98 Comments - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:00 am: They weren’t booing Sandack, they were “who”ing Sandack. Those “who” walked, my heavest disappointment is for you 7; Anthony, Cabello, Fortner, David Harris, McAuliffe, McSweeney and Bill Mitchell. My sincere hope is that Local 150 hammers and shakes you the hardest. I’m sure, since Rep. Anthony claims he knows me, he’ll discuss it with me and set me straight. - skeptic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:05 am: Dear Governor Rauner: Hang it up dude, it’s done. Cook up your best face-saving spin. You know something like “we didn’t lose, the idea just wasn’t ready.” But stop wasting our time, ok? Thank you - Tommydanger - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:08 am: I’m sure the Speaker would be happy to call for a vote on a RTW bill whose language was reviewed or drafted by the Governor. What’s he been doing that he’s so busy he can’t have one of his bought and paid for caucus members introduce a bill with the Governor’s stamp of approval? - Arsenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:09 am: ==Republicans were ordered to vote “Present.” So “zero yes votes” was completely expected. They were also ordered to stay away from the merits of the bill, which is why nobody rose to speak in favor.== Both of which, I think, were tactical mistakes. Voting present means the headline is “Zero Yes Votes” (I mean, see?) which signals to the electorate that this is a bad idea. And talking only about process ceded the whole debate to the Democrats (to the extent that anyone was watching, which, of course, was not a great extent). Democrats got to spend all that time talking about how great unions are and how horrible RTWFL would be, while Republicans spent all their time whinging. Not a good look. - Politix - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:11 am: Ironic that Sandack would accuse someone else of bloviating during that speech. - Norseman - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:13 am: I’m surprised that there was no mention during the debate yesterday of the huge local government support for the Rauner resolution. (/s) - VanillaMan - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:13 am: “This isn’t about right to work,” Republican state Rep. Bill Mitchell, of Forsyth said. “It’s about dividing people and it’s not fair.” Representative Mitchell has repeatedly been one of the only Illinois elected officials who has been publically calling for Illinois to separate from Chicago. So he looks pretty sloppy making a statement like that. - too obvious - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:14 am: ==“This isn’t about right to work,” Republican state Rep. Bill Mitchell, of Forsyth said. “It’s about dividing people and it’s not fair.”== What does that even mean? Bottom line, when Sandack or whoever moans about their fear of having this used in mail pieces against them they are just acknowledging that they can’t and won’t defend Rauner’s position and it’s a recognition they know they are on the wrong side. Yesterday the GOP had its chance to stand up for a core piece of Rauner’s agenda. They ran away instead and that’s fine. But please stop crying about your own cowardice. - Anonymous - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:17 am: Present that’s what Rauner gave them - VanillaMan - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:18 am: Republicans called the ordeal a political stunt. Yes. Yes it was. It has been a political stunt since it was unveiled by Governor Rauner weeks ago. It has been a political stunt witnessed daily by us here on Capitol Fax. It has been a political stunt appearing in dozens of local communities. So, it is only fitting, in my opinion, to see it handled similarly, in the General Assembly. The Republicans appear embarrassed by all of it. Their votes confirm their embarrassment. Their protest against their Democratic colleagues sound hollow and small. The new governor is a flop. It will take more than $25 million to find a friend for Mr. Rauner. - Bill White - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:20 am: Perhaps the HGOP should organize a union and demand higher wages from Boss Rauner. - Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:20 am: I love it how the GOP continues to do nothing to advance anything. They won’t even vote what they’re *for*. And then the folks that were “absent.” Brilliant. Sort of like skipping out of gym class because it’s basketball day and you can’t shoot a basketball. Hopefully these coincidental absentees step up to the plate and actually vote their conscience instead of waiting for their wallets to bulge — and then sneaking a quick vote hoping no one sees it except Rauner. - Politix - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:21 am: =And talking only about process ceded the whole debate to the Democrat= Totally agree. The Republicans looked surprisingly weak. Rauner has spent the past 4 months traveling the state, touting the benefits of RTW, pressuring local leaders to pass resolutions showing support. You’d think he’d relish this opportunity. The inauthenticity is grating. - FTR - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:22 am: I’m all for giving Jack Franks a hard time, but man, Sandack really went too far. And besides, those who “bloviate” in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Maybe Rich’s poll of the day should be “who is the General Assembly’s most hyperbolic member?” - Amuzing Myself - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:24 am: Yawn. What a waste of time and effort. Now, back to the budget, please… - Demoralized - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:27 am: == noting that the language in the bill was not written or reviewed by the Rauner administration== They said they had bills ready. Produce them. He’s been talking about this issue forever. It’s May freaking 15th and he still hasn’t managed to introduce squat for his “Turnaround Agenda.” And it’s just beyond laughable for the Republicans to be calling this a “political stunt.” Certainly this insane “Right to Work” resolution stuff isn’t a political stunt, right? And the Democrats are being divisive? Certainly the Governor hasn’t been divisive at all with his anti-union rhetoric, right? Give. Me. A. Break. The Republicans could be more helpful in this process if they’d tell the Governor to get off of his duff and actually put his “Turnaround Agenda” in bill form. The Governor does realize how governing works, right? - Out Here In The Middle - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:30 am: Republicans were ordered paid to vote “Present.” Fixed it. - Nick Danger - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:31 am: “who is the GA’s most hyperbolic member?” Well, with Bill Black’s retirement, it would be a toss-up, may have to vote @ the end of session. #Funville. - VanillaMan - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:33 am: It appears that this move within the General Assembly by Speaker Madigan and the veto-proof Democratic House is an acknowledgement. The Democrats could have killed this embarrassment much sooner, but didn’t. They could have done what they did yesterday when the session began. But they didn’t. They didn’t because when your political enemy is looking like a peddler going door to door selling ebola, you might as well let him look as bad as possible, for as long as possible. Rauner couldn’t take a hint this time either. This is the second time the new governor was given a chance to get his act together before appearing like a man completely lost. He was offered a chance to craft a legitimate state budget. He was given time by the Speaker. Governor Rauner failed to take it, and delivered a state budget Baghdad Bob would have ran from. Here it is again. Governor Rauner failed to see that his RTW nonsense was a non-starter, not only in Democratic and union-dominated political areas, but a non-starter in places he easily carried in November’s election. Illinoisans haven’t just shot down Mr. Rauner’s RTW proposal - they have also sent a message to the new governor that should be recognized by him as well. Get to work. Your priorities are not ours. When you were elected, you were elected to show a level of competence and maturity lacking in Pat Quinn. You have failed to do that. Enough with the politics. We are not happy. Yet, Mr. Rauner repeatedly demonstrates that he ignores messages he disagrees with, or did not pay for. Like other failed governors, this governor isn’t listening. Like someone aware that they are drowning, Bruce Rauner shows us that when subjected to chaos and turmoil, he flails and flops. He keeps repeating what few are buying, and keeps thinking that we will buy what he is selling if he keeps making his pitch. This approach to communication is showing a complete lack of respect towards other and a contempt as well, towards those who disagree with him. Had Governor Rauner showed everyone that he could be a competent administrator, he could have had earned success with his proposals. He has misunderstood what he needed to have done the day after his inauguration. He continues to fail today. - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:33 am: Rich, No cheery message from ck this morning? Weird. - 47th Ward - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:36 am: So what’s the end game here for Rauner and the HGOPs? What does victory look like for them on RTW? Do they think if they hold the budget hostage long enough, Democrats will cave on this and some version of RTW will come to the floor? Because I don’t see that happening. Workers Compensation reform seems possible. Term limits, RTW, tort reform, I don’t see majorities for any of these in the foreseeable future. How long do we have to wait for Rauner to figure this out? - Wordslinger - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:37 am: Based on statements from Rauner’s peeps, what are we to believe Democrats are negotiating away on this topic in secret meeting when they can beat it like a rented mule in public votes? - Anonin' - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:40 am: Durkie wanted results..and he got it. Apparently the BVR power point and the race to become West Indiana has not wowed anyone. Hmmm. What next Spanky? - Grandson of Man - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:42 am: ***“This isn’t about right to work,” Republican state Rep. Bill Mitchell, of Forsyth said. “It’s about dividing people and it’s not fair.”