135 Comments - No Kidding - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:44 pm: Unfortunately, Governor has made it clear that it is his way or the highway. - LizPhairTax - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:45 pm: At least the media are smart enough to use “the governor claims” now when talking about placing a phone call. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:45 pm: Give me a reason why it would make a difference, and I’ll change my No vote to a Yes - Abe the Babe - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:46 pm: ==says speaker’s style “is not to be compromising in a group.”== Man, talk to any person who has been in those leaders meetings and they will tell you Madigan is the quietest one in the room. Its March 2016 and he is just now getting this??@!!??! - Keyser Soze - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:46 pm: They are the defacto leaders. If they can’t or won’t do it, it won’t get done. - 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:46 pm: ===“It seems to me that the crisis is being extended for political gain and messaging, and that’s wrong”…=== Classic projection. No, I don’t think a one-on-one with Madigan is going to help Rauner move the ball forward. I do think Rauner’s request makes Radogno and Durkin appear to be pretty meaningless. That has to hurt too. Rauner has already usurped their role as political leaders by sending his cash to Proft instead of the traditional caucus funds. Now he’s cutting them out of legislative negotiations. And that’s how he treats his allies. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:48 pm: Voted “No” “Why?” Unless there’s a stenographer or a video recording of what Bruce Rauner says, there’s nobreasin to believe his take on a “one on one” discussion… … ever. What isn’t farther say about the Speaker and his word? Oh yeah, it’s gold. ===“It seems to me that the crisis is being extended for political gain and messaging, and that’s wrong”…=== LOL… “It seems to me that the crisis I tired to use is blowin’ up in my face, hurtin’ me and my goals. Madigan defeating me… is being extended because I refuse… refuse… to count to 60x and count to 30… and my messaging is tone dead to voters, and I’m wrong”… - Fake Bruce Rauner being (gasp) honest. Let’s not forget Gonzo. Rauner funneling money to Gonzo isn’t rewarded with a meeting where your word needs to be worth something. Voted “No” - @MisterJayEm - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:48 pm: I do think they COULD make a difference, but I don’t think they WILL make a difference. – MrJM - tmfbitu - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:48 pm: Lock them in a room until they figure it out. . . . or just lock them in a room, and move on. - northsider (the original) - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:49 pm: Only if a court reporter and videographer are present. The Governor has a poor track record for accurately reporting conversations. - Formerly Known as Frenchie - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:49 pm: Why would Madigan do in private what he won’t do in (semi) public with the other leaders? If Madigan makes any kind of compromise — or gives even an inch to get a budget — it’s this times ten next year. The only strategy is to back Rauner into a corner until election day, tie Rauner to Trump repeatedly, and then wait for the GOP losses. - Magic carpet ride - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:49 pm: When brucie says hey Mike lets sit down and talk about whats best for the PEOPLE of the state of Illinois there will be a meeting. - Will Caskey - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:49 pm: Should Rauner and Madigan literally #getaroom? Yes. That’s clearly the biggest holdup to date so just get on with it. - Abe the Babe - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:49 pm: That’s not to say Madigan’s gonna negotiate with you after being called corrupt, fielding a candidate in his primary, and challenging his caucus. I mean the guy takes a while to warm up. He famously didn’t meet with Edgar for 4 months after taking office. But this is all the more reason to stop the rhetoric and start building the one commodity Madigan will work with…trust. I mean its as if these guys live in a wind tunnel filled with Dan Proft’s radio show and the IPI’s “news” service. - Huh? - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:50 pm: No. 1.4% has not said or done anything that changes any of his “must have” positions. The test for me will be when he settles a contract with AFSCME that is not harmful to the membership. - Cheryl44 - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:51 pm: I would never willingly be alone in a room with the governor. - Beaner - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:53 pm: I voted no. Get the Governor into the Betty Ford Clinic and put on Ritalin for a few weeks, and then maybe. - Mouthy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:55 pm: Voted yes. There is a slim chance that Rauner is looking to capitulate with honor. Maybe he’ll float a compromise that doesn’t do damage to unions. Who knows. - Gooner - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:56 pm: The Gov. started out badly with his alleged election-night call, and never really recovered. Given his problems with honesty, I don’t see what the Speaker would gain by meeting with Rauner. Rauner would surely walk out of it claiming that the Speaker had agreed to abolish all unions, or that the Speaker had demanded a 78% tax rate. He could be counted on to make a statement the