Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Rauner announces top staff appointments

Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a press release…

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner today announced a first wave of his administration team that will aid his agenda to bring back the state and serve the people of Illinois in the Governor’s Office.

Meet the Team:

Mike Zolnierowicz, Chief of Staff

Mike Zolnierowicz currently serves as director of the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. He previously worked as deputy campaign manager for Citizens for Rauner, Inc., overseeing more than 500 paid employees and more than 10,000 volunteers. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, Mike served as Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Mike managed the Senator’s Illinois operations, overseeing the Senator’s work with key stakeholders, including community leaders, the Congressional delegation, the state legislature and Constitutional officers. Mike graduated from Downers Grove North High School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Hope College.

Tim Nuding, Director of Governor’s Office of Management and Budget

Tim Nuding has spent 25 years working in state government for the Illinois Senate Republican Staff. The first 16 years of his career were spent focusing on state fiscal issues through the Senate Appropriations Committee both as a budget analyst and as the Director of the Senate Appropriations Staff. Most recently he has served as Chief of Staff to Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno. Tim’s experience working in the legislature has given him a unique perspective and understanding of the budget problems facing Illinois. He is widely respected in the State Capitol and has established a solid network of relationships with executive agency staff, stakeholders and key legislators and legislative staff from both political parties. Tim graduated from Illinois State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. He and his family reside in Rochester, Illinois.

Richard Goldberg, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs

Richard Goldberg currently serves as a senior adviser to the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as a senior adviser for communications for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, Goldberg served as Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, advising all areas of policy and communications. Goldberg was the lead Senate Republican negotiator for three rounds of economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the “Menendez-Kirk Amendment” imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran. Prior to the Senate, Goldberg served as a senior appropriations associate for then-Congressman Kirk before leaving to serve as Deputy Campaign Manager on Senator Kirk’s 2010 campaign. Goldberg has served as a Navy Reserve intelligence officer since 2006 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. Raised in Skokie, Goldberg graduated from the Ida Crown Jewish Academy before earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

Mike Schrimpf, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications

Mike Schrimpf currently serves as Communications Director for the Transition Committee. Prior to joining the transition, Mike worked as Communications Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. He earlier spent nearly five years as Communications Director for the Republican Governors Association. Mike is originally from Cincinnati and graduated from Tufts University.

Aaron Winters, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy

Aaron Winters currently is the Deputy Transition Director for the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as the Policy Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, he was a senior adviser to U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and served in a variety of communications and legislative roles in Illinois and Washington, DC, including Projects Director, where he oversaw all infrastructure policy and Illinois economic development initiatives. Prior to his government service, Winters was a Senior Account Executive at Hill & Knowlton, where he was the spokesman for the Upgrade 74 project, the complete reconstruction of I-74 through downtown Peoria. Winters graduated from Pontiac Township High School and Northwestern University.

Kelley Folino, Deputy Chief of Staff for Outreach

Kelley Folino got her start in government in Michigan while working for the legislative office of the Department of Management and Budget. She worked in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Illinois State Senate. She subsequently worked for Congressman Mark Kirk and served as the District Chief of Staff for Congressman Bob Dold. Most recently, Kelley served as a Senior Adviser on Citizens for Rauner, Inc. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University.

David Wu, Director of Government Transformation

David Wu served as a senior policy adviser for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. He was a policy director for former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, the Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, and numerous candidates at the local, state and federal levels. He has worked to develop policy options in a wide range of areas. In addition to his public policy work, he has worked in international finance, and traditional and digital media. Raised in San Francisco, he has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Florida, Indiana and Singapore. David earned a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, a master’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Jason Barclay, General Counsel

Jason Barclay is currently a partner at the law firm Barnes & Thornburg where he focuses on some of the firm’s most challenging litigation cases and is widely regarded as one of Indiana’s top trial attorneys. Prior to joining the firm, Jason served as legal counsel in the office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In state government, Jason had a particularly sharp focus on public ethics, helping guide one of the nation’s most comprehensive and highly regarded integrity and compliance programs. He also played a key role in executing the legal strategies necessary to implement Governor Daniels’ agenda. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Kathy Lydon, DC Director

Kathy Lydon previously served as former U.S. Representative Judy Biggert’s Chief of Staff in D.C., building strong relationships with the Illinois congressional delegation. Kathy also worked for the late U.S. Senator Chuck Percy. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Jim Clark, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

Prior to joining the administration, Jim Clark served as Chief of Staff to Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider at the Cook County Board of Commissioners and Special Assistant to Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Jim is a graduate of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

Edward Murphy, Research Director

Edward Murphy currently serves as Research Director for the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. He previously served as Research Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, Murphy served in a number of senior research roles, including Deputy Research Director at the Republican National Committee, Research Director for U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s 2012 re-election campaign, Research Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk’s Senate office and 2010 campaign, and Research Director for the Illinois Republican Party. An Illinois native, Murphy attended the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Sarah Clamp, Director of Special Projects

Sarah Clamp worked as an adviser for the Rauner Transition Committee. She served as political director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Sarah is also an alumnus of the political departments for both the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington D.C. She is a graduate of Cornell University.