*** Yeah, right. Rauner and his super wealthy allies are all about dividing and conquering, trying to pit government employees against private sector workers and so as to stimulate whatever resentment is out there. It was a very strong and welcoming signal that Democrats sent to unions yesterday. Right to work was attacked from different perspectives, such as lower wages and benefits and free ridership. Some legislators’ stories were personal and emotional. I’d call it a very good day. - Juvenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:44 am: ck appears to have omitted a roll call from her update. - Anonymous - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:45 am: Maybe Rich’s poll of the day should be “who is the General Assembly’s most hyperbolic member?” How about… ” Which member is the most bloviated?” - State employee - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:45 am: Raymond Poe’s HGOP colleagues were humiliated, while he was the only one with enough courage to tell Rauner to stick it. Doesn’t Poe provide fried chicken to both Chambers at the end of the session? Maybe he could serve his HGOP colleagues fried crow. - CharlieKratos - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:47 am: One of the main problems is that Rauner has no fear. At the end of the day, and at the end of his term, no matter how things go with his turnaround agenda, it’s not like he’ll walk away with nothing. He doesn’t have to be flexible on anything in order to get reelected. He doesn’t have to give anything at all, because he doesn’t have to suffer any repercussions. This, in itself, is an excellent argument against term limits. If you can buy an election, do whatever you want for x number of years and walk away with no real consequences, especially in an era of Citizens United, you’re entering a very dangerous territory. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:48 am: Governor Pretend I sit in my Office and wage war on myself It seems like it’s all, it’s all for nothing I know the Agenda And I know the mortar in my wall breaks I recognize the buzz words, I’ve used them well This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised this wall And they have been the ones to knock it down I’ve a rich understanding of my finest catch phrases I proclaim that claims are left unstated I demand a rematch I decree a stalemate I divine my deeper motives I recognize the buzz words I’ve practiced them well I fitted them myself It’s amazing what devices you can sympathize Empathise This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall And they have been the ones to knock it down Reach out to me Hold me tight Hold that memory Let my donation talk to you Let my donation talk to you This is my world, and I am Governor Pretend This is my life, and this is my time I have been given the freedom to do as I see fit It’s high time I razed the walls that I’ve constructed It’s amazing what devices you can sympathize Empathise This is my mistake Let me make it good I raised the wall And I should be the one to knock it down They chip at the mortar They do it in harmony They chip at the mortar I raised the wall And I’m the only one I should be the one to knock it down - NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:49 am: I was anonymous @10:45am. - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:49 am: Maybe Madigan’s next play will be to put forward a bill prohibiting local government (cities) from enforcing any RTW provisions independent from the state in general. Maybe then Rauner would get the message? - Juvenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:51 am: Ron Sandack gives a courageous speech. But lacked the mettle of Poe to vote Yes on what should have been an easy vote for him. What in the world are they gonna do when the tough votes come? In the meantime, in Spartan style, the Democrats stood shoulder to shoulder - targets included - and voted hard against the governor’s agenda. That is the real story here. Despite the millions, despite the threats and the chest beating, at the end of the day the Democrats are not afraid to put the votes on the board while the GOP is running from their own agenda. - kimocat - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:52 am: “For months, the governor has cynically attempted to turn the non-unionized have-little’s in this state against the unionized have-some’s while simultaneously catering to the grotesque self-interest of the have-it-all’s.” I have never seen this so well-stated - AC - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:54 am: I’d like Rauner to explain what he disagreed with in the language of the bill. - NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:55 am: The city I work in has 3.5 more residents than the county of Moultrie and my subdivision has more residents than Arthur. CK—you really need to stop the insanity! - Reality Check - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:55 am: ck: Arthur? https://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m94t15C3dp1qiwa09o1_250.gif - Arizona Bob - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:56 am: So the Illinois House has decided, “We don’t need no stinkin’ labor reform!” Things are just fine the way they are. Union companies are lining up in queue just to find a spot to open new manufacturing. The fact that Illinois is one of just nine states foolish enough to allow teacher strikes without common sense limitations, like prohibiting them when clearly there are no funds available to meet the unions unrealistic demand (see recent strike info on “public schools, Chicago”), has helped make Illinois the envy of every public school system in the nation, in particular the outstanding service supplied to students in CPS. The fact that this system has resulted in costs 18% per student higher than national average is no problem either. The state has PLENTY of excess revenue to fund this inequality while meeting all the citizens’ of Illinois other needs. That’s right, the GA did a GREAT job of showing businesses that ILLINOIS is where they should relocate and grow. We don’t free workers to choose if their unions deserve their membership, and employers and the public sector actually collect dues from the unions like a garnishment from a court order. Yes, the GA just showed the business world that Illinois is such a great place that there’s no point in even LOOKING at places like South Carolina and Tennessee. This is a worker’s and business paradise! With a GA so business growth centered and even handed in labor issues as in Springfield, the future in Illinois is indeed BRIGHT, businesses will flock there, tax revenues will sore, all past underfunding will be addressed, the constitution will be amended to increase the tax burden on successful businesses and individuals through graduated income tax, and the real estate market throughout the state will boom from all the money flowing in! Yes, this vote signals a new golden age in Illinois. Orrr….maybe its time I changed my meds or stopped drinking…LOL - walker - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 10:57 am: The language in the bill came from Rauner’s Turnaround documents and presentations. It was a fair representation. That’s not an excuse. It would be dramatic news if Rauner were in the middle of changing his position on RTW local control, and Madigan jumped the gun. Is that what you’re claiming? - Anonymous - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:00 am: AB, why don’t you check which states export federal tax dollars, and which states import them. Illinois is a rich state, with a robust economy. Maybe you think RTW has made Mississippi a utopia of jobs and the sweet life, and maybe you should move there. - PublicServant - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:00 am: Well, he’s not Pat Quinn, so, apparently he has that going for him, but then, so’s a bump on a log…but I bloviate. - Arsenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:00 am: == The fact that Illinois is one of just nine states foolish enough to allow teacher strikes without common sense limitations== If that’s your concern, you should back some legislation that addresses that. RTWFL doesn’t. ==We don’t free workers to choose if their unions deserve their membership== Yes, we absolutely do. ==Orrr….maybe its time I changed my meds or stopped drinking== Maybe so! - Honeybear - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:02 am: Pundits of Capfax forgive me. I really did try to research this but I have failed to find an answer. Could someone please tell an earnest newcomer why they call Rep. Sandack the “owl”? Or if a link exists to an article or post, I would really appreciate it. It’s a moniker that seems to be in common usage here and I would really like to understand. - Toure's Latte - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:04 am: ==“You’re for no one but yourselves.”== Spoken by a true expert. - Reality Check - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:05 am: Arizona: Time to change your name to Minnesota Bob. You just described that state’s prescription for success — including an unemployment rate nearly 3 full points lower than the one you’re named after, with median household incomes 10k higher. - Jack Stephens - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:05 am: @az bob: Wrong! Don’t want to join the union the don’t take the job. There are plenty of restaurants lookin’ for mustard shooters or tomato tossers. Or maybe you can be a charge card swiper at a bib box store. Your benefits package includes National RommneyCare, a ReaganPhone (he signed Lifeline into law) and Food Stamps! - CharlieKratos - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:08 am: Don’t forget, besides “Don’t want to join the union the(n) don’t take the job.”… If you don’t want to support the union being in politics, just go fair share. - mythoughtis - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:09 am: Thank you, Rep. Poe. Note to the rest of the Republicans. Rep. Poe is not the only Republican representative to have a lot of state workers/union members in his district. He, however, was the only one to represent his constituents rather than the party (vote present). He’s not my Rep. Wish he was. - Jack Stephens - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:14 am: @charlie: Wished I could be a “fair share” customer of my wireless carrier. I do not support them funding ALEC! - Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:16 am: It’s one thing to be against the union — as folks continue to point out — but if you’re against the union, then what are you for? What is it that you hope to gain — as an employee, especially — when you say, “I don’t want to join a union.” Fine — then what do you want to join if not a union? What is it that you hope to gain when you refuse union representation? No one — ever, ever — answers this. (Watching the