215 Comments - The Muse - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:30 am: Rich, one day you are going to write a book… and I’m going to buy it. - Johnny Pyle Driver - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:30 am: If it didn’t fit with public statements that seem to suggest an inability to deal with reality, i’d say this is a pretty sincere effort to mend some fences. Given what I’ve seen out of their office in the past two weeks, it looks like an “I’m sorry you misunderstood me” apology - Boss Tweed - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:31 am: Weird how there’s no variation on “My bad” in there… - DuPage - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:32 am: I wonder what Rauner has in mind? - Aldyth - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:32 am: You are being more gracious and diplomatic than I would be. No snark intended. - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:32 am: “If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about the future of our state.” Note: Rich Miller’s concern for the future of our state is long-standing and well-documented. – MrJM - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:33 am: What, he didn’t sign it “Bruce”? Like he’s conflicted about Carhartt Man or Statesman Wanna-Be? - Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:34 am: If he offers to show you the Mansion’s basement, with a bottle of chianti, I would take a pass. #HannibalRauner - Thinking - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:34 am: Nice that he privately apologizes but has he done anything to publicly admit he was wrong? - sparky791 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:34 am: “Will you walk into my parlour said the Spider to the Fly” - Beaner - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:35 am: One can’t believe all those figured numbers in the Governor’ Turnaround Agenda either. Any grade school child can deduce they simply do not add up. - blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:35 am: Sweet!!! - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:36 am: What kind of beer does Rauner drink anyway? - illinoised - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:36 am: I do not feel like a citizen of Illinois, I feel like a hostage. - Politix - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:36 am: So he acknowledges the mistake and insults you again. Nice. Acknowledgements aren’t apologies. - South of Sherman - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:36 am: “Nice that he privately apologizes but has he done anything to publicly admit he was wrong?” You call THAT an apology? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: Tons in the written word is hard to grasp at times when trying to be “apologetic” yet playful. It’s like the Prince of Snarkness Richard Goldberg assisted with one or two lines, then they all left it there. The technique of… “If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about the future of our state.” … wrapping yourself as an ally of someone you slighted is, well, hard to feel the tone reading it, instead of hearing it, be it here or ANY time someone uses that technique in blunting a slight. I’d love a transcript of that convo before Mrs. Rauner woukd join them, just for me, lol - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: ===What kind of beer does Rauner drink anyway? === Stag. But he also likes microbrews. - Beaner - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: Dear Rich, Be sure to ask about the $5 billion Revenue plan. Where is it? Or is the plan to simply double State GO obligation in four years? Thank you. - Threepwood - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: I second The Muse. A book from Rich? Shut up and take my money! Also, Colin: I’d also suggest Rich avoid Amontillado. - Carhartt Representative - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: This kind of reminds me of when Mr. Burns would go to the Springfield Isotope game and have a beer with the common people. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:37 am: Tones - Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:38 am: =What kind of beer does Rauner drink anyway= A 1968 Philippe de Rothschild Lager, it’s really quite delicious. - Frenchie Mendoza - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:38 am: Stag. Ok — impressive beer choice. Originally brewed in Belleville. That’s encouraging. It’s not great beer, but it’s a good choice. - A guy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:39 am: Guess Oscar won’t be the only one barking this time. lol. For the sake of humanity, don’t have Oscar be your official taster. Just let the Gov sip his first. - Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:40 am: From one recent heart attack victim to another, go easy on the beer. And you might want to clear this with your Cardiologist first. Interviewing him at work is one thing, on his home turf after hours could be quite another. - Tired of it all - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:41 am: That is not an apology. He seems to think he’s funny while the state is going down in flames and the lies continue. - Mason born - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:41 am: To paraphrase. “Rich sorry I claimed you were a shill for all thats wrong with IL because you were a page for MJM. You became a shill after you were a page.” I kind of think you should insist Dianna be there the whole time. After all a bout of fisticuffs might limit your access. That and if the subject turns to LSSI and CC, as it should, she needs to pick a side. - Sam Weinberg - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:41 am: Give him points for reaching out. Deduct many of those points since I believe he would happily ruin you, but realizes he can’t. - L.A. - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:41 am: It’s kinda like the gloves are off now. In my opinion, any future interaction carries the stigma of the past 24 hours. Rich, do you know something about the Governor that you didn’t know 24 hours ago? Just curious if this changes things for you? - Politix - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:42 am: I do get some pleasure in knowing the Gov’s people are squirming about what’s posted here. Truth hurts, don’t it? - Ill_will - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:42 am: This just doesn’t read the way he talks. Too clever by half. OW is probably right about Goldberg, unless CK did it. Politix, sharply said. And why is he offering you beer instead of a fine wine? - Wensicia - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:42 am: A word by word account of this meeting will never make it through the Cap Fax filters. - burbanite - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:43 am: That is not even close to an apology. Very Golbergesque. - Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:44 am: The Governor must not be a regular reader of Cap Fax. It is Oswego Willy who is the spokesman and chief defender of the Speaker not Rich. - Keyrock - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:44 am: Very nice. Can you politely ask Dr. Rauner when she’ll have a press availability to discuss her views of the Governor’s programs? - CD Sorensen - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:45 am: I say walk into the mansion with a nicely wrapped present of the Blue Moves album by Elton John with a note “Track 1, Disc 2. But thank you for inviting me over!” I blame my father for even knowing that song exists, but that little piece of trivia finally came in handy. - Anon - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:46 am: ===Stag. But he also likes microbrews.