109 Comments - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:19 pm: So….He’s been holding out on bringing businesses in till he gets his way? - How Ironic - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:21 pm: He’s like Mitt Romney…He’s got binder’s full of business’ that are just dying to get into Illinois. But he’s holding off bringing them in until it’s the perfect time. Right….. - How Ironic - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:22 pm: In other words, he’s pretty much been sitting on his duff NOT recruiting business but ‘trust’ him he’ll be on it soon enough. - RNUG - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:22 pm: And I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I’ll sell you … - Dr X - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:23 pm: Dear Governor Should labor have any rights or influence in the workplace? Should labor have any protections in the workplace? When unions no longer exist, what other job killin’ laws will you advocate against? - Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:23 pm: Yeah, Gov., you can understand why I’d be a little leery of your grandiose generalizations. If you could provide signed affidavits from just 10 of those companies stating they’re waiting for Right To Work before locating to IL that’d be great. - ste_with_av_en - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:24 pm: With Trump in the white house, a still conservative Supreme Court, some unions taking deals and a possible strike, he’s not wrong to be confident. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:27 pm: Dear Labor, This is your “Wake Up Call” Rauner is pushing to destroy you, yet again, and now is making you the “bad” of Illinois. What are you prepared to do? - Rogue Roni - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:30 pm: I’m guess he’s talking manufacturing jobs. That’s laughable. If you want a job in a factory fire up the time machine. Now to create the workforce of the 21st century you should be helping higher ed. Not what Rauner is interested in. - Chicago 20 - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:35 pm: It’s a Federal case yet if “we” win the case then Illinois will be the benefactor of “hundreds of companies” re-locating to Illinois. I call. Put up or shut up. - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:38 pm: We WILL have national right to work probably this year. I welcome it. It will separate the wheat from the chaff It will hurt yes but force us to rebuild from the ground up. I also read an article last year that RTW may ironically free unions from the current political contribution constraints. Thus union money in the age of citizens United may be considered free speech. Unintended consequences. But that’s not the point I want to make. Rauner thinks that once we have RTW that companies will flock to Illinois. Well doofus every state will have it. What advantage will bring them here then? Seriously, our state has been destroyed regardless of by how much and when and by whom. That’s irrelevant. We are a ruin. It’s going to take decades to repair. Our advantage of cheap labor will be for naught. Rauner through no budget hostage taking has fouled our state. Why would companies come here? It’s a lie. Intersect Illinois failed. They only have two employees and never got 501c3 status. If they have been making deals they have been doing so illegally and in a non foia manner. Our Sorry State as Rich says Fabled companies lining up is a dog whistle at best An outright lie at worst. RTW will bring about the Second Coming of Labor - Blue dog dem - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:43 pm: Honey. Spot on. - illini - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:46 pm: I think I understand - there will be hundreds of companies moving to Illinois if only we get rid of AFSCME, “fair share”, and establish local “right to work” zones. I thought the “job creators” were excited about term limits, redistricting reform and a property tax freeze. I guess they do not care that Illinois owes its vendors over $14 Billion, has the largest unfunded pension liability in the nation, is funding Higher Ed at 50% of the level of 3 years ago and that the Governor has never proposed a balanced budget. Obviously, I could go on. I forgot it is all “Because Madigan”. I guess many are still drinking his Kool-Aid. - dave2dogs - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:47 pm: Just wondering what flavor Kool-Aid they were serving there… - Tommydanger - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:49 pm: If he had said, “I want us to be just like Mississippi”, I wonder how many people would have clapped. - Union proud - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:50 pm: If Illinois allows RTW zones it is doubtful Chicago would ever pass it. Yet compainies keep relocating to Chicago anyways. It’s as if there are other things that “get companies excited…” /s - wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:53 pm: Hundreds now? Yesterday it was dozens. Only a HS diploma required for employment, I take it. And no continuing vocational education opportunities necessary. - Common Sense - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:58 pm: Anybody with some common sense knows that in order to attract business you need to have an environment that is friendly to opening and operating business. This DOES NOT mean corporate welfare. Quite the opposite. We all know IL ranks towards the bottom of nearly economic well being metric. Once we change that, our Gov will be able to much more easily attract businesses. After all, who would want to come to IL with all the corruption, debt, and high costs of operating business when they can go somewhere else lacking those things? It’s common sense people. Stop being so partisan. With more business, comes more revenue. Something our state desperately needs. - Gruntled University Employee - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:58 pm: ==Hundreds now? Yesterday it was dozens.