floor debate — and some of the fantastic speeches — have me thinking about this.) - Cassiopeia - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:17 am: I have a counterintuitive viewpoint that Rauner is playing a long game and the unions are playing a short game. By so vociferously opposing RTW and any sort of compromise on anything the Democrats may have fallen into an electoral trap for 2016. An argument can be made that the Democratic majority is so beholden to the unions that they are owned by them. - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:20 am: @Cassiopeia, Electoral trap? As if what…we don’t vote RTW and suddenly IL votes GOP on the big ticket? I think Rauner is just blinded by hubris, and at this point is not sure what game he’s playing. Checkers, tiddlywinks, hopscotch…doesn’t matter. Whatever the game, he’s losing. And badly. - Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:24 am: As I said on the other thread, it cost him $400,000 for 37 present votes. How much would it be to get them to vote yes? - Politix - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:24 am: @Cassiopeia: Rauner has been saying Democrats are beholden to unions for months - it’s a “corrupt bargain.” It doesn’t seem to be working on the local level. If Dems stay on message about protecting the middle class, it’s not going to be that easy. - A Jack - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:26 am: Wow, Arthur passed it. Those union Amish buggy builders are in trouble! - Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:32 am: I wonder if the money given in exchange for GOP votes so close to the actual voting equates to fear on Rauner’s part. It’d be interesting if this were the case. - Anon - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:36 am: Want to reiterate what another poster has already pointed out - that “For months, the governor has cynically attempted to turn the non-unionized have-little’s in this state against the unionized have-some’s while simultaneously catering to the grotesque self-interest of the have-it-all’s” is the best summation of the situation I have read. It’s going up on my wall. Thanks. - walker - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:43 am: The brave GOPers walking out in protest fit into the general theme of the show, which included a talented Dem singing a civil rights song. - Joe M - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:43 am: Doesn’t CK from the Governor’s Office realize she is on the Titanic when it comes to so many points of the turnaround agenda - especially right to work. I guess she is like those band members on the Titanic that thought it was their duty, and just kept on playing as their ship was sinking. - Cheswick - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:48 am: I realize it’s still early, but in the month or so some of these towns and counties have been passing right to work, have any new businesses moved in and started creating jobs? Is right to work working for them? - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:48 am: - Honeybear -, Look at the hearings for NRI and Sandack’s role. - Cheswick - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:49 am: Er, turnaround or whatever it is. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:50 am: - Honeybear -, Use the Google… https://capitolfax.com/2014/10/08/nri-hearing-coverage/ - No RTW for IL - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:55 am: Looks like the overnor may get his term limits on GOP supporters of his turn around agenda. We are keeping track of who rejects this idea. - Rod - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 11:55 am: Presumably Gov Rauner’s friends planned on running TV ads promoting his turn around agenda. Well where are they, because right now he has zero PR effort in relation to this agenda. Cassiopeia if the Governor has a long run agenda to convince the people of Illinois that they would be better off implementing his turn around agenda by voting out the Democrat majorities in the Assembly clearly what took place yesterday did nothing to help that long term strategy. After the Democrats vote down the major components of the turn around agenda and again ask ok let’s talk revenue and budget who will be wearing the jacket for a government shut down if it comes to that? - Crispy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:03 pm: @Joe M: Those Titanic musicians knew they were going down (since they didn’t fall under the “women and children first” category and there were no more lifeboats), so they chose to do their job as well as they could in the face of certain disaster. Actually, this makes me feel sorrier for the folks on Rauner’s staff who have to do his bidding, even when it defies all reason; those RTW updates are starting to make me cringe in unwilling sympathy. … - Demoralized - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:11 pm: ==So the Illinois House has decided, “We don’t need no stinkin’ labor reform!”== No, they said we don’t want RTW. Even the business community has said that RTW isn’t necessary. ==We don’t free workers to choose if their unions deserve their membership, and employers and the public sector actually collect dues from the unions like a garnishment from a court order.