* Click here for her resignation letter. She had announced her pending resignation quite a while ago. I assume they’ve found a replacement to appoint to the seat.
Despite being featured as a main attraction for weeks, Governor Rauner won’t be attending Saturday’s Southwest Suburban Republican Picnic after all, says Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison.
Apparently, the sudden change in plans resulted from the governor signing into law a measure Thursday that would require taxpayers to pay for abortions for low income women and state employees.
“Governor Rauner had committed to attending our Republican Family Picnic several weeks ago,” Morrison told Illinois Review. “In lieu of Thursday’s bill signing, it was agreed that the governor’s attendance would only serve as a distraction to our goal of a Republican family values event.”
The featured speaker at the Village Green in southwest suburban Palos Park from noon to 3:00 PM will now be IL GOP primary candidate Erika Harold.
…Adding… I just talked to Morrison who said it was a mutual decision.
But few individuals have been more supportive of Gov Rauner over the years, than John Tillman, President of the conservative think-tank, Illinois Policy Institute.
In fact, Gov Rauner this summer raided the staff of the IPI when he restructured his senior management, selecting Christine Rasmussen, an IPI Vice President, to become his new Chief of Staff.
So when the Gov loses the support of the Illinois Policy Institute’s CEO, John Tillman, who took to Facebook to call the Governor “Benedict Rauner”…then one wonders…who’s left to support Governor Rauner for re-election?
Here’s the post: John Michael Tillman “Benedict Rauner going back on his word and signing HB40. Whether you are pro life or pro choice, a politician loses when he gives his word to many people and goes back on it, including to Cardinal Cupich. Further, if you care only about economic issues, he has put that entire agenda at risk by betraying those to whom he gave his word.”
* As Tom Bowen said of the flotilla of little-known potential AG candidates, lots of people are currently asking themselves “Why not me?”…
A former federal prosecutor who’s become a prominent media pundit about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Trump campaign and White House is considering a run for office.
Renato Mariotti, who spent nearly 10 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, said Thursday he’s mulling a bid for Illinois attorney general. […]
Mariotti attended the University of Chicago as an undergraduate, followed by Yale Law School. He said one key issue he’s trying to figure out is whether he can raise the money to make a credible bid.
“Ultimately, something like this requires a lot of resources,” he said. “I’m not a rich man. I only left the government a year or so ago. My dad didn’t graduate from high school and I grew up in a very blue-collar family, so I’m trying to figure all this out.”
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering tells POLITICO she is circulating petitions and raising money in an effort to run for Illinois Attorney General. Rotering, a Stanford graduate with a University of Chicago law degree, was first elected mayor in 2011 and holds up as a chief accomplishment her legal push to uphold a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in her North Shore community. “I have a real record of fighting the NRA. We passed an assault weapons ban in Highland Park, people would say that shows courage,”Rotering told us. “It’s one thing to say you’re drafting legislation and then not voting for it, and it’s another to say ‘I brought this all the way to the Supreme Court and won.’” In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take up the assault ban case, which upheld an appeals court ruling. Rotering challenged and lost to U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider in last year’s primary contest, but she managed to snag an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin as well as the Chicago Tribune and raise more than $1.5 million.
But the most likely driver is pretty obvious to most Illinoisans: the rage of constituents.
Social media has given residents more real-time information about what their lawmakers are doing, as well as better access to the tools to contact them directly – and often. Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin cited social media as one factor with a “major impact” on the phenomenon of lawmakers leaving en masse.
The Illinois Policy Institute, which spoke out consistently against the tax hike, boasts the most active online community of any advocacy organization in the state. Close to 300,000 Illinoisans follow the group’s Facebook page. And in an eight-day window this summer – June 29th to July 6th – Illinoisans sent 35,000 emails through the Institute’s “contact your lawmaker” tool.
Not to mention all the super-harsh comments posted on members’ FB pages, etc.
* I DM’d him to ask about the two deleted tweets and this was his response…
Tech issues. It’s live
* We’ll see if this third one lasts because he still hasn’t included the most important thing: Which members of the state central committee actually signed the letter on his behalf? That part of the letter is cut off on all three tweets…
I am Shaun Murphy, member of the Republican State Central Committee and Worth Township Republican Committeeman. I am writing to inform you that Mr. Griffin’s press release is misleading. The Illinois Republican Party has not endorsed his candidacy and I personally refuse to endorse someone’s candidacy until they have been fully vetted and until we can measure the interest of all persons interested in running for any position.
