In the end, Mike “Z” Zolnierowicz had only one choice. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top political lieutenant, the man everyone calls “Z” who was most responsible for winning the 2014 Republican primary and the governor’s former state chief of staff, simply had to resign late in the afternoon on Friday, July 14th.
The week began with the early Monday morning firing of Richard Goldberg, Z’s hand-picked successor as Rauner’s chief of staff and his close friend. Rumors had circulated for months that First Lady Diana Rauner had turned on Goldberg and wanted him out, and in the previous few weeks it was known among a select few that the governor had been calling around looking for a possible replacement, including calling a couple of people in Indiana who declined the offer.
But Z and others were totally caught off guard when Goldberg was abruptly fired and was not offered a position in the vast campaign apparatus that Z had constructed. Rauner had not only made a major decision without consulting Z, his supposedly number one guy, he had also needlessly kicked Goldberg to the curb.
Goldberg’s secretary was told in short order to pack up her stuff and then summarily escorted out of the building without being offered another position somewhere else. Before working for Goldberg, she had also been Z’s cherished secretary. She didn’t ask for an extended maternity leave when she had her second child. Instead, she was so committed to her duties that she’d often bring her infant with her to the office. Her callous treatment was widely seen as an unnecessary abomination as well as a direct affront to Zolnierowicz.
The governor’s top staff was mainly put together by two people: Z and Goldberg. And the loudest critics in Rauner’s personal inner circle of those staffers included people at the top of the Illinois Policy Institute. When Rauner’s staffers were replaced by Illinois Policy Institute executives, it was seen as yet another jab at Z.
Rauner and Z reportedly met a couple of days after Goldberg and others were fired and the governor asked Z to stay on. But by Friday, when several more staffers were given the boot or turned in their resignations, it was abundantly clear to everyone that Rauner was going in a totally new direction. Rauner’s campaign side and his governing side should be on the same page, Z reportedly told the governor, so he tendered his resignation. In reality, I think Z probably would’ve been eventually moved out anyway by the coup plotters.
If Goldberg had been eased out in the “traditional” way, perhaps being sent to the campaign or to some other group after consultation with people like Zolnierowicz; if the rest of the staff hadn’t been so shabbily treated; if the governor’s office hadn’t been so obviously outsourced to the Illinois Policy Institute, then Z likely wouldn’t have felt the need to leave. But if the sky was green, grass might be blue.
So, what happens next? Z reportedly told the governor he was still willing to offer advice and help from the outside. He wouldn’t talk at all about it to me either on or off the record except to say that he believes Rauner still has a real chance at reelection.
But Z’s departure is a potential disaster for this governor. It shows great weakness, and weakness is the deadliest virus in politics. If someone as loyal as Z felt he had to leave, then what kind of person would ever work with Rauner now? Zolnierowicz is a lovable man with amazing skills, but who also has the ability to turn on and off the inner soul of a political killer - and that combination has served Rauner well. Z is the guy who built up the governmental and political apparatus to support Rauner. Without him, Rauner is just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth.
For the last year and a half, top Rauner administration insiders have muttered their belief that John Tillman, who runs the Illinois Policy Institute, wanted to gain control of the governor’s state office, while conservative political activist Dan Proft wanted to control the governor’s campaign operation.
To their minds, Tillman “succeeded” with Rauner’s staff purge because several of Tillman’s own staffers were brought on board. And the Monday after Z quit, one of Proft’s people, Matthew Besler, was given the helm of the governor’s political operation.
It’s a whole new world, campers.
* Dan Proft was not pleased with that conclusion and sent me some text messages, including this…
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:03 am:
Great column [phantom exclamation point].
But the truest line captures Rauner’s essence: “. . . just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth.”
- Whatever - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:06 am:
Great analysis, Rich. I suspect you’re correct that Z had to leave before he, too, was kicked to the curb. Rauner’s lack of judgment AND loyalty is stunning.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:13 am:
In 2010, when Illinois GOP voters were given a chance to vote for Proft and new political top dog Hughes, Proft got 8% in the gubernatorial primary and Hughes 19% in the Senate primary.
They were fringe players among self-identified Republicans then. Has the general electorate rushed to embrace them since?
Strange choices by Rauner for his general election bid. Not exactly running to the middle.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:14 am:
==wanted to gain control of the governor’s state office==
You know the old saying, be careful what you who’s for, because you just might get it.
