Question of the day
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday, Gov. Bruce Rauner told reporters that he had been told by the Senate that he would be addressed as “His Excellency” during today’s inauguration ceremony, over which the governor presides.
Rauner said he didn’t want to be addressed with that honorific, saying they should just refer to him as “Governor.” But I’ve already heard him called “Your Excellency” at least once today.
* From Wikipedia…
Excellency is an honorific style given to certain members of an organisation or state. Once entitled to the title “Excellency”, the holder usually retains the right to that courtesy throughout his or her lifetime, although in some cases the title is attached to a particular office, and is held only for the duration of that office.
Generally people addressed as Excellency are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, aristocracy, knights and military, and others holding equivalent rank (e.g., heads of international organizations, high commissioners in the Commonwealth of Nations).
It is sometimes misinterpreted as a title of office in itself, but in fact is an honorific that precedes various titles (such as Mr. President, and so on), both in speech and in writing. In reference to such an official, it takes the form His/Her Excellency; in direct address, Your Excellency, or, less formally, simply Excellency.
* The Question: Your own suggestion for a new honorific for Gov. Rauner?
Keep it light and have fun, please.
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The sky is falling!!!
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Talk about over the top…
In a political move reminiscent of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Gov. Bruce Rauner
will make Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Litchfield) the head of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, multiple sources said.
That breaks campaign promises to have a professional head the agency.
Instead, it will be Rosenthal, a retired Illinois Air National Guard Brigadier General who operated the family’s grain farm. He is an avid hunter, who established a game preserve.
The decision, the exact opposite of shake up Springfield, is doubly insulting because sportsmen and women were some of Rauner’s staunchest supporters and credited with helping him win a tight primary.
That lede is just outrageously ignorant of history. Blagojevich? Come on, man.
Rosethal is a highly respected legislator and is deeply involved in conservation issues. The Rauner team was blown away when they interviewed him. I gotta figure sportsmen and sportswomen are gonna like him.
* And I’m not sure that Rauner promised to appoint a “professional” to lead the department. For instance…
He spoke about his concerns regarding the state’s Department of Natural Resources, saying there are problems there he hopes to fix.
“We’ve had folks in the department who don’t have expertise in natural resources or how to fix. We need folks who really know the biology, the ecology, and who really know the hunting and fishing in the department. And I’ll restore that,” said Rauner.
Rauner says he hopes to accomplish that by hiring experts and properly funding the department.
Those experts would be on a lower rung than the director.
Also, this…
When asked what he would specifically do to improve the IDNR, he initially expressed his love of the Illinois outdoors. Bruce Rauner is an avid hunter, having taken many deer since his youth. He and his family hike and fish and truly understand the importance of this state’s natural resources.
First, he stated, he would evaluate all IDNR management positions and replace any one not qualified to do their assigned job. He suggested that many of IDNR appointed managers were never capable of doing what they were hired for, and thus have failed to deliver. He stated that regardless of whether it is the management of deer or any natural resource, he would assign “qualified people” in those fields to ensure that our natural resources received the expertise and attention they deserve. He fully comprehends the need to balance sound resource management with sportsmen opinion.
The director oversees these managers, who do, indeed, need to be qualified professionals.
* A less hostile take…
At first glimpse, naming a legislator to a cabinet position doesn’t seem like a major “shake-up” of things. And the last time we had a legislator atop DNR (Joel Brunsvold) things went poorly. Then again, things didn’t go real well under a “resources conservation professional,” the phrase that became common under departed Director Marc Miller.
Miller’s problem was not a lack of conservation knowledge, but an inability to get things done and what appeared to be a relative lack of power in the administration. Here’s hoping Rosenthal can get Rauner’s ear now and then and stand up to do the things that need to be done at the DNR. And that list is long.
Brunsvold did a great job. His problem was that Blagojevich was determined to slash IDNR’s budget.
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Victors, spoils, etc.
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* No surprise…
Doug Scott is out as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Scott was among the first wave of former Gov. Pat Quinn appointees removed from their positions in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s first full day as governor yesterday, a Rauner spokesman confirmed.
Quinn reappointed Scott as head utility regulator in Illinois, but he was never confirmed. The Rauner spokesman said there’s no word yet on who will be named to take his place.
In the meantime, outgoing commissioner John Colgan is chairing today’s meeting, an ICC spokeswoman said.
* No surprise…
Illinois State Fair manager Amy Bliefnick is out after 10 years in the job.
Bliefnick confirmed Wednesday she received her notice from the office of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Bliefnick, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2005, said she would remain on salary through Jan. 31 but that her final day would be Monday.
* I’m sure the Tribune editorial board will be up in arms if Jaffe isn’t reappointed…
Rauner Tuesday revoked the appointment of Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe, who had been reappointed to the post by former Gov. Pat Quinn in August 2013 but never reconfirmed by the Illinois Senate.
Senate Democrats said Tuesday Rauner’s action means Jaffe is out, leaving the Gaming Board without enough members to do business.
Or does Jaffe instead serve until “a successor is appointed and qualified,” as described on the state’s website about the job?
Asked Wednesday morning if he is still chairman of the Gaming Board, which regulates casinos and video gambling in Illinois, Jaffe said: “I have no idea.”
“I haven’t received any emails, telephone calls or anything else,” Jaffe said.
Rauner said yesterday that all of the appointments are under review and some could be resubmitted. He didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that the Gaming Board doesn’t have a quorum.
* I expect more stories like this one…
A Bloomington man is left wondering what happened to his state appointment.
Among the nearly 200 state appointments Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has nixed was that of Dan Deneen as a court-appointed public guardian, a post he was first appointed to by the last Republican governor, George Ryan in 2002.
Deneen told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, there should be no politics involved.
“Fifty years ago it was a political position where a state Senator would nominate one of his friends as public administrator to handle some of these probate estates and receive nice fees, but that’s no longer the case,” Deneen said, adding he’s not paid by the state but from family estates.
“That’s the crazy thing, it doesn’t cost the state a dime,” Deneen said.
Deneen added his appointment was backed by state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). He’s asking local lawmakers and other court officials to try to figure out what happened.
Again, Rauner may resubmit some of these folks.