The letter that is partially attached to his press release can be found in full at JC’s website. The letter is signed by four members of the State Central Committee:
Fred Floreth, 13th Congressional District Committeeman
Jan Weber, 17th Congressional District Committewoman
Michael Neubert, 12th Congressional District Committeeman
John McGlasson, 16th Congressional District Committeeman
Spinning that the support of 4 members of our committee equates to an endorsement from the Illinois Republican Party is simply dishonest.
Please update your post to reflect that fact.
Shaun Murphy
*** UPDATE 2 *** This is one stellar rollout…
Rich, this is Sean Morrison.
I echo the same sentiment as Shaun Murphy, To be clear I have not endorsed Mr. Griffin and to my knowledge nor has the IL GOP endorsed Mr. Griffin.
I am uncertain as to the cause of this confusion on Mr. Griffin’s behalf.
Regards,
Sean M. Morrison
Chairman, Cook County Republican party
3rd Congressional district, Republican State Central committeemen.
*** UPDATE 3 *** ILGOP…
“The Illinois Republican Party has not yet formally made any endorsements in the race for Secretary of State. These four out of eighteen State Central Committee members are acting in their own individual capacities as they are free to do, but are not speaking for the State Central Committee or Illinois Republican Party as a whole. With that being said, we are committed to defeating Mike Madigan’s chief patronage boss, Jesse White, and electing a Secretary of State who works for the people, not a corrupt political machine.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Due to abbreviated social media headlines and the omission of the portion of the support letter listing the names of the specific supporters, it may have been inferred by readers that the entire Illinois Republican State Central Committee (IRSCC) had endorsed me for Secretary of State when in fact it was only 4 members of the committee.
I will be working diligently to gain the support of the remaining members of the IRSCC and the individual Republican County Chairman throughout Illinois in the coming months.
Chris Kennedy Boasts Endorsement From Soda Tax Supporter
Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, staunch Preckwinkle ally and supporter of the Soda Tax, endorses Kennedy, tying him to the Chicago Democrat money-grab
“Garcia and Kennedy are a perfect pairing because they are both clearly out of touch with Illinois voters. Garcia’s support of the Soda Tax despite 87% of Cook County residents’ disapproval just goes to show that Chicago Democrats like Garcia and Kennedy are wrong for Illinois.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
On Thursday, Chris Kennedy held an event to highlight his endorsement from Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, Toni Preckwinkle’s loyal floor leader on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
Kennedy’s willingness to showcase support from someone who voted for the Soda Tax overwhelmingly opposed by his constituents makes it clear that he does not care about Illinois families and taxpayers.
Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy declared Thursday that if elected he would “govern as a feminist,” as he sought to intertwine his family’s political heritage with women’s issues at a luncheon featuring his mother, Ethel Kennedy, and two of his sisters.
The fundraiser, which drew more than 350 people with ticket prices starting at $250, marked a rare trip by the 89-year-old family matriarch, human rights activist and widow of Robert F. Kennedy to the city of her birth, where she was born and raised on the South Side. […]
Speaking to the audience, Chris Kennedy accused Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner of engaging in a “war on women” largely as a result of the lengthy stalemate that kept Illinois without a budget until a tax-and-spending package was enacted over his veto.
“As governor of Illinois, I’ll govern as a feminist,” Kennedy said. “I know that when we recognize the importance of women in our lives and in our communities, when we allow them to empower themselves by removing the systemic barriers that exist, only then can we make the growth of our economy, the viability of our state and the security of our future a reality.”
* From Kennedy’s speech at the event, provided by his campaign…
Because we believe in fair compensation and a $15 an hour minimum wage in which America’s full-time [workers] don’t have to live in poverty, we must also believe in fair compensation so that women are paid equally for their work.
Because we believe that government has a role in establishing minimum coverage for all citizens across all aspects of healthcare, so too must we believe that women must be afforded sufficient time with their child after giving birth without sacrificing income.
We cannot punish women for being moms.
Because we believe there is an absolute role for the government to intervene in systemic violence, we must also believe that there is a special role for the government to intervene in domestic violence.
Because we recognize that there’s a disproportionate number of women living in poverty, we must make eliminating poverty not only part of advancing equality for women but part of the agenda for the entire country.
As governor of Illinois, I’ll govern as a feminist.
When we recognize the importance of women in our lives and in our communities, when we allow them to empower themselves by removing the systemic barriers that exist, only then can we make the the growth of our economy, the viability of our state and the security of our country a reality.
