into thinking I’ll be an AFSCME RaunerDuncanite and become a double agent mole operative. *cue Mission Impossible theme* - A Jack - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:42 pm: I may have gotten one of those calls. I didn’t bother to answer. But I looked at the call log and saw “SSI.” - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:43 pm: I received this call yesterday. I am always concerned about identity theft on the phone but now seeing this blog am glad that I did not answer and hung up. - RubberDucky - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:43 pm: I received the same call. The phone number didn’t show up on the caller ID. Typically, I don’t answer calls as such; however, I took the chance having a very ill family member. The individual did not state my name, nor did he mention I was a union member. The questions were on target with others. I refused to answer many of the questions, which irritated the individual conducting the survey. When he asked my name at the end of the survey, I refused to give it. Furthermore, I got a “hmph…” when I was asked my salary - to which I replied, I’m sure you already know that. He then hung up. I found it quite suspicious myself. I’m glad others have brought this to light. - Pacman - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:43 pm: I’m merit comp, haven’t been in the Union for over a year and I got numerous calls from SSI. I screen my calls and don’t answer calls from any number I don’t recognize. IMO if it’s important they’ll leave a message. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:45 pm: - Union Leader - Thank you. I appreciate you saying your kinds words, and I’m especially grateful that you understand that I’ve tried to help, for lack of a better word, because I know it’s those “doing” like you and many others that are going to be the ones in the end that will be the firewall. Keep doing what your doing. OW The reality is, now, did Rauner do, know, assist in the calls? Does it matter when Labor, all Labor, already knows Rauner and Raunerites have already proposed Labor decimation bills, or voted against Labor when it mattered most. The phone call? No matter “who” did it, the Raunerite record remains. - Tommydanger - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:46 pm: Do I think the Governor’s office engaged this poll?: No Do I think the Governor’s office asked someone else to do this poll and share the results with the Governor: Probably not Do I think that there are persons with deep pockets who could easily commission this poll in an attempt to further the Governor’s agenda?: Yes Do I think the results of the poll will be shared with the Governor?: Yup - Nope, Nope, Nope - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:49 pm: As the admin has no knowledge of this, certainly they would not oppose the US Attorney investigating how the callers obtained state employees’ personal information? - Allen D - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:49 pm: ** @ - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:32 pm: I am the only AFSCME union member here, the rest of the 12 are another union… I have went to meetings I find out about they are about an hour away… oh and If you don’t know I am a full dues paying member — why - you ask - so I can vote the voice of reason in the Union… I am a staunch conservative as well. - RNUG - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:52 pm: In the past week or two I got multiple calls identified as SSI. Didn’t answer, no message left, after researching the number, added it to ‘call blocked’. So it’s not just employees … - Joe M - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:52 pm: AFSCMEsurveygate Follow the money - MasterPiece - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:53 pm: Allen D. I saw contrails in the sky this morning. They may not be from government planes seeding the atmosphere with poison gas, although they could be. I’m not staying that the government is trying to poison people - I don’t know - I’m just saying that it is possible that we are being poisoned. Maybe not. Probably, but maybe not. I don’t know. It could happen. Or it could be innocent. Or poison gas. - Old Shepherd - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:53 pm: I would bet money that the Illinois Policy Institute is involved. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:55 pm: Honeybear While I appreciate your umion loyalties I have to wonder if you shouldn’t take a different approach to the fair share members. Using the governor’s actions as an example, I don’t think that now would be a time to alienate any of your fellow state workers. The “your either with me or against me” attitude is what is causing this impass IMHO. With respect. - JohnnyWalnuts - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:56 pm: I received the same call. They actually called my wife’s cell phone asking for me (both IL employees). I did get a strong vibe it was anti-union, anti AFSCME, for sure. There were several questions I refused to answer because I felt like they were not fairly worded. At the end I asked who is paying/sponsoring this survey and they said they could not answer that, but they gave me a phone number to call (866-360-9678) and website (I think it was simpleservey or samplesurvey, it is written down at home). - Anonymity - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:56 pm: Someone in administration had to know if they are using phone numbers from