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Cullerton sends warning on executive orders
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Subscribers know more about this general topic…
Cullerton suggested some of the executive orders Quinn issued may have exceeded his executive authority, pointing specifically to two dealing with immigration.
“There was a couple he did on immigration that exceeded his authority,” Cullerton said. “So we’re going to put legislation in, as we have numerous times. We’ve rejected Gov. Quinn’s executive orders three or four times in the last six years. What you do then, is, if it’s a good idea, you put a new bill in and pass the new bill.”
The comments also could be viewed as a warning to Rauner as he begins to flex his executive powers that Democrats who control the legislature will not take kindly to attempts to undermine their authority.
Indeed.
* From the Illinois Constitution…
SECTION 11. GOVERNOR - AGENCY REORGANIZATION
The Governor, by Executive Order, may reassign functions among or reorganize executive agencies which are directly responsible to him. If such a reassignment or reorganization would contravene a statute, the Executive Order shall be delivered to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly is in annual session and if the Executive Order is delivered on or before April 1, the General Assembly shall consider the Executive Order at that annual session. If the General Assembly is not in annual session or if the Executive Order is delivered after April 1, the General Assembly shall consider the Executive Order at its next annual session, in which case the Executive Order shall be deemed to have been delivered on the first day of that annual session.
Such an Executive Order shall not become effective if, within 60 calendar days after its delivery to the General Assembly, either house disapproves the Executive Order by the record vote of a majority of the members elected. An Executive Order not so disapproved shall become effective by its terms but not less than 60 calendar days after its delivery to the General Assembly.
* OK, Quinn filed two executive orders regarding immigration the other day…
* Executive Order Establishing Governor’s New Americans’ Welcoming Initiative
* Executive Order Establishing Governor’s New Americans Trust Initiative
Cullerton’s problem with the New Americans’ Welcoming Initiative is that Quinn didn’t have the authority to mandate new positions in each agency or offices.
* From the Trust Initiative EO…
No law enforcement agency under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois, including but not limited to the Illinois State Police, Illinois Conservation Police, and the Secretary of State Police, may detain or continue to detain any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer or administrative immigration warrant, or otherwise comply with an immigration detainer or administrative immigration warrant, including communicating an individual’s release information or contact information, after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody.
No law enforcement official under the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois, including but not limited to the Illinois State Police, Illinois Conservation Police, and the Secretary of State Police, shall stop, arrest, search, detain, or continue to detain a person solely based on an individual’s citizenship or immigration status or on an administrative immigration warrant entered into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center database, or any successor or similar database maintained by the United States.
The Senate President’s office says there are some “law enforcement jurisdiction issues.”
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Slow down, please
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Secretary of State’s office says Gov. Bruce Rauner’s move to sweep away former Gov. Quinn’s late term appointments all had to be refiled because his legal team put the wrong General Assembly number on the letters.
Oops.
Rauner’s office just filed this appointment of IDOT Secretary Erica Borggren as its new acting secretary, but also accidentally appointed her the new acting CMS director…
Sheesh.
*** UPDATE *** Team Rauner just filed a corrected letter.
Measure twice, cut once.
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AG Madigan files pension appeal brief
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Metro News Service…
State officials are still trying to convince judges that the pension law doesn’t violate the Illinois constitution.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed an opening brief with the Illinois Supreme Court this week, arguing lawmakers can make changes to pension benefits in an emergency situation.
* Tribune…
I(L)awyers for the state argued that the government’s so-called emergency police powers — the ability to take action to ensure the functions of government — trump the protections of the pension clause.
State lawyers said the ability to fund necessary government services, as well as to continue paying out pensions, has been severely hampered by paying an increasing amount of the state’s checking account to fund the pension systems.
“According to the circuit court’s holding, for example, faced with an epidemic requiring the state to purchase and distribute vaccines or other costly medication, the state could not even temporarily reduce pension benefits to cover those costs,” lawyers for the state argued.
“Nor, in a period of prolonged deflation … could the state reduce pension benefits even if the corresponding rise in benefits caused by 3 percent annually compounded COLAs caused every dollar of state revenue to be spent on pension benefits,” the state filing said.
* The full filing is here, so go have a look-see.
* The AG’s office also sent several amicus briefs which have not yet been filed…
(1) City of Chicago
In its brief, the City of Chicago discusses the massive pension crisis that it faces, with liabilities that are growing by millions of dollars a day and explains why it cannot solve the problem without reform that could be threatened if the circuit court’s absolute rule were upheld. The first part of the brief in particular includes specific information about the scope of the City’s pension crisis, including that the annual underfunding for just two of the City’s pension funds ($900 million) exceeds the total projected property tax receipts for 2015 ($830 million) and that the City has the lowest credit rating of any major city other than Detroit.
(2) Illinois Municipal League
The Illinois Municipal League is a not-for-profit association of 1,121 Illinois municipalities. Its brief explains that many municipalities in Illinois are in financial crisis and will face a choice between paying full pension benefits and maintaining public safety. Pages 8-16 of the brief provide examples, including examples of municipalities whose police and/or fire pension funds are less than 30% funded.
(3) The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago
This brief focuses primarily on the importance of upholding the pension reform law for the economy of the State.
(4) Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, Transitions Mental Health Services, Mental Health Centers of Illinois, Youth Network Council (D/B/A Illinois Collaboration on Youth), and Omni Youth Services
This brief addresses the consequences of the pension crisis for social services in the State. It points out that currently one out of every five budget dollars is spent on pension obligations and that since 2000, the State has cut spending on human services by $2 billion in real, inflation-adjusted dollars, and it talks about some of the specific consequences of these cuts. Page 9 of the brief shows pie charts of the portion of the State’s revenue that have been and will have to be spent on pensions.
(5) Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Transit Authority
This brief describes the reforms that the CPD and the CTA have already undertaken, in cooperation with the unions that represent their employees, and it explains why a categorical rule that the police powers can never apply to pension contracts could threaten those otherwise successful reforms. Similarly, it explains why the CPS desperately needs to enact some form of pension reform.
