Question of the day
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Setup…
Gov. Bruce Rauner has tapped an SIU graduate and Johnson County native to head his communications department.
Vienna native Lance Trover, who served as senior communications adviser for Rauner’s successful gubernatorial campaign, has been named the governor’s communications director.
His selection comes as no surprise to former Gov. Jim Edgar’s press secretary Mike Lawrence, who taught Trover in a “Politics in the Media” class at SIU and mentored him while serving as director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
“He was an outstanding student,” Lawrence said. “I knew then that he would have a bright future if he decided to go into politics.”
I’ve known Lance since he was first brought up to the bigs by Team Topinka.
* The Question: Your advice for Mr. Trover?
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Unsolicited advice from all sides
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* George Ryan has some advice for the new governor…
Ryan… said in a telephone interview that he often made a habit of meeting with legislative leaders — sometimes every day — to identify their needs and concerns.
“Sometimes, Mike [Madigan] and I would just agree to disagree and still get done what we needed to do,” Ryan said. “We didn’t play games like some do today.”
Rauner, Ryan said, has “got to be careful.”
“It’s too early to be trying to outsmart each other,” he said.
* Jim Nowlan has an idea for the Executive Mansion…
A fan of performing arts, I suggest weekly cocktail events at the mansion, to include a break in the socializing and deal-making for 30-45 minutes in the ballroom to hear accessible musical programs by small aggregations from Illinois’ many fine college and university music departments. I think, for example, of the excellent Camerata Woodwind Quintet from Western Illinois University, the lilting sounds of the Caribbean steel drum band from the distinguished University of Illinois music school, and the great big band jazz program at Northern Illinois.
* Some folks want to drag Rauner into an old murder investigation…
A retired Illinois State Police master sergeant is adamant the decades-old slaying of a Iowa college student can still be solved, and he wants Gov. Bruce Rauner to help make it happen. […]
If Rauner takes the lead, McCarthy said he’s convinced the mystery will be solved.
“At the very least we could satisfy them that everything was done. They know for sure that everything wasn’t done,” he said.
* And The Southern wants Rauner to appoint a qualified professional to run the DuQuoin State Fair…
The region will miss Shannon Woodworth and his passion for the fair. We’ll miss his enthusiasm. And we think the manner in which he was terminated should give all of us a less than favorable impression of our new Governor’s modus operandi.
But having dispatched Woodworth, Rauner now has a wonderful opportunity to show residents of Illinois the business acumen that he touted during the campaign.
Mr. Governor, it’s time to hire the right Du Quoin State Fair manager.
Thoughts?
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In defense of Springfield
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Natasha wonders how the Rauners will react to Springfield’s living conditions…
On the eve of the inauguration, two buses dropped off Rauner guests at a downtown hotel after a scheduled event concluded.
They streamed into a nearby bar. The place was packed. I looked around at all the high-rollers and thought, “man, it’s like printing money in here.”
What came next?
“Last call!” Faces looked stunned.
Was it their liquor license?
The bartender said simply, no, it was 10:45 p.m. and the place closed at 11. That was that.
The next night, I saw the sneer from a server at my hotel restaurant. Four reporters who were working during normal dinner hours arrived hungry, and initially relieved – there were several tables of people seated inside dining.
“Sorry, we stop serving at 9.”
It was 9:03 p.m.
I won’t use names here, but the first establishment is infamous (in my book, at least) for its lousy management - particularly the way it under-staffs the place. Even so, it was a Sunday night. Plenty of big city restaurants close down early on Sundays.
I’ve never had a problem at the second venue, but there’s another restaurant right around the corner which stays open until 10.
And I have plenty of complaints about Chicago restaurants, bars, whatever that I won’t go into here.
* I chose to move back to Springfield from Chicago several years ago. I really miss the culture (I was a Joffrey season ticket holder back then), I miss the restaurants and the music and the shopping and the people.
But despite all of that, and despite the fact that I find Chicago superior to Springfield in most ways, I manage quite well here. You have to look for the music (the Buckhart Tavern has a monthly event that’s not to be missed, for instance) and the various eclectic “scenes” (the punks on the East Side have been slamming it for years) but they’re there. It’s also important to have friends who aren’t directly involved in politics. They keep me sane and were a big reason I moved back here. Also, the money I paid for my house on one acre by the lake is about equal to what it would cost to buy a small two-bedroom condo near the Loop.
Springfield isn’t Chicago. It will never be Chicago. That doesn’t mean Springfield can’t learn a thing or ten from the big city. Springfield has a long way to go to improve itself, for sure. And the Rauners may indeed find themselves a bit bored at times, although I don’t expect them to be in town more than three or four days per week on average.
* I don’t think I’m speaking too far out of school when I admit that I brought up some concerns about Springfield with Monique Garcia when she told me last week that she was moving to Springfield from Chicago. But Monique is much younger than me, and if you’ve ever met her, you know that she’s not your usual Springfield type (and that’s not meant as a slam to either side by any means, I’m just sayin…). But she was really looking forward to the move and we have several mutual “non political” friends, so she was perfectly happy. And if Monique can thrive here, pretty much anyone can.
In other words, one horribly run restaurant and one snotty (or tired, or short-staffed) maître d’ does not a bad town make.
* Try to be helpful in comments instead of hateful, please. Thanks.
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Today’s quotable
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Bruce Rauner on his $20 million campaign fund…
Rauner called using his campaign fund, which also could help bolster supportive legislators facing political risky votes, “an issue of freedom of speech in politics.”
