Whew. Lengthy q&a with Madigan. Takeaways: Rauner will lose; Madigan not sure of his opinion on legalizing marijuana and the reason he’s so unpopular is because he hasn’t fought back against Rauner targeting him. pic.twitter.com/m2jVs5DQuJ
* Speaker Madigan was asked about this “Because… Madigan!” thing several times…
The Republicans have been using anti-Madigan rhetoric for close to ten years. So, there’s nothing new with Rauner, he just happens to have some money he could put behind it. I would say again that they really ought to try to find something in their record that they can use to persuade people to vote for Rauner and the Republicans.
They don’t wanna talk about themselves. They don’t wanna talk about their record because they don’t have a record. They always wanna talk about somebody else. Rauner is prepared to spend millions of dollars to propagate that kind of a message. I don’t think the people of Illinois are going to accept Rauner’s propaganda. I think they’re gonna vote against him.
Let me say this. If the amount of money spent on negative advertising against me had been spent against you, your poll numbers would be in bad shape too.
Let me make this point. All that money was spent on negative advertising on me without response. Without response… [Rauner’s money has] made a big difference.
* But, he was then asked, wasn’t it political malpractice to not respond? After all, candidates are constantly asked if they support Speaker Madigan and it’s being used against them…
That’s been used by Republicans for about 10 years. It was used by some Democrats in the Democratic primary. The ones in the Democratic primary who used that lost their elections. And Rauner’s gonna lose his election.
…Adding… He’s never leaving…
IL House Speaker Michael Madigan, after winning his 6th term as state Dem chair, just told @BennyJshow he's focused on beating @GovRauner & has no plans to retire: "I'm a very young 76 years old….. So long as I can continue to do a good job, I'm going to continue to do it."
* We’re apparently ripping off our own residents more than usual…
At $30 a ticket, the Illinois Lottery’s World Class Millions instant game was not only one of its priciest offerings — it was also potentially one of the most lucrative for players.
“WIN UP TO $15,000,000! THE HIGHEST INSTANT PAYOUT IN ILLINOIS LOTTERY HISTORY,” shouted a banner across the magenta and silver ticket.
But for the last five weeks the game was on sale this year, none of the three $15 million prizes remained. Yet players purchased an estimated 26,000 tickets during that time, spending about $793,000. […]
From mid-November to mid-March, the lottery sold more than 3 million instant game tickets — costing players more than $20 million — for games that no longer had any top prize available, according to the Tribune’s analysis of lottery records. And at one point in early March, nearly 1 in 6 games on sale no longer had a top prize available.
Personal financial and medical information of more than 4,000 people was mailed to the wrong addresses earlier this year, two state agencies announced Friday.
“Notices containing personal information were mailed to 4,136 individuals at incorrect addresses,” a news release from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Department of Human Services said. “It has not been confirmed that any of the notices were actually opened, as they were addressed to the correct individuals but had the incorrect addresses.”
The notices went out in February. They could have included some health insurance, medical and financial information, as well as dates of birth, the agencies said.
Detailed medical records and Social Security numbers were not shared, so the risk of identity theft is “very low,” according to a news release from the agencies. They said they’ve moved to prevent future mishaps.
Ugh…
The brand new ( and disastrous) IT system that just did this originally was "only" going to cost taxpayers $134 million but Rauner's people told us this week the cost overruns make the current price $300 million and still counting.
During the Illinois budget crisis, private companies borrowed billions of dollars to pay government vendors on time with the promise that state repayment would come with late fees.
Now the participants in the Illinois vendor-assistance program say they’re not getting hundreds of millions of dollars in late-payment interest they’re owed.
The financiers told legislators Monday that lending banks might discontinue participation.
Let's try this again: I made this map! Thanks @LuisKlein86 for researching it! Discrimination is bad and it should be illegal! Pass HB *4572*! pic.twitter.com/MnY76z4mG7
Legislation requiring a $40,000 minimum salary for teachers would affect some local school districts. […]
Under the bill, the $40,000 includes the pension costs districts pick up on behalf of teachers. For a teacher making $40,000, that amounts to an extra $3,600.
The Herscher district’s starting salary, including pension contributions, is about $35,000.
Herscher Superintendent Rich Decman opposes the legislation, calling it “political gamesmanship.”
“It’s great on the face. Most first-year teachers would be ecstatic with a $5,000 raise,” he said. “I don’t think it would be practical to do this without the funding. I’m a proponent of local control. I don’t think it’s reasonable for the state to dictate salaries. This is what I would call another unfunded mandate.”
Business groups representing employers of all sizes across the state held a press conference today to provide evidence that legislation, allowing third parties hired by local governments to view Illinois businesses and taxpayers’ confidential sales tax information, would codify current illegal behavior of both local governments and a contingency fee-based company called Azavar. Evidence indicates private sales tax information has been already shared illegally with Azavar, and the company explored ways to evade the protections in current law. HB 2717, proposed by Representative Chris Welch (D-Westchester) is poised for consideration in the Illinois House.
Currently, the tax information local governments receive from IDOR is protected by strict confidentiality requirements imposed by IDOR. Allowing access to this information outside a strict chain-of-custody endangers taxpayer information. In 2016, the business community conducted a FOIA of several municipalities’ communications with Azavar and revealed certain local leaders were already sharing confidential sales tax information with the auditing firm. This action violates current state law. This fact was later confirmed at a hearing in May 2017, when the bill’s sponsor and local officials admitted local governments “up and down the state” are engaging in this activity.
The business coalition along with the Illinois Department of Revenue have suggested several changes to the bill, including removal of the contingency fee proposal secured by Azavar (which in some cases is upwards of 45%). These proposals have been rejected.
Near the southwest corner of Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood stands a 30-foot granite monument dedicated to the thousands of Confederate soldiers who died as prisoners of war at Camp Douglas. The monument marks a mass grave containing the remains of more than 4,000 Confederate prisoners, reinterred here from the grounds of the prison camp and the old Chicago City Cemetery.
The differences start in how the burial markers look at Oak Woods Cemetery on the city’s South Side.
One, a Confederate Mound, lists the names of thousands of Confederate soldiers who were captured and died at Camp Douglas in Chicago. It’s topped with a bronze statute of a Confederate infantry soldier. Farther north, a simple gravestone marks where famed African-American journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett was buried. She shares a gravestone with her husband that states, “Crusaders For Justice,” under their names.
On Sunday, two groups held simultaneous but separate ceremonies, putting a spotlight not only on the juxtaposition of the markers in the Grand Crossing cemetery but also on the contrasting opinions of the role Confederate monuments should have in modern America. Both ceremonies remained peaceful, and the opposing groups did not interact with each other Sunday morning.
Matthew Evans, part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, stood next to five men dressed as Confederate soldiers as he told a small crowd that he wasn’t there to debate the causes of the Civil War. He said he was there to honor the men who died at Camp Douglas who fought on behalf of the Confederacy. […]
But David Robinson, 62, who came from Maryland to attend the Confederate Mound ceremony, said people should think about the families behind the names etched into the monument. He’s been able to trace his great-great-grandfather to the mass grave. His membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans has lapsed, but he said he is considering rejoining.
“There’s a politically correct culture defining right and wrong with no basis on fact,” Robinson said. “For instance, this for me is a grave marker. It’s not a monument to glorify the Confederacy.”
* I didn’t know there was an Illinois chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans until today. If you go to their website, you’ll see this…
All members of the S.C.V. have to provide proof that their ancestor fought for the Confederate States of America armed forces between 1861-1865. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the misuse of our sacred battle flag by any and all groups who use it to promote hate and violence, and promote themselves and their cause by displaying the Confederate Battle flag.
