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Another one goes: Mike Z leaves Rauner campaign

Friday, Jul 14, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The governor recently asked him to stay on, so this is, by far, the biggest Rauner defection of the week. Boom…

Xpress Professional Services, Inc. (XPS) today announced that Mike Zolnierowicz of Chicago will head up XPS’ political operation starting Monday, July 17 and will concentrate on building the firm’s strategic political service. According to XPS Chief Executive Officer Greg Baise, Zolnierowicz’ background in political campaigns and his administrative experience as Chief of Staff for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner dovetails perfectly with XPS’ business portfolio.

“Mike Z has proven himself both on the campaign trail and at the administrative helm of state government,” Baise said. “His understanding of the political environment extends beyond Illinois’ border, and his list of accomplishments is second to none in this very complex arena.”

After serving as Deputy Campaign Manager of Governor Bruce Rauner’s election campaign, Zolnierowicz—known simply as Mike Z to most in the political world— served as Transition Director for Governor Rauner’s incoming administration (First transition of Democrat Governor to Republican Governor in 30 years), and served as Rauner’s Chief of Staff from inauguration until June, 2016. He left that position to serve as Chief Strategic Advisor for GOP political operations through the 2016 elections where he presided over the increase of six GOP seats in the Illinois House in a campaign cycle President Trump lost Illinois by 17 points. Z was also the Chief Strategist for the statewide safe roads ballot initiative that won approval with 80% in 2016. In 2016 Z was featured in Crain’s Chicago “40 Under 40” series. Zolnierowicz managed

Congressman Rodney Davis’ first Congressional race in 2012 and served as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. He graduated from Downers Grove North High School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Hope College.

Mike Z will join another Kirk alum, Eric Elk, who heads up XPS’ Fulcrum Illinois division.

Founded in 2004, XPS, Inc. is an independent for-profit subsidiary of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association that has conducted campaign communications in eight states and specializes in measuring and shaping public opinions for both elections and issued-based efforts.

…Adding… Greg Hinz…

Zolnierowicz did not return messages seeking comment, but sources close to him say he was disturbed at a series of high-level Rauner staff changes this week, ending up this afternoon with the termination or resignation of most of the governor’s policy staff. Most of those positions reportedly will be filled with personnel from the Illinois Policy Institute, a liberatarian Chicago think tank which strongly opposes tax hikes and says the state’s budget woes can be solved via spending cuts and slashed benefits for state and local government workers.

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*** UPDATED x3 - Dubnow leaving - Bovis quits - Demertzis quits *** The Rauner purge restarts

Friday, Jul 14, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I withheld staff names in my subscriber post, but Greg posted ‘em and I think everybody’s OK with it now, so here’s his piece…

The purge within Gov. Bruce Rauner’s government continues today. Even as the governor was touring flood plagued Lake County—a little late, in the opinion of some—most of what left of his policy staff was being axed or hitting the road before they could be canned.

Here’s who’s out, according to multiple reliable sources:

• Corrections and criminal justice adviser Jennifer Grady-Paswater;

• Jason Heffley, who handled environment and energy and helped cut the recent Exelon nuclear funding deal;

• Brian Oszakiewski who came from the staff of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Chicago, and who handled transportation;

• Daniel Suess, who made policy recs for smaller state agencies.

Says one Rauner insider with a bird’s eye view of all of this: “The IPI (Illinois Policy Institute) folks have fully taken over. This government is going to be a petri dish for them for the next year and a half,” until Rauner’s term is up.

Brian O turned in his resignation earlier today. He walked out on his own and isn’t looking back. The other dismissals reportedly came after the governor finished his Lake County photo op.

Heffley is a huge talent, by the way. And he has a family.

…Adding… From a Jennifer Grady-Paswater friend…

She had a great gig at ISP and was really respected but left it to help Rauner with his criminal agenda. Without her help, many of the reform bills wouldn’t have moved. It’s a real shame.

That’s the thing that grates about this purge. These folks aren’t being fired because they’re incompetent. They’re all talented folks. They’re being shoved aside because they don’t align with the “new ideology.” And, in the past, including in this administration, when people were moved out of the governor’s office a spot was found for them in an agency, or on the campaign or whatever. Not under the new regime. They’re being dumped into the cold.