Holly Griff, Executive Assistant to the Governor

Holly Griff is Governor-Elect Rauner’s longtime executive assistant. Throughout the campaign and transition, Holly performed a myriad of duties and responsibilities for the Governor-Elect and the First Lady-designate. She also managed the calendars of both the Governor-Elect and the Lt. Governor-Elect. Holly is a native of Illinois.

Jared Melamed Dubnow, Special Assistant to the Governor

Jared Melamed Dubnow currently serves as special assistant to Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner. Previously, he was a Deputy Political Director for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. In that position he traveled to all campaign events and helped oversee daily operations for the candidate. Prior to joining the Rauner campaign, Jared served as Deputy Field Office Manager for the Dold for Congress campaign. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Emory University with degrees in economics and international studies.

Communications Team:

Lance Trover, Communications Director

Lance Trover served as Senior Communications Adviser for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. A former communications director for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, he supervised media relations with local and national press during the Highland Park Republican’s successful return to Congress following a debilitating stroke. In 2012, Lance served as Deputy Communications Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He also directed communications for Kirk for Senate, and the Illinois Republican Party. Raised in the deep southern Illinois town of Vienna, where his family still resides, Lance is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where he earned both a bachelor’s and law degree.

Catherine Kelly, Press Secretary

Catherine Kelly was most recently a producer at ABC 7 Chicago, where she produced daily newscasts for the number-one station in the nation’s third-largest media market. Cate coordinated morning and afternoon newscasts, vetting stories on the local, state and international level. She also edited video and created graphics to accompany stories, while assisting reporters in the field. Prior to moving to Chicago, she worked in California’s state capital at KCRA-TV, also as a news producer. During her time there, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work during the 2012 Japanese earthquake and tsunami and its impact on Northern California. She also has experience as a producer, reporter and web editor from the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Mo. Cate graduated from the University of Missouri and earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, with an emphasis in Radio/Television.

Lyndsey Walters, Deputy Press Secretary

Lyndsey Walters currently serves as Press Secretary for the Bruce Rauner Transition Committee. She previously served as the Press Secretary for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Prior to the Rauner campaign, Lyndsey was a consultant at The Glover Park Group, a leading Washington D.C. strategic communications firm. Lyndsey began her career as a press lead for Governor Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, working with the national traveling press corps and local press affiliates. A native of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Lyndsey received a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University with a dual major in business and communications.

Allie Bovis, Deputy Press Secretary

Allie Bovis formerly served as the Legislative Correspondent in Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks of Indiana. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, she served as Press Assistant in the administration of former Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels. She is a native of Indianapolis, Ind. and graduate of Indiana University.

Jacquelyn Reineke, Press Assistant

Jacquelyn Reineke previously worked as the Deputy Communications Director for the Ohio Republican Party, producing graphics and media for the 2014 gubernatorial election. Jacquelyn grew up in Tiffin, Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in economics and international relations from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Policy Team:

Joe Beyer, Efficiency and Metrics

Joe Beyer’s prior experience includes roles in finance and consulting, most recently at William Blair and Co. in Chicago, where he was a member of the healthcare investment banking group. Prior to that, he spent three years at Aon Hewitt (formerly Hewitt Associates) as an actuarial associate, providing pension consulting services to companies with defined-benefit plans. He also previously worked at Deutsche Bank in New York and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Joe is a native of Springfield. He holds a B.S. in Actuarial Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois; a J.D. from the Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Samantha Gaddy, Policy Adviser for Public Safety

Samantha Gaddy was formerly the Senior Policy Adviser for the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC), where she advised policy-makers on the system-wide fiscal impact of sentencing policies and procedures. Prior to SPAC, Samantha worked as a member of the Illinois Attorney General’s legislative team, advocating for the Attorney General’s legislative agenda in the areas of public safety, the rights of crime victims and witnesses, consumer protection, public utilities and predatory lending reform. Samantha previously worked for the Illinois Innocence Project, helping to investigate post-conviction claims of actual innocence. Samantha currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fans 4 L.I.F.E, Inc., a school-based mentoring program for at-risk children and is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, a national criminal justice honor society. Samantha is a native of Alton.

Jennifer Hammer, Special Counsel to the Governor and Policy Adviser for Healthcare and Human Services

Jennifer Walsh Hammer has previous experience in healthcare and human services policy as the Executive Director of the Healthcare Council for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. She is also an attorney and spent a significant time in private practice at Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes. She is a second term elected Governor on the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors. She is appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Board of Character and Fitness. Jennifer is a Past President of the Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association and the Junior League of Springfield. She is the Secretary of the Sangamon County Bar Association and Vice President of the Lincoln Library Board of Trustees. Jennifer has been the recipient of the Springfield Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award and the Today’s Chicago Woman “Women to Watch” Award.