“The voters need to be informed about the issues and what’s going on. The voters need to understand my personal view of the issues and the agenda. The folks who might have a different point of view are entitled to their views as well, but we’ve got to get our message to the voters and to the citizens, the taxpayers, the families, the working families who are suffering and hurting in Illinois,” Rauner said.
“It’s not just two years until the next election. There’s a process of communicating with other people of the state so they understand what’s going on and why the actions that we’re taking are being done,” he said. “The reality is we’ve got to (make) some tough decisions in the next six months. Really tough. I’m not going to like it. But you know what? I’ve got to do what I think is right for the long run.”
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I tried to warn you
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Back on May 28th, I did a back of the envelope estimate for subscribers of the Fiscal Year 2016 budget hole and came up with almost a $6 billion deficit plus a couple billion more dollars in new unpaid bills. That was before the pension systems revised their state revenue needs upward by almost a billion dollars. So, I was pretty close…
Illinois’ fiscal woes are significantly deeper and more serious than generally realized, with the state facing a $9 billion operating deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
That’s the horrific bottom line of a report released late today by researchers at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs, a study that may raise the eyebrows even of Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has been warning of huge financial problems ahead.
The conclusion: The actual deficit is about twice what is commonly reported, with the hole in the current fiscal 2015 budget not $2 billion to $3 billion but $6 billion, and rising to a projected $9 billion in fiscal 2016 and hitting $14 billion by fiscal 2026, assuming no changes in law or spending practices.
The report says the fiscal hole is so big that even fully reversing the income tax cut that took effect Jan. 1 would close “only about half” the gap projected for the next several years. Starting this year, the individual income tax rate went from 5 percent to 3.75 percent, and the corporate levy from 9.5 percent to 7.75 percent.
The budget they passed last May wiped out all progress and put us in a nighmarish fiscal position.
The full report is here.
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Long leaving Statehouse beat
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Bernie…
There’s a big change coming in the Statehouse pressroom, as RAY LONG, 56, who has been Chicago Tribune bureau chief there since 1998, will soon take a Chicago-based job as part of that paper’s investigative watchdog team.
Long had been with The Associated Press at the Statehouse for three years before joining the Tribune. A native of Winchester, he had interned with the Alton Telegraph in 1981 when it still had a Statehouse bureau and as he was getting his master’s degree with the public affairs reporting program at what is now the University of Illinois Springfield. […]
Long has also been president of the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association — the organization of Statehouse reporters — since 2006. […]
Taking over the Trib’s Statehouse bureau will be MONIQUE GARCIA, 30, a daughter of Air Force veterans who was born in Germany, graduated high school in Belleville, got her journalism degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and was Long’s intern when getting her master’s at UIS in 2007. She’s regularly covered major government events in Springfield as she has worked for the Tribune and has been based at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
“It’s a great, interesting time for the state and for the beat,” Garcia said.
Monique will most definitely liven up this beat. She’s a solid reporter and a whole lot of fun to be around.
* From Ray’s Facebook page…
How about we do a congratulatory caption contest featuring two “presidents”?
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Rauner taketh away, giveth
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
Ten weeks after the Illinois election, Gov. Bruce Rauner might have finally ended the campaign Friday by rescinding seven executive orders that his defeated opponent issued in his final week in office.
Rauner - by executive order - canceled action taken by ex-Gov. Pat Quinn, including three decrees the Democrat announced Monday, his final day in office.
They included requiring governors to disclose income tax returns by May and commanding state vendors to pay employees $10 an hour, instead of the current minimum wage of $8.25. […]
[Rauner spokesman Lance Trover] said “numerous” social service providers told Rauner’s office that $10-an-hour wages would mean less help for vulnerable clients. Voters overwhelmingly approved raising the wage to $10 in an advisory election question.
* From the EO…
WHEREAS, the taxpayers of Illinois elected a new Governor on November 4, 2014, who would reform state government and serve the public’s interest; and
WHEREAS, between January 5 and January 12, 2015, in his last eight days in office, the outgoing Governor issued seven Executive Orders that were not wholly motivated by serving in the public’s interest; and
THEREFORE, I, Bruce Rauner, Governor of Illinois, by virtue of the executive authority vested in me by Section 8 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, do hereby order that Executive Order Numbers 15-01, 15-02, 15-03, 15-04, 15-05, 15-06, and 15-07 be revoked and rescinded, effective immediately upon the filing of this Executive Order with the Secretary of State.
* Executive orders are rarely rescinded, but much of what Quinn did overstepped his bounds. You will recall that even Quinn’s fellow Democrat Senate President John Cullerton had a problem with some of them…
Cullerton suggested some of the executive orders Quinn issued may have exceeded his executive authority, pointing specifically to two dealing with immigration.
“There was a couple he did on immigration that exceeded his authority,” Cullerton said. “So we’re going to put legislation in, as we have numerous times. We’ve rejected Gov. Quinn’s executive orders three or four times in the last six years. What you do then, is, if it’s a good idea, you put a new bill in and pass the new bill.”
Both of those EO’s just went way too far.
* Even the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights didn’t make much of a fuss…
ICIRR urges Governor Rauner to work with us to revisit the issues addressed by Governor Quinn’s executive orders. We encourage Governor Rauner to identify how state agencies can support immigrants applying for the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action programs, which he called “a great start.” We also look forward to working with the Governor on issues involving local and state police entanglement in immigration enforcement, which undermines police-community relations and tears apart immigrant families. We urge Governor Rauner to continue the work of preceding governors, both Republican and Democrat, to make Illinois a immigrant welcoming state.
Quinn was barely relevant as governor and he’s far less so now. But he’s still campaigning…
For his part, Quinn offered “no apologies,” saying Rauner’s actions were “obviously directed at me personally.”
