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Rauner completely twists Cullerton’s quote

Tuesday, Jun 6, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. Rauner responding to a question today from Mike Flannery…

You know what, Mike, here’s what I think’s going on. I don’t know for sure, but, um, the Speaker’s main lieutenant Lou Lang two years ago said, ‘You know what, we’re never gonna have a budget for four years.’

He told you what they really want. They want chaos. They want mayhem. They’re happy to hurt whoever they need to hurt because, and now they’re being honest again.

I think it was the Senate President who came out and said, ‘You know what, the governor can’t be reelected unless there’s a budget.’ He said that publicly.

You see where they’re going? You see what this is about? They’re damaging communities like Hegewisch. They are damaging human services for political gain.

* Lou’s quote from 2016…

Bruce Rauner has been at the state’s helm since last January, which means he’ll be governor for at least another two and a half years. Back in May, Democratic State Representative Lou Lang remarked:

“That it was entirely possible that there would not be an agreed budget during the entire four years of Bruce Rauner’s governorship.”

Lang says he doesn’t want that. But, he says, it’s possible.

* Now, here’s Senate President John Cullerton’s recent quote…

“He’s been spending time working on his commercials and his campaign instead of governing,” Cullerton said. “And the irony is, he would actually have a better chance of getting elected if he would’ve passed the budget. Without a budget, this guy is toast.”

…Adding… I really thought this was self-explanatory, but for the slow out there, here’s the point: Cullerton was saying that if the governor would spend less time campaigning and more time getting a budget, then, ironically, that would actually help the governor get himself reelected. Rauner twisted that to say that Cullerton deliberately killed a budget deal to continue doing damage to the state, thereby hurting the governor’s reelection chances.

Better now?

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*** UPDATED x4 - AFSCME weighs in - AFL-CIO, Pritzker issue statements - Biss, Pawar, Kennedy respond *** This just in… Pritzker gets AFL-CIO nod

Tuesday, Jun 6, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* A very reliable union source says that the Illinois AFL-CIO executive board just voted to endorse JB Pritzker for governor.

More when I know more.

* Here’s how the voting reportedly went…

19 yes
7 no
2 abstained (part of the total)
3 unmarked (not part of the total)

The 2/3 requirement was 19.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From Liz Utrup at the Kennedy campaign…

Chris Kennedy has always believed that union labor provides a competitive advantage for Illinois’ economy, that includes the working men and women of the AFL-CIO. The members work hard every day to support their families and build a stronger, better state for our children. Unfortunately, today’s endorsement isn’t about the members. It’s about Springfield establishment insiders who cut deals and circumvented the normal endorsement process. As Governor, Chris Kennedy will continue his career-long support for the labor movement and its role in building America’s middle class. He will fight to make sure every family in Illinois can realize the potential of the American Dream. He will take his message of radical change directly to members of the AFL-CIO and the people of Illinois because they should determine who the Democratic nominee is— not political insiders who are cutting deals behind closed doors.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Ameya Pawar…

I have always been, and will always be a steadfast supporter of organized labor and collective bargaining rights. As a Chicago alderman, I partnered with labor organizations to pass paid sick leave, raise the minimum wage and combat wage theft. If elected governor, I will bring that same commitment to supporting labor and working families across Illinois. Endorsements or non-endorsements won’t change that.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan…

“The Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board voted today to endorse JB Pritzker in the Democratic Primary Election for Governor.

“The Board followed a process that included meeting with the candidates and evaluating issue questionnaires. An early endorsement is necessary in order to achieve our top priority in 2018 – defeating Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose anti-worker proposals and refusal to compromise on a budget are destroying Illinois.

“Pritzker has the vision and background to put Illinois on the right track by empowering working families, not shifting more power and wealth to corporate class.”

* JB Pritzker campaign…

Today, the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed JB Pritzker for governor. The Illinois AFL-CIO represents nearly 900,000 members across the state and is a powerful voice for Illinois working families.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO and the working families they represent across our state,” said JB Pritzker. “As governor, the labor movement will always have a seat at the table and will be a partner in our work ahead. I will always stand up for collective bargaining rights and prevailing wage, protect retirement security and pensions, and ensure safe working conditions and pay equity for working families.

“We have our work cut out for us. Over 700 days into a historic budget crisis, Bruce Rauner continues to attack our working families instead of doing his job as governor. Our social services and public education system are on the brink of collapse, but Rauner is focused on dismantling collective bargaining rights, cutting pensions, and opposing prevailing wage. The AFL-CIO and the working families it represents deserve a real leader in Springfield who will always stand with them to get our state back on track. I look forward to being that governor for Illinois working families.”

