* The Illinois Policy Institute’s news service was in a bit of a lather about the bill earlier today…
More than half of the nation’s states have enacted laws barring forced unionization. In Illinois, lawmakers are primed to make enacting local right-to-work laws a criminal offense with up to a year in jail for the local politicians doing so.
A right-to-work law allows an employee to refuse union membership and still be employed. It’s proven to be a lightning rod on both sides of issues surrounding organized labor. Twenty-eight states have adopted right-to-work laws.
Under Senate Bill 1905, any local official in Illinois enacting right-to-work laws could potentially be charged with a class A misdemeanor. That’s a penalty often given to prostitutes, burglars, and drunk drivers and means up to a year in prison. It’s one step below a felony.
Laurie Reynolds, Prentice H. Marshall Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois College of Law, said taking a step to criminalize state-local disagreements warps the nature of local democracy.
“I have to think that a state court in Illinois would invalidate this as an abuse of state legislative power,” she said. “This is really beyond the pale.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement following the Senate vote on SB 1905:
“Today’s vote could create a damaging loss for the economic competitiveness of Illinois.
Senate Bill 1905 would hurt all the people of our state through lost job opportunities, slower economic growth, a smaller statewide tax base and ultimately higher taxes in the future.
This vote denies local communities – cities and counties – the ability to decide for themselves how they would like to structure their regulations to compete for jobs with other states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Texas.
SB 1905 could be particularly devastating for communities in Illinois with high unemployment – Dolton, Danville, Decatur, Rockford, Englewood and Lawndale.
We urge the House of Representative to uphold the veto and give Illinois a chance to empower local voters to compete for jobs in high need areas throughout the state.”
* Related…
* More Rauner, Democrat showdowns on tap during veto session: Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s legislation to create a “bill of rights” for student-loan recipients is up for override, as is a measure from Democratic Treasurer Michael Frerichs to make it easier to collect life insurance benefits when a beneficiary dies.
* More GOP lawmakers split from Rauner on Debt Transparency Act: State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said he initially thought HB 3649 was an attempt by Mendoza to handcuff Rauner during an election year. “But that being said, transparency is very important,” Butler said. “These bills should be reported on time. Whether or not it’s a monthly basis, or whatever, I think that’s the question.” Butler initially voted against it, but said he said he’s reconsidering that headed into a possible vote to override.
State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) is working in conjunction with the Illinois State Rifle Association on legislation to curtail the presence of so-called “bump-fire stocks” in Illinois. House Bill 4120 prevents the future sale and possession of the device used during the deadly Las Vegas shooting which left 59 people dead.
“I’m the first person to stand-up for our essential right as Americans to keep and bear arms, whether for personal protection, hunting or another sporting purpose,” said Wheeler. “However, the horrific events in Las Vegas showed quite clearly the devastation that can be caused by a rifle attachment like a bump-fire stock in the hands of an ill person. After speaking with firearm experts and the Illinois State Rifle Association, we all agreed that bump-fire stocks have no practical protection or sporting use and should be taken off the market.”
Under HB 4120, it will become illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer or possess a bump-fire stock in Illinois. Wheeler noted that since 1935 U.S. law has banned most automatic weapons, like the Tommy gun made famous by horrific mob violence in the early years of the 20th century. Since the only purpose of the bump-fire stock is to increase a rifles rate of fire to perform like an automatic firearm, it is an end-around way of skirting safety laws already in place for decades.
“I want to thank the State Rifle Association for working with me to craft this legislation to improve public safety while ensuring the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Illinoisans is not infringed,” said Wheeler.
In response to the events in Las Vegas, a slew of unreasonable bills have been filed in Illinois, such as HB 4107 and HB 4112. Wheeler said these bills are knee jerk reactions that broadly infringe on the rights of law-abiding Americans rather than addressing specific causes of violence or loopholes in the law that allow dangerous people and criminals to get their hands on firearms.