“The action of Bruce Rauner today to rescind these, I think, very necessary executive orders for the common good, I think is self-serving and anti-reform, and he ought to be ashamed of himself,” Quinn said.
* Meanwhile…
Governor Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order 15-12 [on January 19th] designed to help bring more economic opportunities to minorities and veterans.
“Illinois is an incredibly diverse state, and we benefit from that diversity,” Gov. Rauner said. “But the unemployment rate for minorities and veterans is way too high. This Executive Order will help reveal some of the causes and identify ways to solve this injustice.”
Executive Order 15-12 orders state agencies to require every labor organization, contractor or subcontractor that is party to a state contract to obtain and report within thirty days the total number of minority and veteran participants in any offered training program as well as the minority and veteran participation rate in said programs.
CMS is also ordered to conduct a thorough review of all goals, preferences and considerations provided under state law and regulations concerning the hiring and training of veterans and the awarding of contracts to veteran-owned businesses. CMS is also to study the participation of minority-owned and veteran-owned businesses’ ability to obtain opportunities in the State of Illinois. The goal of the study is to identify any disparity in awards and make recommendations to fix those differences.
“We need to ensure jobs and business opportunities are open to everyone, but especially those who serve our country or are underrepresented in the economy,” Gov. Rauner added. “I will be a governor who champions our veterans and historically-disadvantaged communities. This Executive Order will help give my administration the tools to do exactly that.”
The Legislative Black Caucus and the Latino Caucus have fought hard for decades to get more minorities into union apprenticeship programs and to get them their fair share of state contracts. So, needless to say, this will be seen as a major plus for Rauner…
Talk is cheap, however. We’ll see what Rauner actually does.
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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
Gov. Bruce Rauner did something the other day that I’ve never before seen: He attended a half-dozen inauguration parties for members of the Illinois General Assembly.
This just doesn’t happen in Springfield. Governors tend to avoid afterhours playtime, when lobbyists and politicians might use a social setting to inappropriately corner the state’s chief executive on some issue or another.
But Rauner has pledged to get to know legislators, and they were clearly impressed when he showed up at their events—particularly Democrats. In a way, his attendance validated them.
After hitting the party circuit, Rauner took four rank-and-file GOP legislators out to dinner at Augie’s Front Burner, across the street from the Old State Capitol. None of them has much power, so imagine their surprise at the invitation.
Legislating is about more than just what is in a bill. It’s also about building personal relationships with the players. A “soft” opponent to a bill often can be turned around if he or she has a relationship with a sponsor. Even a “hard” opponent sometimes can be moved based on a personal plea.
So, attending some parties and taking some low-level lawmakers out to dinner might not sound like much to outsiders, but Rauner scored some major Brownie points with legislators. It looks as though he will keep on doing it.
Go read the whole thing before commenting, please. Thanks.
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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
A solid majority of Illinoisans wants newly inaugurated Gov. Bruce Rauner to find common ground with the Democratic legislative majority rather than be confrontational, a new poll finds. However, most aren’t confident that the state’s leaders can avoid gridlock and a majority believes the Democrats will be to blame.
“Do you think Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner should try to solve the state’s problems by working to find common ground with the Democratic-controlled legislature, or should he take a more confrontational approach with the Democrats in trying to solve this state’s many problems?” 1,026 registered voters were asked by We Ask America on January 15th.
An overwhelming 67 percent said they want Rauner to find common ground, while 22 percent said he should take a more confrontational approach. Another 6 percent said he should do both and 5 percent were unsure.
An almost unanimous 84 percent of Democrats and a strong 63 percent of independents wanted him to find common ground, while 76 percent of African-Americans and 67 percent of whites said the same.
Every demographic favored the common ground approach, although only a 49 percent plurality of Republicans did so, as opposed to 36 percent who wanted a more confrontational approach from the newly inaugurated GOP governor.
Next question: “Now we would like to know how confident you are that Gov. Rauner can avoid gridlock with the Democratic controlled House and Senate.”
Considering Illinois’ sorry history and the gridlock caused by divided government in our nation’s capital, just 31 percent of Illinoisans were confident that gridlock cold be avoided, while 54 percent said they were not confident. The most “confident” group was Republicans, but even they were outnumbered 46-39 by Republicans who said they weren’t confident.
I think you might get a higher confidence level for compromise at the Statehouse, particularly among folks who have experienced progress under divided government in the past. Divided government rarely accomplishes sweeping changes, mainly because the parties are at odds on some issues, particularly social issues. But, so far at least, Springfield has a much better track record than Washington, DC, which has a structural bias toward do-nothingness.
“Finally, if Illinois government gets mired in gridlock, who do you think will likely be the cause of the gridlock?” the pollster asked.
A 52 percent majority pointed their collective finger at the Democrats, while just 20 percent figured the Republican governor would be the cause and another 20 percent said “all of them.”
More specifically, 30 percent said they thought House Speaker Michael Madigan would be to blame, 3 percent said Senate President John Cullerton would likely be the problem and 19 percent said it would be Madigan and Cullerton together.
Even a 42 percent plurality of Democrats said their own party leaders would be to blame if the state crashes into the gridlock wall. The poll had a margin of error of +/-3 percent.
Meanwhile, a poll conducted by We Ask America on January 14th had Gov. Rauner’s approval rating at 52 percent, with just 23 percent disapproving. Speaker Madigan’s numbers were almost the exact reverse, with 26 percent approving versus 55 percent disapproving.
And that’s not the only Democratic deficit.
The Democratic legislative leaders spent down their reserves during last year’s campaign, and ended 2014 with a combined total of $2.8 million in their respective campaign bank accounts.