There are four other amicus briefs that focus in different ways on the fact that the contractual rights in the Pension Clause are not intended to be absolute. They are:
(6) Contracts Professors Katharine Baker, Wendy Epstein, and Adrian Walters
These contracts professors explain that all contracts incorporate implied terms and that therefore no contract is absolute.
(7) Constitutional Law Professors Tom Ginsburg, Tonja Jacobi, Zoë Robinson, Mark D. Rosen and Christopher W. Schmidt
The constitutional law professors explain in this brief that constitutional rights are not absolute, even when they are couched in absolute language, as they often are.
(8) International Municipal Lawyers Association
This brief argues that the federal Constitution prohibits a state from surrendering its core police powers and the court should give deference to the General Assembly’s understanding of the Pension Clause.
(9) Illinois Policy Institute
This brief describes the purpose of the Pension Clause, which was to elevate public pensions to contractual rights from their previous status as gratuities that could be changed at any time by the legislature. It argues that such contractual rights are not absolute, and it discusses cases from other States interpreting similar constitutional provisions.
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Englander to run Rand Paul’s campaign
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* US Sen. Rand Paul has tapped Bruce Rauner’s campaign manager Chip Englander as his own presidential campaign manager…
In an interview Tuesday, Englander argued that Paul’s unconventional positions would lay the foundation for a potent Republican coalition. Paul has articulated mostly non-interventionist views on foreign policy, while taking hardline stances against tax hikes and President Obama’s health-care law domestically. […]
Englander, 33, who spent much of his early career working in California politics, last year managed Republican Bruce Rauner’s campaign for governor in Illinois, guiding the wealthy businessman through a competitive primary and then to a decisive win in the general election - in part by outpacing Democrats in some urban areas and steering clear of hot-button social issues.
Stafford cited the work of Englander in helping Rauner win a blue state where Republicans have had scattered success as a key reason why Rand Paul settled on him. He also focused on Englander’s management of Rauner’s sprawling network of volunteers and a campaign budget of nearly $70 million. […]
Englander said in the interview, “We built 83 offices and got together 10,000 volunteers and knocked on millions of doors. Some politicians run campaigns from television studios. That’s not the way I do things, and that’s not the way you win.” […]
In a memo being shared with Paul’s donors and allies, Englander is being touted as the Republican who engineered a victory in a state “Obama won by 25%” and “drew in new types of voters to win the state, including winning a majority of moderates, unprecedented for a Republican.”
* Like Rauner, Paul has openly and eagerly courted African-American votes…
“He’s a different voice in the arena that we don’t traditionally hear,” says Lorraine Miller, acting head of the NAACP, who expects to invite Paul to speak at the organization’s July national conference in Las Vegas.
* The Paul campaign tightly controlled the rollout. Tribune…
Chip Englander, currently a senior adviser during Rauner’s move into the governor’s office, would not discuss the move on the record with the Tribune on Tuesday. But Englander provided an interview with The Washington Post in which he lauded Paul’s campaign skills.
I developed a healthy respect for Englander over the course of the past year. He grew from a brash outsider with a distinct chip on his shoulder (pardon the pun), to a competent, even visionary professional who also put together one heckuva team.
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Pledges of bipartisanship, but no specifics yet
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Bruce Rauner met with the four legislative leaders yesterday. Not much was disclosed. SJ-R…
“There were no specifics today,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. “Everybody was very forthcoming in terms of exchanging information. We all agreed to work together to solve the problems.”
“I just think we have to wait and see what the governor wants to do,” said Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “He did not give me any specifics about his budget, but the most important thing we do down here is pass a budget.”
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said it was the first time in the 1½ years he’s been the House GOP leader that he’s had a meeting with a governor and other leaders. […]
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said the discussion included some “big, general areas like school funding, but no particular ideas.”
* Even so, at least one direct message was sent by Senate President John Cullerton. Sun-Times…
Cullerton told reporters he urged the governor to do everything possible to get Republicans to pass a state budget.
He said he hopes Rauner persuades his party to participate in the budget process, something Republicans haven’t done in the six years he’s spent as Senate president.
“He’s got to tell his members, if he wants to blame it on the past Democrats that were in charge, that’s fine with me,” Cullerton said. “Whatever it takes for him to get his members to participate in the budget process, let him do it.”
* Heh…
“First off we have someone that was actually capable of running a meeting and moving the discourse forward in a productive manner,” [Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno] said.
* And…
While House Speaker Michael Madigan declared he was prepared to cooperate with Rauner, questions still remain about whether the two will be able to find common ground after Rauner labeled Madigan and Cullerton “corrupt.”
“It will be difficult if somebody wants to make it difficult, but that’s not going to be me. I plan to commit to the people of the state of Illinois, and to Gov. Rauner, to work cooperatively to solve the problems of the state,” Madigan said.
Asked if there were any apologies made during the closed-door meeting about the campaign mudslinging, Madigan said “none were offered.”
“I didn’t think that I was required to offer any,” Madigan said, laughing.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Your one-word thought about the immediate future of Illinois governance? Please keep it to one word only. And, of course, keep it clean. Thanks.
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Ethics executive order coming today
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m hoping to be at this event today, so check back…
On his first full day on the job, Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to sign an executive order on ethics.
Rauner made reference to the move in his inaugural address on Monday, saying the order would focus on the executive branch of government.
A notice from the governor’s office on Tuesday says the order is “focused on improving ethics and accountability in the executive branch of Illinois.”
These sorts of EOs are common with new governors. For instance, click here to see Blagojevich’s first batch of ethics orders, and click here to see Quinn’s.
* Meanwhile…
Also on Tuesday, legislative leaders in both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate plan to meet for a leadership meeting in advance of the next general assembly being sworn in.
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New appointments announced
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Bruce Rauner has named Ngozi Okorafor as the acting director of CMS. Okorafor, a Nigerian-American woman, has worked at CMS for quite some time and is an accomplished attorney who won a “40 under 40″ award from Crain’s a few years back.
This should be a pretty easy confirmation process. Senate President John Cullerton has been a past supporter. “She’s a perfect bridge builder” between Rauner and the Democratic leadership, said one ally today. She also has a reputation in government as very tough-minded. This isn’t some GOP window dressing move.