== This guy has proven time and again that math eludes him. Heck, he can’t even count to 30 let alone 60. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:00 pm: ===Anybody with some common sense knows… === … a state lacking a budget two straight years isn’t stable enough to attract businesses… … except Chicago still seems to be attracting businesses and cranes are seen building buildings downtown and elsewhere too. Good try thou. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:06 pm: He’s probably not wrong here. What he leaves out though is that wages will plummet to the minimum. Which means the next step is to raise the state minimum wage. If only labor had the foresight to focus on that fight. - illinoised - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:07 pm: Dear Governor Rauner, Since taking office you have only campaigned. Do you know how to govern? If so, when do you plan to begin? - Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:10 pm: Had to be awkward for the Republican AFSCME members who attended the dinner. - Harlon Katz - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:11 pm: Unfortunately, businesses will still be wary of coming to IL due to other largess by the Democrats that put us in the financial situation we are in now. Their quid-pro-quo relationship with the public sector unions has left IL on the edge of what would be considered bankruptcy if states were allowed to go bankrupt. The only hope is that eventually things will get so bad that the “promises” made by democrats to unions at the expense of the taxpayer will be able to be put off so that the state can actually pay services to taxpayers. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:16 pm: =provide signed affidavits from just 10 of those companies= Companies always cite some vague or minimal reason when they move to RTW states and never credit labor policy. A lot of you here take that as proof RTW has no impact, I believe it’s to avoid bad PR or even boycotts. - Living it daily - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:23 pm: so we become a RTW state, don’t believe the minimum wage will go up, instead all the townships, municipalities, cities, will require licenses to operate just like Mississippi, and they are saying that is keeping them from excelling now, so give up the unions, still have lower minimum wages, and then have to navigate, pay or not work in the state. what a venture capitalists opportunity Illinois will be then. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:23 pm: =Had to be awkward for the Republican AFSCME members who attended the dinner.= Are there any left? The Trump-supporting, gun- loving, Republican AFSCME members I know all regret voting for Rauner and trash him every chance they get. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:24 pm: Paging Avery Bourne. How’s this play with all the union Republicans in your district? - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:26 pm: Ha. “Union republican.” That’s rich. - Mouthy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:26 pm: - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 12:38 pm: We WILL have national right to work probably this year. Not unless the Senate does away with the filibusterer completely. Rauner’s doing pretty good with bringing companies to Springfield. I think he’s created two warehouse companies recently and I’d bet there’s more coming.. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:28 pm: Where was the fundraiser at and how big of a turnout Rich may I ask ? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:30 pm: ===Ha. “Union republican.” That’s rich.=== I’m a Republican and believe in the Reagan Democrats that are conservative trade laborers. Being blind to the conservative trade labor members that are Republicans isn’t too smart to the politics, even now with Rauner. Rauner is risking the loss of the trades, but, Rauner wants organized labor eliminated, so there’s that… - chi - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:31 pm: California, Massachusetts, New York, these states are just crumbling from the lack of right-to-work for less laws! Have you been to any of these states lately? No businesses operate there, tumbleweeds blow down the street. All the good jobs are in Mississippi and Alabama, where the good labor laws are… - The Dude Abides - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:32 pm: @Harlan, thanks for the laugh in stating that the Unions are responsible for bankrupting the state. What’s got us in trouble is being a higher than average spending state with lower than average state income tax to support that spending. - Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:32 pm: Robert the 1st, They can regret it all they want, but more importantly they taught PQ a lesson. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:37 pm: Oswego, if you truly believe there’s a way to be pro-Labor yet also adhere to any or all of the following conservative tenets: pro-business, pro-free market, anti-regulation, or anti-big government…then you just aren’t being honest with yourself. - Cellini Dion - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:38 pm: If you believe that, I’ve got a couple of warehouses to lease you at 400% above market rates. Bill Cellini. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:39 pm: - A State Employee Guy - How do you explain Local 150? “No, I’ll wait, thanks… “ - chi - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:42 pm: How politicians have been able to get away with claiming rtw is some kind of economic panacea is beyond me. States and countries with lax labor laws are, on par, far poorer, with far worse health outcomes, educational outcomes, civic institutions, economies, and quality of life than states and countries with strong labor laws. To let rich right-wingers get away with such a blatant money grab takes a stunningly willful ignorance on the part of voters and the media. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:44 pm: You have to be pro-big government to support unions? You forgot gun control and abortion. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:44 pm: Very easily: they aren’t Republicans. They are Democratcic laborers. - anon2 - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:44 pm: Add to his flipflop on abortion his flipflop on these promises: “I am not anti-union, that’s a false statement by my opponents.” Bruce Rauner, from a January 2014 appearance on Robert Rees’ Bloomington Cities 92.9FM show “Pushing any specific labor regulation is not my priority at all,” Rauner was quoted in regards to right-to-work, Illinois Radio Network, 10-17-14. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:46 pm: ===Very easily: they aren’t Republicans. They are Democratcic laborers=== lol, that, I think would be news to them. I think saying the Operating Engineers align with Democrats is the funest thing I’ve read… today. - Carhartt Union Negotiating Team - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:48 pm: It pains me to say that RTW cases are likely to fall to the favor of the “free market” fans (love this badge of honor label they use…child labor, patronage, slavery, anyone?) Honeybear is also correct. RTW is not an end to unions. If will require really hard organizing and engagement, but it will not be the end. I don’t welcome it, but it ain’t the end. Finally, I really, really, really want to know what’s at the core of Rauners hatred for organized labor. I’m really curious because it’s not “political” for him, it’s vengeful…a real bloodthirsty hate. Those who have been forced to engage with him either via business or government have mentioned that his obsession to destroy organized labor is insane. So, what happened? I find it fascinating to know what exactly it is that requires him to not just crusade against labor - but become a Governor to end labor? What did organized labor do? What’s the one act that turned him from just another greedy, sociopathic, out of touch money-maker to such a committed crusader? It’s not political. It’s something beyond that. Something really powerful. And, it’s twisted as hell. But I sure would like to know what it is. - JS Mill - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:52 pm: =Anybody with some common sense knows that in order to attract business you need to have an environment that is friendly to opening and operating business. This DOES NOT mean corporate welfare. Quite the opposite. We all know IL ranks towards the bottom of nearly economic well being metric.= First, where does the corporate/business nirvana that is Mississippi rank economically against the other 49 states? Shouldn’t they be number one instead of 36th by your metric? Illinois’ GDP continues to grow at about the same percentage rate, although slightly behind, our neighbors. That said, the disparity in GDP between Illinois and Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana (just to name a few) continues to grow dollar for dollar. Illinois economy is about the same size as Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin combined. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:52 pm: Oswego– just because someone calls them self something does not make them that thing. Google “Rachel Dolezal” for a primer. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:56 pm: ===just because someone calls them self something does not make them that thing. Google “Rachel Dolezal” for a primer=== Oh - A State Employee Guy -, Use the search key at the Illinois Board of Elections, see where Local 150 has donated in the races. Are you that unaware? - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:57 pm: I about spit my coffee on the Rachel Dolezal comment. Good one. - zatoichi - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 1:57 pm: Name 3 companies ready to come right now. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:00 pm: The majority of the private-sector union guys I know vote Republican. Maybe just under half of the downstate state employees. I don’t know a whole bunch of cops, but the 3 I know are all Republican too. - Memo From Turner - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:02 pm: ==I also read an article last year that RTW may ironically free unions from the current political contribution constraints. Thus union money in the age of citizens United may be considered free speech. Unintended consequences= Hard to make political contributions without dues money. Right to work is a right to not exist for Unions. - Jocko - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:02 pm: Just out of curiosity, is there an “APPLAUSE” light that goes on cue or are there people in the audience monitoring the enthusiasm level for our fearless leader? - Power House Prowler - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:03 pm: Fyi. There are two kinds of people in union building trades. Those that are engineers and those that want to be. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:05 pm: Yes and Dolezeal changed her name to NKECHI AMARE DIALLO, but that still doesn’t make her black. Likewise, if you are a Union and donate to a Repblican candidate but exist to further the economic tenets of the Democratic Party, then that doesn’t make you Republican. It makes you confused. - Scamp640 - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:06 pm: We’re going to become Illabama. Yay! Oh, wait. - Trey92 - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:08 pm: @Robert the 1st Seriously, quit complaining already. The majority of private sector union guys I know also know I vote what my consensus says at the time. Firefighters and police are public sector employees. Don’t use the “putting the life on the line” argument to expect an exception to the rules and then pin them against the same people they work with. Either offer a solution or move to another state already. - hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:08 pm: @Oswego Willy - Way too late for a labor wake up call. Card Check under Obama’s first term was their last chance to thrive again. Defeating Trump last November was their last chance to survive as a meaningful part of civic and econonic life. With Gorsuch in place we’re going back to the Lochner Era and labor and all labor’s battles of the 1900s will have to be re-fought. Can’t stand Rauner but he is 100% right about what the pro-corporate SCOTUS has in store for us. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:09 pm: - A State Employee Guy - You are really confused about private sector trades… ===Likewise, if you are a Union and donate to a Repblican candidate but exist to further the economic tenets of the Democratic Party=== I don’t think you understand your own jibberish. If you are denying that trade labor isn’t Republican or Republican leaning, and understand why they are a Republicans and why… you first must’ve missed the whole 1980s, lol. You look up those Local 150 donations… - Power House Prowler - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:12 pm: Senator McCann stood with labor and stands for what is right. - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:17 pm: Memo from Turner. right now unions dues cannot be used for political purposes. Taft Hartley law I believe. It’s a separate contribution for political. With AFSCME it’s a contribution to AFSCME PEOPLE our political PAC. The article stated that with RTW nationally we won’t have to separate the transactions. With national RTW your dues can go to politics. At least that’s what the article thought. I am devoted to the rebuild. It’s already going on. One on one from the ground up. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:18 pm: =we’ll have national right to work= It’s Right to Work until you reach age 50 and get laid off. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:18 pm: Ok, I can hold your hand on this one, Oswego. Here is the 2016 democratic platform. https://www.democrats.org/party-platform You don’t have to read it all, just look at the first two sections. Those are the things that all unions including IUOE literally exist to ensure. If after reading that you still think the entire Local is republican, I have a Nigerian prince who has a life-changing offer for you. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:22 pm: ===…think the entire Local is republican=== I never said that. I said Local 150 is Republican Leaning. Further, Rauner received votes in 2 in 5 labor households. I notice you spent a great deal of time to look for that, but yet to report bank the findings at the Illinois Board of Elections. Why is that? - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:25 pm: Mouthy. SCOTUS will bring about national right to work by reversing Abood. Congress won’t have too. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:28 pm: - hisgirlfriday - With great respect, It’s not too late to defeat Rauner in 2018… That’s the play right now. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:28 pm: It actually took me 15 seconds to copy and paste that link. Another minute of googling yielded the following: https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00142851 TL;DR: Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates: (55% to Democrats, 45% to Republicans) So they contribute more to Democrats than Republicans.. that makes them… say it with me now… Democratic Leaning - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:28 pm: “Federal”… Hmm. - Skeptic - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:29 pm: “Likewise, if you are a Union and donate to a Repblican candidate” I suspect there are a whole lot of union coal miners that match that description. - hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:31 pm: @Memo from Turner - Correct on no dues meaning no political contributions. Plus unregulated political money will get even worse if Republicans keep their promise to get rid of the Johnson Amendment so GOP consultants can incorporate churches to launder tax-free secret political donations. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:31 pm: Why haven’t you looked at the Illinois gubenitorial races? - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:31 pm: Oswego, just let it go, man. Take the L and move on, life will continue I promise. - northsider (the original) - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:32 pm: Rauner is so proud of his dereliction of duty. Very twisted. - CCP Hostage - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:34 pm: Honeybear, thanks for giving me some hope. - hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:39 pm: @OW - Defeating Rauner means little for labor when SCOTUS is ready and willing to strike down Abood, Taft-Hartley and other working people precedents and legislation just like they’ve run roughshod over citizenship protections by striking down McCain-Feingold and so much of the Voting Rights Act. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:41 pm: He didn’t lose. You know there are pro-life Democrats right? Are they really Republicans calling themselves something they’re not? - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:48 pm: CCP Hostage. Always darkest before dawn. People have to experience something before action becomes natural. I nearly lost everything. The experience of that changed me forever. People are experiencing economic oppression brought on by neoliberalism. Thus Trump and to some extent Rauner. The successful business man. Already people are realizing and experiencing the consequences of this decision. We need to be heartened by the election of Trump. The oppressed are acting. Soon experiences will lead them to act differently. Employees will band together for protection and power from corporate greed and control. The Second Coming of Labor is nigh my brother. I have faith. - A State Employee Guy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:52 pm: Robert, he was talking about the Local as an institution, not each individual member of the bargaining unit. The local doesn’t give an S about abortion or gun control. They don’t exist for that purpose, only for the economic issues. But if you want to get down to the individual then yes, being pro-union goes explicitly against republican economic principles so you’d have a hard time explaining yourself at the next republican fundraiser. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 2:58 pm: - Robert the 1st - It’s no worries… - A State Employee Guy - is parsing. Just the monies donated to the Illinois Republican Senatorial Committee over the years, supporting Topinka over Blagojevich, the support of Illinois Republicans, and the GOP committees is well documented, that’s why “Open Secrets” website. Why it was such a big deal that Rauner spoke at the Topinka celebration of life at 150 that normally would embrace Republicans is enough. The fact - A State Employee Guy - went national is really the ball game. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 3:00 pm: - hisgirlfriday - Defeating a Raunerite is also allowing the slowing, if it happens, of Right to Work. Otherwise, what’s the point? - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 3:09 pm: “I am devoted to the rebuild.” Me too. Absolutely. It’s great to already see the fruits of organization and building–the strong AFSCME strike vote results. - West Loop Chicago - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 3:12 pm: A state employee guy either thinks or sees things very simply, one team vs another. Reality is a bit more grey and there’s a lot of folks across the political spectrum who have beliefs that don’t line up 100% with any party agenda, but will still consider themselves a member of that party. Heck, look up this guy Bruce Rauner who donates money to Planned Parenthood and also vetoes bills to expand reproductive choice on a state level. Reality is funny when you start looking beyond the simple “partisan” bickering. - Pundent - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 3:50 pm: And once these companies get a load of the new individual and corporate income tax rates to pay down the debt backlog we’ve been building the floodgates will be wide open. - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 3:54 pm: Hisgirlfriday- you are exactly right. The Labor battles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be fought again The Second Coming of Labor - jon r - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:05 pm: I work in a union shop of 130 teamster mechanics , about half are R’s , mainly gun guys, a few Obama haters and the rest christian, anti abortion types. Most don’t see that as a problem as they think that it will be someone else union job (ie state workers ) not much of a brotherhood… - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:16 pm: Because every state that touches our borders is RTW and the only states in the Midwest that currently are not are MN, OH and Illinois this would clearly help us stop the out migration. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-to-work_law - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:18 pm: ===Midwest that currently are not are MN, OH and Illinois this would clearly help us stop the out migration.=== That’s odd, I thought it was our crippling property taxes and no term limits that’s forcing people to leave… Aw, this is adorbs, - Lucky Pierre - - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:25 pm: Why would you mock the exit of high paying manufacturing jobs that you can raise a family on from Illinois OW? No manufacturing’s concerns mostly are RTW, workers comp, property taxes, tort reform. Others neighboring states are expanding high paying manufacturing jobs, ours are declining. As labor’s biggest cheerleader why are you not trying to do everything to attract and retain these high paying manufacturing jobs? Terms limits would allow new legislators to approve these as the current group won’t. If you take away only one thing from this, it should be this set of numbers: 171,300 (Michigan), 83,700 (Indiana), 75,900 (Ohio), 44,100 (Wisconsin) and 4,600 (Illinois). That’s the number of manufacturing jobs created in the last several years in the Midwest, and Illinois falls considerably short. Since 2000, Illinois has lost nearly a quarter of its manufacturing jobs, a total of 304,900 positions. That’s much more than the state’s second-most-populous city. What this atrocious tally means: Government is closing Illinois one day at a time. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20160901/OPINION/160839964/illinois-government-is-destroying-manufacturing - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:33 pm: ===Why would you mock the exit of high paying manufacturing jobs that you can raise a family on from Illinois=== I’m mocking the moving target of … “people are leaving because of property taxes.”… “Business leaders won’t move here because Illinois doesn’t have term limits.”… … Rauner pretends, like you, that there is a measurable, when in realty, it’s just not. ===No manufacturing’s concerns mostly are RTW, workers comp, property taxes, tort reform. Others neighboring states are expanding high paying manufacturing jobs, ours are declining. As labor’s biggest cheerleader why are you not trying to do everything to attract and retain these high paying manufacturing jobs?=== That’s easy. The Decaur PowerPoint saying labor makes too much money. Rauner promoted lower wages for labor. ===If you take away only one thing from this, it should be this set of numbers: 171,300 (Michigan), 83,700 (Indiana), 75,900 (Ohio), ..,=== Ohio doesn’t have RTW. So there’s that. ===Since 2000, Illinois has lost nearly a quarter of its manufacturing jobs, a total of 304,900 positions. That’s much more than the state’s second-most-populous city. What this atrocious tally means: Government is closing Illinois one day at a time.=== Then you and Rauner should name all these companies “itching” to come here Real companies. Real CEOs, real commitments. Otherwise, you and Rauner both are phony to your own narrative - RNUG - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:44 pm: == The Labor battles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be fought again == Hopefully not as lethal and bloody as the first time around … - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:53 pm: The OW way. The definition of insanity is to keep doing things the same way and expect a different result. That would sum up the Democrats approach to retaining and attracting high paying manufacturing jobs- change nothing, ignore the industries concerns and expect the situation to improve. Their mascot should be changed from Donkey to Ostrich - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:55 pm: ===That would sum up the Democrats approach to retaining and attracting high paying manufacturing jobs- change nothing, ignore the industries concerns and expect the situation to improve=== Term limits and property taxes? You cited Ohio. With no RTW, they are doing better than Illinois… Reconcile that. Name these hundreds of companies. Show me the hard data, real companies. You can’t. - Whatever - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 4:56 pm: The people who think that a decision by the Supreme Court reversing its old holding in the “fair share” lawsuit is going to be great victory for anti-union types may be in for a surprise. Federal law says the union has to represent everyone in the bargaining unit, and also requires everyone in the bargaining unit to also pay their “fair share” for the union’s representation activities. If a member’s first amendment rights allow him or her to opt out of paying fair share, that means the law does not apply as written and the Supreme Court can very easily and justly say, “You don’t have to pay if you don’t want to, but that means the law doesn’t apply to you and you don’t have a right to union representation when you opt out.” Then we’ll see how many people opt out when the collective bargaining agreement gives the people who don’t opt out priority when it comes to layoffs, pay raises, and other goodies. - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:12 pm: Here is your hard data to reconcile the Ohio comparison and much better record attracting and retaining high paid manufacturing jobs. Illinois ranks 7th in workers comp in 2014 improving slightly from 4th highest in 2012 or 127% of the median cost. Ohio ranks 33rd highest improving from 28th highest in 2012 at 94% of the median cost. Both state’s improving but one far more competitive. Would you expand in Illinois if you can get coverage for you workers for 30% less in another state? The results speak for themselves but the Dems will change nothing because it will aggravate the trial bar who funds their campaigns. Lawyers are more important than blue collar manufacturing jobs. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/10/09/343201.htm - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:17 pm: ===Illinois ranks 7th in workers comp in 2014 improving slightly from 4th highest in 2012 or 127% of the median cost. Ohio ranks 33rd highest improving from 28th highest in 2012 at 94% of the median cost.=== Too bad Rauner is so grossly inept that Rauner can’t get 60 and 30 for a Rauner WC proposal, that Rauner can show as an accomplishment. But… The Decaur PowerPoint was about RTW and lowering wages for labor. ===Both state’s improving but one far more competitive. Would you expand in Illinois if you can get coverage for you workers for 30% less in another state? The results speak for themselves but the Dems will change nothing because it will aggravate the trial bar who funds their campaigns. Lawyers are more important than blue collar manufacturing jobs.