* Florida’s non-presidential primary was August 18…
Rauner owns “a waterfront mansion in Key Largo,” which is in Monroe County. According to the Tribune, the mansion has a “72-foot-long pool.” A quick Google search found this photo.
* I only mention it because his name has popped up a few times this week, including on WTTW…
Leading up to and during his term as Illinois’ 42nd governor, Bruce Rauner spent some of his personal fortune to help boost the Republican Party in the state.
He’s not only no longer doing that, Rauner’s not even registered to vote in Illinois anymore; he’s set to cast his ballot from Florida.
It’s a sign of the lurch the Illinois GOP is in: The Congressional delegation is split 13 Democrats to five Republicans, both of the state’s U.S. Senators are Democrats, there are no GOP constitutional officers and Republicans are in super-minorities in both the Illinois House and Senate.
* The Tribune also ran a story last week about Democrats teeing off on the former governor…
“As comptroller, I’ve witnessed firsthand how bad leadership has hurt Illinois, mainly because of two Republicans. … These two Republicans have a lot in common. Former Gov. Bruce Rauner who nearly crippled our state over political ideology and now President Donald Trump who has botched the White House response to the COVID-19 pandemic and tanked our economy,” Mendoza said.
Fair hit?
…Adding… Interestingly enough, Mrs. Rauner and several of the Rauner kids are still registered to vote in Chicago.
- Oak Parker - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:37 am:
To paraphrase Richard Nixon “you don’t have Rauner to kick around any more”
Except it looks like he’s still going to be kicked around in absentia
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:38 am:
No…too nice.
- Shytown - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:38 am:
He deserves to be kicked around at least for the number of years that he was in the governor’s office. Then I think maybe, just maybe, we can give him a break.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:43 am:
Do you think he drove the trash can van down there? Is that why no one sees it around the north shore anymore?
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:43 am:
Fair, and it probably actually hurts Trump’s brand here so politically smart as well.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:43 am:
Say what you want about Pat Quinn, but after his term he still tries uphill battles to change the state through constant petition drives. If you love your home, you still fight for it when you’re out of power.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:44 am:
More than fair.
=== Except it looks like he’s still going to be kicked around in absentia===
Here’s the sitch;
Rauner loved Illinois so much he tried to get 4 people to replace him on the ballot, then, humiliated after his record loss, he moves to Florida.
Rauner was a fraud, a phony, who wore costumes and hurt social services and something you can only believe was a story from “The Onion”, his wife’s social service was bailed out by his (Bruce’s) political opponent, and his opponent’s family.
Bruce Rauner getting “kicked” around?
Bruce Rauner deserved the election humiliation, and his leaving only reinforces his bruised ego will be eased by a “low tax state”.
Whew.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:44 am:
I’d love to forget about the Rauner years, but that’s dangerous.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:46 am:
Of course Rauner would live in Florida, a state with no income tax. He just wants to gorge at the public trough, off of state employees’ pensions, not pay into it.
It is a fair hit. Rauner attacked Madigan and Democrats for mismanaging the state…and likely caused more per capita damage to the state than any one politician, purposely as a hostage tactic.
- JB13 - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:46 am:
Oh, when you singlehandedly ruin a state that was world renowned for fairness, ethics, prosperity, peace, and freedom, you deserve every bit of scorn that can be heaped on you.
I wake up every day angry at all of the bad things that man made our heroes in Springfield and Chicago do to save the state from absolute ruin.
Just shaking in rage over here…
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:46 am:
Why did Mendoza pull her punch?
- Morningstar - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:47 am:
Yes. It’s a fair hit. Ask the people who were laid off from their jobs at the universities. Ask the mothers whose childcare benefits evaporated… I don’t need to go on.
- Bobby McGee - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:52 am:
OW- yes “costumes” is the perfect word, with the van and the cheap watch as props to support his performance.
As Grandma used to say, good riddance to bad rubbish.
- Cook county thinker - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:52 am:
There’s no Bruce Rauner to kick around anymore. He got his happy ending. He’s not going to be paying Illinois progressive income tax. 0 is a lot lower number. I’ll bet his taxable income will be missed by Illinois. Florida does have advantages for the well-to-do compared to Illinois.
- Leigh John-Ella - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:53 am:
Wonder how many g’s Rauner dropped for that property?
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:57 am:
Definitely fair.
Bruce was regularly taking shots at public employees, so i am not crying for him.
And he ran away…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUG9VzHoEoc
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:58 am:
=== I’ll bet his taxable income will be missed by Illinois.===
This says more about you and Bruce Rauner than you’ll ever know.
