* The A-1 is here. More in a bit. Griffin is a longtime Rauner supporter and has contributed heavily in the past. He’s also the state’s wealthiest resident. Rauner dumped $50 million into his own account last December.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Ken Griffin…
“Governor Rauner cares deeply about the future of our state and making it a better place to live and work. He has the winning plan to create jobs, improve our schools and put Illinois on the right path forward.”
* Tribune…
The contribution by the founder and CEO of Citadel, reported to the State Board of Elections on Tuesday, brings to nearly $33.6 million the amount of money and services that Griffin has contributed to the governor’s political fund since Rauner began running for office in 2013.
The donation appears to be the largest noncandidate contribution ever given to a campaign. Rauner gave his own campaign $50 million in December of last year.
Griffin is the second-largest contributor to the Republican governor behind only Rauner himself. In his initial 2014 bid and in his current re-election effort, Rauner has given himself $95 million.
The Griffin donation gives Rauner’s re-election bank account nearly $71 million, virtually all of it from the two men.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…
Illinois Working Together Campaign Director Jake Lewis released the following statement in regards to Ken Griffin’s $20 million campaign donation to Gov. Bruce Rauner:
“Never has the Rauner re-election strategy been clearer. On the same day the state’s bill backlog tops $14 billion, the governor released a new campaign ad and his political campaign raked in $20 million from Illinois’ richest man. Rauner’s game plan is simple: spend millions of dollars to paper over his abysmal record of failure as governor. If Rauner truly wanted to fix Illinois, he would drop the big money political games and do his job.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** From the Pritzker campaign…
“Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who has put politics over governing and passing a budget for our state,” said Pritzker campaign communications director Galia Slayen. “Now, his special interest friends are back to bail him out and ensure his Koch brothers agenda gets a second life. Before once again dumping money into Rauner’s campaign, Ken Griffin donated $100,000 to Donald Trump’s inaugural. It’s clear that Ken Griffin and Rauner’s special interest allies want to force the Rauner-Trump agenda on our state, which attacks our working families and is decimating our economy.”
* From Ameya Pawar…
Billionaire tax avoiders, like Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin, will spend whatever it takes to implement their radical and bigoted Trump-aligned agenda.
What’s clear is that this billionaire class wants to buy Illinois for themselves. Don’t think for a moment these wealthy people have anyone’s interests but their own at heart.
We have to to stop worshiping wealth, get big money out of politics, and unite as a state around an agenda that invests in people and communities.
*** UPDATE 4 *** From the DGA…
“Rather than focus on the budget, Governor Rauner has turned to Trump donor Ken Griffin for $20 million to try to salvage his failing re-election campaign,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold. “Now we know why Bruce Rauner won’t stand up to Donald Trump: Rauner’s top donor enthusiastically supports Trumpcare. Bruce Rauner has shown he’ll choose Donald Trump over the people of Illinois every day of the week.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** Kennedy campaign…
Chris Kennedy’s campaign is fueled by 3,000 individual campaign contributions because Illinois residents want to restore the promise of the American Dream and reform a system that is working well for political insiders but not for them. Democrats should not fall into the trap of replacing one billionaire for another. Party insiders might think that is the best way to beat Bruce Rauner, but voters know we can’t afford more of the status quo.
- Saluki - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Just cleaning out the couch cushions….
- Honeybear - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
This will keep all the little piggies at the trough
- Chi - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
Meh… if Pritzker is the nominee it won’t matter. That’s what Pritzker brings to the table… this might’ve been frightening for Dems in ‘14, but not today.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
According to the Tribune, Griff had a tough year in 2016, only raking in $600 million. Plus the divorce…he might need to take on a part-time job to make ends meet. Poor guy.
Plus I think they are getting nervous. Time is running out, Rauner’s been exposed, and Pritzker can match their spending. Not good for these two plutocrats.
FYI, $20 million could pay for about 5,000 MAP grants.
- Boone's is back - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
This is just gross. At what point does the folksy bs wear off and people wake up that a rich cabal is buying off this state?
- Texas Red - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
Just keepin(g) up with the Pritzker’s
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
I dunno…
Maybe Pritzker was caught flat footed on ALL this…
Seems to be a swamping of Pritzker, brilliantly done by the prop formerly known as Pat Brady, the Pritzker Comm Crew’s lacking, the continuation of swamping Pritzker, now the $20 million…
Where o where is the Pritzker Crew?
The better figure out fast what exactly it means to run a day to day campaign.
