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* Sen. Kirk Dillard’s best zingers from last night’s debate…
“I’ll give Mr. Rauner a pass tonight on pay-to-play,” Dillard said sarcastically, before outlining Rauner’s hiring of convicted influence peddler and ex-state pension board member Stuart Levine as a consultant and Rauner’s $300,000 contribution to former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, before Rauner’s investment company got a boost in pension funds from that state.
Dillard, who Friday won an endorsement from the Illinois Education Association, also tore into Brady for voting on tax increment finance district legislation that Dillard said financially benefited the Bloomington Republican and for initiating a 2010 bill to allow animal shelters to kill rabid strays en masse.
“The demise of his campaign began with an idea that he had to mass euthanize animals. That began the drumbeat that made him a vulnerable candidate,” Dillard said, outlining how Brady’s 2010 gubernatorial run began unraveling almost from the get-go.
* Sen. Bill Brady’s best zingers…
“Sen. Dillard’s ad for Obama, saying he’d serve our country well as president of the United States, is a non-starter among most Republicans and, frankly, independents,” Brady said, alluding to a 2008 commercial Dillard cut for Obama during the presidential primary.
“And with all due respect to Mr. Rauner, his support of Rahm Emanuel doesn’t serve well with Republicans in a primary,” Brady said, referring to the close, personal friendship Rauner and the mayor have. “It doesn’t work to win elections.”
* Brady also got in some shots at Dillard before the debate…
Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady lashed out at competitor Kirk Dillard, accusing him of allowing politics to guide his “no” vote last December on a landmark — but controversial — pension bill. […]
The comments follow Dillard winning the endorsement from the Illinois Education Association last week. The IEA supported Dillard in 2010, pumping $250,000 into his campaign. If the group gives Dillard a similar amount or more, he may have the capability to get some TV ads in rotation the last week before the March 18th primary. Last year, Dillard voted against a controversial pension reform plan that was strongly opposed by public sector unions. The pension bill now faces legal challenges.
“He sold out on pension reform,” Brady told the Sun-Times.” There’s no question. His campaign wasn’t going anywhere. His Lt. Gov. (Jil Tracy of Quincy) voted for it. He’s used every excuse in the book. He was trying to throw life support to make a political decision which amongst Republican primary voters is really hurting him when you talk to them.”
* Rauner tried again to explain the Payton Prep stuff…
Also on the hot seat was candidate Bruce Rauner.
His daughter won admission to the Near North Side’s Walter Payton College Prep, one of the finest high schools in Illinois. Around that time, billionaire Rauner gave $750,000 to two Chicago Public School foundations.
Rauner initially denied discussing his daughter’s application with then CPS CEO Arne Duncan, now the U.S. Secretary of Education. Rauner apologized Tuesday for what he said last summer to veteran Springfield political reporter Bernard Schoenburg.
“Arne Duncan and I would talk regularly, because I’m very involved and have been for 25 years in school reform in Chicago, very involved in charter schools, vouchers, school choice. So, I talked to Arne regularly. I don’t really recall much of the conversation that my wife and I had around the time of our daughter’s application to Walter Payton College Prep. The important issue we did not ask for any special treatment,” Rauner said.
* But nobody could really say last night how they’d balance the budget if the tax hike expires…
Rauner said the state needs to “reduce spending dramatically,” although the only specific program he mentioned was Medicaid. He said he would appoint a task force to reduce waste and the overall cost of government.
Dillard said he would grow the economy and cut waste in Medicaid, while Brady went a step further and said he wants to end the state income tax entirely. He did not specify areas of the budget to cut.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:59 am
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The Payton Prep, um, “responses”, blaming miscommunication with Mrs. Rauner, and not really denying, but not claiming special treatment, or the fact Rauner is/was a suburbanite.
The Payton Prep Clouting is the Prism, and that Prism shined a light of an insider, and that was Dee-Licious!
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:04 am
I don’t believe they were “rabid” strays.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:06 am
I respect the fact the other 3 showed some deference to Rutherford. He also handled himself well during the debate.
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:08 am
I don’t believe any of these guys know what they could do as governor to make Illinois better. We already know Quinn is clueless, but listening to these guys just reinforces a feeling that it doesn’t matter who is governor.
None of them know what they are doing or can tell you why I should vote for them. Instead they are obsessed over how crappy the other guy is.
It is pathetic.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:11 am
Plus, Rauner lied to Bernie, got caught, then blamed his wife on a misunderstanding (like Dem Donations on his wife too.)