* Also…
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees is expected to choose a new chairman Thursday for the first time in six years, though two of its seats could be empty.
Edward McMillan, a Republican who was reappointed to another term over the weekend by Gov. Bruce Rauner, will likely be named chairman Thursday when the board holds its annual election of officers in Chicago, according to current Chairman Chris Kennedy.
Kennedy, who will not be in attendance, told The News-Gazette he’d spoken with other trustees and “it seems like there’s unanimous support for Ed’s leadership.”
* Meanwhile, Treasurer Mike Frerichs announced his top staffers today…
Jay Rowell, Deputy Treasurer
Jay Rowell previously served as director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). In that role, he oversaw nearly 1,900 employees and nearly $8 billion in unemployment insurance payments. His efforts identified and reduced improper payments by nearly a half billion dollars as he lead the transition of IDES to an employment-focused agency. Rowell’s experience also includes the political director for the Illinois Senate Democrats and other positions with the State of Illinois and City of Chicago. Rowell graduated cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Justin Cajindos, Chief of Staff
Justin Cajindos formerly served as deputy chief of staff in the Office of the Governor, overseeing eight state agencies with a total of 4,000 employees. In this role, Cajindos was a policy advisor for environment, energy and agriculture. His prior experience in federal and state government includes positions as an aide to U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin and as chief of staff to state Senator Michael W. Frerichs. Cajindos is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Catherine Shannon, Director of Legislative Affairs
Catherine Shannon previously served as deputy director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. She managed a state agency responsible for 56 state historic sites, 180 employees and an annual operating budget of $24 million. Shannon is a former director of the Illinois Department of Labor. She also served as the legislative director for Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois AFL-CIO. Shannon began her legislative work more than 25 years ago on the research/appropriations staff for the Illinois House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Rodrigo Garcia, Chief Investment Officer
Garcia previously served as acting director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA). In that role, he oversaw nearly 1,400 employes and a $150 million budget. His efforts led to: the design of the $70.5 million Chicago Veterans Home; implementation of results-based budgeting systems; and transformation of IDVA’s aging technology and operational infrastructure that, in aggregate, resulted in tens of millions in new revenue and cost efficiencies. Garcia also worked in bank supervision and regulation at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and in global wealth management at Morgan Stanley & Co. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps with three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He graduated summa cum laude with graduate degrees with a focus on public policy and finance from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. He recently completed Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Keith Horton, General Counsel
Keith Horton previously was deputy general counsel for the Office of the Governor. In that role, he managed or served as the liaison to the chief legal counsels of more than 20 state agencies, boards and commissions, including the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Finance Authority. Horton previously served as deputy general counsel of the Capital Development Board and worked in private practice for two large law firms in Chicago. Horton graduated from Yale University with a degree in economics. He earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the Elder Law Journal.
Paris Ervin, Director of Communications
Paris Ervin previously was the bureau chief of communications at the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). She served as the spokeswoman, led a team of community relations managers and guided multimillion-dollar media contracts promoting traffic safety. Ervin is a former WICS-TV reporter who graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. She graduates this May with a master’s degree in public administration.
Julian Federle, Chief of Policy and Programs
Julian Federle previously was a deputy director at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). At IDES, Federle managed the day-to-day operations of the agency’s re-employment programs as well as the administration of unemployment insurance benefits. Federle reshaped the agency’s service delivery model, saving the state money, while expanding services and decreasing fraud. He attended Columbia University in Chicago.
Zach Koutsky, Senior Advisor to the Treasurer
Zach Koutsky was Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs’ campaign manager and deputy director to the treasurer’s Transition Committee. Koutsky previously served as the chief of staff for Frerichs’ state senate office and has worked for non-profits and political campaigns in nine states. Koutsky earned a master’s degree in urban planning and policy with a concentration in economic development from the University of Illinois Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University.
Charise Williams, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civic Engagement
Charise Williams previously served as director of community relations for Oak Street Health. She oversaw the outreach and implementation of four community-based, senior care clinics. Under Williams’ leadership, the outreach team acquired hundreds of new patients, which grossed more than $1.2 million in six months. She earned her master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy.
Dave Clarkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of Public Affairs
Dave Clarkin has nearly 20 years of public affairs experience in communications, marketing, legislative policy and community outreach. Clarkin served as deputy director of communications and senior policy advisor for the Department of Children and Family Services, leading all communications and helping develop the agency’s strategic performance plan. Clarkin began his career in state government with the Illinois House of Representatives where he shaped technology policy and appropriations for health care and human services totaling more than $7 billion annually. An Edwardsville native, Clarkin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Sarah Ryan – Director of Scheduling & Special Events
Sarah Ryan spent five years as the Office Manager and later Operations Director for U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin. She graduated from DePaul University.
Discuss.
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Lang worried that Quinn has doomed med-mar
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Let’s hope Rep. Lou Lang’s prediction that former Gov. Pat Quinn doomed the medical marijuana program by not issuing licenses for growers and distributors turns out to be inaccurate…
The recommendations for the licenses had reached Quinn’s desk, Rep. Lou Lang said. But the ex-governor has not explained why he left office without acting on them. The applicants paid thousands of dollars in fees totaling $5 million, Lang said.
“This single failure may doom the medical cannabis program,” Lang said. “This single failure said to all of those folks that made applications to be cultivators or dispensary owners that, ‘We took your $5 million dollars but we’ll get to you when we feel like it.’”
Lang said applicants might take the state to court to recover their money. Also left in a lurch are cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy patients waiting to seek treatment through the program.
“Some very sick people were hurt yesterday,” Lang said. “And some very innocent people were hurt yesterday. And some very innocent families were hurt yesterday. From a person who has spent his life talking about healthcare.”
* More…
Lang said even if the licenses for growers and distributors were awarded tomorrow, it would still only leave around 2 1/2 years for the program. Once the licenses are issued, it would take at least four to six months for the first crop to be ready for sale. The legislation did not include a specific timeline for issuing licenses.
“This single failure may doom the medical cannabis program,” Lang said. “This single failure said to all of those folks that made applications to be cultivators or dispensary owners that we took your $5 million but we’ll get to you when we feel like it.”