The sheer scope and depth of the damage that man did to this state, if anything, Bruce shoulda stayed to pay. But no, Bruce Rauner is a selfish, soulless, person who hurt Illinois’ most needy for an unattainable goal.
Let him keep his money.
=== Mrs. Rauner … still registered to vote in Chicago.===
This is called an “Oberweis in reverse”
Can’t run a social service based in Chicago, bailed out by Governor Pritzker, the Pritzker trusts and family and vote in Florida… can ya? You need to be Chicagoan, and appear to care for Chicagoans.
“Right? Exactly right”
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 11:59 am:
The blame in Illinois is bipartisan.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
=== The blame in Illinois is…===
… “I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
Nope. We are NOT going to rewrite the Rauner years.
I have the receipts.
- Cook County Thinker - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:05 pm:
Illinois needs all the people they can find to pay 7.99 % . It’s not going to be Bruce Rauner.
- jim - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:06 pm:
I remember all the comments from people on this site saying those who don’t like what’s happening in this state should just get out.
well, he did, and people are still mad.
more proof that people should be careful what they ask for.
- H-W - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:08 pm:
I think it a fair hit, and a kind one at that.
I do not understand the concept of running to serve as a governor of a state, and then after leaving office, leaving the state. It suggests there are not greater loyalties than to self in such people. It suggests they ran for governor in the first place for their own narcissistic interests, not the interests of the state, the common good.
But then again, I am somewhat naive in my perspective on loyalties and community.
- Annoyed - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:11 pm:
I support a graduated state income tax. With that said I hope legislators and the Gov know many more wealthy people will pull this move so hopefully IL Dept of Rev has a regulatory plan to counteract this tax evasion scheme.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:12 pm:
First, - Sue -, welcome back.
=== well, he did, and people are still mad.===
No.
Here’s a man who loved Illinois so much… he left after crushing its infrastructure soul and ruined a state party.
I’ve already said I’m glad he’s gone, and he can still deserve all the scorn we all put upon him.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:12 pm:
I thought he was going to register in Italy
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:16 pm:
== Illinois needs all the people they can find to pay 7.99 % . It’s not going to be Bruce Rauner.==
Il income tax is 4.95%. I’m sure his kids living in Illinois have some serious coin too.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:19 pm:
If he votes for Trump it will be more meaningful in FL, a swing state.
- Scott Cross for President - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:19 pm:
Rauner used Illinois to test his economic theories. We were Rauner’s lab rats and he treated us like them. When his experiment was over, he left the lab.
We’re in a pandemic and an economic collapse now. Bruce Rauner was our Governor until recently. Has he helped Illinois ? Has he even tried ? He’s got money, lots and lots of it. He’s got rich friends and contacts. No, Rauner abandoned the state when he left office.
You know who stayed in Illinois for the rest of his life after he left office ?
Jim Thompson
And you know who else is here continuing to work in public service ?
Jim Edgar. Pat Quinn.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:34 pm:
Scott Cross, don’t forget Blago. He left the state for a while but he did come back as soon as he could.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
Rauner spent at least $95 million, per Illinois Sunshine, to attack unionized workers as being too rich and greedy.
He caused the state way more damage than he could ever pay in taxes. Plus, we got legal marijuana now that will bring more tax revenue when more dispensaries open. Wouldn’t have happened with Rauner.
Whenever some super-rich person who wants to dismantle unions leaves Illinois, it’s a blessing.
- Elliott Ness - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 12:58 pm:
Any Rauner hit is a fair hit- the damage he has done will last for years so let’s keep that in mind when there is any thought about a limitation on Rauner hit- WORST Governor in the history of the State of Illinois and even worse effect on the GOP…deserves anything and everything he gets
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:01 pm:
I’m a big fan of Mendoza, but two decades of deficit spending by Madigan is what killed out state, not Rauner and not Trump.
I’d prefer we see the current Governor pass a balanced budget without fake math before hitting the last guy. After all, we all agreed Rauner was bad and bounced him. But you and JB said you can fix it, which to date has not occurred.
- filmmaker prof - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
His kids have to keep giving money to Payton Prep so his grandkids can cut the line and get in.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:21 pm:
Hmm … he is registered in Florida so that means he can claim a property tax exemption there since he is a “full time” resident. She is registered here so she can claim the property tax exemption since she is a “full time” resident.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:24 pm:
Illinois is worth fighting for, Ms.got custody
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:25 pm:
He deserves this scorn but I’d say more from R’s than D’s.
D’s should be happy he brought Unions together more than any Gov before him. Plus as a GOP Gov he signed the TRUST Act and HB40 two of the biggest wins prior to 2019. Also he pretty much neutered the GOP.