If Bruce Rauner wasn’t called on the blatant lie, “I answered your question”, and the ethical, the integrity, the honesty, Bruce Rauner lacks is seem all too clear in the Payton Prep Clouting.
Bruce Rauner is counting on voters to lower themselves and dismiss hypocrisy.
Don’t.
Bruce Rauner lied to Bernie, got caught, blamed a spouse discussion, and wants us all to accept the insider as an outsider. Sums up Bruce Rauner really well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:12 am
- Downstate GOP Faithless -,
When your opponent is self-destructing, you let them, and you stay out of the way. The “skeleton” remark did all the others needed.
That is what happened.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:14 am
It’s obvious none of them have a plan for balancing the budget beyond saying whatever will get them elected.
The ‘cut Medicaid’ line (and by implication all welfare) is getting old; don’t they realize most of that money is federal and they have no real control over it? And cutting the State portion could actually backfire and cost mor ein the long run?
At least Rutherford was honest enough to say some revenue may be needed.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:23 am
Rauner does not blink enough in his ads, bad editing or creepy. That is worse than Brady not wearing socks at parades. Real issues!
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:28 am
He didn’t ask for special treatment? She was rejected. Then she got in. Something made that happen and it was “special treatment”. Jesus this guy thinks people are stupid. I’m sorry to say, I think he may be right.
Comment by JImbo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:32 am
4 person debates; riveting. At least it helped the ratings for Olympic Curling.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:33 am
“reduce waste and the overall cost of government”…
“cut waste in Medicaid”.. With all the politicians who have promised this in a campaign speech, it is hard to imagine how any type of waste could still exist.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:34 am
I don’t care if the Billionaire lied about getting his daughter into some school. I don’t care about it. I don’t care about Rutherford’s Midnight Confessions. I don’t care about Brady’s latest political misstep. I don’t care about 95% of the crap these guys talked about.
I don’t care who is ahead in a poll. I don’t care who has more money in their campaign.
What I care about is how none of these guys can tell us what they will do as governor to turn Illinois around. How they will work with Madigan. How they will work with Rahm. How they will make Illinois a place to move TO and not FROM. How they can keep Chicago from going Detroit.
I don’t care about the social issues. No one wants to be a happily married gay couple if it means living in a house trailer outside of Decatur, living off Link cards - but that is where we’ve been headed over the past decade.
We haven’t had a governor since 2000 - the Felons and whowegotnow don’t count as legit governors.
So pardon me if I don’t give two flips about the insider parlor games discussed last night.
I’ve voting for the guy who tells me how he will keep this ship from sinking further - and I don’t care if he has conjoined gay twins running a Planned Parenthood clinic in hell that specializes in pet euthanasia, owned by The Mob.
After the last two Democrats - it really don’t matter anymore.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:35 am
Why does “none of the above” sound so appealing?
Fast forward to the general election and I bet it still does…
Comment by Logic not emotion Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:42 am
VMan, Chicago shows no signs of becoming Detroit. The population is growing — slowly, but growing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/23/chicago-population-growth_n_3327135.html
The whole “we’re the next Detroit” thing is untrue, and it’s harmful. Detroit was a single-industry town; Chicago is not. Sure, Chicago could — and should — do better. But we need to stay within the facts when we’re talking about the future of the state.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:58 am
===The whole “we’re the next Detroit” thing is untrue===
Anyone who truly believes that Chicago is rapidly heading to Detroit status has never visited both Detroit and Chicago.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:02 pm
Nobody who is capable of contributing $750,000.00 to the CPS needs to ask for anything. The ASAP instruction is implied and understood.
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:07 pm
The only things that have the possibility of turning Chicago into Detroit are at the city level: something to trigger white/middle class flight out of the city. Hard to see that happening unless a much more liberal mayor took power and they started gutting the magnet schools and charter schools or do something shocking with property taxes. It helps immensely that Chicago doesn’t have any suburbs that can serve as an alternative for Lincoln Park/young professional neighborhoods.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:08 pm
There’s quite a bit in V-Man’s 11:35 with which I can agree.
And, as I suspected it would, it seems that the longer the Peyton Prep thing goes, the more “no there there” it becomes. It’s almost as if it were planted–and is now being treated in the debates as the one obstacle that should prevent him from governing.
If it was not intended that way (which would have been quite clever for a GOP Primary, but not “meaty” enough to be the big distraction it probably had to be), it sure is unintentionally providing some cover for him now.
