* Democratic Rep. Sam Yingling was absent today, so that hurt the proponents. Retiring GOP Reps. Bill Mitchell, Chad Hays and Bob Pritchard didn’t vote. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin worked the roll call very hard. Rep. McCombie, who voted Yes when it initially passed, didn’t vote today. Rep. McAuliffe didn’t vote last time and voted “Present” this time. The sponsor can make another run at it, however. The Senate overrode the veto yesterday…
The bill is here. It received 67 votes when it originally passed. The House sponsor, Rep. Marty Moylan, said he planned to file a trailer bill to remove criminal penalties for passing local ordinances to implement the zone. The bill has no immediate effective date, so he would have until June to get that done.
…Adding… The misdemeanor criminal penalty was the focus of much of today’s debate…
Rep. Moylan says he will file a trailer bill to take off misdemeanor language. Then call right-to-work bill again the second week of veto.
* Meanwhile, this gubernatorial veto was also overridden with 80 House votes, down from 91 when it originally passed. It now moves to the Senate, where it received 35 votes (one vote shy of an override, but some Dems were missing) in May…
The Illinois House has voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner on a measure that would prohibit employers from asking applicants about their salary history.
Elgin Democratic Rep. Anna Moeller’s (MOH’-lurz) legislation is seen as a gender-equity bill. Women are often paid less than men for the same work and are at a disadvantage if forced to report a previous, unfairly low wage.
The legislation would prevent employers from demanding past salary history, screening job applicants based on wage history, or requiring that past salary meet a certain criteria.
* And on a related note, this override motion really had no chance. While Republicans may be super angry at the governor these days, they aren’t ever gonna be up for stuff like this…
House fails to override a veto on a state-sponsored workers’ compensation insurance company, 65-50.
On an 86-29 vote, the House overrode Rauner’s veto of legislation that would require small businesses to hire a licensed roofer to perform roofing or waterproofing work on a residential property that is being used as a business, preventing the business owner from using an employee to conduct the work.
Rauner vetoed the legislation, saying it was another example of the over-regulation of job creators in the state.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, said it’s a public safety issue.
“You can’t expect to hire your dishwasher to use a torch to fix your roof and expect you’re not going to have problems,” Burke said, pointing to a specific example of a non-licensed employee improperly using a torch on a roof in a Chicago neighborhood. “Our job in this body is to protect the public in any way we see fit.”
* In other veto session news…
Daniel Biss released the following statement as the Senate successfully overrode Bruce Rauner’s veto of the Student Loan Bill of Rights.
“I was proud to introduce the Student Loan Bill of Rights, and I’m grateful for the advocates and legislators who fought to override Bruce Rauner’s veto today.
“After a summer of diverting taxpayer dollars to private schools and siding with predatory lenders rather than vulnerable student borrowers, our billionaire businessman governor has again proven himself incapable of setting aside profit motives to protect students and middle-class families like mine. I urge my House colleagues to override the veto as well and finally provide students the protections they deserve as they pursue higher education.”
Republican Gov. Rauner’s new re-election ad unusually features three neighboring state GOP governors bragging about their job climate over Illinois. Now, another Republican governor is on the way to Illinois to try to poach jobs — Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott’s office announced Tuesday he will be leading an economic development mission to Chicago later this week “to share why businesses in Chicago should consider moving their operations to Florida.”
“While Gov. Rauner has tried to grow Illinois’ economy, Chicago leaders and state legislators have for years been passing shortsighted policies and overwhelming increases of taxes and fees,” Scott said in a statement. […]
Not mentioned in the new ad or in Scott’s statement is that several Republican lawmakers broke with Rauner to enact the budget and spending package over the Illinois governor’s veto — effectively ending an historic budget stalemate that nearly sent the state into junk status, hiked unpaid bills and tattered the social service safety net.
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced he will be leading an economic development mission to Chicago this week to share why businesses in Chicago should consider moving their operations to Florida.
Governor Scott said, “Over the past seven years, we have cut taxes more than 75 times in Florida, saving our taxpayers more than $7 billion, and leading to the creation of more than 1.3 million private sector jobs. Florida’s success story is in stark contrast to the anti-business policies that have overburdened Chicago families and companies for far too long. That is why I will be leading an economic development mission to Chicago to meet with site selectors and job creators and encourage them to move to and invest in Florida.
