Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed school funding legislation, saying it wouldn’t let about three dozen private schools participate in a new scholarship program.
Rauner issued the amendatory veto Monday for legislation that the Illinois State Board of Education requested to move forward with a new school funding formula that would prioritize poor and needy schools. The scholarship program would allow individuals and corporations to give private schools money for scholarships in exchange for a tax credit.
Rauner said “we simply must ensure that we follow through with the appropriate language to get the job done.”
Rauner used his amendatory veto powers to rewrite the measure, which sponsors said was requested by the Illinois State Board of Education so officials could move forward on a new school funding formula that would prioritize poor and needy schools.
While Rauner has listed the new funding formula as one of his top achievements as he seeks re-election, the Republican governor said Monday that lawmakers failed to address a technicality that would prevent at least 36 Catholic and independent schools from benefiting from a new scholarship program he’s pushed.
Under that program, individuals and corporations can give money for scholarships to private schools in exchange for a tax credit worth 75 percent of their donation.
“Inclusivity was the spirit of this legislation to begin with, and we simply must ensure that we follow through with the appropriate language to get the job done,” Rauner said in a statement.
* From the governor’s press release…
Lawmakers also should fix a defect that would prevent at least 36 Catholic and other independent schools — many of which serve African-American communities — from participating in the Invest in Kids program for up to two years, Rauner said.
Senate Bill 444, as written, does not address the exclusion from program participation of those schools not yet recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. Invest in Kids creates a scholarship program affording low- to middle-income students opportunities to attend non-public schools through a system of tax credits for approved contributions.
SB 444 should include language that grants program eligibility to ISBE-registered schools, as well as those already recognized, to increase the number of schools affected and broaden the scope of potential applicants, according to the governor.
“Making this adjustment to this bill will maximize the number of schools eligible to participate, and therefore the number of students who may benefit,” Rauner said. “Inclusivity was the spirit of this legislation to begin with, and we simply must ensure that we follow through with the appropriate language to get the job done.”
Meanwhile, the governor’s office said the state Board of Education is still working on the new funding formula and tier funding is still “several months” from being sent out.
“It is unfair for critics to say that this amendatory veto will delay implementation of SB 1947,” Rauner spokeswoman Rachel Bold said in a statement.
State Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, called the amendatory veto Rauner’s version of tossing “his own request in the trash.”
“Here’s what Gov. Rauner accomplished today: absolute chaos while undoing all of the equity components in the school funding reform legislation that he takes credit for passing,” Manar said in a statement. “I am perplexed and puzzled by the motivations of this governor who claims to care deeply about public education in Illinois. “Why would he veto a bill that he sought in the first place?”
Senate Democrats said the bill was intended as a form of “technical cleanup,” which had been requested by the governor’s administration.
* Pritzker campaign…
“Bruce Rauner is forcing students to wait for fair funding so he can expand his back-door school voucher program, once again using Illinois children as pawns in his political games,” said JB Pritzker. “With his amendatory veto of SB 444, this failed governor is manufacturing another crisis by putting equitable school funding on hold, even after he claimed credit for the reform. SB 444 should have been signed the day it landed on Rauner’s desk to ensure Illinois schools were properly funded under the new, more equitable formula. Once again, this failed governor is attacking public education in Illinois and students will pay the price.”
* Daiber campaign…
“School districts waited until Aug. 31 (2017) with uncertainty of funding. The governor’s action delays progress on implementing the new funding formula, for which all districts in Illinois are waiting.”
At issue is language that would prevent private schools not recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education from benefitting from a scholarship program contained in the legislation, under which taxpayers can give money for scholarships to private schools in exchange for a tax credit worth 75 percent of their donation.
“To award public funds to private schools not meeting ISBE recognition status is a move in the wrong direction for school funding reform,” Daiber said. “It lowers the standards by which we operate when you do that.”
Daiber, in his official capacity as regional superintendent of schools for Madison County, conducts the compliance visits for non-public school recognition status.
Daiber opposes the tax credit-for-scholarships program, and has promised to end it if he’s elected governor. “This provision was snuck into school funding legislation when lawmakers were in a must-pass bind. School funding was jeopardized. There were concerns about school districts being able to make payroll. If the scholarship tax credit program is examined on its own merits, it’s an economic and educational disaster,” he said.
…Adding… Ruiz campaign…
As the former president of the Illinois State Board of Education, former vice president of the Chicago Board of Education, and former Interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools, I urge the General Assembly to move immediately to override Governor Rauner’s veto of the historic education funding bill.
