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Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Chris Robinson Brotherhood covers Bob…

Is standing in the clothes that you once wore

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*** UPDATED x12 - CTU responds - $1.1 million buy - Pat Brady, Equality Illinois respond - Pritzker campaign responds - ACLU responds - Will air this weekend - Biss responds - Ives unveils 60-second version - Kennedy campaign responds - Rauner campaign responds, kinda *** Ives’ other TV ad is gonna cause a huge controversy if it airs

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Yesterday…

Might Liberty Principles PAC begin airing negative @GovRauner ads soon? Multiple sources say yes, Dan Proft says no #ILGov

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) February 1, 2018

The reason for the confusion, I’m told, is because Proft was doing the buy and the announcer appears in a lot of Proft’s other spots. But, as you will see, the ad is paid for by the Ives campaign.

I’m also told the ad has not yet aired, but is sitting at several TV stations, which is how I came to get it.

* Without further ado…

* Transcript…

Stay tuned for a special message.

We want to say thank you.

Thank you Bruce Rauner for opposing law enforcement and making Illinois a sanctuary state for illegal immigrant criminals.

Thank you for signing legislation that lets me use the girl’s bathroom.

Thank you for making all Illinois families pay for my abortions.

Thank you for making the rest of Illinois bail out Chicago teacher pensions, and for giving Rahm everything he wanted, and more.

Thank you for betraying Illinois Republicans.

Thank you.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rauner campaign…

Governor Rauner is the only candidate in either party who will take on Mike Madigan, cut taxes, and reform our state. Representative Ives has already admitted that she’s not willing to take on Mike Madigan and will keep his 32% tax hike — not surprising given her history of opposing property tax reductions. Looks like JB Pritzker has some competition as Mike Madigan’s favorite candidate.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Kennedy campaign…

Jeanne Ives’ new ad is appalling and disrespectful to everyone who makes Illinois what it is today. It’s a slap in the face to everyone who’s brought progress and inclusivity to Illinois. We already have enough hate and bigotry in the White House. We don’t need a governor who stands silent against Donald Trump and we certainly don’t need a governor who echoes Donald Trump.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Ives campaign…

Ives Campaign Releases ‘Thank You Bruce Rauner’ Ad

February 2, 2018 - The ad represents Governor Rauner’s chosen constituents based on the policy choices he made, as well as a fair and accurate representation of the implications of those policy choices. Governor Rauner’s record was similarly covered by both National Review and Fox News, as highlighted in the ad.

Those Republican primary voters who don’t know of Rauner’s betrayals of conservatives need to know. Now they will.

They released a longer, 60-second version, which is probably online only. Click here.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Sen. Daniel Biss…

This ad is repulsive. It’s absolutely antithetical of Illinois values and the type of politics we should be holding ourselves to. Any elected official or candidate who does not disavow this horribly offensive ad outright should be ashamed. We must resist this type of racist, xenophobic, and transphobic rhetoric at all levels.”

*** UPDATE 5 *** Tina…

Well, that Jeanne Ives ad is real, and is airing this weekend statewide: https://t.co/UhsSlHfobH #twill

— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) February 2, 2018

*** UPDATE 6 *** Colleen K Connell, executive director of the ACLU of Illinois…

It is sad that a candidate for the office of Governor of Illinois would seek to divide voters by attacking our neighbors, friends and colleagues who are newcomers and refugees, those of a different race, those who are transgender, and poor women in need of health care.”

*** UPDATE 7 *** Pritzker campaign…

JB vehemently disagrees with the poison the Ives campaign is spreading on the issues that matter. While Bruce Rauner needs to be defeated in this election, this type of hate has no place in our politics. As governor, JB will defend our communities from forces of hate and ensure Illinois remains a welcome state to all.

*** UPDATE 8 *** Sun-Times…

Critics of the ad came out in droves, even among some Republicans. Former Illinois Republican party chairman Pat Brady said in a tweet that this is the Ives “we have known for years. There is no room in the Republican Party for racist, bigoted, homophobic candidates like her.”