He said he was considering introducing legislation to start a new timeline for the program from when it is actually implemented. […]
Lang said he intended to open a dialogue with the new governor. He plans to contact Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, who split with Rauner during the campaign and said she supported medical marijuana. Lang said he hoped Rauner wouldn’t start the application process over with his own staff at the helm.
Unless something dramatic emerges to justify Quinn’s punt, this inaction by the former governor was an inexcusable cowardly act. And, sorry, but I don’t buy this…
Quinn spokesman Brooke Anderson disputed that, insisting that the only reason he balked in the waning hours of his administration was that the heavy lifting on vetting the applicants was not complete.
“There was more work to do,” she said. “Agency officials were rushing to get the work completed.”
You can watch Lang’s full press conference by clicking here.
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Today’s video
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* When Mrs. Rauner presented the bible for her husband’s swearing in, the incoming governor started to put his right hand on the good book, then withdrew it.
“Raise your right hand,” said the judge who swore in Bruce Rauner yesterday. Rauner started to haltingly move his right hand. “Put your hand on the bible,” the judge said. Rauner then put his right hand on the bible, and kept his left hand at his side. “Raise your right hand,” the judge politely said again. Rauner raised his left hand…
He must’ve really been nervous. Or he’s dyslexic.
Not that this was an Earth-shattering moment or anything, but I bet I received ten text messages when it happened yesterday.
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Rauner’s “spending freeze”
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner moved quickly to address Illinois’ budget mess Monday, taking the oath of office and then ordering state agencies to immediately freeze all nonessential spending.
* React…
Some Democrats who attended the inauguration said they want to see how Rauner determines just what is non-essential state spending.
“I think most people would say we tried to pass a lean-and-mean budget and that every bit in the budget is essential,” said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie. “The governor may have one point of view, but the people who have been working in state agencies over a number of years and the legislature might have another point of view.”
And…
To make a point, Rauner announced a freeze on all nonessential state spending, an order that had Senate President John Cullerton hooting in derision.
“I don’t know exactly what that means and I don’t know if he does either. But it sounds great,” the veteran Democrat said.
* Rauner’s press release explains…
Executive Order 15-08 requires every executive branch agency to report to the Governor’s Office of Management & Budget (GOMB) to identify every contract awarded or entered into by a state agency on or after November 1, 2014, and every hiring decision taken by agencies on or after November 1, 2014.
All agencies are further ordered, until July 1, 2015, to halt the awarding, entering into, amending or renewing of state contracts and grants. Exceptions are made for contracts required by law, emergency expenditures, small purchases, and essential operations.
Major interstate construction projects which have not commenced will be reviewed.
The governor also instructed agencies to manage existing resources by halting the sale/lease of motor vehicles, stopping out-of-state travel, and limiting in-state travel.
Executive Order 15-08 further instructs Central Management Services (CMS) to identify surplus property for auction in compliance with state law. Further, GOMB and CMS will review all property owned or leased by the state and develop a strategy for consolidation and relocation of offices.
Finally, the governor ordered all agencies to reduce energy consumption and spending on energy, including reducing heating, air conditioning, and lighting usage when facilities are not in use.
That line about “major interstate construction projects” appears to be aimed at the controversial Illiana Expressway.
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Rauner reverts to primary rhetoric
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Bruce Rauner’s inaugural address…
Our state’s crisis is not only financial. We have a MORAL crisis, an ETHICAL crisis as well. We have a state government that too few have faith in; that lack of faith is JUSTIFIED, and undermines people’s willingness to sacrifice and help the government in its mission.
Illinoisans see insider deals and cronyism rewarded.
They see lobbyists writing bills for special interests and taxpayers being left with the tab.
They see government union bosses negotiating sweetheart deals across the table from governors they’ve spent tens of millions to help elect.
It’s a corrupt bargain and the people of Illinois are left to wonder where they fit in. Who’s looking out for them and their families?
Taxpayers’ money belongs to them; not the government. We have a moral obligation to minimize how much we take and to ensure what we do take is spent efficiently and effectively
Rauner didn’t mention “union bosses” very often during the general election. He all but dropped the phrase after the GOP primary.
* Some folks weren’t amused at the reappearance…
In response, Democrat Terry Link said, “I was upset by that. I didn’t applaud either. I don’t think it’s corrupt.”
However, some Springfield Republicans called the description perfectly accurate. While it may be legal for Illinois’ big public employee unions to try to control state government, GOP legislators said it was morally corrupt and hurt taxpayers. They’re expecting a huge battle once Rauner unveils his budget proposals next month.
“When the budget’s released in February, it’s going to be difficult. There’s no question about that,” said Republican State Senator Sue Rezin.
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Starting on the right foot
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* SJ-R…
Gov. Bruce Rauner might have called for “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action” during his inauguration Monday, but he finished off the night asking, “How Do You Like Me Now?”
While many governors tend to settle for fancy dinners and cocktail hours, Rauner opted for a Toby Keith concert at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, featuring the country superstar’s afore-mentioned songs.
Keith started his set at 10:30 p.m. He played two songs before bringing Rauner and his wife Diana to the stage at 10:40 p.m. They shared their first dance as governor and first lady to “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This.”
Toby was his usual awesome. Man, what a performance.
* And here’s the dance, courtesy of BlueRoomStream.com…
* The Boat Drink Caucus was in fine form last night. Best show they’ve ever done…
Opening the concert was the Boat Drink Caucus, a band of lawmakers who play Jimmy Buffett cover songs and others classics, though they’re used to more low-key appearances at Springfield taverns. Their slogan for the night was “practicing in public.”
In a nod to the tough road ahead for the new governor as he inherits a state mired in debt, the group played a well-known standard from the Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
They also were joined by Blackhawks national anthem singer Jim Cornelison, who sang Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.”
* Related…
* Well wishers greet Rauners, looking for hope, happiness and history
* Rauner gets hug from Madigan — Lisa, that is
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* Tribune…
In an eleventh-hour flurry Monday in Chicago, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn signed a few final bills into law, appointed friends to ceremonial posts and laid a series of political traps for incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Quinn also maintained his pace of working through a large backlog of clemency petitions. But his swipes at Rauner with several executive orders on the rookie governor’s first day overshadowed the other actions — and showed just how sore Quinn remains from the bruising 2014 campaign.