* And this is an e-mail which came over the transom…
Chris Kennedy claims he will be a “feminist” governor, but his words and actions don’t match up.
Kennedy has yet to tout any women endorsing his campaign and he has repeatedly showed up late to women’s events. During a Mom + Baby event, he showed up an hour late and was “condescending and rude” to a women’s political group. An organizer said she “didn’t think Kennedy would’ve had the same behavior with a group of men.”
Just last week, Chris disrespected a group of downstate women by showing up two hours late to their event.
But this wasn’t the first time. He’s missed many gubernatorial forums and he was the only major gubernatorial candidate to miss forums hosted by women’s groups, including the Democratic Women of South Suburbs.
It’s not just skipping forums and showing up late for women’s events though. He also hasn’t modeled his campaign as the “feminist” he claims to be. His top staffers are predominantly men, including his campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, ad maker and strategist, spokesman, deputy finance director, volunteer and outreach coordinator, and at least three consultants.
Finally, when asked about his support for a woman’s right to choose, Chris called it the “abortion thing,” saying “we have laws in our country and the laws are the laws.” He then awkwardly shifted to talking about his wife’s appointment at the OBGYN, saying “The woman never even looked at me. Never even looked at me.”
I dunno. He’s late to a lot of stuff. And the spokesperson I deal with at the Kennedy campaign is a woman.
Creates the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State that employers, employees, and their labor organizations are free to bargain collectively. Provides that the authority to enact laws or rules that restrict the use of union security agreements between an employer and a labor organization vests exclusively with the General Assembly. Prohibits local governments from enforcing any such law or rule.
The bill was sent to the governor on August 2nd, so today is his 60-day deadline to act. He’ll undoubtedly veto it, but in the wake of the GOP fury over HB40, can he hold enough House Republicans off the bill to prevent an override?
It only received 67 votes in the House, short of an override. Three House Democrats were listed as absent or excused. And three House Republicans voted for the bill (Long, McCombie and Severin). But if you click here you’ll see several potential HGOP flips who didn’t vote either way in late June, just before the real craziness started with the tax/budget overrides, the subsequent Rauner staff fiasco and the governor’s flip-flop on HB40.
Gonna be an interesting floor fight come veto session time.
…Adding… From a pal…
Would be ironic if Rauner’s “no social agenda” ended up undoing his very real anti-union agenda
Yep.
*** UPDATE *** As expected…
Bill No.: SB 1905
An Act Concerning Government
Action: Vetoed
Veto Message for SB 1905
September 29, 2017
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate,
100th General Assembly:
Today I veto Senate Bill 1905 from the 100th General Assembly, which prohibits local communities from allowing individual workers a choice in whether or not they want to pay a union as a condition of employment. This legislation would damage the economic health of Illinois’ communities by removing their freedom to determine the best interests of their workforces and employers.
Illinois lags behind its neighbors’ economic and job growth despite our many advantages. Our State’s workforce is fleeing and aging, losing 250,000 people and having the worst personal income growth in the country over the last decade. Individuals, families, and businesses who should be eager to come to Illinois stay away. Manufacturers too often leave across our borders or never even consider investing in new job creation here. Many businesses will only expand in communities that offer employee freedom of choice.
Part of our struggle is that every state that shares a border with Illinois has already enacted true worker freedom, allowing individuals in those states to determine whether they want to contribute to a labor union. Many states around us are growing union jobs as well as non-union jobs faster than Illinois because more of their communities give workers choice while not preventing employees from joining unions if they choose.
By contrast, Senate Bill 1905 would move Illinois in the opposite direction by destroying the freedom of Illinois’ local communities to choose reforms that can make their economies more competitive, help their businesses grow, and give the freedom to individual workers to support a union at their own discretion.
This legislation forces local communities to follow a one-size-fits-all model of government, no matter how detrimental they believe it is to them. Our goal should not be to limit workers’ ability to join a union but rather to give communities the freedom to embrace new tools to compete economically and to recruit businesses and talent rather than have their choices dictated by Springfield.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return Senate Bill 1905, entitled “AN ACT concerning government”, with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…
“Just this week, we saw Bruce Rauner celebrate an assault on workers’ rights as the Supreme Court decided to hear Janus vs. AFSCME, and now he’s continuing these attacks on the state level,” said JB Pritzker. “The hardworking men and women of the labor movement deserve a partner in Springfield who will defend their right to collectively bargain, not one who wages war on it. When I’m governor, the labor movement will always have a seat at the table as we fight for working families, protect workers’ rights, and work to raise the wage floor. I urge the General Assembly to override this failed governor’s veto.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** IL AFL-CIO…
Statement by Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan concerning Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1905
“Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the Collective Bargaining Freedom Act (SB 1905) follows one of the only trends he has shown any consistency and determination – depressing wages, destroying unions and squeezing the middle class.