Speaker would then have to deny. So no, I don’t think any such discussions would be productive. - MOON - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:57 pm: I am sure Madigan would meet with Rauner if the topic dealt with a budget. However, if it also included Rauners turn around agenda I do not believe there would be any meeting. - Anon - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:57 pm: Neither one wants to lose face, making it near impossible for cards to be put on the table and real heart-to-heart discussions take place. I’m not naive enough to believe it’s the solution or it’s that easy, but I could see private meetings between the two where they can hash out real difference and come up with some kind of agreement alone - even for several hours - getting the ball at least rolling. However badly I might think they have both handled this whole mess, I can’t believe there’s not a part of each one that would like to move the state forward. Worth a try, anyway. The Speaker refusing to meet will only play into the Governor’s argument that he’s the only one willing to work on the problem. - A Jack - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:57 pm: No. I don’t see the Speaker bothering with such a charade. Let the Governor present a real budget first and if it exceeds current revenue let the governor propose how to fill the gap. When the Governor shows that he is up to that task, perhaps there would be something to actually negotiate. - Checkers - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:58 pm: I have no reason to be optimistic - Because I said so... - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 12:58 pm: I voted no. I think the only hope now is for some Republican members to stand up against Rauner or face possible defeat in November. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:00 pm: There is only ONE reason for Rauner and Madigan to meet privately: for Madigan to give Rauner a road map on how to gracefully back down and if Rauner follows that map, Madigan would then help Rauner “achieve” some meaningless but face-saving “wins”. But it would be a waste of time; Rauner wouldn’t listen. - Sir Reel - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:01 pm: No Same old same old. The Governor is still pretending. His idea of “compromise” is “capitulation.” - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:03 pm: By the way… I guess all that “Try-Angle-A-Shun” seems to be… discarded. I mean, Rahm is useless now, and just askin’ to meet with Madigan must mean Rauner’s “ally” President Cullerton won’t help Rauner… win. I feel bad for Durkin and Radogno, that’s no snark. If I knew a way to help them to get Rauner to see Rauner’s way isn’t working, I’d do all I could for them. I hope. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:03 pm: Actually, there is a second reason: for Rauner to privately inform Madigan the Gov is resigning before going public. /s - AC - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:04 pm: Voted No, hope I’m wrong, but nothing to date makes me think otherwise. - Pink E Kent - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:06 pm: No. Because…Rauner. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:06 pm: No, Rauner has been attacking Madigan from day one. Madigan doesn’t trust him. - formerpro - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:07 pm: RNUG, for that to happen, Rauner would have to pick up the phone and call Madigan and ask for help. IF or WHEN that happens Madigan will quickly agree to meet. There has never been any doubt that Madigan knows how to make a deal. The difference is he knows where he can go, and Rauner does not respect the Speakers’ bottom lines and items he simply cannot agree to, ever. I’d be surprised if Rauner sends such a signal this prior to the election. - DuPage - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:09 pm: Deal or no deal? No meeting is needed. Rauner has called for negotiating a budget ALONGSIDE his turnaround agenda. As long as turnaround is involved, Madigan should not even dignify the request with a response. - The Dude Abides - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:09 pm: It seems to me that the crisis I tried to use is blowin’ up in my face, hurtin’ me and my goals. Madigan defeating me… is being extended because I refuse… refuse… to count to 60x and count to 30… and my messaging is tone dead to voters, and I’m wrong”… - Fake Bruce Rauner being (gasp) honest. Let’s not forget Gonzo. Rauner funneling money to Gonzo isn’t rewarded with a meeting where your word needs to be worth something. OW nailed it. Madigan does not take well to folks messing around in his back yard like Rauner did in the Primary and he has a long memory. Count me among those that think both Rauner and the state would have been better off if Rauner hadn’t declared war on the Democrats and the Unions from day 1. He really got off on the wrong foot, that’s his fault and somehow he has to show some leadership and statesmanship and repair things with the Democrats, who BTW just happen to be in the Majority. - Honeybear - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:10 pm: Why should Rauner be given a face-saving way out. WHY? The amount of pain and suffering he’s caused is unconscionable. Keep in mind the thousands of people laid off in the social services and others. Think of all the college students. Think of all the businesses that went down. Loving God the Governor needs to answer for all he has done. I don’t think he’s looking for a way out. I think he just wants to put a picture of cooperation on the