Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Saying we should “respect” those who waited and “persevered” to cast their ballot, Gov. Pat Quinn said “it’s clear that we do not have enough votes to win the election.”

Quinn said he was appointing his chief of staff to be a liaison to the Rauner transition team.

The governor said he would work to pass the minimum wage in the closing days of his administration. “That’s a good thing to be fighting for. So I’ll see you soon.” He took no questions.

…Adding… As of 3:39 pm, the governor has yet to call Bruce Rauner to congratulate him and offer to help with the transition. Also, notice that Quinn never once mentioned Rauner’s name or, as a commenter pointed out, congratulated Rauner on his win.

…Adding More… Raw audio…

Click to listen

…Adding Some More… Bruce Rauner…

“I thank Governor Quinn for his many years of service to Illinois and appreciate his commitment to making this a smooth transition. I look forward to getting to work to make Illinois the most compassionate and competitive state in the nation.”

* Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois…

The people of Illinois have spoken, giving Bruce Rauner the chance to lead. As do all Illinoisans, we hope that as Bruce Rauner turns to governing he will recognize that he serves everyone in the state, including LGBT individuals and their families, and the clear majority of Illinoisans who support LGBT equality.

As Mr. Rauner wraps up his political campaign, Equality Illinois will be ready to work with him to advance equal treatment and social justice for all in the Land of Lincoln.

Equality Illinois also congratulates Governor Pat Quinn on running a campaign and an administration that embraced all Illinoisans.

Under Pat Quinn’s leadership, we advanced protections for students from bullying and violence in schools, we made history by recognizing marriage equality, and countless people got a job, a home, insurance, a mortgage, a business opportunity because of anti-discrimination vigilance by the Quinn administration. We made great strides toward fairness and equal treatment for all. We thank Governor Quinn for his years of service.

* Mayor Emanuel…

“Governor Quinn has been a great partner to the City of Chicago. I would like to thank him for the work he has done on behalf of our residents, and I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him as we fight to raise the minimum wage over the next two months. I would also like to congratulate Governor-elect Bruce Rauner. We must work together on behalf of all Chicagoans and put progress ahead of politics to move Chicago and Illinois forward.”

* Video…

Click to view

* Christine Radogno, Illinois Senate Republican Leader…

“On behalf of the Senate Republican caucus we wish our heartiest congratulations to Governor-elect Bruce Rauner. We look forward to working with Bruce and his administration to return Illinois to greatness. We will also offer our full support during this time of transition. We extend our appreciation to Governor Quinn for his years of service to the people of Illinois.”

137 Comments

Karmeier “cautiously optimistic” about victory

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a press release…

The Karmeier Retention Campaign Manager, Ron Deedrick offered the following statement on November 5, after the unofficial retention numbers came in on Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier’s successful bid.

“Justice Karmeier has been retained and he is thankful for the voters of the Fifth Judicial District for sending him back to Springfield to be their southern Illinois voice at the state Supreme Court,” Deedrick said. “The numbers are close, but the 60 percent threshold has been achieved and we are cautiously optimistic that the numbers may continue to edge up.”

Last I heard they were at 60.4 or something.

…Adding… BND…

The unofficial totals of the 37 counties compiled by the News-Democrat show 225,825 ballots were cast to retain Karmeier with 146,754 against retention. That’s 60.6 percent of voters approving retention for Karmeier. He was required to get 60 percent of the vote. […]

But that may not be the end of the fight, Deedrick said. He expects recounts and legal challenges to the results.

In the month before the election, Karmeier faced an anti-retention campaign, with lawyers from the Korein Tillery law firm donating $1.2 million. Korein Tillery won a $10 billion verdict, including $1.77 billion in legal fees, against cigarette maker Phillip Morris in a Madison County class action lawsuit. That case is currently under appeal.

16 Comments

Rauner announces transition team

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a press release…

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner today announced Lieutenant Governor-elect Evelyn Sanguinetti as chair of his gubernatorial transition and also announced the senior leadership team.

“I am committed to assembling a diverse and talented team to drive results for our state and bring back Illinois,” Bruce Rauner said. “There is no one better prepared to help me achieve our administration’s goals than Evelyn. She has been my partner throughout this campaign and will continue that role as we prepare to take office.”

Senior Members of Transition Team

- Evelyn Sanguinetti, Chairwoman
- Mike Zolnierowicz, Transition Director
- Chip Englander, Senior Advisor
- Nancy Kimme, Transition Advisor
- Mike Schrimpf, Communications Director

“I look forward to working with the Governor-elect to build an administration that reflects our state’s diversity and is prepared to lead on Day One,” Evelyn Sanguinetti said.

