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Unclear on the concept

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* Democratic state Rep. Scott Drury penned an op-ed for yesterday’s Tribune

How can we end the stalemate and move Illinois forward? Rauner, Madigan and Cullerton should each issue a public proposal detailing how they plan to close the budget deficit. These proposed budgets must be balanced with real dollars — not projected future savings or borrowed dollars. Moreover, each proposal can be accompanied by any legislation deemed necessary to claim “victory.” Once the proposals are made public, the General Assembly can vigorously debate and, ultimately, vote on them.

This plan would accomplish two critical things. First, it would ensure that respective plans for balancing the budget actually exist. Second, it would force an end to the current game of “scapegoat” and move Illinois toward a real budget solution. Good government and transparency demand this process.

I’m not sure what Statehouse he reports to, but the stalemate isn’t about the budget. The budget can eventually be dealt with pretty easily because the governor has said he can be for a tax hike. The end product - if we ever get there - will probably look a lot like the budget Rauner vetoed.

The stalemate is all about the governor’s other demands.

So, when Rep. Drury comes up with an idea for how to deal with issues like local collective bargaining, prevailing wage, property tax freezes, tort reform, etc., he should let us know ASAP.

* Speaking of the budget, as of last night, no final decision had been made by the Senate Democrats about whether to override the governor’s approp vetoes. But, even if they do, it’s not looking good in the House

With Democrats filling 39 of 59 seats in the Senate, the majority could likely gather the 36 votes needed for a three-fifths majority.

But the supermajority in the House is 71, the same number of posts Democrats hold. There, Democratic Reps. Jack Franks of Marengo and Scott Drury of Highwood oppose override because the plan still doesn’t have enough revenue to cover spending.

“I’m getting pressure, and the easy way for me is to vote for an override,” Franks said, “but it’s the wrong solution.”

Of the 19 bills in the budget plan, the Senate controls eight; overrides begin in a bill’s original chamber.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:29 am

Comments

  1. I want the time back I wasted reading the inane piece Drury wrote.

    Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:35 am

  2. It could be good to see the cuts Madigan and Cullerton favor as well as the tax increases Rauner favors in writing.

    Even if this does not immediately end the standoff, it could help raise pressure on all of them to reach a budget agreement. ==Wow, y’all agree on so much! Get it done.==

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:41 am

  3. === Unclear on the concept ===

    Drury is also apparently unclear that the last thing we need is a public budget, more press releases, tweets, or another op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.

    If you are “negotiating” via press release, you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of, or at least a symptom of, the problem.

    The most Drury could probably do right now to be helpful is for him and Franks to broker a deal with a couple of moderate Republicans to pass a budget sans Turnaround in exchange for keeping the Millionaire’s tax bottled up.

    Quietly — not via press release.

    Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:43 am

  4. Did you know he is a former federal prosecutor?

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:45 am

  5. Whoa, 47, for real? Drury was a federal prosecutor?

    Not so good on the examination of evidence and determining of motivation bits.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:49 am

  6. He might be angling for someone to tell him anything about what’s going on.

    Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:51 am

  7. ==The stalemate is all about the governor’s other demands.==
    I don’t disagree, but I think it’s also about who gets the blame for the tax-hikes/cuts that our coming our way. (And perhaps also—or is this too optimistic?—a little about what budgetary disagreements should be about: substantive policy disagreements over how much is cut, and where, versus how much is raised in taxes, et.)

    Comment by UIC Guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:51 am

  8. Rep Drury is no more inane than TeamBungle game plan of u-turnapaloza —- sue over fair share, agree to fair share, screw teachers pension give the Oakland guy a sweetheart deal.
    Let’s see if TeamBungle can even write their stuff down.

    Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:52 am

  9. Scott Drury should be Speaker! He’s really shown that he knows how to bring people together, which is important to getting deals done. And, he is absolutely beloved by his colleagues, who will only love him more for selflessly offering such a thoughtful plan for resolving these difficulties. And, this is the work of only one former federal prosecutor. Imagine what a General Assembly exclusively composed of them could accomplish! Thanks, Scott, for saving Illinois and joining Jeanne Ives in reminding us that some people arrive to elected office with nothing to learn, but plenty to teach.

    Comment by Willie Stark Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:55 am

  10. Is Drury the bagman for someone here, or did he come up with this himself?

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:57 am

  11. Drury, a federal prosecutor? I though he never lets us forget that. Must’ve been edited out I guess.

    Drury? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt…

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:57 am

  12. This isn’t about cuts or taxes. Rauner wants to own Illinois and force his “fixes” on us. He doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he gets his way. He is holding our budget hostage until we capitulate. He doesn’t care if the GOP survives him. He bought the GOP. Now he wants the State.