=== Stag? Sometimes he really seems like a walking trope. - Record - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:46 am: Will it be on the record? - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:46 am: You should attend and bring over the finest of Aldi’s wines. - 360 Degree TurnAround - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:46 am: Rich, you are letting him off easy. Beer is cheap. Tell him you want to open one of his expensive bottle of wines. No Boone’s Farm. One of his wine club wines. - Geneseo Gent - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:47 am: ATTA BOY Rich! Please pass him that button I gave you! - Gone, but not forgotten - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:47 am: I thought your cardiologist suggested wine for your occasional imbibing. Therefore, you should send back a note to the Gov requesting a bottle of his finest. Have the bottle opened in front of you, and this would eliminate the need for a taster too. Good Luck. - Crispy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:47 am: No chianti, no amontillado, and maybe a pocketful of garlic and a small vial of holy water in case Goldberg shows up. - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:47 am: Hey Rich, Wanna join me for a drink on the job? Ain’t that the way they used to do it around here? Sincerely, Bruce P.S. Let Mike eat apples. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:51 am: grass bowl - Bemused - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:51 am: Rich I am sure you will remind him that he wanted to be Governor. He and his crew knew they did not control the GA yet he said he could work with Madigan. He said he was not out to get the unions. He said his turnaround agenda would produce great economic benefits. He did not want to extend the 5% tax yet has shown neither the budget cuts or the revenue increase to balance a budget. As we were told back in school, show your work. Seems when he did it went south and he wanted to disparage you for calling him out. Time to man up Governor. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:51 am: I will say, giving every and all the benefits of doubt, and accepting an apology in a private setting… That is not setting the record straight that a public accusation or misrepresented opinion as fact is being made whole to the same public consumption that the misrepresented fact was delivered. - Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:51 am: Master manipulator - Fusion - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:51 am: ==You should attend and bring over the finest of Aldi’s wines.== What do you have against Winking Owl? It’s good stuff! - Nope, Nope, Nope - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:52 am: Awwww it’s like watching Fonzie try to admit he was wrong. If Fonzie also employed Rich Goldberg. - Not quite a majority - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:53 am: Very interesting how this guy works. 30 years ago (give or take a decade) Big Jim invited the Union guys over to the Mansion for a beer. This guy invites the one person who daily informs the public on his activities without the ‘gloss’ of regurgitated press release. I know you’ll go because you want the access, but Rich, remember this incident going forward. Always remember. - Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:54 am: To elaborate, Rauner gets the easy stuff right and the hard stuff all wrong. This is proof. - Niblets - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:54 am: Atta boy Rich. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:55 am: Suggested menu: 1 growler of Ditzy Blonde your choice of 32 or 64 oz - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:56 am: Did you check if he might need a kidney and you match before you go over there? - RetiredStateEmployee - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:56 am: Just Sad! - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:56 am: This episode is everything you need to know about the governor and his administration. Use of thinly (at best) sourced nonsense, conviction that it is true simply because they have uttered it, a steadfast refusal to admit any error or mistake, and then a completely insincere ‘turnaround’ to some other item they will bungle. - IllinoisBoi - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:56 am: Gonna have a Duff with Monty Burns…. - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:56 am: If he really cared about you, he’d have a beer with you before the speech. - tuco - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:57 am: you mite want to take a couple of those senior citizens that are losing there meals on wheels with you. offer them a free beer and a meatball, mite be the only thing they eat and drink for the rest of the week. - Union Leader - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:57 am: If he or Diana offers you a cannoli-don’t accept it. https://youtu.be/yHzh0PvMWTI - walker - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:57 am: Remain the bigger man, Rich. - MOON - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:58 am: Why waste your time. Rauner will just use the opportunity to bash Madigan, the unions, etc. Nothing new or eventful will be forthcoming. - Soccermom - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:00 am: I didn’t know I could get madder than I was. What a slimeball. - cdog - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:01 am: Just stay away from the KOOLAID!!! - There is power in a union... - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:01 am: “Rich, While I am annoyed that you outed me with my own made up numbers I still find your blog to be a useful outlet for my agenda and do not yet wish to completely alienate you. Bruce” - Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:01 am: still want the t shirts. and your posse to stand outside wearing the t shirts while you meet him. - Huh? - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:02 am: Leave a message with a trusted friend to call the authorities if you don’t reappear at a specific time. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:02 am: Too easy. “it’s a Wonderful Life”. Mr Potter sitting down with jimmy Stewart, offering a cigar and gettin’ all buddy-buddy….. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:04 am: no Rauner fan, but I think the note was nice and should be accepted in a non snark, but rather funny sarcastic manner. Rich, I hope you take the Gov. up on his offer because the more he hears from folks like you the better. - x ace - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:05 am: “Stag” Beer now owned by the Russians. Unless Rauner can bring it back to Belleville , wouldn’t drink a Stag or anything else with our counterfeit Governor. That Note sure Ain’t An Apology. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:06 am: Somehow I sense a VMan version of MTA coming … - kimocat - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:06 am: I was hoping you might ask him more about the effects of his so-called turnaround agenda on the working folks impacted by it? How much does he figure to cut the take home pay of both public and private union workers to get his desired effect? How much do their healthcare costs have to increase to make his business buds happy? What evidence is there that privatizing public employees jobs will save money? What keeps the workers from making less and the owners just pocketing the savings? What keeps out of state companies from low wage states coming in to bid jobs in Illinois putting more Illinois residents out of work? How is everything he wants to do anything but a ploy to create a more desperate and unhappy workforce? - Inquiring Mind - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:06 am: Will you follow up with the Governor on the report that he has no state e-mail account, no state cell phone while banning the use of private assets to run state government? IL Times this week broke the story. Inquiring minds want to know! - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:07 am: –If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about the future of our state.– Kicking kids out of school, shutting down universities, taking meals off the tables of senior citizens, shutting down drug and alcohol rehab programs…. It appears, to the governor, the future is not for everyone. - There is power in a union... - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:07 am: Rich has 3 things the governor knows he can’t totally ignore. 1.) Rich has sources. This has annoyed the governor on more than a few occasions. 2.) Rich has an analytical mind. He can take the information provided by those sources and come up with fairly reasonable conclusions. Or at least really good guesses. 3.) Rich has journalistic integrity. The governor knows that if Rich prints something, a lot of people within state politics are going to believe it. - Politix - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:08 am: Rich should enjoy the access? I think it’s the other way around. Bruce now gets the perfect opportunity to hammer in his SOTS talking points ahead of any column space Rich decides to devote to it. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:08 am: 1) That’s not an apology. 2) Your classic battles haven’t effected his repugnant behavior and ideological destruction of our state. 3) Attitudes and Behaviors. Attitude- he says he cares about the future of our State. Behavior- doing every SINGLE thing he can to attack it’s citizens, lower wages, destroy a stable business environment, eviscerate social services both public and private, all for some unproven (actually Kansas proves the opposite) ideology. Look Rich, we are Southern Illinoisans, I get it. We don’t like to think and act ill towards anyone. It’s just not part of our DNA. It’s an endearing quality that contributed towards our survival by building community on the plains of Illinois. We are a sharing and giving folk. But against my very nature I’m going to say that what Governor Rauner is doing is unforgivable. I do not sit in the seat of judgment. I believe God does. God may forgive him but I cannot find it in my heart. I experience and see the suffering caused specifically by Governor Rauners decisions every day. Sure Madigan and the DEMS have done wrong but people were making it barely under them. The wanton destruction visited upon the people of Illinois over ideology is unforgivable. You had to shut down the blog early the other day over the LSSI letter. Where did that righteous anger go? All forgiven over a beer at the mansion? I know you have private battles with him and I’m sure they are epic. And yet I am saddened that it seems our states greatest journalist will let him off with a good tongue lashing. I can imagine that for a journalist access is everything. But is there a point when access turns into to tacit approval for what is being done. I don’t believe impartiality is possible anymore. One is either complicit with the carnage or against it in attitude and behavior. I would not accept his invitation for beer. He called you a Madigan puppet. That is a behavior. My fellow Southern Illinoisan, he is NOT your friend, he is not your colleague. He is your elected Governor and deserves respect and decorum. But until he stops destroying our state over ideology I would stop giving him legitimacy by your very presence. He does not deserve the PRIVILEGE of discussion and debate with you. He certainly has not listened to you. (actually I don’t know that but suspect it) I would think that if he listened to you things would be one hell of a lot better. Remember those who serve our state. Remember the poor, elderly and disabled of our State. Remember your own Southern Illinois values. I urge you to take a stand, refuse to enable and legitimize with your presence and wisdom. THAT would be a shot across his bow. - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:09 am: ===…but I told the governor’s guys that she might not want to be in the room for the first 20 minutes or so.=== Why? I think she’s gonna know what was going on. I mean, you can’t cover up the smell of that many bong hits. /s - East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:09 am: “after the State of the State,” . . . . Once you hear Rauner’s State of the State address you might be in for a long binge drinking session. I have a feeling it’s gonna be one lie after another after another after another. Be very wary of Rauner. This wasn’t an apology, it was another dig at you. - mehh - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:10 am: Get him to invite Dave McKinney to have a beer too. You saw the real Bruce come out yesterday Rich. Don’t be fooled by this phony apology session. - East Central Illinois - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:12 am: Standing ovation goes to Honeybear!!!! - justacitizen - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:12 am: Stag, seriously? (Don’t take Oscar this time.) - Triple fat - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:12 am: Of course one can only guess at what is behind our Governor’s love for the State. Unless he loves Illinois as a sales building opportunity it’s hard to explain his decisions. Maybe he is suffering from a reverse sort of Stockholm syndrome. So many hostages to love. - Been There - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:13 am: I know its your job but as time goes on my lack of respect for the governor has sunk pretty low. Not sure if I would want to even bother having a beer with him. From a government relations standpoint I probably would. Just to make sure I didn’t tick him off. But enjoying that beer would be hard. - Just Saying .... - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:13 am: Perhaps you could appeal to the Gov that not all of Madigan minions should be painted with the same brush stroke and many former staff care about state gov’t as he does. You can very well say this about many other former staffers of Daniels, Phillips, and Jones administrations. Also, I hope Gov realizes that personal vindicta against former staff is not very gubertorial like for a Chief executive who is suppose to set an example of leadership. Attacking former partisan staff by claiming their judgement is somehow still influenced by their former boss is ridiculous. Almost sounds to close to the tactics that Trump uses to demonize people. Perhaps Rich, you can enlighten our Governor and his senior staff to this point! He always says he needs to hear the truth from others when he’s screwing up. Leave your gloves at home, Rich. Good luck!!! - Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:13 am: On to the next… Please. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:16 am: From the “non” apology- “I guess one can’t believe everything that’s on the Internet.” **** No, one shouldn’t: http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/webeval.html - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:17 am: I was expecting more snark and less good nature for the invitation to this beer summit. - Triple fat - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:17 am: If he makes any promises of what he can do to you and your family; be sure to get it in writing. - AC - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:18 am: ==Stag. But he also likes microbrews.== Clearly the man understands beer, hot dogs and apologies. /s I’m not sure I’d visit for all the Abe’s Ale in Cantrall. - Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:18 am: this sounds a bit like what the mayor was describing…. talks trash to media but acts decent behind closed doors. just imagine if prvt Rauner started acting decent in press conferences instead of try to use his military attack/distract startegy to aboid hard issues… say insead of if just addressed the issues… he reminds me of Fonzie trying to appologize…. and dont get me started on his shark jumping…. anyway State of the State would be a great time for gov to focus his turnaround agenda on work comp reform, property tax freeze, and making state workers contribute more for retirement and to back away from the union destruction and anti prevailing wage agenda…. - DuPage - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:18 am: Rauner: I want to buy Capitol Fax, then you can work for me. Name your price, the sky’s the limit! - Lunchbox - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:18 am: It’s on now!!! - Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:19 am: If that’s an apology, I’m the Easter Bunny. What a dickish move. Doing the wrong thing…every time. Rauner 2018! - A Parent - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:19 am: Stag? $10 watch? VW van? Motorcycle trips? This is chapter 1 of “How To Fit In for Billionaire Dummies.” Chapter 2 “Need a hobby? Run for Office!” - Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:19 am: Just out of curiosity, is it normal protocol for any Governor to invite over a single member of the press for an alcoholic beverage immediately after the SOTS or is this a first for Illinois? - Earnest - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:19 am: Time is a precious commodity for a Governor. Good on him for inviting you over. - Soccermom - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:20 am: Please post something else. Every time I come back to the blog I see this and I get madder. It’s making it hard for me to get work done. - Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:20 am: I wish Rauner had sent Madigan a note inviting him to the mansion tomorrow night too. Maybe Rich could talk some sense into both of them. - Too Tired - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:20 am: It’s about TRUST. That’s all most people want. We may disagree about policies but if people are upfront and honest, must people will put aside differences. Problem for a lot of people is the Governor is not viewed as someone we can trust and in that manner, he is not workin’ for us but is just like the politicians he bashes? That’s the biggest issue people I know have with the Governor. Had he ran his campaign and told the electorate what his plan was, what it was going to do, and how many people he was going to affect, maybe people would feel different. Or he would have not won the election….so the governor is in his own corner that he created. He must think we can just outspend everyone or he must think he just knows better than all of us do. His comments yesterday again go back to the issue of trust and can we believe what he is saying. That is what I would ask the Governor about. - Rounder - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:21 am: It seems more obvious each day Gov. Rauner thinks he is a “great man” surrounded by the less gifted. If he wants to do something it has to be the right thing to do because he wants to do it. He believes his place in history is all that matters. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:21 am: - Ghost - == making state workers contribute more for retirement == Courts have already spoken to that. It’s a non-starter unless the additional contribution comes with an additional benefit. - Abe the Babe - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:21 am: This blog is mostly inside baseball that, dont get me wrong, is very important but not as important as the broader narrative shaping up from Evanston to Effingham. The Gov’s first strategy when he faced resistance was to control the broader narrative (hence the summer madigan ads). When he concluded, like so many already had, that those ads would move him further away from a deal he stopped. Now his efforts seem to focus on inside baseball like more control over GOP political strategy, hand picking open legislative seats, and meddling in Madigans caucus. But one always has to remember is that inside baseball is Madigan’s playground. Those governors who could play inside baseball while also affecting the broader narrative were successful. A la Edgar, Thompson and Ryan. Respect from people who read this blog will only come when Rauner and the super crew can demonstrate a severely needed rational and intelligent political strategy. Burn down the house is neither a smart inside tactic nor a winning broader political strategy. Find one that can be both and this blog will respect you guys. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:23 am: Let’s be very clear on a few points; This isn’t the apology; This is an invitation to apologize, privately. The snaky-playful manner is to get the invitation past the awkward stage. This is also a way for “Rauner” to seem to wrap Rich around himself as “like-minded”, trading off Rich’s persona and temperament as Rauner’s own. This also sets the stage to apologize, but leave a public repudiation of his own words in limbo, and saving face while apologizing to the slighted… and having a written word stating how he feels he (Rauner) is just like Rich, the man he misrepresented. This is not the apology, was never intended to BE the apology. Can’t judge this as an apology, just study it as to what it leads to after. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:23 am: We put this in the wrong spot We know lots of folks who worked for the Speaker and we can report that is highly unlikely that Capt Fax would have made the cut. If the SuperStars pay any attention to anythin’ that should have been clear months ago. - SAP - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:23 am: Watch out for the iocaine powder. - Rabid - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:24 am: Humbly accept never let a crisis go to wast there will be a ton of new questions after the speech - Liberty - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:25 am: Stag is actually pretty good beer. They put a lot of effort into recreating the original pre 1970s beer war pee water that was popular. How ironic though since the what is left of the Stag brewery in Belville represents what Rauner wants to do to Illinois. What does he drink while he is in Chicago? - LINK - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:26 am: Rich. If I am reading you close to reality, then it would seem to confirm what I think about you. At 10:07, the comment referred to, “Rich has journalistic integrity…”, but I also believe that includes principles. A characteristic lacking nowadays… Stay true to your core. Thank you for sharing. - A guy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:26 am: Better advice: Follow your own instincts. Your folks here, well meaning as they are, are not offering productive counsel. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:27 am: - A Guy - Rauner lied. You’re not helping. Honest. - CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:28 am: Make Madigan your +1 - cdog - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:28 am: You realize you are going into the post-SOS spin room? Beware of “more lies, wrapped in hypocrisy, inside a half-truth.” - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:29 am: I would be lining up questions even before the speech. Ones like: Are we done with the distractions? Do the numbers add up? - Tired of games - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:32 am: Honey bear said it better than I; with heart and deep concern. Certainly meeting professionally is fine; as two buddies having a beer? No. This man has hurt people; he is no friend. Don’t go. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:32 am: If you go, get everything on tape (or bytes). Give nothing to Rauner to use later as spin. If he balks, and I were you, I’d walk. - Ahoy! - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:32 am: How about he orders a bushel of apples and has Madigan over? - Saluki - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:33 am: I am not sure there is any other governor from Illinois past that I would not trade for right now. - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:33 am: ==- Soccermom - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:00 am: I didn’t know I could get madder than I was. What a slimeball.== This. It’s a beer note from a $140,000 wine club guy looking for a place to shove his corkscrew. Gross. - Cassandra - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:34 am: The power of blogs and the internet. 20-30 years ago, the idea of a state executive inviting, say, an independent print journalist to come in for a chat would be unheard of. Only big media-print and the tv networks got to shape our thinking. - Georg Sande - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:34 am: Classic! - burbanite - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:34 am: All that money and superstars and they do their opp research on google? “I guess one can’t believe everything that’s on the Internet.” Any 10 year old knows that. - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:34 am: ==I am not sure there is any other governor from Illinois past that I would not trade for right now.== George Ryan’s bodycount was lower. - Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:35 am: Seriously, what a jerk! - Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:35 am: The Gov. that is, not you Mr. Miller. - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:36 am: ==All that money and superstars and they do their opp research on google?== Replace “google” with “journalists” and you’ve really got a mouthful. - CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:36 am: The fact that Rauner said that Rich worked for Madigan isn’t the issue. Rauner said that Rich COULDN’T BE TRUSTED and he gave the lie of Rich working for Madigan as “evidence”. Ironic, considering the source, to say the least. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:36 am: Rauner Rules: I make ‘em you follow ‘em (unless you want a problem). 1. I say what ever I feel, when I feel it regardless of fact. 2. “Frenemies” isn’t just a concept, it’s real! 3. Liebel, defamation, and slander are all ok (for me). 4. I will say I am sorry (not really) in a private setting- “hey, all’s fair in love, war, and politics! Am I right or what! Want another cold one?” 5.We all love Illinois (I love money but let’s call it Illinois” 6.I will change or make rules as I see fit, when I see fit. - Juvenal - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:37 am: Let’s parse this one out: 1. I guess one can’t believe everything that’s on the Internet. REPLY: Just figuring that out? Yes, the internet is a lot like your press office, only with less snark. 2. I now know you didn’t become a spokesman for Speaker Madigan until AFTER you were a page. REPLY: See #1 3. But, seriously, come on over to the mansion after the State of the State, let’s have a beer and have one of our classic battles about the future of Illinois. REPLY: Your belief that you are battling everyone who disagrees with you, particularly in the press, is 75 percent of what is wrong with your administration. And there is nothing “classic” about a debate with you over state policy. It’s like explaining to a three year old why they can’t have ice cream right now. 4) If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about the future of our state. REPLY: You’ve demonstrated how you deeply care for your kid’s future by moving mountains to ensure they attend the best high schools, throwing them lavish, magazine-worthy weddings, erecting buildings in their name on a college campus, and taking them on exoticly enriching vacations around the globe. The feelings you’ve exhibited for the future of Illinois are the exact opposite. Let’s just hope for your sake that your kids treat you better in your old age than you treat everyone else in theirs. 5) See you Wednesday. REPLY: I can’t wait. P.S. Check your inbox, because I’m publishing your personal email address before the state-of-the-state. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:38 am: After a few beers ask him to write a big check to LSSI, at least something good will come of the “meeting”. - Exit 59 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:39 am: While I understand and agree with Honeybear, SOMEONE has to talk to each other. Showing up and discussing anything with him doesn’t mean you agree or are even “ok” with what he says or does. Please keep shining a light on what is going on Mr. Miller. If it takes this meeting to do that, I sure appreciate the effort. Maybe somehow that will help those who serve the state, the elderly, the poor, the disabled. Better than nothing…he wants us to quit. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:39 am: ===The fact that Rauner said that Rich worked for Madigan isn’t the issue. Rauner said that Rich COULDN’T BE TRUSTED and he gave the lie of Rich working for Madigan as “evidence”.=== That is the big “truth” of the lie. Very, very well done - CharlieKratos - - bluecollar gal - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:39 am: That last anonymous was from bluecollar gal. Not sure why it bounced into anonymous… but I take credit. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:40 am: ===From one recent heart attack victim to another=== I did NOT have a heart attack. I had heart surgery. - Big foot - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:42 am: Sometimes one just feels like “Reach out and touch someone.” - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:42 am: ===Rich, do you know something about the Governor that you didn’t know 24 hours ago?=== Subscribe. - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:42 am: ==While I understand and agree with Honeybear, SOMEONE has to talk to each other== Yes. Constituents should talk to GOP members about how much they need a state budget and a safety net. And Dems should talk to GOP members about safe routes across the wall out of East Germany. The governor could be a lame duck if only people stopped fearing his money and made the case for revenue. I used to think that was wishful thinking. But now that he’s offing hostages, it seems time. