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* Bloomberg…
“We’re all a bunch of idiots,” said Representative Jack Franks, a Democrat from the northern Illinois town of Woodstock.
“Just because Bruce Rauner says ‘Republicans need to do this,’ and Speaker Madigan says ‘Democrats need to do that,’ doesn’t mean we have to listen to them,” Franks said.
Yet Republicans line up behind Rauner, who insists on labor, tax and regulatory changes, and Democrats follow Madigan, who says the budget must be passed and revenue raised. There is no hint of a break in the impasse. Bondholders get paid, although many state vendors are getting stiffed to the tune of at least $3.5 billion.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:02 pm
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I’d “buy stock” in Jack Franks right now.
Given where Rauner is, and wants to go, and where Madigan is, and wants to go, Franks’ colored buttons are a bit “more equal” than other Mushrooms or Owls.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:05 pm
“Campaigning on a pledge to shake up the government, a $62 billion enterprise, he has repeatedly challenged Democrats who hold veto-proof legislative majorities.”
Where does that number come from? The state budget is only in the $35 billion range, right?
Comment by Doofman Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:07 pm
“state vendors are getting stiffed to the tune of at least $3.5 billion.”
Rich, who are these state vendors, and how long will they wait before they sue the state?
Comment by Mama Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:08 pm
- Doofmam -
Rauner spent $62+ million to be Governor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Thinking and acting independently is hard and scary. If you make the wrong call, your constituents will vote you out and the tops will be less willing to protect you. It’s very scary if you’ve never done it before. However, what Jacks Franks knows is that Madigan gets more out of Franks by him being there than he does with the GOP holding that seat. Franks is willing to use his portion of the rope, most others are not. The GOP should learn this.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:10 pm
The thing is, the governor’s political agenda has a constituency of one.
The budget, millions.
And the one guy backing the governor’s agenda has shown time and again that he’ll flip when the heat gets turned up. He might as well get on with it.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Amen
Comment by john a logan Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Franks is a sell, not buy. The guy doesn’t know where his bread is buttered. Is Franks a Democrat or a Republican? If Jack Franks can’t figure out what side he is on by day I am pretty sure Rauner or Madigan will.
Being in the middle use to be a virtue, but now it makes you the TARGET!
Comment by Earshang Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:12 pm
Franks should probably speak for himself.
He’s burnt so many bridges in his own caucus that he could not lead his way out of a paper bag.
His intransigence helped create this mess.
He is a legend in his own mind.
Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Proposing $ 3 billion in new taxes on businesses does kind of make you an idiot.
Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:16 pm
OW: Can’t tell if that’s snark or if you misread my question.
Comment by Doofman Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:17 pm
Mr Franks must be comfortable in his position. Others fear for their survival and tow the line.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:17 pm
Doofman, to your question, the $35 billion figure is the General Funds budget. The $62 billion figure is the all funds budget (general funds, special state funds (which there should be fewer of), and federal funds.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:18 pm
The “billion” was the misquote.
Should be million.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:19 pm
I suggest they all wear the “we’re all a bunch of idiots” t shirts to the next joint session
Comment by Shoedoctor Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:20 pm
I read it as a shot at the cost of winning the big chair, a $62 million enterprise.
My bad.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:20 pm
“We’re all a bunch of idiots,”
Please don’t be so light on yourself!
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Franks should probably speak for himself.
He’s burnt so many bridges in his own caucus that he could not lead his way out of a paper bag.
His intransigence helped create this mess.
He is a legend in his own mind.
Yes - but while all that glitters is not gold, his ace in the hole is to be armed to the teeth while his back is to the wall. It is any port in a storm when there is a bad apple in the barrel. Franks doesn’t beat around the bush since this problem is as big as a house. It is better to go with the devil you know, than to let the rich get richer.
Right?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“We’re idiots, babe. It’s a wonder we can even feed ourselves.”
Bob Dylan
Comment by illinoised Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:29 pm
Actually, one would have to be an idiot to believe there is any reasonable way out of this other than a tax hike. Both sides, Republican and Democrat, already know that is the only way out. I would term them all cowards than idiots.
