Question of the day
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Democratic Party of Illinois…
Give the governor a shoutout on his birthday!
Our team is grateful for Gov. Pritzker’s service and the progress our state has made under his leadership. The Pritzker Administration is delivering higher wages for workers, strengthening our state’s finances, investing in our infrastructure, protecting the environment, securing reproductive rights, and more.
Sign our card for Governor JB Pritzker to wish him a Happy Birthday and show your support as we continue to deliver real progress for the people of Illinois:
* Pritzker himself…
* ILGOP…
Happy Birthday to JB Pritzker
Past birthday wishes for the Governor have gone unfulfilled: Progressive income tax, Senate President Kimberly Lightford, and DPI Chairwoman Michelle Harris
It’s usually sad when birthday wishes don’t come true. But when it comes to Governor JB Pritzker’s unfulfilled wishes - the failures are embarrassing. We hate to be a downer on the Governor’s birthday, but let’s take a look at how JB’s hopes have often go awry:
Birthday Wish #1: Implement a massive tax hike on Illinoisans via the Tax Hike Amendment of 2020.
Unfortunately for Pritzker, his hopes of higher taxes met the will of the people who soundly rejected his progressive tax proposal at the ballot box in November 2020. This was a high profile defeat for the Governor and cast massive doubt about his future agenda and the effectiveness of his political team. Even so, we know this remains his #1 birthday wish again this year - he’ll never stop trying to raise taxes - which is why we will work overtime to defeat Pritzker in November.
Birthday Wish #2: Elevate Senator Kimberly Lightford to Senate President.
After the retirement of longtime Senate President John Cullerton, the race was on to see which Democratic senator would take his place. The contest was whittled down to Senators Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford. Pritzker publicly and privately pushed hard to elect Lightford to the position but was rebuffed by a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus who nominated Don Harmon instead. The defeat was an embarrassing and unexpected one at the hands of supposed legislative allies.
Birthday Wish #3: Elect Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris to be Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.
Pritzker tried to impose his wishes again to anoint Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris as Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) after his old ally Mike Madigan had to go away quietly. The new chair was elected by the state central committee of the DPI and again, the Governor found that while his inherited billions will spend, his political capital will not. Instead, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, backed by US Senator Dick Durbin, edged out Harris and was elected DPI Chairwoman. This was another stinging defeat for the Governor that left him wondering if any of the “friends” at his birthday party actually like or respect him.
We wish we could say we hope for the Governor’s dreams to come true in 2022 - but we don’t. The people of Illinois can’t afford Pritzker’s wish list of higher taxes, coddling criminals, and more corruption.
* The Question: Your birthday message to Gov. Pritzker?
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:05 pm:
Q: What to you get the man who could buy anything?
A: Hand-made coupon book for Free Hugs.
– MrJM
- Blue Dog - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:08 pm:
happy birthday day. and get rid of the foid card. it would actually reduce violence.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:12 pm:
Happy Birthday. Making sure that all of Illinois is connected to broadband is a key piece of your work. thanks for doing that!
- SomeGuy - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:16 pm:
So the ILGOP has pretty much given up on any semblance of civility in politics? It really seems like they are being rude just for the sake of being rude. I would say they are being a certain anatomical part, but I haven’t decided which part and I’m not sure it would make it through the filters. I’ll stick with calling them jerks.
I guess they are playing to their base.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:17 pm:
Happy Birthday Gov. Pritzker. Now at your COVID press conference this afternoon, please give us vaccinated and boosted state employees, and the rest of the state in general, the gift of public health and fiscal economy by setting the deadline for all state and local employees (including teachers) to be fully vaxxed by the end of February or be fired. With no testing cop-out. And bar the agencies from replacing the unvaxxed employees for the rest of the rest of the fiscal year.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
I’d send Cannoli to the governor… Director Kelly has more important things to do.
:)
===Your birthday message to Gov. Pritzker?===
Governor,
Happy birthday, my best to you.
Good government is good politics and so far you’ve been relatively true to who you are, and while some choices may have went against a promise, it can’t be said that who you are has been different than who you told us all you’d be.
Continue to be a happy warrior, fight the fights worth fighting, bring people together when it means a better Illinois.
It’s an understatement, to any and every elected official… “I’m sure these past two years weren’t how you’d envisioned your time in office…” , but my hope is as things continue you do what the job has been and not trouble yourself or waste too much worry of what might have been.
Be well.
Oswego Willy
- Lt Guv - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
Keep on keeping on.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:20 pm:
The ILGOP couldn’t just stop at “Happy Birthday”? Holy carp.
- King Louis XVI - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:20 pm:
Happy Birthday, Governor. Enjoy your day.
- Hahaha - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:22 pm:
OW - Huh?