It is outrageous that, once again, Gov. Rauner is playing politics with our children’s education. His decision to veto this important bill, which would bring some long-awaited equity to the state’s funding of public education, has pulled the rug out from under school districts in low-income communities across Illinois.
Rauner’s action in vetoing this crucial bill is bad enough – but his hypocrisy is mind-boggling. Just a few short weeks ago, Rauner named “Historic Education Funding Reform” as his top accomplishment during his disastrous term as Governor. Yet now he has brought this overdue school funding reform to a screeching halt.
Again and again, Rauner has shown us he feels absolutely no responsibility or concern for the people of Illinois. We cannot allow Rauner’s radical political agenda to derail this reform and jeopardize the futures of our most vulnerable students.
It is time to end these delays and take action to provide our public schools with the funding they deserve – now.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday called Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy’s claim that the mayor is making Chicago “whiter” and wealthier a “hallucinatory” insult.
Emanuel said he’s “looking forward to ideas, not insults” in his first public comments since Kennedy on Wednesday accused him of leading a “strategic gentrification plan” forcing African-American residents out of the city.
“It is easy to cast blame and point fingers,” the mayor said. “Where are the ideas? Where are the solutions, real solutions to real challenges that make those challenges opportunities?”
Emanuel also quoted a Chicago Tribune editorial that was critical of Kennedy’s comments. “As the Chicago Tribune referred to it today as imaginary, hallucinatory,” he said. “I hope nobody ever describes any of my ideas that way.” […]
On Friday, the mayor appeared before reporters at a factory in the heavily African-American South Austin neighborhood to talk about the city’s move to install new street lights, starting in black neighborhoods on the South and West sides. He was surrounded by several African-American aldermen and employees at the made-for-TV event and talked about offering job opportunities to ex-offenders and other Chicago residents as the kind of idea Kennedy should be pushing.
In his first public appearance after a long family vacation, Emanuel was asked why he believes African-Americans are leaving the city in droves and whether he’s troubled by it.
“Of course it troubles me. Which is why we’re making investments in the neighborhoods across the city,” the mayor said.
“That’s a longer discussion that’s worthy of a serious discussion of the change going on in the city and the population, where a lot more people are moving in. Different people. Some people are moving out. It has to do with a lot of different factors — not one factor…What do you do to change that? That’s different than trying to cast blame as if this is somebody’s plan.” […]
“If we continue to invest in our city and invest in every part of the city and give it a future where everybody feels hopeful about that tomorrow for not only them but their children, we’re gonna continue to be a city of vibrancy,” the mayor said Friday.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Statement from Rebecca Evans, spokeswoman for Chris Kennedy:
Unlike JB Pritzker, who continues to remain silent to protect the political establishment, Chris Kennedy has the political courage to speak truth to power. He will stand up to anyone regardless of party, position or influence if it means standing up for justice, equality and opportunity for everyone in Illinois.
Chris Kennedy isn’t hiding behind $17 million worth of scripted TV ads. He will use his voice to stand up for what is right even if it’s calling out inconvenient truths that are hurting people of color in Chicago.
He has said from the start of this campaign that he wants to dismantle the structural inequities that exist in our government. He has put forward real solutions and plans on how we can do it. We must allow an elected school board, stop closing public schools, put an end to the discriminatory property tax racket, and fully address the civil rights violations described in the Department of Justice’s report on the Chicago Police Department.
On a conference call with reporters IDPH Director Nirav Shah details why the state waited 6 days to public about the Legionnaires outbreak at the Quincy Vet Home. “Before we go public we have to get our facts straight.”
They knew they had an outbreak. They didn’t inform the residents and their families, so nobody could take precautions. That’s a problem. A real problem. How about promising never to do that again to show you’ve learned something?
* So, this sounds bogus…
"We determined that the risk here of going up too early and providing misinformation could cause panic or dilute our voice later." - @GovRauner Public Health Director Dr. Nirav Shah on why they waited six days to announce Legionaries at #Quincy@wlsam890
TIMELINE 8/21/15: IDPH recognizes "beginning of an epidemic" 8/23: IDPH notifies CDC of 5 confirmed Legionnaires' cases 8/24: IDVA spox said he didn't intend to publicize test results unless “directed or in the case of wide media interest" 8/27: State notifies public of outbreak https://t.co/yM8vNISsDH
— Illinois Working Together (@IllinoisWorking) January 5, 2018
The water system at a state-run veterans’ home in Quincy where 13 people have died of Legionnaires’ disease may never be fully cleansed of the bacteria that causes the sometimes fatal illness, and more cases could be inevitable, federal public health authorities warned Thursday.
