* The discourse in this country and in this state is simply out of hand. And our leaders ought to know better than to say things like this…

Rauner claimed his political opponents “have so many voices. You’ve got agencies. You’ve got unions. You’ve got elected officials. You’ve got patronage folks inside my administration. And I’m fighting some of the legacy of the old Republican Party, who are bombing me. I’ve got the Democratic Party bombing me. I’ve got the media bombing me.

“I’ve got World War III on seven levels.”

Bombing you? Seriously, dude?

The comments were made yesterday before the horrific Dallas ambush, but I’ve been worrying for a while now that Illinoisans’ anger, while certainly at least partially justified, is being irresponsibly stoked by all sides for their own political purposes. I’m truly and sincerely frightened that we’re gonna end up with a Jo Cox situation here. During the Memorial Day weekend session, there were times when nobody was in the guardhouse at the entrance to the Statehouse’s southern parking lot and it made me more nervous than I ever expected.

So, please, everybody, think before you speak.

/rant