“Top Illinois Democrats like Pritzker, Raoul or Mendoza have an opinion on everything, but here’s one thing they don’t like to talk about: Mike Madigan. Today, Madigan will be reelected as Democratic Party chairman for the sixth time, but don’t look to the statewide candidates for an opinion. They are all mum on Madigan’s leadership because they are complicit in his corruption, and they know he is dragging their campaigns down.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
At 1:00PM today in Springfield, leaders in the Democratic Party of Illinois will be casting their vote for party chairman, and it looks like House Speaker Mike Madigan is set to stay in power.
Madigan has held the Democratic Party chairmanship since 1998 and his tenure has been marked by scandal and corruption, even allegations of sexual harassment from within his political organization.
So are top Illinois Democrats embracing their party leader, Mike Madigan? Nope - far from it. Here’s what the Democratic candidates for statewide office have to say on Madigan leading their party:
J.B. Pritzker: [silence]
Kwame Raoul: [silence]
Susana Mendoza: [silence]
Mike Frerichs: [silence]
Jesse White: [silence]
The Illinois Democratic candidates for statewide office are silent on their support for their party leader, Mike Madigan, because they are complicit in his corruption, and they know he is dragging their campaigns down.
* These guys disagree…
Local operating engineers union shows its support for House Speaker Michael Madigan outside the Statehouse Inn in Springfield, where the election for Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois will soon get underway. pic.twitter.com/0Y6X7aRMTw
Congressman Danny Davis nominates Speaker Madigan as party chairman, saying the way to elect @JBPritzker is to have the strongest Democrat in charge, one who has held off the opposition, who has shown that Illinois can produce, helped state produce Obama as President pic.twitter.com/IJRiDI2WzO
Congresswoman Robin Kelly seconds the nomination; says that Madigan has done well, "in a lot of eras" but particularly in the era of President Trump. That said, she says, "change needs to happen" - a not so subtle nod to sexual harassment issues pic.twitter.com/6wMuNguxIK
An anti-cannabis group estimates legalizing recreational marijuana use will cost Illinois $670 million a year.
But pro-legalization pols say they’re just blowing smoke.
Smart Approaches to Marijuana, in collaboration with Healthy & Productive Illinois, concluded in a report on Thursday that drugged driving, as well as greater levels of workplace injury and absenteeism, would be the biggest contributors to the estimated cost. […]
But state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who helped introduce legislation for legalizing and regulating the substance, was critical of the research.
“To call it a study is overly generous,” Cassidy said. “It relies heavily on data that has been debunked repeatedly, from an organization that has been repeatedly debunked.”
* The Healthy & Productive Illinois “study” conflates state government revenues from pot sales with overall economic costs of legalization. Those are two very different things. Not to mention that their projected economic costs are mostly goofy.
For instance, they claim legalization will cost the economy $210.4 million in increased absenteeism. Wow, that sure is precise. But real studies do no corroborate this projection (click here).
There is no or insufficient evidence to support or refute a statistical association between cannabis use and… Occupational accidents or injuries (general, non-medical cannabis use)
* They claim that increased drugged driving fatalities will cost society $231 million and increased drugged driving injuries will cost $85.2 million. But, while the number of Colorado’s car accidents increased after it ended prohibition, the state’s population increased as well and two studies showed no correlation (one actually showed that deaths fell).
They even project that “Marijuana concentrate lab explosions” will cost $13.3 million a year. Um, OK. Most of those explosions that I could find were in illegal “labs.” Legalization brings regulations.
* So, who’s behind this Healthy & Productive Illinois group? The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association, the Mid-West Truckers Association and the Illinois Association Of Housing Authorities.
In other words, you have two police groups which have members who directly benefit from drug seizure laws. And the Mid-West Truckers Association has operated a drug testing service for well over 20 years, so it may be making a few bucks off of that. The group’s director told me they oppose legalization because “federal law pretty much has zero tolerance for it” and flunking a drug test “will put a transportation worker out-of-service and often out of a job.”
“It’s important to consider studies like this, that show costs may outweigh revenue the state could bring in, and see the impact of experiments with legalization going on in Colorado, California and other places before making any decision about it in Illinois,” Rachel Bold, spokeswoman for Rauner, said.
The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin has been sold for $327.5 million.
MGM Resorts International along with its venture partner are selling the casino to Eldorado Resorts.
The cash deal is expected to close within 12 months. […]
The casino, which opened to the public Oct. 6, 1994, was once a bustling venue. However, it has had to contend with competition from Rivers Casino, which opened in 2011 in Des Plaines, and from the video gambling industry.
Grand Victoria Casino posted $168.7 million in revenues last year, up from $163.5 million in 2016, according to data from the Illinois Gaming Board. The casino’s revenues steadily declined since 2007, when they reached a peak of $436.7 million.
Pritzker’s billionaire family has held financial interests in casinos for decades. He now invests in a company that holds a roughly one percent stake in the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, according to financial disclosures and his campaign.
That means Pritzker could reap nearly $3.27 million from the potential $327.5 million sale of the northwest suburban casino to a Reno, Nev.-based gambling company called Eldorado Resorts, Inc. The deal announced this week still requires Illinois Gaming Board approval.
If the deal goes through by the end of 2018, as planned, the transaction eliminates a thorny conflict for Pritzker should he win.
But if the deal collapses or hits a snag and Pritzker is elected in November, he could run into ethical conflicts once he takes office in January. That’s because governors have the authority to appoint members to the state Gaming Board that regulates casinos, and he’d inevitably be drawn into perennial discussions at the statehouse about gambling expansion that could impact his investment.
Such a scenario would make Pritzker the first known Illinois governor to hold an interest in a state casino license. […]
“If elected, JB will divest from any asset he personally owns that does business with the state of Illinois or would receive any kind of government benefit from the state,” [Pritzker spokeswoman Galia Slayen] wrote.
This is a topic I hadn’t really given much thought to over the months. If elected, he’ll appoint Gaming Board members and will undoubtedly have to deal with the gaming issue.
So he’s wise to get rid of that ownership interest, even if it is only 1 percent of the Elgin casino (and his $3.27 million “windfall” is less than a thousandth of his reported net worth). If the sale hits a snag, he’ll have to come up with a new strategy to avoid any appearance of conflict or an actual conflict.
The people of Illinois have to act to make certain we have choices. Download a Walls-Tobin Petition and get your family and friends to sign. Notarize it and mail it to Walls For Gov,47 West Polk St. #152. 60605. https://t.co/F7DRbeEYgThttps://t.co/0j2ASHkWwi
Until now, we’ve offered our online content for free. But we can no longer afford to operate our business this way.
The Alliance of Audited Media, an industry group that monitors the circulation of news publishers, estimates that the percentage of legitimate websites generating relevant, original content is very low, about 3 percent of the world’s 329 million websites, because the economics are brutal.
Google and Facebook dominate digital advertising, together collecting 73 percent of all digital ad revenue, according to a 2017 analysis by the research firm, Pivotal. All other companies compete for rest of the digital advertising pie. As print advertising has declined year-after-year, this has a created an impossible business model for labor-intensive, quality local journalism.
Earlier this month, the Denver Post made a dramatic plea to save that paper from an owner who has financially drained the company and trimmed the reporting staff to the bone. Our story — in many ways — is similar.
We’ve suffered through a series of managers who sold our assets, took money out of journalism and left us hollowed out.