As a matter of fact, the more the panelists and the media harp on it to give him a chance to bring his daily, “normal” discussions into it, the more people will be able to relate to him.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:10 pm
And I do have to admit that I have a feeling that this is going to be the most surreal Primary we’ve ever had. And that’s not going to be a very good thing.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:15 pm
- VanillaMan -,
“Maybe you didn’t hear about it, you’ve been away a long time. They didn’t go up there and tell you. Chicago ain’t no Detroit…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:17 pm
re “What I care about is how none of these guys can tell us what they will do as governor to turn Illinois around. How they will work with Madigan. How they will work with Rahm. How they will make Illinois a place to move TO and not FROM”
I don’t think you will hear anything about this during the campaign, either primary or general. I can’t remember ever hearing someone address this issue. It’s always been around taxes and services.
Democrat: more services without rasing taxes (on you).
Republican: less taxes without cutting services.
I guarantee no one will have a clue how the next government will perform until 2015 or later. Of course, then it’s too late.
Comment by a drop in Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:21 pm
Typical red meat buzz words by all. Everyone wants to clean out waste and abuse. Medicaid reform always a hit with the base that has no clue of the federal constraints and administrative problems involved.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:23 pm
No primary can get more surreal than the one where two LaRouchie’s won the Dem primary and the Dems had to form a new party (Illinois Solidarity). I hope.
Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:26 pm
Whether or not Rauners daughter got clouted into Payton does not matter.
Can Rauner make a good Governor, that’s all that counts.
By any measure he’s better than the field he’s running against.
The Republican’s should realize that come November
Brady, Dillard and Rutherford have no chance.
Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:32 pm
See (referencing the other thread). The “surreal” began via social media in the Rutherford campaign a few days ago. Those close to him began dropping hints that he’s going to release the “truth” soon and his long-time supporters began demanding that he release the report, too. He’s now stating again that his intent was–and is, to release as soon as possible.
And there’s also all the build up to whether or not he knows the content (i.e., he did see it, he didn’t see it, maybe he did or didn’t but it was probably a draft if he did, or maybe an executive summary, etc.).
And no one’s talking much about the funding behind the report, the fact that the defendants are being sued as individuals and the state is not being sued, and how the report is viewed within the context of ability to obtain and disseminate the data.
What’s real and what’s fantasy in this election?
Like I said before, too bad Mr. Dunne isn’t around to cover this and to write the follow-up fiction and non-fiction best sellers.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:32 pm
=I don’t think you will hear anything about this during the campaign, either primary or general. I can’t remember ever hearing someone address this issue.=
I think many would disagree because they’re already hearing Rauner talk about it.
To some, they hear or will soon hear (if it’s overdone): I’m going to assemble a committee to look into it. More, however, will hear his real message pertaining to what his plans are.
For those who fall into the latter group, the question will be: Yes, but will he be able to truly pull it off within the new context?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:40 pm
- mokenavince -,
If ethics and integrity, and honesty mean nothing but to winning, I guess you were a Rod supporter in his re-election?
Same. Same. Same.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:40 pm
A Wild idea! Why not pull for somebody who is not a career politician such as all the other candidates, Democrat or Republican? He may not be beholden to the existing politicos who contributed to this Great states present predicament.
Comment by flea Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:50 pm
- flea -,
If you think Rauner is an outsider, you need to lay off the Kool-Aid. Read, you might learn something.
If you are being snarky, I missed your point. Sorry
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:56 pm
=Medicaid reform always a hit with the base that has no clue of the federal constraints and administrative problems involved=
Sorry. I missed that one earlier.
You could say the same about local, state, and federal constraints and “administrative problems”–and I’ll even add “politics” involved in running corporations. And when have those little “issues” every prevented the really good ones from delivering acceptable products and/or services and making a profit?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:04 pm
===A Wild idea! Why not pull for somebody who is not a career politician such as all the other candidates, Democrat or Republican? He may not be beholden to the existing politicos who contributed to this Great states present predicament. ===
There are two ways to amass a fortune the size of Rauner’s.
1. Inherit it
2. Play politics in both the public sphere and private sphere. You don’t get Rauner’s wealth without being adept at boardroom politics.
Of course in Brucey’s case, where he generated much of his wealth from the public sector, he’s also demonstrated his political chops there too.
Of course that destroys the outsider narrative so WHOOOPS.
Comment by CollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:23 pm
One good thing: Dillard will have a job as a Jenny Craig spokesman after he loses the primary.
Comment by SonofSuperAbe2014 Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:43 pm
=Of course that destroys the outsider narrative so WHOOOPS. =
That’s been prevalent since Day One. And that’s where the question of trust comes in.
