* Greg Hinz…
A political consultant who has played a prominent role in the Springfield battle between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has abruptly lost a job promoting a candidate for a huge food concession at Midway International Airport in Madigan’s Southwest Side district.
Though no one involved wants to publicly say much about it, multiple inside sources report that Chicago-based Resolute Consulting, a firm headed by Greg Goldner, recently was dropped from its position as a media and marketing advisor to SSP America.
SSP is the lead company in a venture that’s expected to soon land a roughly $250 million deal selling food and retail items at the airport. But the deal has not yet closed, and could have problems with the city if it attracts political fire.
SSP dropped Goldner “because they saw him as a liability,” says one source familiar with the matter who asked not to be named. “SSP did not want to create any trouble now.”
Goldner, of course, runs IllinoisGO, which heavily backed Dunkin in his 68-32 Democratic primary loss. As part of that effort, the group paid for a million-dollar TV buy that included a nasty swipe at hizzoner.
Greg goes on to note the important fact that Midway Airport is in Madigan’s district and reports that the mayor’s office denied widespread rumors that Emanuel was personally involved in this.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:05 am:
Ooh that’s some mean karma comin’ back around.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:06 am:
Elections have consequences.
Sally Tessio chose a side, he found out when your on the losing side, you lose too.
I’m guessing Resolute Consulting will find a state contract or 9 to lobby for that might have a more sympathetic ear…
- Not It - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:07 am:
I’m sure the Speaker would NEVER get involved in such a matter, just like he would NEVER require public agencies to hire his friends and relatives or lose their funding. Nope, not possible at all.
- chi - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:09 am:
It’s entirely possible SSP just observed the awful results Goldner achieved in the Dunkin PR campaign and decided they could do better.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:11 am:
Resolute hasn’t “dropped” SSP yet (still lists them on their website)-
http://www.resoluteconsulting.com/Bio/ssp-america/
****
I agree with Honeybear- KARMA!
- pool boy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:14 am:
Another compelling reason for term limits.
- Hedley Lamarr - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:16 am:
Tell him, It was only business.
- Peets - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:16 am:
Resolute needs a new Risk Management Officer
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:17 am:
===Another compelling reason for term limits.===
Recently…
===
Madigan said term limits are administered by voters –who can choose to retain an elected official or not at the ballot box.
“Members of your political party and Gov. Rauner subjected me to a vote of the people in the last primary election, and I won overwhelmingly. Thank you very much,” Madigan told Sandack.===
Question?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:22 am:
–Another compelling reason for term limits.–
Huh?
Goldner knows what business he’s chosen. If you’re a clout-hustler, you better be able to show you have it.
His last play might be the worst of both worlds for him. Honked off his former clout (Emanuel) and failed miserably for his current clout (Rauner).
But I don’t think you’ll need to be holding any bake sales for Goldner anytime soon.
- pool boy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:27 am:
Willy and Word, you are smarter than this. Many politicians run unopposed. How do we vote them out, write in or find a candidate? Get real.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:31 am:
===Many politicians run unopposed.===
Madigan didn’t in March, but you already know that. The millions used to defeat Madigan too wasn’t an accident either.
===How do we vote them out, write in or find a candidate? Get real.===
The 22nd District supported Madigan.
No need to get real, the results said so.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:39 am:
Occupational hazard.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:42 am:
No bake sales is right on. He’ll live to slight another day.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:43 am:
“How do we vote them out, write in or find a candidate? Get real.”
If an office holder is so popular in his district that the other party won’t even run a candidate against him or her, then how do you justify taking away the voters’ right to keep re-electing that office holder for as long as he or she is willing to serve?
- Mr. Smith - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:43 am:
Pool boy….for the record I despise term limits at all levels of “elected” offices. Elections every 2-4 years do the trick. If you want to see someone voted out, launch a campaign or find a candidate. Many good government types (goo-goo’s) started out this way. Term limits are instituted by lazy people who don’t want to get informed. The problem is an uninformed electorate, not career politians.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:44 am:
hey Steppenwolf subscribers, Resolute has your theater listed as a client. jeez.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:46 am:
–Willy and Word, you are smarter than this.–
That’s a relief. Because I have no idea what your “term limits” comment has to do with this thread, at all.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:48 am:
Though this is NOT an argument for term limits, let the record show:
1) The majority of those same voters in Madigan’s district favor term limits (yes, we know this: if 80% of the voters statewide favor term limits it would take a bizarre skew for that to drop under 50% in a district as large as a state senate district).
2) The 22nd District indeed supported Madigan, and though his district is gerrymandered, it would strain credulity to argue that he wouldn’t have won against *this* opponent in a fairly drawn district.
3) Of course, while “the 22nd District supported Madigan,” there was a certain other election where the voters of the state supported someone with an opposing agenda. http://www.jillonmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/11767800513_6f4115f2c1_o.jpg
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Ignore the troll and move along.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Mr Smith +1
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:54 am:
More like “IllinoisGO home and get your shine box,” amirite?
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 9:57 am:
To the Post,
How do you add clients, prove your worth where you can best serve their interest.
You pick a side, you face the possibility of losing clients, same as you hope to win clients with your gaining influence.
No one is shedding a tear, and I know while this is a “big” blow, Resolute will reap other contracts by being loyal to the side they chose.
It is, indeed, an occupational hazard. It’s also the business they chose too.
No one is going to miss a meal, no one is shutting the doors on the business.