== Nobody is forced to join a union or to pay union dues. Last I checked we have free will. Nobody is required to take a union job. ==maybe its time I changed my meds or stopped drinking== I think that’s been the case with you for a long time. - A Jack - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:30 pm: @cheswick. The resolution these local governments are passing doesn’t actually make them right to work. Only the state can make the state or any area in it as right to work per the U.S. Supreme Court. What the Governor was trying to do was put pressure on the GA through local governments. But it backfired very badly on him. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:33 pm: “Hi ‘ck’- Please refer to the House Action yesterday. Thanks! ow” - Arsenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:41 pm: ==By so vociferously opposing RTW and any sort of compromise on anything the Democrats may have fallen into an electoral trap for 2016.== Yeah, like how the national Republicans paid a price for opposing Obama, right? I have yet to see the evidence that the public’s antipathy toward unions is actually a voting issue, and god knows Rauner ran away from it in the General Election. - Precinct Captain - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:50 pm: It’s amazing that someone can have zero self awareness. Congratulations Ron Sandack, you should be in the Guinness Book of World Records. - VanillaMan - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 12:56 pm: “HOLY CRAP! We lost MOULTRIE too! Piatt and now Moultrie! This RTW thing is gaining in popularity among the voters who eat their pizza at Casey’s!” - skeptic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:01 pm: How Ironic @ 10:49 That law is already on the books. That’s yet another part of what makes this whole exercise so…so…I need to find a stronger word than “pointless.” - Gabe - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:04 pm: Dear God, not Moultrie County. Let’s hang it up, boys. - Minnow - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:13 pm: I have to wonder if the reason they didn’t want a vote yet on RTW was so they could use it as leverage (threat) during negotiations. And I don’t think the governor wants any kind of compromise. No contract. Drag out presenting any bills and even a budget so he can use it as an excuse to shut down government. To him, I think, it’s all about power. Nothing and nobody else is more important to him than that. His very own empowerment zone. - Walter Mitty - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:20 pm: This is possibly the Governors plan.. Didn’t the recent poll say as most do, the legislature is in deep water? He is making the case local. Not in the legislature. He has and must still have strong numbers with this message… He thinks the legislature is broken…clearly so do the folks in the recent poll… I don’t think this goes away anytime soon… - Honeybear - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:25 pm: Just got the AFSCME 31 Bargaining Bulletin: Rauner’s negotiating team wants is proposing: 1) Freezing all salaries for the length of the contract. 2)eliminating step increases 3)taking back longevity pay 4) reducing vacation and holiday time 5)remove any restrictions on privitization 6)allow laying off bargaining units to bring in venders to do their work 7)removing restrictions on forced overtime And many more! I just got tired of typing them in! Well we knew retribution was coming. - Anon - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:32 pm: Rauner has stated many times that he never loses. Can that be why he refuses to move forward with the bills he claims have been drafted to support his Turn Back Agenda? He may be able to buy all but one Republican, but he cannot buy Democrats, which, in the end, means he loses. HE LOSES. - Anon - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:43 pm: @Honeybear. Rauner wants what he wants what he wants whether anyone else wants what he wants or not. I wonder how ck is going to spin this if and when it backfires on her boss? - Honeybear - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:45 pm: Well I’m thinking full State Government Shutdown now. Either that or a lockout. He needs big “leverage”. It seems he’s running out of options. Maybe layoffs? - A guy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:48 pm: “Dear God, not Moultrie County. Let’s hang it up, boys.” And y’all wonder why they want to separate from the city. Irrational thoughts on both counts. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:50 pm: The Governor’s Office can stop these resolution votes anytime. No is forcing him to have these, no one is forcing them to tout them. - Anon - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:51 pm: @Honeybear. I doubt that a lockout will buy him leverage - perhaps a little more PR about how he is willing to destroy the middle class because of his obsession to destroy unions. The bottom line is that he wants to tell people what to do and the thought of people he views as beneath him negotiating with him is more than he can stand. - Justin - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 1:56 pm: Right-to-Work-for-Less got zero votes in the only legislative body that matters, yet “CK” in Rauner’s office ballyhoos that they want it in Arthur, the tiny little Amish bump in the road? This is truly absurd. - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:05 