board. It shouldn’t end until he drops and I mean drop for good the anti union stuff. There again I don’t trust him to keep his word. - Illinois Taxpayer - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:11 pm: They could, but they’re handicapped by the fact that Madigan is often opaque and Rauner plain doesn’t listen. - Union Leader - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:16 pm: Voted “NO” because Rauner is not a man of his word. He says one thing and does another. Ask his GOP House and Senate legislators, who he has turned on more than once. Speaker Madigan may be very quiet at all of the 4 Tops meetings, but that’s because he listens and absorbs what is being said before he makes a decison. Rauner doesn’t help the situation by constantly saying Madigan and the “legislators” he controls are corrupt. Rauner is learning a lesson in humility, a well deserved lesson, I might add. - Juvenal - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:17 pm: You can’t just skip straight to Step 12. First Rauner needs to admit his mistakes and make amends. - Independent Retiree Lawyer Journalist - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:18 pm: If Rauner was serious about this, 1. He wouldn’t have broadcast it publicly, and 2. He wouldn’t still be trying to divide Madigan and John Cullerton. And yeah, I’d say that trusting the governor’s truthtelling is a serious problem… - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:20 pm: ===…the Governor needs to answer for all he has done.=== - Honeybear -. No. There will be a time and place. Slow down. We need a deal as a state, what Rauner is proposing song work, I feel. However, we ALL need a deal. Talking about “paying for all he did” is separate. You know that’s true too. Focus on the question. “Will this work?” “No” Well, what can work? Come November, “vote accordingly” but this question isn’t about making Rauner pay… this question is about trying to save what we can, and deal with tomorrow… tomorrow. With great respect. - Sillies - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:24 pm: Yes. If Madigan and Rauner were forced into a room and not allowed to leave until they reached a solution, I suspect they would reach a solution. I would even allow food to be sent in every six hours. No conjugal visits. - Cook County Commoner - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:24 pm: I voted No. The differences between Gov. Rauner’s constituency and that of Speaker Madigan represent a fiscal chasm which is too wide. Meaningful talks will require either one or the other being voted out of office or a spate of local government defaults which may drive home to voters the seriousness of Illinois’ fiscal situation. - Annonin' - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:31 pm: We voted “no” ’cause we don’t want to distract the BigBrains from thinkin’ of more explanations for the election outcome …they get better every day….and the Votin’ Trump is the best yet. The next QOTD should be how big of a A* kickin’ did he get from the lst lady after that one? - Been There - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:32 pm: I voted yes because maybe Rauner will realize that Madigan will negotiate. Rauner won’t be happy with the way he negotiates but maybe Madigan shows him a path to a resolution. On the other hand I don’t think Madigan will ever meet “one on one”. He might do a meeting between their groups only but I doubt he would not have some witnesses as what was said. At least Brown and/or Mapes. I also agree with 47th that the way Rauner is treating Durkin & Radogno makes them appear meaningless. Surprises me that they are not more forceful with Rauner since Madigan will ask for a structure role call with their members. - Borat - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:34 pm: Not so much. Until the “extreme” is dropped, there’s no point. - Wensicia - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:39 pm: No, Rauner’ll spin lies about the meeting just like he does with Cullerton. Nothing of substance will result; it’s just another ploy to control the message. - Langhorne - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:42 pm: NO Words: It seems to me that the crisis is being extended for political gain and messaging, and that’s wrong”… (laughable hypocrisy) Actions: the state is in cardiac arrest, universities closing , MAP, social net, etc. There is no reason for madigan to listen rauners crap in a mtg, the. Go out to the press and say madigan is still evil, or (mistakenly) we made progress. You want progress, send Radogno and Durkin to meet w cullerton and madigan privately. Talk to me when you have a deal. Until then, shut up - Commonsense in Illinois - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:42 pm: I voted yes - if they’re talking, they’re doing something. Frankly, there the time has come for an intermediary that both men trust to keep them focused on the task at hand and not slip into continuing the knock-down-drag-out that’s marked the last year. - A worker - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:45 pm: Maybe those reform groups should repeat their call for a public meeting. And hold it in public this time. - Robert the Bruce - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:50 pm: ==Rauner has called for negotiating a budget ALONGSIDE his turnaround agenda. As long as turnaround is involved, Madigan should not even dignify the request with a response.