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* Gov. Bruce Rauner told Statehouse reporters today that he and the legislative leaders are “feverishly endeavoring” to come up with a viable pension reform solution. He also said they might pursue “several options simultaneously” and send them all to the courts. He laughed off a question about the Illinois Policy Institute’s idea to fire all state workers and put them in a new pension plan. Rauner said he will “negotiate in good faith” with the unions.
He also spoke a bit about “right to work,” blaming “special interest groups” for opposing his changes. He encouraged Republican lawmakers to “stay unified” with his program.
* “We have taken a number of things off the table,” Rauner said about his “Turnaround Agenda,” but wouldn’t say what those things were. He also dodged a question about a potential income tax hike.
And despite all the secret “working group” meetings, Rauner claimed he was being totally transparent, and essentially blamed the secrecy on the General Assembly, which is, sorry to say, a total crock.
* Listen to the raw audio…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:26 am
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So, Rauner gave each Republican a check ($4000-$8000) yesterday. Today, he wants them to vote yes on a right to work bill. That just smells!
Comment by observing Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:32 am
OMG: Rauner admitted he has serious questions about the Constitutionality of his pension proposal.
I am shocked, but that is a great sign of progress.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:33 am
Apparently the Constitution and ISC interpretations are “suggestions.” So sorry to see good Republican party leaders tied to this governor.
and yes, I said the same thing about Democrats with Blago and Quinn. Enough JV leadership. Where’s the Varsity team?
Comment by Now What? Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:33 am
Good save Governor on saying “bargaining in good faith”. You returned that serve nicely.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:37 am
– feverishly endeavoring–
No doubt, there’s a fever upon him. He ought to get that checked out. It’s harming his ability to do his job.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:37 am
When he says “bargaining in good faith”, he is using a legal term to avoid problems with the Labor Board. Sounds like he has been well briefed by his labor attorneys. Watch out AFSCME!
Comment by ABC Lawyer Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:41 am
Wow. Everyone should listen to the audio. Agree with with his policies or not, I thought he handled that very well. He took the tough questions and it really seems like he is willing to compromise and make the much needed changes to the State. That said, his Right to Work legislation is DOA and he should just drop it, admit it was a mistake and move on.
Comment by Tier II Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:41 am
Why does the media keep giving him a pass every time he uses the term “special interests ” to describe anyone opposed to his agenda? Aren’t his corporate friends also special?
Come on man!
Comment by Joe Blow Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:46 am
“feverishly endeavoring”…looks like the Governor is using Sage’s random synonym generator.
Comment by Will Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:47 am
Throw out several options and let the courts rule. What are they getting paid to do? If they can’t figure out what to do maybe they should ask some of the people on this web site. Waiting for litigation is just delaying the problem they have been delaying already.
Comment by The Colossus of Roads Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:49 am
–He laughed off a question about the Illinois Policy Institute’s idea to fire all state workers and put them in a new pension plan.–
Gov the proper response is “That’s expletive banned word!!”
Comment by Mason born Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:50 am
–”We’ve taken a number of things off the table.” — That’s progress. Better than holding out for a shutdown.
Comment by walker Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:52 am
==feverishly endeavoring==
In Rauner’s case, I’d call it rabidly endeavoring.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:58 am
Special interest groups……..as in, working people? But then, what would he know about work?
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:59 am
He’s got the fever…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aDLeWoxbms
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 11:59 am
Rich, you don’t think about taxes?
Comment by NewWestSuburbanGop'er Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:00 pm
I can see by the posts that Mr. Rauner has hit a nerve with the locals since they are not used to a person that can make a decision. Bruce Rauner has more guts than any previous governor we have had, go Bruce.
Comment by DL Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:01 pm
DL, what decision are you referring to?
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Mr. Rauner will roll out his big-gun union-busting lawyers to try every trick in the book to destroy AFSCME.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:09 pm
So, Rauner gave each Republican a check ($4000-$8000) yesterday. Ah yes, reminds me of the days of Al Ronan.
Comment by Parnell Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:10 pm
@ Wordslinger -
I think DL’s post is relating to Rauners courageous decision to not put any of his ideas into actual bills. And his outstanding legal advice, leading to more inane decisions about the legality of pension reform, supreme court ruling non-withstanding.
Or perhaps it’s Rauners decision to hold secret meetings? Or maybe it was his decision to try and bribe, I mean ‘persuade’ GOP lawmakers to vote his way with the $20M?
So many decisions…
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:12 pm
Rauner says a lot of good things in this Q&A session. But are his actions going to match his words?
Recent history is not encouraging …
Comment by RNUG Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:25 pm
A very skilled talker, and it must resonate with those who believe what he says.
Negotiatin’ in good faith, compromise, productive conversations with opponents, tryin’ to get consensus, committed to a balanced budget, makin’ progress…
The Wizard is workin’ hard, all is well in Oz, folks.
Comment by grumpy Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:28 pm
Maybe I’m gullible, but the Governor actually sounded like he was in touch with reality.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:39 pm
We in the middle class are “special interest group” and, of course, corrupt.
Comment by MickJ Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Ask most contract negotiators and they will tell you “Bargain in good faith” means about the same thing as “Receive and File” does at a union meeting. When a communication is received at a local and they have no intention of acting on it someone makes a motion to receive and file. That is usually placed in file 86, I.E. waste basket.
After a Union wins an election to represent a bargaining unit by law the employer must “Bargain in good faith”. Don’t mean diddly squat!
Comment by Bemused Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 1:05 pm
DL, if you want to read about an Illinois Governor with guts, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peter_Altgeld
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 1:17 pm
SOCCERMOM fyi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQau75AuZwc
Comment by zonz Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Springing some major changes on the public during the final days of session, when there is little time to publicly debate said changes or mount any opposition, is not ==totally transparent==.
It is a ==corrupt bargain== built on secrecy, manipulation and a lack of confidence in the ability of those plans to withstand a thorough public review.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Wordslinger ==DL, what decision are you referring to==
Probably the Good Friday decision to slash $26 million in waste and fraud from the FY 2015 budget.
Comment by Anon. Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Hey Gov, how about an Executive Order create public working groups with meetings that abide by the OMA?
Comment by Norseman Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 2:23 pm
grumpy-
Just don’t look behind the curtain!
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 3:12 pm
ZONZ!!!!
You don’t know how much I needed that today.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 6:08 pm
“Transparency” means only when he is good and ready to let the public know what is going on.
Comment by nona Thursday, May 14, 15 @ 9:34 pm
WOW talk about corruption. Rauner is again buying all the Republican politicians with all the checks he recently wrote in order to secure votes and offer them protection. RECALL this guy!! He is to green to be a polotician.
Comment by Wait an Illinois Minute Friday, May 15, 15 @ 7:47 am
The ALEC plan is to litigate, litigate, litigate. The more money used to litigate in court makes working class weaker as unions only have limited funds compared to their corporate sponsors with billions available to lower wages and benefits.
Comment by Carl LaFong Friday, May 15, 15 @ 9:21 am