Normally, that wouldn’t be too bad. But not after Gov. Rauner dumped $20 million into his campaign coffers before the year ended. That gives him an advantage of better than 7-1.
Rauner has said he will use the money to communicate his message with voters and support his legislative allies. But lots of Springfield folks are wondering who’s going to get whacked by that cash mountain.
And for the first time in memory, the Illinois Republican Party ended a year with more than twice as much cash on hand than Madigan’s Democratic Party of Illinois: $566K for the ILGOP and $215K for DPI. That advantage is mostly due to contributions from Rauner himself.
If you were wondering why people like me believe Speaker Madigan will hold his fire for quite a while, all you have to do is look at the results from the above two polls and that cash disadvantage. Speaker Madigan knows he and his party will be the fall guy in any war. Rauner will have to take the first shot - and maybe the second and third.
And Madigan had better go out there and raise some more money.
Subscribers have full crosstabs.
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* Great news! The Grateful Dead are getting back together July 3-5 at Soldier Field. You can bet I’ll be there.
Here’s the only known recording of the Dead and Bob Dylan singing Kris Kristofferson’s “They Killed Him”…
Another man from Atlanta, Georgia
By the name of Martin Luther King
He shook the land like rolling thunder
And made the bells of freedom ring today
With a dream of beauty that they could not burn away
Just another holy man who dared to be a friend
My God, they killed him
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New round of appointments announced
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Governor Rauner announced today he has made a number of cabinet secretary, agency director and commission appointments. Today’s appointments include the Department of Revenue, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Public Health and Illinois Commerce Commission.
Name: Connie Beard
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Revenue
Governor Bruce Rauner has nominated a new Secretary for the Illinois Department of Revenue, and has appointed Connie Beard, 59, to head the department. Currently, she is the Executive Director for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Tax Institute.
Beard brings more than 30 years of experience in state and local taxes to the position. For the past 17 years, her focus has been promoting the interests of the Illinois business community as the Founding Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber’s Tax Institute. In this position, she actively monitors new business tax legislation, advising the legislature on how potential tax legislation will impact businesses.
This appointment is a return to the Department of Revenue for Beard. She spent sixteen years at the Department of Revenue under Governors Thompson, Edgar and Ryan. She held a number of positions, rising to the position of Deputy General Counsel. In that capacity, she directed the day-to-day activities of legal staff in the audit bureau; and directed and coordinated 15 attorneys who settled tax appeals. She also took a five-month appointment as one of two attorneys who provided Governor Edgar with legal opinions on legislative issues.
Beard is a licensed attorney, earning her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Eastern Illinois University. Beard currently resides in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Experience:
● Illinois Chamber of Commerce Tax Institute, Executive Director (1997-Present)
● Grant Thornton, LLP, Tax Manger (1995-1997)
● Illinois Department of Revenue, Deputy General Counsel (1979 – 1995) 44**15
Education:
● Eastern Illinois University, B.A. in Sociology 1976
● University of Illinois College of Law, J.D. 1979
Personal Information:
● Age: 59
● Hometown: Jacksonville
Name: Lisa Bonnett
Position: Director – Environmental Protection Agency
Governor Bruce Rauner announced he has asked Lisa Bonnett, 53, to continue her work as the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Bonnett has worked for the IEPA for nearly 20 years, serving in a number of management positions, eventually rising to director in 2013.
As director, Bonnett develops environmental protection and economic development policies that promote and grow Illinois’ economy. She has developed and streamlined the permit process to make sure the environment of Illinois and the health of its people are protected. Bonnett also created a program for local governments to upgrade and expand aging water and sewer systems.
Bonnett joined the IEPA in 1995, starting as the Chief Financial Officer. She held that position for 12 years before she was promoted to Deputy Director. She also worked for the State of Illinois in various accounting positions for 15 years.
Bonnett holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Experience:
● Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (1995-Present)
o Director (2013-Present)
o Deputy Director (2008-2013)
o Chief Financial Officer (1995-2007)
● State of Illinois, Various Accounting Positions (1980-1995)
Education:
● University of Illinois at Springfield, B.A. (1988)
● University of Illinois at Springfield, MBA (1994)
Personal Information:
● Age: 53
● Hometown: Springfield
Name: Erica Jeffries
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Governor Bruce Rauner announced he has nominated Erica Jeffries, 38, as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Jeffries is a former Captain and Black Hawk pilot the United States Army, with more than ten years of additional experience in government and private sector.
Jeffries served in the military for five years as a Captain in the United States Army. She was a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, and provided operational support to senior military leaders. She also received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Currently, Jefferies is the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer of Exelis, which is a global aerospace, defense and information solutions company. She coordinates the company’s corporate social responsibility programs, and assist management efforts in areas of diversity, inclusion and understanding. She also worked for ITT Exelis as its Corporate Finance Executive.
Prior to her work in the private sector, Jeffries worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Senior Adviser to the Chief Financial Officer. During her tenure, she served as the primary liaison and coordinator for the EPA’s first public-private partnership. She was also selected for the prestigious White House Fellows Program, where she worked with the EPA.
In addition to her undergraduate degree, Jeffries has a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University, as well as an MBA from Virginia Tech University.