The transition committee is also committed to disclosing and capping all contributions to the effort. More details about the transition will be announced in the near future.

Kimme is the only person on that committee with extensive state government experience.

…Adding… I was on the phone when I posted this so I was a bit distracted. Mike Z, Chip and Schrimpf are top notch staffers. They’ll be able to handle their roles. The object is to recruit the best and the brightest people they can to advise the candidate in the coming weeks. They should be able to do that, as long as they listen to Nancy.

45 Comments

*** UPDATED x2 - Quinn to address the media *** “Let’s make the will of the people the law of the land”

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* How many times have we heard Gov. Pat Quinn repeat that line?

Google returned 8,900 results.

I can somewhat understand why Gov. Quinn didn’t concede last night. His campaign repeatedly pleaded with voters to stand in line for hours. Some folks waited until 3 o’clock this morning to vote. I can see why he wouldn’t publicly walk away while people who are loyal to him are sacrificing time away from their loved ones.

* But, it’s now Wednesday afternoon, and Quinn is trailing by five percentage points with 99.5 percent of the precincts reporting. Maybe he closes the gap by a little, but the “will of the people” is obvious.

Governor, you and your opponent tore this state in half with a hundred million dollars in negative advertising. It’s time you helped heal those divisions that you helped create. It’s time to pick up the phone, call Bruce Rauner and concede. I have his number if you need it.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…

GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC SCHEDULE
**Wednesday, November 5, 2014**

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn will address the media.

WHEN: 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: James R. Thompson Center
15th Floor – Blue Room
100 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, 60601

*** UPDATE 2 *** WGN says they will live stream the event. Click here.

57 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 - Madigan: No evidence of call *** Looking forward

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* There’s no public schedule for Bruce Rauner today…

Late last night, Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said nothing was scheduled for today.

“Focus now on transition and governing. Won’t rush that,” he said in an email.

* Tribune…

Rauner’s transition to governor actually began months before Election Day, said one campaign insider who was not authorized to speak publicly, with a closely held assemblage of veterans from previous Illinois Republican governors and GOP insiders. Their work included shaping the potential personnel in a Rauner cabinet. […]

Earlier this week, Rauner said part of his immediate work was to “assemble a superstar ‘A’ team to turn the government around.”

“This matters so much to me, I’m just on a mission. I’m going right to work,” he said.

* Bernie…

Rauner’s administration will likely bring a full roster of new department directors, and Rauner’s past tough talk about “government union bosses” certainly raises questions about how any negotiations with state workers will go. […]

Rauner may well reach an accommodation with Madigan over time, said former Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican who backed Rauner. […]

Madigan wouldn’t speak to me for four months after I was elected,” Edgar told reporters in Springfield on Monday. “We finally reached an accord. … He knew I was the governor. I wasn’t leaving. … I think once he realized he could trust my word, that I wasn’t going to change my mind every day,” they were able to work together.

“He would still take me to the mat a few times, and I would take him right back,” Edgar said. “But again, I think we worked out a mutual respect and we were able to get things done.”

* From Rauner’s speech last night…

Just a few minutes ago, I placed two very important phone calls. I called Speaker Madigan. I called President Cullerton and I said to them: This is an opportunity for us to work together.

This is an opportunity to work together on a bipartisan basis, to solve the problems, the challenges facing families in Illinois.

I thought that was an important moment, even though the mention of Madigan’s name prompted loud boos from the audience. Rauner made it clear, I thought, that he was going to try and unify the state.

* But then I read the Sun-Times…

A Madigan spokesman, however, said he was “not aware of any call.”

I called that spokesman this morning and he made it clear that he didn’t want to make too big of a deal about it. He hadn’t asked Madigan about the call and Madigan had made no mention of it. He has another call into the Speaker and he has promised to ask if Rauner did, indeed, talk to him.

As far as Cullerton goes, a member of Rauner’s staff reached out to a member of Cullerton’s staff last night, but the two men haven’t yet spoken, I was told.

* Either way, Rauner did his best to say something positive last night, to show he was ready to move forward, even if it was only symbolic.

*** UPDATE *** Madigan’s spokesman said “We don’t see anything that suggested Rauner called Madigan last night or today.”

OK, I’m changing my mind on this. That’s not a good way to kick off a relationship with the Speaker.

62 Comments

Morning after thoughts?

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* What’s on your mind after this historic election year?

…Adding… This Daily Herald chart may help you put things into perspective…

245 Comments

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