As recently as last summer, some thought the only way forward was to fold the Sun-Times into the competition. That’s when a broad coalition of business and labor leaders stepped up to thwart a takeover by the Chicago Tribune — and made a promise to help us win.
* The paper is also currently running an ad bashing the Tribune. It starts at the 33:34 mark…
If you let the video play after the ad, you’ll see Sun-Times Editor-in-Chief Chris Fusco explain the ad. Fusco also notes that his wife works for the Tribune.
I enjoy robust competition, but this level of contempt for the other paper vastly exceeds anything I’ve seen in nearly four decades here. […]
Traditionally, competing papers, like most competing consumer products, tout their virtues in ads and imply or allude politely to their advantages over other brands. Harsh attack commercials are generally reserved for political campaigns, which is why this Sun-Times spot, which alternates praise for itself with whacks at us — the Sun-Times’ “priority is hardworking people”; the Tribune’s “priorities aren’t so clear,” and so on — feels distinctly political.
Not to mention false. Look no further than the massive investigation the Tribune launched into how failures in the Cook County property tax system harm the poor most of all for evidence of our priorities. Look at the extensive analysis of lead in Chicago’s tap water we published earlier this month to see what matters to us. Look at the deep-dive investigation our reporters conducted last fall into children dying from abuse or neglect while under state supervision to see whom we haven’t written off.
* But…
The @Suntimes put into an ad how a lot of us feel about the brand Chicago Tribune. There are good reporters at CT, of-course, some I follow religiously - but the brand ID isn’t that far off from that ad. https://t.co/X0o9l7kaCE
I should have put an asterisk on this post. The statement above does NOT include the Ferro years. To be fair I didn’t see much of the paper back then as the website was made unreadable.
“The truth is, I share really nothing much in common with Sam McCann on the issues,” Pritzker said. “But I think he is a fine human being and certainly a public servant. So I am glad he has decided to run.”
“Pritzker thinks a guy who lied about being in the Marines and scams his campaign donors is a fine person and public servant,” Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison fired back. “That says a lot about Pritzker and the Chicago Machine’s attempt to use dirty tricks to sway this election.” […]
“Well, Bruce Rauner is a liar,” Pritzker responded on Saturday. […]
But was there a coordinated effort to recruit McCann as a conservative attack dog to hobble Rauner?
As of last week, Gov. Bruce Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton couldn’t even agree on how much money is available to spend in the state’s upcoming budget year. They’re currently fighting about the starting point.
I asked Indiana officials if they argue over revenue projections. They didn’t quite understand the question because, well, no they don’t squabble. State leaders from both parties spend a few weeks looking at forecasts and seeking outside advice. Then they come to an agreement on how much money is available to spend in the next budget cycle. Weird, right?
Going into FY2019, revenue forecasts by the executive and legislative branches are $99 million apart—less than 0.3% of expected revenues and among the closest they have been in recent years.
So, it turns out that the revenue estimates started out very close. I mean, 0.3 percent is basically a rounding error on a rounding error. And, pre-Rauner, state leaders from both parties in Illinois also routinely spent “a few weeks looking at forecasts and seeking outside advice.”
Also, the budgeteers began meeting last week shortly after the governor requested sit-downs. So this can’t be classified as a “fight” by any measure. Indeed, it’s the most cooperation we’ve seen since Gov. Rauner was sworn into office. If all goes smoothly, they’ll figure out a revenue projection soon and then start hammering out spending details. And remember that Rauner isn’t making any off-topic demands for this budget. No “right to work,” no 5-year property tax freeze, no nothing. Just a full-year budget with agreed-upon revenue estimates.
Of course Indiana pays its bills on time — that means within 35 days — unlike the deadbeat Land of Lincoln, where extreme late payments and costly interest penalties are the norm. We’ve accepted that too.
Um, which newspaper enthusiastically argued for more than two years on behalf of the impasse? Which newspaper to this day continues to editorialize against the 2011 Democratic tax hike which allowed the state to bring its bill payment cycle down to 30 days? And which newspaper continues to rail against the bipartisan 2017 tax hike which will allow the state to get a handle on its latest mountain of unpaid bills?
Research organization Wirepoints recently examined the state’s debts and the state’s taxpayers and concluded that there are not enough “millionaires and billionaires” to raise the revenue to meet Pritzker’s twin goals.
State debts, according to Wirepoints, include total unfunded pension liabilities of $250 billion, another $56 billion in unfunded health care obligations for state workers, roughly $11.7 billion in debts from ongoing state budget deficits and, finally, plans to spend $3.5 billion in additional K-12 support over the next 10 years.
The analysis pretty much assumes that only higher income taxpayers will pay for every single dime of pensions, health care, bill backlogs and K-12 support going forward - as if current taxpayers no longer exist. It’s a pretty weak argument against a progressive income tax.
Illinois Policy continues it’s downward spiral this week putting out an article on me that is 100% false. I have never been paid directly or otherwise by Guv’s campaign. Proft and Tillman - fake news, losing elections and wasting donor $. @illinoispolicy@JohnMTillman#twill
The story had nothing directly to do with Tillman and the Illinois Policy Institute. The story ran in one of Dan Proft’s papers. Now, maybe you think that’s all one thing. Fine. But Brady is also misrepresenting the report…
The public affairs firm of Patrick M. Brady, the ex-Illinois GOP Chairman turned lobbyist, received $35,682 in the first quarter of 2018 from Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign, according to a filing with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
In January, Rauner made three payments for “political consulting” to Brady’s River Strategies of Chicago totaling $26,133. He made a fourth payment of $9,550 on March 5, two weeks before Rauner’s primary election with State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton).
Partner Tracy Slutzkin formerly worked as a news producer at WLS-AM 890, including alongside political activist and radio host Dan Proft, one of the principals of LGIS, which owns Prairie State Wire.
River Strategies describes itself as a “media, public affairs, and corporate communications” firm. But Brady is the only firm member with political experience. […]
Brady acted as a defacto spokesman for Rauner during the primary, making regular media appearances where he would attack Ives, though he was never formally identified as such.
Click here to see the Rauner campaign payments and click here to see the River Strategies website.
Brady is often described as a Rauner surrogate, or a former state party chairman or a Rauner supporter. In reality, his firm got a few buckaroos from the Rauner campaign this year. Whether he received a piece of that is probably irrelevant.
*** UPDATE *** “I receive zero financial benefit” from the firm, Brady just told me. “It’s not my firm, it’s their firm,” with “their” referring to Tracy Slutzkin, Hayley Bierkle Burns and Linze Rice.
So, why is his name on the “our team” page? “My name is on the website as a marketing strategy,” Brady said.
During the last few months, House Speaker Michael Madigan has been assailed by governor candidates in his own party and beset by accusations of sexual harassment in the political organizations he controls.
On Monday, he’s expected to be re-elected leader of the state Democratic Party, 20 years after he first won the job.
The party’s central committee is scheduled to meet at a Springfield hotel near the Capitol to elect its officers, including a party chairman. […]
Madigan’s backers to keep the chairman job now include leading progressive Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who on Friday called the longtime speaker the “clear choice.”
I will support a chair who, above all, knows that our goal as a Democratic Party and as a progressive movement must be to build a broad coalition that can deliver this change. Michael Madigan is the clear choice.
As chairman and as a legislator, Madigan is building an ideologically, racially and geographically diverse coalition, and will turn a statewide majority into progressive action.
