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* From the same guy who vetoed their salaries in the first place…
From: Governor Bruce Rauner
Date: July 7, 2015 at 4:59:47 PM CDT
To: xxxxx.SendAll@illinois.gov
Subject: A Message from Governor Bruce Rauner
Reply-To: no Reply@AllGood afternoon:
I want to update you on our latest efforts to do all we can to ensure you are paid in full and in a timely fashion for the work you do on behalf of the people of Illinois.
This morning a Cook County judge issued a ruling barring the Comptroller from paying all state employees full wages. Instead, the judge ruled that only some employees can be paid the federal minimum wage. Due to the state’s antiquated payroll systems, the Comptroller said she is unable to differentiate state employees in order to pay some the minimum wage. As a result, under this court’s ruling, no state employees would be paid.
Our administration is doing everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen.
We’ve just filed an expedited appeal in the First District Appellate Court seeking to overturn today’s order.
Additionally, our Administration is currently drafting legislation that will make state employee pay a continuing appropriation for the fiscal year, guaranteeing you get paid. Legislators are already guaranteed their pay this month under continuing appropriations - you should be too. The legislation will be introduced by Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno as soon as it is ready.
Additionally, a separate legal effort filed in St. Clair County is ongoing, and we expect movement on that case later in the week.
I know these are very challenging times. On behalf of all the people of Illinois, thank you for your continued service. Our administration will continue to update you as this issue progresses.
Very truly yours,
Bruce Rauner
Governor
…Adding… CMS filed a “Notice of Interlocutory Appeal.” Click here to read it.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:10 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Not my fault… r.
Comment by r. Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:12 pm
Why the heck didn’t Rauner not veto state employee pay in the first place? If I were a judge this would annoy me.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:16 pm
Is it wrong to hope he gets picked as a vice presidential hopeful, just to get him out of Illinois?
Comment by Wading in... Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:19 pm
Gov, politeness impels me to advise that you have ventured out without clothes.
Comment by alas Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:19 pm
“Why the heck didn’t Rauner not veto state employee pay in the first place? If I were a judge this would annoy me.” Why? Because the guv wants to the blame the Madigans for employees not getting paid. It is all about the blame game.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:21 pm
Gag
Comment by Newdealer Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:23 pm
Well on the plus side when june ‘16 comes around he should know better. Don’t veto payroll! !
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:25 pm
If Governor Rauner put half the effort in the budget that he put into deflecting blame, we’d be in much better shape. Or, is this his plan to make up for attempted tort reform by enriching lawyers in other ways?
Comment by AC Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:27 pm
Hi All State Employees!
Despite Bruce’s ongoing struggle to square fighting for your overly fat, unjustified, and union related pay, he’s decided for public relations sake to do it.
He’s filed to demand you get paid now, so that it won’t sting so bad when he shafts you later.
Best,
ck!
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:27 pm
I’m glad that the Governor was able to highlight his attempt at venue shopping in St. Clair county. /s
Comment by Juice Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:28 pm
Better closing:
Somewhat truly yours,
Bruce Rauner
Governor
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:30 pm
P.S. Sorry about vetoing that approp for your salaries. Hope my words speak louder than my actions.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:30 pm
This should be a model for how not to run a state like a business, much less a country. Sheesh
Comment by Furious Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:31 pm
===This should be a model for how not to run a state like a business===
I have gradually become convinced that every successful businessperson who wants to bring business methods to the government should have to submit an essay of no less than 25 pages explaining in detail several ways in which governments function differently than businesses, like Due Process requirements and differences in funding models and profit not being the driving goal and services to children not being subject to economies of scale and the need for consensus building and so on.
At this point I reflexively distrust any businessperson who claims their business skills will help in government.
Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:35 pm
My prediction that the State will spend more in legal fees under Rauner his first year than Quinn did during his entire period as Governor is coming true …
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:36 pm
Can the State Workers pay their bills with printouts of these pathetic e-mails when they don’t get their paychecks?
Comment by ihpsdm Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:37 pm
Dating back to the campaign we saw how this guy doesn’t take responsibility for any bad acts or bad results. Call it a gift.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:37 pm
When the Governor does things that are completely opposite and against his previous rhetoric and then asks us to believe him, I take it as an extreme insult to my intelligence. Is anyone really going to buy Rauner as the savior of state workers salaries?
Comment by Xavier Woods Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:38 pm
== Can we do a recall vote? ==
Theoretically, yes, Practically, no. The Cubs have a better chance of winning the World Series this year AND next year than the R & D parties fulfilling all of the constitutional requirements for a recall vote.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:39 pm
I like the ‘on behalf of all the people of Illinois’ part. These would be the same people that he told for months that we are overpaid and underworked, incompetent, ruled by union bosses, and disloyal to the people of Illinois? I’m supposed to believe the he AND the people of Illinois care about whether or not I can pay my mortgage?
