Question of the day
Thursday, Feb 9, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
WBEZ Chicago’s new monthly segment, Ask the Governor, will give listeners a rare opportunity to have their questions answered directly by Gov. Bruce Rauner, who will be live in WBEZ’s studio. WBEZ 91.5 FM is the only media outlet in Illinois with access to the governor in this capacity. The first segment airs tomorrow, Feb. 10 at 9:00 a.m. on WBEZ’s live weekday talk show, The Morning Shift. If you miss the live broadcast, it will be available for streaming on-demand at wbez.org or on the WBEZ app.
Hosted by The Morning Shift’s Tony Sarabia, Ask the Governor aims to promote government transparency by providing constituents with real-time insights on the Illinois political landscape.
Listeners will be able to submit their questions by calling the studio line at (312) 923-9239 and by posting to WBEZ’s Facebook page.
“We need to work together to move our state forward, which is why I’m thrilled about this open dialogue with Illinois residents,” said Gov. Rauner. “I’m looking forward to a spirited, and productive, discussion that results in a spectrum of ideas about how we get our state back on track.”
“As always, we’re big proponents of transparency, accountability and productive, open-minded public conversation—values that are especially important right now,” said Vice President of Content and Programming Ben Calhoun. “We’re pleased to have the governor at WBEZ to connect him with the public for what we imagine will be very substantive, meaningful conversations.”
This new segment is an ideal fit for The Morning Shift as it will rely heavily on authentic engagement with listeners on-air and via social media to stimulate conversations with a local and regional impact.
The Ask the Governor segment is just another example of the unique, thought provoking programming that WBEZ Chicago is committed to producing for its listeners. This further aligns with the station’s mission to keep listeners engaged and informed through the production of high quality journalism.
Further scheduling for Ask the Governor will be announced at the end of February.
For video from the live broadcast, please contact the Illinois Office of Communications and Information at 217-782-xxxx or contact xxx xxx at xxx.xxxx@illinois.gov or 312-xxx-xxxx. Video will also be available for download at the Illinois Department of Central Management Services website.
* The Question: Your question for Gov. Rauner?
- JoeMaddon - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
WBEZ is now doing free campaign time for Rauner’s reelection campaign?
Are they going to offer the same thing to the Dems?
- Sick & Tired - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
When will you stop complaining and campaigning and start governing?
- CCP Hostage - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
When are you going to honor your signed contracts by allowing your allies in the General Assembly to negotiate an appropriation that will pay human service providers?
- Will Stevenson -- WTAX - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:21 pm:
Why limit yourself to one radio station, Governor? WTAX has a standing invitation for the Governor to appear anytime it works in his schedule.
- Bill L - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
Have you read the Illinois Constitution?
- AUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
@Sick & Tired: Surely you meant to ask when Rauner was “gonna stop complainin’ and campaignin’ and start governin’,” right?
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
Why do you drop your g’s? I have seen and heard you speak many times before you ran for governor and you never did it before?
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:25 pm:
When is your next Facebook live broadcast?
- IL-6 voter - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
Rahm had his 1 hour stint last month on every radio station in Chicago so let Bruce have his.
Did Madigan give you a $500 clock since you only have a $12 watch on your wrist?
- Sick & Tired - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
@AUG. Good point. He might not understand my question if it doesn’t sound folksy enough.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
Why do you sabotage every attempt at compromise?
- Handle Bar Mustache - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:27 pm:
How do you reconcile your general opposition to public employee unions with your history at GTCR profiting from public employee pension systems?
- Anonymiss - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
You claim that you don’t pay much attention to politics, so why did you just contribute $50 million to your own campaign? If politics isn’t important to you, aren’t there better causes for that money?
- Gooner - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
Honestly, I have no questions for Gov. Rauner.
He has shown over the past two years that he’s not serious about the Illinois budget. Why bother talking to him about it?
In 2018, the voters will speak. Until then, I don’t expect him to say anything of interest.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
Is it true that the State, which you are chief executive officer of, has not paid Ounce of Prevention, which your wife is chief executive of, for services that Ounce has provided pursuant to a contract? And that as a result Ounce would be experiencing financial difficulties if JB Pritzker hadn’t generously donated $5 million to Ounce?
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
If you had it to do over, would you have ran for Governor knowing what you do now?
- austinman - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
tell the truth do you really want to do a budget? I am hearing that you will primary republican members if they vote for the grand bargain, is this true?
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
How is Illinois demonstrably better today than when you took office?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
If you’re so open and transparent, why don’t you take calls cold, rather than filter out those that you might find “offensive”, that is, those that expose your many, many faults as a …..I was going to say Governor, but you don’t govern.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
Apropos of this,, I’d ask the governor, “Which legislators did you meet and what were the subject areas of discussion?”