…Adding More… Sneed…

“This is a clear signal John Tillman, the CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, has a firm grip on the new regime in the Rauner administrative,” a top Sneed source said.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rauner spokesperson Eleni Demertzis has just resigned. Unlike some of the others, Eleni walked out on her own terms.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Allie Bovis, who oversees agency communications and was the traveling press secretary today for the governor’s trip to Lake County, has submitted her resignation effective next Friday. She’s also leaving on her own terms.

Both Demertzis and Bovis will hopefully be fine. They are top notch and should be able to get private sector gigs rather quickly.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Jared Dubnow, who is the governor’s Director of Operations, is reportedly leaving and will be going to DCEO. He made the trains run on time, but before that he was the governor’s top advance man and was Rauner’s “body man” during the campaign.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Legislators want Rauner to declare emergency and call out National Guard

Friday, Jul 14, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* At least he’s finally going, but, man, this was all so avoidable…

As he picks new staff, not until NBC5 & @capitolfax started asking, now @GovRauner WILL tour flooding in Gurnee this am #ILGov18

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) July 14, 2017

* AP…

Forecasters say flooding in north-suburban Chicago could worsen over the weekend as water flows down rivers into the state from Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service says the Des Plaines River and Fox River could crest on Saturday even though the area isn’t getting fresh rainfall. The flooding prompted Lake County to issue a disaster declaration.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, state Emergency Management Agency Director James Joseph and Lake County officials plan to survey flood damage Friday in Gurnee.

* I was told this about Lawlor as well yesterday…

Rauner is slotted to visit the county today for a 10 a.m. briefing according to Lake County Chairman Aaron Lawlor. Lawlor said the call from Rauner’s office didn’t come until nearly 6 p.m. on Thursday. […]

Rauner was getting trounced in the local media for failing to visit, fly over, make a statement or even send a Tweet, after an unprecedented amount of rainfall in northern Illinois caused flash flooding, leaving subdivisions under water, shutting down a major amusement park, flooding a community college and even prompting the evacuation of a local hospital. Just over the border, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is showing him up. Rauner won’t even see Illinois’ damage until today, Walker already declared a state of emergency in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties and deployed 100 members of the National Guard to assist with resident checks and other flooding-related complications.

* And from a press release…

Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) and Representative Sam Yingling (D-Round Lake Beach) issued a joint statement in response to the governor’s visit to Lake County to tour flood sites:

“Lake County residents have been working to pick up the pieces after major flash floods hit the area. The governor has not declared a state of emergency for Lake County, so residents with devastating property damage and no flood insurance have been unable to get access to low-interest loans that help people rebuild.

“Today, the governor will be in Lake County touring flood sites. The devastation experienced by our constituents over the last few days needs to be seen to be understood. Clean up from this historic flooding is going to take all of us working together.

“With more flooding expected to occur this weekend, we urge Governor Rauner to do what Governor Walker has already done, declare a state of emergency and call in the National Guard to provide much-needed relief to flood victims. Lake County residents need this help immediately.”

…Adding… The governor is not scheduled to view any areas of Rep. Yingling’s district and neither Bush nor Yingling have yet been contacted by the governor’s office. Very, very bad form.

…Adding More… A phone message left for Rep. Yingling by a Rauner staffer at 10:50 this morning, a half an hour or so after I posted that first “Adding”…

Hi Representative. This is [name] calling from the Governor’s office. I just wanted to let you know that he is going to be in Lake County this morning. He will be stopping in Gurnee at Warren Township High School to survey the flood damage and he’ll also be in North Chicago at the Strawberry Condominiums from 11:30 to noon. I apologize for the last-minute notice. I’m sure you saw we had some staff changes, so things are fluid right now. Hope you are staying dry. And let me know if you would like more details for this morning’s events. Otherwise just want to let you know he’s around your area. Have a nice weekend, thanks, bye.

*** UPDATE *** I really hope this isn’t true…

I'm not the only one who is noticing, @GovRauner wearing makeup on flood tour (filming ads too?) #ILGov18 pic.twitter.com/HSmeAN4UIK

— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) July 14, 2017

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