Quinn, who waged a class warfare theme in his failed re-election bid, took direct aim at the refusal of the wealthy private equity executive to release his full set of income tax returns during their race. Quinn issued an executive order requiring governors to make available for public inspection individual income tax returns on or before May 1 each year.
He also issued an order to require state contractors pay at least $10 an hour — a nod to his failed quest to raise the statewide minimum wage.
The executive order is here.
* Sun-Times…
On Monday, some actions appeared directly tied to a bitter loss to his political rival.
One of Quinn’s executive orders would force future governors to make public all tax information, including supporting documents and schedules. That was an issue in the campaign as Quinn attempted to portray Rauner, a wealthy venture capitalist, as a bloodless multimillionaire who was hiding possible conflicts of interest. Rauner refused to release accompanying schedules showing details at how he paid his taxes.
As governor, Rauner would have the power to undo the order; however, it could bring political blowback and raise transparency questions.
That executive order is here.
* Rauner, however, rescinded two of Quinn’s appointments from yesterday. James Anderson’s appointment to the Civil Service Commission and former state Rep. Kim dd Buclet’s appointment to the Chicago State University Board were both withdrawn today.
…Adding… Rauner is rescinding all of Quinn’s appointments that require Senate confirmation.
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Caption contest!
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s been a serious day, so let’s lighten things up a bit.
Most of the civilized world is now familiar with the Boat Drink Caucus…
Isn’t it enough for state Rep. Chad Hays, R-Catlin, to be one of just 118 members of the Illinois House of Representatives?
Now, the sometimes rock ‘n’ roll star is going to play at next month’s inaugural concert with his band, the Boat Drink Caucus, which will open for headliners Toby Keith and Buddy Guy. […]
“It should be fun,” said Hays, who sings and plays acoustic guitar in the Jimmy Buffett-like group that also features Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake (guitar) and Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park (guitar and bass).
It’s truly a fun band. And even if you’re not going to the big show tonight, they’ll be playing around town during session.
* And what better way to celebrate than with a portrait of Rep. Hays the, um, artist as a young, um, man?…
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* If you were watching the live coverage feed earlier today, you saw that now former Gov. Pat Quinn was a busy little bee this morning, right up until moments before Gov. Bruce Rauner finished his oath of office.
Here are his bill signings and his two amendatory vetoes…
Bill No.: SB 3028
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Clarifies certain provisions of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
Bill No.: SB 2774
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Creates standards for ride-hailing insurance coverage, driver requirements, non-discrimination, safety and operations.
Action: Signed
Effective: June 1, 2015
Bill No.: SB 2774
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Creates standards for ride-hailing insurance coverage, driver requirements, non-discrimination, safety and operations.
Action: Signed
Effective: June 1, 2015
Bill No.: HB 3707
An Act Concerning: Local Government
Amends a provision of the Township Code.
Action: Signed
Effective: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3817
An Act Concerning: Elections
Makes changes regarding candidate filing for elected school district offices.
Action: Amendatory Vetoed
Effective: Immediately
Bill No.: SB 3397
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Allows retailers to receive sales tax deductions and refunds for uncollectible sales taxes.
Action: Amendatory Vetoed
Effective: Immediately
His AV messages are here and here.
*** UPDATE *** Quinn’s AV of HB 3817 contains this language mandating binding referenda for minimum wage hikes…
However, this is a House bill, and I’m told the House has no plans yet to meet before the new GA is sworn in on Wednesday. So, it’s basically an empty gesture because this bill dies without legislative action.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* He also took clemency action…
Governor Pat Quinn today granted 43 and denied 119 clemency petitions. As part of today’s final grants, Governor Quinn granted four immediate commutations, reduced the sentences of two other petitioners and granted his second pardon based on innocence.
The 162 clemency petitions acted upon today by Governor Quinn are part of dockets dating back to 2003. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS).
* And then there was this…
Minutes before Bruce Rauner was sworn in as governor, Governor Pat Quinn released 102 new appointees to state boards and commissions.
Filed with the Secretary of State’s office on Sunday, January 11, Quinn’s appointments (lists are here and here) cover a wide swath of mostly low-profile, unpaid state panels with varying degrees of policy making authority and most that need no Illinois Senate confirmation.
Quinn appointed people to the newly created Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Single Audit Commission, America’s Central Port District, the Illinois Medical District Commission, the State Board of Pharmacy, the Elevator Safety Review Board, etc.
Quinn did appoint a former top aide, Sean Vinck, the Chief Information Officer, to a seat on the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Board, which will pay Vinck $20,000 per year. No Senate confirmation is needed.
The now ex-governor did appoint several individuals to posts that require Senate confirmation and a couple that pay hefty salaries.
Quinn tapped ex-State Rep. Kim du Buclet (D-Chicago) to the Chicago State University Board of Trustees and ex-Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle Saddler to the Teachers Retirement System Board, replacing Patrick Gibbs. Both need Senate confirmation.
Quinn installed Tumia Romero at the Illinois Prison Review Board, a part-time job that pays $85,886 and for a term that lasts until January 21, 2019 – after Rauner’s first term. He also tapped Ilonka Ulrich of Skokie for a seat on the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, which brings a $115,840 annual salary. These appointment also require Senate confirmation.
Finally, Quinn added ex-Governor Jim Thompson and ex-State Board of Education Commission Chairman Gary Chico to the 25-member State Bicentennial Commission.
* Under law, appointees who have to be confirmed by the Senate are considered late term appointments…
“Late term appointee” means a person who is appointed to an office by a Governor who does not succeed himself or herself as Governor, whose appointment requires the advice and consent of the Senate, and whose appointment is confirmed by the Senate 90 or fewer days before the end of the appointing Governor’s term.
And that means this…
A late term appointee shall serve no longer than the sixtieth day of the term of office of the succeeding Governor.
So, most of those folks listed above (except for Vinck and a few others) are out soon.
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Question of the day
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Your reaction to Gov. Rauner’s inaugural address?