And it’s not the first time the two have had each other’s backs. Garcia in 2016 endorsed Madigan over a heavily-funded opponent. Garcia, who was named a Bernie Sanders national delegate, appeared in mailers endorsing Madigan. […]
Garcia said Madigan “puts first the interests of the people of Illinois and the progressive principles of the Democratic party.” […]
If there was any opposition from progressive politicians to Garcia’s decision to endorse Madigan, it was hard to find on Friday. But some social media users voiced their opinions: “Of course, he [Garcia] knows the deal.” Another tweeted: “Chuy falls in line.”
“What the f— is Chuy smoking on 4-20?!?” tweeted one self-described “enlightened free thinker.”
I guess Garcia and Madigan have to live together. And there is no sign that anyone is about to topple Madigan when Democrats meet soon for this year’s coronation. Why fight when everyone can get together to bash Donald Trump?
Says Madigan spokesman Steve Brown, “Mr. Garcia’s support, like that of other members of the central committee, is appreciated.” I’m sure.
Like the old expression goes, the more things change. . . .
As party veteran Ed Burke likes to say, “As my political idol and political philosopher Edmund Burke once said, in politics there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent political interests.”
*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…
In advance of today’s Democratic Party of Illinois’ State Central Committee meeting and state party chairman vote, the Rauner campaign issued the following statement:
“Today, Mike Madigan will be re-elected as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, but we won’t hear a peep from JB Pritzker. Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike are sick of Madigan’s corrupt system, yet Pritzker’s campaign is based on giving Madigan total control of the state. This November, a vote for JB Pritzker is a vote for Mike Madigan and the same broken system that’s hurt Illinois for decades.”
-Rauner Campaign Spokesman Will Allison
Several months ago, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff, Tim Mapes, made copies of candidate nominating petitions for what appeared to be every single candidate in the state, regardless of party or office sought. Madigan’s spokesperson was mum when asked why.
It turns out that a database was constructed of the names of all the people who circulated petitions during the primary.
Here’s why that matters:
Last week, state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview, pulled the trigger on a third-party bid for governor. McCann, an avowed foe of Gov. Bruce Rauner, will have to collect 25,000 valid petition signatures by June 25 to get onto the November ballot.
There’s a catch, however. Under state law, all signatures for McCann gathered by people who also circulated petitions for partisan primary candidates will be invalidated. Now, thanks to the new data base, it is a relatively simple matter of plugging in names of potential McCann petition circulators to weed out the potential problems.
If McCann gets on the ballot, the idea is to establish a new party’s identity with one specific goal in mind. Its name is the Conservative Party. Its mission is to attract conservative Republican voters who are upset with Rauner’s views and actions on abortion, “sanctuary state” and other stuff, including possibly guns.
Four years ago, Operating Engineers Union Local 150 backed the Libertarian Party’s candidate to hurt Rauner, but that candidate also got a number of votes from folks who didn’t like Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. The new Conservative Party will focus on disaffected Republicans and attempt to continue the theme that Rauner is unable to unify his own party after his narrow GOP primary victory over Rep. Jeanne Ives.
If McCann survives the petition process, one challenge will be finding money for this race.
Lots of union leaders and others believe that billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker has this race in the bag. They’re convinced Pritzker’s personal fortune along with a strong national Democratic wave will destroy the Republican incumbent.
But the folks behind this Conservative Party idea (including Local 150) firmly believe they need a “Plan B” in case something goes horribly wrong.
Pritzker could be hit with some unforeseen opposition research, for example. The national political climate could suddenly change for any number of reasons. Rauner could somehow get his act together.
And even if the Democrats’ stars remain aligned all the way through November, a McCann candidacy could help the Democrats run up the score on Rauner.
But the plan has its detractors. Democratic legislative candidates in Republican-leaning districts have been hoping that the national “blue wave” that so many see heading this way, combined with Gov. Rauner’s horrible unpopularity, will lead to lower turnout among Republicans and help them squeak through. Putting McCann on the ticket gives disaffected Republican voters a reason to head to the polls and they won’t be voting for Democrats down the ballot.
And while calling it an “interesting play,” a top Republican official with close ties to the governor said Sen. McCann could attract some Democratic votes as well.
Pritzker, after all, has far more liberal stances than Rauner on immigration, guns, abortion, etc. Rauner has repeatedly said in recent weeks that he strongly opposes illegal immigration and flatly denies that a bill he signed into law created a “sanctuary state.” The governor also claims to be a National Rifle Association member and vetoed a bill last month that would’ve regulated gun dealers.
Pritzker’s vast holdings include several companies that have really bad records when it comes to their employees.
In other words, it’s more than conceivable that the Rauner campaign could use targeted media to try and drive conservative, pro-union Democrats and independents to McCann.
It’s also very possible that Rauner will go all-out negative against McCann. A far-right group aired a very nasty radio ad during the March primary about the governor and his wife. So, the Rauner folks may feel free to go just as negative on McCann.
Operating Engineers Union Local 150 contributed $50,000 to McCann’s campaign fund just a few days before McCann’s announcement and will be very involved in his effort. The union is known for its unorthodox political moves, like working with conservative activist Dan Proft during the primary against House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
But the involvement of Local 150 also gives Rauner the ability to use the “Madigan issue” against McCann because the union local has close ties to the House Speaker.
If you thought the weirdness ended on primary day, it’s actually just beginning.
A Secret Service agent says the suspect in a fatal Tennessee restaurant shooting who was arrested last July outside the White House complex had hoped to talk to President Donald Trump.
Special Agent Todd Hudson in Nashville says Travis Reinking “wanted to set up a meeting with the president.”
Hudson says Reinking tried to cross bike racks near the White House grounds that were part of security barriers. Reinking was asked to leave the restricted area, and when he declined, Hudson says he was arrested on a charge of unlawful entry.
In May 2016, police were called to a CVS parking lot, where Reinking was threatening to kill himself. Family present at the time said that Reinking had delusions since 2014 involving singer Taylor Swift, whom he believed was stalking and harassing him.
Reinking told officers that Swift had told him to meet her at a Morton Dairy Queen and had hacked his phone and Netflix account. Reinking also believed that his family and police were involved in the harassment, officials said.
At the time, Reinking’s family informed police that he was in possession of firearms, but there is no record of any action being taken to remove the guns from Reinking’s possession at the time.
In June 2017, Reinking exposed himself at a pool while wearing a pink woman’s house coat, according to a police report. Earlier the same day, Reinking had gotten into a shouting match with a crane company employee, who said Reinking was wearing the house coat and holding an AR-15 rifle, the report said.
At the time of the White House incident, Reinking lived in an apartment above his father’s business, a crane rental company in Tremont, Illinois, according to the sheriff’s office incident reports. After his arrest at the White House for trespassing and being in a restricted area, the FBI and the Secret Service coordinated with local law enforcement to investigate Reinking and remove firearms from his possession, Matthew Espenshade, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Nashville office said Sunday.
On August 24, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office seized four firearms and ammunition from Reinking’s apartment along with his state firearm owners identification, according to an incident report. The seizure came less than two weeks after a Tazewell County sergeant said that Reinking drove up to his squad car and asked about filing a report.
Reinking told the sergeant that people were “tapping into his computer and phone” and barking like dogs outside his home, according to an August 11 incident report. He said he felt like he was being watched and that people were baiting him into breaking the law, the report states. He told the officer that it all started after he started writing to Taylor Swift, according to the report.
Sheriff Robert Huston in Tazewell County said deputies allowed Reinking’s father to take possession of the weapons on the promise that he would “keep the weapons secure and out of the possession of Travis.” Huston added that, based on past deputies’ encounters with Reinking, “there’s certainly evidence that there’s some sort of mental health issues involved.”
While Huston said it was unclear how Reinking reclaimed the firearms, Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said that his father “has now acknowledged giving them back to his son.”