    He doesn’t earn things. He buys them. Why spend time earning what his millions can just buy? Hopefully he will discover the joys of governing, and find out there are better things than ownership.

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 10:57 am

  13. Drury is totally clear on the concept. Do nothing; blame everybody else; get re-elected.

    Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:05 am

  14. UIC Guy:

    Let me save everyone same time: Democrats will be blamed for the tax hike, Republicans will be blamed for the cuts.

    Always has been that way, always will be that way.

    Heck, even when Democrats try to take credit for cutting spending, they can’t get any love.

    Which is why, ironically, it is and always will be in Republicans best interests to assist Democrats in passing a tax hike and avoiding cuts.

    Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:06 am

  15. You do know that Drury is a former U.S Prosecutor!

    Comment by McPhee Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:12 am

  16. @47th Ward 10:45 =Did you know he is a former federal prosecutor?=

    What’s his opinion on the Rauner’s cash for votes

    to the GOP members? Corrupt or not corrupt, and

    why or why not?

    Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:13 am

  17. “The budget can eventually be dealt with pretty easily because the governor has said he can be for a tax hike.”

    I understand this line of thinking and perhaps I’m wrong but I’m still skeptical this will be easy, even if the Governor is for a tax hike. Cat herding the votes to pass some combination of tax increases and spending cuts to close a $6 billion hole will require an impressive cooperative effort. I get the sense that the Governor believes that as soon as he drops his opposition to any budget a passable one will just magically appear and the votes will be there to pass it. I hope he’s right but I’m not sold.

    My guess is that some members who would be willing to vote for a tax increase will want assurances that programs/spending they value will be protected. Conversely there will be some members that will only vote for a tax increase if it’s small and spending cuts are significant. Finding that sweet spot of overlap to get enough votes to pass everything seems like it will take a lot of work.

    The Governor already blinked once over the uproar about $26 million in cuts, this time we’re talking about $6 billion worth of unpopular choices. With all these new campaign funds the next election season looks like it’s going to be all out war. Even when/if all of the leaders agree that it’s time to agree on a budget I still think it’s going to be a real challenge to find that agreement in this environment.

    Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:16 am

  18. Rauner doesn’t earn things. Rauner buys them.

    Vanilla Man’s simple, off-handed observation is the Rosetta Stone for understanding events in Springfield.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:17 am

  19. Willie Stark - you don’t really think a circumstance would exist that members of the democratic GA would vote for someone other than Madigan/Cullerton do you?

    Comment by Very Fed Up Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:20 am

  20. Rauner believes there is no turnaround possible without significantly weakening the power MJM holds. There is no shift without diminishing the current power broker. The issues are all secondary to that premise. Rightly or wrongly - he’s trying to reapportion power, thinking that is the first real step in any turnaround we can expect in Illinois.

    Comment by It's pretty simple Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:21 am

  21. I think Rep. Drury is clear on how it works (he is a former prosecutor, after all). This is one of the Democratic talking points - keep the discussion about the budget and not the other issues. If the discussion stays on the budget, there’s no getting around the fact that a majority of Illinoisans won’t agree to the kinds of cuts that are required to balance the budget without a tax increase. He’s a more credible messenger than other Dems, since he opposes the tax hike and the approps overrides.

    Comment by Century Club Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:21 am

  22. “will want assurances” Considering he’s already double-crossed his own party, I’m not sure what assurances he could offer that would be believable.

    Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:23 am

  23. +++”Considering he’s already double-crossed his own party”+++

    That’s classic.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:30 am

  24. ===That’s classic.===

    So is your non-response.

    Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:32 am

  25. TeamBungle apparently did not prep the work comp chair for her non stonewall and Rep Kay forgot to giv the chair his correct answers….very embarrassing moments

    Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:34 am

  26. Guy, it was a classic double cross.

    Tell your GA peeps to vote against increased funding for K-12, then give them less than a half hour’s notice that you’re going to sign the bill.

    I’m surprised you haven’t picked up on any grousing about that. You’re generally so tuned in to the inside stuff, everywhere.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:35 am

  27. Rauner believes there is no turnaround possible without significantly weakening the power MJM holds.

    A problem with that line of thinking is that the Governor is ignoring the massive political power of the Mansion that he holds. Madigan is only the Speaker. A fully formed and credible governor would undermine a Speaker. Rauner had to become a good governor. He had to earn the respect he had an opportunity to earn.