In a new report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraged the state to undertake a series of new precautions aimed at curtailing the threat of more Legionnaires’ cases at the 132-year-old Illinois Veterans Home, but conceded none of its recommendations represent an ironclad safeguard for the facility’s nearly 400 residents.
“While adoption of these recommendations should further reduce risk, the possibility of future cases of disease associated with the [Quincy veterans’ home] cannot be eliminated,” the CDC said in a report released by Illinois public health authorities.
Nobody can ever guarantee that anywhere. The issue is about making sure that a very vulnerable population is treated as quickly as possible. That’s the real lesson here. According to the original WBEZ report, residents with obvious symptoms (including high fevers) were not immediately tested for Legionnaires’ and were therefore given aspirin instead of antibiotics.
Durbin says after meeting with Rauner at Quincy Vets Home he no longer seeks facility’s closing as long as state has plan to move forward. Offers federal funding help to deal with Legionnaire’s Disease. “We need to do more,” Durbin said.
When Gov. Rauner is done with his stay at the veteran’s home in Quincy, MRE says he should “bring his sleeping bag” to the shell of a vets home in Chicago where construction was halted by the state. pic.twitter.com/X78iJx4Ts0
* Quincy mayor vows support of veterans’ home: “We know the state is not hiding from this, but is doing everything they can to stop further outbreaks,” Moore continued. “The Quincy Veterans’ Home has over 131 years of experience in caring for our veterans, providing them with 210 acres in a park-like setting to live out their days with the respect and dignity they deserve. Over 500 employees dedicate their lives to taking care of our veterans and have enormous pride in the quality of care they deliver. Our committee’s goal is to work with the Quincy Veterans’ Home to tell their story, to support the staff who provide quality care to the veterans who call this their home.“
In light of today’s report by the Chicago Tribune highlighting the damages caused to Illinois farming communities by the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, Daniel Biss is calling on candidates for governor to divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies.
“The Dakota Access Pipeline is already damaging crops and natural spaces, lowering property values, and threatening leaks and spills in Illinois’ farming communities. Despite nationwide opposition by environmental activists and protests by Native Americans for building on sacred ground, J.B. cared more about his own profits. J.B.’s investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline are a clear conflict of interest, an unconscionable affront to affected Illinois families, and a concerning contradiction of his self-described progressive values.
“Just last year, Gov. Bruce Rauner allowed Dynergy to set its own emissions standards, so we know the consequences of having a governor who puts corporate profits over protecting the environment and Illinois families. To eliminate these conflicts of interests and ensure Illinois is a leader in clean energy, Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy should divest from all holdings in dirty energy companies as they run for governor.”
* Pritzker campaign yesterday…
For years, our failed governor, @BruceRauner, has resisted policies and worked against protecting our planet.
Illinois deserves a real leader, and when I'm governor, I will be 100% committed in the fight to protect our environment. pic.twitter.com/uHrnfHm7FD
Last night, J.B. Pritzker was talking a big game on climate change. But what he won’t tell anyone is that he’s personally profiting from his investments in a company that’s helping construct the Keystone Pipeline, three companies that use fracking, and Exxon and Chevron.
J.B. Pritzker likes to talk about how he’s a die-hard progressive. But the truth is, he’ll pull the wool over the eyes of Democrats if it makes him more money.
Will Allison
Communications Director
Citizens for Rauner
*** UPDATE 1 *** Biss campaign…
Daniel Biss spokesman Tom Elliott issued the following statement today, reiterating the campaign’s position that any candidate for governor, from any party, should not be supporting and profiting from investments in the Dakota Access Pipeline:
“Yesterday, Daniel Biss called for all candidates to divest from any and all holdings in dirty energy companies, including the Dakota Access Pipeline. This isn’t just directed at J.B. Pritzker - Daniel also believes that Chris Kennedy should divest from his own investments in Exxon Mobil, Halliburton, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum, as well as for Bruce Rauner to divest from his holdings in some of those very same companies, including Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, and his own stake in the Dakota Access Pipeline.