The bill is here. She has a few Democratic co-sponsors and one Republican (Grant Wehrli).
The “unreasonable” bills she referred to in the press release include a ban on assault weapons (HB4107) and this one…
Provides that it is a violation of the unlawful use of weapons statute to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess, in this State, a trigger crank, a bump-fire device, or any part, combination of parts, component, device, attachment, or accessory that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semi-automatic rifle but does not convert the semi-automatic rifle into a machine gun. Provides that a person who violates this provision commits a Class 2 felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 years and not more than 7 years, unless the trigger crank, bump-fire device, part, combination of parts, component, device, attachment, or accessory is attached to a semi-automatic rifle and possessed in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, or on the person, while the rifle is loaded, in which case it shall be a Class X felony. Provides exemptions. Effective immediately.
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:
“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace. For a number of years, every member of the House has been required to certify that they develop and enforce a sexual harassment policy for their offices and staff. They will continue to do so. However, we can and should do more to ensure no individual is the target of sexual harassment in the Capitol or anywhere else.
“Because harassment thrives in silence, we are continually working to eliminate all forms of harassment from our Statehouse and our legislative offices. With this in mind, we will be advancing legislation that will require everyone—from legislators, to staff, to lobbyists—to complete yearly comprehensive sexual harassment training. We will also be requiring lobbyists develop and submit their own sexual harassment policies, just as legislators currently do.
“I have directed staff to conduct a thorough review of all existing policies related to this issue and to continue identifying further changes that can and should be made.”
This is moving a lot faster than some may have expected.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady’s office…
Leader Brady would be happy to co-sponsor this bill when it comes to the Senate.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s office…
Leader Durkin believes that harassment of any sort is unacceptable in the House Republican caucus and staff. He fully supports this proposal.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…
Thanks to a group of courageous women who gave voice to the experiences of countless women who work in Springfield, legislators are working to make our Statehouse a safe, respectful place for professionals to have the freedom to do their jobs.
During my tenure as Chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the university adopted sexual harassment training for university employees and board members. As governor, I would absolutely sign a law requiring legislators, staff and lobbyists to go through sexual harassment training. In addition, I would require Illinois businesses, small and large, to provide sexual harassment training to employees, similar to measures in California, Connecticut, and Maine.
Our government has a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect all citizens. When women are unsafe, so is our society.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Senate President John Cullerton…
“My goal in this office has been to advocate for professional conduct in the workplace and provide a safe space for victims to speak up and be protected. Discrimination, harassment and intimidation are unacceptable and not tolerated.
“I support the legislation being discussed.”
* And Patty Schuh…
“Governor Rauner mandated a sexual harassment-free workplace for state employees almost two years ago. Executive Order 16-04 — signed by the Governor on Feb. 26, 2016 –directed the creation of the state’s first Code of Personal Conduct. The order derives from the Governor’s strong belief in an ethical, respectful and accountable workplace and from his personal conviction that sexual harassment is unacceptable in all forms. State agency employees also receive required sexual harassment prevention training.”
Even before his re-election video aired, he was bragging in a TV commercial about increasing the state’s education funding to record levels. That wouldn’t have been possible without that income tax hike.
Rauner doesn’t expect people to make the connection.
It’s worth noting that not a lot of people are [contributing to Rauner’s campaign fund]. His biggest donor in the last quarter was interest on his own donation. It’s him and Ken Griffin and not a lot of other people… I see e-mails that he sends out… and I get e-mails back from friends of mine that were significant donors to him saying ‘Oh, this is the first communication I’ve got from Bruce Rauner since he won.’
Actually, as we’ve already discussed a tiny bit, Rauner is running the number one “small dollar” campaign by far of any statewide candidate this year…
For all the talk about low dollar $ none of the cands really powering their campaigns that way. Pawar's ~13% was the high & he dropped out. pic.twitter.com/EVftqryBSp
The governor is doing pretty well with those smallish checks, which is never easy for a rich guy because people figure he has all the dough he needs. Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC had just one contribution last quarter, $2 million from Dick Uihlein.