- ILPundit - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
LOL — I think Rauner already made his point with the first $50 M contribution. We get it. They’re going to spend a lot of money. Money ain’t enough when your approval rating is below 35% in a blue state.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
At least we know the advertising industry will survive.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
So… 3.33333% of Ken’s income last year was donated to Rauner this year. Almost the same as the going state tax rate…
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-ken-griffin-0517-chicago-inc-20170516-story.html
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
Please spend more money on these dumb duct tape ads.
- RNUG - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:23 pm:
Gee … did my suggestion JB buy the IGOP for $100M cause this?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Griffin or Uihlein donating millions to Bruce isn’t fun.
It’s when the Democrat Diana Rauner has her name attached to millions and it’s for Bruce’s campaign to destroy social services and higher education, oh, and to defeat countless Democrats too… That’s fun for me.
You’d think after the Pritzkers bailed out The Ounce with $5 million Democrat Diana Raunermight give $100,000 to Pritzker for Governor.
You’d think… amirite?
Especially, as a Denocrat, Diana Rauner, since 2015 hasn’t eclipsed the amount of monies her name as been attached to giving to Republican committees.
Hmm.
- Iron Lady - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
Anonymous, why should she? The state has always done that.
- Lech W - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Classic Cold war strategy. Spent to force your opponent to spend, creates a perceived “funding gap”. Result is a crippling of his ability to respond in the future.
- Ron - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
- Cubs in ‘16 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
At least we know the advertising industry will survive.”
That made me lol! Love it!
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:31 pm:
That will buy a lot of duct tape.
- Sue - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
Boone- why is this contribution any different then what the Unions kick in for the Dems. The unions want the status quo and Griffin wants reform. At least it’s Griffins and Rauner own money they spend as opposed to union members
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
Not surprised, but is there any particular reason for doing it now?
Rauner is not going to have a primary. He already owns the GOP caucuses.
You can bet Proft will be shakin’ his beggars cup for a taste from his 5,000-watt powerhouse tomorrow if the hamsters get a good rest from the treadmill today.
- Tommydanger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:36 pm:
The only thing worse than buying a governor’s seat for yourself, is someone else buying it for you.
Dan Walker could not get elected today.
- Valvino - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
Maybe Ken can give the Governor some pointers on how to govern a state.
- walker - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
It is early in the process, but Rauner has a history of crushing potential opponents whenever they arise, regardless of party.
- NoGifts - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
I understand that Hillary spent more than Trump in the last election.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
Sue: It’s different because the unions don’t kick in $20M.
- Ginhouse Tommy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
More money might not get Rauner elected and it won’t make MJM go away. If the IGOP would take Rauner’s tech team strategy with TV ads and robo calls and go after some Dem. house reps. in the election they might win the House and MJM becomes irrelevant. JBT used that plan of attack when she ran the GOP with positive results.
- jimk849 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
I think a populist man or woman could emerge and win this thing. Flaunting billions might cause an unexpected backlash. Multi-million dollar headlines might equal negative results imho.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
===and put Illinois on the right path forward.===
Far right.
- illini97 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
“He has the winning plan to create jobs, improve our schools and put Illinois on the right path forward.”
Hey, quick question, is there an ROI analysis available on that plan? When do we start winning so much that we are tired of winning?
- Anon221 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
“He has the winning plan to create jobs, improve our schools and put Illinois on the right path forward.”
Only if the destruction of Illinois to prove a point is the “winning plan”, then I guess Ken’s right. But this “Noah’s Ark” strategy seems just a wee bit over the top.
- Exit 59 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
On the day of the grand bargain vote? I mean…good timing.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:48 pm:
Rauner may have the winning plan, but he can’t count to 30 or 60, so what good is it?
Or, right. 3.75%. Got it. At his current income, Griff saves $12,500,000 for each year the tax rate stays at 3.75%. Over four years, he’ll earn $50 million just by having Rauner hold the state hostage.
When you look at it that way, $20 million is a smart investment.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:48 pm:
===On the day of the grand bargain vote? I mean…good timing.===
“Total coincidence!”
When you say it out loud, it sounds less phony…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
–The Griffin donation gives Rauner’s re-election bank account nearly $71 million, virtually all of it from the two men.–
Geez, after all his millions, Uiehlein doesn’t even rate a mention. What is he, the kid in “Two and a Half Men?”
Ouch. Apply some Kenosha cheese curds and bubble wrap to that wound.
- Seats - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
Wordslinger - I am a rookie at this whole thing but it looks like maybe they are doing it now because they know JB has a better chance of losing in the primary election then he does in the general election against Bruce. So the goal is to do a full on attack now to have to compete vs a limited budget opponent later?
- Real - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
Sue
Its pretty easy. Unions represent hundreds and thousands of working people. Ken Griffin represents 1 person.