Experience:
● Exelis, Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer (2013- Present)
● ITT Exelis, Corporate Finance Executive (2012-2013)
● U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Senior Adviser to the Chief Financial Officer (2011-2012)
● White House Fellows Program, EPA (2010-2011)
● Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Lead Associate in Security Strategy, Defense Policy and Analysis (2003-2010)
● United States Army, Captain (1999-2003)
Awards:
● 2014 Corporate Trailblazer Award, National Black MBA Association
● Top 10 Under 40, Virginia Leadership Institute
Education:
● United States Military Academy, B.S. International Relations (1998)
● Georgetown University, M.A. Security Studies (2008)
● Virginia Tech University, M.B.A (2014)
Personal Information:
● Age: 38
● Hometown: Chicago
Name: Philip Nelson
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Agriculture
Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Philip Nelson, 57, as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Nelson is a fourth-generation farmer, and was most recently the President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, a position he held from 2003 to 2013.
As the President of the IFB, Nelson led the state’s largest agricultural advocacy organization in Illinois, which worked to grow agricultural interests in the state. In addition to his responsibilities with the IFB, he was also the President of COUNTRY Financial, which is the state’s third largest auto and home insurer. He also was elected as the Director of the American Farm Bureau Federation that enabled him to advocate for Illinois on a national and international level.
In addition to his work with the IFB, Nelson served on advisory committees with the United States Department of Agriculture in the areas of biotechnology, federal grain inspection and trade in animal and animal products. He also was elected ad the Vice President of the American Soybean Association, and the President of the Illinois Soybean Association.
Nelson has won a number of awards for his work in agriculture, including being named Illinois Farmer of the year in 2014 by Senator Mark Kirk. Nelson runs a diversified grain and livestock farm in Seneca.
Experience:
● Nelson Farms, Owner/Operator
● Illinois Farm Bureau, President (2003-2013)
● COUNTRY Financial, President (2003-2013)
● American Farm Bureau Federation, Director (2003-2013)
● LaSalle County Farm Bureau (1993-1999)
● American Soybean Association, Vice President (1993-1994)
● Illinois Soybean Association, President (1989-1991)
Leadership positions:
● USDA Advisory Committees
o First-Ever Biotechnology Committee
o Federal Grain Inspection Service Committee
o Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products
Awards:
● 2014 Illinois Famer of the Year
● 2014 4-H Alumni Hall of Fame
● 2012 Joliet Junior College Distinguished Service Award
● 2010 Southern Illinois University Outstanding Service to Agriculture
Education:
● Joliet Junior College, Associate Degree in Animal Production (1978)
● American FFA Degree (1978)
● Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (1982)
● Illinois Ag Leadership Program (1984)
Personal Information:
● Age: 57
● Hometown: Seneca
Name: Felicia Norwood
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Felicia Norwood, 55, as Secretary to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Norwood brings more than twenty years of experience in health care policy, health business operations and health care delivery to the position.
Norwood has spent large portions of her career working for the insurance company, Aetna. Most recently, was the President of the Mid-America region, overseeing a budget of more than $6 billion. She began her career at Aetna as a Government Realtions Counsel, where she analyzed and drafted legislation related to health care. From 2006 to 2010, Norwood stepped away from Aetna to become the CEO, President and COO of ActiveHealth Management.
This is not the first time, however, that Norwood has worked in state government. She was a Senior Policy Advisory on Health and Human Services to Governor Edgar, where she led health care reform intiatives, and chaired the Govenrorn’s Human Services Cabinet. She also served as a Policy Adviser on Human Services to Governor Thompson, where she developed and implemented policies on children and family services, public health and mental health.
Norwood earned her law degree from Yale Law School, a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, and her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Valdosta State University in Georgia.
Experience:
● Aetna, Inc.
o President, Mid-America Region (2010-2013)
● ActiveHealth Management; CEO, President and COO (2006-2010)
● Aetna, Inc., Chicago, IL
o Head of Medicaid (2005-2006)
o National Head of Small Group & Individual Market Segments (2003-2005)
● Aetna, Inc., Hartford, CT (2001-2002)
● Aetna, Inc., King of Prussia, PA (2000-2001)
● Aetna U.S. Healthcare
o Market President (1999-2000)
o Regional General Counsel (1997-1999)
o Government Relations Counsel (1994-1997)
● Office of the Governor, Policy Adviser for Health and Human Services (1991-1994)
● Hopkins & Sutter, Attorney (1989-1991)
● Office of the Governor, Policy Adviser for Human Services (1983-1986)
●
Leadership positions:
● Executive Leadership Council Co-Chair
● Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors
● Jim Edgar Leadership Initiative, Advisory Board
● Yale School Fund, Board Member
Education:
● Yale Law School, J.D.
● University of Wisconsin, M.A. Political Science
● Valdosta State University, B.A. Political Science
Personal Information:
● Age: 55
● Hometown: Chicago
Name: Wayne Rosenthal
Position: Secretary – Department of Natural Resources
Governor Bruce Rauner announces he has nominated State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R- 95th District) as the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources. Rep. Rosenthal is a retired Brigadier General from the Illinois Air National Guard and the owner of his family’s farm in Morrisonville.
Rep. Rosenthal’s experience spans more than 30 years in both the military and as a civilian. He was recently re-elected to his third term as a member of the House of Representatives. As a member of the House, he serves on eight committees, including Agriculture & Conservation, Energy and Veterans’ Affairs. Rep. Rosenthal is also the Chairman of the Downstate GOP Caucus.
In addition to his work in the General Assembly, Rep. Rosenthal is currently a Trustee on the Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees. Previously, he served on the Morrisionville Community School Unit District #1 for six years, and five of those years he served as the board’s Vice President.
Prior to working in the House, Rep. Rosenthal served in the Illinois Air National Guard, retiring at the rank of Brigadier General. He oversaw more than 500 enlisted personnel and officers, while managing a multi-million dollar budget and more than $500 million in assets.