Good column. Very true and solid points.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:15 am:
I suspect Republicans would be thrilled to have Proft run Madigan’s House Dem races - there would be a lot more Republicans.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:16 am:
Without him Rauner is just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth?
OW will love that but that statement is over the top. You could use an editor who holds comments like that for moderation.
- Linus - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:16 am:
More insight into how nearly everything seems disposable to this CEO Governor. It touches not only the poor folks he never sees, but his own loyal, top staff with whom he works on a daily basis. No apparent shame or sense of self-awareness. No acceptance of any blame for anything, ever. More echoes of POTUS’ greatest hits. Legislative Repubs, take heed.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:19 am:
==Has the general electorate rushed to embrace them since?==
The Trunp electoral win nationally has fooled them into thinking so. The obvious shouldn’t need to be said, that Illinois by itself itsn’s Trump country by any stretch, but some believe it can be.
- Springfieldish - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:19 am:
“I suspect Republicans would be thrilled to have Proft run Madigan’s House Dem races - there would be a lot more Republicans.”
No, probably not. It ain’t easy, which is kind of why everyone doesn’t have the same track record.
- Roman - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:19 am:
== it would be less inane to suggest I’m angling to run House Dem races for Madigan. ==
Put that in the “doth protest too much” file.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:21 am:
The Proft denial seems damaging to me. From what I’ve read of Besler he does not seem like an experienced hand. I just assumed he was Proft’s proxy since Proft has so much on his plate but if that’s not the case and the entire Illinois Republican apparatus really is in his hands, and only his hands (remember both Republican caucus leaders were quoted in his announcement), that doesn’t bode well for the ILGOP, although it will likely make that scorned Rauner staff twitter account even more fun.
- Ginhouse Tommy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:23 am:
Too much expertise left with Mike Z. They will have to learn from scratch. Big learning curve and what you think you know while sitting on the sidelines in different when you get in the game. This is also one the things I absolutely hate about these political types. No loyalty. After the firing having security escort you out the door to your car is rubbing your nose in it. How disgusting. One more thought. If Rauner is not reelected the IPI people and the think tank itself will find doors slammed in their face when a new adminiistration takes office. You reap what you sow.
- Telly - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:26 am:
— Without him Rauner is just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth?….that statement is over the top. You could use an editor who holds comments like that for moderation. —
Yeah, maybe a little over the top. But if the governor goes a few more months with accomplishing absolutely nothing, it’s gonna stick.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:27 am:
==She didn’t ask for an extended maternity leave when she had her second child. Instead, she was so committed to her duties that she’d often bring her infant with her to the office. ==
And they just kicked her to the curb. Vile isn’t a strong enough word for treating someone that loyal so poorly. Whoever made that decision has karma salivating.
- My New Handle - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:27 am:
The “shabby” treatment of Goldberg and Zolnierowicz reflects the shabby treatment of Illinois by Rauner and his enablers. It might be a new ball game, but it is the same ballpark.
- slow down - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:30 am:
Well said Linus. Rauner’s complete and total inability to look within has been on full display these last couple of weeks. It’s not a pretty sight to behold.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:30 am:
Rich, great work on laying out, not only a timeline, but the political math of who is where and the what to it.
I find this endlessly fascinating..,
===Rumors had circulated for months that First Lady Diana Rauner had turned on Goldberg and wanted him out…===
The Democrat Diana Rauner, who put her own name to millions for Raunerites, has more than a passing opinion how Bruce, the Republican, has a staff that helped him win, should be discarded.
Wow.
Diana Rauner’s disloyalty is a precursor to Rauner finishing the disloyalty and summarily dismissed the Crew… to also appease… Democrat Diana Rauner.
And… the replacements of IPI core personnel… Diana was instrumental, according to Sneed, in those picks too
What’s fascinating, for me, is Diana Rauner, the head of a social service, must believe that IPI budget that dramatically cuts so much, including social services, is the real Diana Rauner, and the phony Diana Rauner parades with pearl clutching and hand wringing, that includes a letter from her social service that as president she didn’t sign, but it asked that Bruce’s veto be overridden.
And that’s Goldberg’s fault?
If I were a social service is be a wee bit more “upset” at being duped by Diana Rauner, but the person and family who should feel completely duped, no holds barred?
JB Pritzker.
The Pritzker Family.
Diana Rauner lauded the $5 million bailout of her social service, all the while working behind the scenes to get IPI folks to run Bruce’s Shop, at all levels and points, and the IPI’s feelings on budgeting.