    Instead it has become easier for the “never-ending campaigner” to turn this Governor/Speaker dynamic into campaign fodder. Rauner isn’t governing.

    This isn’t about Madigan, necessarily. It is about a new governor who hasn’t figured out how to govern.

    Before Rauner finger points at his political enemies, he first needs to have figured out how best to be our governor. A sloppy governor with no credibility is weak against a speaker.

    If Rauner was a basketball player, he would buy the team, never learn the game, but spend millions claiming that the other teams he loses to, don’t play fairly.

    The dude is a GOVERNOR. When is he going to get that?

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:35 am

  28. - A Guy - has evolved.

    Lobbing drive-bys, then scurry back into the bunker.

    C’mon, make a case.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:35 am

  29. Anyway, Cook County Prez Preckwinkle is done waiting. She seems confident she can put through a sales tax increase in Cook this week. The raid on middle class (and poor, sales tx is regressive, as she admits) pocketbooks has begun. Given that this is only the first of several, she’s probably smart to get her going first. But then, she always sounds more intelligent than our state political masters.

    Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:53 am

  30. What bunker Willy? Really?
    When these threads turn into a circular firing squad where the groupthink and grouptalk just affirm and reaffirm one another, there’s really little point in trying to offer any other perspective–the horse is already long out of the barn.

    Drury and Franks are hearing something a bit different than many in their caucus. Do you honestly think “no one” else is hearing what they are, but they’re a bit too gunshy to react like these two?

    As you have said over and over again, The GOP in the GA is all in with the Governor. You can say all day long they’re bought and paid for, mushrooms, minions, etc. etc. We don’t have to agree on any of that baloney to reach the underlying point; they’re all in.

    This thing is a moving strategy. They get it. Some may have scratched their heads, but they’re not out there quoting the great Skeptic, the great Sling or you, by saying they were double crossed.

    Is this still a drive by or did I park long enough for you?

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:53 am

  31. The heats getting hot. Somebody is gonna cave, but as long as team R is writing checks, the GOP Caucus may believe that Rauner is best left to MJM to dispatch him.

    Comment by Madison Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:00 pm

  32. @Vanillaman

    For whatever it may be worth, I think your comments are hilarious and intensely insightful.

    I with you in hoping our Governor will recognize the true joy of public service…but…I’m going to keep breathing…hopefully…some fresh air…Illinois air is gettin’ stale…and mostly hot!…Wheels aspinnin’.

    Comment by Anonymous Redux Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:01 pm

  33. -A Guy-
    Read between the lines….If the GOP Caucus was “all in” for Rauner they would have no problems cashing his checks, No?

    Don'’t make the mistake of listening to what politicians say, rather, watch what they do. Ther’s a message there.

    Comment by Madison Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:08 pm

  34. ===When these threads turn into a circular firing squad where the groupthink and grouptalk just affirm and reaffirm one another, there’s really little point in trying to offer any other perspective–the horse is already long out of the barn.===

    So… You can’t offer a counter argument, on its merits? You throw up your hands, give up, run the drive-by lines because making a logical case isn’t… “worth it”?

    ===Drury and Franks are hearing something a bit different than many in their caucus. Do you honestly think “no one” else is hearing what they are, but they’re a bit too gunshy to react like these two?===

    I don’t know what others “hear”. If others “hear” something, unless they share, no one knows.

    The GOP GA are Owls, not minions, and the Dems are now the only Mushrooms.

    ===This thing is a moving strategy. They get it. Some may have scratched their heads, but they’re not out there quoting the great Skeptic, the great Sling or you, by saying they were double crossed.===

    You vote as you’re told, against a K-12 funding increase, as your proprietor demands, then that “Patron” signs the bill, that’s a classic. Yep. A classic double cross. It’s as though you haven’t come to grips with Rauner. He owns the GOP GA, he treats them as colored voting buttons, and will double cross them at the whim or as the wind takes him. Rauner is loyal to Rauner, and Rauner demands loyalty, with no reciprocity except checks…. Yet to be cashed.

    I appreciate the follow up. To summarize;

    Not “worth it” to refute…

    Owls should be loyal, but don’t expect loyalty back, “see, no one beefs!”

    I’m not hearing what others aren’t telling me…

    The strategy leaves GA members and their credibility as collateral damage.