“Speaking of Rauner, the only thing more ridiculous than his hypocrisy on this attack is his failure to note that Pritzker is invested in the Dakota Access Pipeline, not Keystone. Apparently the governor isn’t a big details guy, which must be why he lets polluters like Dynergy write their own rules, so he doesn’t have to be bothered.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** IMA’s Mark Denzler…
Political pandering is unfortunately expected at this time of year. However, politicians may want to consider that millions of Illinoisans have heat in their homes and businesses this week during record cold temperatures thanks to these “energy companies” that supply our grid throughout the year and especially during peak times. Perhaps they don’t realize that petroleum products are used to grease wind turbines and petroleum-based chemicals are used on solar panels. Further, the companies mentioned are spending billions of dollars investing in sustainable and alternative energy research and own or operate wind farms, solar panels, geothermal technology, and hydroelectric power.
Illinois doesn’t need political fairy dust. We need real leaders and real solutions to the challenges facing the state. And Illinois needs to keep an “all of the above” domestic approach when it comes to energy that includes nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas, and renewables.
Today, the JB Pritzker campaign released two new TV ads, “All Ideas” and “Real Change.” The ads highlight how JB and Juliana will beat Bruce Rauner and bring real change to Illinois, and will air in markets across the state.
Throughout the campaign, JB and Juliana have released detailed plans to move Illinois forward, including how they will expand healthcare, grow the economy and create jobs, and support quality childcare and preschool. “All Ideas” features JB and Juliana direct to camera highlighting their plans for Illinois and “Real Change” features supporters sharing JB’s vision and commitment to moving Illinois forward.
“I’m focused on beating Bruce Rauner and getting Illinois back on track,” said JB Pritzker. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve put forward real policy plans to repair Rauner’s damage and bring real change to Illinois. I’m thrilled by the energy and support our campaign has received from people across the state, and I know we’re ready to come together to move Illinois forward.”
“J.B. Pritzker’s so-called ‘detailed plan’ to increase taxes is light on details because he knows he can’t make the math work for all of his new spending. Pritzker says he’ll hike taxes even higher than Madigan, but won’t say by how much. Pritzker’s tax hike plan lacks specifics because he knows it will decimate Illinois jobs and small businesses. Illinois taxpayers can’t afford J.B. Pritzker working hand in hand with Mike Madigan in Springfield to hike taxes even higher.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Today, J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor released two new television ads touting a “detailed plan” to hike taxes even higher than Mike Madigan’s recent 32% tax hike.
So how detailed is Pritzker’s tax hike plan?
Not detailed at all. In fact, Pritzker’s tax hike plan doesn’t even say what the tax rates will be. He just promises that taxes will be going up, decimating Illinois small businesses in the process, as one independent group said about a similar tax hike plan.
So where exactly are J.B. Pritzker’s so-called “detailed plans” to hike taxes? How high is Pritzker willing to increase taxes? Does Pritzker think further tax hikes won’t destroy jobs or increase the exodus of Illinois families to other states? These are questions Pritzker must answer.
Since J.B. Pritzker is light on details, perhaps Illinois voters should give his political patron, Mike Madigan, a call.
Colorado’s top federal prosecutor said his office won’t alter its approach to enforcing marijuana crimes after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions withdrew a policy Thursday that allowed pot markets to emerge in states that legalized the drug.
The statement by U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer came amid bipartisan outrage over Sessions’ decision to end the so-called Cole memorandum, which sharply limited what charges prosecutors could pursue in legal pot states. He will allow federal prosecutors to decide how aggressively to enforce longstanding federal law banning pot.
Troyer said his office will continue to focus on “identifying and prosecuting those who create the greatest safety threats to our communities around the state.” That approach is consistent with Sessions’ guidance, he said.
“Today the Attorney General rescinded the Cole Memo on marijuana prosecutions, and directed that federal marijuana prosecution decisions be governed by the same principles that have long governed all of our prosecution decisions,” Troyer said.
I asked spokespersons for US Attorney John Lausch in Chicago and US Attorney John Childress in central Illinois earlier today what their bosses plan to do and haven’t yet heard back. I’ll let you know if they respond.
*** UPDATE *** US Attorney John Childress…
“For citizens of central Illinois, the Justice Department memo issued today on marijuana enforcement does not change long-established prosecutorial principles to enforce federal law,” stated U.S. Attorney John Childress. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners, to promote the safety and interests of our local communities.”
* From Nancy Rotering’s attorney general campaign…
Following U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ rescindment of former President Obama Administration’s directives discouraging enforcement of federal marijuana laws in states that had legalized the substance, Illinois Attorney General Candidate Mayor Nancy Rotering released the following statement:
“Jeff Sessions and Donald Trump think they’re still fighting the Drug Wars of the 1980s. Instead of working to address the opioid crisis ravaging our country, Sessions and Trump are attacking Americans seeking medical care in the form of clinically-approved cannabis. Illinois, along with 28 other states, passed legislation creating a medical cannabis program permitting patients with debilitating medical conditions to register with the state in order to access marijuana for medical use. As Illinois’ Attorney General, I would defend the state against any federal intrusion, and work to ensure that patients with medical conditions - including people with cancer, those who live with seizures, or veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - can continue to access the care they need.”