Equality Illinois said Ives is “launching a campaign of division and rancor.”

“We need a governor who will stand up for all Illinoisans not someone who will target transgender Illinoisans for their personal political benefit,” spokesman Brian Johnson said.

*** UPDATE 9 *** Text from a friend in the biz…

Looks like she’s spending $1.1 million through the 25th.

That’s basically every dime she has in her campaign account.

*** UPDATE 10 *** Tribune…

Asked for a reaction to the ad, Chicago Teachers Union spokeswoman Chris Geovanis emailed, “we’re not going to dignify this racist, sexist, homophobic piece of crap with a response.”

*** UPDATE 11 *** Press release…

Statement from Rebecca Shi, Illinois Business Immigration Coalition Executive Director, to the new Ives ad

“Jeanne Ives’s new ad falsely attacking SB 31 “Illinois trust act,” and equating all undocumented immigrants with criminals is full of misinformation, hate and bigotry. Contrary to the ad, SB 31 was endorsed by Illinois Sheriffs Association, the Illinois Chiefs of Police, and gained broad support from Illinois business, faith, Latino and immigrant leaders. Since its passage, the Trust Act has strengthened trust between immigrants and local police, prevented unnecessary disruptions to businesses, and enabled hardworking, law-abiding immigrants to continue to work, pay taxes and create jobs here in Illinois. The Illinois Trust Act does not make Illinois a sanctuary state and is in full compliance with federal law. Ultimately, SB 31 ensures that our local police focus their limited resources to keep our communities safe, rather than enforcing federal immigration law. Recent Illinois electoral history has shown that the politics of hate, division, and intolerance is not rewarded by Illinois voters of either Party.”

And…

Republican Candidate for Comptroller Darlene Senger issued the following statement on State Representative Jeanne Ives’ campaign ad:

“Illinois is facing real challenges that require common-sense, bi-partisan solutions. Hyper-partisan attacks that focus on our fellow Illinoisans do little to advance debate nor reach consensus. The Republican Party — The Party of Lincoln — has always served as a beacon of freedom and individual rights. Now more than ever, we need to demonstrate our commitment to that standard.”

And…

117th Republican State Representative Dave Severin released the following statement on Jeanne Ives new campaign ad:

“This ad tries to make a point in the most wrong headed and politically divisive way possible. If Republicans in Illinois ever want to make this a two party state, we must lead with our shared vision of lower taxes, balanced budgets and a government that encourages a booming economy. Mike Madigan might as well of written, produced and paid for the ad - and that’s a shame. I call on Ives to immediately remove it from the airwaves.”

* And…

Republican Candidate for Treasurer Jim Dodge issued the following statement on State Representative Jeanne Ives’ campaign ad:

“Our nation’s collective diversity gives us our strength and makes us a beacon of freedom to the world. Illinois is a strong and diverse state - a microcosm of America. Representative Ives’ campaign advertisement is wrong on so many levels and an insult to everything that makes us Illinoisans and Americans. I believe this advertisement does not represent the Republican Party or our shared American values, and should never again see the light of day.”

109 Comments

Question of the day

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Instead of a question, let’s rate what is reported to be Rep. Jeanne Ives’ first TV ad…

* Script…

I grew up in a farming community in South Dakota. I was raised to speak plainly, work hard for what you want and respect others who do the same.

My name is Jeanne Ives. I’m running against Bruce Rauner for the Republican nomination for governor because Rauner deserted the conservative families like mine, who elected him.

I will not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate others who do.

There must be a reckoning for Rauner’s betrayal. Join me and get the revolution you were promised.

36 Comments

Rauner says state audit of managed care program was “fundamentally inaccurate” and “misinformation”

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* January 24th Chicago Tribune…

The state agency responsible for overseeing Medicaid in Illinois failed to properly monitor $7.11 billion in payments made to and by managed care organizations, according to a report issued Tuesday by the Illinois auditor general. […]

According to the report, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services could not provide auditors with complete or reliable data that the agency was required to collect under its agreements with the 12 [Managed Care Organizations] it contracted with in 2016. The agency wasn’t able to provide data on paid claims MCOs made to providers; the claims denied by MCOs; administrative costs and coordinated care costs incurred by MCOs; and what percentage of each MCO’s premium income goes to health care and quality improvement as opposed to marketing and other costs, which is information required by federal law.