…Adding… If you missed the address, or you want to listen to it again, here’s the raw audio…
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More on that $20 million
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Sun-Times looks at Bruce Rauner’s end of December $20 million campaign cash infusion, designed to “bolster” his legislative agenda…
Thanks to $10 million of Rauner’s own money, $8 million from Citadel CEO and billionaire Ken Griffin, and $2 million from businessman Richard Uihlein, Rauner walks into the Statehouse with some serious “forget you” money.
Rauner’s team says he needs it, but some Springfield insiders are predicting that it already has hurt him politically.
“By doing this, it actually makes people more partisan, whereas before, people were willing to work with him to give him the benefit of the doubt. It sort of puts you back in the arms of Father Madigan,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo. Franks said Rauner’s vows to work with Democrats were taken as sincere until the $20 million.
“It was like: ‘I really want to hear from you, I really want to hear your ideas. By the way, I’ve got $20 million, so maybe we don’t have to disagree so much.’
“It’s a staggering sum. It’s fundamentally changed politics. There’s no longer a safe seat anywhere,” Franks said.
I can see why an incumbent would think that “There’s no longer a safe seat anywhere” is a bad thing. But is it? Not to my eyes.
Yes, there are legit questions about how this mountain of cash will influence state politics, but the Democrats are gonna need a better argument than that.
* Gov. Quinn was predictably upset…
“I think on the last day of the cycle, again, [it’s] thumbing your nose at the spirit of the law, to say the least, of having three extremely wealthy people dump $20 million into the election system,” the governor said.
* But…
“It levels the playing field on resources, and that’s always been the problem with Republicans since they’ve been out of the governor’s mansion,” [Republican consultant and strategist Pat Brady] said.
That’s a very good point. Democratic outrage may be coming from the fact that they can no longer dominate the GOP on the finance side.
* Also, Greg Hinz…
In the November election, Rauner put a ton of his own money into attempting to elect GOP representatives and take away Madigan’s speakership. Rauner also recently announced that he has raised another $20 million to woo and lean on lawmakers in the months to come. Anyone who knows Springfield knows that Madigan’s priorities are becoming speaker and remaining speaker.
A few days later, Madigan arranged to pass a bill cutting in half the term of Leslie Munger, whom Rauner is appointing Illinois comptroller, replacing the late Judy Baar Topinka. She will have to face voters in a 2016 special election. “Constitutionally dubious,” Team Rauner grumbled afterward. Anything but bipartisan.
But there are more copacetic interpretations of those actions. For instance, some insiders say Rauner’s newly refattened war chest may be aimed more at keeping GOP lawmakers in line than unseating Dems. […]
Pat Brady, former Illinois Republican chairman and a big Rauner ally, notes that the bill, which shortened the term of some appointed statewide officerholders, also would apply to a vacancy in the attorney general’s office. Some think Madigan’s daughter Lisa Madigan might vacate that post in a couple of years to take on Rauner’s presumed re-election effort.
“You’d have to ask (ex-Gov.) Rod Blagojevich what a real declaration of war from Mike Madigan looks like,” Brady quips.
As much as the Democrats may be complaining, it’s the Republicans who should probably be watching their backs right now.
* Rauner fired back at Quinn…
“The special interest groups that make their money from the government are the problem in our political donation system,” Rauner told reporters at an appearnace at a bowling alley in downstate Moweaqua two days before his inauguration. “That’s what Gov. Quinn relied on in his prior election, just like Rod Blagojevich.
“I have no connections to the government…. All the folks that have given him his money get their contracts and money from the government. That’s a conflict of interest. That’s the biggest problem we got.”
* And we’ll give Quinn the last word on billionaire Ken Griffin, who supplied $8 million of that $20 mil…
“I had a chance to visit with that man once. He was in my office. Pleasant guy. But his philosophy, I completely disagree with. It’s a very Libertarian, scorched-earth approach [against] using the power of the government to help people. He would not be very sympathetic to them. So, I don’t think that’s the way to go,” Quinn said.
“There is a force unfortunately in our country that wants to use the power of government to help people who are wealthy. I know they were not on our side in this election. I think it’s not healthy that a billionaire, he happens to be one, can basically thumb their nose at our campaign contribution limits.”
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* Mike Sneed has the scoop on yet another missed opportunity…
In the wake of Gov. Pat Quinn’s exit from office Monday, Sneed has learned he will NOT give a green light to Illinois license applications to cultivate and distribute medical marijuana — and will toss a safety wrench into the marijuana mix.
Sneed has also learned Gov. Quinn, who had been urging caution in the state’s medical marijuana process, will sign legislation Monday to further tighten the new medical marijuana laws.
Under the changes Quinn is signing into law, the Department of Agriculture will have the power not only to revoke marijuana growers’ licenses, but also to suspend them.
Quinn will also announce the first dozen appointments to the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, which will ultimately have 16 members, including patients and doctors.
Translation: The Illinois Department of Agriculture and Public Health will NOT issue medical marijuana licenses before Quinn leaves office and Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner will inherit the responsibility.
Ugh.
*** UPDATE *** House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, who was the chief sponsor and longtime advocate of medical marijuana…
“The inexplicable unwillingness of Governor Quinn to finish the job on the medical marijuana program means one thing: unnecessary prolonged pain and suffering of very sick people. The people suffering from cancer, epilepsy will be further victimized by the governor’s failure to do his job.
“Starting on day one, I will work with the Rauner Administration to finish the work on the medical marijuana licenses that Governor Quinn left behind.”
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Rauner donations sparking questions
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some eyebrows went up when Bruce Rauner released a list of donors to his inauguration/transition effort. Sun-Times…
The groups all have an interest in public-policy decisions and range from the Illinois Hospital Association, which donated up to $100,000, to the Wirtz Corp. and Walgreen Co., which donated up to $25,000 each.
“Those are groups that do not do business with the government,” Rauner said, differentiating his inauguration donors from other groups that “contract with the state directly.”
He said money coming from groups that have state contracts would not be welcome. “That’s where we do not want to have financial dealings,” he said.
Um, Walgreens gets lots of state money via the Medicaid program.