* Pritzker campaign…
Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the planned repeal of a commonsense reform that discourages prosecutors from bringing cases involving marijuana in states that legalized the use and sale of it. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“Marijuana should be legalized in a safe way, and it’s time we do that in Illinois,” said JB Pritzker. “Legalizing marijuana is a key component of reforming our criminal justice system and ending the era of mass incarceration. Instead of modernizing our approach to sentencing and moving our country forward, today’s announcement by the Trump administration directly attacks the black and brown communities most disparately affected by our broken system. As governor, I will stand up to Donald Trump’s attacks on Illinois communities, legalize marijuana, and modernize sentencing guidelines to create a criminal justice system that gives all Illinoisans a chance to reach their full potential.”
…Adding… Biss…
Hey Jeff Sessions, stop trying to drag us back into the 1980's—the War on Drugs was a failed and backwards policy. It's time to stop clinging to antiquated thinking and allow states to legalize marijuana: https://t.co/CbvdNrTUVr
Our major city, Chicago, is using a strategy of selective containment where we’re allowing violence to continue as long as it only continues in certain neighborhoods. We have an ‘80-8 Rule,’ where 80 percent of the violence occurs in just 8 percent of our city… We’re cutting off resources to push people of color out of our city and perhaps out of the way of economic development.
We’ve closed 18 public schools in Bronzeville alone. That neighborhood just south of the Loop, there along the beaches of Lake Michigan, is the next great development play in Chicago. It will be a development play, but not for the residents who have lived there for years and years, and who are being pushed out. But instead, for a new wave of gentrification that defines a city which, as it gets smaller, is becoming whiter.
That describes a very deliberate, thought-out strategic plan for monetary gain which even supposedly has a name.
SC: The headlines are blaring, ‘Forced Gentrification by the Mayor.’ And if people don’t read the full story, the headlines make it sound like you’re calling the mayor a racist who’s kicking black folks out of the city. So, let’s start there. I want to give you a chance to clarify those remarks — if they need clarifying.
CK: Well, I’d say this: I don’t know what’s in the mayor’s heart. I don’t know what he’s thinking on this issue. What I do know are the results.
The results are Chicago is becoming smaller and as it becomes smaller, it’s becoming whiter. In neighborhoods predominately lived in by African-Americans, we’re closing schools, we’re closing mental health clinics. We’re forcing people to live in food deserts, forcing them to live in pharmacy deserts, allowing crime to skyrocket. And, the combination of those forces would push anybody out of the city.
Whether it’s an act of omission or an act of commission, it doesn’t really matter. There is only one mayor and he sets the tone at the top. This is occurring under his watch so, one way or another, he needs to be held responsible.
…Adding… I still think he sounded like he was backing away, but the Kennedy folks just called to hotly dispute this notion. He fully and completely stands by what he said yesterday, I was told.
* Meanwhile, Cochran also asked Kennedy today why he thought JB Pritzker wasn’t saying much about the controversy surrounding Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, who is also the county party chairman…
Well, I think it would be a little hypocritical to do that given the notion that he [Pritzker] used Joe Berrios’ offices at the Cook County Democratic Party to make so many of his campaign phone calls. He operated out of that office. Joe’s office.
* From the Berrios campaign…
Isn’t this the same guy who stated that JB gave to Scott Walker?
Kennedy’s claim is completely false.
* The Pritzker campaign also said the claim was false and then added…
Chris Kennedy’s commitment to telling the truth is starting to resemble Bruce Rauner’s willingness to take responsibility for his failed leadership.
The Kennedy campaign claims it has a good source on the story and stands by the candidate’s remarks.
The following is a statement from Just Democracy Illinois, a nonpartisan voting rights coalition, on President Trump’s decision to disband the Presidential Advisory Commission on Voter Integrity:
“Just Democracy Illinois is pleased to see this presidentially-sanctioned witch hunt come to an end. This commission was flawed from the start. It was premised on a baseless claim that ‘millions’ of people illegally voted in the November 2016 election. It sought to obtain sensitive personal information about Illinois voters and threatened to expose that data to numerous privacy and security risks. Just Democracy will remain vigilant as federal officials and advisors continue to threaten the rights of our communities, including immigrant citizens, and other eligible voters.