The report also found that the agency may have made duplicate payments to the MCOs to the tune of $590,237.

* Today…

@RVVoyles and I sat down with @GovRauner today. We asked about a report from auditor gen. on HFS failing to monitor $7 billion in Medicaid bills.

"I heard the reports about that and I'll say this, I think those are fundamentally inaccurate, those are erroneous."

— Tom Lisi (@tommylisi) February 2, 2018

Raw audio is here.

* Transcript…

I think those are fundamentally inaccurate. Those are erroneous. I don’t believe that those, uh, those figures or the, the concerns are valid and we’ll have the truth come out with you guys and others here in the near future… I think there’s misinformation and misunderstandings. I think our teams in these departments are handling our, our managed care program and our Medicaid program very well. There’s been a lot of fraud and abuse and mismanagement in the past, we’re correcting it. And I think the teams are doing a fantastic job. And I think these concerns that somehow there’s not oversight or that there are some missing dollars or whatever, I think, I just don’t think that’s right, that’s erroneous.

* Except, if you click here, you’ll see the Department of Healthcare and Family Services concurred with five out of six of the auditor general’s recommendations. And while DHFS only partially concurred with a sixth recommendation, it said it was addressing the problem a different way.

And this is how the department responded to reporters’ questions…

According to DHFS spokesperson John Hoffman, the department is already implementing changes suggested in the audit. Hoffman says many of these adjustments were made prior to the audit being issued.

“We are confident that HealthChoice Illinois will provide quality, whole-person care for millions of residents while saving taxpayer dollars and operating with vigorous accountability throughout. In addition, the Department contracts with an independent, third party, nationally recognized actuary to assist in this process. We will continually work to improve this program, fiscally and programmatically,” says Hoffman.

20 Comments

Biss defends pension flip-flop

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sen. Daniel Biss was at Crain’s today. Here’s Greg Hinz…

The senator appeared to rule out any significant changes in the state’s government pension plans—401(k)s are “a failed experiment. The jury has spoken,” he said—even though he was the chief sponsor of legislation to cut benefits while requiring both taxpayers and employees to pay more. The bill ultimately was ruled out by the courts, and Biss said he “learned my lesson . . . pensions are a promise and the payments should be made.”

Biss indicated he would not reduce pension benefits now even if he legally could. Government just needs to make regular payments rather than diverting pension money to other purposes, he said. And Biss rejected suggestions that, in sponsoring the pension bill, he was following the lead of Madigan, who had been pushing such a plan in opposition to a more limited “consideration” version proposed by Senate President John Cullerton.

“I decided this was the least bad of the bad options,” said Biss, noting he voted against another pension bill personally sponsored by Madigan. “I allowed myself to think we couldn’t do better.”

* Pritzker campaign…

Dan Biss Flails When Asked About Unconstitutional Pension Bill

Biss Asked “Can People Trust You Not to Change Your Opinion On Other Things?” at Crain’s Ed Board

Chicago, IL – While meeting with the Crain’s editorial board today, Dan Biss gave a flailing response to questions on his 2013 bill to cut pension benefits for 467,000 Illinoisans.

In a heated back and forth, Biss was pressed to answer an important question: “If you can so completely change your opinion on something you spent so much time and energy on, what can people trust you not to change your opinion on, on other things?”

“Dan Biss is flailing as he continues to be pressed on his unconstitutional efforts to cut pension benefits for 467,000 downstate teachers, university workers, and state employees,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “Biss can try and ramble and deflect now, but this is someone who needed the Supreme Court to step in before he ‘learned his lesson’ that working families deserve the pensions that were promised to them.”

* Video…

* Transcript…

Greg Hinz: If the Supreme Court hadn’t objected, if there was not a legal reason, a constitutional reason to do this, would you come back to something like that? Is it appropriate, or do you also have a moral objection now?