    Got it.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:13 pm

  35. —… there’s really little point in trying to offer any other perspective…–

    LOL, but I’m sure there’s great significance to chiming in with juvenile, fact-free drive bys.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:17 pm

  36. Very Fed Up - I’m not sure why Dem members should vote for anyone besides Madigan or Cullerton. They are very able leaders of their caucuses. Someone like Scott Drury lacks the temperament and self-awareness to ever hold such a position. Like Ives, he’s an extreme idealist who cannot even begin to contemplate how anyone could see the world differently or grant that there could be any legitimacy to their perspective. His colleagues disdain him, he ostracizes himself and wears it as a badge of honor. Perhaps some parallels there with the governor to contemplate; what is he, really, without that war chest?

    Comment by Willie Stark Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:25 pm

  37. @Juvenal, 11:06
    Thanks for the response. You may be right, but in that case you’d think that the Reps would be eager to see a tax increase passed, so the Dems would be blamed for it. (And likewise, perhaps, the Dems to see savage cuts.) I suppose that could be happening in private, but have you any reason to think so?

    Comment by UIC Guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:38 pm

  38. —… there’s really little point in trying to offer any other perspective…–

    I wish there was someone here to counter posts by VanillaMan and some of the others as eloquently, but alas, it’s difficult to defend the indefensible.

    Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:54 pm

  39. A non-political Mediator is exactly what Madigan and Rauner need to move forward. Someone needs to help both of them see how they can both come out of this budget crisis as winners.

    Comment by Mama Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 1:06 pm

  40. Mama, I don’t see the point of a mediator.

    Again, at this time, the governor remains clear that he is not interested in dealing with the budget until his non-budget ideological agenda is addressed to his satisfaction.

    There is no budget impasse, standoff or stalemate. The budget is not yet a priority of the governor.

    Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 1:12 pm

  41. When these threads turn into a circular firing squad where the groupthink and grouptalk just affirm and reaffirm one another, there’s really little point in trying to offer any other perspective–the horse is already long out of the barn.

    “I told ya so!”, only works when your points are affirmed by reality. You are where I was four years ago with Quinn. I got tired of repeating myself, getting beaten up by Wordslinger, getting angry at OW and took a year sabbatical.

    Problem isn’t you. The problem is that the guy you have been defending and trying to keep the jury here at CapFax open minded enough to give a chance - isn’t helping at all. It is one thing to defend him against Democrats campaigning against him stereotyping Rauner as a crazed Monopoly man, and it is another thing when Rauner shows that the Democrats were wrong - the truth is revealed to be that he is more like an incompetent and crazed Monopoly man.

    Ryan was revealed to be a competent crook. Blagojevich was revealed to be an incompetent crook. Quinn was revealed to be a dithering incompetent. You have to wonder if Madigan got a single night’s sleep since 1999. He probably sprinkles something on those apples he has to eat daily. If Madigan isn’t blamed for causing tooth decay in Long Grove Republican children, he has discovered that working with Illinois governors is not fun when they can’t govern.

    Deck of cards here - who trumps the Governor card? No one. Not a Speaker. Not a Senate Majority Leader. Not a Supreme Court Justice. Give up? We’ve discovered that in the Illinois Leadership Deck of Cards that the Governor card can be trumped by a JOKER. And Illinois has had three of them in a row, with Rauner showing us that there are two Jokers in each party.

    So - take a sabbatical. Lets see if Rauner keeps losing. You won’t have to defend him when he keeps doing it, and you can quietly applaud him if he eventually figures out how to stop. It gets tiring defending a governor who doesn’t listen, doesn’t respect, doesn’t have a Plan B, doesn’t care who he hurts and has a staff filled with Twittering brats hoping they can get a window office in the White House next election cycle.

    I understand.

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 1:25 pm

  42. “but alas, it’s difficult to defend the indefensible.” And you notice how there’s no one here defending Ryan, Quinn or Blago.

    Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 1:34 pm

  43. I’ll offer a compromise on prevailing wage — rollback the creeping encroachment of prevailing wage requirements we’ve seen over the last 10 or so years by eliminating maintenance work and soft landscape work from the Act. This allows Rauner to get a “Turn around” win, allows governments to get some cost relief from the most onerous extensions of prevailing wage requirements, and allows labor/Madigan (and the public) retain applicability of prevailing wage where its most important - to actual public works construction.

    Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 1:34 pm

  44. ===Madison - Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 12:08 pm:

    -A Guy-
    Read between the lines….If the GOP Caucus was “all in” for Rauner they would have no problems cashing his checks, No?====

    Patience…grasshopper.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:00 pm

  45. ===Patience…grasshopper.===

    LOL!

    For what, the heat to die down?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:03 pm

  46. ===LOL, but I’m sure there’s great significance to chiming in with juvenile, fact-free drive bys.===

    Nah Sling, just an occasional check when the conversation lacks (any) balance.