Michael Mahoney, Policy Adviser for Revenue and Pensions

Michael Mahoney previously worked for the Illinois House Republicans as the Deputy Research Director focusing on personnel, pension and fiscal issues. A native of Joliet, Michael attended Joliet Catholic Academy and received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Illinois.

Sean McCarthy, Policy Adviser for Economic Development

Sean McCarthy was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Randy Hultgren and a Senior Community Relations Director at Nicor Gas. Prior to joining the utility, Sean worked at Lake County Partners and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs where he gained economic development experience at the county and state level. Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass. and received his M.B.A. at Dominican University in River Forest, Ill.

Alec Messina, Policy Adviser for Environment and Energy

Alec Messina is the Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (“IERG”), a non-profit trade association. Prior to returning to IERG in October of 2010, where he initially served as its General Counsel from 2001-2005, Messina served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, a position he took in August 2005. Messina holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois and a law degree for Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Brian Oszakiewski, Policy Adviser for Infrastructure

Brian Oszakiewski served eight years advising Congressman Dan Lipinski on all rail, highway, aviation, freight, waterways, public transportation and other issues before the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He was Representative Lipinski’s Legislative Director, managing the congressman’s legislative staff to formulate and implement his agenda. Brian most recently worked for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, an organization that represents aircraft, engine, avionics and other aviation-related manufacturers and service providers. A native of Chicagoland, Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University and a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University.

Randy Pollard, Downstate Director

Randy Pollard served as the Downstate Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. Randy was employed at the Illinois Department of Corrections for 25 years, and served as supervisor for Pepsi Co. Randy and his wife Cheryl reside in Vandalia, IL.

Outreach Team:

Janice Collier, Director of Diversity and Recruitment

Janice Glenn Collier currently serves as Director of Programs for Leadership Greater Chicago, a non-profit civic leadership organization that creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among leaders in the Chicago metropolitan area. In this role, she works closely with the members in the Leadership Fellows Association within LGC, which consists of graduates from the Fellows Program. She is responsible for executing the development of programs and oversees outreach with members and potential members. Prior to joining LGC in 1986, she began her career in Public and Government Affairs with Amoco Corporation.

Marcos Peterson, Director of Latino Affairs

Marcos Peterson, a Lake County native, has a mix of both private and public sector experience. He served at the White House as an advance representative and has worked on the national level for a presidential campaign. He has also run a small Latino social services business. Most recently, Marcos served as the Director of Latino Outreach for Citizens for Rauner, Inc.

Ashley Kalus, Coalitions Coordinator

Ashley Kalus most recently served as Coalitions Coordinator for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Before joining Rauner, Ashley spent 5 years directing operations and strategy for a group of medical businesses, as well as leading an early stage medical device company. Prior to that, Ashley worked as a consultant at Accenture. She holds graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and Columbia University in public administration with a focus on economic and security policy.

Dennis Jung, Outreach Coordinator

Dennis Jung previously served as the Asian American Outreach Coordinator on Citizens for Rauner, Inc. He was born and raised in Illinois. Dennis graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in political science and history.

Legal Team:

Joe Hartzler, Special Counsel

Joe Hartzler has been a federal prosecutor in Springfield for the last 30 years. Joe is best known for being picked by former Attorney General Janet Reno out of thousands of federal prosecutors across the country to be the lead prosecutor in the Oklahoma City bombing prosecution of Timothy McVeigh. He has since established himself as one of the best legal minds in the Department of Justice, handling the most difficult appeals. Joe will lead efforts to clean up state government of wrongdoers, ethics violators, and serve as internal lead at collective bargaining sessions.

Mitch Holzrichter, Deputy Counsel

Mitch Holzrichter is a senior associate at Mayer Brown. Mitch specialized in public private partnerships at his law firm working on major P3 transportation projects across the country, the privatization of the first airport in the country, and the long term lease at the Midway airport. He will lead regulatory reform review. Mitch earned a bachelor’s degree Northwestern University and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

Dennis Murashko, Deputy Counsel

Dennis Murashko is a senior associate at Jones Day. Dennis clerked on the 10th and DC Circuits Courts. Dennis is a native of Russia and also an actuary by background. Dennis will lead legal review of pension reform, procurement and personnel reform efforts. Dennis earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville University and a law degree from Northwestern University.

Emily Bastedo, Associate Counsel

Emily Bastedo was an associate at Chapman & Culter before taking on the important job of being a mom. Emily is a member of the Elmhurst School Board. She is an expert in public finance matters and will help oversee the operations of the various finance agencies, including the Illinois Finance Authority and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from DePaul University.

Donovan Borvan, Associate Counsel

Donovan Borvan is an associate at Sidley Austin. Donovan is a commercial litigator and will oversee the state’s litigation and consent decrees at various agencies, including Healthcare and Family Services, Aging, and Department of Corrections. Donovan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of Chicago.

Chasity Boyce, Associate Counsel

Chasity Boyce is an associate at O’Hagan, where she is a commercial litigator. Chasity is President of the Black Women Lawyers Association, with an interest in children’s issues, including juvenile justice and education. Chasity will lead the clemency review process. Chasity earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a law degree from Howard University.