- Collinsville Kevin - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
You’d think they’d both have better things to spend their (not) hard-earned money on.
- Charter Sauce - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
=”He has the winning plan to create jobs, improve our schools and put Illinois on the right path forward.”=
It’s been a couple years now, when do we get to see it?
- ZC - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
“We have to burn Illinois in order to save it.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
If you give $20 million, you must like the results and what’s ahead. Griffin eludes to that.
I’d expect an additional $20 million once Eastern Illinois University closes…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
===”Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who has put politics over governing and passing a budget for our state,”===
This is how you get things done.
Every… Every single time. Every release, every statement, every negative ad….
Every.
The rest? Meh. Ok. Do something with all that, then it has legs.
“Bruce Rauner is a failed governor”
Skyhook… in reverse.
- CrazyHorse - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
==Money ain’t enough when your approval rating is below 35% in a blue state.==
Exactly. Rauner is toast because there will be no budget until 2019 unless something really unforeseen happens. Rauner will hold onto his rabid Anti-Union/”Madigan is the Devil” crowd but the voters that went against Quinn because they wanted to “Shake Things Up” certainly expected at least ONE budget. It’s like that definition of insanity. When you couldn’t deliver anything for 4 years then Why should anyone expect anything to change in the next 4 years?
I don’t want Pritzker and his crew to get too arrogant because I respect the past and the data that shows incumbents have a big advantage in these races. I also respect guys like Rich and OW who correctly point out strategical and messaging mistakes when they occur but IMHO this race is gonna be like watching Secretariat square off against $5000 claimers at Hawthorne. As long as Pritzker doesn’t fall off the horse this one will be won going away.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
HA HA!
SO they got the $20,000,000!
I told them I don’t come cheaply!
SO - you want to win reelection, eh?
- City Zen - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:17 pm:
==At his current income, Griff saves $12,500,000 for each year the tax rate stays at 3.75%.==
Just think how much he’ll save when he retires.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Kenosha doesn’t have good cheese curds - you can’t even buy fried ones at the Mars Cheese Castle’s restaurant/grill.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
CZ, I was hasty with my calculations. He’ll only earn $7.5M per year, net of an even $10M after four years after this $20M investment.
In other words, closer to how much you and I will save under the lower income tax rate.
- filmmaker prof - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
It would probably be cheaper for Rauner just to buy his own television station and run his commercials 24/7, rather than keep paying and paying for what will surely be endless commercials.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
Whatever you think of JBP, Dems have to weigh whether it’s better to capitulate to Madigan and get behind him now or risk someone unelectable coming out of the primary, Hofeld/Dixon/Braun revisited.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
Ken looks like a piker compared to Fred Eychaner, the secretive owner of Newsweb Corp. In 2016, he donated over $37 million to left leaning causes in Illinois .
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
Somebody told Griffin that Illinois.com was for sale.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:31 pm:
Shouldn’t they have a song for their movement of super rich guys?
The Internationale of the 1%
Stand up, all victims of the enlightenment,
For the masses fear our might!
We cling so hard to their possessions,
Because the super rich have all the right!
Let racist ignorance be spread,
For disrespect makes democracy fall!
Freedom is our privilege extended,
to 1%ers, one and all.
- Trump2020 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
YUGE!
- Name - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
Seems like a message for the Chicago mayor as to who Ken stands with.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
Willy,
Maybe team Pritzker just said “Rauner Failed” to make you feel good!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
“Governor failed” is a proven winning formula, ask Candidate Rauner.
This blog has well-earned, considerable sway in many, if not most or all, things Illinois-political-centric.
I have none of those influences. At all. Don’t kid yourself. I don’t.
Please pick a name next time. Thank you.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
Bruce - first - make a list of all your accomplishments…
Then find average Illinoisans tell viewer how they benefitted by those accomplishments!
One ad per accomplishment. Use a repetative presentational format tauting “Rauner Accomplishments - (example)”
Voiceover informs viewer about how bad Illinois was until you fixed it. Show average Illinoisan’s testimony.
NOW - WHAT ARE RAUNER’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
We’ll need around 20.
How about 10 BIG ONES?
Anything?
That’ll be $20,000,000.
Nice doing business with you!
- Earnest - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:56 pm:
>===On the day of the grand bargain vote? I mean…good timing.===
>“Total coincidence!”