    Plus, you’re “must read” man.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:03 pm

  47. @A Guy

    How often do you wait to cash your paycheck? Every check I get, goes in immediately. There isn’t an alternate reality that makes any sense why they haven’t done so. I have never ever ever ever ever heard of any politician that didn’t take free money from a sitting governor (that hasn’t been indicted or made otherwise unforgivable remarks).

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:05 pm

  48. V Man, appreciate the advice. I guess I’m not quite where you were when you took to the hills. There’s still plenty of opportunity to see things change here. It’s not a lot different than turning a battleship around in a bathtub.

    There are some days where I simply stop myself from getting involved in these conversations (not nearly enough of them for Sling-lol) I’m also working, so keeping tabs on the flow of the conversation can be tough when there are a lot of comments.

    We’ve got to make some progress. I’m always hopeful. I do know many of these folks we discuss here on a different, out of the limelight basis. I’d admire many of them that I oppose politically.

    What should be recognized here is that there are multiple paragraph drive-bys daily. If something strikes me that might lighten things up a bit, I’ll share it. There’s a guy around here that gets to determine if it’s silly or not. And a whole bunch who don’t. Thank heavens. Thank you for the thoughtful response.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:12 pm

  49. “Patience…grasshopper.”

    C’mon man

    Comment by Politix Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:15 pm

  50. @ It’s pretty simple. If the Governor is dead set on weakening the Speaker’s power, it would be nice if he would hang his hat on something other than changes that will have no impact on Governing until 2023 and 2025 respectively.

    But this isn’t about governing. This is about running a perpetual campaign. That means not making difficult decisions, and taking no responsibility. Even on things that have the Governor’s own signature on it.

    Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:23 pm

  51. Vman: For what it’s worth, I always thought you had deep and early insight on the likely public reaction to Quinn, and missed you when you were gone.

    Note that even when OW wrote some outstanding lyrics this week, Rich first assumed it was you — because talent.

    If any suggestion from me is legit, it would be for you to try to say what you say with half the length. Sometimes I see a big one from you and have to skip it in the interest of time.

    A Guy: Don’t go anywhere. You’re valuable to this place. Just keep breathing when it get frustrating.

    Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:32 pm

  52. Walk, Slinger and Willy need me. Just ask them. LOL.
    Thanks for your kind words. Your posts are always thoughtful.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:47 pm

  53. Oh - A Guy -,

    I remember telling you not to “Andy Kaufman” yourself.

    Make your cases, as you have been, nothing has changed.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:50 pm

  54. thank you

    I wanted to give Quinn a chance. A lot of folks were rooting for him and for a while, we had a bit of hope didn’t we?

    Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:53 pm

  55. A guy: I might interject…opposing points of view are welcome, but when multiple people tell you your argument makes no sense, take that as a clue that your argument makes no sense and not a mass delusion.

    Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 3:11 pm

  56. +++ Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 2:03 pm:

    ===Patience…grasshopper.===

    LOL!

    For what, the heat to die down?++++

    Truthfully Willy…..yes.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 3:41 pm

  57. ===Truthfully Willy…..yes.===

    Yikes.

    How will those who are quoted in newspapers as “troubled” with the checks, admitting holding them, how does that play out? People are watching that over $100K not yet cashed.

    Unforced error, probably not needed by Rauner.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 3:50 pm

  58. -A guy-
    The only patience I can see is that of MJM waiting patiently for Rauner to ruin the 2018 election cycle for the GOP Caucus, after which he walks offstage, leaving the entire GOP Caucus unable to elect a Republican Dogcatcher in an election cycle that is the only one they could compete in, statewide anyway.
    What are they gonna do Guy?
    Hold up signs saying “Rauner left us holding the bag”?
    Bruce was at his best when he was writing checks we could’nt cash.

    Comment by Madison Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 4:20 pm

  59. Lycurgus -

    Before making suggestions on changing the prevailing wage laws, find a study that supports your proposal.

    I have found absolutely no support whatsoever for repealing prevailing wage laws.

    There simply are no taxpayer savings in any of the numerous case studies of repealed prevailing wage laws.

    The savings is a perpetuated myth.

    Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 7:00 pm

  60. Madison, We’ll see. What if it’s just the opposite?

    Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 6:09 am

  61. ===Madison, We’ll see. What if it’s just the opposite?===

    16 months is a long time, plus Rauner, with ILGO, there will be Democratic Raunerites to help with the Blago Dream…

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 8:16 am

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