Emily Gibellina, Associate Counsel

Emily Gibellina is Senior Counsel to Jim Durkin and the House Republicans. Emily is an expert on legislative issues, especially insurance, worker’s comp and civil justice areas. She will handle bill review and appointment processes. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a law degree from Northwestern University.

Georgia Man, Associate Counsel:

Georgia Man is an associate at Kirkland & Ellis. Georgia is in the corporate group and handles complex M&A transactions. She will be an ethics and FOIA officer. Georgia earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

Joseph Wright, Assistant Counsel

Joseph Wright is a recent law school grad. Joseph has been serving as legal counsel to the City of Des Plaines and will take the lead on local government issues. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a law degree from Chicago-Kent University.

Operations Team:

Brittany Ladd, Director of Operations

Brittany Ladd comes from a diverse background in both the private and public sector. She has extensive experience in public and private sector consulting and has provided management consulting services to US Government organizations and Fortune 50 companies. As an U.S. Air Force brat, she grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona but moved to Illinois following high school to enroll at Northwestern University. She has worked in Operations for two national presidential campaigns, most recently serving as Director of Advance to Ann Romney during the 2012 presidential election.

Grant Hammer, Director of Constituent Affairs

Grant Hammer has a diverse background grounded in public affairs and state government. He has worked in a number of public and private endeavors over the past decade, from serving under state legislators and constitutional offices to working on political campaigns, in state government and for state associations. Most recently, Grant served as Manager of Community Affairs & Marketing in the State Treasurer’s Office. Grant also serves in a number of leadership positions within his community. He is an unpaid, elected official tasked with promoting opportunities for recreation and conservation within his hometown’s public park system, a unit of local government approximately 60 square miles in size and having an annual operating budget of id=”mce_marker”7 million. Grant also actively contributes to the not-for-profit Springfield Youth Hockey Association, serving on the Executive Board as well as coaching youth hockey. Grant is a Springfield native, and graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Jackie Lindsay, Director of Scheduling

Jackie Lindsay, a Christian County native, currently resides with her family in Menard County. Jackie has been Legislative Director for Raucci & Sullivan Strategies since 2007. She has over 20 years of state government experience, the last 15 years of service was with the Illinois Senate Republicans.

Laine Evans, Director of Advance

Evans served as the Director of Advance for Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti for Citizens for Rauner, Inc. Before joining Rauner, Laine most recently hailed from Washington, D.C. where she worked in various positions ranging from Senior Associate at Burson-Marstellar to the Military Legislative Aid for Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN). In 2012, she also served as Lead Press Advance on Mitt Romney’s 2012 Presidential campaign. A Tennessee native who now calls Illinois home, Laine received a bachelor’s degree in Government from Wofford College. She received her master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.

Office of the Lieutenant Governor:

Brian Colgan, Chief of Staff

Over the last ten years, Brian has served as a Senior Adviser to several Illinois officials including US Congresswoman Judy Biggert and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. Brian has worked in policy, politics, and community affairs. Brian resides in Naperville with his wife, Sarah, and 15-month-old son. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), where he studied international, resource, and consumer economics.

  12 Comments      


Rauner makes some agency, board appointments

Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner announced today the first in a series of cabinet secretary, agency director and boards and commissions appointments. Today’s appointments cover the Department of Transportation, State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, University of Illinois Board of Trustees and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

Name: Randy Blankenhorn
Position: Secretary – Illinois Department of Transportation

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner has nominated Randy Blankenhorn as the Director of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Blankenhorn is currently the Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). This is a return to IDOT to for Blankenhorn; he worked for the agency for 22 years, most recently as the Bureau Chief of Urban Program Planning.

Blankenhorn has been the head of CMAP since its inception by the General Assembly in 2006. CMAP oversees transportation, land use, housing economic development, environment and other quality of life issues in the seven counties that makeup Chicagoland. Blankenhorn has also overseen the implementation of GO TO 2040, which is the first regional plan for the Chicago metropolitan area in more than 100 years.

While at IDOT, Blankenhorn worked in a number of positions in both the policy and planning divisions, eventually rising to the Bureau Chief of Urban Program Planning. He was also the point person on a number of major infrastructure projects in Illinois, including the extension of I-355 and IL 53; the new Mississippi River crossing in St. Louis; and the South Suburban Airport.

Blankenhorn also worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Personnel. He is a graduate of Illinois State University, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Experience:
· Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Executive Director 2006 – Present)
· Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau Chief of Urban Program Planning (1984 to 2006)
· Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (1984)
o Assistant to the Director
o Assistant Legislative Liaison
· Illinois Secretary of State, Assistant to the Director – Dept. of Personnel (1981-1984)
· Illinois Department of Personnel (1980-1981)
o Assistant to the Director
o Assistant to Deputy Director

Education:
· Illinois State University, B.S. Business Administration (1980)

Personal Information:
· Age: 56
· Hometown: Chicago

Name: James Meeks
Position: Chairman – State Board of Education

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner has nominated former State Senator James Meeks to Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. Meeks’ commitment to education is evidenced by his work in the General Assembly, and as the Pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago.