>When you say it out loud, it sounds less phony…
I hadn’t thought of this. It seems very true and makes me sick to my stomach.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
== make a list of all your accomplishments…==
I realize were talking about the governor’s race. But it seems a bit hypocritical when the leader of the Dems has spent the last 30 plus years doing little more than feathering his own nest and expanding his power. In the face of that ruin, Rauner is perhaps the perfect reaction to MJM.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
Is this better?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:01 pm:
To Update 4,
If the DGA focuses on their messaging towards Rauner and Trump, macro, and allow the other candidates, and the eventual Nominee to focus on Rauner’s failure as a governor, a micro look at Rauner’s tenure, that could be some good messaging lanes for both candidate(s) and DGA.
It was passable, but closed out a bit too boilerplate / cookie cutter.
We’ll see how that message discipline goes…
- Arock - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:01 pm:
Why not try something different than what we have experienced in the past with the Democrats agenda that gave us $130 billion deficit in pension cost, another unfunded tens of billions for retiree healthcare. Failed to fund K-12 education at the required level. Helped run business and population out of the State. Have failed to keep up infrastructure and their solution can be found in what has happened in Chicago the past year, raise every tax and fee that you can find with plans to raise more in the future. Pile on more regulations and make it harder for business to be successful in Illinois.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
==but is there any particular reason for doing it now?==
Earlier you actually have it in the campaign account, earlier you can do stuff with it, I suppose.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:03 pm:
===I realize were talking about the governor’s race. But it seems a bit hypocritical when the leader of the Dems has spent the last 30 plus…===
Ya probably shoulda stopped with…
“I realize were talking about the governor’s race.”
Yep. Rauner wants to run against Madigan, but Rauner can’t run away from Rauner.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
== Rauner and Trump..=
We will see a race to tthe bottom based on approval ratings. Rauner and the ILGOP will link Dem’s to MJM and with his approval rating, It will take more than the Trump/Rauner special to defeat the GOP.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
===It will take more than the Trump/Rauner special to defeat the GOP.===
Hmm.
Madigan, who is NOT on the statewide ballot, 61% negative.
Rauner, who IS on the statewide ballot, in a state Clinton beat Trump by 14 points…
“It will take more than the Trump/Rauner special to defeat the GOP.”
Like I said… “Hmm.”
- James Knell - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
Rauner has more money than God, but he’s way more arrogant.
- Ron - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
The christian god is much more arrogant and demands adulation or sends you to hell.
- Ron - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
Oh and the christian god arbitrarily changes the rules as it desires.
- The Captain - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
Since Kennedy blew the caps Gov candidates have raised (by my count) $27,050,000 and only $50,000 of that went to Kennedy. Not like Rauner or Pritzker wouldn’t have blown the caps anyway but you’d think if he was going to take the heat for being the one to get them lifted he’d be doing more with that.
- The Captain - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
Note: those numbers are for contributions above the caps. They’ve all raised regular money since then.
- northsider (the original) - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
This, NOW, is to make the very faint rumblings of a primary challenger go away. Won’t work.
I know it’s unfathomable to the really, really wealthy,but throwing money at “this problem” is more like throwing kerosene.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:49 pm:
If you read “Update 5″ closely…
… you find Kennedy really searching, even in that statement specifically, where he and his Crew are. It meanders and slams and slights but while doing that, it undercuts its own Party Support, and ignores that Kennedy himself blew the caps to begin this money race.
It’s not unlike someone or some Crew knowing they need to say “something”, we need to ding everyone, we’ll deal with the confusion to where we fit in the statement later.
Fuzzy and confusing. They wanted to say something. They accomplished that I guess.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:50 pm:
Who’s this Trump guy they’re all talking about?
I’ve never heard Rauner mention his name.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
A R in a blue state who has accomplished nothing while the President disgraces the entire party.
Spend away.
- City Zen - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:54 pm:
==Why not try something different than what we have experienced in the past with the Democrats agenda==
Dems: “Because insanity is so much easier.”
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 4:59 pm:
–Whatever you think of JBP, Dems have to weigh whether it’s better to capitulate to Madigan and get behind him now or risk someone unelectable coming out of the primary, Hofeld/Dixon/Braun revisited–
Um, Braun was elected Senator coming out of that primary.
I’m curious as to who was “unelectable” in a general due to a contested partisan primary? Some people say that a lot, but no one jumps immediately to mind.
- RNUG - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:06 pm:
== Why not try something different than what we have experienced in the past ==
I would suggest we start with State income tax rates high enough to pay our debts and to fully fund local school districts. That will probably be something like 7-8% on a flat income tax. It should be tied to a reduction in the local school tax such that the State is providing something like 75% is state paid and 25% from local property taxes.
You could use something like 0.5% - 1% to catch up the $14B or so backlog including the State employee health insurance backlog and when the State is back to a 40 - 60 day payment cycle, either sunset the extra percentage or direct it to the pension funds.