Comment by thoughts matter Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:41 pm
Recall vote? Yeah, that’s in 2018. In the next election.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:41 pm
that he and the people, not the he and the people.
Comment by thoughts matter Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:42 pm
“Honest… I ran out of gas. I… I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN’T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!”
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:42 pm
- Xavier Woods - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:38 pm:
When the Governor does things that are completely opposite and against his previous rhetoric and then asks us to believe him, I take it as an extreme insult to my intelligence. Is anyone really going to buy Rauner as the savior of state workers salaries? ======
I would love to meet the state worker that actually believes anything our beloved governor writes/says. I just happen to have a handful of magic beans I could sell to them.
Comment by ihpsdm Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:46 pm
Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno will introduce the bill in 9 to 12 months. Meanwhile, let me entertain you by playing the fiddle.
Comment by ihpsdm Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:49 pm
There’s something strange here. If it were all about the blame game, why not focus all your PR efforts on the public, showing concern for all those who could suffer from lack of services?
This concern expressed for government employees and government union members will win him few friends. That boat has sailed. Is Rauner beginning to take his management role seriously? Reading tea leaves here, but that would be a welcome transition.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:52 pm
@Wensicia
He’s on a mission from God.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:58 pm
Interesting.
What we’re learning is that Rauner is not a problem solver. He can make problems, but he hasn’t really solved … any.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:59 pm
Only parties to a suit can appeal, and the determination has to be against what they asked for. Lisa Madigan brought the case, not Rauner. Further, as far as I can tell, she got what she asked for, which was a determination of what could be paid. I don’t think Rauner’s office can file anything. It will just get dismissed if it doesn’t come through Lisa Madigan, or perhaps through the comptroller if she were officially named a party.
Comment by Court Watcher Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:05 pm
Joe and Jane Citizen don’t really care if State Employees don’t get paid - they do care about disruption of services. So Rauner’s next “Friendly” step will be to sign the no lockout/no strike bill effectively neutering AFSCME’s only strong negotiating tactic that they gave away early on. And Rauner can come on TV all while smilin’ and shruggin’ because he never saw that ‘no pay thing comin'’…and then you have a captive non paid workforce with no recourse other than quitting for other employment. AFSCME is playing Go Fish while Rauner is playing High Stakes Vegas Poker.
Comment by Agency Volunteer Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:06 pm
I see in another post that Munger as a party intends to appeal. So an appeal may go forth that way.
Comment by Court Watcher Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:08 pm
Is over-riding the veto on this particular part of the budget an option? If so, why isn’t it being pursued? Seems like the obvious choice. Otherwise this all just seems like bluster.
It is nice that the gov cares enough to send all of us little guys an e-mail once in a while. The content, however, leaves something to be desired. It feels like straight PR designed to advance his image in the press / public eye. It doesn’t feel genuine to me.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:10 pm
=== We’ve just filed an expedited appeal in the First District Appellate Court seeking to overturn today’s order. ===
Pick the right answer. The appeal was filed:
a) Through our legal representative the AG
b) Through our paid legal counsel with permission from the AG
c) Through our press team and I’m just messing with you
d) Through our new best buddies at AFSCME?
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:17 pm
Here’s a hypothesis: Since becoming Governor he’s made quite a few visits to state offices. He was just at the Harris Building last week, for example.
I suspect he understands a bit more about the state workers he’s demonized so often, seeing them more as human beings. Plus, he’s learned that more than a few of them voted for him.
My guess is that, big-time politics aside, Rauner is taking a bit different view of the state workers. Like all born b.s.-ers he starts talking not sure what’s going to come out of his mouth. And it turns out he has kind words for those eager faces who’ve come out to meet him.
Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:23 pm
Wensicia - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 5:42 pm:
Wins the web today with a Blues Brothers quote.
Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:29 pm
Next step… start linin’at the mansion for bobblehead bucks that we’ll be handin’out just as soon as the appeals court thumps us
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:32 pm
If Rauner had any smarts — if he was at all savvy — he’d realize that *state workers* are his best weapon.
He’d realize that unions can help him.
He’d realize that AFSCME is more of a help than a hindrance.
Think about it: if unions — and unionized workers — get on Rauner’s side — he really can make serious changes. The sorts of changes that he wants.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:32 pm
for clarification, I believe he vetoed the entire budget. I’ll bet he wishes he’d done it differently, but he can make it good tomorrow and appears to be offering to.
Comment by park Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:33 pm
But the bucks can’t be used to pay fair share or union dues
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:34 pm
If pay checks are not issued, there are economic effects. I am sure that several locations in Illinois would be significantly impacted by the lack of those payroll deposits into local banks.
Rauner knows this.