* Tribune…
The Republican campaigned on a theme of shaking up Springfield and railed against the entrenched special interests, but the list of inaugural and transition donors his team released this weekend lists groups, companies and individuals with vested interests in state policy. The Illinois Hospital Association and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association were listed at each giving up to $100,000, as was Foresight Energy, a Downstate coal mining operation. Altria, the tobacco firm, and Richard Duchossois, the northwest suburban businessman, were listed as giving up to $50,000.
Those listed as giving up to $25,000 include Ameren, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois political fund, Associated Builders & Contractors, Illinois Association of Realtors, Illinois State Medical Society, People’s Gas, State Farm and Wirtz Corp.
During a two-day tour of rural Illinois, Rauner was asked about the inaugural donations.
“Well, we’re not taking money from anybody who does any business with the government at all,” he said. “That’s the, that’s the thing. We don’t want money in the inauguration from folks who are, are — that’s the thing we’ve got to stop — is the money with organizations that also do business with the state. We’ve got to put an end to that.”
Quite a large number of those companies are regulated by the state.
Discuss.
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Quinn will be a no-show at noon
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the SJ-R…
Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn will not be attending Monday’s inauguration ceremony for his successor, Republican Bruce Rauner.
“Gov. Quinn was invited, but we are told (he) is not attending,” said Mike Schrimpf, spokesman for Rauner.
Quinn spokesman Dave Blanchette said, “The governor appreciates the invitation, but he’ll be working and finishing up his work as governor.”
Quinn will be in Chicago, Blanchette said.
Thoughts?
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Lessons from the comptroller battle
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
We have likely received an early lesson in how the upcoming spring state legislative session will play itself out with new Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and a Democratic General Assembly.
The Democrats on Jan. 8 jammed through their plan to limit the term of incoming Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger to two years, with a special election in the presidential year of 2016. Rauner appointed Munger to replace Judy Baar Topinka, who passed away in December.
Rauner remained silent in the days leading up to the special legislative session, but House and Senate Republicans went ballistic.
The GOP accused the Democrats of needlessly firing a partisan shot before the new Republican governor was even sworn in. They nit-picked every possible angle, from the legislation’s constitutionality, to the legality of the special session itself, all the way down to the germaneness of the “vehicle bill” the Democrats used to transport their amendment to the governor’s desk.
At one point, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin all but called House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie a liar for claiming that the legislation had nothing to do with a Democratic attempt to pick up the seat in a presidential year, which have favored Democrats since the days of Bill Clinton.
Republican state Rep. Dennis Reboletti called the bill “political thievery.” GOP Rep. Dwight Kay asked Leader Currie, “You really don’t like Gov. Rauner don’t you? Because he’s a Republican.”
More than two hours after adjournment, Gov.-elect Rauner’s office released a statement calling the Democratic proposal a “constitutionally-dubious election bill,” but downplayed the dispute by claiming Rauner “remains committed to working with members of both political parties to pass ‘Judy’s Amendment’ and finally merge the Comptroller and Treasurer offices, which would be a true victory for taxpayers.”
On the merits, the Republicans do have at least one valid point. Whatever you believe about the need for a special election, there is no doubt that Comptroller Munger will have a tough time retaining her post in two years, when Democratic Illinois native Hillary Clinton will likely be on the presidential ballot. The Democrats must’ve had a hard time keeping a straight face when they denied any political motivations.
Many of the Republicans’ other arguments were just plain silly, but what they showed us is a willingness to play attack dogs on behalf of their party’s new governor, while allowing Rauner to remain mainly on the high road. Last week’s vote also helped Durkin and Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno to begin the process of rallying their members around their new governor and serving notice to the Democrats that a new day is coming.
So, while they lost the vote, they actually won. And, besides, Illinois voters aren’t really all that worked up about this issue anyway. While they favor a four-year term for the next comptroller rather than a two-year term and a special election, it’s not by an overwhelming margin.
At my request, pollster We Ask America conducted a survey on Jan. 5 about the comptroller question.
“As you may know,” 1,022 respondents were told, “the recent death of Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka created an opening in that office that will be filled with an appointment by incoming governor Bruce Rauner. Some feel that the appointed comptroller should serve until the next state election in four years, while others think that a special election to fill the spot should be held within two years. Do you think the appointment to replace Comptroller Topinka should last four years or should a special election be held in 2016?”
Just under half, 49.7 percent, said they favored a four-year term, while 45.5 percent of respondents said they wanted a special election in 2016. The rest were undecided.
Only a few demographics clearly favored a two-year term: Democrats, 56 percent to 39 percent; Chicagoans, 53-44; suburban Cook County residents, 52-45; and African-Americans, 52-46. A small plurality of Latinos, 48 percent to 45 percent; and women, 48-47; also supported a two-year term with a special election.
But everybody else favored Rauner’s preference of a four-year term, including Republicans, 62 percent to 33 percent; collar county residents, 55-40; men, 53-42; independents, 52-44; Downstaters, 51-42; and whites, 51-44. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.
The special election vote in the Legislature was the Democrats’ last hurrah as the complete majority power in Springfield. They took advantage of an opportunity to possibly pick up a statewide office while they still had a Democratic governor around to sign the bill into law, even though their plan isn’t firmly backed by Illinoisans.
I hope they enjoyed their fun, because those days are now over—at least for four years.
We’re in for some interesting times, campers.
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What Rauner can learn from Quinn
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
It’s too early to judge Gov. Pat Quinn’s legacy, but two of his accomplishments offer lessons for Bruce Rauner.
Quinn supported the death penalty during his long political career, but when the Illinois General Assembly unexpectedly passed a bill in 2011 to abolish capital punishment, Quinn searched his soul and sought counsel from clergy, activists and others. He finally signed the legislation into law.
That took no small amount of guts. Abolishing the death penalty is fraught with political minefields. One heinous mass murderer who can’t be put to death could spell the end of even a healthy political career—and Quinn’s career never has been terribly healthy.
Governors aren’t faced with dilemmas like this every day. Quinn took his time and wound up putting principle first. Gov.-elect Rauner would do well to remember that example, because his day will come.
Click here to read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.
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Comments now open
Monday, Jan 12, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Just a quick note to say that I’ve opened comments on all the posts from this weekend. Have at it.
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