* Sen. Daniel Biss…

“The working people of Illinois deserve better than being told they have to support a billionaire whose family fortune was enriched by anti-union behavior. As Governor of Illinois, I will always put the interest of the working men and women of Illinois ahead of money and the machine.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** As we’ve already discussed, AFSCME Council 31 wasn’t a fan of endorsing this early. I asked the union for a statement…

Our process is driven by our members. We have an obligation to follow that process to vet the candidates, their records and priorities, and to hear from our members about what direction they wish to take. That process will conclude with a decision to endorse or not in the Democratic primary.

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*** UPDATED x1 - Ruling delayed until tomorrow *** No decision yet on whether Medicaid bills must be paid first

Tuesday, Jun 6, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE *** The judge has delayed a decision until tomorrow afternoon.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* NPR…

A court hearing scheduled for Tuesday has the potential to shake up Illinois’ already-precarious financial situation. Organizations that run the state’s Medicaid program are asking a judge to speed up their payments.

There are a lot people and organizations in line to be paid by state government. The Medicaid providers are asking a federal judge to put them at the front of it.

The thing is, Illinois spends a lot on Medicaid. Comptroller Susana Mendoza says letting those groups cut in line means Illinois would soon run out of money.

“We’ll have to go to the courts and ask them: ‘OK, out of all of these court-mandated payments, which ones am I allowed to violate?’” Mendoza says.

We’re talking about $2 billion here. If the state is ordered to pay those right away, a disaster will result. Illinois currently has about $800 million in the “bank,” but that includes some big special purpose funds for education. The bill backlog stands at $14.68 billion, with 183,632 backlogged vouchers.

* But there was no verdict this morning. One could come this afternoon, however…

Court adjourns with still no decision on whether state of Illinois needs to pay Mediciad faster during budget impasse

— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) June 6, 2017

Attorneys for the state to respond today to motion of whether a consent decree takes precedence over state court rulings

— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) June 6, 2017

Though Judge Lefkow did say she doesn't see herself telling the Comptroller anything but that the state has to pay Medicaid

— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) June 6, 2017

But judge was reluctant to specify the shouldn't pay for one thing (pensions, debt service, schools) in favor of Medicaid

— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) June 6, 2017

41 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 - ILGOP blames Madigan *** AFL-CIO could decide today to endorse Pritzker

Tuesday, Jun 6, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Tribune…

The Illinois AFL-CIO holds a regularly scheduled meeting of its leaders in Springfield on Tuesday, with trade unions expected to push for an unusually early endorsement in the Democratic primary for governor, sources said.

J.B. Pritzker, the billionaire investor and entrepreneur, has the backing of several major trade unions, and they want the labor umbrella group to endorse him now in an effort to try to narrow a field of candidates that also includes businessman Chris Kennedy, state Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston and Northwest Side Ald. Ameya Pawar.

But some service unions — ones that have some of the most direct involvement in state government under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner — have been urging a wait-and-see attitude while the race develops. Some think that the contest needs to play out longer and that their unions have established procedures for making political endorsements.

* Crain’s…

The three public-sector unions that reportedly want to take more time to review the field are AFSCME, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and SEIU.

“We’re not going to vote ‘yes’ for any endorsement tomorrow,” said AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall. “The feedback we’ve received from our members is that Bruce Rauner has been a disaster. But we’re just at the beginning of our process” of backing a Democrat.

Local SEIU chief Tom Balanoff has made similar comments.

IFT isn’t saying anything, but knowledgeable sources say the group’s board does not favor an early endorsement.

This is not a weighted vote. It’s a headcount roll call. And there are a ton of trade and craft unions out there.

* Politico…

Despite some pushback within labor and protests from fellow Democrats, the state’s umbrella group for organized labor, the AFL-CIO, is preparing its endorsement vote today. There was significant arm-twisting behind the scenes in the last several weeks, but two sources again told us that if the vote is called today, that means the votes are there for J.B. Pritzker.

Subscribers know more.

*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…

“It’s clear that this is an attempt by Mike Madigan to coalesce Chicago machine support behind his preferred candidate, J.B. Pritkzer. Madigan knows Pritzker is a fellow crooked insider who will raise taxes and support his Chicago agenda.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

This morning, Politico Illinois is reporting that J.B. Pritzker has the votes to receive the AFL-CIO’s endorsement – a whopping 288 days before the Democratic primary, before any debates, and without a proper vetting process.

Politico notes “there was significant arm-twisting behind the scenes in the last several weeks.”

It’s clear this is an attempt by Mike Madigan to coalesce his insiders and special interests around a crooked candidate who will play ball with his Chicago agenda.

After all, J.B. Pritzker is already on tape showing his corrupt colors.

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