Proft went on to complain that Rauner’s ILGOP hadn’t yet found anyone to run for comptroller or treasurer, and he’s most certainly right about that.
He also said that the donor community wishes Rauner would just “go away.” Since that’s not happening, the bigtime Republican contributors want to avoid a “bloody” primary and wait to see if Rauner can, over time, “crawl his way back into the race.” That’s probably spot on.
* Meanwhile, Proft said he would be focusing on House races. The governor is doing the same. You’ll recall that Rauner gave over $4 million to the ILGOP earlier this month. That money has now been distributed to the House and Senate Republicans…
And also the Illinois Republican Party transfers $1 million to the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee.https://t.co/DzlR9xlNfo
It should be interesting to see how all those “outraged” rank and file House and Senate Republicans explain why it’s OK to take that “washed” Rauner money.
* I found this Proft quote interesting because I had a discussion with somebody about a similar topic last night…
The veto session begins today and the Democrats are going to try and trick bag him again now that they’ve got him on the run on all their stuff. Assault weapon ban. Now, he’s supposedly a 2nd Amendment guy, but if he wants to appeal to suburban women in the way that his wife wants him to, you know, by being a Democrat, what’s he gonna do if an assault weapon ban gets to his desk?
Except I’m not sure if there are enough votes to pass that bill out of the House. The legislation to watch could be the bump stock ban.
But what about trying to put marijuana legalization on his desk?
* As I told subscribers the other day, it looks like some really big money is heading Ruiz’s way…
Jesse Ruiz, Democratic candidate for Illinois Attorney General, announced Tuesday that Newton N. Minow – senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree – has agreed to chair the Ruiz campaign.
“I have known Jesse Ruiz for more than 20 years, and I respect him both for his exceptional legal talents and for his fine character,” said Minow, who was a prominent supporter of President Barack Obama. “In these difficult times, I know Jesse has the strength and tenacity to stand up against governmental overreach and successfully defend the rights of the people of Illinois as our Attorney General.”
Kevin L. Freeman, a global M&A attorney in Chicago, will serve as campaign treasurer.
Ruiz also announced his first campaign finance committee co-chairs:
· Maria Bechily
· James C. Franczek, Jr
· Lenny Gail
· Dr. Mahalia Hines
· Scott Hodes
· Penny Pritzker
· Laura Ricketts
· Brooke Skinner Ricketts
· John W. Rowe
· Manny Sanchez
· Robin Steans
· Yolanda “Dusty” Stemer
“Jesse Ruiz will be a great Attorney General for Illinois,” Pritzker commented. “In addition to his legal abilities, he has a fundamental sense of decency that shapes everything does. He is absolutely the right choice to serve as the ‘people’s lawyer.’”
“I served on the Chicago Board of Education alongside Jesse Ruiz, and I was always impressed by his fairness and his willingness to listen,” Hines added. “He is a strong leader who is passionate about education and protecting the rights of children.”
Laura Ricketts said she and her wife Brooke support Jesse Ruiz “because he will stand up for all of us. For two decades, he has been a tireless volunteer and community leader. I am so encouraged that he has now decided to run for office at last. Illinois needs elected leaders like Jesse Ruiz.”
Ruiz is a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath, a nationally renowned law firm, where he has worked for more than 20 years. He also serves as President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners.
…Adding… His latest A-1 ain’t bad at all. Click here.
“My grandparents were proud immigrants to the United States of America, here to Illinois in the late 1800s,” Rauner said. “My grandparents did not speak English when they were young.” […]
More recently, when Rauner was interviewed in June 2017 by the conservative Hoover Institution at Stanford University, he again talked of his grandfather. “He was my best buddy growing up. He was an immigrant, didn’t speak much English. He spoke Swedish,” Rauner said.