Under Illinois law, the weapons can be released to a family member, but Reinking could not lawfully possess the firearms there, Anderson, said.
I figure there will be an immediate temptation to blame the father for allegedly breaking the law by returning those guns to his son.
But is this really a surprise? Parents give in to their children, even their adult children, all the time.
So, perhaps we should revisit the Illinois statute allowing guns to be released to a family member when a FOID card is revoked.
* I took it really easy today and I’m feeling much better now. I don’t think I missed much anyway, but I put some press releases on the live coverage post. Here’s L.A. Salami…
* I wasn’t feeling well late yesterday afternoon, so I got checked out and I’m fine. A friend of mine suggested that I get some rest today and I’m taking his advice.
I don’t do this much, but it’s Friday, the Senate’s out of town and the governor’s out of the country.
* A statement earlier today from Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady’s spokesman…
This morning, Sen. Sam McCann offered his resignation from the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus and Leader Brady accepted.
* From Sen. McCann this afternoon…
Rich,
I did not offer my resignation from the Republican Caucus today. In fact, I responded to the caucus with that clarification. I offered my resignation as Minority spokesman on committee. I am still a Republican until I complete the requisite legal requirements to establish a new party, which doesn’t occur until June.
The Republicans have also unlawfully restricted access to key resources that are needed to properly represent the constituents of my District. Today, I demanded access to all caucus resources available to any Republican member of in order to properly represent the constituents of my District, which duly elected me as an IL State Senator of the Republican Party. I am following the legal protocol to properly establish a Conservative Party, but at this time no such party exists until the proper protocols are completed. In addition, I remain Constitutionally obligated to represent my constituents. Moreover, it is the Republican Parties duty to allow all of its members equal access. Any continued denial of access will require immediate action up to and including legal action against the caucus.
Debate happening now on SB2273 which will remove Illinois from the Crosscheck system that is putting our voter data at risk. Follow along here: https://t.co/ZxGTML9EPJ
The Illinois House today unanimously passed Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza’s “Truth in Hiring” Act to bring all “offshored” employees of the Governor’s office back into the Governor’s budget. State Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, sponsored the bi-partisan bill in the House.
For too long, Illinois governors – Democratic and Republican – have engaged in the deceptive practice of “offshoring” their employees’ salaries to other agencies — for example, paying an education advisor $250,000 from the Department of Human Services; or a deputy chief of staff $140,000 from the Illinois State Police’s budget — to mask the true size of the Governor’s budget.
A recent payroll analysis shows only 44 of Governor Rauner’s staffers are actually paid from the Governor’s budget. MOST of his staff – 58 people – are hidden in other agency payrolls. If the Governor were honestly reporting all the people working in his office, he would have to disclose his office budget is more than $10 million, instead of the $4.9 million that is budgeted for the current fiscal year.
Yesterday, 111th State Representative Monica Bristow made her feelings clear on the House floor regarding how much legislators should be paid:
“Hopefully if this body [the Illinois House] and the Senate gets its act together, we will be able to have our revenue exceeding expenditures and we’ll all get raises.”
Monica Bristow made this astonishing admission live on the House floor while debating HB 5760 - a bill concerning mileage reimbursement rates for legislators and the halting of cost-of-living adjustments. We all have dreams of a more prosperous future - Monica’s dream just happens to be paid for by overburdened taxpayers.
Mike Babcock, Republican candidate for 111th state representative, had this to say in response to Bristows comments:
“It is no surprise that Rep. Bristow, tightly entrenched within the Madigan self-serving machine, would advocate for more pay for herself. Let me be clear, career politicians in Springfield shouldn’t be receiving an extra dime. As a small business owner, I wouldn’t give an employee with the same record of failure a raise - I’d replace them. Rep. Bristow is the taxpayers employee and I’d say it’s time we replaced her too.”
When it comes to elected officials safeguarding taxpayer money, Mike Babcock leads by example. Mike Babcock has forgone a pay raise during his 9 years as Wood River Township Supervisor, has never raised taxes, and has a budget surplus year after year.
* Remap proponents trying to get issue before voters, but it’s not looking good: Senate leaders allowed proponents of the amendment to make their case at a subcommittee hearing Wednesday. However, in the House, the proposals have been locked up in the House Rules Committee and time is quickly running out. Both the House and Senate would have to vote by May 6 to put the issue on the ballot. The House is not scheduled to be in session the week of April 30 through May 4.
* Medical Marijuana for School Students Approved By Illinois House: “Before anyone sets their hair on fire about medical marijuana in school, it’s important to understand that tots won’t be toking up in class,” says Lang. “Discreet, private locations in a school will set aside for parents to administer the product and have no impact on anyone else in the building.”
* Illinois youth tackle football ban dead for now: Opposition to restrictions on America’s most popular sport stifled it for now. Sente, a Vernon Hills Democrat, said she will not call the legislation for a House vote before the General Assembly’s scheduled May 31 adjournment. But the bill stays alive until year’s end, and Sente, who is not seeking re-election in November, raised the possibility that the issue might be ripe for a vote this fall.
* Lawmakers Seek Broader Reviews of Suburban Police Shootings - Following a BGA/WBEZ investigative series, members of the Illinois black legislative caucus vow a push to mandate reviews of whether officers who shoot citizens violated policies or best practices.
* Editorial: Time to throw away golden parachutes for public employees
* Women fighting cancer ask, ‘why won’t Illinois insurers cover egg, embryo freezing?’: In Illinois, about 5,800 people of reproductive age — between 14 and 45 — are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health, though not all those patients would need or want to freeze sperm, eggs or embryos.
* Slowik: Caregivers support expanding alerts to include people with disabilities: State law currently allows police to issue “Amber Alerts” for missing children and “Silver Searches” to help locate missing senior citizens. Police, however, cannot currently issue an emergency notice when a non-elderly adult with a developmental disability is missing.
Biss has yet to formally endorse Pritzker - saying he wants more assurances the nominee will work for issues like campaign finance reform. “It’s really important for us to say more than just we are against Bruce Rauner. I would love for J.B. to empower me to make that kind of affirmative endorsement of his campaign.”
* Last October, the gubernatorial candidates were asked by Mary Ann Ahern at a forum: “Will you line up behind the Democratic nominee for Governor whoever that may be? Do you all agree?” Sen. Biss raised his hand with everyone else…
That was an Our Revolution candidate forum, by the way, and the audience loudly cheered when everybody raised their hands. The group went on to endorse Biss.
* And this is from a transcript the Biss campaign sent me back in December…
But I will say, yes I did vote for Mike Madigan for Speaker. He was the Democratic candidate for Speaker and I’m a proud Democrat. And I’m going to work with everyone in the legislature, including [Madigan]. I’ll work with him to elect the Democratic nominee for governor whoever that person is. You can be a loyal Democrat and be independent as well. That’s who I am.
Biss also attended the Democratic unity event the weekend after the primary and had his photo taken with the nominee.
That’s why in the past few days I spent time in conversation with JB Pritzker. While we have our differences, we have always been united in our commitment to defeat Bruce Rauner. And I am still 100% committed to defeating Bruce Rauner.
Campaign funding has been an issue in the last few months. Should there be changes in the state’s campaign finance rules? Why or why not? If so, what changes would you want to see?
We need comprehensive campaign finance reform in Illinois, and as governor, I will work with stakeholders to change the system and put limits in place. We must also overturn Citizens United at the federal level.
To his credit, Pritzker wants to restrain billionaires like himself, but says he can’t “unilaterally disarm” before the November general election. He says he favors campaign finance reforms that, at the very least, include a more generous system of public funding of elections.