While a member of the Senate, Meeks was a strong voice in education, serving as the Chairman of the Senate’s Education Committee. He worked hard to increase school funding and improve the quality of education for all students.

Meeks is currently the Pastor of Salem Baptist Church, which is one of the fastest growing African-American churches in the United States; it currently has more than 15,000 members. He received his bachelor’s degree in Religion & Philosophy from Bishop College in Dallas, Tex.

Experience:
· Salem Baptist Church, Pastor (1985-Present)
· Illinois State Senator, 15th District (2003-2013)

Education:
· Bishop College, B.A. Religion & Philosophy

Personal Information:
· Age: 59
· Hometown: Chicago

Name: Jeff Mays
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Employment Security

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner will appoint former State Representative Jeff Mays (R-96th District) as the Director of the Department of Employment Security. Mays is currently the President of the Illinois Business Roundtable, which is an association of corporate business leaders and makes recommendations on policy issues facing Illinois.

For more than 15 years, Mays has advocated for education and workforce development, while representing the interests of chief business executives in Illinois. He has created programs to help students of all ages learn skills they will need in the workforce. In addition, he has worked on programs that pipeline talented employees to Illinois.

Mays served five terms in the Illinois General Assembly from 1981 to 1990, representing large portions of Springfield, Decatur and surrounding communities. He was the Chief Sponsor on all Executive Agency Appropriations, and led House Republicans on all budget related committees. He was also the Co-Chair of the Legislative Audit Commission. Mays also served on the following House Committees: Labor and Commerce, Executive, Financial Institutions and Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

In between his time in the General Assembly and at the IBR, he worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator. He also spent five years at the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce as the Vice President of Human Resources, and as the Executive Vice President.

Hays holds bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University in history and economics. He currently serves as the Vice President on the Quincy Public School Board.

Experience:
· Illinois Business Roundtable, President (1998-Present)
· Illinois State Chamber of Commerce
o Executive Vice President (1997-1998)
o Vice President of Human Resources (1993-1997)
· U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator (1990-1992)
· Illinois House of Representatives, 96th District (1981-1990)
o Chief House Sponsor of all Executive Agency Appropriations and lead House Republican Conferee to all budget conference committees.
o House Legislative Audit Commission, Co-Chair
o House Labor and Commerce Committee
o House Executive Committee
o House Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
o House Financial Institutions Committee
· Mississippi Valley Canteen, Vice President & COO (1974-1981)

Leadership positions:
· Quincy Public School Board, Vie President (2007-Present)

Education:
· Northwestern University, B.A. History and Economics (1974)

Personal Information:
· Age: 62
· Hometown: Quincy

Name: John Maki
Position: Executive Director – Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner has nominated John Maki, 39, as the Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Maki currently is the Executive Director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, which is the only non-partisan prison watchdog organization in Illinois.

Maki has spent the past four years working to reform the criminal justice system, making it more humane and cost effective. His significant legislative advocacy efforts include, 2012 bi-partisan legislation enabling low-level offenders to earn time off their sentences, and a 2013-2014 effort that created the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform.

Prior to his work with the John Howard Association, Maki worked with a number of innocence projects in the Midwest, including the Center on Wrongful Convictions at the Northwestern University School of Law.

Maki is an attorney, earning his degree from Loyola University Chicago College of Law. He also holds a master’s degree in English from the University of Chicago, and bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy from Whittier College in Whittier, Calif.

In addition, Maki volunteers on multiple governmental and non-profit boards, including the Governor-Elect’s transition team as the Co-Chair of Public Safety.

Experience:
· John Howard Association of Illinois, Executive and Coordinating Director (2010 – Present)
· Adjunct Professor, Loyola University of Chicago (2009 & 2014)
· New Media Consultant for Center on Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern Univ. School of Law; Michigan Innocence Clinic, Univ. of Mich. School of Law; and Wisconsin Innocence Project, Univ. of Wisconsin School of Law (2008-2010)
· Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, New Media Specialist & Organizer (2006-2008)
· Francis W. Parker School, Teacher (2003-2006)

Leadership positions:
· St. Leonard’s Ministries, Board Member
· Salvation Army Correctional Services Program Advisory Council, Board Member
· Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Board member

Awards:
· Public Citizen of the Year, National Association of Social Workers – Illinois Chapter

Education:
· Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, J.D. (2009)
· University of Chicago, M.A. in English (2002)
· Whittier College, B.A. in English & Philosophy (1998)

Personal Information:
· Age: 39
· Hometown: Chicago

Name: Edward McMillan
Position: Member – University of Illinois Board of Trustees

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner will re-appoint Edward McMillian to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. McMillan is currently finishing his first term on board. He brings more than 45 years of agri-business experience to the position.