And he also said this on Aug. 11, 2017, in an interview with Bret Baier on the Fox News Channel: “Illinois is a state built by immigrants. My grandparents were immigrants.” […]
Records from U.S. Censuses taken between 1910 and 1940, the latest year publicly available, clearly show that both of Rauner’s maternal grandparents were born in Wisconsin — Clarence Erickson in 1901 and Viola Erickson (nee Wedin) in 1900. In other words, neither of them were immigrants. […]
Census records and Rauner’s own admission show that this statement has no credibility. That is why it earns our lowest possible rating, Pants On Fire.
* Well, Gov. Rauner received the 2017 Person of the Year Award from the United Hellenic Voters Association yesterday. The full video of the banquet speeches is here.
The state Capitol was evacuated Tuesday morning due to a small fire in a furnace, Springfield Fire Chief Barry Helmerichs said.
Shortly before noon, Helmerichs said firefighters were called to the Statehouse after the building’s fire alarm went off. The fire was put out with an extinguisher. No one was injured.
Helmerichs said there was some lingering smoke in a first-floor room that was being ventilated and people were being allowed back into the building.
The fire delayed the start of today’s veto session.
There is one other crucial factor: Emanuel needs to convince Bezos that Amazon won’t be hobbled by the state’s public debts and political dysfunction. USA Today synthesized an assessment several handicappers have raised: “While Chicago’s got much of what Amazon wants, its state economy is a mess.” It’d be easy for Bezos and his lieutenants to wonder if Illinois, with the worst credit rating of any state, can be trusted to fulfill its end of any deal.
That puts the onus on Springfield lawmakers, starting with House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, to make clear they want Amazon in Illinois. Foxconn rejected Illinois. So did Toyota and Mazda, which are searching for a factory site. It’s one thing for Illinois to lose out in the competition to offer the most incentives. It’s another to be bypassed because the state is seen as a lousy, risky place to do business.
The General Assembly begins its veto session Tuesday. What will Madigan, Cullerton and other elected officials do, and what will they say, to make Amazon want to look closely at Chicago’s bid?
Billing Illinois and Chicago as an “extraordinary opportunity for Amazon” to locate its second headquarters, state and city political leaders entered the nationwide competition to land the online retail giant’s 50,000 jobs by offering $2 billion in incentives while hinting they were willing to dig even deeper, sources familiar with the bid confirmed Monday.
In an official letter to Amazon executives attached to the state and city’s bid, Gov. Bruce Rauner, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the legislature’s top four leaders laid out the big-ticket series of state tax breaks, property tax discounts, infrastructure spending and other incentives. In the letter, obtained by the Chicago Tribune, the politicians also offered to spend an additional $250 million that would not go to Amazon directly but would pay to train up a workforce from which the mega tech company could hire.
And, the elected officials wrote, there could be more money and tax breaks should Amazon deem Illinois and Chicago a worthy finalist for the company’s so-called HQ2 and the $5 billion it has promised to spend on it.
“Finally, when you have narrowed the field and are engaged in more specific conversations with us, we are prepared to promptly consider other incentives that represent sound economic policy for Illinois and the greater Chicago area,” the letter reads. “We all want to ensure that Illinois and the greater Chicago area are well understood to have a constructive approach to technology and innovation.”
* Background is here [Republican governors “thank” Madigan in new Rauner ad]. From Speaker Madigan…
“Illinois’ balanced budget is a bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats who worked together to move beyond the governor’s political games and end his 732-day budget crisis. Rauner’s crisis created billions of dollars in unpaid bills, pushed Illinois to the edge of junk bond status, and shuttered social service providers throughout the state. Even now, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed to make the tough decisions the governor was unwilling to make, Governor Rauner would still rather play political games than work cooperatively to repair the damage he has done.
“The governor’s ad highlights his own failure to lead, and fully embraces the race to the bottom being led by his role models from states where middle-class wages are a fraction of what they are in Illinois. It’s deeply disappointing that Governor Rauner would rather work with right-wing governors from other states than with legislators seeking bipartisan compromise right here in Illinois. But his actions ultimately reaffirm our resolve in the Legislature to continue our work in a bipartisan way without the governor’s involvement – just as we have for many months now.”