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:43 am: ===This just doesn’t read the way he talks=== Yes, it does. Trust me on that one. - X-prof - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:44 am: Funny how the gov assumes Rich doesn’t have something else to do after the sots. Doesn’t wait for a response, just straight to “See you there”. Not a big deal, just a little rude. Or maybe it fits a certain personality type we’re not supposed to name here. - Soccermom - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:45 am: SAP — I happen to know that Rich has spent years building up an immunity to iocaine powder… - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:52 am: ==Funny how the gov assumes Rich doesn’t have something else to do after the sots.== Manipulation as aw-shucks coinkidink. Because at 1pm on a Wed after a major state political event, any journo would pick hangin’ and drinkin’ and wrasslin’ about ideas like a coupla school chums, over reportin’. - Stones - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:52 am: It’s just me but I wouldn’t accept a back handed invitation like that. Proves the Governor is more interested in winning the PR battle than anything else. - ArchPundit - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:53 am: ===Stag. But he also likes microbrews. After 1 or 2 Newcastle, switch to Stag and you can’t tell the difference. - Angry Chicagoan - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 10:57 am: I can’t say what I’d like to say here, so let me just say I find this note represents increased evidence for the case that the governor is impertinent and shameless. - BeenThereB4 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:00 am: Lie about you in public, half-apologize in private, classic grass bowl move. He’s been spending too much time with Goldberg. If it were me, I wouldn’t accept until he apologized publicly. - Langhorne - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:01 am: Translation Rich So i was wrong, so what, it was fun to needle you. You may not have worked for madigan before, but you sure are carrying his water now. Come by, for a beer and a “classic battle”, meaning you throw bleeding heart sob stories at me, and i tell you thats the price of reform. Madigan and the unions have ruined this state, and i am the guy to destroy them. The speech is going to be great. Its taking longer than i expected to enact real reform, but that will just make the victory that much sweeter. Bruce - Twice Baked - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:02 am: CD Sorensen @ 9:45 Exactly! Haven’t listened to it in years, but sorry does seem to be the hardest word. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:03 am: My advice is to take along George Ryan, Jim Edgar and Jim Thompson. You hold Rauner’s arms behind his back, as the Three Amigos go to work on Bruce’s smirk. Lord help me, I handle Rauner after what he has let happen to LCCI, Catholic Charities and all the other good people he has let starve. - ash - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:04 am: Wow, sorry Rich — join the ranks of telling the truth, disagreeing, and being called out. What a guy… no wonder we don’t have a budget. I thought this type of schoolyard bullying and name calling left people when they became teenagers. - Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:05 am: Just don’t go soft on him after it’s over. - Ace Laredo - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:11 am: “have one of our classic battles about the future of Illinois” Why does that sentence read so oddly to me? It reminds me of a wannabe trying to suggest a much longer and stronger relationship with someone than is actually real. Seriously……how many of “our classic battles” have actually ever taken place? Weird. - Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:12 am: BYOB (or wine). - pool boy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:13 am: Go ahead and go. It will show you are the better man but take someone with you as a witness, maybe OW. It may also give you more blog material. - CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:13 am: Rich is a professional. Don’t worry that being invited to have a beer with the Governor is going to suddenly make him forget his journalistic integrity and make him “forgive and forget”. Rauner said Rich wasn’t to be believed/trusted. That’s EVERYTHING to a professional journalist and not something to be shrugged off. I almost feel sorry for Rauner. He called Rich out and now Bruce is going to have to face something he literally knows nothing about… the truth. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:16 am: I am still of the opinion that those multiple Illinois Mirror articles were the main “source” claiming Rich worked once for Madigan. Having a difficult time finding other “sources.” You can ask him during your beer meetup tomorrow. - @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:16 am: Gov means never having to say you’re sorry. – MrJM - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:18 am: ===I am still of the opinion that those multiple Illinois Mirror articles were the main “source”=== Yep. Rauner says he doesn’t read newspapers or watch TV news, but apparently surfs wingnut websites. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:19 am: “You leave the governor alone for 5 minutes with a laptop and the internet… ” - unnamed SuperStar. - Country Club Bartender - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:21 am: Sarcasm from the rich and powerful is just another form of condescending bullying. I am surprised the Gov’s note didn’t also include, “Sorry you were overly-sensitive to my bombastic misspoken comments. Didn’t know you were so touchy.” Truly this guy deserves no more patience from you Rich. Yes get the one-on-one, but as a citizen of Illinois seriously give it to him straight. He is absolutely failin’ and it’s time to end this zealotry. He (and his wife) lied to everyone, bought the governorship, took our state hostage, even severely harmed your favorite charity with his misguided cheap political theatrics, and finally insulted your work. A bully like him deserves the sternest words. And refuse the beer too. - Roscoe Tom - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:23 am: Bring a bottle of Ripple - not that he has earned it. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:31 am: –I am still of the opinion that those multiple Illinois Mirror articles were the main “source” claiming Rich worked once for Madigan. Having a difficult time finding other “sources.”– Louis, I think it’s adorable that you have the innocence, apparently, to believe that the governor needs a foundation in truth or a “source” for the things he says. Do you really believe that, at the one-year mark? If so, incredible. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:40 am: Somehow I sense a VMan version of MTA coming … I had to Google that, and see something I never heard or saw before. I never knew that song existed. Or the group. It was like uncovering a Edison cylinder and hearing a minstrel show. - anonlurker - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:43 am: ‘Keep your enemies closer’, comes to mind. CharlieKratos +1 - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:51 am: Dude, Sell tickets and you can plug the LSSI gap instantly. - Joe M - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:51 am: I recommend that you DO take Oscar with you again! He will help keep the Governor honest. I swear Oscar would bark every time the Governor stretched the truth. - Mama - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 11:57 am: ++“If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about the future of our state.”