But then again, it’s an issue that applies to all candidates from both parties. And folks in Illinois are probably more sensitive on that topic that in other states. Except for maybe New Jersey.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:44 pm
For Republicans who say “cut Medicaid” who do they think will pay for the hospital visits these people no longer on Medicaid will continue to make? (Awful sentence.) Hospitals can’t turn them away.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:00 pm
- lake county democrat -,
Again, with respect;
=== Yes, there is the pension guarantee - and I’ve frequently stated here that if there’s any respect for objective law at the Illinois Supreme Court the current pension reform bill will be struck down because of it - but how does it foreclose salary freezes or cuts or reduction in positions in future contract negotiations? ===
It’s the monies as to those already in the system, and if those guarantees are in fact guaranteed, negotiating against a guarantee defeats the idea of having leverage in the future because of what may be decided as untouchable.
===How would it prevent a Governor from insisting that any aid to Chicago’s pension crisis be contingent on certain hard lines in negotiations if there were no union givebacks on pensions? ===
What leverage? You were paying attention when this last bill was signed, so if it becomes unconstitutional, and the leverage of what is already figured in to what is owed over the new, where is that “upper hand”? The ruling makes everything start over, if the law is unconstitutional.
=== Yes, if in the next election a *veto proof* majority remains in both parties AND both parties remain in lockstep with the leadership this would be illusory, …===
And…
===…but I don’t think the Democrats grip on the GA is a foregone conclusion, especially in an election year with no presidential race at the top of the ballot and what appears to be a lopsided senate race.===
The Illinois Senate is not, repeat, not going to flip, and the Illinois House will not see a GOP majority for at least 2 cycles, given the matchups this November shaping up, and the fact Leader Durkin will be 4 years away in building and pruning a real wining Crew.
=== … this would be illusory.===
It is. It already is, thus my responses, and the Wisconsin and Indiana comparisons included make it all Folly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 2:04 pm
OW I can read and have a very different perspective from yours after having served in state government for over 35 years. Change can be a good thing….respectfully.
CS. Just because the guy is a kazillionairs doesn’t mean that is a bad thing. He may have the chops, and smarts, to change the status quo. thanks
Comment by flea Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 3:35 pm
===OW I can read and have a very different perspective from yours after having served in state government for over 35 years. Change can be a good thing….respectfully.
CS. Just because the guy is a kazillionairs doesn’t mean that is a bad thing. He may have the chops, and smarts, to change the status quo. thanks ===
Change can indeed be good.
Rauner doesn’t represent change.
Comment by CollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:02 pm
- flea -,
Funny thing about Rich’s blog;
It is never about the experience, or the resumes, but it is about the arguments you make, and if you can support them.
Wether it’s the 35 years you have, or the 35 minutes someone takes to do research, it’s the argument that always has the weight.
We would all be surprised, me included, who we seem to be going toe to toe with everyday.
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:07 pm
=== after having served in state government for over 35 years. Change can be a good thing….respectfully. ===
Having 33 years - retired 2 years ago, I haven’t seen any positive changes since 2002. Maybe you’ve got lucky with some agency. All the folks I know have the same negative experiences I had.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:07 pm
=== Rauner doesn’t represent change. ===
In comparison to Quinn? Sure he does.
Some may not like what his version of change entails, or how he made his money, or any one of a million other things about the guy.
But he sure as heck represents change in comparison to Quinn.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:23 pm
=All the folks I know have the same negative experiences I had. =
And those experiences are important to understand if you’re planning to remove obstacles that hinder and thus promote and increase productivity.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:33 pm
Can the 17 or so - Anonymous - es, ALL of them, can they get a name to help those trying to be intelligent here and discuss things?
A tip? Picking a name keeps you anonymous too.
Yikes!!!
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:39 pm
No.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:48 pm
- Anonymous -,
Then understand why little respect is expected from you. When no respect is given, understand the “Troll” responses you make us give.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 5:04 pm
====== Rauner doesn’t represent change. ===
In comparison to Quinn? Sure he does.
Some may not like what his version of change entails, or how he made his money, or any one of a million other things about the guy.
But he sure as heck represents change in comparison to Quinn. ===
I view change as being greater than modifying the stationary. Rauner doesn’t promise any sort of actual systemic change from what we have now.
Comment by CollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:29 pm
So sorry I didn’t get to this earlier. My apologies.
“Dear Hodas, Dillard Crew, and Senator Dillard.
A-Men! ‘More like this, PLEASE’?
Your Pal,
Oswego Willy”
Well done, keep the feet to the fire, no surrender, and hold Rauner accountable, and goodness sake, educate.
Hope you hear my applause.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:14 pm
And in global news, Alex Ovechkin says he has “no more emotions” and Bilyaletdinov begs to be eaten.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 12:34 am