== Yes, that has been each man’s stated position for many months…and look at the results! Perhaps instead they could start with this: https://capitolfax.com/2016/02/23/it-can-be-done-if-you-really-want-it-done/ - Motambe - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 1:58 pm: Rauner needs to quit talking at Madigan through the media and talk to him face to face. Then he needs to propose a budget, even if Madigan and the Democrats will reject it. At least fulfill that duty. Get the ball rolling. Make something happen. - Joe Cannon - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:02 pm: I remember when Radogno and Durkin wanted a seat at the table, one that could only be enforced by a GOP Governor. Nostalgia about the golden era of Governors meeting with the four tops (forget about the mushrooms after all) seems so….. 2015. NOW the GOP has a leader that will inform them when a deal is reached, perhaps with enough time to read it before voting for it. Isn’t this much better now? I’d give anything for Pate to be back again! Rauner telling THAT marine to sit and wait til the grownups were finished? HA! - Gordon Willis - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:03 pm: Maybe they will have the meeting at Louis’ in the Bronx. ..Bruce Sollazzo will pick up Mikey Madiganleone in front of Jack Dempsey’s - Anon - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:04 pm: This sentiment has already been discussed, but there’s no reason to trust a one on one meeting when one of the parties has a history of publicly misunderstanding what was discussed at those meetings. - Juvenal - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:04 pm: I agree with Oswego Willy, Honeybear. You have to be soft on people, concrete on the issues. Madigan should be more than willing to agree to a principled solution that allows the governor to save face. At the same time, for negotiations to move forward productively, the governor needs to admit his error to Madigan and change his ways. There doesn’t need to be a letter, a press conference, he doesn’t need to kowtow. Just Rauner, Madigan, Mapes and Mike Z. in a room. But until that happens, there won’t be any negotiating. For one thing, to here Rauner tell it, there is nothin’ to negotiate. And Madigan has no reason to believe they Rauner can be trusted as they inch forward. - How Ironic - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:09 pm: Terrible idea for Madigan. Rauner has already proven himself a shameless liar about any meeting or even supposed meetings with Cullerton. He just twists what was said, or fabricates from whole cloth what the ‘thought’ was said. Nothing good would come of it, particularly for Madigan. - Austin Blvd - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm: Jason Gonzalez. Ken Dunkin. - NSideLady - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm: Maybe Rauner is finally getting the message that “Governors Own.” This thing between Rauner and Madigan has become too personal. Voters now have to help facilitate a solution by voting out as many Raunerites as possible in November. I think the only way out of this mess is to field a true working supermajority to neutralize Rauner’s agenda. The Republicans are too afraid to cross Rauner. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:17 pm: Voted no. Good faith negotiations require actual “good faith” from both parties—-something lacking by both people. Surely, by now it is clear this is a war, and no war ends until there are numerous casualties and one side is finally vanquished. There will be no real opportunity for “a side” to lose until the November elections, and then only if the Democrats can regain their veto-proof majorities. - JoanP - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:21 pm: @ Honeybear: If giving Rauner a “face-saving way out” helps the people of the State of Illinois, then he can have it. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:25 pm: == Why should Rauner be given a face-saving way out. == -Honeybear-, Because that is how politics works and how you compromise and build trust. - Century Club - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:36 pm: I voted no. Rauner’s strategy has been the same from the beginning and it won’t change with time - let the losses mount until constituencies/institutions who need state $ pressure Madigan to deal. - downstate commissioner - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:37 pm: voted no; reason Rauner’s actions up to this point… - lake county democrat - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:42 pm: No. Rauner will wait for more leverage. Whenever I see someone praise Pate Philip on this board, I’m reminded how lily white it is. The man did immense damage to African-Americans just trying to move their families to the suburbs (let alone the racist quips). Though it’s true that the beloved Jim Edgar and James Thompson wouldn’t stand up to it. Ah, the good old days. - burbanite - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:43 pm: Without someone to take a transcript of the meeting I think Madigan would be foolish to meet with the Gov. - Harry - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:46 pm: They won’t help until the principals are ready to compromise and that looks to come after the election, in January when all you need is a majority. Other than that, they could help if your goal is to insult Cullerton. - burbanite - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:49 pm: Maybe he is trying to meet with Madigan b/c Cullerton refuses to meet with him now: https://capitolfax.com/2016/02/29/rauner-cullerton-refuses-to-step-away-from-madigans-shadow/ - Daniel Plainview - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:57 pm: - I feel bad for Durkin - Why? The House Republicans could force Rauner to either cut a deal, or they could cut their own deal without him. All it would take is Durkin growing a spine and realizing that all that money doesn’t replace representing your district. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 2:58 pm: No, they won’t. Madigan is notorious for refusing to compromise, and he just had the House take one whole month off. He has no interest in agreeing to anything other than what he wants on his terms. - Morningstar - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:00 pm: No. I have seen no evidence that these two have established a rapport (or trust) with one another. From all appearances, their approaches to problem-solving may actually be too much alike for them to reach any consensus. - winning - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:05 pm: No. It’s just another PR ploy. Now Bruce can ramble on for the next 2 weeks about how the Speaker won’t meet with him. He has to have something to say while he vetoes more appropriations bills. Because….Madigan! - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:06 pm: ===Why? The House Republicans could force Rauner to either cut a deal, or they could cut their own deal without him. All it would take is Durkin growing a spine and realizing that all that money doesn’t replace representing your district.=== Right now, until both Caucuses realize that they can control what they want to control, yeah, I feel bad for them both. The millisecond “Yellow” and “NV” options aren’t used, then I know, as a Caucus, they aren’t held hostage. That hasn’t happened. I hope, and I feel bad. Otherwise I’d have to give up. I won’t do that. - Ghost - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:08 pm: Blagoesque governin by press release. since the purpose of this is to set up madigan there isnclearly no intent to actually negotiate so i said no. Because the blame madigan worked well with McCann and Dunkin contnuing t make PR moves over actually governing sljust seems like good ladership…. - Hawkeye in Illinois - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:12 pm: Only if President Cullerton was also invited and Rauner agreed to abide by a majority vote between the three of them on a path forward. - G'Kar - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:20 pm: I voted no, because I am basically a pessimist at this point. - Anon - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:25 pm: Playing the current situation out, I don’t see how they CANNOT do this at some point. With no change, we head into the fall with no progress, some colleges unable to keep their doors open when school starts this August, more social services just disappearing, a deeper hole and Rauner headed into the General Election with an unlimited budget to knock off as many Democrats as possible, but probably not enough to reach a majority in either house. Madigan digs his heels in further, and fights off as much as he can hoping to protect what he has and pick up a vote or two. If that happens, the smoldering ruin after the election will provide neither Rauner or Madigan with a “way out”. Rauner faces not being able to make any substantive change in Illinois’ present or future and not getting re-elected, and Madigan faces an even larger hole and, assuming a Democrat wins the Governor’s Office, having to make the necessary painful fixes with no Republican to blame the pain on anymore. I don’t think Rauner cares whether or not hes’ re-elected. I don’t think Madigan wants to keep this situation in place for years rather than months. It would benefit them both - more importantly the state - if they could figure out a way to put an end to the current nonsense and hash this out once and for all. - Abe the Babe - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:30 pm: ==Madigan is notorious for refusing to compromise== The last three republican governors think otherwise. - Norseman - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:34 pm: === “It seems to me that the crisis is being extended for political gain and messaging, and that’s wrong”… === That’s right, now stop doing it governor and start negotiating in good faith! - Man with a plan - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:35 pm: Rauner has shown time and time again that there is no such thing as closed negotiations. He will skew the events and trumpet them to the media the same afternoon, and then complain that nobody is willing to work with him. - Daniel Plainview - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:35 pm: - until both Caucuses realize that they can control what they want to control - They know it, we saw with local government funding. They just don’t have the stomach to face Rauner’s money, even with the primary failure. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:36 pm: ===The last three republican governors think otherwise.=== Try 5. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:40 pm: ==The last three republican governors think otherwise.