And borrow one of the good ideas from the pension bill: any salary increase in excess of the CPI-U has to have the local school district pay the increased pension cost. That would provide the school districts an incentive to keep salary increases to a reasonable level.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:07 pm:
===I’m curious as to who was “unelectable” in a general due to a contested partisan primary?===
Jack Ryan? Lol.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:09 pm:
==Why not try something different than what we have experienced in the past with the Democrats agenda==
You’re not paying attention. Rauner is doing things quite differently.
The results are a tripling of the backlog of bills in two years while social services and higher ed are bled to death.
Happy?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:12 pm:
===I’m curious as to who was “unelectable” in a general due to a contested partisan primary?===
Jack Ryan? Lol.–
We’ll never know. Obviously, some people are into that sort of thing….
I should have been more specific. Whoever was “unelectable” in a general after winning a contested partisan primary, due to the hostile nature of the primary.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:15 pm:
===Jack Ryan?===
Yeah, that’s true. “Mean spirited” on your part, - 47th Ward -… but, lol.
- Rocky Rosi - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:21 pm:
Let’s all do the money dance!
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 5:23 pm:
Oligarchs enrich the media as the people of Illinois suffer.
- Misty - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 6:31 pm:
More evidence that we’re living in a state that has really lost its way. I know there are people in the State Senate who care about their communities. But I’m not sure electing wealthy individuals with their “I’m wealthy and therefore I’m right” is the answer.
- Cardsfan - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 6:32 pm:
Attention Pritzker Camp!!!
See OW’s post above
“Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who has put politics over governing and passing a budget for our state”
24/7/365
Please, I beg you. Listen to OW!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 6:48 pm:
- Cardsfan -
Thanks for the very kind nod.
Pritzker’s Crew, they have some smart people working for them. I’m sure.
I’m not adding to any of their plans. Your kind nod, if they keep up the obvious angle, that’s on them working, not my $.02 free advice.
But, I do thank you. Sincerely.
- forwhatitsworth - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 6:59 pm:
=== Boone- why is this contribution any different then what the Unions kick in for the Dems. The unions want the status quo and Griffin wants reform. At least it’s Griffins and Rauner own money they spend as opposed to union members ===
- forwhatitsworth - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 7:02 pm:
=== Boone- why is this contribution any different then what the Unions kick in for the Dems. The unions want the status quo and Griffin wants reform. At least it’s Griffins and Rauner own money they spend as opposed to union members ===
At least union contributions represent significantly more voices than just the two voices of Rauner and Griffin.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 7:14 pm:
It’s sad to see a multi-millionaire needing handouts from a billionaire.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 7:19 pm:
–It’s sad to see a multi-millionaire needing handouts from a billionaire.–
I wonder how that even works, Rauner asking Griff for a handout?
The conversation would be fascinating.
“Gee, Ken. This is killin’ me. The dog has worms, the moat at my Central Park penthouse needs dredging, and I only made $188 million last year could you spare another $20 million, for a buddy down on his luck?”
- William J Kelly - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 8:25 pm:
My announcement last week must have really spooked Rauner and his cronies! Www.williamjkelly.org
- peon - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 9:48 pm:
Unless Rauner is using this to build a time machine back to Jan 2015 I don’t see how it is going to help (but who predicts after Trump).
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 10:52 pm:
RNUG. With sincerest respect. This state cannot accept an across the board income tax increase over 4.5%. We must look outside the box for additional revenue. It must come from the corporate AG industry if we won’t tackle a progressive income tax. What is corporate farm going to do? Pick up and move some of the most fertile acreage in the world?
We must radically look at expenses. Keeping K-12 as it is today will never allow this state to address the egrigous property tax bills that kill the poor,middle class and elderly.
If it is a given(which I refuse to give in on), and this state cannot reduce pension bennies or declare BK, then simply raising taxes in a midwest state is a spiral that can never be undone.
As a new retiree, I get to sit at the local McD’s a couple mornings a week. Blue collar,public service, doctors,lawyers,business owners. Almost to a tee, no one thinks this state can be salvaged with business as usual.
I might add, no one. I mean no one gives a darn about the turn around agenda(minus me on WC). Rauner seems to be gaining traction. Silly as it sounds, but people, normal people, are demanding cuts. Anywhere. Anyhow.
- Amalia - Wednesday, May 17, 17 @ 11:18 pm:
http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_8d5b187e-3a4e-11e7-827a-ef35948c0b3a.html
and Rauner is rewarding the Proft people! Char/Susan Sweeney–recently elected to Maine Township Board, Proft People
- Atsuishin - Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 12:10 am:
Dems = tax increase.
Sorry don’t want pay any more of my money to this failing state.