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
Madigan has done it again, deceiving voters with the erroneous claim that the budget he muscled through the legislature is “balanced.” In reality, the budget STILL has a $1.7 billion deficit, despite his massive 32% tax hike. Madigan’s unwillingness to reform state spending has led to the massive tax increases and budget deficit the state now faces.
An open letter alleging widespread sexual harassment in Illinois politics and urging women and their allies to come forward is circulating around the state Capitol.
More than 130 people signed the letter as of Tuesday including legislators and lobbyists. The incidents mentioned in the letter don’t accuse anyone by name but the letter does outline scenarios involving male legislators, including a “chamber leader.”
Political fundraiser Katelynd Duncan says the goal isn’t to out people but to change the culture in Springfield. There’s a private Facebook group with nearly 500 members and a legislative resolution is expected.
The potentially explosive open letter is here. The group’s Facebook page is here.
* This is something that didn’t make it into this morning’s piece from Becky Carroll…
A number of women in Illinois who have worked on campaigns and in government as staffers, as well as consultants, have been engaged in a conversation over the past week around a culture of sexual harassment in Illinois politics. And the more conversations we’ve had with one another the more it’s become apparent just how pervasive this is. Everyone has at least one story of their own, and the common thread has been that most times we’ve had to brush these advances off out of fear of retribution or of being accused of leading someone on or have been encouraged to stay quiet. But the bottom line is this has become the status quo and it’s time for it to come to an end. This letter was written to not only shine a light on the collective experiences that many women share, but to also open the door to a conversation around how we can change this culture. That starts with women sharing their stories. We must also recognize that not all women are comfortable sharing their stories publicly and that’s OK because collectively we will be their voice. There is absolutely no judgment allowed in this group.
We consider this to be an organic process. We started by creating a home on Facebook where women can go to share their stories and engage in a conversation with one another about their experiences and their hopes for change. We also created a letter that women, and the male allies who support them, can sign onto to demonstrate their solidarity. We’ve received an incredible and heartfelt outpouring of support for creating a space where women can engage in this conversation and are discussing next steps in this process. We believe that the solution shouldn’t come from the top down, but from the bottom up and as a collaborative effort driven by the people most impacted and those who have the power to change it. Ultimately the hope is simply to bring an end to the culture of sexual harassment in Illinois politics.
We serve in politics in one form or other because we have committed our lives to being part of the solution in making life better for the people of Illinois. In doing so, we need to make sure that we feel safe, secure and respected as we go about that work.
* Some of the women who worked on the letter, according to Carroll…
Ellie Bahrmasel
Katelynd Duncan
Rep. Sara Feigenholtz
Rep. Toi Hutchinson
Anne Szkatulski
Kate LeFurgy
City Clerk Anna Valencia
* The Statehouse has been evacuated after a fire alarm sounded. Veto session is scheduled to begin at noon, but that could be delayed. UPDATE: People are now being allowed back inside as of about 12:30. Follow along with ScribbleLive…
Is the Legislature as partisan as it seems to be? Can a Republican get anything done?
Eighty-five percent of the things we get done, we do by agreement. You do not have to be a Republican or a Democrat.
I vote what is best for my district. I do not always vote with my caucus or with the governor (Republican Bruce Rauner).
The idea of being bipartisan has been shut down by Madigan, and a certain amount of it will stay shut down as long as he is there. He has power and he knows how to use it, making others disposable and expendable.
So… 85 percent of the stuff they accomplish is bipartisan, but Madigan has shut down the idea of being bipartisan.
Gov. Bruce Rauner kicked off his re-election bid Monday with a campaign video featuring the Republican politician clad in a helmet and black leather motorcycle gear, riding his Harley-Davidson alone past a sometimes-desolate landscape of urban, rural and suburban Illinois.