McMillian is currently an independent business consultant that focuses on alliance creation; mergers and acquisitions; and management changes in the food and agri-business industry. He is considered a leading figure in the animal nutrition industry, and is a member of the board of directors for several food and agri-business corporations.

McMillian previously served as the President and CEO of Purina Mills, Inc., which is the country’s largest manufacturer and distributor of animal nutrition projects. He joined Purina in 1969 as a field sales representative, and held several positions throughout company, before being named President and CEO in 1988. He was elected to Purina’s Board of Directors in 1993.

McMillian is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science. He is a resident of Greenville.

Experience:
· University of Illinois Board of Trustees, Member (2009-2015)
· McMillian LLC, Principal and CEO (1999-Present)
· Concord Partners, LLC (1999)
· Agri Business Group, Inc. (1997-1999)
· Purdue University, School of Agriculture (1996-1997)
· University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (1996-1997)
· Purina Mills Inc., President, CEO and Director (1993-1996)
· British Petroleum-Purina Mills Inc.
o President & CEO (1988-1993)
o Vice President – Marketing & Product Research (1986-1987)
· Ralston Purina Company – Purina Mills Inc.
o Vice President, Diversified Business (1985-1986)
o Vice President, Business Development (1983-1985)
o Vice President, Marketing (1979-1983)
o Product Group Director, Hog (1975-1979)
o Regional Marketing Manger, Central Region (1973-1975)
o Field Sales (1969-1973)

Membership Organizations, Leadership Organizations, Awards:
· University of Illinois Research Park, LLC, Board of Mangers – Chairman
· Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, Board of Directors
· Balchem Corporation, Board of Directors
· NutraCea, Inc., Board of Directors

Education:
· University of Illinois, Agricultural Science (1969)

Personal Information:
· Age: 68
· Hometown: Greenville

Name: Candice Jones
Position: Director – Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice

Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner has asked Candice Jones, 35, to continue her work as the Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. She has served in the position for the past year under the former administration.

Under Jones’ leadership, the IDJJ has reformed much of the state’s juvenile justice system, to bring it in compliance with state and federal mandates. She has also overseen the statewide implementation of Aftercare, which transformed the former adult parole system into an age-appropriate rehabilitation program. This program helps the youth successfully re-enter society and ultimately, the workforce.

Prior to her work with the IDJJ, she served as an associate director of the Office of Management and Budget, managing the agency’s public safety budget, as well as assisting the executive team. She also worked at the MacArthur Foundation working on juvenile justice strategies in Illinois and across the U.S. Jones also served as a White House Fellow in 2012, which is one of the country’s most prestigious programs, giving young Americans the chance to work at the highest level of the federal government.

Jones earned her law degree from New York University, and holds two bachelor’s degrees in political science, and African and African-American Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.

Experience:
· Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, Director (2014-Present)
· Governor’s Office of Budget Management, Associate Director (2013-2014)
· White House Fellows Program (2012-2013)
· Department of Human Services - Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission, Executive Director (2012)
· The MacArthur Foundation, Program Officer (2008-2012)
· Barack, Ferrazzano, Kirshbaum & Nagelberg, Associate (Summer 2006, 2007-2008)

Volunteer Experience:
· First Defense Legal Aid (2009-Present)
· Lil’ Sis Expo Chicago (2010-Present)

Education:
· New York University School of Law, J.D. (2007)
· Washington University in St. Louis, B.A. African and African-American Studies, and Political Science (2001)

Personal Information:
· Age: 35
· Hometown: Chicago

  Comments Off      


Protected: *** UPDATED x1 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in…

Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

  Comments Off      


Quinn issues two more executive orders

Saturday, Jan 10, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a press release…

(T)he Governor today issued an executive order to ensure that the state fully complies with the landmark pregnancy discrimination law he proposed, passed and signed into law last year. The order requires state agencies to conduct a comprehensive review within 30 days to determine if their internal policies fully comply with the new law. If any problems are found, the policies are required to be rewritten within 60 days.

The Governor also issued an executive order to ensure that the state continues enrollment in the federally-facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The order requires data be issued weekly to a public website to reflect progress by the state in the enrollment process. The order also requires the HFS to distribute a robust plan to promote enrollment in the ACA and Medicaid coverage, especially focusing on people of low-income and people with disabilities.

The pregnancy discrimination exec order is here.

The ACA order is here.

…Adding… Subscribers know more about this, but Rauner is planning to issue his own executive orders on Monday

On Friday, Rauner said after taking office he would issue a number of executive orders “starting right away around ethics, around conflicts of interests, around efficiency in government and cost cutting.”

To that end, aides said Rauner created a “blind trust” to avoid conflicts of interests involving his many investments. Rauner, the wealthiest person to hold the office of governor, has said he is worth more than $500 million but is not a billionaire.

The trust gave Roundtable Investment Partners exclusive power of attorney to act for Rauner and his wife, Diana, in investment decisions. Rauner is an investor in Roundtable and its employees donated $58,300 to his campaign, state records showed.

Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said Rauner was “a passive investor with a nominal interest” in Roundtable with no involvement in its day-to-day operations. Schrimpf said he could not further describe the size of Rauner’s investment in the company.

  Comments Off      


Reader comments closed for the weekend

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* It’s possible that there could be some announcements later this afternoon or evening, and maybe also tomorrow. So check back.

The Chairman of the Board will play us out

Every moment of the year

  Comments Off      


Rauner asked about special election vote

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* PJStar

“I think they should have done a constitutional referendum to let the voters decide on the length of terms,” Rauner said Friday. “They did a partisan-politics power play. I don’t think it’s appropriate. But I’m not going to get caught up in that.”

* GOP Rep. David Leitch is usually pretty soft-spoken, but he wasn’t today

“It was vomitous,” the Peoria Republican said about the decision. “I thought it was a raw power grab. I thought it was absolutely sickening to watch unfold in this state.”

There is a real feeling by Republicans that the Democratic majority and the lame duck Democratic governor have just flat-out stolen a rare and hard-won prize from their own party. Once you look at the issue within that frame, it’s much easier to understand their anger.

But their anger also reveals a serious and very real inferiority complex. Yes, 2016 is likely to be a strong Democratic year. But holding onto that seat won’t be 100 percent impossible.

  26 Comments      


Despite yesterday’s bump, some Democrats are very upbeat about Rauner

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Illinois Public Radio has a story up about Bruce Rauner’s outreach to state legislators, particularly Democrats. They all gave him pretty high marks. For instance

But rank-and-file Democrats, like Rep. Dan Beiser will pay a role too. Beiser, who’s from Alton, says his meeting with Rauner lasted about 15 minutes.

“It was more informal. Very little politics of where ‘do you stand on this issue’. There was none of that. It was more based on: just to get to know you, I’ve never met you, I’d like to get to know you. And it was not just one way. It was Gov. Rauner and Rep. Beiser exchanging those bits of information,” Beiser said.

They talked about their families, and backgrounds.

“The biggest thing I think that I brought out of that meeting was that he sincerely is attempting to establish lines of communications, establish relationships, regardless of your political stances.” […]

“I … really, think he’s doing a great job reaching out to all members of the General Assembly,” Rep. Beiser said. “And I think we might get back to those days where we, get back, into have some small group meetings over at the governor’s mansion and things like that. Just on a social level, but also establish relationships. And everything in politics, in my opinion, or the vast majority of success in politics, is based on establishing relationships.”

Beiser is right about that. Legislating is a business based on relationships. I had a long, off the record discussion with Rauner about this topic last summer, and he appeared to fully grasp that concept.

Give IPR some love and go read the whole thing. Heck, even Emil Jones III had nice things to say about the guy.

  25 Comments      


Question of the day

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From the twitters…


* The Question: Caption?

  49 Comments      


Rauner releases transition report

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From a press release…

Today, Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner’s Transition Committee released its report on the state of Illinois. The committee, chaired by Lieutenant Governor-elect Evelyn Sanguinetti, and co-chaired by 28 of the top business, civic and non-profit leaders in Illinois, has outlined key recommendations to return the state to a position of prominence in the United States.

“The Transition Committee worked extremely hard on this report to ensure it was complete and thorough,” Evelyn Sanguinetti said. “I thank them for their hard work to ensure the administration is properly briefed with recommendations as we move forward. I am looking forward to Monday so we can start to shake up Springfield.”

The report details the challenges that must be overcome, and sets forth recommendations to propel Illinois into the future. Nearly 200 committee members, representing all aspects of the state, assisted the team to figure out how to best move the state forward. They reviewed more than 1,400 pages of policy memos, and interviewed local and national policy experts to come to their conclusions. In addition, they asked the people of Illinois for their recommendations and ideas, generating more than 2,500 responses through the website, MakeIllinoisGreat.com.

“The state of Illinois is in a death spiral and in desperate need of a turnaround. I look forward to reviewing these recommendations to ensure my administration can hit the ground running,” said Bruce Rauner. “I appreciate the hard work from Evelyn and the transition team, and am ready to work with all levels of government, business and civic leaders and residents throughout the state to bring back Illinois.”

* The full report is here. There are, of course, no specific budget recommendations

As our work on these transition strategies concludes, the work to develop the budget is just beginning. We are not in a position to provide specific recommendations on budgetary solutions, however we want to emphasize that Illinois’ ability to chart a more prosperous course hinges upon our addressing the state’s dismal fiscal condition

* There’s a lot of empty rhetoric…

Setting department-specific goals, establishing transparency around the goals, and holding officials accountable for achieving them.