== While the Senate President begs to differ after his experience on pension reform and other issues. Neither Madigan nor Rauner are paragons of compromise or diplomacy. Let’s not try painting them as such, for doing so is not realistic. - Honeybear - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:40 pm: Because that is how politics works and how you compromise and build trust. RNUG- yes you are so right and yet Rauner is toxic and the relationship is toxic. I don’t think it can be repaired. There is NO, no, no, no basis for trust left! He has caused the active collapse and we’re supposed to trust him? I am sure you are a better person than I. I’m not kidding actually because ALL I can think about with Rauner is revenge and retribution. I don’t want to be in this emotional space but there I am. Just being honest. You have to admit there has NEVER been a Governor like Rauner. - Robert the Bruce - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:45 pm: I wonder if Rauner ran this idea by the other tops? He may be right that Madigan can’t remain silent as easily in a two-person meeting, but it is a bit insulting to the other three. I’m guessing he did not. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:47 pm: Madigan has been speaker since 1983. 3 Republican governors before Rauner in that time- Thompson, Edgar and Ryan. Olgilvie was Republican from 1969-1973. Madigan in office since 1971 but I doubt he was working much with the Governor in his first term. Obviously working with the previous Repiblican governors on budgets entailed a fair amount of kicking the can down the road. Rauner has not agreed to do that. - Skeptical - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:49 pm: No. Nothing to be gained - Rauner has no credibility. Might be in a better position after the general election. Labor has a lot of work to do to counter the imbalance in available revenue. - cdog - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:51 pm: One on one meetings could make a difference, if both parties come to negotiate. If Rauner insists on extreme positions, game over. If Madigan insists on zero positions, game over. Need to hear about the revenue package. The math doesn’t work without it. - Groucho - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:52 pm: Yes, but only if Rauner truly negotiates. If all he does is reiterate his demands, forget it. - Century Club - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:53 pm: I don’t see how House Republicans cut a deal around Rauner, because cutting a deal around Rauner includes voting to raise taxes. It may be one thing for McCann to survive a Republican primary in his circumstances, but I don’t believe that pattern would hold for other House Republicans on a tax-increase vote. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 3:59 pm: ===entailed a fair amount of kicking the can down the road. Rauner has not agreed to do that=== You are here every day. You are not stupid. You most certainly saw the last two Rauner-proposed budgets, which kicked huge cans down the road. Stop playing dumb. You’re not. In fact, you’re way too smart for your own good. It’s ridiculous, actually. - sal-says - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:00 pm: Adding: Why does raunner conclude they would be of no value? Because he’s called SO MANY of them? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:01 pm: ===Obviously working with the previous Repiblican governors on budgets entailed a fair amount of kicking the can down the road. Rauner has not agreed to do that.=== Then Rauner is holding up the budget. Even The Owl Sandack says reforms are more important than a budget. So, yep. You’re right. Rauner doesn’t want a budget. “Thanks!” - Bill The Cat - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:03 pm: Yes, they could - strictly speaking, theoretically - make any difference so that explains my vote. Also, I would bet my next paycheck that nothing comes from this even if The Speaker agrees to meet. - Filmmaker Professor - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:07 pm: It’s probably the only thing that could work. - burbanite - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:08 pm: “I met with the Speaker today and you know what he told me? You aren’t going to believe it! He told me that he would love to gut collective bargaining in Illinois but he just can’t get out from under the shadow of the Union Bosses and special interests. He told me they control him, not the other way around! Can you believe it? I knew we would get somewhere with no one else around.” Fake Gov Rauner “I won’t dignify the Gov’s statement with a response.” fake Spkr - Albany Park Patriot - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:09 pm: Rauner bears no responsibility for anything ever. Just ask him. - Abe the Babe - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:12 pm: == Rauner has not agreed to do that. == Rauner is not holding out for proposals that don’t kick the can down the road. He is holding out for non-budget items that are no where near the road. - zatoichi - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:19 pm: Yeah, I said you are the one central reason for all the problems in Illinois, but that was last week before the votes. - Curious Georgina - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:37 pm: I’m not convinced a one-on-one meeting would work, but it’s worth a try. I mean, doing nothing at all isn’t panning out too well, so there’s nothing to lose by having a meeting. - Honeybear - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:41 pm: OW,RNUG et al, In my passion I get imprecise. By “making him answer” I’m not talking about some kind of truth and reconciliation thing or humiliating him. We, labor, are going to take his legs out from under him in November in the electoral process. That is the revenge and retribution I am talking about. That and the memes, articles, etc that the Black Cats are producing to move public perception via social networking. I don’t have to give him quarter. And frankly I doubt Madigan is going to give him quarter at this point so it seems useless to even talk about facesaving