Tribune does its own top 10 list
Thursday, Dec 21, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Tribune’s “Top 10 Illinois political stories of 2017″…
1. Republicans break with Rauner as Madigan leads major income tax hike, ends budget impasse. The effects of this blockbuster development that unfolded over Independence Day weekend are still reverberating, an event that reframed Illinois politics both for the rest of the year and likely for 2018 as well. […]
2. Lisa Madigan won’t run again, sets off crowded race to succeed her. Once considered a lock to run for governor, Madigan surprised the Illinois political world by announcing she wouldn’t seek a fifth term, a month after she said she’d go again at the state fair. The pent-up political ambition on the Democratic side was evident, as eight Democrats filed to run the March 20 primary election.
3. J.B. Pritzker enters governor race, quickly consolidates support, sets Democratic self-funding record with $42.2 million. The billionaire Gold Coast Democrat has been on TV all year introducing himself to voters and attacking Rauner. Kenilworth businessman Chris Kennedy held the early lead in public opinion polls, but Pritzker has overtaken him.
4. State school funding formula revised for first time in decades. School districts missed state aid payments as the budget lawmakers passed was contingent on a rewrite of the state funding formula also becoming law. Rauner spent months criticizing versions of the bill as a CPS “bailout,” and he even vetoed one that lawmakers put on his desk. But desperately needing a win as he mapped a re-election bid and needing to avoid taking blame if schools started shutting down without state funding, Rauner cut a deal with Democratic legislative leaders. He listed it as his No. 1 accomplishment this week.
Your own nominations?
- Pieroge tirebiter - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 9:59 am:
The rise of the zombie Quinn. My God, what’s next? Son of Blago?
- Anon - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:03 am:
The beginning of the end of sexual harassment!
- Honeybear - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:05 am:
Scotus taking the Janus v AFSCME council 31 case
On the surface a victory for Rauner
But really our fair share numbers are
Minimal because of Rauners attacks
We have banded together
I predict a five percent loss at most
But Janus has a very large
Unintended consequence
If dues to unions, fair share or not
Are an expression of free speech
And thus protected by the 1rst amendment
Then after Janus
Union direct action
Like a strike
Work slow down
Become
Expressions of free speech
By dues paying members
And cannot
Be
Constrained
That is a huge political shift
- The young gov - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:10 am:
The series of stories beating up on the Cook County Assessors Office and Joe Berrios. It’s blowing my mind. That castle might be crumbling. Now this is literally not a state of Illinois political story, but I think it’s implications are big enough to warrant honorable mention.
- Whatever - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:21 am:
1. David Letterman announces, “I’m lucky I retired when I did. I couldn’t possibly compete with Illinois’ top ten lists.”
- JS Mill - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:27 am:
Governor Daffodil McPantsonfire lying about: his grandparents, phone calls, political confessions of Madigan and others, radio shows being cancelled, veteran and home cover-ups….. actually that could be a top 100 list now that I think about it.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:30 am:
Well, if Joe Berrios merits Honorable Mention, then Laquan McDonald certainly does as well.
- AndyTaylorville - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:40 am:
Preckwinkle gets rolled on her beverage tax.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:40 am:
People still givin’Proft/Tilman cash
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:51 am:
IDNR increases bobcat permits.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:55 am:
Pritzker denounces federal GOP tax plan. Tells AT&T union employees that bonus just received was the result of his behind the scenes efforts.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:57 am:
Pope Francis pardons Rauner for his SB 40 work.
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 10:59 am:
Mondelez announces return of Oreo production to Illinois. Action the direct result of southern Illinois boycott and drastic drop in sales. Rauner claims credit
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:01 am:
Cubs ink 15 year contract extension to Heyward. Front office credits EDGE program.
- Scamp640 - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:13 am:
An amazing political story is:
Governor declares he is not in charge!
- RNUG - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:17 am:
Energizer Quinn returns to run again.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:21 am:
State Political Stories? Not City, county or Congressional?
1 Republican lawmakers break with Rauner, pass budget and tax fix.
2. Rauner breaks with party, signs HB 40
3. # MeToo campaign, sexual harrassment culture shift
4. Rauner staff turmoil
5. Departure of Radogno, cadre of moderate Republicans
6. DCFS turmoil/Sheldon resignations
7. Rauner signs CPS “bailout”
8. Rauner/Tillman/Proft/Tribune Alliance falls apart
9. Collapse of Kennedy, Rise of JB
10. Madigan Re-elected Speaker
- Roman - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 11:50 am:
I would add Rauner’s “not in charge” declaration. One of the dumbest things ever uttered by an elected chief executive. He’ll be reminded of it constantly between now and Election Day.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
#MeToo is the biggest thing I can think of that this list doesn’t cover.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 21, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
The purge of the Superstars, followed by the jaw-dropping incompetence of the IPI replacements.
Money-bag proxy war between Rauner/Uihlein in the Durkin/Straub race.