“While Governor Rauner has tried to grow Illinois’ economy, Chicago leaders and state legislators have for years been passing shortsighted policies and overwhelming increases of taxes and fees. In fact, the average Chicago family today pays nearly $1,700 more in taxes and fees every year than they paid only seven years ago. While Florida has been able to pay down $7.6 billion in state debt and increase general revenues by more than 30 percent without raising taxes, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and city leaders announced yet another proposed round of burdensome tax and fee increases just last week. This follows the state legislature passing an increase to the state income tax earlier this summer- overriding Governor Rauner’s veto and strict opposition to such a burdensome tax increase. The entire nation needs to follow Florida’s lead- but until then, we will keep calling on businesses to move to Florida.”
* Meanwhile, Bernie wrote about the governor’s new ad as well today…
Now that Illinois is in competition with many other states to land a second headquarters for Amazon, does it make sense for Rauner to let other governors talk down Illinois to its own voters and beyond? Just asking.
It does, said Justin Giorgio, a spokesman for the Rauner campaign.
“With entrenched Democrats like Mike Madigan at the helm, Governor Rauner has vowed to pull out all the stops to make change in Illinois,” Giorgio said. “That includes having three successful governors help make his point that Illinois has to change and we need to get rid of Mike Madigan in order to grow.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** DGA…
After bashing Illinois’ economy for three years as governor, Bruce Rauner launched his reelection campaign by teaming up with out-of-state governors to attack Illinois’ economy. Rauner’s new ad skirts over the fact he’s been governor since 2015 and deflects any responsibilities for his failures.
Just hours later, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced he would come to Chicago in an attempt to lure away jobs. Gov. Scott parroted Rauner’s campaign message and joined in bashing Illinois’ economy – all while calling on companies to set up shop in Florida. Scott praised Gov. Rauner, without mentioning his two-year budget crisis, and said states need to follow Florida’s lead “but until then, we will keep calling on businesses to move to Florida.” Scott wrote “That is why I will be leading an economic development mission to Chicago to meet with site selectors and job creators and encourage them to move to and invest in Florida.”
All of this begs the question – is Governor Rauner okay with this?
“Bruce Rauner’s campaign message is being used by out-of-state governors to steal Illinois jobs,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner may think it’s a good reelection strategy to highlight the lack of job growth under his failed leadership, but now his rhetoric could hurt middle-class workers even more. Rauner needs to stop putting his reelection before the needs of Illinois families.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Pritzker campaign…
Florida Governor Rick Scott is in Chicago today openly poaching Illinois companies and badmouthing the state. But where is Bruce Rauner? Sitting by idly and letting it happen on his watch.
The State Journal Register put it this way: “Now that Illinois is in competition with many other states to land a second headquarters for Amazon, does it make sense for Rauner to let other governors talk down Illinois to its own voters and beyond? Just asking.”
“Just a day after Bruce Rauner invited three neighboring governors to bash the state he’s supposed to lead on TV, Rauner is letting yet another Republican governor take a swing at Illinois,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “This failed governor has given up on growing our economy and is doubling down on his mission to drive the state’s reputation into the ground.”
* Ever have one of those mornings when literally everything seemed to go wrong? That was me today. Anyway, all is well now I think, so follow along with ScribbleLive…
* The Illinois Policy Institute’s news service was in a bit of a lather about the bill earlier today…
More than half of the nation’s states have enacted laws barring forced unionization. In Illinois, lawmakers are primed to make enacting local right-to-work laws a criminal offense with up to a year in jail for the local politicians doing so.
A right-to-work law allows an employee to refuse union membership and still be employed. It’s proven to be a lightning rod on both sides of issues surrounding organized labor. Twenty-eight states have adopted right-to-work laws.
Under Senate Bill 1905, any local official in Illinois enacting right-to-work laws could potentially be charged with a class A misdemeanor. That’s a penalty often given to prostitutes, burglars, and drunk drivers and means up to a year in prison. It’s one step below a felony.
Laurie Reynolds, Prentice H. Marshall Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois College of Law, said taking a step to criminalize state-local disagreements warps the nature of local democracy.