++ I’ve got to stop drinking coffee while reading your blog - - it is painful when it shoots out my nose. - illini - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:01 pm: It is amazing how much of the conversation you can miss when you miss the first few hours of a thread. Great thoughts and comments all around. Honeybear - always thoughtful and to the post. Thanks. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! - Yo - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:02 pm: Bring some Griesedieck beer, which used to be brewed in Stag brewery in Belleville and is still sold in St. Louis area - Nick - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:03 pm: Perhaps he should write a similar note to MJM. - Mama - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:04 pm: “Mrs. Rauner will also be there, but I told the governor’s guys that she might not want to be in the room for the first 20 minutes or so.” Rich, you have every right to give the man a tongue lashing. However, I’m not sure it will change his mind, but it will make you feel better. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:12 pm: Will he open the trap door on you or release the hounds? - Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:16 pm: RNUG the percent of worker contributions has been negotaiated and changed many times. I think the last increase was early 2000s. it went up different amounts depending on the retirment systems, but the basic GRF contribution went up something like 2% spread put over 2 years. afscme agreed to the increase btw (as did the other unions). - Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:19 pm: RNUG i know it also went up 1% when they added the anuall increase benefit…. cant remeber if that was all at the same time… which is the crux of your point. - Georg Sande - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:24 pm: Wow, talk about overkill. Let it go already … everyone. There are many issues to address. - Mouthy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:27 pm: A Democratic page in 1985 would have been hired by Clerk Jack O’Brien and officially been working for the Clerk of the House. While the Speaker could certainly have input into getting someone on generally there is was no connection between the offices. Stag back in the day was considered the worst beer one could drink. I hope, for Rich’s sake, they’ve improved it.. - Mama - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:28 pm: Rich, Honeybear would be a good person to take with you for your beer with the guv. - Mama - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:32 pm: ++“Stag” Beer now owned by the Russians. Unless Rauner can bring it back to Belleville , wouldn’t drink a Stag or anything else with our counterfeit Governor.”++ No wonder Rauner likes ‘Stag’ it was outsourced from IL labor. - Gumby - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:32 pm: This invitation brings to mind the scene in ‘Goodfellas’ when Tommy goes to the ceremony where he is to be ‘made’ but gets whacked instead. Be careful Rich! - Dawn - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:33 pm: I know its not a popular opinion, but i wouldn’t go. He made you apart of a story in order to advance his agenda. Even worse, it was all false. I would tell him your professional ethics now preclude you from these types of off the record meetings. He changed the game and now he needs to live with the new rules. - Timmeh - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:39 pm: ==Perhaps he should write a similar note to MJM.== “I guess one can’t believe everything that’s on the Internet. You’re gonna have to teach me how to keep people’s loyalty without offering them a job. But, seriously, come on over to the mansion after the State of the State, let’s have a beer and have one of our classic battles about the future of Illinois. If there’s one thing that you and I have in common it’s that we care deeply about our own futures. See you Wednesday.” - Slippin' Jimmy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:41 pm: Rich, I see a huge financial opportunity in your future as a go between, brokering a final 2016 state budget! - Slippin' Jimmy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:43 pm: Oh, almost forgot-that is snark…. - Man with a plan - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:58 pm: Make him get some growlers from Obed & Isaac’s. It’s the very least he can do. - Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:20 pm: ==apparently surfs wingnut websites== websites which have apparently since deleted posts about “former Madigan staffer Rich Miller” - Stumpy's bunker - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:22 pm: Rich, you might wanna bring a court stenographer with you on this one. Just sayin’. - Harvest76 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:24 pm: Wow. I’ve been to more than one bar where snark like that would get a guy punched in the mouth. I’m guessing the governor hasn’t, even with his fancy motorcycle vest. - pool boy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:24 pm: Tell him you only drink Macallan “M” 1940 scotch. If the offer still stands, I would be happy to go with you. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:40 pm: Mama, God love you but taking me would be a disaster. The toll of all this upon me has me swinging from rabid wild badger to weepy sullen. Rich would most likely be quite embarrassed by Mrs. Rauner having to coax me out from under a desk at the mansion with girl scout cookies. No if this is to be done it will be done by a professional. My hopes are pinned to Rich. I did find Rich a good quote. “No society can surely be flourishing and happy when part of the members are poor and miserable.” – Adam Smith, Wealth Of Nations I also hope that Rich will remember that AFSCME is made up of Illinoisans like me. I hope that Rich will argue against sacrificing public servants for a deal when the crisis necessitating the deal was manufactured by the Governor. We have not met Rich, but some day we will. Rauner is holding the gun to my (AFSCME) head and said he will release the others if he can get away with me. Please don’t condone that deal. I’ll look you in the eyes some day and ask you if you agreed with it. Look, I know that’s how it’s going to go down. We’re going to get sold down the river. I want to hear you say ” I told him not to do it.” Taking hostages, destroying lives, causing financial harm, hurting the vulnerable is wrong. It is just wrong. The bad economy or “business environment” is not justification for economic violence. - Big Joe - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:46 pm: Rich, please wear a wire. The man lies through his teeth, and you may need to prove his denials in the future. - foster brooks - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:50 pm: Stag. But he also likes microbrews. You cant get stag in Winnetka - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:52 pm: ===Rich, please wear a wire=== That would be illegal. - Louis G Atsaves - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:55 pm: Hmm! Appears that everything previously posted on Illinois Mirror has now been removed, including all those Rich Miller pieces. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:57 pm: Louis- But the page link still shows up in a Google search with the false information showing. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 1:57 pm: Louis, yes, it’s odd, isn’t it? - Stumpy's bunker - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:04 pm: CapFax Stag Summit, scene 1: Rich matches the gov’s beer class, entering the room with one of those old white generic “BEER” six packs dangling from his little finger. Oscar rushes ahead to pay a quick visit to the nearest dining room table leg. Chris Hansen’s film crew busts in behind Rich. When the gov’s eyebrows reach to the top of his head, the moment is captured on film. Rich smiles faintly, knowing that the proceeds from the captured image will enable him to join the Venerated Wine Club. - JoeNitro - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:10 pm: Guess I should have added a “good luck Rich” for any debates he may have at his meeting - Mouthy - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:17 pm: Maybe WWE should send in a crew. - JoeNitro - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:27 pm: hmmm, my earlier post is gone, Sorry if I stepped over a line somewhere - sal-says - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:32 pm: == - Dawn - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 12:33 pm: I know its not a popular opinion, but i wouldn’t go. He made you apart of a story in order to advance his agenda. Even worse, it was all false. I would tell him your professional ethics now preclude you from these types of off the record meetings. He changed the game and now he needs to live with the new rules. == Agree 100%. If this IS a 1 on 1, just after the SOTS, how does raunner find this ethical? Oh, right: He doesn’t care. Bet he’s lookin’ for a way to use the meet-up, tho for his own purposes. - Ferris Wheel - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 2:57 pm: I agree wholeheartedly with Facts are Stubborn Things. I don’t think it was meant in snark or dismissal, I think it was an honest (though clearly failing) attempt at humor. This doesn’t mean I have any agreement with anything else he has said or done to date, and I’m probably the exact opposite of a Rauner fan, but I think we should always be careful about seeing only the worst in everything someone says or does. Which is a long-winded way of saying: a little benefit of the doubt never hurt. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:02 pm: -Ghost-, Yes. The 1% increase you refer to was specifically to pay for the 3% compounded AAI. No other change was made. Increased benefit = increased payment The employee contribution was also lowered back about 1970 (don’t remember exact year) when it went from uncoordinated (State only) to coordinated (State + SS). The employee contribution to the State dropped back to 3% from about 6% - 7% but the employee also had to make the SS contribution. Less benefit = less contribution I will also note that the 1970 choice was a true choice: remain on then existing State plan or go to new state / SS combined plan. My point, which I think you got, is you can’t change the contribution with a corresponding change to the benefits AND the choice has to be both voluntary and include “keep existing”. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:05 pm: can’t change the contribution WITHOUT … There are some days I hate this phone’s auto correct - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:08 pm: Adding … I believe the increase was 2% for non-coordinated members, 1% for coordinated under SERS. The increase varied under the other systems. - Emily Booth - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:15 pm: He sounds so relaxed. Like he lives in a different universe or something. - morgan - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 3:32 pm: I just keep thinking about how the governor thought that just because someone once worked for the speaker that they would be forever loyal to him, even to the point of purposely misinterpreting data. Yet he donates thousands/tens of thousands/hundreds of thousands/millions of dollars and doesn’t get or rather *expect* that kind of loyalty/influence. - Bemused - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 4:09 pm: My dad used to drink Stag Beer. I will forever remember drinking Stag with my dad the first time I could go to the bar with him after turning legal age. Trying to hang with him and his buddies I had way to many Stag beers. The next day I had a killer headache and could crap thru a screen door. Have not had a Stag since. The above would have went down in the early 70’s. - Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 4:13 pm: Rich you obviously messed up. This is politics. Rauner doesn’t need you fact checking. Rauner expects the media only to quote what he says, but you exceeded that didn’t you? Rich you must share in the blame here, you are part of the problem and there will be some pain. When you meet with the Governor remember that you won’t be apologizing for yourself but for the everyone in the media and anyone else who doesn’t fit into Rauner’s plan. You may think that you have nothing to apologize for because that was the old status quo which must structurally change through negotiations, in which you don’t have a seat at the table. Remember the changes aren’t really restrictions of your rights. You must accept these changes if we are to move forward with any possibility of Rauner actually wanting to do the job he was elected to do. Don’t worry things will be better, when Rauner tells us it’s better until then appease. - crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 4:13 pm: === ===Rich, please wear a wire=== That would be illegal. === Maybe so. But he is the state’s chief law enforcement officer and can’t reasonably expect that an invited conversation with a journalist to discuss state matters and performance of his official duties should remain private. - Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 4:53 pm: RNUG oks that clears up some of the haze of time. Yoy would need to calculate the sweet spot, but i think they could sell an offer wherenyou can get age and years of servic crdit, like a 5/5, if you switch to a different Annual adjustment rate. just need to find out how many years can be offered to make it a financial benefit to the state, and atyractive to the employees. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 5:38 pm: -Ghost- You might be able to sell a 5 & 5 but only if you couldn’t actually haveretire for another 5 or 10 years. An immediate one would be the same as the 2002 ERI which was a financially bad deal for the State’s Pension funds. Then, even if it turned out a bad deal for the state, you would have kicked the can a ways down the road. - Bumble Bee - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 7:25 pm: Rich Ask yourself if you are dealing with nice man who pretends to be mean or a mean person who pretends to be nice - btowntruth - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:15 pm: I would flat turn down his “beer summit” offer. “I now know you didn’t become a spokesman for Speaker Madigan until AFTER you were a page.” Because of that right there…. - Property of IDOC - Tuesday, Jan 26, 16 @ 9:54 pm: Dawn @12:33 I agree 100%. For me, any personal interaction would be null and void from here on out. That bridge is burnt. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.