Sen. Daniel Biss: No, I think the Supreme Court was right. I think the Supreme Court was right. Um, I think that these pensions were promised to people, and they were told they were promised, and they were told that it’s a guarantee. And, I don’t think it’s appropriate then to go back and change it, and I…um…like I said, that was a long learning process for me, and I wish I’d learned that lesson differently. But I think that it’s a really, really important lesson.

Greg Hinz: Why this total mindset transition?

Sen. Daniel Biss: Well I think you have to ask the question: was the Supreme Court right or wrong?

Greg Hinz: What I guess I’m asking is a character question: if you could so completely change your opinion of something you spent so much time and energy on, what can people trust you not to change your opinion on, on other things?

If you click here for the full exchange, you’ll see Biss’ response, which is the last graf of that Greg Hinz excerpt I posted above.

35 Comments

Rauner hints at new budget idea, insists his past budgets were balanced, can’t recall one of his own key proposals

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The governor was asked by some Decatur Herald & Review reporters today if his budget proposal would include rolling back the income tax. Gov. Rauner said he’d present a balanced budget first and then suggestion some additional options. “We’ll say, if we do the following additional things, we’ll reduce the income tax.”

* But he also said this…

In post-press conference interview, @GovRauner reiterated he will propose a 'balanced budget' in two weeks. He dismissed Civic Federation, Politifact, etc. that show he never has introduced one.
"I feel, very strongly, that I've introduced balanced budgets every year."

— Ryan S. Voyles (@RVVoyles) February 2, 2018

2) On "Working together on grand bargain" item from his last budget proposal:
"I'm not familiar with that."
"My view, very strongly, I've introduced balanced budgets every year. This year, let's sit down and talk through it, I'll walk you through it line by line…"

— Tom Lisi (@tommylisi) February 2, 2018

Raw audio is here.

* That working together line was literally in Rauner’s official budget proposal last year…

Rauner’s budget plan also counts on $4.6 billion under a category called “working together on ‘grand bargain,’” a bargain that is still being negotiated in the Senate.

It’s on page 30 of the document…

Working together on “grand bargain” (4,572)

38 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 - Stand for Children responds *** Pritzker airs second anti-Biss ad, Biss claims Pritzker is “flailing”

Friday, Feb 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rate it…

I already told subscribers about the issues the ad brings up, but you can see some other background info by clicking here.

* From Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…

We are confident that JB’s message of beating Bruce Rauner and bringing real change to Illinois is resonating with voters across the state. After Dan Biss became the first Democrat to run attack ads in the Democratic primary last week, it’s clear that voters deserve to know the facts about Biss’ real record in Springfield.

* From the Biss campaign…

Today, JB Pritzker released his second attack ad in two days against Daniel Biss. The ads follow a We Ask America poll from earlier this week showing Biss surging with momentum since October while Pritzker loses support, despite spending $21 million on his campaign since then. That total does not include Pritzker’s latest contribution of an additional $7 million dollars from January 25. Pritzker’s primary spending now tops Donald Trump’s in the 2016 presidential primary in all 50 states.

“With his numbers dropping, JB is flailing,” said Biss campaign manager Abby Witt. “Clearly JB is nervous, and he should be. As voters see the choice between another billionaire and a middle class progressive that will make billionaires pay their fair share, Daniel Biss’ numbers are surging and JB’s are plummeting. So it’s no wonder we’re seeing another sloppy attempt to muddy the choice voters are making in this election.

“While middle-class families like Daniel’s send their kids to neighborhood public schools and struggle to pay their property taxes, JB profits from privatizing education and pulls the toilets out of his mansion to get a break on his taxes. If he truly cared about fully funding our public schools, JB Pritzker should pay his fair share in taxes instead of inventing schemes to profit off the backs of working families.”

*** UPDATE *** From Stand for Children Illinois…

Stand for Children and its members across the state of Illinois support public education, not school privatization. We have fought relentlessly for adequate and equitable funding for public schools and will continue the fight to make sure public school students have the quality education they deserve and teachers have the supports they need.

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