Diana Rauner then will be supporting Bruce to tear down JB, who bailed her out, and the quotes attributed to Diana about JB are as phony as Diana’s own ads telling a whole state Bruve doesn’t have a social agenda, and that she’s “but a Democrat”
So, Diana turned on Goldberg, and wanted the IPI to be the messenger to make destroying Illinois seem good to those drinking Manhattans or Martinis in Winnetka, and that all the destruction, is a “good thing”, all the while praising the Pritzkers for covering for both RaunerS, it appears, in holding a whole state hostage.
“… Rumors had circulated for months that First Lady Diana Rauner had turned on Goldberg and wanted him out…”
So fascinating. So phony. So destructive.
But, as long as the cocktails shared ate now shared with smiles…
Right? Exactly right.
And Z’s old secretary, loyal to Z and Goldberg, is escorted out of the building.
- Marty Funkhouser - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:34 am:
I’d love to see the rest of those text messages.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:37 am:
===OW will love that but that statement is over the top. You could use an editor who holds comments like that for moderation.===
Let’s unpack this, just for giggles.
1) I had yet to comment, and when I did, I didn’t pick that as all that important. So why go after me, and a turn of a phrase Rich used, a phrase used in the likes of Fitzgerald, Hofeld, others that ran for governor too. That’s the rap on wealthy candidates.
2) Going after Rich? How is that helping?
- dr. reason a. goodwin - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:38 am:
The way Goldberg’s secretary was treated is particularly insightful of the heartlessness of this governor. It is also extraordinarily stupid, since it’s the Capitol secretaries that actually make the trains run on time.
- SAP - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:43 am:
==Without him Rauner is just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth?….that statement is over the top. You could use an editor who holds comments like that for moderation.== Immoderate indeed. By most accounts, the Governor is only a multi-millionaire, not even a billionaire. His checkbook isn’t “limitless”.
- Dome Gnome - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:46 am:
What I find amazing is how much better I feel about a person once they’ve decided to leave the governor’s political sphere.
- striketoo - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:46 am:
Lady Diana has turned out to be Lady Macbeth. We shall see how it turns out in the end.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:47 am:
== Without him, Rauner is just a limitless checkbook with a big mouth. ==
Oscar probably won’t be getting any more calls for playdates with Bruce’s dogs.
- Markus - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:53 am:
It’s not so much that he has a big mouth, but that when listening to what comes out of it, you’re left wondering how that guy could have made so much money sounding like a door to door salesman from the 50’s.
- Porgy Tirebiter - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:53 am:
Proft will never admit to taking over the campaign. When he gets hammered in the election, that would impede his bloviating.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:01 am:
===* Dan Proft was not pleased with that conclusion and sent me some text messages, including this…===
LOL
He’s probably more “upset” when it’s pointed out Matt Besler, the new Rauner “Political Strategist” was head of a “group” that funded Ken Dunkin.
Let that fester.
Matt Besler, the new political guru for Rauner, headed IOP that funded… Ken Dunkin… by the hundreds of millions of dollars.
That’s fun, Mr. Proft.
- ILGOV2018 - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:07 am:
Actually, BR is like the spoiled only child who will hold his breath if he doesn’t get his way. In this case, his spouse is an enabler who used the Pritzker family and the social service agency she is President of to feign concern. Back to BR, he was defeated and doesn’t like to lose, so now he will become more entrenched in his quest to blame and defeat Speaker Madigan. He gave the marching orders to Durkin, (whom I thought would do the right thing, but apparently the $ it too good to pass up-the $ being dumped into his political coffers by BR) and he will follow them to the ‘nth degree. I find it sad that he and others let the GOP be bought off the way it has and now is the Raunerite party.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:08 am:
===To their minds, Tillman “succeeded” with Rauner’s staff purge because several of Tillman’s own staffers were brought on board. And the Monday after Z quit, one of Proft’s people, Matthew Besler, was given the helm of the governor’s political operation.===
What isn’t correct here? Honestly.
Tillman controls the governmental. No Goldberg, no “ck”, no policy folks, new Comms Crew…
Proft gets a figurehead in to “be” the political guru while Prift gets to hide behind Besler and run his newspapers, have a radio show, an hour long interview show and dictate to the GA Raunerites and Rauner the politics Proft wants.
What, Proft can’t accept “victory” either?
- Inspector Gadget - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:10 am:
The next 16 months of this is going to make the Game of Thrones look like a love fest
- Langhorne - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:27 am:
Rauner is rightfully stung by the budget deal.
Reexamine positions, to try to get to 30/60?
