Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2015

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin held a press conference today. Click here to watch it on BlueRoomStream.com.

* “We are getting down to crunch time,” Leader Radogno told Statehouse reporters. “Unfortunately, with each passing day, it looks more and more like the Democrats are unwilling to seriously engage and negotiate transformational reforms to state government.”

Radogno said Democratic attendance at the governor’s working groups has “become spotty,” adding “things have been slow-walked, things have been taken off the table without any real negotiation whatsoever.”

She claimed the Democrats are “ignoring the problems of this state,” including Chicago’s pension crisis, which includes a “$600 million pension payment that’s due in 40 days.”

The Democrats “want to play politics,” instead of negotiating, she said.

Radogno claimed Democrats took codifying the governor’s executive order on state employee ethics reforms off the table because they feared it was the first step to applying those reforms to the General Assembly.

* Leader Durkin said that Democrats “only appear to be interested in doubling down” on the failed reforms of the past. “They are not participating in good faith,” on the working groups, Durkin alleged, saying “Democrats have made a mockery of the process.”

Durkin said the Democrats are only interested in scoring political points on the House floor so that they can send out mailers and do robocalls into GOP districts. “They’ve ruined the middle class,” Durkin said, mocking the Democrats’ claims that they’re all about protecting the middle class.

* In response to a question about the lack of actual legislation from the governor, Radogno said most of the bills they deal with start with conversations. “It is absolute nonsense that you throw a bill on the table, vote it up or down and then move on. That’s not how it’s done.”

Radogno went on to say that the working group dealing with revenue had made some progress because the Dems are “desperate” for more revenues.

* “The signal I’m getting on the House floor is that it’s over, that they have no desire to participate,” Durkin said about the chance that the spring session would go past May 31st. Radogno said it was solely the Democrats’ choice whether the session went into overtime.

* And asked about the governor’s $400,000 contribution to Republican legislators, Radogno countered that there had been no scrutiny of contributions to the House Speaker during his fundraiser last week. She said the governor’s a Republican so it “makes sense that he supports Republicans,” and said there was “nothing nefarious about it.”

Whew. Here we go, campers…

91 Comments

Madigan fires back

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told subscribers about these Democratic mailers this morning and the AFP mailers several days ago…

Just days after a vote to freeze property taxes that Republicans decried as a stunt, Democrats sent mailers to at least some suburban voters trying to criticize GOP lawmakers for not supporting it.

The Illinois House Friday debated a proposal from state Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, that would freeze how much local governments can ask of taxpayers. Most Republicans voted “present” and argued the plan was hastily written and didn’t match up with what Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing.

By Monday, mailers criticizing state Rep. Sheri Jesiel’s vote landed in some Lake County mailboxes. She said she voted “present” — neither “yes” nor “no” — because the plan was a political game. […]

Party chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman said Democrats are pushing back against TV ads and mailers from the conservative group Americans for Prosperity that have pushed for a property tax freeze. The ads have largely targeted suburban Democrats.

“That’s just a front for the administration,” Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.

According to Riopell, at least three Republicans have been hit with the mailers so far. Subscribers have a copy of one of the Dem mailers and the AFP stuff.

The governor’s people, by the way, flatly deny that they had anything to do with the AFP mailers. AFP has issued the same denial.

This is not good news for the session’s prospects, to say the least.

16 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 *** Legendary broadcast journalist to retire

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From Facebook…

* Jak is the Walter Cronkite of Illinois Statehouse news. There is nobody better.

Speaker Madigan, for instance, doesn’t sit down with many TV reporters, but he knows Jak is fair and asks insightful questions, so despite the fact that Jak has put him on the hot seat numerous times with tough questions, Madigan regularly submits to Tichenor’s interview requests. Jak isn’t a “gotcha” guy looking for cheap ratings boosts. He’s a real, honest to goodness journalist.

I’ve been privileged to appear on Jak’s “Illinois Lawmakers” show for years. Our friendship developed partly because of a mutual acquaintance, Jak’s wife Monica, who I’ve known since my early days in Springfield. But it grew strong because of our mutual respect. I cannot possibly say enough good things about the man. He’s decent, he’s honest, he’s trustworthy.

Here we are in 2014…

A congratulatory caption contest perhaps?

*** UPDATE *** Jak just called and said he hoped to continue with the Illinois Lawmakers program. That’s a relief.

53 Comments

Rise of the Democratic Raunerites?