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
An education experiment in Chicago Heights involving the “Freakonomics” economists at University of Chicago using a form of merit pay showed immense promise. CTU’s president has vowed never to allow the experiment to be repeated (let alone implementing such a program). Given the historic tech disruption of jobs which experts predict is only getting worse, why won’t you trade education reform for other items on your turnaround agenda.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
Governor Rauner, we are all familiar with your opinion of Speaker Madigan and his failure to pass a balanced budget. Given the fact that the state’s backlog of unpaid bills has risen by seven billion dollars since you have taken office, what responsibility do you personally feel for that?
- Handle Bar Mustache - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:39 pm:
You have acknowledged that a large portion of your personal wealth is attributable to government contracts. How do you respond to critics who label you a “government profiteer” who has gotten rich from “insider deals”?
(Background:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130406/ISSUE01/304069983/rauners-love-hate-relationship-with-pension-funds
“…GTCR has raised a significant portion of its money, perhaps the largest percentage, from public pension funds. They supplied half to two-thirds of the firm’s funds, by Mr. Rauner’s estimate.” )
- No Longer A Lurker - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
You contribute to both IPI and Dan Proft’s organizations. How much influence does your money have in what both these two organizations say about Illinois policies? By the way don’t tell me none!
- Stumpy's bunker - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
What childhood trauma led to your unnatural disdain for those who work for the public good?
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Governor, how dare you?
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
Is the state better off now or if you had accepted available reforms and passed a full budget?
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
Wow, if this doesn’t drive liberal support to defund public broadcasting, nothing will. /s
- Jocko - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
In 2012, you were quoted as saying “I think we can drive a wedge in the Democratic Party on the topic (of social service, social justice, and the bigger role of government in the safety net)”
In 2014, Diana says in your commercial, “Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda.”
Now two years into your administration, which statement rings true?
- Downstater - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:56 pm:
Governor, why should anyone have any hope that things will get better in Illinois? Please do not mention anyone named Madigan in your answer.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
“You’ve done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
- Buster crab - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
It doesn’t matter what the Governor says: none of it can be believed. I wouldn’t trust him any further than I could throw his wallet.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
If you had it to do over, would you have called for the temporary income tax to be extended?
- Oh, Please! - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
What one nice thing can you say about your predecessor? Did you get anything wrong about Quinn before you stepped in his shoes as Governor?
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
I blew my opportunity with a good question when he did the Facebook live thingy. My question was “when can we expect your budget presentation?” (meaning when can we expect your budget?). He actually acknowledged the question but all he did was do some long spiel on the State of the State and he gave the dates of the budget address. I am still kicking myself.
- IllinoisBoi - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
Do you really think you’re fooling anyone?
- Handle Bar Mustache - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
When your campaign ads said you had “no social agenda” - were you just talking about gays and abortion?
Would you acknowledge that the budget fiasco has had a social impact?
Is it possible to be Governor of Illinois and not have a social agenda?
- UISer - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
Why do you spend so much time at Springfield area high school sports events? When do you legitimately work on the budget? How much time do you spend on the actual issues? How can you stand Stag?
Sorry, more than one.
- Cook County Commoner - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Are there plans to include forensic accounting as a mandatory subject in Illinois high schools and junior colleges so our young people understand what really happened here?
- Cheswick - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
Do you regret taking the state down the path to ruin?
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
What are your top 3 demands for a budget deal and when will you start engaging in talks to actually get a deal done?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
You’ve called for term limits for legislators and you’ve said that term limits would be appropriate for the executive branch. If you win reelection, you’ll serve 8 years as governor. Longer than either of your last two predecessors. Will this next race for governor be your last race for governor? Will it be someome else’s turn then?
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
Do you think things have improved or worsened under your watch?
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
How long can you talk before uttering “Madigan?”
- ash - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Why did you pretend that a compromise budget was a possibility and then derail it?
- Blue Bayou - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Where’s the money, Lebowski!!??
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:17 pm:
What are you wearing?
- Ray del Camino - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
Release the hostages!
- Whatever - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
Governor, it has been reported that over 30,000 card-carrying members of AF-Scammy who are employed by your administration over two years after you took office. How do you explain this to the great people of this State?
- filmmaker prof - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:35 pm:
there is only one question, and I sure hope it gets asked (and he is forced to give a direct answer):
where is your balanced budget?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
What is your revised projected ROI, both fiscal and in economic growth, if your Turnaround Agenda is adopted?