Rep. Rosenthal is a life-long resident of Illinois and has owned his family’s farm for more than 20 years. His 800-acre grain farm has an emphasis on conservation. He also established a hunting and fishing preserve in Montgomery County. Rep. Rosenthal has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Sangamon State University.
Experience:
● Illinois House of Representatives – 95th District (2010-Present)
● Lincoln Land Community College Trustee (2009-Present)
● Macoupin County Soil & Water Conservation District Director (2002-2010)
● Sangamon County Pheasants Forever District Director (2002-2009)
● Illinois Air National Guard (1971-2001)
o Retired Brigadier General
● Upper Macoupin Creek Planning Committee (2001-2003)
● Morrisonville Community Unit School District #1 Board of Education (1992-1998)
o Vice President (1993-1998)
● DeKalb/Pfizer Genetics, Regional Sales Manager (1976-1978)
Membership Organizations:
● Christian County Farm Bureau
● American Legion Post #721
● Knights of Columbus Council #1152
o Grand Knight (1976-1978)
● Palmer-Morrisonville Recreation Association
o Director (1987-Present)
Education:
● Sangamon State University, B.A. Mathematics (1974)
Personal Information:
● Age: 64
● Hometown: Morrisonville
Name: Nirav Dinesh Shah
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Public Health
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed a new Director to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Nirav Shah, 37, will lead the department, which helps protect the health and wellness of the people of Illinois. Shah holds both a medical degree and law degree, making him uniquely qualified to understand both the health and administrative sides of this position.
Shah is currently an attorney at Sidley Austin in Chicago, focusing on the administrative and legal aspects of public health. He works with clients around the world to administer health programs, improving access to quality health care.
In addition, Shah is currently a lecturer in global public health at the University of Chicago’s medical school, where he teaches students how to solve public health problems through empirical analysis. He also sits on the board of the Northwestern Global Health Foundation and the Women’s Global Education project.
Prior to earning his medical and law degrees, Shah worked for the Ministry of Health in Cambodia as a public health economist. He worked with the Cambodian health care system to address inefficiencies, making the public health system more cost-effective for the government and for the people.
Shah graduated from the University of Chicago with a law degree in 2007 and his M.D. in 2008. He also attended Oxford University as a Rotary Scholar in economics. Shah earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Louisville.
Experience:
• Sidley Austin, LLP, Senior Associate (2008-Present)
• Ministry of Health – Kingdom of Cambodia, Chief Economist (2002-2003)
Honors and Awards:
• Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Emerging Leader
• Soros Foundation New American Fellow
• University of Chicago John M. Olin Scholar in Law & Economics
• Henry Luce Scholar
• Rotary International Scholar
Education:
• University of Louisville, B.S. Biology & Philosophy (1999)
• University of Oxford, Rotary Scholar (1999-2000)
• University of Chicago, J.D. (2007)
• University of Chicago, M.D. (2008)
Personal Information:
• Age: 37
• Hometown: Chicago
Name: Brien Sheahan
Position: Chairman - Illinois Commerce Commission
Governor Bruce Rauner has nominated Brien Sheahan, 45, as Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission. Sheahan has more than twenty years of experience in managing government relations and policy making. This is a return to the ICC; Sheahan worked as Legal Counsel to the commission 15 years ago.
Sheahan most recently assisted the Governor’s Transition Committee as Counsel. Prior to that, he served as the Deputy Suburban Director & Statewide Local Government Coalitions for Citizen’s for Rauner, Inc., where he oversaw the campaign field office for northeastern Illinois.
Before joining the campaign, Sheahan worked as the Director of Government Relations at Navistar. He developed and managed relationships with key policy makers at local, state and federal government levels; drafted legislation and support materials; and developed state and local economic initiatives.
As an attorney, Sheahan has worked as General Counsel for the Illinois Republican Party, run his own private practice and provided legal counsel to the ICC. Sheahan also was an elected Board Member of DuPage County for ten years.
Sheahan has several years of experience in Illinois state government. Most recently, he worked for the Illinois Housing Development Authority as the Deputy Executive Director. Prior to that, he spent two years at the ICC as Legal Counsel. He also was a Policy Adviser to Governor Edgar, acting as a liaison to mayors and local officials across the state of Illinois. Prior to that, he was an Assistant to the Lt. Governor and a Dunn Fellow in the Governor’s office.
Sheahan has been a licensed attorney for 15 years, earning his law degree from DePaul University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois.
Experience:
● Governor-Elect Transition Committee, Counsel (November 2014-January 2015)
● Citizens for Rauner, Inc., Deputy Suburban Director & Statewide Local Government Coalitions (June 2014-November 2014)
● Navistar, Inc., Director of Government Relations (2012-2014
● Illinois Republican Party, General Counsel (2007-2012)
● Law Office of Brien J. Seahan & Ancel Glink, Attorney at Law (2002-2012)
● Illinois Housing Development Authority, Deputy Executive Director (2000-2002)
● Illinois Commerce Commission, Legal Counsel (1998-2000)
● Assistant to the Governor, Policy Adviser (1996-1998)
● Assistant to the Lt. Governor (1994-1996)
● Office of the Governor, Dunn Fellow
Leadership positions:
● DuPage County Board Member (2002-2012)
o One of 18 elected members representing nearly a million people in Illinois’ second-largest county.
Education:
● DePaul University College of Law, J.D. 1998
● University of Illinois, B.A. Urban & Regional Planning 1992
Personal Information:
● Age: 45
● Hometown: Elmhurst
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* Gov. Bruce Rauner sent an e-mail to state workers today…
Good Afternoon!