personnel files to contact people. This is really scary stuff. - chi - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:57 pm: Just cause the administration had nothing to do with it does not mean a campaign fund, or a Rauner buddy, didn’t orchestrate the whole thing with Rauner’s full knowledge. ck’s denial is not nearly comprehensive enough to be taken seriously. - Jon - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:57 pm: While not 100% on point here, during the Summer of 2014 two AFSCME reps came to my house to ask why I was only a fair share employee and “encouraged” me to become a full member. So even if Rauner is behind the calls, a state employee’s privacy is not a concern of either side in this fiasco as AFSCME seems to not be too concerned about employee privacy either. Although I’m probably too idealistic, I did seek employment with the state out of the belief that I could help people, which I do, however like those that most need the state’s help, we have all become political pawns and symbols in battles much larger than ourselves and that is unfortunate. - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:01 pm: Prediction- at the next news conference, Rauner will be asked if he was involved in the SSI polling calls. He will smile his secret smile, shake his head, and reply, “Ridiculous.” - Agency Volunteer - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:02 pm: The stories are so consistent. And if the numbers being called are always emergency contacts then the source of this info is pretty easy to identify. The pbone calls along with the emails, the ‘Telegram’, the alarmist ‘FAQ’s’ all on STATE resources CAN’T possibly be legal and are certainly the epitome of unethical in the least. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:03 pm: Jon, a union reaching out to workers it represents is different than your employer, who is also the government, handing over your contact info for political purposes. Or to influence union activity. And if it was emergency contact info like I suspect, those forms have people allergies and medical info too. Which would be a hippa violation. - Mouthy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:04 pm: - JohnnyWalnuts - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 1:56 pm: To speak to someone about the call you received, contact us toll-free within North America at 1-866-360-9678 or call 1-801-379-4094 outside North America. This if about SSI. Just google the number and you’ll get plenty of these.. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:06 pm: I also find it odd how quickly the response came from the governor’s office. Seems almost like planned damage control. - Springfieldish - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:07 pm: Hi CK: We don’t believe you. Best, Everyone on the planet. - Bill White - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:12 pm: “Have I no friend who will rid me of this troublesome priest?” Was Henry II responsible for the death of Thomas Becket? - RNUG - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:12 pm: It may be an unfair labor practice violation, but if they do find a smoking gun, Rauner will probably skate on it by claiming the actions occurred after the State declared an impasse in the contract negotiations. The possible privacy violations are probably more likely to be a legal problem in the long run. Not real surprised about all this. In the private sector, it is common in some areas to see law violations as just fines to be paid with corporate funds. - Skeptic - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:14 pm: “they are using phone numbers from personnel files” With due respect, that’s not a given. - Almost the Weekend - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:15 pm: Is there any possibility AFSCME conducted this poll themselves? The questions about willingness to strike and how much pay you can go without seems to resonate about building a strike fund. I don’t think anybody in the Rauner’s administration is dumb enough to take this information, give it to a private sector company and poll for political purposes and future leverage. That could backfire tremendously. They already having the public perception advantage in AFSCME negotiations. - Nick Name - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:16 pm: “Was Henry II responsible for the death of Thomas Becket?” Yes, even though he didn’t directly participate in the deed. As penance, he submitted to a public flogging. Make of that what you will. - Anonymity - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:16 pm: Skeptic - with due respect I said “if” but you chose to cut that out of your quote. - Anon - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:17 pm: Some of the paranoia in this thread is just asinine. You cant honestly believe these things people. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:18 pm: Jolly Roger is hilarious. https://www.yahoo.com/makers/dial-number-next-time-telemarketing-195800798.html - Nick Name - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:18 pm: “Is there any possibility AFSCME conducted this poll themselves?” Yes, and contrails plus vaccinations cause bigfoot. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:18 pm: To my comment, I’m not dismissing the severity of what the ramifications are with the phone calls. What I was trying to convey was no matter who is behind these calls, the Raunerite record is not refuted or aided by Rauner refuting his participation in this event. It’s up to those getting the calls or those investigating the calls to connect the dots, and then we’ll all know how rules are broken then, if any. - VanillaMan - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:20 pm: I Just Called to Mislead YouStevie Wonder, enhanced by VanillaMan No accomplishments - to celebrate No MAP grants or assistance to help your day No bills were paid No budget passed In fact this entire year is now completed gassed No social service To help preserve us No outreach funding until way after June But what this is - with this call Will convince you that Bruce Rauner knows it all! I just called to deceive you I just called for you to take my poll I just called to deceive you And see if you can swallow my lies whole No union dues To have your say Just my Right To Work Freedom for less pay No wage increases For AFSCME mouthpieces So please do what we want you to do - today No insurance for Your spouse or kids Without you signing your work life away What it is, is a poll so new To identify any new lies that we can spew! I just called to deceive you I just called to say how ’bout my poll? I just called to deceive you And see if there’s a chance to buy your soul! I just called to deceive you I just called to see if you’ll do your part If you don’t, I’ll ruin you - And I mean that from the bottom of my heart Of my heart, …… of my heart - RNUG - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:20 pm: -Almost the Weekend- But I do think they are that arrogant … - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:21 pm: Almost the weekend: We don’t do these. We do one-on-ones. Talk to the worker on break, lunch, before or after work. Hear their concerns. Answer their questions. Look em in the eye. With a phone call many will just tell you what they think you want to hear to get off the phone. - Jack Kemp - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:22 pm: RNUG, didn’t you just get done saying that you got the call too? So they’re not just calling state employees..? Suddenly you think this wild conspiracy theory about a public polling agency contacting people from their ICE sheets is even remotely tenable? Man. This reminds me of the scene in an old movie where all the paranoid house moms get together for a town meeting after somebody says they saw Bigfoot. - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:24 pm: Might not apply, since phone numbers are not specified under what is considered PPI. But, there is this statement in the law: “Personal information” does not include publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, State, or local government records. **** Seems to me that emergency contact information, or for that matter a personal phone number of a government employee, is not considered generally accessible. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2702 (Source: P.A. 97-483, eff. 1-1-12.) - Mouthy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:24 pm: My closing message of the day to the Governor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk - illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:26 pm: VanillaMan - Thank You - many of us have been waiting some time to see even more appropriate lyrics to our sad state of affairs. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments. As well as your your snark and tongue-in-cheek remarks. - Skeptic - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:26 pm: Anonymity: I apologize for putting words in your mouth, I wasn’t singling you out. Others have suggested the same thing. - dude - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:27 pm: Truly sick to my stomach. This administration and groups that front for it think they are so far above everyone else in the state that they cannot even see their shoes through the clouds. Money is brutal….please workers, do not let money buy everything, including your soul. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:27 pm: I suggest you take the call. Upon suspect, respond like your favorite animal to “every” question (ie. a cat - MEOW). Get creative, tell them their call is now part of a crime scene and beginning asking them personal questions about their location family, etc. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Trust me it works. Perhaps all the operators will become so irritated and quit. Have fun with it, don’t let it stress you. Solidarity til the end. Post your results. - 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:28 pm: AFSCME is to AFSCAMMY as… Rauner is to PHONESCAMMY - X-prof - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:29 pm: SSI is not your average survey/marketing company. Check out this whitepaper from their website (esp. pp 5-6): https://www.surveysampling.com/site/assets/files/1581/using-mobile-to-capture-in-the-moment-insights.pdf . It describes their capabilities in “geo-targeting” for surveying people by cell phone who visit or spend sufficient time in specific locations.” (Say a state office building or union hall in this case?) From the whitepaper: “Some of the most exciting potential is in the area of geo-targeting, which means the ability to identify where people are and ask them questions in the moment at a specific location. This is achieved by creating a virtual fence around the target locations (“geo-fencing”). When a potential respondent “trips the fence” by arriving at the target location, a survey is triggered.” Simply going to work with a cell phone in your pocket might be enough for them to get your number and more. [I don’t know how this would give them RNUG’s info, since according to his handle, he’s retired and not a union member. RNUG, did SSI try to contact you on cell? Did you go back to your old work site to visit coworkers recently?] It’s a very spooky brave new world out there. I’m sure this kind of service doesn’t come cheap, if that’s what’s involved. Only high-level business people would even know such services exist and where to find them. My guess is a pro-Rauner super-PAC is behind this. These, by law, cannot coordinate or work with Rauner’s knowledge; ck’s denial is the stock response from any politician’s office about their knowledge of the activities of any of their “independent” super-PACs. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:30 pm: === Perhaps all the operators will become so irritated and quit== Picking on a minimum wage employee ain’t cool. I did telemarketing when I was in college and dealt with jerks quite often. Don’t be mean. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:32 pm: To the second update, there have long been rumors that people are FOIAing state worker info. - Sick & Tired - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:33 pm: In regards to the IPI FOIA, not surprising. He and Lennie Jarrett, also of IPI, have requested the names and other sensitive information of union members in the past, such as names and full addresses of SEIU HCII’s personal care attendants in home care, as well as personal info on child care union members. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:33 pm: Rnug, I’ve heard of other retirees being called. Operating off old lists? - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:34 pm: Trolling Troll, I think you should get a prize for putting that so politely. Seriously that was good. Just about every other day I have a tiff with a full on union member, a steward actually, who threatens constantly to go fee payer because he doesn’t like this or that. My view of fee payers is entirely shaded by his behavior. I have found in talking to other fee payers that they seem to come from the same mold. They are just like Allen D. Frankly I’m tired of it and my normal Metro East humility and decorum is entirely gone at this time. Although great guilt was activated in me at your gracious comment. However I’m now in full on fight mode. I fully admit that I am “with me or against me”. I am resigned to the fact that the public will probably not side with the union. Thank you for your kind advice though. There are those who love me and now those who don’t. It’s a growing edge to be okay with people not loving me. It’s also a growing edge to speak strongly and not stifle anger. But “so it is”. - ash - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:34 pm: An IPI “researcher.” I may never stop laughing. - JustRight - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:35 pm: The names of all state employees/AFSCME is public information, easily obtained via online or FOIA. Contact information is mega data, easily purchased through marketing data companies. Government conspiracy or invasion of privacy - I think not. - Curmudgeon - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:39 pm: re: stopping annoying survey calls The morning talk guy on WJBC said his brother gets rid of these callers by promptly asking “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?” My cousin keeps interrupting the caller with requests to speak up, speak slower, repeat what they just said, etc. dragging the call on as long as he can He winds up by asking for the supervisor, to whom he complains that they need to get operators who can speak English … - Bill White - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:40 pm: FOIA requests can themselves be FOIA-ed. It might be interesting to create a list of all FOIA requests submitted by the IPI in the last few weeks. - Stuck on the 3rd Floor - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:42 pm: JustRight, all valid points. But can you explain how people are being contacted through a number they gave as an emergency contact, and not through their own numbers? - X-prof - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:42 pm: To be clear, I don’t claim that SSI is definitely using geo-targeting in this survey. But it’s a possible alternative to someone leaking confidential personnel info. Also, the whitepaper describes a scenario in which willing “panelists” have an SSI app on their smart phone. It’s also unknown to me whether this technology works without the app, but it seems likely IMO. It could also provide legal cover. After all, a state that can’t even pass a budget is unlikely to have up-to-date privacy laws that address this sort of sophisticated tech. SSI Whitepaper: “Mobile research including, without limitations, geo-fencing and geo-location data collection, is subject to applicable laws, and researchers should consult with legal counsel to ensure legal compliance.” - W.S. Wolcott - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:43 pm: I’m betting the calls stop at COB today. If AFSCME doesn’t try to root this out, they are negligent. This should be investigated at every level possible. This may be a true gift. - Anon221 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:43 pm: Some of Andriesen’s current FOIA found on a Google search: W001664-012916 1/29/2016 10:09 AM Chris Andriesen Chicago IL Other/General I am seeking documents