The R’s should be fuming. Rauner made promises. He said he would lead the next era of Republicanism to it’s rightful place. He said he’d fund it. Yet come 2018 he didn’t even fund the mail in ballot deal or give to the 2 leaders to be competitive. He did more damage to the GOP brand in 4 years than Madigan did in his 30 years as Speaker.
- Waguespacked - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:35 pm:
Rauner deserves every hit. Oswego Willy nailed it.
- Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:36 pm:
“I hope legislators and the Gov know many more wealthy people will pull this move so hopefully IL Dept of Rev has a regulatory plan to counteract this tax evasion scheme.”
State income taxes are primarily allocated by where they are earned, not where the person lives. Illinois will lose the ability to tax non-sourced income for people who relocate to a different state, but it isn’t going to lose the sourced income. Each situation is different, but for some high earners, their state of residence doesn’t impact their tax liability much. That’s why the state’s tax policy is not typically a top issue for high earners when deciding where to live.
- ste_with_a_v_en - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
“He did more damage to the GOP brand in 4 years than Madigan did in his 30 years as Speaker”
I think this is a but much. GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner expanded voting rights and protected undocumented immigrants and transgender people. You know who decided that was cause to run against him? Jeanne Ives. She may not have won that race, but the hearts and minds of the GOP are with her, not Rauner. That’s done more damage to the GOP than anything else.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:50 pm:
=== GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner expanded voting rights and protected undocumented immigrants and transgender people.===
As a Republican with an Uber-Left, costal, limousine liberal agenda championed by Diana, it’s no wonder Bruce was humiliated… twice… in his re-elect.
===… Jeanne Ives. She may not have won that race, but the hearts and minds of the GOP are with her, not Rauner. That’s done more damage to the GOP than anything else.===
No. Keep up.
Bruce decided to run like an Ives but governed like Diana Rauner demanded in social policy.
It’s was Diana who then thought IPI folks would message better. After “as a white male”, the writing was on the wall.
Ives was an opportunist.
Diana Rauner, a Democrat, single handedly, dismantled the GOP, ruined policy for her own vanity, chose IPI replacements over loyalty, and in the end gave Bruce no base, no infrastructure, and no chance.
If Bruce was phony, Diana Rauner was the disingenuous in plain sight.
- Anon - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 1:59 pm:
bet he votes biden in the general
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:38 pm:
RNUG — My first thought.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:44 pm:
Fair hit. When it came to mendacity (in word and dress), Bruce gave Blago a run for his money.
On 1/14/19, JB Pritzker should’ve torn off the Governor patch on his motorcycle jacket and the assembled crowd should’ve turned their back on him.
- illinifan - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
RNUG you nailed it.
- pool boy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:29 pm:
The rich get richer.
- Levois J - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:41 pm:
I could be wrong on this, but I suspect that if Rauner had been more on board with Trump than he was during his re-election I’ll guess he’d still be in office doing what he did during his only term in office which is nothing. Then again Trump doesn’t have a great record of pulling people in on his coattails.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:57 pm:
=I suspect that if Rauner had been more on board with Trump than he was during his re-election I’ll guess he’d still be in office doing what he did during his only term in office which is nothing.=
Donald Trump lost Illinois by 16 points so the math says that wouldn’t have favored Rauner.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 3:58 pm:
===Donald Trump lost Illinois by 16===
17. Rauner lost by 16.
- Swimmy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 4:18 pm:
Think Shirley will stay a resident of Illinois when Mike goes off for a stretch in Oxford, Wisconsin?
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 5:05 pm:
Rainer and 8 others that old Blue knows, all multimillionaires, gone. We better get this progressive tax thing going while there’s still some of the 3% here.
- HighSox - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 9:04 pm:
Rauner gave it a shot (BTB -better than blago) and he found out IL is Blue and always will be. I don’t blame him for throwing in the towel.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 9:07 pm:
=== he found out IL is Blue and always will be.===
Narrator: Republicans held the governor’s office for 26 consecutive years before Blagojevich.
Please, don’t be a victim. Try to be smart to the whole “blue” thingy.
Thanks.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 25, 20 @ 10:04 pm:
From the Monroe County GIS site for parcels:
Parcels: RAUNER BRUCE V
RE Number: 00572224-000300
Owner Name: RAUNER BRUCE V
AK Number: 1706698
Physical Location: 3 CARD SOUND Rd, OCEAN REEF
Mailing Address: 3 Card Sound Rd
City: Key Largo
State: FL
Zip Code: 33037
Year Built: 1990
Last Sale Amount: $5,600,000.00
Sale Date: 6/2003