A lawyer for former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock says prosecutors are aiming to be the first to imprison a former member of Congress over ambiguous rules the U.S. House set for itself.
“The government spent two years and two different grand juries investigating every aspect of my 14-year public service career. They investigated my business endeavors, from the age of 18 years old to the three years since leaving office, and they even investigated my personal life,” Schock said. “It’s a sad day in America when our U.S. Justice Department will stop at nothing, not even trampling the Constitution in its zeal to prosecute. Thankfully we have the courts, and I am confident they will provide the necessary check on this out-of-control prosecution.”
In oral arguments, Schock’s defense team claimed House rules for car mileage reimbursements are too vague to base criminal charges upon. Schock has been accused of pocketing tens of thousands of dollars in reimbursements after submitting false mileage reports following a POLITICO report.
Benjamin Hatch, Schock’s lawyer, also asserted in a highly technical argument that it would be a violation of the separation of powers doctrine, as well as the Speech or Debate Clause, to prosecute Schock. According to Hatch, the executive branch shouldn’t be involved in interpreting internal congressional rules, stating it would be a constitutional violation to do so.
“Our position is an ambiguous House rule can’t be used as evidence to prosecute a member of Congress,” Hatch told the three-judge panel. “The House rules do not determine whether anyone, including Mr. Schock, violated” federal law.
Prosecutors said half of the charges Schock faces have nothing to do with House rules, including ones alleging he falsified tax returns.
A Department of Justice lawyer, William Glaser, said at Wednesday’s hearing that the defense was mischaracterizing the government’s approach — as if “we want to go around prosecuting people based on ambiguous rules.”
Glaser said prosecutors won’t rely heavily on House rules in trying to prove their case at a trial for Schock. In some instances, he said, showing Schock violated rules would simply be a way to try and show criminal intent.
Seventh Circuit Chief Judge Diane Wood and Judge Frank Easterbrook tested Hatch’s argument, pushing him to say whether members of Congress could write their own rules about paying taxes — and bypass the law itself.
Hatch said clear violations of federal law are a different matter. Rather, he argued it would be an overreach for the courts to delve into the gray areas. He based much of his argument on a precedent set during the prosecution of former Illinois Congressman Dan Rostenkowski.
“It would be the court fashioning a rule of Congress,” Hatch said.
Wood seemed to dwell on the more glaring examples of Schock’s alleged malfeasance, like seeking mileage reimbursements for more miles than his vehicle was actually driven.
Hatch was interrupted by Wood just 40 seconds into his argument. She wondered why her panel should entertain Schock’s appeal now rather than post-trial. Wood said she was “having a really hard time” understanding why the court should accept Schock’s rule-making argument for dismissal, characterizing his position as asserting a “right not to be tried.” […]
But Wood wondered whether the rules would be used by prosecutors as a “piece of evidence” or “as a basis of liability,” a statement supporting the prosecution.
In the next breath, she threw a potential lifeline to the defense.
“There are regulations, and there are regulations. … Some of them have struck me as pretty vague,” she said, specifically citing House rules on office furnishings. […]
The confusing Q&A raised more questions than it answered. But it seems clear that the appeals court is seriously wrestling with the question of whether it has jurisdiction to issue a ruling on the merits or send the case back to Bruce for trial followed by a possible appeal.
One employee told federal investigators that the “going rate” to buy a job in Brown’s office was $10,000, to be paid to her personal bagman. Brown has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has not been charged despite a nearly 5 year investigation: https://t.co/5CxjhgQ008
How does Brown expect to run for mayor while navigating an ongoing federal investigation? “I’m going to hold off on saying anything about that,” Andrews-Keenan said. “She wants to address that all at once in front of everyone on Sunday. She’s going to lay everything out then.”
In September, [Gov. Rauner] said, Hannover Messe will have an exhibition in Chicago.
“We’re working out the details to do a big Hannover Messe show in McCormick Place later this year,” he said. […]
“I had dinner with a business owner in Poland who makes agricultural equipment and he would like to evaluate opening a plant in central Illinois to make agriculture-related equipment We had good discussion there,” he said. “I think Illinois is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Polish economy’s growth. […]
“We have Ed Seidel from the U of I (the university’s vice president for economic development) and we’re going to talk about joint research projects between the U of I and Aachen University,” Rauner said. “We’ve also met with research organization called Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, which does joint projects around the world focused on economic development. We’re going to be working with them to do a partnership with the U of I in Champaign.”
The 21 leaders on “Intersect Illinois” mission include state economic development officials, leaders of the Illinois Manufacturers Association and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, economic development officials from Lake and DuPage counties, and officials from the University of Illinois and Rend Lake and Harper community colleges. There are also representatives from German-American and Polish-American business groups.
I reached Anderson and the governor by phone late Tuesday afternoon. It was about 11 p.m. their time and they were in Germany aboard a bus bound for Frankfurt. Each man was in a buoyant mood despite having been on the go since 4:30 that morning. “It’s no glamour trip. We’re working nonstop,” said Anderson, who was sitting next to Rauner on the bus. […]
Anderson met in Warsaw with the Polish president and other Polish officials.
“I used the skills I learned working from (former Illinois senator) Peter Fitzgerald,” Anderson said. “I worked the room with the staff people. The Polish people and their leaders are in love with America and they are extremely impressed that we came all this way to meet with them.”
As of yet, however, the governor’s office has not released a list with names of all the people he’s traveling with, even though he did it before both of his previous overseas trips (click here and here).
* There are delegation photos, however, including this one…
This photo is an excellent representation of the gender and ethnic diversity of the State of Illinois. It’s almost as diverse as the @realDonaldTrump White House Intern Photo. Well done, @GovRauner ! #twillpic.twitter.com/5MgsNzLA8a
*** UPDATE *** Choose DuPage has posted the list of folks traveling with the governor. Click here.
* Related…
* Zorn: Rauner to ask Germans, Poles to invest in a ‘broken’ Illinois: When state or city leaders are forever rending their garments about how terrible things are, it makes the job of attracting and keeping business and residents all that much more difficult. This, in turn, makes things more terrible.
We already know that Sam McCann is profiting off of politics. But now it’s readily apparent that he’s also a pawn being used by Democrats. Just check out the statements from JB Pritzker and Democratic Governors Association. Their joy about McCann is blatantly transparent. So what conversations has Sam McCann had with Pritzker’s campaign and Illinois Democrats?
Statement from JB Pritzker: “I welcome another voice to the race for governor at this critical time for our state,” said JB Pritzker.
Statement From the DGA: “Today, the nation’s most vulnerable incumbent saw his reelection chances dwindle even further. Bruce Rauner is still reeling from a brutal primary and now he has to deal with an outright revolt from the right. Jeanne Ives voters now have another Republican to vote for in Sen. Sam McCann.”
These are the same tricks from the old corrupt machine that tried and failed to defeat Bruce Rauner before. It happened in the 2014 primary and general elections and in the 2018 primary.
Mike Madigan and McCann’s biggest backers have been playing both sides for years.
In an August 2017 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times’ Mark Brown, IUOE Local 150 President-Business Manager Jim Sweeney, a “staunch ally of Speaker Madigan,” revealed his strategy to support both McCann and Pritzker in the 2018 election. McCann knows he can’t win, so he’s teaming up with allies of Pritzker and Madigan to play the part of spoiler and profit along the way.
* There was also this friendly little exchange today…
Thank you, @JBPritzker, I look forward to having serious debate about the issues facing Illinois. The People deserve nothing less.
