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You just can’t get any more “Bruce Rauner” than this

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Check out the governor’s Q&A with reporters today. Classic BVR, from his goals as governor to his bashing of Illinois’ current economic climate…

Click to listen

…Adding… Tribune…

Gov. Bruce Rauner unveiled a new program Tuesday aimed at helping minority and women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, saying African-Americans didn’t come to Chicago “because we had a great welfare system or a great minimum wage,” but because they were seeking opportunity that has since “bled away.” […]

Asked if the state could make a greater impact by recruiting large, established businesses into struggling minority communities, Rauner said the focus instead should be on improving opportunity.

“The money follows the opportunity, and that’s what we got to get across,” Rauner said. “Here’s what’s happening. African-Americans are in Chicago in massive numbers. They didn’t come here because we had a great welfare system or a great minimum wage. That’s not why they’re here. That’s not why the people of Illinois are here. We’re here for opportunity.”

He continued: “Chicago used to be one of the greatest cities in the world, one of the fastest growing, most economically dynamic cities in the world. That’s why we’re all here. That’s why my ancestors, my grandparents — great grandparents — came to Chicago. That’s why our families are here. That opportunity is being bled away. It’s not about a government program. It’s not about more government money. We are not competitive in Chicago. We’re not competitive in the state of Illinois.”

* AP…

Gov. Bruce Rauner says he thinks General Electric bypassed Illinois for its new headquarters because of the “trajectory” of the state’s fiscal problems. […]

Rauner says company officials didn’t want to go from “one failed state to another.” He cited Connecticut’s property taxes, income tax and pension problems.

It’s amazing to me that he can say stuff like this without ever thinking that maybe, just maybe, he’s at least partially to blame for our alleged “failed state” situation.

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Message received?

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Dan Proft, writing in the Tribune over the weekend about how he wants Bruce Rauner to get tough with AFSCME and other unions…

This is Rauner’s moment of truth.

Even more important than a fiscal-year budget is sending the unmistakable message to AFSCME (and its SEIU and teachers’ union cohorts) that the balance of the nearly 13 million residents of Illinois not in their ranks do not exist as spare parts for the machine that spits out compensation packages 27 percent higher than their own.

If that involves a siege on Springfield like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker confronted in Madison, so be it.

If that requires layoffs and outsourcing of state work to contractors, so be it.

If that requires losing an election, so be it.

Rauner ran for governor saying he is not a politician. He said he is a businessman who will make the difficult decisions to turn around the state he loves.

We’re about to find out if that’s true.

* Well, today Turnaround Illinois, which is funded mainly by Gov. Rauner and Sam Zell and has as its officially stated purpose “To support state legislative candidates who support Gov. Rauner’s bold and needed reforms, and to oppose those who stand in the way,” made a big contribution to Liberty Principles PAC…

All in!! $1,818,000.00 from Turnaround Illinois to Liberty Principles PAC. https://t.co/J4Sm2FHTjH

— Trib IL CampaignCash (@ILCampaignCash) January 19, 2016

Proft is Liberty Principles PAC’s chairperson and treasurer.

Rauner has essentially just outsourced a huge chunk of his legislative campaign agenda to Proft.

*** UPDATE *** To put this into some perspective, the governor just gave Proft more money than either of the GOP chamber leaders have on hand…

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton controlled a combined $13.25 million warchest to begin 2016.

Heading into a critical election year of House and Senate races, the Democrats who lead the Illinois General Assembly have assembled a combined $13.25 million warchest to begin 2016, state campaign finance records show.

Veteran House Speaker Michael Madigan had $8.5 million to start the year in the four campaign funds he controls, records showed, while Senate President John Cullerton had $4.75 million in the three funds he operates.

That compares to $1.2 million in campaign funds controlled by House GOP leader Jim Durkin and $1 million in campaign funds authorized by Senate GOP leader Christine Radogno, according to reports filed with the State Board of Elections.

To put this in further perspective, Proft now has more than twice as much money stockpiled than Durkin and Radogno combined.

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*** UPDATED x2 - Cable buy deets - Rotering goes up *** Durbin goes with Rotering

Tuesday, Jan 19, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Pearson…

Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has endorsed Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering over former U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider in the race for the Democratic nomination in the North Shore 10th Congressional District.

“Nancy combines fiscal responsibility with true progressive values,” Durbin said in a statement.

Rotering called Durbin a “role model” and “the epitome of a public servant for over 30 years.”

Durbin’s endorsement, while significant, also shows the split among the Democratic establishment over the race. While he backs Rotering, Schneider has the backing of top House Democratic leadership, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi.

* From the Durbin press release…

“Nancy brings to this race an extraordinary record for a first-time Congressional candidate. As Mayor of Highland Park she successfully confronted ComEd when local families were suffering from unreliable service, balanced the City budget five consecutive years and enacted real reforms,” stated Durbin. “Her most noteworthy achievement gained national attention when she passed one of the nation’s first local assault weapons ban and successfully defended the ordinance against an onslaught of gun lobby attacks all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. While the Republican-led Congress refused to respond to the nation’s gun violence, Nancy Rotering and her City of Highland Park showed real leadership. Nancy combines fiscal responsibility with true progressive values.“

* From the Pelosi release…

“Brad Schneider is a relentless defender of women’s rights and LGBT equality. His legislative vision is a direct reflection of his genuine passion for helping others. We need strong progressive voices like Brad’s in Congress. That’s why I’m proud to endorse his candidacy,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of Leader Pelosi,” said Schneider. “I’m looking forward to returning to Congress to work with Leader Pelosi on the critical issues facing Americans.”

Campaign Manager Magen Ryan said, “Our campaign is in a better spot than ever less than 60 days from the election. This week Brad received the unanimous endorsement of the AFL-CIO following the recent endorsements of SEIU Illinois State Council, the Lake County Federation of Teachers, and many other unions throughout the Tenth District. The support of labor along with seven members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, including Tammy Duckworth, more than 60 other of Brad’s former colleagues in Congress, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Secretary of State Jesse White, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and more than 30 other local elected officials demonstrates the breadth and depth of the support of his candidacy.”

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rotering is now airing her first TV ad of the primary. Click here.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From our pals at Comcast…

Nancy Rotering for Congress
Democratic Candidate for US Congress in IL CD 10
Agency: Dudley Media, Philadelphia
Total Buy: $122,892
1/19/16 - 2/8/16
Networks: AEN, BRVO, CNN, DISC, ENT, ESPN, FAM, FOOD, FX, FXNC, GOLF, HALL, HGTV, HIST, LIF, MNBC, TBSC, TNT, TWC, USA
Dayparts: 5-9A, 9A-4P, 4P-7P, 7P-midnight, Sa-Su 11A-7P

Syscodes / Systems / $ by system
1863 / Libertyville / $36,528
5126 / Highland Park / $41,418
5553 / Gurnee / $44,946
Total Buy: $122,892

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