It’s noteworthy as it is another “elections have consequences” fallout.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:00 am:
What we don’t know is who, if anyone, Resolute paid for help with ILGo money. Goldner’s worked with a lot of people over the years and he had a lot of money to spend… I doubt it ends with Resolute…
- paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Its pretty shocking that Goldner would go all in like he did. When he was announced as the head of IllinoisGo, I thought that it would be a pretty tricky balancing act to be working for the Governor and still be in good graces with the Mayor. I can see now that he was unable to pull it off. Such is war.
- Albany Park Patriot - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:03 am:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Joe Biden Was Here - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Cue Nelson Muntz….
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Mr. Goldner shows up at the 13 second mark …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asxr5v9arH4
- Touré's Latte - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:04 am:
With all the budget hysteria, good to see some things get back to normal.
OW said== “Members of your political party and Gov. Rauner subjected me to a vote of the people in the last primary election, and I won overwhelmingly. Thank you very much,” Madigan told Sandack.==
LOL Was Sandack Madigan’s “+1″ until Rauner came along with a richer leash and made him Bruce’s attack chihuahua? Now Sandack has an opponent in Greg Hose. It would be rich to see Madigan lay down some of his “three steps ahead” maneuverings in that race.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Sometimes when you play with fire you’re going to get burned. Maybe someday Goldner will make it near an extinguisher.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:15 am:
it was a bit of a trap for resolute hinestly, support the side with huge dollars who holds the gov office, or drop that client because unlimited money could still lose….. hindsight is always 20/20 but backing dunkin would have looked like the smart bet….
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:19 am:
Michelle Flaherty, FTW.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:20 am:
Payback is a &^%$#
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:36 am:
The folks I know over there used to deny their IllinoisGO work was at the behest of Rauner. It wasn’t credible then. And now their failure has cost them a major account. Cue world’s tiniest violin.
- Not Alan Keyes - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:37 am:
Only in illinois do we tolerate political paybacks as acceptable business as usual.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:39 am:
===Only in illinois do we tolerate political paybacks as acceptable business as usual===
Did you really just fall off the turnip truck?
- Driver - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:40 am:
If this were Rauner, every comment would be about a billionaire bully lashing out at a mere political opponent.
But since it’s Madigan, the rationalization kicks in. He had it coming, he knew the risks, that’s the business he chose…
Nobody wants to talk about whether or not a taxpayer funded contract at a public institution is going to the best provider or not. Why are so many Chicago public services so frustratingly inept? Exhibit A.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:44 am:
Speaker Madigan and Mayor Rahm did not have to personally call or talk to anyone about this in private.
Madigan did it publicly at a press conference!
- cgo75 - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 10:55 am:
This is the stuff that you’ve got to love about the game of politics in Illinois! While other states probably aren’t envious of this system, I think it’s one of the things that makes us unique
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:01 am:
Goldberg is an adult who has enough friends to take care of him when these things happen.
That is partly the reason why he got involved. He isn’t a victim.
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:04 am:
First Bryce Benton and now Greg Goldner. The payback machine rolls on…
- cdog - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:05 am:
Illinois politics? meh.
‘You reap what you sow’ has been around since the beginning of human time.
- BluegrassBoy - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:11 am:
===Only in illinois do we tolerate political paybacks as acceptable business as usual===
“Only in Illinois” except for thousands of years of human history including all political systems everywhere ever.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:12 am:
This is not Goldner’s first trip to the rodeo. He knew this was a likely outcome, and I’m sure he negotiated an agreement that offsets this loss, and others that may come down the pike.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:14 am:
===Only in illinois do we tolerate political paybacks as acceptable business as usual===
Adam and Eve flipped and went with the snake. They got kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
- Present - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Live by the sword die by the sword.
- cover - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:23 am:
A big thank you to Michelle Flaherty for providing that link to a great flashback.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:40 am:
From February 13, 2012, Chicago Tribune:
“A political consulting firm with close ties to Mayor Rahm Emanuel has funded and helped organize community groups and faith leaders on behalf of the mayor’s contentious education agenda as a counterweight to fierce opposition from the Chicago Teachers Union.
“Watkins said he has received money from Resolute… Goldner acknowledged giving money to Watkins and other groups, but declined to say to whom or how much.
“No one at the mayor’s office, no one at CPS has asked us to do this,” Goldner said. “We were doing this before this administration was in City Hall, and before the leadership at CPS now was in CPS. So our involvement predates this administration.”
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-13/news/ct-met-emanuel-consulting-firm-20120213_1_education-agenda-consulting-firm-mayor-rahm-emanuel
So if Rahm did ask for this… and CPS didn’t ask for this… then who asked for this? The Chicago Public Education Fund? And who was heavily involved at the Fund at the time? If not the Fund… someone else?
- Not Alan Keyes - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:45 am:
Not naive. Just wish for better.
- Freddy K - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 11:52 am:
“Clout hustler” — Well put, Wordslinger.
- Chicago Bars - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 12:10 pm:
“Did you really just fall off the turnip truck?”
Was a great and badly needed laugh today. Thank you Mr Miller.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 12:40 pm:
“ya rolls the dice and ya takes your chances.” Res Con feel the burn?
- walker - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
Where’s IllinoisGO now?
- Formerpol - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
This is why we need term limits for Speaker - Illinois will never recover while Madigan is in charge.
- Formerpol - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
Also amazes me how so many of these posters think that this is OK.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Apr 27, 16 @ 2:30 pm:
Oh Geez, term limits again?? You sir are a day late and a dollar short….