gestures. Yes, I have never felt loathing for someone greater than this. I deal, God help me, with the effects of this every single day at work. Every day I also go in half expecting to see that impasse was declared. I’m currently halfway through my offices strike assessments and wonder each and every day how I’m going to cope with the stress of this. Fine, I’m claiming victim status. I think I can get away with it. The stuff I see every day. I have to spray Fabreze after every third customer. I am just getting tired of the “maybe this time” game with Rauner. Nope, elections have consequences. I get it. Next election is what we’re shooting for as well as swaying public perception. Every time I see that Rauners favorability numbers are going down I know we’re doing the right thing. You have to make trust producing actions to START to gain trust. Rauner hasn’t started. He just wants to meet probably to issue more demands or let Madigan know that he’s going to force the workforce, his most important hostage, out on strike. He’s going to publically execute us and wants Madigan to know how and when he’s going to do it. Sorry I’m in a fever-sweat. Bad day - A guy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:42 pm: Of course it would help. Any communication would help. If the real hurdle is the two of them coming to any agreement, how would a direct one to one not be of help? One would assume that each would bring a policy person with them. - Norseman - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:53 pm: My condolences to Tim for the loss of his mother. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:55 pm: To the update… ===If Team Rauner tried to get Mapes on the phone last week, its more than just conceivable he was dealing with his mom. Let’s really hope that isn’t the case because going public with a missed communication without checking first would be a very huge blunder by Rauner if true.=== A functioning Legislstive Shop for a Governor would have been read in and looked into why in a back channel. A functioning Press Shop would’ve made quite sure as to why communication “broke down” (Ugh, c’mon guys) and hold off until they new exactly. Don’t worry, Lance will tweet something snarky to Rep. Lang, then Goldberg will berate another Dem Chair… Neither thinking to check… on the real work? Amateurs. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 4:57 pm: My sincere condolences to Mr. Mapes, and to his family, during this difficult time. OW - TinyDancer(FKA Sue) - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:10 pm: The governor has private meetings? - Norseman - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:13 pm: A guy, the question was: “Do you think one-on-one negotiations between Rauner and Madigan will make any difference?” The answer to that question is no in most people’s book. The reason is that we’ve not seen any indications that Rauner wants to negotiate in good faith. I also don’t believe Madigan’s mindset after dealing with a primary opponent and serving as Rauner’s punching bag is conducive for a productive meeting. If the question was “should the two meet,” my answer would be yes. But the outreach effort should not be discussed in a press availability, and most certainly not made along with the assertion to the media that Madigan is ignoring him. - Rabid - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:22 pm: Yes,they should vent on each other alone,then order a pizza together to show they can negotiate - Union Leader - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:26 pm: Condolences and prayers go out to Tim and his family. Let’s really hope that isn’t the case because going public with a missed communication without checking first would be a very huge blunder by Rauner if true. Like not checking has never happened before with the Governor and his “Superstars”. - Juvenal - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:31 pm: Oswego Willy: I think you are being a little hard on Lance Trover and the rest of the governor’s staff. It’s not as if the Democrats have a history of reaching across the aisle, recognizing that when you set aside the gilded titles and fancy positions, we are all sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. - Ghost - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:34 pm: Rauner has secretly been buying up apple futures for phase 2 of his plan to control Madigan….. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:41 pm: - Juvenal - I’m confused to you second paragraph. As to the SuperStars, this isn’t one instance, I think this is an ongoing amateur problem going on in that Shop… - Union Leader - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:48 pm: OW- do you think the GOP legislators have lost faith in Rauner and are just afraid to say so? I mean with all of the “miscommunications or non-communications”, lost targeted elections and overall mistakes made by his team, why should they have faith in him and what he says? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:56 pm: - Union Leader - I can’t speak to that knowledgably. I do hope that if and when GOP legislators decide to act in the spirit of the Gorillas of Pate, those members will know I’m with them. Those legislators unable to say publicly how they feel, I hope they know my frustration is their frustration, but frustration gets none of us anywhere. I think - Union Leader - if we look at those representing college towns and how they talk after July 1st, we all will find out together. - Dome Gnome - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:57 pm: The Dome Gnome Law states: “He who loses the Primary Proxy Wars immediately stops pounding his chest.” Give up the bravado, governor. - OurMagician - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:59 pm: Tim’s Mom was a very nice lady. - Wensicia - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 5:59 pm: Let’s hope we don’t get another Good Friday surprise from Rauner and his Superstars. - PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:09 pm: Voted “No”. That ship has sailed. Plus, I like watching the elephants vote against their districts. It will make Illinois a better place next year. - Blue dog dem - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:09 pm: We will find out just how GOPers are going to respond by the actions down in the 58th senate. Shemp vs Simon /SIUC. If a third party independent enters the race and trims GOP gains in the conservative north, Shemp won’t be able to bag Carbondale. Time will tell. - Gordon Willis - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:10 pm: If I was the Speaker I would not go alone. - Tinsel Town - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:24 pm: Rauner stating: “It seems to me that the crisis is being extended for political gain and messaging, and that’s wrong”… What I would really like to write may ban me for life….. extended for political gain & messaging and that’s wrong… really Mr. Rauner, Sorta like using your wealth to by a Downtown condo so your daughter could legally enroll in a charter school? Sorta like the litigation you’ve lost regarding neglect care found in your nursing homes, which caused residents to die? Sorta like…………. - RNUG - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:25 pm: == If I was the Speaker I would not go alone. == Maybe Rauner could have Benton provide security. /s - Juvenal - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:36 pm: Oswego Willy : http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140619/news/140629980/ “This is a tragic reminder that beyond our titles and positions, we are all mothers or fathers, sons or daughters.” - John Cullerton - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:41 pm: - Juvenal - Understood. - Paul - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 6:48 pm: I vote No. I think Rauner is lying again; if Madigan is in town then he is in Chicago. I would think they would call the District office and not Springfield. Madigan isn’t hard to find if the Gov really wanted a meeting. This is just another press pop. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 8:31 pm: Actually they worked quite well for 40 years. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:02 pm: “Rauner bears no responsibility for anything ever. Just ask him.” Has Madigan acknowledged his responsibility and role in all this yet? - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:07 pm: “Actually they worked quite well for 40 years.” As demonstrated by Illinois’ crippling debt? Illinois’ K-12 public schools? Illinois’ poverty rates? The persistent violence and minority unemployment rates in Chicago? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 9:09 pm: The - @MisterJayEm - rule on - Anonymous - is in full display. Yes, - Anonymous - is commenting on - Anonymous -’s comment. Pick a name already, any or all of you. - Norseman - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 10:13 pm: === Has Madigan acknowledged his responsibility and role in all this yet? === If he did would you change your attitude. NO. And it doesn’t matter if Rauner takes responsibility for the devastation he’s unleashed on the state. We need Rauner to release his hostages and start negotiating a budget. - Norseman - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 10:14 pm: Sorry Willy, I forgot. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 10:26 pm: - Norseman - You’ve dragged me out of more troll traps… Now watch 3 different - Anonymous - comment on this, lol - Rabid - Monday, Mar 21, 16 @ 11:15 pm: Mission accomplished my govenor is the “baddest negotiator” just like he said he would be. Holy week is filled up try Passover - anon - Tuesday, Mar 22, 16 @ 12:02 am: When the goal of a party is complete capitulation of the other party — or worse, total humiliation — then no one-on-one meeting will make a difference. Only when both parties are willing to give a bit, and find a way for the other party to walk away with some measure of a win, can a deal be found. I suspect that be neither side is there yet. So a one-on-one meeting will be good theater, but unproductive, if I am right. Both sides believe they are right on the merits, and maybe also the politics. Both are stubborn by nature. …and so it goes. - Me too - Tuesday, Mar 22, 16 @ 12:49 am: I’m done. I no longer have faith in our government. People will starve, universities will close, and unemployment will rise. It won’t change a thing. Illinois is headed further down a dark path, further. I didn’t think it possible. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Mar 22, 16 @ 9:08 am: The Governor has made his political fight personal. Naturally he believes that he needs to go toe-to-toe to the man he has been demonizing since 2013. If Madigan takes him up on this, he would be following a role Rauner has created for him with his millions in television ads. There is a normal way of resolving conflict, but we don’t have a normal governor. Some applauding that need to rethink what they are really getting with this Rauner guy. Rauner isn’t giving us better government, he is destroying government and calling it better. 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