“I have to think that a state court in Illinois would invalidate this as an abuse of state legislative power,” she said. “This is really beyond the pale.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement following the Senate vote on SB 1905:
“Today’s vote could create a damaging loss for the economic competitiveness of Illinois.
Senate Bill 1905 would hurt all the people of our state through lost job opportunities, slower economic growth, a smaller statewide tax base and ultimately higher taxes in the future.
This vote denies local communities – cities and counties – the ability to decide for themselves how they would like to structure their regulations to compete for jobs with other states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Texas.
SB 1905 could be particularly devastating for communities in Illinois with high unemployment – Dolton, Danville, Decatur, Rockford, Englewood and Lawndale.
We urge the House of Representative to uphold the veto and give Illinois a chance to empower local voters to compete for jobs in high need areas throughout the state.”
* Related…
* More Rauner, Democrat showdowns on tap during veto session: Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s legislation to create a “bill of rights” for student-loan recipients is up for override, as is a measure from Democratic Treasurer Michael Frerichs to make it easier to collect life insurance benefits when a beneficiary dies.
* More GOP lawmakers split from Rauner on Debt Transparency Act: State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said he initially thought HB 3649 was an attempt by Mendoza to handcuff Rauner during an election year. “But that being said, transparency is very important,” Butler said. “These bills should be reported on time. Whether or not it’s a monthly basis, or whatever, I think that’s the question.” Butler initially voted against it, but said he said he’s reconsidering that headed into a possible vote to override.
House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:
“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace. For a number of years, every member of the House has been required to certify that they develop and enforce a sexual harassment policy for their offices and staff. They will continue to do so. However, we can and should do more to ensure no individual is the target of sexual harassment in the Capitol or anywhere else.
“Because harassment thrives in silence, we are continually working to eliminate all forms of harassment from our Statehouse and our legislative offices. With this in mind, we will be advancing legislation that will require everyone—from legislators, to staff, to lobbyists—to complete yearly comprehensive sexual harassment training. We will also be requiring lobbyists develop and submit their own sexual harassment policies, just as legislators currently do.
“I have directed staff to conduct a thorough review of all existing policies related to this issue and to continue identifying further changes that can and should be made.”
This is moving a lot faster than some may have expected.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady’s office…
Leader Brady would be happy to co-sponsor this bill when it comes to the Senate.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From House GOP Leader Jim Durkin’s office…
Leader Durkin believes that harassment of any sort is unacceptable in the House Republican caucus and staff. He fully supports this proposal.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…
Thanks to a group of courageous women who gave voice to the experiences of countless women who work in Springfield, legislators are working to make our Statehouse a safe, respectful place for professionals to have the freedom to do their jobs.
During my tenure as Chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the university adopted sexual harassment training for university employees and board members. As governor, I would absolutely sign a law requiring legislators, staff and lobbyists to go through sexual harassment training. In addition, I would require Illinois businesses, small and large, to provide sexual harassment training to employees, similar to measures in California, Connecticut, and Maine.
Our government has a responsibility to do everything in our power to protect all citizens. When women are unsafe, so is our society.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Senate President John Cullerton…
“My goal in this office has been to advocate for professional conduct in the workplace and provide a safe space for victims to speak up and be protected. Discrimination, harassment and intimidation are unacceptable and not tolerated.
“I support the legislation being discussed.”
* And Patty Schuh…
“Governor Rauner mandated a sexual harassment-free workplace for state employees almost two years ago. Executive Order 16-04 — signed by the Governor on Feb. 26, 2016 –directed the creation of the state’s first Code of Personal Conduct. The order derives from the Governor’s strong belief in an ethical, respectful and accountable workplace and from his personal conviction that sexual harassment is unacceptable in all forms. State agency employees also receive required sexual harassment prevention training.”
* As I told subscribers the other day, it looks like some really big money is heading Ruiz’s way…
Jesse Ruiz, Democratic candidate for Illinois Attorney General, announced Tuesday that Newton N. Minow – senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree – has agreed to chair the Ruiz campaign.
“I have known Jesse Ruiz for more than 20 years, and I respect him both for his exceptional legal talents and for his fine character,” said Minow, who was a prominent supporter of President Barack Obama. “In these difficult times, I know Jesse has the strength and tenacity to stand up against governmental overreach and successfully defend the rights of the people of Illinois as our Attorney General.”