Yesterday, I visited a number of state agencies and hope to visit many more in the days and weeks ahead to begin a dialogue about how we can improve state services and drive value for taxpayers. I also want to look into how to reward state employees for developing good ideas that make government more efficient and effective, paying bonuses for exceptional performance, and find ways to allow you to keep more money in your pockets.
In the meantime, I wanted to share this video message with you:
http://multimedia.illinois.gov/gov/gov-video-message.html
Thanks for all your hard work.
Bruce
* In the video, a smiling governor says he not only wants to meet all state workers, but said he also wanted them to have “good, fair compensation with appropriate” benefits. “I’d like to find ways where you could be compensated with bonuses” for increasing productivity, he said, and added that he wanted to help them keep more of their “hard-earned money” in their own pockets (no union dues perhaps?).
Anyway, I can’t figure out how to embed the thing, so click here and watch the video.
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Feds clamp down on local police seizures
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Long overdue, but welcomed news…
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Friday barred local and state police from using federal law to seize cash, cars and other property without evidence that a crime occurred.
Holder’s action represents the most sweeping check on police power to confiscate personal property since the seizures began three decades ago as part of the war on drugs. […]
The program has enabled local and state police to make seizures and then have them “adopted” by federal agencies, which share in the proceeds. The program allowed police departments and drug task forces to keep up to 80 percent of the proceeds of the adopted seizures, with the rest going to federal agencies. […]
Holder’s decision allows some limited exceptions, including illegal firearms, ammunition, explosives and property associated with child pornography, a small fraction of the total. This would eliminate virtually all cash and vehicle seizures made by local and state police from the program.
While police can continue to make seizures under their own state laws, the federal program was easy to use and required most of the proceeds from the seizures to go to local and state police departments. Many states require seized proceeds to go into the general fund.
Background on these ridiculous seizures can be found by clicking here.
* And, yes, I know this is a federal story, but it has local implications…
The Edwardsville Intelligencer reported in 2010 that the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office has reaped a half-million dollars from the policy over eight years, which at the prosecutor’s take of 10-12 percent suggests a total bounty of $4.5 million to $5 million. Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney Stephanie Robbins, who handles forfeiture cases for the office, told local paper the Telegraph in 2010, “Law-abiding citizens have nothing to worry about.”
But maybe they do. Jerome Chennault, a Nevada resident had the misfortune of driving through Madison County on his way home after visiting his son in Philadelphia.
Chennault said he had withdrawn $22,870 in cash to take with him before leaving Nevada, which he had intended to use for a downpayment on a home. After he was pulled over for following another car too closely, Chennault gave police permission to use a drug dog to sweep his car. The dog then “alerted” to the bag containing Chennault’s cash.
Police found no actual drugs on Chennault or in his car. He was never charged with a crime. But the dog alert itself was enough to allow police to seize Chennault’s cash. Over the next several months, Chennault had to travel to Edwardsville, Ill., at his own expense to fight in court for the return of his property. He had to put up a bond equal to 10 percent of the value of the property taken from him in order to secure it.
* From 2010…
Last month, the Supreme Court tossed out the case Alvarez v. Smith, a challenge to a portion of the asset forfeiture in Illinois that allows the government to keep seized property for up to six months before giving its owner a day in court. The Court declined to rule on the case after determining it to be moot—all of the parties had settled with the government by the time the case made it to Washington.
That’s too bad, because the Illinois law should be struck down, and also because the country could benefit from a discussion about the continuing injustice of many states’ civil asset forfeiture laws.
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Question of the day
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Springfield’s Grab-A-Java is well known for its witty, hand-painted advertising banners, like the one of Shakespeare with the caption: “To bean or not to bean?”
Get it?
Bean?
It’s a coffee shop?
* Anyway, I saw this one the other day as I was driving downtown…
Heh.
* The Question: Your suggestion for future Grab-A-Java captions?
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TrackBill – ”Report” Like a Rock Star
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
When we last talked about TrackBill, you saw some of its cool features, like the automated hearing schedule and keyword alerts. For those “working the halls” at the Capitol, these are game-changers.
Another neat TrackBill feature is called “Reports”. As a subscriber, you can download CSV spreadsheets that open in Excel. These only take a second to generate, and are an easy way to keep your colleagues up to date on important legislation.
If you have clients who need to stay in the loop, you can also create PDF reports which feature your logo. It’s a great way to keep stakeholders informed in an easy-to-read format.
If you would like the TrackBill folks to walk you through the platform, you can sign up for a demo by clicking here. Rich Miller endorses TrackBill and he wouldn’t steer you wrong.
Thanks!
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Our changing political environment
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Here’s something we’re not accustomed to seeing around these here parts: Two conservative Republican legislators saying they’re open to increasing the state’s motor fuel tax to fund a capital bill…
“With gas prices as low as they are, I think that has to be a discussion point. It has to be,” said state Sen. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap. “When you figure out how we’re going to fix our roads, we have to have resources to do that. It makes sense to look at that.”
State Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill, said he’s willing to consider a gas tax increase, but he also wants the state to stop diverting gas tax revenues to non-transportation programs, such as worker compensation payments and general state operation.
Amazing what the election of a GOP governor can do, ain’t it?
* Meanwhile…
The trucking industry also isn’t opposed to an increase.
“We live and die by how good the roads are,” said Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association. “We need to take a real hard look at how we maintain our infrastructure.
According to the article, Illinois’ 19-cent tax hasn’t been increased since way back in 1990.