Rauner’s Shutdown has the potential to cause a spike in loan delinquencies, real estate foreclosures, auto repossessions, loss of state income tax receipts, loss of state and local sales tax receipts, all due to lack of spending by state employees. He is concerned that it could all potentially be tied by HEADLINES to him and his inability to lead opposing factions.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:38 pm
BTW, the above email is not intended for state workers alone. It’s another PR commercial, “Hey, I’m not the bad guy; Madigan and his corrupt political supporters are.”
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 6:39 pm
State workers:
In lieu of a fair contract, I wish to thank you for your continued service.
Your Boss,
Your Buddy,
In Solidarity,
His Highness,
Governor Bruce
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:11 pm
Oh, shoot! I didn’t mean for that to happen. What a stroke of rotten luck.
Good luck,
Bruce
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:19 pm
when rauner said he was going to shut down the state in 2014 what did everyone think of that?
Comment by foster brooks Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:21 pm
Your lead in says it all, Rich…how about approving the temporary budget that was sent to you, Governor, instead of vetoing it for purely political reasons and forcing state workers to lose pay?
Actions speak louder than words…the Governor’s newly found solidarity with state employees fits him as poorly as his “common man” Carhardt jacket.
Comment by Courser Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:25 pm
It won’t be long before Rauner sends each state employee a Facebook friend request. . . .
Comment by Northern pike Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:32 pm
Bad advise from the super stars to veto the entire budget. To many lawyers. They don’t get paid either.
Comment by 2113 Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:37 pm
What about those on welfare, do they get paid?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:51 pm
This Governor (who has yet to govern) and his superstar over paid team are on a hypocritical non budget issue course which will implode and adversely impact many in the process. He simply can’t have it both ways, and he’s already burned too many (you are all corrupt, union busting mission) bridges. Yes eventually there will be compromise and maybe even reconciliation but as many have said he will own it all worse before better.
Comment by XDNR Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:52 pm
You vetoed it, Governor.
You own it
Thanks!
ow
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 7:58 pm
This is all so Rauner can say, “I tried to help you”.
Phony Governor.
Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:04 pm
Someone should tell Rauner — Trover — Shrimpf: stop spamming state employees. We don’t need the PR. All we care about is the pay for the work we’re doing for the state.
We’re working. You’re not.
We’re not ideologues. You are.
We want Madigan to tow the line. Don’t give in.
Rauner does not have any kind of a mandate, any kind of a majority.
The level of derision for Rauner at my workplace is incredible. Rauner has no idea. Absolutely no idea.
But Rauner: please — stop spamming us. Stop emailing us. Just pay us. That’s all we care about.
We. Do. Not. Care. About. You.
We. Did. Not. Vote. For. You.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:05 pm
Never assume malfeasence when simple incompetance will do.
I think he believed that a judge would order payroll paid. Call it bad lawyering if you will. I don’t think they foresaw the A.G. refusing to reach a consensus and venue shopping cook county. I don’t think he realized how stubborn MJM was going to be.
Now he is about to watch 70k people not get paid for work they are doing. If he actively pushes this fix I’d say it’s remorse. Now if it goes nowhere and he starts throwing stones without another attempt then I’m all wet.
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:13 pm
This is just a delay tactic. The law here is clear. After The pension ruling, there’s no way an appellate court comes out differently. Appealing the decision is, frankly, a waste of time. NEOGIATE A DEAL ALREADY.
Comment by Stop the Madness Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:17 pm
Rauner wants to “break Madigan” at all costs. How has that worked in the past? Im not in love with Madigan but at least he’s consistent. He does this every time. Someone please tell the Superstars that this strategy is not working.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:18 pm
Is it just me or has my governor been abusing the judicial system? I know business and litigation go hand and hand,is this how he thinks? There is no problem that can’t be fixed in court?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:24 pm
The appeal was filed at 4:15 pm. Rauner’s email was sent at 4:59 pm. The “claim” is true.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:25 pm
Again — I’m confident that Rauner — the Governor of the state of Illinois — has absolutely no intention of agreeing to a budget. For months.
He’ll let state employees fend for themselves — despite the spam. He’ll let social service agencies lay off employees.
He’ll let everything devolve into total, total chaos — all because he wants to bust unions. That’s it.
That’s not what he ran on. That’s not what he campaigned on. But he’s now doing the bidding of the Koch’s and Griffin — and essentially grinding the state to a complete, utter halt because he wants to eradicate collective bargaining.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:29 pm
Ryan
Blagojevich
Quinn
Rauner
We really can’t get worse than what we’ve had and what we’ve got.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:38 pm
Rauner: Madigan’s budgets are unconstitutional. Oh, but when it comes to paying workers with no budget, which too would be clearly unconstitutional, I somehow now don’t care about what is and is not constitutional.