“When the Commission issued overly broad demands for personal data of voters in 2017, Just Democracy Illinois immediately urged the Illinois State Board of Elections to deny the intrusive requests and debunk harmful myths of widespread voter fraud. After evaluating the requests and analyzing the facts, the bipartisan State Board denied the Commission’s requests and concluded the following about voter fraud: ‘The suspected instances we found equate to a fraud level of a couple thousandths of a single percent of the votes cast in the state.’
“As a nation, we still have a lot of work to do to protect our democracy and secure access to the ballot box. Across the country, states are passing laws that create unnecessary barriers to the ballot, which have negatively impacted turnout and intimidated voters from exercising their constitutional rights. Some of these policies intentionally disenfranchise communities through acts like purging eligible citizens from the voter rolls, while other states are stubbornly maintaining outdated registration systems that must be modernized.
“Just Democracy Illinois is proud that Illinois is taking the opposite approach and improving fairness of our elections. In recent years, the Land of Lincoln has passed laws to expand early voting, and to allow voters to register online or even at the polls. In August, Illinois unanimously passed a bipartisan Automatic Voter Registration law, which, once implemented, could add more than one million eligible Illinoisans to the voter rolls.
“To keep our election systems secure, prevent potential fraud and mis-registration, and reduce the barriers that decrease voter turnout, Just Democracy Illinois encourages states to instead follow Illinois’ bipartisan leadership on voting rights by passing legislation like Automatic Voter Registration.”
Just Democracy Illinois is led by a steering committee that includes Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, CHANGE Illinois, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Chicago Votes, Common Cause Illinois, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Illinois PIRG.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
IL Attorney General Candidate Sen. Kwame Raoul issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s order to disband his voter fraud commission:
Now that Donald Trump has decided to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on his Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, Bruce Rauner and his handpicked appointees need to stop wasting Illinois taxpayer dollars on Crosscheck.
Illinois has some of the strongest voter protections in the country thanks to the work of Sen. Raoul. Raoul was a leader in the passage of the Illinois Voting Rights Act as well as a constitutional amendment to protect the rights of all voters from having their voice and their rights taken away by discriminatory requirements.
Raoul has introduced legislation (Senate Bill 2273) to end the state’s use of Crosscheck, which was pioneered by Trump Appointee and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Senator Raoul has made his opposition to the flawed system clear while citing data security issues and potential racial bias.
* More from Gov. Rauner’s interview with the Joliet Herald-News editorial board…
Herald-News: We wanted to ask you about something in the news recently about the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Your opponents were coming down on you not taking responsibility in their eyes. Do you want to respond to that?
Rauner: It’s so false. First of all, it’s heartbreaking. I take care for our residents, all our residents, especially our veterans very seriously. We go above and beyond to take care of our veterans. We had an outbreak of Legionella at that facility. Our team took immediate, strong action. We brought in national experts, brought in the CDC, spent $6.5 million on a new filtration system, changed the protocols, did everything possible to improve the situation and keep people safe there. We got rave reviews and appropriate support from the national experts.
Since then we’ve had a few incidences of Legionella infection and we’ve checked and made sure we’re doing all the protocols, etc. The reality is, and this is what’s not getting into the reports, the Legionella bacteria is in most water systems in Illinois. There were just two infections of Legionnaires at Northwestern Hospital, which is not even an old facility and I think is regarded as a really well-run facility. These things happen.
With our veterans, many of them are in their late 80s and 90s (and are) vulnerable to getting sick. They don’t have a strong immune system. So the reality is that there’s some risk but in all facilities there’s risk. We’re getting criticized. We went the extra step. Normally for years, these issues have been going on in Illinois. We actually wanted to find out what was causing it.
* Pritzker campaign…
Bruce Rauner once again refused to take responsibility for his fatal mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis in Quincy, boasting of the “rave reviews” his response got, despite the fact that 13 lives were lost on his watch.
While Rauner claims he took “immediate, strong action,” WBEZ reported that his administration waited 6 days to alert the public that the outbreak looked like the “beginning of an epidemic.” Explaining the recent outbreaks in 2016 and 2017 — the latter killing a Korean War Veteran — Rauner deflected, saying, “these things happen.”
“Thirteen Illinoisans lost their lives to the Legionnaires crisis and Bruce Rauner is bragging about his response from one side of his mouth and deflecting responsibility from the other,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “‘These things happen’ when a governor entirely fails to take charge of the state he is supposed to lead and leaves the most vulnerable to pay the ultimate price.”