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A special birthday
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This was supposed to be Judy Baar Topinka’s final hurrah, and now she’s gone. Earlier this week, her staff had to take down her photo at the Statehouse. It was a wrenching experience and they’re having a difficult time adjusting to the new reality. So, keep them in your thoughts, please…
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* Some folks are getting quite creative out there…
Video gambling is widespread in taverns, clubs and restaurants around Sangamon County, but it doesn’t appear to be headed to an auto body shop.
A request for a zoning change by Hollinshead Auto Body, 2935 Sangamon Ave., that would allow the business to apply for a liquor license was denied Thursday by the Sangamon County Zoning Board of Appeals.
The zoning board’s recommendation now heads to the full county board, which has the final say on the zoning change.
However, several officials said after Thursday’s hearing that it’s unlikely the board will be swayed. They noted that the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission also recommended the proposal for denial.
* This one was approved…
The issue of video gaming nearly snagged a business proposal that would create a cafe, deli, convenience store and small bar inside the Woodstock train depot. […]
Aside from the various amenities, the new-look depot also would include video gaming machines discretely located inside the building, said Daniel Hart, owner of D.C. Cobb’s in the Woodstock Square who crafted the proposal. […]
After a near 50-minute discussion on the proposal, council members unanimously approved a lease agreement with Hart. The agreement also prohibits the new business from using external signs that advertise video gaming.
“In my mind, the alternative is an empty, dark shell that says we are shut down,” said member Maureen Larson. “There is nothing worse than pulling into a closed, locked up train station.”
* Some perspective…
Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens said video gaming has been going on in social clubs, such as fraternal order clubs and taverns, for a long time which was supposed to be “entertainment only,” but now it is legal.
“For years that has gone on, but because the state has mismanaged finances, they have gotten into all sorts of things it didn’t used to be in order to bring in money,” he said. “A lot of places were already participating in gaming but it wasn’t a legitimate enterprise. Now it is.”
* From the Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association…
Video gaming is doing its part to help get Illinois on a better track. There are now more than 18,600 video gaming machines operating in nearly 4,600 locations around the state. Those machines have produced nearly $160 million in state and local tax revenue in 2014 through October.
Those dollars are supporting thousands of local jobs, helping local governments shore up their budgets and afford infrastructure projects and providing critical money for the state’s capital construction program – repairing and building roads, bridges and transit systems and putting people to work. This is local entertainment that draws people to bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations and provides hope to so many business owners hurt in recent years by the economic downturn. Video gaming is strictly regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board, and our industry made up of a collection of responsible small businesses is proud of the progress since video gaming terminals were turned on in fall 2012.
* Meanwhile…
A casino in East St. Louis has laid off 20 of its workers and cut its hours amid declines in gambling revenue.
A Casino Queen spokeswoman, Julie Hauser, says the layoffs took place this month and include managers. They bring the site’s workforce to about 600. The casino had about 1,200 employees when it was moved onto land from a riverboat along the Mississippi River in 2007. […]
Illinois Gaming Board figures show the Casino Queen’s December revenues were $8.8 million. That 4.6-percent decline from the same month in 2013 is widely blamed on the growth of video gaming statewide in non-casino sites.
The state’s casinos held a monopoly on legal gambling for decades. They had a good run, but too many didn’t plow enough money back into their establishments and they’ve become stale. There’s nothing wrong with some legal competition.
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Frerichs to create “Employee Bill of Rights”
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WICS TV…
Treasurer Mike Frerichs signed an order to protect his workers from the pressures of political interests.
Frerichs said the order creates a bill of rights that prevents employees in his office from doing campaign work for him or making donations to his campaign. […]
Frerichs said, “It’s important that all employees in my office know that political work on state time is not going to be condoned, that we’re going to set a higher standard for ourselves, and we’re not going to take contributions from our employees because we’re focusing our time here in the state office on doing good for the people of the state of Illinois, not for political campaigns.” […]
He said the next step will be an audit of the Treasurer’s office, yet another move towards greater transparency.
* Sun-Times…
Former Republican Treasurer Dan Rutherford’s 2014 bid for governor was crippled by allegations in a federal lawsuit of sexual and political harassment from a former staffer. Rutherford forcefully denied those allegations.
A state audit later found Rutherford’s office exercised “inadequate controls” over a controversial summer internship program that cost taxpayers at least $328,000 in just two of the four years it operated. Rutherford’s office insisted clout played no role in arranging internships.
* Tom Kacich at the News-Gazette…
Frerichs order does not, however, impose a blanket ban his staff members from doing political work for him in their free time.
“People are free to exercise their First Amendment rights,” said [Frerichs spokeswoman Paris Ervin]. […]
An executive order issued Wednesday by Frerichs calls for his employee’s bill of rights to be completed by Jan. 31. It directs the inspector general for the treasurer’s office to investigate alleged violations of the executive order and the bill of rights.
The full executive order is here.
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Today’s number: $36 per vote
Friday, Jan 16, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Tribune…
Republican Bruce Rauner spent a record $65.3 million — or nearly $36 a vote — to become Illinois’ new governor, newly filed state records showed Thursday.
In the last three months of 2014 alone, Rauner spent nearly $24 million, including nearly $22.8 million from Oct. 1 to Election Day on Nov. 4, according to the State Board of Elections filing. […]
Overall, Rauner’s campaign spent $65.3 million since it began in March 2013, and the Republican received more than 1.8 million votes in his general election victory compared with nearly 1.7 million votes for Quinn, who was seeking a second elected term. That translates to $35.83 per vote for Rauner.
Quinn spent $12.9 million in the fourth quarter.
But if you go back to March of 2013 and compare that to the Tribune’s Rauner number, Quinn’s total rises to just under $30.9 million, or about $18 per vote.
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