“Recognizing existing global and national races to the bottom on wages, this bill simply insures that counties and towns cannot make up different sets of laws concerning negotiations between workers and employers. Such layers of laws and jurisdictions would undermine Illinois workers in all our communities.
“Rauner has not done his job. He cannot point to a single accomplishment. His legacy will be crisis, division, and shockingly erratic leadership. This bill passed with Democrat and Republican votes. We will work to overturn this veto in the General Assembly.”
* Check out these Illinois Review headlines. They’re not only furious with the governor, they also mock some Republican officials for overly diplomatic reactions…
* Not all of those headlines were completely fair, though. Check out the end of Rep. Sosnowski’s release, for instance…
The Governor promised to veto HB 40 in the public, in the press, and in private. I am extremely disappointed in the Governor’s actions in supporting this bill, in deceiving so many about his goals as Governor, and in his outright lie about this bill.
* Meanwhile, in case you missed it yesterday, here’s House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s response…
The Governor and I disagree on this issue and I did not support the bill. I am displeased with the Governor’s action today. Moving forward, it’s important for Republicans to remember to come together. There is much work that needs to be done to make Illinois a thriving and vibrant state and we are committed to finishing the job.
* And this is Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady’s response…
“I voted against House Bill 40 and do not support the legislation,” said Brady. “While we disagree on this issue, and while I am disappointed, I stand ready to work with the Governor on the key economic issues and other challenges facing Illinois.”
Some Republicans are already trying to save what’s left of the GOP by finding other conservative candidates to run against Rauner. Among the names being mentioned: state Rep. Jeanne Ives, of Wheaton, a conservative and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mentioned as a running mate is outgoing state Sen. Kyle McCarter, of downstate Lebanon.
Several possible GOP candidates tell us their hesitation isn’t a fear of facing Rauner, but a fear of the general election. They say the mid-term could be a Democratic year and if there’s real anti-Trump sentiment, it could spell doom for any Republican running statewide in Illinois. Names floating around, state Rep. Jeanne Ives, state Sen. Kyle McCarter, state Sen. Sam McCann, Dan Proft.
Yep.
* And this is an excerpt from Sen. McCann’s Facebook post yesterday…
Right now, I am being primaried for the third time in five years BY MY OWN PARTY.
Sangamon County Republican Chairman Rose Long said recently that I don’t represent their values. Her hand-picked candidate, Steve McClure is being supported by my own caucus-mates (fellow republican senators and representatives) and members of the Illinois Republican Congressional delegation. So - you’re right, I don’t represent your values!!! Because I don’t believe in selling out to Rauner Inc as you have and throwing your constituents under the bus as you all have!
I don’t believe in disregarding my oath and being party to destroying Representative Governmment, as so many of you have done.
I don’t believe in being anyone’s RUBBERSTAMP! I believe in being a voice and a vote for the People, not a pawn of the party.
So, to the People of the 50th Senate District, if you are looking for a #rubberstamp to go along with four more years of Rauner, then Chairman Rose Long, Steve McClure and the IL GOP are giving you an excellent opportunity to do so.
Sounds like he’s running for reelection, but things can change.
Rauner is betting he can still survive a primary challenge. But if he vetoed the abortion bill, how could he survive a general election in a blue state? The move negates the full-page ads, the Handmaid’s Tale protesters who prominently and frequently protest outside the Thompson Center in Chicago and in Springfield will likely disappear. His best argument is what he articulated on Thursday, that abortion isn’t really available equally to all women if there’s no access to it by those who can’t afford it. “No woman should be forced to make a different decision than another woman would based purely on her income,” Rauner said. “I am personally pro-choice, I always have been. I made no qualms about that when I was elected governor. I have not and never will change my views. I personally believe that a woman must have the right to decide what goes on in her own body.”
In a phone interview, state Rep. Jeanne Ives, a social and economic conservative and West Point graduate from Wheaton, said she’s concluded that Rauner “cannot be elected next year.”
“It’s his decision whether or not to run. If he does, I hope we’d put up a primary opponent against him, because I won’t be supporting him,” Ives continued.