=== WC is where there still could be an agreement, but Rauner just can’t let success happen until all the passive destruction is complete. We’ve all said it, WC is the natural bridge. Why the governor continues to go after wages and collective bargaining is beyond me, (but not really, lol) - CapnCrunch - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:18 pm: “Then we’ll see how many people opt out when the collective bargaining agreement gives the people who don’t opt out priority when it comes to layoffs, pay raises, and other goodies.” There’s a movie about that running in Wisconsin theaters. - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:22 pm: You think weak tea currently on the table will help the patient? Everything is Rauner’s fault as far as you are concerned. Those resisting the Manufacturers concerns like your hero are never called out. Are you a trial lawyer or a labor advocate? You sound more like a trial lawyer - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:30 pm: ===Everything is Rauner’s fault as far as you are concerned. Those resisting the Manufacturers concerns like your hero are never called out. Are you a trial lawyer or a labor advocate? You sound more like a trial lawyer=== “Pat Quinn failed” See - Lucky Pierre -, making it about me isn’t making an argument. Skyhook, in reverse. If you believed “Pat Quinn failed”, then Rauner is being held to the governors own standard. As @StatehouseChick says… “simple” - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:45 pm: Governor Rauner is trying to fix Illinois OW. He has more time left in his term to make that happen. Your guy has failed to even try, and for that you defend him day after day after day. Skyhook in reverse The Speaker has had over 40 years to make his mark and improve the state. How do you like the results? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 5:50 pm: ===Governor Rauner is trying to fix Illinois=== “Bruce Rauner fails” … lol ===Your guy=== Who is my guy? Rauner, like Quinn, is a failing governor. That’s on his own merits, Rauner’s failures. ===…has failed to even try, and for that you defend him day after day after day. Skyhook in reverse=== Welp, the Democrats get beat daily on message. Since I’m a Republican and not a Raunerite or Democrat, I’ll leave it up to the Dems to figure out they need to do better, lol ===Speaker has had over 40 years to make his mark and improve the state. How do you like the results?=== 1) The Speaker isn’t or hasn’t been a governor, so there’s that. 2) When Diana and Bruce Rauner close a university, ask me that question again… - oldman - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 7:48 pm: Right to work is another way of saying reduce wages and benefits. - Honeybear - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 7:52 pm: Whatever, the problem with that is that then the whole concept of collective bargaining comes down. No, the Alamo is collective bargaining. I’ll represent those who aren’t members. Just as a public defender still defends everyone as if they are not guilty. My integrity may change their minds about the union. Often grievances do that. - Me Again - Thursday, Apr 20, 17 @ 9:53 pm: If fair share is struck down, then people who do not pay union dues should not be covered by the contract! - Astuishin - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 4:22 am: Thank god for justice Gorsch. Hopefully the high court strikes down these government union dues. Illinois government unions would unravel even faster. - Maine RTW Coalition - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 5:16 am: Forced Unionism is wrong and needs to be outlawed in all fifty states. The best way to do that is by passing Right-To-Work law(s), else good workers are stuck under the stranglehold of Forced Unionism which often just collects money to pay for extreme Far-Left political campaigns. Right-To-Work is right for America! - Mad dog - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 6:03 am: Hey Oswego, rauner didn’t campaign on rtw. That’s the death phrase in Illinois politics. Trust me, as a guy on a Union trade board, 150 and everybody else will loading up against scab rauner. - Honeybear - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 7:05 am: Sorry Maine, nobody is forced to be in a union. Once again a lot of Republicans do nothing but lie and obfuscate. You know at some point that’s gonna catch up to you. - The Real Just Me - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 7:08 am: LP, speaking of Ohio and workers’ comp, Ohio has an exclusive or monopolistic state fund, which means that employers must buy insurance from the state fund. The fund can adjust the premiums charged to keep Ohio “competitive.” Perhaps IL should try this solution instead of slashing compensation to legitimately injured workers and cutting reimbursement to doctors who treat them because after those things were done in IL and loss costs were reduced by more than 25% according to NCCI, there is simply nothing to show that insurance companies reduced premiums accordingly to make IL more “competitive.” Why would insurance companies do that anyway? What does an out of state insurance company care about IL? - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 7:33 am: - Mad dog - Rauner did touch on it, then purposely backed away from it. My sincere hope is Labor understands two important things; A high turnout, overall and with Labor specific is critical to defeating Rauner if Labor has 2 in 5 union housholds again vote Rauner, all the bluster in the world won’t stop Rauner from winning again. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Apr 21, 17 @ 8:23 am: Unions and union rights should be big issues in this election. So many people, businesses and organizations have been damaged, and so much debt has been incurred, because Rauner hates union rights and the people and politicians who defend them. Rauner has made many enemies out of people who could have helped him accomplish good things for Illinois. But his goal is to remake the state, no matter what the damage. This time Rauner can’t say that stripping union rights is not a priority. It IS his priority. OW is right about union voters. Those who criticize the DPI for no messaging are right as well. This has to change. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.