*** UPDATE *** From Galia Slayen at the Pritzker campaign…
Jeanne Ives, Sam McCann, and 48% of Bruce Rauner’s own party are in open revolt against his failed leadership. Rauner can keep spewing desperate lies, but the only person he has to blame for this is himself.
While Bruce Rauner is on another tour abroad to promote a state he constantly attacks, he called into a radio show yesterday to discuss a higher education system he decimated— only to forget about a state university.
While discussing the University of Illinois, the failed governor said he wants to “get them to open a campus in Chicago,” seemingly unaware of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The clueless comment comes after Rauner devastated higher education in Illinois, forcing state universities to junk bond status, slashing spending on MAP grants, and driving students from state universities.
“Bruce Rauner only remembers our colleges and universities when he is decimating their funding,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Instead of investing in Illinois’ students, this failed governor has leveraged their future to pursue his destructive agenda.”
* The governor’s comment made kind of a splash on social media yesterday…
This morning Bruce Rauner said he wants to "get [the U of I] to open a campus in Chicago as well as Rockford and Peoria"
— Illinois Working Together (@IllinoisWorking) April 18, 2018
.@GovRauner on WLS: "The U of I is an amazing magnet for talent. If we can get them to open a campus in Chicago …we can really light our economy" Ald. Solis (25th): “Clearly Rauner has been too busy starving public universities to actually know where they’re located." #UIC
* I checked with the governor’s office yesterday about this apparent faux pas and was told Rauner was referring to this…
Gov. Bruce Rauner and the University of Illinois are pursuing a sprawling innovation center in the South Loop with two other research universities, but the project’s backers have yet to forge a political consensus and a lack of detail about how it would be funded has created uncertainty about the project.
Rauner is backing the University of Illinois-led Discovery Partners Institute, a public-private facility for conducting specialized research in an array of fields, including computing and big data, food and agriculture, and health and wellness.
After weekend talks with House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, Emanuel believes the chances for an override [of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a gun dealer licensing bill] may well come down to the votes of three DuPage Republicans, all of who are being challenged by women.
The bill fell seven votes shy of a veto-proof majority in the House. It only received 30 votes in the Senate - six votes shy of passage. So they flipped ten members?
Even as gun control advocates rallied under the Capitol dome, Democrats said they’re still looking for the votes they’d need to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a gun store licensing bill. […]
[Sponsoring Democratic Sen. Don Harmon of Oak Park] said he is still working to get enough votes to override Rauner’s veto. The Senate deadline to vote is April 25, and Harmon said he’s hoping for a vote next week. Democratic state Rep. Kathleen Willis of Addison, the bill’s House sponsor, said she was still about seven votes short in that chamber.
So, the Senate doesn’t yet have the votes (although Sen. Harmon told the SJ-R that “he’s ‘not quite there’ yet but has picked up a few extra votes”) and, according to the Tribune, the House roll call is stuck right where it was when it passed.
House GOP Leader Jim Durkin is working against the bill and predicted last week it would fall short in that chamber, but also said he believes the override will pass the Senate.
Sen. Kwame Raoul, who is sponsoring a Senate bump stock ban bill, said he’s waiting to see what happens with a House bump stock ban bill that already passed both chambers.
That bill hit a road block after the Senate added an amendment to it.
Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, said Wednesday he doesn’t have a timeline on when he’ll be ready to proceed on his bill. He was unhappy with the Senate amendment, and said last week he’d either start over and write a completely new bill or take action to remove the amendment in the House.
Raoul said he thinks it’d be faster to keep moving forward with the House bump stock ban bill, but said if Moylan doesn’t take action soon, he’s not opposed to proceeding with his proposed measure.
Union President William Thompson issued the following statement:
“We stand for a mutually beneficial, future: a better future for our students, for our members, for WIU’s employees, and for our community. Our goal with contract negotiations is to move Western Illinois University forward while allowing the institution to retain and attract quality faculty and academic support professionals. Unfortunately, management is not yet on board with this plan, so we decided to have this vote to allow the bargaining team to call a strike if management continues not to listen to our united voice.
“In the spring of 2016, UPI worked with management and deferred a previously negotiated 3% salary increases leading to a $3.2 million give back to Western from our members. We additionally gave up a 1% raise (worth $470,000 a year). We aren’t asking for the world, but the University can afford to give us a reasonable contract that will allow us to keep and retain the high quality faculty and staff that will provide a better future for all of us and make Western Illinois University, the Right Choice for our students.”
[Jim LaPrad, a member of the union’s leadership team] said the union plans to go ahead and file the paperwork, but members do not have plans, at this time, to go on strike. Still, he said the vote is an important tool to have given that the administration can, at any time, impose a contract.
“We believe having the authority is necessary at this time to show the administration that there’s a unity of one voice,” LaPrad said.
Negotiations between UPI and the university’s administration over the past seven months have involved a federal mediator. The next mediation session is scheduled for Monday, April 23.
The two sides remain divided on a number of issues including proposed salary cuts and changes to the salary minima structure.
Western Contract Administrator Russ Morgan released a statement on behalf of the university in response to the announcement of the vote.
“We urge our faculty to vote against an authorization to strike, remain in the classroom, and remain committed to our students,” Morgan said. “Our students have entrusted their education to Western Illinois University. They deserve the education for which they have paid. With approximately four weeks remaining in the Spring 2018 semester, we need to live up to our commitment to our students.”.
Striking will not change the economic realities surrounding higher education in Illinois and, more particularly, at WIU (such that the university can afford the contract the union wants).
Striking and the uncertainty created by the threat of a strike will harm enrollment and retention efforts.
Striking will not change that WIU needs to move forward with restructuring to positively impact the institution’s financial health and create a viable and sustainable foundation for the future.
Striking will bring negative publicity to WIU and its surrounding communities.
Thursday, Apr 19, 2018 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Did you know that health plans are changing Illinois families’ benefits while consumers are locked into their plans for the year? People in Illinois, especially those living with chronic conditions, carefully shop for a health plan which covers the treatments they need at prices they can afford. But health plans aren’t delivering the benefits they have marketed and sold to Illinois consumers.
House Bill 4146 Fixes the Health Plan Bait-and-Switch
House Bill 4146 would simply prevent insurers from making unfair – and potentially unsafe – benefit changes while Illinoisans are locked into the plan. The legislation, however, would still allow insurers to utilize generics, add treatments to their formularies and also remove them for safety reasons.
Insurers need to deliver on the policies they sell. The Illinois Legislature should support HB 4146 to make health coverage fair.
I’ve spent Election Day with both political hacks & ex-offenders every single E-Day I’ve lived in IL. Thank goodness for the political economy where folk can earn a legit wage if only for a season. https://t.co/aDG01kGp1G Only thing I’m mad about is that ‘14 Rauner support.
Democratic attorney general candidate Kwame Raoul paid more than $13,000 to a former Blagojevich administration official who pleaded guilty to steering state business to companies in which he had a stake and then pocketing much of the money.
Raoul said he was “unapologetic” about hiring former Department of Children and Family Services deputy director Bamani Obadele to help with his campaign, saying ex-offenders deserve second chances.
“I don’t think it’s something we should just say as policymakers, we should put our money where our mouths are,” said Raoul, a state senator from Hyde Park who has worked on criminal justice issues. “I can’t ask people in the private sector to do it if I won’t as well.”
In 2011, Obadele was sentenced to six months in federal prison on a mail fraud count. He admitted directing DCFS contractors to buy promotional items, such as magnets, yo-yos and tote bags, from a company he secretly owned. Gov. Rod Blagojevich had met Obadele years earlier, striking up a conversation at a South Side police station where the teen was shining shoes. The then-governor appointed Obadele to be deputy director of external affairs for DCFS in 2003, but he resigned in 2005 amid an investigation.