Asked who that might be, Ives replied, “That’s an open question.” When I said that sounds like she’s interested, she answered, “I’ve not ruled it out,” noting not only Rauner’s “flip flop” on the abortion bill but also his earlier decision to sign bills boosting funding for Chicago Public Schools and directing law enforcement officials not to cooperate with federal immigration agents in many cases involving those in the country illegally.
After long conversations with advocates on both sides of the issue, Governor Rauner followed through on a campaign promise signing legislation protecting the right to choose for Illinois women. The governor has always spoken his mind throughout his time in office, and on Thursday he stood up for the rights of women across the state.
Take a look at some of the coverage:
Rauner Pulls Trigger: Signs Bill to Ensure Abortion Remains Legal
“As Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, I will not let that happen,” Schneider said. “There is no daylight between Governor Rauner and the Illinois Republican Party and we will continue working hard to ensure his reelection and finally defeat Mike Madigan once and for all.”
But, he added, “I believe women have a right to decide what goes on in her own body…the right to choose.”
The bill would override parts of a 1975 law that would ban abortions in Illinois should the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion.
…If Roe v. Wade is overturned without any changes to state law, abortions would be banned in Illinois even in the case of rape or incest, while abortions could be performed if the mother’s life were in danger.
Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign Abortion Protections Law HB40
The new law will expand abortion coverage for low-income women on Medicaid and others on state health insurance. It would also overturn the state’s ‘trigger law’, which would have automatically made abortion illegal in Illinois were the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the abortion rights decision ‘Roe v. Wade’.
In a statement, Gov. Rauner said, “I understand abortion is a very emotional issue with passionate opinions on both sides. I sincerely respect those who believe abortion is morally wrong. They are good people motivated by principle. But, as I have always said, I believe a woman should have the right to make that choice herself and I do not believe that choice should be determined by income. I do not think it’s fair to deny poor women the choice that wealthy women have.”
Illinois Governor says he will sign HB40
The bill makes it legal to get an abortion in the state, even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Roe vs. Wade decision.
…The governor said he respects people who believe abortion is morally wrong, but he said he believes a woman should have the right to make the choice on her own.
Rauner also said income shouldn’t be a factor in the choice.
While some disagreed with the decision, noted pro-life Republicans expressed the need to rally around the governor on the big issues facing Illinois:
Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti:
“I realize this bill is a political ploy to divide the people of Illinois. While I disagree with the Governor on this, we must focus on our areas of agreement – enacting real reforms we need to turn Illinois around.”
Attorney General Candidate Erika Harold
“The Governor personally reached out to me about his decision, and I know he did not reach it easily. While we disagree on this issue, there remains much on which we agree - and that is what unites us as Republicans. We both agree on the need to make Illinois more competitive, we agree on the need to lift up the less fortunate and we agree on the need to crack down on corruption and wrongdoing. As I have stated several times in the past, as Attorney General, I will enforce all of the laws of the state.”
A few hours before placing his signature on a controversial bill expanding taxpayer-funded abortion coverage on Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner made a courtesy call to Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich.
The archbishop reminded him that he was disappointed not only by the policy decision, but also by the governor’s choice to break his promise. Last spring, Rauner had assured opponents of abortion rights that he would veto the measure.
“I reminded him of the promise and also my statement earlier thanking him for that,” Cupich told the Tribune on Thursday evening. “He did break his word. He broke his word to the people, especially those who have continued to speak on behalf of the vulnerable child in the womb. […]
But Cupich said that on Thursday, there was little room for argument with the governor.
“He was fairly matter-of-fact in saying what decision he came to,” Cupich said. “I expressed my disappointment. I think that’s about it.”
I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but I cannot recall ever seeing anything like this in Illinois. A governor getting called out by the Cardinal for breaking his promise?
Rauner is a wealthy man who doesn’t need this job and has learned, even if he won’t say so publicly, that he’s not very good at it.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan shocked the Illinois political establishment with her recent announcement that she would not seek re-election to a fifth term. A similar announcement from Rauner, while more consequential, would be far less shocking under the circumstances.
I didn’t hear back when I queried his campaign about this possibility Thursday. But the haggard man dully answering reporters’ questions that afternoon while bracing for the howls of betrayal from his former supporters didn’t look like someone braced for the political fight of his life.
Well past my print deadline a spokesman got back to me and said that, while Rauner has not announced his candidacy for re-election “he is running and already circulating petitions.”