Kevin L. Freeman, a global M&A attorney in Chicago, will serve as campaign treasurer.
Ruiz also announced his first campaign finance committee co-chairs:
· Maria Bechily
· James C. Franczek, Jr
· Lenny Gail
· Dr. Mahalia Hines
· Scott Hodes
· Penny Pritzker
· Laura Ricketts
· Brooke Skinner Ricketts
· John W. Rowe
· Manny Sanchez
· Robin Steans
· Yolanda “Dusty” Stemer
“Jesse Ruiz will be a great Attorney General for Illinois,” Pritzker commented. “In addition to his legal abilities, he has a fundamental sense of decency that shapes everything does. He is absolutely the right choice to serve as the ‘people’s lawyer.’”
“I served on the Chicago Board of Education alongside Jesse Ruiz, and I was always impressed by his fairness and his willingness to listen,” Hines added. “He is a strong leader who is passionate about education and protecting the rights of children.”
Laura Ricketts said she and her wife Brooke support Jesse Ruiz “because he will stand up for all of us. For two decades, he has been a tireless volunteer and community leader. I am so encouraged that he has now decided to run for office at last. Illinois needs elected leaders like Jesse Ruiz.”
Ruiz is a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath, a nationally renowned law firm, where he has worked for more than 20 years. He also serves as President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners.
…Adding… His latest A-1 ain’t bad at all. Click here.
* Background is here [Republican governors “thank” Madigan in new Rauner ad]. From Speaker Madigan…
“Illinois’ balanced budget is a bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats who worked together to move beyond the governor’s political games and end his 732-day budget crisis. Rauner’s crisis created billions of dollars in unpaid bills, pushed Illinois to the edge of junk bond status, and shuttered social service providers throughout the state. Even now, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed to make the tough decisions the governor was unwilling to make, Governor Rauner would still rather play political games than work cooperatively to repair the damage he has done.
“The governor’s ad highlights his own failure to lead, and fully embraces the race to the bottom being led by his role models from states where middle-class wages are a fraction of what they are in Illinois. It’s deeply disappointing that Governor Rauner would rather work with right-wing governors from other states than with legislators seeking bipartisan compromise right here in Illinois. But his actions ultimately reaffirm our resolve in the Legislature to continue our work in a bipartisan way without the governor’s involvement – just as we have for many months now.”
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
Madigan has done it again, deceiving voters with the erroneous claim that the budget he muscled through the legislature is “balanced.” In reality, the budget STILL has a $1.7 billion deficit, despite his massive 32% tax hike. Madigan’s unwillingness to reform state spending has led to the massive tax increases and budget deficit the state now faces.
* The Statehouse has been evacuated after a fire alarm sounded. Veto session is scheduled to begin at noon, but that could be delayed. UPDATE: People are now being allowed back inside as of about 12:30. Follow along with ScribbleLive…
* Gov. Rauner’s campaign has a new ad featuring Republican governors from three neighboring states (Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin) thanking House Speaker Michael Madigan for sending jobs their way…
* Script…
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: We want to say ‘Thank you.’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb: Thanks, Mike Madigan.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens: Thank you.
Walker: For raising Illinois taxes.
Greitens: For blocking Rauner’s reforms.
Holcomb: And helping create new jobs in Indiana.
Walker: In Wisconsin.
Greitens: In Missouri.
Walker: Our economy’s on fire.
Greitens: We’re growing good jobs.
Holcomb: And we’re growing union jobs faster than Illinois.
Walker: So, we owe you.
Greitens: Huge.
Holcomb: Hoosiers love you, Mike Madigan.
Walker: Cheeseheads love you, Madigan.
Greitens: Big fans here in Missouri. Bigtime. Thank you, Mike.
Holcomb: Thanks, Mike.
Overlay: Stop Mike Madigan.
…Adding… As noted elsewhere, Rauner contributed $100,000 to Greitens’ campaign last year and gave $100,000 to Holcomb’s campaign about the same time.