Talk about spinning the rhetoric. it’s unfortunate that the general public today care only for headlines and rarely have the patience or care to read the fine lines or ask the tough questions.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:51 pm
I am prepared to lend my state worker friend some cash so she can feed her kids. They should all quit working and see how long the people of Illinois will put up with it. These poor folks can’t even go out and try to find other employment to put a roof over their head. They have to show up and work for nothing. Ridiculous.
Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:51 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,
Honestly, respectfully…
Help Rauner out of this. Give him his “outs”, before its too late
Sincerely,
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:53 pm
And when paychecks don’t come on 7/15, the State will be per se liable under FLSA for liquidated damages to all state employees.
Way to help us save money, guv’nor.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:07 pm
MJM and Mapes must be laughing their —– off tonight. Geez, talk about floundering around. And if there is a single state employee who falls for Rauner’s advocacy for them then they deserve to be shut out and laid off.
Comment by Astounding Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:17 pm
I was at the Harris building when Rauner showed up for the pep talk. At the time, he seemed sure the court would side with him on extending the terms of the expired contract, because of Lisa Madigan getting that same kind of agreement in the 2007 budget impasse. If he really believed that, he got some bad legal advice. If he didn’t believe it, it’s extraordinary hypocrisy, as he kept referring to our work (DHS) as being “God’s work,” and the Good Book this and the Good Book that … on and on. I’m a Republican and I believe in God and the Good Book. But using God talk to get people on your side, when you don’t really believe what you’re telling them, would be reprehensible. I agree with what an earlier poster said. If he’s adjusting to consequences he didn’t expect (due to someone on his legal staff not doing the political math), we’ll see a fix of some sort fairly quickly. If not, if he digs in, we’ll be able to draw a much darker conclusion. Not that I want to. But real is what it is.
Comment by TheOtherAnonymous Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:24 pm
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 8:29 pm:
==But he’s now doing the bidding of the Koch’s and Griffin==
With all due respect I think we can all surmise this was his plan from the get go. He fooled the body politic with his commin’ man faux down to earth Carhartt good ole boy I’m goin’ ta shake things up BS. I would say that I have to give him credit for that, good handlers, or maybe deceit just comes naturally to him in the corporate world.
Comment by XDNR Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:32 pm
Everything else this governor has said he wants to give someone ends up with a qualifying kicker in the background somewhere. Wonder what the kicker will be for the approp for state employee pay?
Comment by Just Curious Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:32 pm
How can the state employees continue to work without pay? How can the unions stand by and let this governor abuse their members? Both sides extended the union contracts with a no lockout or strike clause. So what happens now?
Comment by wrangler Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 9:59 pm
Wensicia @ 5:42, that’s one of my all time favorite comments on this site. Well done.
Comment by Jimmy Baseball Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:06 pm
Did he not understand what a Veto of the budget means?? He clearly looks more clueless every day. If there weren’t jobs and lives at stake if would almost be entertaining to watch. Is there anyone who can get the message across to him that his actions have major repercussions??
Comment by Way South of I-80 Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:19 pm
== What about those on welfare, do they get paid? ==
Since that’s mostly federal money, I suspect, as long as there are staff to process the checks, the whole welfare system will just running; the Federal budget year runs until Sept 30th.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:31 pm
If anyone here actually believes this current situation is the Governor’s fault, our state is in more trouble than it already clearly appears to be on the surface.
Comment by SMH Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:39 pm
- SMH -,
Rauner vetoed the budget. Governors need budgets. Always been that way.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:45 pm
What disturbs me most is the multitude of state employees who will buy into this crap, you know those same ones who were honked off at Quinn and voted for Rauner.
Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 10:55 pm
Whoops
Comment by Bill from heaven Tuesday, Jul 7, 15 @ 11:03 pm
If anyone here believes the current situation is not partially Rauners fault (wasting time on the Quixotic RTW push, failing to gain trust with the Democratic members of the GA, no real desire to compromise/negotiate, etc.), then our state is in more trouble than it seems.
Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 7:20 am
==Everything else this governor has said he wants to give someone ends up with a qualifying kicker in the background somewhere. Wonder what the kicker will be for the approp for state employee pay?==
He will still sock it to the state workers in their contract negotiations. He will say something like, for my part, I got you paid - for your part, drastic cuts in your health insurance. And spin it that he negotiated in good faith.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 8:18 am
The problem is that the governor’s “Plan A” (bust unions) is not going so well and he has no “Plan B”. Everything else is just improvisational incompetence.
Comment by Omega Man Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 8:19 am
Last I heard, the legislature could override a budget veto. If the legislature has the power and control, how can they not have the responsibility? Just askin’
Comment by Just askin' Wednesday, Jul 8, 15 @ 1:03 pm