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Greg Hinz writes about a new Democratic candidate for Cook County State’s Attorney…

Throwing her hat in the contest against incumbent Anita Alvarez is Donna More, a one-time assistant to Richard M. Daley when he ran the office before becoming mayor. She since has gone on to much bigger posts.

“Our current state’s attorney has too often had the wrong priorities,” More said in a statement announcing her candidacy. “The office is shrouded in secrecy and has too often had the wrong priorities. . . .Cook County needs and deserves a state’s attorney with the independence and accountability to restore integrity to the office.”

I’m not quite sure what More is getting at there—Alvarez’s office did not have an immediate response—but More has some resources to throw into her campaign, if she so chooses.

After leaving Daley, she moved to the U.S. attorney’s office and became first chief legal counsel to the Illinois Gaming Board. She’s now managing partner of the Chicago office of Fox Rothschild, a 600-lawyer firm.

More, 57, has made political donations on both sides of the aisle, giving to both County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, a Democrat, and Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican. Watch for the latter $2,500 gift to get lots of attention.

She has made five reportable state/local contributions since the early 1990s and one was to Rauner?

With the advent of the ostensibly “Democratic” but pro-Rauner IllinoisGO PAC, and Rauner transition co-chairman Bill Daley pushing his own candidate for US Senate, is a pattern developing here?

Or maybe I’m just being paranoid.

34 Comments

Illinois services set for Gov. Dan Walker

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From an e-mail…

Rich – Hi!

As you are aware, my father, Governor Dan Walker passed away recently. We have received a lot of inquiries about a service for him here in Illinois. We realize he touched the lives of a lot of people and some may want to pay respects. We are having a service for those that want to attend. Perhaps you are willing to share the information?

Sunday June 7
1 to 4 pm, with a prayer service at 2pm.

Lake Bluff Golf Club
355 W. Washington Avenue
Lake Bluff, Illinois

Thank you,

Will Walker

2 Comments

Online organizing ain’t all it’s cracked up to be

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Well, that turned out to be a dud…

All is quiet at SIU’s campus and it wasn’t too noisy even when Governor Bruce Rauner delivered one of the graduation addresses. Many were bracing for big protests.

A controversial visit from Governor Bruce Rauner had some school officials worried of possible protests. Those worries were calmed Saturday, with only a few people outside the SIU Arena.

“It’s an informational picket, not a protest,” said picketer Rich Whitney.

He says the proposed cuts aren’t necessary.

“None of the cuts that Rauner or the General Assembly are talking about are necessary so we’re here to promote a positive solution,” Whitney explained.

Rich Whitney, eh?

Sheesh.

What about the 2,725 people who signed that online petition? Did they just click it and forget it? No large numbers of students? No labor union members protesting en masse?

From what I gathered, the unions decided to wait a bit. Unlike Gov. Quinn before him, Rauner seems to want rowdy confrontations. Better to just leave things to Whitney and his little crew…

12 Comments

Question of the day

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* With time quickly running out on the spring session, I don’t think this should be seen as a snub…

Among the slew of politicians who did show up for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s inauguration Monday, one was missing — Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“With the end of the legislative session nearing, the governor stayed in Springfield to continue negotiations with lawmakers on the state budget, Turnaround Agenda and other bills,” Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said Monday. “He looks forward to working closely with the mayor over his term for the people of Illinois and Chicago.”

In contrast, Emanuel traveled to Springfield in January to attend Rauner’s inauguration.

* There’s also a real problem here with logistics. Instead of taking the state plane, Gov. Rauner is driving back and forth from either Chicago or his north suburban home to Springfield. We’re talking a minimum of 3 hours each way, so driving up to the city for the inaugural and then driving back down to Springfield would take up his entire day.

Yet, his top agency officials are still riding on the state shuttle, as are legislative leaders.

I know, I know, he repeatedly blasted the state’s airplane fleet as a waste of money during the campaign and promised to shut it down and sell it off. But he hasn’t done that yet, and he’s now the governor with lots of responsibilities, along with his top staff, so…

* The Question: Should the governor and his top staff start using the state plane, even if it results in some seriously negative media coverage? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

online survey

80 Comments

Sen. McConnaughay first to admit refusing Rauner’s contribution

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The McHenry County Blog reports that one Republican state Senator has refused to accept a contribution from Gov. Bruce Rauner, who recently contributed a grand total of $400,000 to GOP legislators…

Governor Bruce Rauner’s campaign fund cut checks to all Illinois Republican legislators.