Comment by illinoised Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:31 pm
Being in the middle use to be a virtue, but now it makes you the TARGET!
Exactly!!!!!!!!
Comment by illini Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:31 pm
Juice: Thanks!
Comment by Doofman Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:31 pm
It is not who is an idiot it is who is a dupe. And we citizens are the dupes. Having said that the real idiots are the Judges who are allowing the State to continue to operate without a budget. Had the State stopped operations July 1st there would be a budget in place. And there is no legal justification to allow the State to continue operations without a budget. Under the flawed legal logic now in place there need never be a budget.
Comment by HL Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Jack Franks for Governor–right NOW
Comment by the old man Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:33 pm
Jack Franks for Governor
Because he knows an idiot when he sees one!
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:35 pm
===many state vendors are getting stiffed===
I wonder how much longer the vendors will want to continue ‘getting stiffed’ and stop doing business with the state?
Comment by Hit or Miss Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Jack Franks for Governor
Because it takes one to know one!
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:36 pm
“Idiot” shirts for the GA members, “frat boy” for Rauner staff, and “baddest enemy” for the governor.
Comment by Tournaround Agenda Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:41 pm
Some may recall the “Crazy Eights” from the 1970’s. Franks would have fit in well.
Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:45 pm
@Doofman - @Juice is right. The $ Rauner and Madigan are fighting about is the ==General Fund==. The total $ spent by the state in fiscal 2015 was apparently $65.9 Bill. General Fund spending was 32.2 Bill of that.
This explains it all in just a single page and includes those budget numbers https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/handbook/statebudget.pdf
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:48 pm
How’s Jackie votes on SB1229 is what inquiring minds want to know. He voted against it first time around. If he flips he’s Madigan’s guy, notwithstanding his claim of neutrality.
Then he’ll go from hypocrite to target.
Comment by Georg Sande Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:50 pm
yep, Jack is heading for the t shirt business. I see a shirt with a dome outline and his “we’re all a bunch of idiots” quote. would sell out.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Someone has to say it. Kudos, Rep Franks.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Mama, suing the State in Court of Claims means YEARS of delay getting a win … then the GA must appropriate to pay the judgment.
_______
- Mama - Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 12:08 pm:
“state vendors are getting stiffed to the tune of at least $3.5 billion.”
Rich, who are these state vendors, and how long will they wait before they sue the state?
Comment by zonz Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Jack Franks is totally like the hot girl at the prom who somehow doesn’t have a date.
I gotta admit: I’ve always been skeptical of him. But a couple of friends & classmates in college campaigned for him when he was first elected always told me he was pretty good. I think they were on to something.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 1:10 pm
GS, not to let a fact get in the way of your usual insight, but Franks was one of 23 House members, mostly Republicans, who did not vote on SB1229.
67-25-3
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 1:22 pm
“I think we’re all Bozos on this bus.” — Firesign Theater
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 1:36 pm
Franks isn’t the hot girl at the prom with no date. He is the last marginally attractive girl in the bar at closing time.
Comment by SAP Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 3:26 pm
So exactly what does Franks suggest as an alternative. He is in a position to attempt to do something but he instead just lambasts both sides. Madigan couldn’t give a rat’s a— about how the delay impacts the state.. This whole thing comes down to control- which he is not willing to share with anyone other then Lisa
Comment by Sue Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 3:34 pm
===which he is not willing to share with anyone other then Lisa===
Except when Lisa didn’t run for governor 2 years ago, 6 years ago, 10 years ago…
Or when Lisa decided not to run “because” in 2014…
- Sue -, maybe nap time?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 3:38 pm
If Madigan goes after Franks, he will be wildly reelected in McHenry County
Comment by Formerpol Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 8:24 pm
=== If Madigan goes after Franks, he will be wildly reelected in McHenry County ===
Sounds like a great tactic by Madigan.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Aug 27, 15 @ 8:46 pm