The lonely ride may serve as a metaphor for the former private equity investor as he tries for a follow-up to a first term that became a tempestuous test of his ability to institute his business-driven agenda, symbolized by a historic, two-year state budget impasse.
Gone are the people who helped Rauner become a Republican governor in a Democratic state a few years ago. They were purged in a summer shake-up, only to see their replacements mostly purged weeks later.
Gone, too, are many socially conservative rank-and-file Republican lawmakers, who had benefited from Rauner bringing to bear his personal wealth in rebuilding a long-in-the-wilderness GOP. Angered most recently by Rauner’s signature on a bill expanding taxpayer-subsidized abortions, they are looking to field a challenger to him while discounting the importance of his campaign checkbook.
Gone as well is the ability of Rauner to portray himself as a fresh outsider, a newcomer to the political scene who pledged to work with all parties, use his business skills amid a boast that he had been “successful at everything I’ve done.”
Has the word “compromise” been restored to your personal dictionary?
As the governor correctly points out, the state still has financial woes, and homeowners statewide are still looking for some property tax relief. The state also needs a new infrastructure funding plan, a deal to sell the Thompson Center, and whatever tweaks to public sector pensions that the Illinois Supreme Court will allow. Getting any of that means working with Speaker Madigan, like it or not. Calling him a corrupt career politician every 20 seconds won’t expedite that process.
How will the next term be different from the first one, in which the state’s credit rating went down the toilet and its job creation machinery ground to a near halt? In other words, if voters give you a second chance, sir, what are you going to give them beyond another four years of scorched-earth political warfare?
Is Harley-ridin’ Gov. Bruce Rauner “smoke and lightnin’?”
Or smoke and mirrors?
Rauner rides his 2008 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson across the state in an online campaign video to announce his re-election bid. […]
“I know his bike. He’s a rider,” said Dan Harper, of A.B.A.T.E. Illinois, which stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education. Harper, who has ridden with Rauner, said the governor also passes some biker muster because before he became governor he regularly went to Sturgis, South Dakota, for the famous annual biker rally. […]
The Ultra Classic is among Harley’s best-sellers and it’s used for normal daily riding, or longer trips, according to Larry Bozek of Chi-Town Harley Davidson. The video features a peek at Rauner’s mileage —30,000 — which Bozek called “pretty good.” Bozek said the average Ultra Classic rider puts about 5,000 to 6,000 miles on the bike a year.
On the same day he formally announced his intent to run for a second term as governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner stopped in Pontiac to tout legislative accomplishments, including a police recruitment bill that had its origin in the city.
The Republican governor, whose approval rating took body blows in the midst of the state budget crisis, said that smaller communities like Pontiac were the “backbone of America” and that he was proud of the parts of school funding formula reform he fought for, claiming it helps places like Livingston County.
During the gathering, Rauner presented certificates honoring two bills. The first, House Bill 305, allows police departments to interview and hire students at four-year schools but have not completed their degrees.
The second, HB 3469, per the bill’s description, reinforces that “a vehicle operated by a fire chief, a chief of police of a municipality, a sheriff of a county, or a chief emergency medical services officer may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet.”
All eyes are now on State Rep. Jeanne Ives, a three-term House member from west suburban Wheaton. She’s been the most visible voice of conservative anger over Rauner’s abandonment of a past pledge to veto legislation that allows public funding for abortions.
Ives told WBEZ Monday she intends to announce an exploratory committee for governor this week and has gotten commitments of support from past Rauner donors.
She also ridiculed Rauner’s campaign video: “To me, it didn’t matter what he said in that video. You can’t trust his word. Venture capitalist Rauner would have fired Rauner by now for failure to perform and for lying.” […]
Going back to 1990, incumbent Illinois governors have been challenged four times in primaries. Each time, the challengers got clobbered. Protest votes against Republican Gov. Jim Edgar and Democratic Govs. Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn trended between 25 percent and 33 percent. Rauner is clearly vulnerable with one poll in March measuring his public approval numbers in the mid-30s.
