* A statement by a group run by First Lady Diana Rauner urging a budget veto override didn’t get much media play in Illinois, but CNN picked it up…
The political situation in Illinois is so dysfunctional that even Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and his wife appear to be on different sides right now. […]
Diana Rauner did not sign the statement released by the Ounce of Prevention Fund. However, Megan Meyer, a spokeswoman for the Ounce of Prevention Fund, confirmed to CNNMoney that Rauner remains the president of the foundation, which describes itself as a “public-private partnership that prepares children for success in school and in life.”
Asked why Diana Rauner wants lawmakers to oppose her husband’s veto, Meyer explained that the Illinois budget impasse has put the state’s social services infrastructure “under tremendous pressure” and forced many organizations to close or reduce services. […]
Steve Brown, a spokesman for Democrat Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, said he wasn’t surprised by the support for the budget from Diana Rauner’s foundation.
“Social service agencies have been destroyed by the Rauner approach,” Brown said.
* Meanwhile…
Family Focus, a nonprofit early childhood education provider in the Chicago area, has gotten enough money from the state comptroller’s office to see it through August.
Before the holiday weekend, the agency had announced that on July 1 it would lay off 100 employees and effectively cease program operations. The state owes it $2.7 million for work accomplished. Not getting payments from the cash-strapped state had created a “severe cash-flow crisis,” meaning the organization’s endowment fund and line of credit had been exhausted. Emergency loans from board members and donors had helped cover the gap.
“The crisis is temporarily over,” says Merri Ex, CEO of Family Focus. She declined to reveal the exact amount of money the state released. […]
One of the founders of Family Focus more than 40 years ago, Irving Harris, also founded the Ounce of Prevention Fund, the national early childhood education nonprofit of which Illinois first lady Diana Rauner is now CEO. The two groups maintain close ties; Family Focus receives grants through Ounce of Prevention.
That’s good news.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
Diana Rauner doesn’t sign letters.
Diana Rauner signs off on $9 million to support Rauner Republicans in the General Assembly?
Just thinking out loud is all.
- Princess Lisa - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
Great example of a story that means noting to taxpayers but only for those who want to get personal.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
“Diana Rauner did not sign the statement released by the Ounce of Prevention Fund.”
Her signature would have carried great weight. Without it, the campaign spot of, “Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda,” continues.
And, I am glad Family Focus received some payments. However, it would be interesting to see exactly how much money is being passed through Ounce to all organizations in Illinois. They don’t do it for free.
- Cook County Commoner - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
Just curious. How many not for profits does Illinois state government help support? Is there a list?
- Johnnie F. - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Yeah, they’re really at odds…wink wink. The letter is just a business decision, right Diana?
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:18 pm:
That’s because CNN, unlike the Chicago Tribune, isn’t a giant in-kind donation to the IL GOP.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
Cook County Commoner - “How many not for profits does Illinois state government help support?”
Many times, it is the opposite. The non-profits are more locally based, usually able to more nimbly respond to the needs of the community, and generally have less overhead than state government (and that included wages- take it from one who has worked in the non-profit world). Funding for these organizations is not wholly from the State, but a combination of public and private funds, including matches from the Federal government.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
The fact that she’s pushing for override isn’t surprising. Rauner doesn’t want state implosion but he wants to be able to point and state he didn’t vote for the increase.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
-OW-, there’s your backup for your script pitch.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 1:45 pm:
===there’s your backup for your script pitch.===
Fingers crossed - RNUG -
- cdog - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
I’m not sure if I’m dumb founded, or found dumb (as in evidence of cnn’s target market).
- Shytown - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
What a crock. A big ol PR stunt on the part of Diana Rauner’s people to provide her cover from this disaster of her husband’s making. I doubt she’ll have a starring role in any 2018 TV campaign ads like she did in 2014.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 6, 17 @ 10:13 pm:
Cook County Commoner, Illinois should support no money profits.