If you don’t have one, on what basis do you justify the current fiscal and economic damage that you’re doing to the state?
- Arock - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
Why do you think Madigan hates the average person in Illinois so much that he will not compromise on any of your agenda? I mean he doesn’t act like it is that important to solve the pension debt problem that exploded during his tenure. Can we afford Madigan’s agenda of only raising taxes to solve the budget problems?
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
Governor, it’s been over a year since you announced the creation of your private economic development organization. You took the best and brightest at DCEO and moved them to Intersect. What have been the tangible benefits to the state that your private organization created?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:05 pm:
How does impugning madigan archive a budget?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
Do you ever lie to the people of Illinois?
Do you always tell the truth to the people of Illinois?
If #1 is no and #2 is yes, how can we know that #2 the truth?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:09 pm:
What year in your term do you become responsible?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
You fibbed about your election night phone call, why should anyone believe anything you have to say?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:17 pm:
Was the rejection of munger a rejection of the turnaround?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:20 pm:
Why is the hiring of munger not patronage?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
Why do you hate AFSCME so much?
- cracked screen - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
You told the Tribune you were a member of the top .01% of income earners in the country. What are the disadvantages of being a member of the top .01% of income earners in the country?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
Can we believe anything you say? Because your actions tell one story while your mouth tells another.
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
Now that you have cowed the ILGOP, what else are you going to be doing to the republican’t party?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
How I’d you pence and Halley help each other when your focused like a laser on reforms in Illinois?
- Hottot - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:25 pm:
Gov. Rauner, were you intending to make public your contract proposal to AFSCME on pages 186-188 where you would get the ability for unlimited privatization without having to show cost savings?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
Is right to work wrong?
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
You’re doing this call-in show with Chicago’s NPR affiliate, but President Trump has indicated he plans to defund public broadcasting. Do you support the President’s plan, and if NPR is defunded, to whom will you grant future call-in opportunities for voters?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:28 pm:
Who is the president of the US?
Why won’t you say his name?
What evidence is there that Trump is going to help Illinois when you didn’t support him during the campaign?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:30 pm:
Do you vist your money in the cayman islands?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
Did you commit fraud when your agencies signed contracts for social services, knowing full well that you were going to veto the budgets and forced them to work without payment?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
How much money will the turnaround agenda put in my pocket?
- dr. reason a, goodwin - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
So, the Governor only cares what Chicago area listeners think?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:40 pm:
Do you believe in family values?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:43 pm:
When does I just got here get old?
- titan - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 4:50 pm:
You publicly have supportive words for the Senate’s work on the so-called Grand Compromise, but your bought-and-paid-for attack dogs are trashing it and the GOP Senators.
Which side are you really on?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:13 pm:
With Higher Education, what is the dollar amount, you as Governor, feel is the correct funding for Higher Education in Illinois?
Are you committed to Eastern Illinois University?
How do you see Western Illinois University handling challenges to its accreditation.
How will you account for nearly $800 million lost in the funding for the U if I system?
Any of those for my “One”
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
Your legacy good Friday massacre a mistake?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:20 pm:
Would you tolerate your behavior if you were the boss?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:46 pm:
May I please have $1 million?
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:52 pm:
Can you see though peoples clothes with your laser vision?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 7:28 pm:
What mistakes have you made?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 7:34 pm:
With your high priced Ivy league college education, why do you drop your g’s?
Who are you trying to bamboozle when you drop your g’s?
Do you have a staff assistant following along behind you to sweep up your g’s? Do you recycle them?
Do you actually think that you are a “man of the people” when you wear your costumes?
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 7:34 pm:
Do you buy your own pants?
- Huh? - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 7:35 pm:
The national leader of your party has already files paperwork to run for re-election. Are you going to support him the next time around?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 8:22 pm:
What does it feel like to actually own a statewide political party?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 8:28 pm:
Are you feeling OK? I watched your state employee video today on the YouTube. You looked and sounded a little bit dismayed.
- A Citizen for True Democracy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:30 pm:
Bruce, Last week when you were at the Koch brothers conference did Charles indicate he was happy with the way you are handling Illinois keeping it in disarray? How much money did he commit to you to keep up the good work?
- Annie - Friday, Feb 10, 17 @ 8:12 am:
I would like to know when I can start receiving medical care again since the state has not paid for any of my medical care for the last 2 years?
- PDJT - Friday, Feb 10, 17 @ 8:58 am:
Governor, you say Illinois needs governmental reforms in order to grow economically.
What effect, would you say, not having a budget for two years, and the unpaid bills and credit downgrades we have endured as a result, has had on Illinois’ economic growth?