* DGA…
“Illinois veterans died under state supervision and all Bruce Rauner can muster are excuses why his administration should not be blamed,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner’s consistent knee-jerk rejection of responsibility for any of his failures shows exactly where his priorities lie. Rauner seems more interested in washing away this scandal than actually addressing any of the outstanding questions surrounding his administration’s botched response to the Quincy Veterans’ Home.”
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday night checked himself into the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy — and plans to stay there for several nights as a show of support for the home whose management came under fire amid outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.
“I believe he arrived around 9:3o p.m or 10 p.m.,” State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, said on Thursday morning, noting his plan is to spend several nights there.
“Obviously the word is getting out with the residents and staff,” Tracy said.
The governor, she said, “wanted to show his support for the veteran’s home and for the safety of the residents.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to comment on the stay. Rauner has not had a public event since Dec. 20.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the governor’s office…
Hi Rich,
The Governor is in Quincy staying at the Illinois Veterans Home. He plans to spend several days there with the residents and staff. He wants to gain a more thorough understanding of the clinical, water-treatment, and residential operations of the home.
Rachel Bold
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bruce Rauner
Rauner’s stay comes as the Illinois House and Senate veterans affairs committees are scheduled to hold an investigatory hearing on Tuesday in Chicago. In preparation, several lawmakers toured the home on Wednesday, including Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, a Democrat from Oswego.
The Marine Corps veteran described the visit as an “introductory tour” in which lawmakers visited one residential facility, met with some survivors who contracted the disease, and learned about the new water treatment facility.
Kifowit said officials must provide more answers about why outbreaks continued after a new water treatment system was installed and provide more details about procedures and protocols for checking on patients. She said the facility’s ventilation system should also be looked at, questioning if it’s possible that Legionella bacteria was being transmitted through the air on warm, humid days.
“He should have been visiting the home constantly in 2015 and 2016 to make sure the veterans were safe and taken care of,” Kifowit said, calling the Rauner stay “symbolic.” “He’s a day late and a dollar short.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Another one piles on…
"I grew up on the farm & ya learn pretty early, if it looks like a duck & walks like a duck & talks like a duck, it's a duck. This looks like a damage control publicity stunt." - @JeanneIves running-mate Rich Morthland on @GovRauner in #Quincy@wlsam890pic.twitter.com/VZvK1JrdRJ
Last night, instead of showing up with solutions, Bruce Rauner visited the Quincy Veterans’ home for a political stunt. Rauner’s last visit was a year and a half ago.
With the Legionnaires crisis in its third year, Rauner has suddenly found an urgent need to “gain a more thorough understanding of the clinical, water-treatment and residential operations of the home.” The visit conveniently coincides with a General Assembly investigatory hearing on Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis set for next week.
“Three years into a devastating crisis that took the lives of thirteen veterans and spouses and Bruce Rauner is conducting a political stunt complete with no solutions and a firm commitment to evading responsibility,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Families who lost loved ones and heroes who are still at risk don’t need a photo op with their failed governor, they need someone willing to take charge of this state.”
*** UPDATE 6 *** DGA…
Last night, Governor Bruce Rauner checked into the Quincy Veterans’ Home in an attempt to quiet growing questions about his administration’s botched response to Legionnaires’ outbreaks there. In three years, 13 veterans’ home residents have died from the disease and two WBEZ reports have called into question how Rauner’s administration responded to the first outbreak in 2015.
While Rauner stays in Quincy, perhaps he can answer these questions:
Why did the Rauner administration wait six days before telling the public or families of residents about the outbreak, which one infectious disease expert called “mind-boggling”?
When did Governor Rauner learn of the outbreak? What did he talk about with IDVA Director Erica Jeffries when they attended an event together during the middle of the outbreak?
Why were some sick residents, who later died, not getting tested or treated for Legionnaires’ disease even though your administration confirmed the outbreak to the CDC?
Why did Rauner say in 2016 that his administration was “really on top of the situation” if he is just now getting a “more thorough understanding” of the problem?
At least one family claims that Rauner’s administration never tried contacting them after the death of their father. Why has Rauner not reached out to the families of the deceased?
Has anyone in the administration been held accountable for the outbreak response?
In an editorial board meeting yesterday, Rauner deflected blame for the 13 deaths by pointing out the veterans’ home residents had weak immune systems, claiming “rave reviews” for his response, and arguing that “these things happen.”