Mike Tryon, a member of the House Republican leadership, got one for $8,000.

State Rep. Steve Andersson, a first-term state rep. also reported receiving $8,000 from Citizens for Rauner Inc. […]

“Considering the timing,” State Senator Karen McConnaughay decided not to accept her contribution from the Governor’s campaign fund.

McConnaughay is known for both her practical bipartisanship and her toughness.

71 Comments

Amy’s Story: Erroneous Blood Test Alters Their Lives

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department

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Your daily “right to work” roundup

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From the governor’s office…

Hi, Rich –

Freeport passed the Turnaround resolution last night.

Have a nice day!

Thanks,
CK

* From the Freeport Journal-Standard…

Aldermen considered two proposals. Option A, as city officials called it, excluded much of the language about right-to-work proposals that has upset local and state labor unions. Option B included the right-to-work language. Both resolutions say the city “supports discussion on major reforms in state government, to be cooperatively negotiated among the governor’s office, General Assembly and local elected leaders, that will encourage local control, reduce costs on local governments and increase the competitiveness of our community.”

The Council only considered and voted on Option B after Ald. At Large Andrew Chesney quickly steered the discussion toward Option B. […]

Seventh Ward Ald. Tom Koester spoke at length, urging his colleagues to vote against the agenda.

“This resolution goes after labor,” he said. “These are the people we work for, and I can’t tell you what the Water Department employees do or the police do. I don’t know what they need to bargain on, because I don’t know what they do.”

Koester added that he spoke to a member of Rep. Brian Stewart’s office within the past week, and when Koester asked what would happen if the city did not move the resolution forward, he said he was told: “The governor controls some of the grants, so maybe you won’t get some of the money you’re counting on.”

Keep in mind that the alderman making that claim was against the resolution.

* From the Illinois AFL-CIO…

Wednesday, May 20 – Boone County Board has the Rauner anti-worker resolution on its agenda, 6:30 p.m., 1212 Logan Avenue, Belvidere
http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/countyboard

* From a Pantagraph editorial…

The so-called “right-to-work'’ initiatives being pushed by Gov. Bruce Rauner may arguably have an impact on the state’s business climate, but there are more serious issues that are more important.

So it was a colossal waste of time last week when the House spent time debating and voting down a right-to-work bill that was never going anywhere in the first place. Democrats, behind Speaker Michael Madigan, staged the vote. For the record, the bill received zero “yes” votes and 72 “no” votes. Most Republicans, as instructed, voted “present.'’ Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, was one of the exceptions; he didn’t vote either way. […]

While Rauner contends he has nothing against unions, he knows right-to- work is a divisive issue. Pushing the idea is as much about dividing people as is having a one-sided vote in the General Assembly.

There is undoubtedly a time and a place for a reasonable discussion about whether it’s wise, given changes in the worldwide economy, to consider right-to-work initiatives.

But the state’s overall economic outlook would be improved much more quickly with a stable pension system, a balanced budget, streamlined government, workers’ compensation reform, lower taxes and a more business-friendly attitude by state government.

Look, the governor has spent months and months wasting valuable time on this issue giving speeches and pushing local resolutions that could’ve been used to pass his legislative agenda. The General Assembly spent a few hours on the topic last week.

The governor’s office hasn’t produced any legislation dealing with the issues the Pantagraph wants addressed, so it’s not like the House could’ve voted on that stuff last week.

Plus, the governor appears, for now anyway, to have toned down his rhetoric several notches since that House vote.

I’m not saying it was the most productive use of the House’s time, I’m just saying that the vote may have actually helped move the ball forward a bit. At the very least, the amount of energy expended by the governor’s office showed him - or should’ve showed him - that the idea is a dead-bang loser here.

38 Comments

Medicaid – Know the Facts Part 3

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department

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Rauner Derangement Syndrome run amok

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a letter to the editor…

In Springfield, I had the misfortune of watching Rauner speak, twice.

The first time was in downtown Springfield for a [Civil War] re-enactment. I subsequently shared a room with other Gold Star family members as Rauner and his wife made the rounds, shaking hands and apologizing for each loss. We moved outside for the dedication of a statue with a plaque etched with the names of our loved ones.

There were children, siblings and parents named on that plaque. People including my brother. Rauner had the audacity to assure us he knew how hard it was for us. As if he could grasp the depth of all of our losses, let alone one of ours.

I peacefully protested by turning my back while he spoke. I also did so as he was shaking hands with families.

