The return of the circular firing squad
Monday, Sep 18, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review…
Abortion supporters such as Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove says that even though the state House and Senate passed [House Bill 40] back in May, they will not send it to the governor’s desk unless they know for sure the governor will sign it into law.
Every day that move is delayed leaves less time for a potential GOP primary challenger to organize social conservatives to challenge the Republican governor, which may be why Governor Rauner is ignoring requests to confirm his position on HB 40.
Twenty or so pro-life lawmakers met with the governor earlier this year, saying if he wanted them to support his re-election, he would have to veto HB40.
HB 40 would make all Illinois abortions taxpayer-funded and would attempt to exempt Illinois from federal law if a conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.
At the request of State Rep. David McSweeney, last Monday Illinois Review began asking the governor’s office to confirm the commitment he made in April to veto HB 40. The news source followed up Tuesday, and waited to ask for the third time until the governor returned from his trip to Asia.
* Speaking of McSweeney, Will Stephens at WXAN passed along a couple of tidbits from his recent interview with the legislator…
At the 4:36 mark in reference to Gov. Rauner Rep. McSweeney says…
“I want him to succeed, but he’s failed miserably. Property taxes are higher than ever, we’ve had a 32% increase in the income tax rate, we have a sanctuary state…in the state of Illinois, spending is out of control, we have a number of bills that are terrible that he signed…”
At the 8:44 mark, referencing his push to eliminate the Lt. Gov Office…
“The Governor has opposed me 100%, Sanguetnetti, his Lt. Governor, is allegedly for consolidation, they have done everything to protect their fiefdom and their office, its a waste of taxpayers money. Who cares who the Lt. Governor is in this state? It’s a waste of money. Governor Rauner right now has two deputy Governors that are making a lot of money, why do you need a Lt. Governor on top of it…”
* Meanwhile, from earlier this month…
Disappointed with his state rep’s vote to hike state income taxes by 32%, Effingham businessman Brian Milleville announced Wednesday that he’s challenging 5-term GOP incumbent John Cavaletto for his 107th District House seat.
Pointing to Chicago Democrats and what he called “Surrender” Republicans, Milleville said those in office have walked away from central Illinois taxpayers that just can’t afford more taxes.
* Today…
State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) has announced that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming November 2018 election.
* Also today…
Milleville says the Illinois Opportunity Project has voiced their support for his candidacy, although no specific amount of funding from the group was agreed upon.
That would be Dan Proft’s group.
* An offshoot of the IOP is “Upstream Ideas,” which published a video commentary the other day…
In Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s world, capitulation is compromise. Because he believes now what he has always believed: The Democrats are too strong. Mike Madigan is too strong. Unions are too strong.
The truth is, Jim Durkin is weak. He should be held accountable for his weakness in 2018. Otherwise mediocrity will continue to plague us all. Pat Hughes explains in this week’s Two Minute Warning.
…Adding… I forgot about this until a commenter reminded me…
Uline CEO Richard Uihlein has given another $2 million to a political action committee that has focused on electing Republicans to seats in Springfield.
State elections records show the contribution to Liberty Principles PAC was reported Saturday. The PAC is run by conservative radio host and former unsuccessful candidate for governor Dan Proft.
Uihlein has given money to the PAC before, as has Gov. Rauner. It reported spending more than $10 million on races in 2016.
- Annonin' - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
When you click the Upstream Ideas (whatever the F* that means) you get to a shrine to Proft and a link o SingleMom talkin’ some “policy”. The radio ad plugging the upstream mumbo jumbo mentions Maze and Charles. So wonder if they have rented themselvesout to IPI/Proft/Rauner?
Speaking of links we were looking for a link to TwoPiece and StateHouseChick just to round out the creew
Finally isn’t upstream the place where all the C* comes from?
- PJ - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
I really, truly do not understand what Proft is doing to Durkin.
You win the majority, ok, then it’s important. But having Jeanne Ives in the minority leader spot solves exactly 0 problems and creates about 40. Not one single conservative principle will be forwarded by replacing Durkin with an extremist.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
Either me or Dan Proft is totally misreading the Illinois electorate and how to create a governing majority in this state.
I really hope it’s not me.
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
Holding HB40 through the petition period seems to let the governor play to both sides and so wriggle off the hook. Why is Harmon holding it so long?
- PJ - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
It’s not you 47th.
I’m starting to think he’s just a dude with a large money cannon to point. Not seeing any “savvy political operative”.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
===I really, truly do not understand what Proft is doing to Durkin.===
Proft wants a Chamber Leader beholden to him, it have to answer to him, and most assuredly not ignore him.
Rauner was a “buffer” but now with the IPI/Radical Candor fiasco and the Rasmussen Experiment still running that Gov’s Office, why wouldn’t Proft go after Durkin.
I’m with Durkin when he decides that being autonomous is best, but that’s been few and far between since 2015
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Proft just got another influx of Uihlein money this past week, $2 million. I’m guessing is to go after sell out GOP folks and their Leader.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
Proft is most effective when…
Governing isn’t the end game…
Dividing the GOP can be a financial windfall…
Having a Chamber Leader has to more than deal with him and his ilk.
The rest is the “bread and circuses” that is the Circular Firing Squad
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
I do not think if Roe vs Wade is overturned federal law will then be such that abortion is illegal the matter would go back to the states to decide. Sort of way gay marriage became law of land. And we probably would have been better letting each state decide rather than a pronouncement from the Supreme Court
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Proft just went to an event in the NW burbs. wonder how that went, whom he is supporting closer to the City.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
===Proft just got another influx of Uihlein money this past week, $2 million. I’m guessing is to go after sell out GOP folks and their Leader.
A bonfire would be more efficient.
They may be successful in getting more Republican seats held by movement conservatives, but that means fewer GOP seats overall. By all means, proceed.
- Duh - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Leader Durkin is far from weak. He is a diplomat who makes every effort to work with many factors outside of his caucus. He has done so with the utmost respect with all parties involved. If Leader Durkin were truly so weak, he would not be a Proft target.
- Langhorne - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 2:51 pm:
You are in the minority of a minority, and your solution is to frag your leader? Are you trying to kill madigan by making him laugh himself to death?
Do you even have a plan that can generate support? Or is it just a panel of litmus tests, and attack ads, consequences be damned?
- SAP - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
==Who cares who the Lt. Governor is in this state?== Most of the time nobody, but when Rod Blagojevich got arrested most of us cared.
- Grand Avenue - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 3:55 pm:
Where is Erika Harold on Choice?
If she is at all pro-life, I expect Terry Cosgrove to dump a ton of money into the AG race.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:05 pm:
===If she is at all pro-life,===
If she’s not pro-life, she won’t be the GOP nominee.
- Arsenal - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
They are right to be depressed, and right to turn on each other. They’ve gotten nothing out of Rauner’s governorship, and it’s all of their faults.
- Roman - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:25 pm:
If Terry Cosgrove has it his way, Harmon will hold the bill until after the filing deadline — when the coast is clear — and then put in on Rauner’s desk.
If Mike Madigan has it his way, Harmon will release the bill now, force Rauner to take a position that either invites a primary challenge (by signing it) or hurts him in the General (by vetoing it.)
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:16 pm:
Dear Lord, I guess this means old AA is gonna have to crack out the old decoder ring and get a new one for Annonin’. I actually got most of that comment without one, though.
- Anon221 - Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 6:04 pm:
Harold’s stance on abortion from 2013-
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-07-16/harold-gives-views-social-security-abortion.html