Nope, double down.
Normally, “messaging” means communication to generate support to move policies forward. But for the rauners, “messaging” means lies and exaggerations to support popular, but largely irrelevant issues. And fix blame elsewhere. Meanwhile, rome burns.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:28 am:
“Matt Besler, the new political guru for Rauner, headed IOP that funded… Ken Dunkin… by the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
My bad. Apologies.
- Mouthy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:29 am:
In Rauner world people are either assets or liabilities so I’m not surprised at the treatment of Goldberg’s secretary. No doubt the voting citizens of Illinois are weighed with the same formula…
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Dan Proft hates it when he’s outed for things he so clearly does. I’ve seen that up close and personal and it’s kind of sad. Dude, you do these things in such an obvious way - just own it. Besler’s not your stooge? Who are you kidding.
But the key point is that while Dan has a big microphone, he also has a pretty big history of throwing money and ideological purity at races and coming up the loser.
And while I hear ya Willy about JB and Diana, I think you’re being a bit unfair. The Ounce is a great organization that does great work, with or without Diana Rauner. Pretty sure his foundation is funding the organization, regardless of the person that’s currently its head.
- oneholeoff - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:38 am:
One of Rich’s best recent articles. ::hat tip:: “the coup plotters” terrific name for a band; for support staff - not so much.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:45 am:
===And while I hear ya Willy about JB and Diana, I think you’re being a bit unfair.===
Let be very crystal clear.
===”More than three decades of experience have led us to identify some big bets that have the potential to transform early learning. We are so grateful to the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation for sharing our belief in these innovations,” said Diana Rauner===
“…”We are so grateful to the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation for sharing our belief in these innovations,” said Diana Rauner”
Diana Rauner goes out of her own way to thank the Pritzkers, JB included, and you can google for yourself the State Raunerite Party releases and the millions Diana Rauner has put her own name to funding Raunerite operations.
===Pretty sure his foundation is funding the organization, regardless of the person that’s currently its head.===
But, that’s not the case now.
Diana Rauner heads a social service that the Pritzkers gave $5 million to when Bruce’s administration owed them $7+ million… and Diana wanted Goldberg out… and the architects of the IPI budget, the one that gutted everything… to take the helm of all things governmentally Rauner.
No, and with respect, no, I have this exactly how I see this.
I can’t be too far off. It appears Diana and Bruce are getting severe blowback while sharing cocktails, and instead of being better with social services, the Rauner’s feel their destructive message is “misunderstood” by those sharing those martinis and Manhattans.
With respect.
- Green Street - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:59 am:
Back to Z. Z had to walk because that’s who he is. A fiercely loyal person of great character and integrity. One who understands the importance of friendship and commitment. He’s a special leader and one who always looks out for his people.
I can’t imagine Z watching that happen to his people and staying put. He had to walk. Because he’s Mike Z.
- The_Equalizer - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:02 am:
What an excellent, illuminating article. Thank you.
- Norseman - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:04 am:
Great column Rich. Can’t wait to see follow-up columns laying out the adverse ramifications of this ruthless IPI takeover of the governor’s office.
- Anon - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:10 am:
“Secretary” is an outdated term, unless they are executives “of” something like “Secretary of State”. The modern way to refer to Goldberg’s assistant is as an administrative assistant or executive assistant. We don’t have Secretaries’ Day anymore…it’s Administrative Professionals’ Day. Less gendered, more inclusive language.
- walker - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:36 am:
This is not “the governor’s office” as we used to think of it; it is part of a seamless campaign operation. That’s its only function.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
Actually, many firms still have secretaries. And to my ears administrative assistant sounds lower than a secretary, like the kid you send to pick up lunch.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 12:45 pm:
Quite the bunch aren’t they? Walking a secretary out of the building. That says a lot about their character, and it’s not good.
- Anon - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
Anon - words should evolve with society. Stewardess to flight attendant. Hostess to host. Chairman to Chair. Secretary evokes a Mad-Men era of sexism in the workplace (how many men were secretaries back then…hell, even now)? A more progressive term would be either administrative or executive assistant. Further, lots of West coast execs recognize the value of their assistants and the depth of the work beyond that of clerical and appropriately title them Chief of Staff to CEO.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 1:22 pm:
You’re entitled to not use the term secretary, but not entitled to force your preference on others.
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:03 pm:
“You could use an editor who holds comments like that for moderation.”
Ooh! Ooh! I got this one!
“Get your own blog. Bite me.”
– MrJM