*** UPDATE *** From the DGA…
The Democratic Governors Association, through spokesman Sam Salustro, releases the following statement in response to Governor Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad featuring governors who received substantial donations from Rauner:
“It’s appropriate the only governor not on screen is Bruce Rauner, who has abdicated his leadership position for nearly three years now. Illinois is losing jobs and people because Bruce Rauner forced the state to go through a two-year budget crisis that set the state back years financially and slowed the state’s economy.
“The fact is: Bruce Rauner’s economic policies have been the best thing that’s ever happened to Illinois’ neighbors.”
Teen driving deaths have dropped 51% thanks to the fantastic efforts of @ILSecOfState & the Teen Driver Safety Task Force. Great work! pic.twitter.com/QBbaOKByLz
“Jesse White is Mike Madigan’s top patronage chief, using the Secretary of State’s office as a jobs machine for Madigan allies. J.B. Pritzker’s willingness to accept the endorsement of the Speaker’s top patronage chief is just another sign that Mike Madigan is orchestrating Pritzker’s nomination.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
And then 44-pound Verna became part of a growing pattern of similar fatalities: She was one of 15 Illinois children to die of abuse or neglect from 2012 through last year in homes receiving “intact family services” from organizations hired by DCFS, a Tribune investigation found.
There was only one such child death under the intact family services program during the previous five years from 2007 through 2011, according to DCFS records released to the Tribune under the Freedom of Information Act.
The mission of intact family services, which roughly 2,700 children are receiving statewide, is to offer counseling, resources and oversight to keep families together, instead of putting children through another trauma by removing them from the home and placing them with strangers.
The spike in deaths began in 2012 after DCFS completely privatized the program, putting the care of families in the hands of nonprofit groups but doing little to evaluate the quality of their work, give them guidance and resources, or hold them accountable when children were hurt or put at risk, the Tribune found. […]
Illinois’ new child welfare director, Beverly “B.J.” Walker, said she was alarmed by the Tribune’s finding on the surge of child fatalities in intact family services cases as well as by a sharply critical report from the DCFS Inspector General on Verna’s death.
Like a scene out of the fairy tales she loved, the little girl everyone called Princess was heard crying for help from her second-story window.
But unlike Rapunzel, no prince showed up to rescue 4-year-old Emily Rose Perrin, whose mother hallucinated about dark angels that told her to kill the child.
The state child protective agency with the power to take children from their parents didn’t save Emily either, despite receiving 10 reports of suspected abuse.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services now is calling Emily’s death a failure of the system and is making changes to stop it from happening again. […]
As a result of cases like Emily’s, Walker said DCFS has:
▪ Changed the numbering and case record search capabilities so investigators can get a better history of each family, including reports of abuse or neglect that at the time were found not to be credible.
▪ Created a report for supervisors on the 2,700 cases being monitored by DCFS that have new allegations of abuse or neglect.
▪ Come up with a plan to review cases with new reports at a higher management level in the agency to ensure the quality of the work.
▪ Come up with a plan to facilitate regular contact between the family’s caseworkers and investigators regarding additional needs.
▪ Come up with a plan to try to make sure investigators and caseworkers will visit the home together to make sure each understands the family situation and the scope of the new allegation.
The agency also will seek the help of police, school officials and mental health professionals, according to Skene, the assistant to the DCFS director.
Years and years of promises and we still get “failure of the system” excuses. Go read the whole thing.
And even though about half of the country’s state legislatures either have training programs or laws and policies meant to prevent, report and punish sexual harassment, many women say they feel like their complaints are never addressed, or they are pressured to keep quiet in a male-dominated environment where retribution and retaliation are common.
“The thing here is the power dynamics. If an elected official does something to me, there is no way it’s going to be beneficial to speak out,” said Kady McFadden, who lobbies the Illinois state legislature for the Sierra Club.
“I’ve had hands up my skirt. I’ve had my hair pulled,” McFadden said. “There’s just kind of nothing you can really do.”
McFadden said recent reports about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s decades-long pattern of harassment and assault, and the subsequent #MeToo campaign of women on Twitter sharing their own experiences, brought up inescapable comparisons.
“It was hard for me to not be constantly thinking about comparisons to Springfield and the world of politics,” she said. “It’s probably hard to find a woman in Springfield who doesn’t have a story about what’s happened to them.”
Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen, a victim of sexual harassment some 30 years ago while serving as a page in the Illinois House of Representatives, said she’s glad women are talking about it. […]
Feinen said she faced repeated, unwanted sexual advances from a veteran suburban lawmaker while she worked in the House in the mid-1980s.
“I was just there to learn about government. I wanted to be the one who was sitting on the floor and to listen to the debate and watch what was going on,” she recalled. “There were a lot of great things that happened that summer because I had that experience, but I still, almost 30 years later, I could tell you word for word what he said to me and the effect on me.”
There was no one to go to for help, she said.
“There was an older secretary in the office who was sort of in charge of all the pages. When I talked to her about it, her response was sort of, ‘Yeah, that’s normal for him, and you’re one of many.’ I don’t remember exactly what she said but definitely the vibe was ‘Let it go and move on.’”
Today, Governor Bruce Rauner officially announces his re-election campaign and will start his race as the nation’s “most vulnerable incumbent.” After a two year-budget impasse that only drove up debt and drove out jobs, and a general aversion to protecting Illinois from President Trump, Bruce Rauner has to work hard to rehabilitate his image. A July DGA poll found Rauner’s job approval rating at 34% and his disapproval rating at 63%, on par with President Trump. Not great!
Rauner earns the rare distinction of being the nation’s “most vulnerable incumbent” according to multiple political observers:
Cook Political Report: “Rauner has been under siege for much of his term in a standoff with the Democratic-controlled legislature over the state’s budget – or rather, the lack of one…As a Republican in a very blue state, Rauner is the most vulnerable incumbent seeking re-election next year.”
National Journal: “In what could break spending records for a state race, Republicans’ most vulnerable incumbent is seeking a second term after overseeing a two-year budget impasse in a state Hillary Clinton won handily.”
Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball/University of Virginia Center for Politics: “Of all the elected GOP incumbents, Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) of Illinois seems like he is clearly in the most trouble…This is a true Toss-up, although Rauner, who has been feuding with the Democratic legislature his entire time in office, is in really serious trouble.”
Roll Call: “The governor is willing and able to spend tens of millions of dollars to get re-elected. But that doesn’t change the distinct Democratic lean of the state. … The state and political environment will likely work against the governor. Tilt D.”
And most of these came before Rauner’s summer of chaos.
“With nearly two-thirds of Illinoisans agreeing that he is bad at his job, Bruce Rauner seems to be the only person who believes he deserves reelection,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner has failed the voters of Illinois and earned the title ‘most vulnerable incumbent’ in the nation. His two-year budget fiasco only increased debt and worsened the economy for middle-class families. No matter how many millions he spends, Rauner cannot escape the fact that Illinois is clearly worse off than it was before three years of his failed leadership.”
* Pritzker campaign…
Complete with a 63% disapproval rating, Bruce Rauner is riding in on a motorcycle like the sham savior nobody asked for to announce his re-election campaign. But before he gets to ask Illinoisans for another four years, here are five questions Bruce Rauner needs to answer:
1. Why should working families trust you to rebuild the same economy you destroyed and put in constant crisis?
2. How can Illinois women trust you after lying about HB40?
3. What role did you play in crafting the education funding bill you tout in your commercials?
4. How has your strategy of bad mouthing Illinois everywhere you go helped create jobs?
5. What have you done to save and protect social service agencies from closing because of your rising bill backlog?
“Bruce Rauner’s motorcycle must have taken a wrong turn if took him three years to ‘choose’ to fight for this state,” said Pritzker campaign manager Anne Caprara. “Let’s be clear: Rauner promised to shake up Springfield and after just one term, our state is truly shaken. Rauner forced Illinois into a record-long budget crisis, racked up a record-amount of bills, and is now at a record-low approval rating. I guess when he notes that ‘they said it couldn’t be done’ what he really means is the damage is already done. It’s time for Rauner to go, and at least we know he already has his transportation.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace released the following joint statement in response to news that Bruce Rauner intends to seek reelection.
“After failing to pass a budget, refusing to stand up to Trump, and racking up an unprecedented bill backlog, Bruce Rauner wants another chance. But saddled with the painful memories and irreversible destruction of the past three years, middle and working class families like ours are’t going to sit idly by as one billionaire outbids another—we’re ready to elect a middle class governor we can trust to fight for the rest of us.”