* Gov. Rauner’s campaign has a new ad featuring Republican governors from three neighboring states (Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin) thanking House Speaker Michael Madigan for sending jobs their way…
* Script…
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: We want to say ‘Thank you.’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb: Thanks, Mike Madigan.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens: Thank you.
Walker: For raising Illinois taxes.
Greitens: For blocking Rauner’s reforms.
Holcomb: And helping create new jobs in Indiana.
Walker: In Wisconsin.
Greitens: In Missouri.
Walker: Our economy’s on fire.
Greitens: We’re growing good jobs.
Holcomb: And we’re growing union jobs faster than Illinois.
Walker: So, we owe you.
Greitens: Huge.
Holcomb: Hoosiers love you, Mike Madigan.
Walker: Cheeseheads love you, Madigan.
Greitens: Big fans here in Missouri. Bigtime. Thank you, Mike.
Holcomb: Thanks, Mike.
Overlay: Stop Mike Madigan.
…Adding… As noted elsewhere, Rauner contributed $100,000 to Greitens’ campaign last year and gave $100,000 to Holcomb’s campaign about the same time.
*** UPDATE *** From the DGA…
The Democratic Governors Association, through spokesman Sam Salustro, releases the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad featuring governors who received substantial donations from Rauner:
“It’s appropriate the only governor not on screen is Bruce Rauner, who has abdicated his leadership position for nearly three years now. Illinois is losing jobs and people because Bruce Rauner forced the state to go through a two-year budget crisis that set the state back years financially and slowed the state’s economy.
“The fact is: Bruce Rauner’s economic policies have been the best thing that’s ever happened to Illinois’ neighbors.”
Following two years of tumult amid Illinois’ historic budget standoff, state funding for human service programs has become so unreliable some providers are now questioning if it might be wiser to forgo it entirely.
Programs that aim to treat addiction, prevent homelessness, provide autism care and more have spent the past two years in fiscal suspense as a political tug-of-war over state resources played out between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly.
The latest pull came as agencies that get assistance from three-dozen state human service programs learned in recent weeks that Rauner had unilaterally decided to withhold some of the money promised them in the state budget lawmakers passed this summer over the governor’s veto.
“Providers are saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’” said Nora Collins-Mandeville, public policy director of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, an umbrella group of agencies that help at-risk youths. “They have to decide if they can manage the risk.”
Many agencies have already run up credit lines, laid off staff and dramatically reduced the number of people they serve. In some cases, faced with no way to make ends meet at multiple points over the past few years, some providers have even been forced to close their doors in clients’ faces, which, “goes against every fiber of why agencies do what they do,” Collins-Mandeville said.
Rauner’s administration has outlined to Democratic lawmakers $89 million in spending reductions spread across 36 social service programs, one key lawmaker told the Better Government Association. The Rauner administration has confirmed some, but not all, of those cuts, arguing they are needed because the budget approved in July is badly out of balance.
Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace will introduce legislation requiring all legislators, legislative staff, and lobbyists to receive sexual harassment training.
“We must acknowledge the toxic culture of sexual harassment in Springfield and end the silence that tacitly demands women accommodate decades of abuse,” said Daniel Biss. “Instead of waiting to hear more stories, instead of evading responsibility, we must use today’s spotlight as an opportunity to create changes that will endure beyond this news cycle. That’s why Litesa and I are introducing legislation that mandates every legislator, legislative staff, and lobbyist receive sexual harassment training.”
“Widespread sexual harassment is one of many reasons women, especially women of color, are underrepresented in Springfield,” said Litesa Wallace. “We have the power to change this culture, and to set up our systems to support women—and with that power comes a responsibility to act. That’s why raising awareness isn’t enough. We owe it to all the women who have shared their experiences, and to all those who haven’t come forward, to build systems set up to prevent sexual harassment.”