“i’t can’t be said that who you are has been different that who you told us you’d be.”
He told us he was a reformer who would support and fight for independent map making, and veto any map drawn by politicians.
He then did the opposite of all those things.
Words, what do they mean?
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:23 pm:
My Happy birthday wishes to the Governor are continued good health, and a prosperous new career in 2023.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:24 pm:
- Hahaha -
I sent you the rent check, you should cash it, lol
===He then did the opposite of all those things.===
All TWO of those things?
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:26 pm:
As one who almost always pulls a Republican ballot I am ashamed by iLGOP message. Can’t you just say Happy Birthday and let it go. Showing my age If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all. So from a basically Republican. Happy Birthday Governor and many more.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:34 pm:
He shares a birthday with Dolly Parton.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:37 pm:
Happy birthday to a man who has taken on a thankless job and who doesn’t need the money. To a man who makes hard decisions and says things we don’t want to hear.
Some of us appreciate it.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:38 pm:
===and get rid of the foid card. it would actually reduce violence.===
But then what will you show for ID when you vote?
Yes, felons can already buy as many firearms as they please. No sense denying them the opportunity to clear the Walmart shelves of ammunition for all these illegally purchased firearms. Bidness is bidness, as your former Governor used to say.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:42 pm:
Happy birthday governor, you are doing commendable work. The thousands of vendors and schools owed money by the state thank you for undoing the financial mess and getting us paid.
To the ILGOP and their “base”, I am embarrassed for you and your self own. How about going 0-fer in the last election? Embarrassing and humiliating.
If I were a party with no state electeds and no power, I might try something different but you do you. Losers.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:49 pm:
2/3 of the ILGOP’s gripes here are inside baseball issues voters aren’t even aware of…
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:54 pm:
The Illinois GOP are the rude ones?
There was no mention of any clown cars like the Democrats press release
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 12:59 pm:
Happy Birthday.
Hope you have time to enjoy the day with Family and Friends.
- Chicago Blue - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:00 pm:
Hold the phone! The GOP birthday wishes acknowledge that Madigan is no longer in control of the IL Democratic Party. How did they let that slip through?
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:20 pm:
My birthday message to the Governor is the same as it is for my friends.
Congratulations on another successful trip around the sun. May you have many more.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:33 pm:
Guv, if the best ILGOP has got on you is that a different one of your allies was elected Senate President and state party chair, you are going to have a very happy birthday indeed.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:41 pm:
Governor Pritzker,
Happy Birthday — I wish you the best. Illinois would be worse off without your extraordinary effort to lead us through these difficult times. Please don’t stop trying to make Illinois have a better government than Illinoisans might deserve. You’ve planted a lot of trees and it might be years before Illinois gets to enjoy the shade and fruits brought by your efforts.
Please keep up the good work.
Best,
-Candy
- Roman - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
Kim Lightford and Michelle Harris? Man, that’s a lot of inside baseball. Not the GOP’s best messaging moment.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:49 pm:
===Not the GOP’s best messaging moment===
Meh. I often think that significant numbers of press releases from all corners are designed specifically to be posted here. Also Twitter.
- froganon - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:50 pm:
Happy Birthday Gov. Pritzker. You are doing a terrific job. The improved bond rating and paying our bills on time are unbelievable. Reproductive rights, the legalization of marijuana and criminal justice reform are and will help so many people.
The ILGOP Fester Club comments are as repulsive as the organization is.
- Give Us Barabbas - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
Mazel tov, to my former boss. I worked for a lot of governors, but after Rauner, things were at a new low at the office. Then you came in, and your positivity and vision really inspired me to keep working hard and doing my best, and I’m continuing that, now that I’m retired. I voted for a governor, and unexpectedly, got a mensch in the bargain. We all did. Don’t give up, JB. You’re making things better, every day.
- Roman - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
== are designed specifically to be posted here ==
In that case, well done GOP messengers.
- It seems - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 3:26 pm:
that the GOP is feeling their oats today. Not sure if they’ll be feeling the same way come November, when their well funded can at least fake being kinda sorta moderate ticket all loses.
- thisjustinagain - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
Happy Birthday, Gov. Pritzker.
(No political gripes or message follows)
- BluegrassBoy - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 4:00 pm:
HBD JB, keep on going, You’ve done well, but you are still at the foot hills of the mountain.
- Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 4:28 pm:
…and many mooooore
- Anon - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 7:00 pm:
Happy Birthday, JB. Thanks for all you do. It’s mostly a thankless job, but some of us really appreciate you and are thankful for your leadership.
I’ll give you a belated gift when I vote for you again.
- Bear3 - Wednesday, Jan 19, 22 @ 7:45 pm:
Need a Hyatt in Lake Geneva with a train to get there from Oak Brook. Happy Birthday@!!!@