Later, he and his wife forced themselves on me. They engaged in political bullying to gain power and control over me.

After his arrogant “I know how hard this is” speech, Rauner stood at the end of each aisle, so people could not leave without shaking his hand. I felt forced to engage and shook his hand.

Further, his wife approached me, saying she hadn’t had the chance to shake my hand yet. I was shocked by her nerve, and acquiesced. I wonder if survivors of entitled abusers feel similarly upon recognizing the lengths someone will go to to exude power and control?

I believe they registered my silent protest and decided to show me they wouldn’t be snubbed. They may be used to running businesses with impunity, believe they know what it’s like to lose someone precious in a senseless war, and feel entitled to bully, coerce and harass.

I hope they also know that winning by any means necessary isn’t really winning.

Oh, for crying out loud.

* We get this sort of thing a lot in comments and it drives me batty. It doesn’t matter what he does, the governor is somehow evil.

I’m not sure if some of y’all realize it, but going all-out against the governor for every little thing says more about you than it does about him. You should’ve seen some of the comments I deleted yesterday on a post about a pretty good speech the governor gave this week. Sheesh.

Grow up, toss out the hyper-partisanship and open your eyes and your minds, please.

67 Comments

Stop the satellite TV tax

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

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Some things old are new again

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I had completely forgotten about this until a commenter pointed it out yesterday. From way back on April 28, 2003…

Converting campaign-style rhetoric into survey questions, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich released poll results Sunday contending that his credibility with the public is so great lawmakers should fear for their re-election chances if they dare oppose his $52 billion budget proposal.

But it was the credibility of the $20,000 poll conducted for Blagojevich and paid for by his campaign that was immediately assailed by Republicans and at least one politically independent pollster. They said the survey, conducted last week, was laced with loaded words and leading questions skewed to favor Blagojevich and paint any critic in an unfavorable light.

The release of the poll results, which Blagojevich announced at news conferences in five cities, was the latest tactic of a chief executive whose public-relations-driven leadership style has been a hallmark of his slightly more than 100 days in office. […]

“I think what this does tell us is that the length of this governor’s campaign is unprecedented,” Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Republican leader Frank Watson of Greenville. […]

[Nick Panagakis, president of Market Shares Corp., which conducts political and issue polling for the Tribune] said the poll questions lacked neutrality and used words like “innovative” to describe for respondents one of the governor’s revenue-raising proposals. One poll question asked those surveyed whether they agreed with Blagojevich’s budget priorities or with “the same people who helped create the crisis the state now faces and represent the failed politics of the past.”

* From my April 20, 2015 syndicated newspaper column…

Gov. Bruce Rauner devised a new way to reward his friends and punish his enemies on April 16th when he created a campaign committee called “Illinois Turnaround.” […]

The governor’s campaign also released a polling memo which purports to show that the public backs his agenda. While his job approval rating is just 38 percent, his disapproval rating is five points below at 33 percent and his favorable rating is 42 percent, versus 34 who view him unfavorably.

By contrast, the General Assembly’s job approval rating is a mere 20 percent, with 57 percent disapproving. House Speaker Michael Madigan’s favorables are just 24 percent, with 51 percent viewing him unfavorably.

The poll also found that 57 percent agree with: “Bruce Rauner is trying to shake things up in Springfield, but the career politicians are standing in his way,” and 56 percent agree that the governor is “working to find bipartisan solutions that will help fix Illinois’s budget mess and improve the struggling state economy.”

“Every time they attack us,” a Rauner insider said about the Democrats, “they are reinforcing that they are insiders and the governor is the outsider - he’s the one trying to change things.”

…Adding… I should’ve also made mention of Blagojevich’s “Moving Illinois Forward” PAC, which was a lesser-funded version of the “Democratic” Rauner-favorable group.

I have strictly avoided direct comparisons here between RRB and BVR because I do not want to imply in any way that the current governor is corrupt. And this post today is in no way making that implication.

But if you’re wondering why the negativity appears to be escalating under the Statehouse dome, this may offer a clue.

Rod Blagojevich won reelection in 2006 during a huge Democratic year, but he was a failed governor because he constantly pulled stunts like releasing those poll numbers. He also failed because Speaker Madigan made it his mission to bring the guy down.

52 Comments

*** LIVE *** Session coverage

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Your daily Scribble Live feed, sponsored by The Illinois Kids Campaign. Watch it all live…

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

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