pm: @A guy- Methinks a little less breathless enthusiasm from the Gov’s offices about tiny burgs passing irrelevant RTW resolutions may be in order. If they are going to tout ’success’ one tiny, .0000 % at a time, they deserve all the derision they have aimed at them. Call a spade a spade, every time ck! highlights these little towns, it actually makes the cause look more hopeless. Yea! We won Arthur! (but couldn’t get one vote on an actually bill! - momentum is building!) - Soccermom - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:08 pm: Oh my goodness! This is terrible news! Please call these people and tell them they are wasting millions of dollars in the next Detroit! http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20150515/CRED03/150519849/florida-logistics-firm-to-employ-200-in-new-joliet-facility#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccb-dailyalert&utm_campaign=ccb-dailyalert-20150515 - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:16 pm: @ Soccermom - This is outrageous! Isn’t FL a RTW state? Why are they staying in Illinois? Are they moving the facility to Arthur? - Arsenal - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:17 pm: ==And y’all wonder why they want to separate from the city.== I do, because anonymous commentators on a blog sure isn’t the reason. - Arthur Andersen - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:46 pm: That town is a disgrace to the name Arthur, I tell ya. - VanillaMan - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:49 pm: And y’all wonder why they want to separate from the city. YEAH - Who would have thought the AMISH would want to be separate from the city? - Long time listener - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 2:50 pm: If it puts things in perspective: Moultrie county has a total of 2 traffic control signals that utilize all 3 colors (red, yellow, green) and niether of those is located in Arthur - YNM - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 3:12 pm: == For months, the governor has cynically attempted to turn the non-unionized have-little’s in this state against the unionized have-some’s while simultaneously catering to the grotesque self-interest of the have-it-all’s.== I’ve been thinking this thought for quite some time now and hadn’t been able to articulate nearly so well. I’m not exactly sure what Mitchell meant, although I think the “walkers” took a stronger stance than those voting “present”. They disobeyed their marching orders … that should send a signal to the Rauner folks that he doesn’t even have all the R’s in line. And it sends a message to their constituents that they can’t be bought and paid for by Rauner. Mitchell has a history of taking similar positions on issues such as pensions and taxes. Maybe there is more wisdom in his words than he even intended. Because he is right … this whole thing is not about RTW, it is about dividing people. Rauner and his ilk have attempted to divide the working people - those who have a little and those who have a little more - and make them the enemies of each other, all while looking out for those who already have a lot. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 3:19 pm: ===I’m not exactly sure what Mitchell meant, although I think the “walkers” took a stronger stance than those voting “present”. They disobeyed their marching orders … that should send a signal to the Rauner folks that he doesn’t even have all the R’s in line. And it sends a message to their constituents that they can’t be bought and paid for by Rauner. === No. Way. Those “who” walked away are bigger cowards, in this very specific and narrow instance. I hope Local 150 takes those “who” walked first, as a reminder; Pick. A. Side. Local 150 makes choices all the time. Maybe completely walking… walking away from the GOP is a choice(?). My greatest disappointment is for those 7. Taking a walk is equal to… “Please, please don’t hurt me!” Sad. - thechampaignlife - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 3:38 pm: The unions should go on the offensive and push their own turnaround agenda, asking cities and counties to pass resolutions encouraging restoration of the 5% income tax and presumably some other list of reforms for finances, ethics, jobs, etc. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 3:43 pm: - thechampaignlife -, Nope. Unless the Unions can get 100% agreement, it shows weakness and dissension in their cause. Let the Governor fail, lay back, enjoy the view. Doing nothing, at times, is an outstanding strategy. - pundent - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 3:49 pm: So Rauner and his staff have the time to update us on Moultrie and Arthur but not to prepare a bill for consideration in the GA? A vote in the GA is divisive but a vote in Arthur isn’t? And exactly why are we supposed to share in Durkin’s outrage? - How Ironic - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 4:31 pm: Hi Pundent, We’re all about updating everyone on small town life. Bills are too much work! Best, ck! - A guy - Friday, May 15, 15 @ 4:35 pm: ===YEAH - Who would have thought the AMISH would want to be separate from the city?=== Hey, nobody speaks for the Amish…not even themselves. lol - Property of IDOC - Monday, May 18, 15 @ 9:06 pm: If he really PAID the GOP, isn’t that bribery? Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.