“Bruce Rauner’s stunt does not hide the fact that he has not addressed hard questions about his administration’s botched response to the Legionnaires’ outbreak,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Thirteen families lost loved ones and deserve to know what happened. They need more than what Governor Rauner is offering.”
*** UPDATE 7 *** Governor’s office…
Hey Rich,
I wanted to make sure you were aware that Governor Rauner has made several visits to the Quincy Veterans Home throughout his time in office. The Governor visited on October 14, 2015, July 27, 2016, and recently as December 8, 2017.
Rachel Bold
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bruce Rauner
* Gov. Rauner was asked yesterday for his thoughts on the new federal tax changes, particularly the limitation on deductibility for state and local taxes…
That’s gonna hurt a lot of middle class families and higher income families. That’s gonna push more employers out of the state. That’s gonna hurt job creation. That’s gonna increase the cost of living for the people. So, it’s punishing in that regard.
The governor was asked repeatedly over the past few months to weigh in on the tax bill and refused to take any real public stance. If he truly believes the SALT provisions are “punishing,” maybe he should’ve said something earlier?
The governor also repeated his belief that the state and local tax deduction limit could give a boost to his call for freezing property taxes and rolling back a state income tax hike.
“It’s punishing in that regard,” Rauner said of the tax limitation. “That’s why it’s so critical that we get the reforms done that I’ve been advocating.”
Rauner said in the interview that he was in Joliet on Wednesday, but the governor’s office listed no events on his public schedule. He has not been out in public since the week before Christmas.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Response…
Seriously? His polling on the #GOPTaxScam must have just come back, because the rest of us knew months ago this bill was a big giveaway to billionaires. @BruceRauner is out of touch, missing in action, and fails to lead on the most important federal issues impacting our state. https://t.co/HMrlmZQh6r
You know what they say: even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Yesterday, in a radio interview, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner said what vulnerable House Republicans Reps. Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren, Mike Bost, and Rodney Davis have been unable to admit: the GOP tax scam is going to hike taxes on middle class families and homeowners across Illinois.
Let’s go to the transcript […]
But it’s not like Rauner broke news. Over the holidays Illinois families across the state were scrambling to prepay their property taxes to avoid getting slammed when the GOP tax bill goes into effect next year.
The GOP Tax Scam guts the deduction for State and Local Taxes, which nearly a third of Illinoisans take advantage of for an average deduction of over $12,000.
Bruce Rauner finally got something right: the GOP tax scam is going to hammer middle class families and homeowners in Illinois. The only thing he left out: this November, voters are going to take it out on Reps. Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren, Mike Bost, and Rodney Davis.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Ives campaign…
On Wednesday, Governor Rauner called the new federal tax law “punishing,” criticizing a $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes. State Representative Jeanne Ives, a Republican Candidate for Governor released the following statement in response:
“The reason Illinois families are ‘punished’ by the $10,000 cap on State and Local Tax Deductions is because the guy who ran on reform in 2014 didn’t do anything about Illinois’ tax burden. He actually made it worse.
“Families in this state pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Governor Rauner did nothing about it. If Illinois put hard cap on property taxes, like Indiana, then more Illinois families would qualify to keep more of their income under House Republicans tax reform plan. Further, more of those same Illinois families could afford more home and expect a real rate of return on their investment. This prospect is virtually eliminated in Illinois where the median property tax rates as a percentage of home value is nearly 2.5 times that of Indiana.
“Governor Rauner is talking about freezing property taxes. Well, again, Illinoisans pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Why would you want to lock that in by freezing them? We need to lower property taxes. I am advocating a property tax cap that will force state government to remove itself “from initiatives it has proven poor at managing, and to properly fund K-12 education.
“According to the left-leaning Tax Policy Center, 80% of American families will see federal tax relief from the GOP tax cuts. Rauner is simply trying to out-#NeverTrump J.B. Pritzker. In substance and in rhetoric, Rauner is once again allied with Rahm, Pelosi and Schumer and against the Illinois GOP congressional delegation and Illinois GOP families. Another betrayal.
“The truth is, Governor Rauner failed to hold the Illinois Republican caucus together, and 15 Republicans voted to inflict a massive income tax hike on the already struggling families and businesses of this state. In Washington D.C., President Trump unified the Congressional Republican caucus to pass tax reform that will provide relief to most Americans. I may not agree with everything President Trump does, but I want to see him succeed. And can recognize it when he does. Bruce Rauner is out trying to sell a success as failure, and failure as success. It is little wonder Illinois Republicans can feel they can no longer trust the man they elected in 2014.”