related to the number of and names of Village of Franklin Park employees who are union members with the name of their affiliated union and residential zip codes. Full Release 18 1/27/2016 Chris Andriesen I am seeking documents related to the number of and names of College of DuPage employees who are union members with the name of their affiliated union and residential zip codes. - kimocat - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:45 pm: I agree with RNUG. This kind of violation of the law is becoming just the cost of doing business for guys with the corporate morals of our dear sweet Governor. I feel for active employees — you guys do not deserve this. - Henry Francis - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:47 pm: I’m sure the “administration” had nothing to do with it. But did Bruce Rauner, Illinois citizen, have something to do with it? Or one of the organizations that he funds have something to do with it? Remembered the tortured semantics he was using when he filed a brief in the (I think) Fair Share litigation and was trying to explain he didn’t need to go through the Attorney General. - RNUG - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:52 pm: I was called on my home phone, which many years ago was my emergency contact and also the number used years ago for 75 day contracts. It’s also the only number listed in generally available directories. Until this thread popped up, I just assumed it was either a polling firm or some outsourcing firm trying to see if I was willing to come back to work in the event of a strike (no). Sitting here thinking, the other possible sources could be CMS, SERS, RSEA, the IL GOP, and similar organizations. And while I don’t hang out in State buildings, I do visit places like SOS almost every month for a renewal (2 cars, 2 antiques, 1 camping trailer, one regular trailer). I know it wouldn’t be that hard to take databases like that of state employees / retirees on the Open the Books website and then just surf the web for phone numbers, as long as you had some money and time. - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:57 pm: OH MY GOD I got the call from SSI! 773-355-4124 So I checked my recent calls that I got and this one came up. I still have my Chicago number so I thought this odd. Sure enough SSI. Okay, this pisses me off. This was my cell phone number. - walker - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:00 pm: From day one Rauner’s whole anti-Union drive has been rationalized, messaged, legally supported, and partly funded by national superPACs, advocates and their captive “Institutes.” If not IPI, then someone similar is intervening in this battle. No need for Rauner campaign– and of course (/s) there’s never any “coordination,” - Springfieldish - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:02 pm: “Don’t be mean.” Inserting a random “meow” into your answers to a live pollster is nonetheless a lot of fun. And how the caller reacts is often a measure of the campaign. Got one for Schneider/Rottering and the caller started giggling by the third meow. On the other hand, I was yelled at by a polling caller who sounded like a two-foot tall woman from the Philippines standing at the bottom of a well for meowing during a poll for Sheri Jesiel. “This is serious!” she yelled. “About Sheri Jesiel? You’ve GOT to be joking!” I responded. - Cable Line Beer Gardener - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:02 pm: Reference the latest update, the IPI also FOIAed the municipalities as my husband was in receipt of that same email. When he told me about it, I was surprised that they wanted the info comped. It has been years, but when did the criteria change for free data? I was under the impression it was for the health, and well being of the populace not public interest. - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:04 pm: Okay now I’m freaking out. Calls from 773-466-9131, 708-584-0067, both SSI. Looks like they started yesterday. - Dirty Red - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:10 pm: = I am seeking documents related to the number of and names of (redacted) employees who are union members with the name of their affiliated union and residential zip codes. = Any PIO that would turn that into salary data and personal phone numbers would have some serious explaining to do. - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:27 pm: This doesn’t have anything to do with geo-sourced data. In order to do that kind of tracking you would have had to installed an application and given it permission to share your location. This sort of thing can be done if, for instance, you were attending a conference and they had an application set up for events, etc… We haven’t, officially, gotten to that level of Big Brother that would allow just anyone to get your location, tied with a name, without you giving some sort of permission. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:28 pm: This is serious stuff man. With all the identity theft going around. This is almost like a data breach of PII. - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:30 pm: The IPI FOIA didn’t specify phone numbers, did it? Or did I miss that? - RNUG - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:30 pm: -Anonnymouse- No, just Siri and Google on our smartphones and cars - Anonnymouse - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:35 pm: -RNUG- Sure, but we give Siri and Google permission to do so and they can’t legally share that information unless we give permission. I think the Geo portion of this is suspect. - Not Quite Clear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:36 pm: What does “(redacted) employees” mean? I’m guessing that’s the name of the governmental entity, but am not sure. As Bill White points out at 2:40, it’s possible to FOIA FOIA requests, but I’d bet that IPI is too smart for that. There is nothing to prevent someone from making up a name or otherwise masking the request so that it couldn’t be traced to IPI. The best revenge is to give ridiculous answers so that the poll is useless. “Absolutely for sure–I’ll be voting for Dewey!” - AC - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:38 pm: I’ll bet the validity of the data will decrease by a good percentage now that everyone knows what’s up. Department? Innovation & Technology Name? Hardik Bhatt Union member? Proudly Satisfaction with union? 10+ Satisfaction with administration? 10+ Strike? Yes, but I’d happily take the Governor’s offer Amy other comments? God bless Bruce Rauner and Roberta Lynch, solidarity forever - anonymous1001 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:43 pm: RNUG - like you, I am RETIRED, but I received 2 phone calls that I let ‘roll-over’ to my answer machine. The calls were from (217) 909-2383. Caller-ID identified as ‘SSI’. They left NO message. - State Engineer - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 3:57 pm: Ok so I did get the call from 217-909-2383 on a cell phone. 4 times over the last three days. I answered the last time they told me their speel about being with a polling company and I told them to take me off their list and hung up. Haven’t called back. - wordslinger - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:02 pm: IPI isn’t part of the administration? Since when? - State Worker THX 1138 - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:11 pm: I got the call too. (630) 423-xxxx. Did not answer. Looked it up and saw SSI was a survey company, so I blocked it. Here’s where it gets interesting. I have 2 home numbers. The union has one, the state has the other. This call was to the number the state has. I have never given that number to the union, and it isn’t published. Hmm… - Honeybear - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:11 pm: So they’ve got our emergency contact information. Just called the spouse. Three calls. The one that my spouse answered they asked for me. The only way that could happen is if they had my emergency contact information. If there’s a lawsuit I want in. This is such an invasion of my privacy. - Demoralized - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:14 pm: ==IPI FOIA didn’t specify phone numbers, did it?== Wouldn’t matter if it did. Employee phone numbers would not be provided. We redact anything but names. No phone numbers. No addresses. So, if somebody has been giving out employee phone numbers those people are going to have to answer for a few things. - Union Leader - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:16 pm: @- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 2:27 pm: Have to share this about getting annoying calls. A few months ago, I received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. They had some informaiton that led me to believe it might be legit. They even threatened me with being arrested, saying they were going to send out the county sherrif to my home, even having someone claiming to be from the sherrif’s office call me to confirm my address, but, I was smart enough to call my accountant. Found out it was a scam. So, I decided to have fun with them and kept calling them back at the number on my caller ID, even got the guy-”Michael” with a very heavy accent from what I deemed to be either Indian or Pakistani, to finally swear at me and tell me to go do something that would be anatomically impossible. - Joe M - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:27 pm: Time for the Illinois Attorney General to get involved. - illini - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:28 pm: I have a feeling that this issue is not going away any time soon. Too many questions, issues, ethics as well as legalities involved. I will stay tuned. - There is power in a union... - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:35 pm: Anyone who has posted on here about this should tell their staff rep. Give details. - btowntruth - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:35 pm: I called IPI too. Just for my own personal curiosity.I want to hear for myself what they say. - Langhorne - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:39 pm: Rauner is ruthless. The polling is real and sinister. If rauner didnt instigate it, it is nenetheless being done, with or without his knowledge, to get ready to help the cause when things go nuclear. Info sought: how many employees for or against us? Who are they? Could come in handy later - quincy - Friday, Feb 5, 16 @ 4:40 pm: Rich I think the world of you and your capitol fax. Yesterday I got deleted for using the H word so who does this sound like. For keep up the great work you. Thanks again - deerfield beach website designers - Wednesday, Feb 10, 16 @ 7:27 am: You know what is the single benefit of having open-source software. An example of a special purpose plane is that of an aircraft designed to extinguishing forest fires. Gary Ballabio - Product Line Director, Enterprise Cloud Solutions, Akamai. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.