* Greg Hinz…
Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger, who recently caught some heat from fellow Republicans for seeming to suggest that Gov. Bruce Rauner ought to stop union-bashing and just cut a budget deal, may be about to catch some more.
The comptroller, appointed by Rauner but now running for the job in next year’s elections, is due to tour the Community Crisis Center in Elgin, which provides services to Illinoisans dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault or economic and financial difficulties. She’ll then hold a press conference with its leaders to “highlight (the) ramifications of the (Illinois) budget impasse,” according to an advisory from her office. […]
But by publicly underlining that domestic violence shelters are not included in that part of the state budget that’s on auto-pilot, Munger inevitably will be boosting pressure on Rauner to save women from being beat up and leave anti-union reforms until later.
* From the twitters…
* From Voices for Illinois Children…
To refresh, here is what zero state investment in domestic and sexual violence services means:
* Ending state funding for services that help 75,000 survivors of domestic violence across the state of Illinois—20,000 women and children in Cook County alone. This includes medical, psychological and legal services as well as emergency shelter and other protections.
* Some rape crisis centers are facing closure and others will be forced to lay off 30-40 percent of their staffs in the coming months, which would result in turning away 3,400 victims of sexual violence who need advocacy and counseling;
* Eliminating state funding for services that provide immediate crisis intervention for at least 3,700 survivors of sexual assault;
* Eliminating state funding of civil legal aid, compromising access to the civil justice system for 17,500 vulnerable Illinoisans impacted by domestic violence, eviction, and financial exploitation.
- morningstar - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
It stinks. To be beat up by a domestic partner and then beat up by your government.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
As usual, tone deaf to the consequences of his actions. Issues proclamations while cutting funding to the program.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:15 pm:
I have no words, except for banned ones. Rauner is the lowest of the low with his ‘negotiations’.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:16 pm:
Hi Rich,
Bruce just wanted to clarify that he’s looking forward to announcing how much better off these ladies would be if RTW passes.
Best,
ck!
- Way South of I-80 - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
Governor Rauner similarly recently proclaimed October Breast Cancer Awareness Month while at the same time he is holding funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings hostage for his personal turnaround agenda.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
The only fear Munger has is if real people hurt by Bruce Rauner make her race a statewide referendum on Bruce Rauner, then the Munger Crew needs more sunshine between Munger and Rauner when it comes to people, and especially people Rauner purposely and willfully hurts.
That’s the fear. The rest is just the $9 million.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
It seems to me that if Munger is to win the election, even if she does get $$$$ from Rauner, she HAS to separate from him. Otherwise, think of all the material she will giving to her opponent.
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
I wonder if the shade of Judy Baar Topinka has been visiting her old offices?
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
Fairly typical of the actions and statements made by BVR - and once again his actions are impacting those least able to fend for themselves!!!!
Yet none of these recent actions, or many of those he has made prior to these past two directly effect him or the others in the top .01 of the 1 percent.
Go Leslie.
- Stones - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
One would think that Governor Heartless would use agencies that provide these services as a reason to craft a budget, not hold the budget hostage. Does he think that the lack of state funding is ultimately going to be blamed on anyone but himself?
- DuPage Bard - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
She is doing what she needs to do. Not answering to Bruce but rather doing her job as Comptroller. Plus taking on her one or two social projects that she wants to speak for and bring awareness to from her statewide podium. Good for her!
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
Here’s the page to donate to Elgin’s Community Crisis Center in Elgin: https://www.crisiscenter.org/donation_files/donateonline.asp
And here’s the page to donate to Chicago’s Domestic Violence Legal Clinic: http://www.dvlcchicago.org/donate/
Organizations like these operate on shoe-string budgets at the best of times and a donation of any amount will really make a difference. (It’ll probably make you feel a little better too.)
– MrJM
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
Aldyth - you have a good point. I wonder how things would be playing out now if JBT were still in office.
And Willy, once again, you are point on!
- Ben Franklin - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
I spoke with her and her husband this past Summer. Wonderful couple!
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
We’ve been hearing a lot from Ms. Munger lately. She seems like a nice young lady, all I can say at this point. I do wonder if she has a higher office than comptroller in mind for the future tho.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
All I wonder is… which meal will the governor be live tweeting for this press conference?
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:59 pm:
Leverage
The dems are runnin’ scared
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
Cassandra - with all due respect, and not intending to be dismissive, but honestly I do not care! Her biggest problem is BVR.
- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:06 pm:
I hope that Munger’s visit is not just a dog and pony show & that it will bring some positive pressure to the situation. As the stats from Voices show, lack of funding for domestic violence has wide ranging consequences for the women and children who are victims. My bottom line concern is that the Gov. just does not care about the fallout. For him, this is part of his winner take all strategy and nothing will get in his way. There have been numerous, well respected voices calling on the Gov. to back off from his current demands…to no avail.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:16 pm:
Soccermom is ride or die with Daniel Biss. But I gotta say — I kinda love the way Munger is speaking out on this stuff.
- Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:39 pm:
Munger has to go JBT. She has no choice.
Either be independent, or tether yourself to a sinking governor. Gee, hard decision.
I’ll take anyone speaking up for the voiceless, even if it definitely politically motivated.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 6:24 pm:
– Munger will inevitably be boosting pressure on Rauner to save women from being beat up and leave anti-union reforms until later.–
I don’t think I’ve ever read a more damning sentence directed at an Illinois public official.
Good Lord, who needs to be “pressured” to “save some women from being beat up’” rather than union busting?
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:23 pm:
Wordslinger - keep hoping and praying that this will be the case.