Obadele also worked for Rep. Julianna Stratton’s campaign in 2016 and did some volunteer work for Gov. Rauner’s 2014 campaign. He worked for Rep. Justin Slaughter’s surprisingly close primary race this year (and is taking the blame in some quarters for how that turned out).
The bottom line is he made some really big mistakes, then he paid his debt. Even so, this story was bound to run sooner or later. If he stays clean, the issue will likely fade away. Other people have moved beyond much worse.
* I’ve gone over my thoughts on this with subscribers for the past couple of days, so I’ll just post the press release here and y’all can talk about it in comments…
This morning, Senator Sam McCann (C-Plainview) announced that he and Veterans’ Rights Activist Aaron Merreighn (pronounced “marine”) (C-Riverton) would join the Illinois Gubernatorial race as Conservative Party candidates. They will face Democratic nominee J.B. Pritzker and incumbent Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.
“When I announced I was not going to run for Senate, I said the Republican Party under Rauner was unrecognizable to me. Rauner has smeared the reputations of proven conservatives and abandoned the principles that millions of Illinois working families hold dear: economic liberty, traditional values, and law and order,” said McCann. Sen. McCann was first elected to the State Senate in 2010 and decided not to seek reelection as a Republican in 2018. In the legislature, McCann has been an advocate for taxpayers, working people and small businesses, veterans, and common sense.
McCann added, “Illinois deserves a clear choice in November. I am the only conservative in the race, and the only candidate who has stood up to both Rauner and Madigan. Our campaign offers a real chance for Illinois to break free from the politics as usual crowd. Our campaign offers the only choice voters have to take back Illinois.”
McCann tapped Veterans’ Rights Activist Aaron Merreighn as his running mate. The two have worked together on a variety of veterans issues, most notably the Quincy Veterans Home. “Rauner’s handling of the Legionnaires’ outbreak at the Quincy Veterans Homeneedlessly put lives at risk, and his record on veteransissues is nothing short of shameful,” said Aaron Merreighn. “Sadly, it has become symbolic of the failed leadership in Springfield that governs by crisis instead of by common sense.”
Merreighn is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, serving five tours of duty, including three in Iraq. Following his service to his country, Merreighn worked as a mechanic for a trucking company and for a family business. He now works for the State of Illinois as a Human Resource Representative. “In the Marine Corps, the values you learn lead you to service and helping others. That is why I became an advocate for my buddies, and why I want to serve my fellow Illinoisans as Lt. Governor,” Merreighn added.
McCann and Merreighn must reach the 25,000 signature requirement to make the ballot for the General Election as the Conservative Party candidates. The General Election is November 6, 2018.
…Adding… Some of you are missing the point in comments, so here’s a little context. Check out this contribution to McCann from earlier in the week…
Do you really think that Operating Engineers Local 150 wants to defeat JB Pritzker? Nope.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Posted in the order they were received. Pritzker campaign…
Today, JB Pritzker issued the following statement in response to State Senator Sam McCann entering the race for governor:
“I welcome another voice to the race for governor at this critical time for our state,” said JB Pritzker. “Bruce Rauner is a failed governor who has done untold damage to communities throughout Illinois, and people from across the political spectrum are ready for change. Since announcing this campaign, I have worked to hold Rauner accountable for his failure and I will continue doing so as we bring Illinoisans together to put Springfield back on the side of working families.”
* Rauner campaign…
The Rauner campaign released the following statement in response to Sam McCann’s entry into the Govenor’s race:
“Sam McCann is the worst kind of political opportunist who is only running for Governor to line his own pockets. McCann’s unethical record speaks for itself: he failed to pay his taxes, racked up massive debts, lied about serving in the Marine Corps, and used his campaign account as a personal piggy bank, even buying himself an SUV.”
“Public service should not be for personal gain and Sam McCann’s new ‘campaign’ is just a thinly veiled attempt to profit off of politics.”
- Rauner Campaign Communications Director Will Allison
Background:
Sam McCann owns business with more than $200,000 in tax liens from the Internal Revenue Service and Illinois Department of Employment Security. McCann faces several lawsuits for unpaid credit card debt totaling nearly $20,000.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady’s spokesman…
This morning, Sen. Sam McCann offered his resignation from the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus and Leader Brady accepted.
*** UPDATE 3 *** ILGOP…
Sam McCann’s Entry Into Governor’s Race Is His Latest Example Of Self-Dealing And Using Politics For Profit
McCann’s shady record makes him the perfect crook to cut a deal with Pritzker and Madigan
“Sam McCann’s professional and political careers have been devoted to serving himself. Whether it’s lying about serving in the Marines, dodging taxes on his failed business, or treating his campaign funds like a personal piggy bank, McCann will say or do anything just to make a buck.
“Now, McCann is jumping into the governor’s race to play the part of spoiler, hoping to cash in along the way and maybe land a lucrative appointment from Pritzker or Madigan after the election. Sam McCann is the worst kind of politician - one who uses politics for profit.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Today, State Sen. Sam McCann announced his intention to run as a third-party candidate for Illinois Governor. McCann’s goal? Money for himself – and lots of it. McCann’s campaign has been funded by Madigan-allied labor unions that have already endorsed Pritzker’s campaign for governor.
So why would these same unions back another candidate for governor? To spoil the election. They tried and failed the same dirty tricks in 2014 and it looks like they’re back to their old habits. McCann is taking the opportunity to cash in big time. Public records reveal that McCann treats his campaign fund like his own personal piggy bank, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on himself and his lifestyle. The potential for even more big checks from unions gives McCann the opportunity to make even more money.
McCann’s time in Springfield has been mired in lies, scandal and self-dealing, which makes him the perfect crook to cut a deal with Madigan and Pritzker in an attempt to spoil the election for Illinois Republicans. Be on the lookout for McCann to receive a lucrative appointment or job from Pritzker or Madigan after the election, but in the meantime, Sam McCann will be exposed for what he is: a crooked politician who uses politics for profit.
Today, Democratic Governors Association spokesman Sam Salustro released the following statement in response to state Senator Sam McCann’s entry into the Illinois governor’s race:
“Today, the nation’s most vulnerable incumbent saw his reelection chances dwindle even further. Bruce Rauner is still reeling from a brutal primary and now he has to deal with an outright revolt from the right. Jeanne Ives voters now have another Republican to vote for in Sen. Sam McCann. It’s no surprise Republicans keep lining up to challenge Rauner – they know that he is a failed governor who has betrayed families across the state.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…
It is no surprise that Sen. McCann sells out the Republican party for his own self-interest.
*** UPDATE 5 *** Ives has said previously that she would vote for Rauner…
Would @JeanneIves consider backing McCann? Looks unlikely. She tells me, “I've already made my statement on the topic. I'm a Republican. That hasn't changed. I'm focused on policy like the pension crisis gobbling up communities like Harvey.” https://t.co/l3ED1RGWgO
“This is labor,” former GOP Chairman Pat Brady says. “This is not McCann running because he wants to be the conservative mouthpiece this is labor is trying to screw with Rauner.”
Illinois Senate Minority Leader and Bloomington Republican Bill Brady also had harsh words for McCann.
“The Illinois Republican Party didn’t leave Sam McCann,” Brady tweeted Thursday. “He left the Republican Party with his lockstep votes to support Mike Madigan’s agenda of unbalanced budgets and putting the interests of public sector unions ahead of Illinois taxpayers.”