* In many ways, it looks like one of Rauner’s campaign documents…

Lower the cost of doing business in the state. Illinois should review legislation to ensure its corporate taxes, workers’ compensation rates, and unemployment insurance rates are in line with peer states. Currently, many companies choose to locate just across the border in states with more favorable rates, thereby saving significant sums while still taking advantage of Illinois’ transportation and logistics infrastructure. Lowering Illinois’ workers’ compensation rates, which are a key factor for executives in determining where to locate or expand operations, could support job retention, create new job opportunities, and significantly improve the business climate. Similarly, tort reform in Illinois could improve the legal environment, saving businesses $2.4 billion and creating up to 147,000 new jobs.

And that’s it on that topic.

* The report calls for a new public-private business development agency free of DCEO’s restrictions…

Redundant agencies should be consolidated into a new structure to streamline operations and enable better coordination. In addition, a restructured DCEO should be able to respond rapidly to business requests and, when necessary, raise outside funding. To enable this, consideration should be given to creating a new, public-private entity that would be freed of the restrictions DCEO currently contends with in exchange for meeting specific performance criteria. Several neighboring states, including Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin, have adopted this approach and reaped the benefits of a more nimble and responsive economic development arm geared to the needs of business.

* There are some buzz words…

Cultivate ecosystems in advantaged high-growth clusters.

* But we now have our first major hint of how Rauner wants to fund his infrastructure program: the service tax…

The state should optimize the use of existing funding sources and explore comprehensive tax reform proposals such as modernizing the sales tax, which could bring additional investment in infrastructure in general and transit in particular.

* They propose a new “czar”…

To coordinate communication across disparate energy and environmental stakeholders in the government, a senior policy position for energy and environment should be created.

* While desperately needed, I’m not sure where they’re gonna get the cash for this…

Design information technology (IT) systems to facilitate data integration and information sharing. IT platforms, systems, and databases are foundational components of efforts to reform health and human services, so the state should improve data transparency, report generation, and information accuracy to support health and human services programs and their administration. Ongoing efforts should be accelerated, including the Integrated Eligibility System (IES) program and the implementation of the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). Progress on the Child Care Management System (CCMS) should be assessed and adjusted as necessary. To facilitate the exchange of information among payers, providers, and the state, Illinois should expand its health information technology (HIT) infrastructure, including HIEs and electronic health records (EHRs). Other IT efforts to enable pay for value, enhance data analytics, and promote data storage and transparency should also be pursued.

* Easier said than done…

Assess areas of funding imbalance and sufficiency, from pre-K through postsecondary, across the entire system, and determine an appropriate formula that rebalances the system

* Good idea, not easy to do…

To reduce recidivism and increase prison safety, the state should embark on a sweeping effort to reform sentencing, ensure correctional supervision is commensurate with an offender’s risk profile, and allocate programming resources to increase positive outcomes.

* Another czar…

Currently, the provision of services to the residents is fragmented and, in many cases, redundant. To increase efficiency, Illinois should appoint a high-profile governmental official to lead efforts to rationalize and consolidate local government.

* Strengthen a current czar…

Illinois’ state CIO should drive a long-term IT strategic plan that is closely aligned with the governor’s priorities. This effort should lay out a unified vision on long-term priorities for investment governance, legacy migration, security, and procurement.

There’s lots more, so go read the whole thing.

  46 Comments      


Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Inauguration Event List

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

  Comments Off      


Fisking the Democrats

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* We looked at the hot GOP rhetoric from yesterday, now let’s look at the other side. Daily Herald

“The late Judy Baar Topinka was a woman of the people,” Quinn said. “She understood that government officials must be accountable and responsive to Illinois citizens.” […]

This is meant to give people a chance to have an election,” Cullerton said. “We don’t know who’s going to run, we don’t know who’s going to win. The principle is, I think it’s something that we should do.”

I really don’t like the idea of putting words in a dead woman’s mouth. We have no idea what JBT would think about this. And we’ll never know.

Also, “we don’t know who is going to win”? Maybe, but we do know that presidential elections see a much higher turnout of Democratic-leaning voters.

For example, Democratic state Rep. Frank Mautino won by just 337 votes in 2014. He won by 11,706 votes two years ago. His 2014 GOP opponent received 17,072 votes while his 2012 opponent received 16,407 votes - hardly a huge increase. The difference was in Mautino’s results: 17,409 last year versus 28,113 in 2012,

The new Republican comptroller is gonna have to get really popular, really fast - and hope that Rauner doesn’t become too much of a liability.

* Sun-Times

Earlier in the day, Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul of Chicago told his fellow lawmakers he wants to pursue merging the comptroller’s office with the treasurer’s when the next General Assembly begins its work. Republicans at times tried to turn the conversation back to that merger — complaining that there’s no reason it couldn’t happen now.

Currie called that a “smoke screen.”

“ ‘We can’t deal with this, because we’re not dealing with that,’ ” Currie said. “It’s a completely different issue, completely separate from what this is about.”

Translation: Speaker Madigan doesn’t support a merger, never has and probably never will.

* Gatehouse

Democrats countered that the framers of the 1970 Illinois Constitution did not anticipate an appointee would serve a full four-year term as a statewide official. They also argued that an election in 2016 would cost nothing because voters will already be going to the polls to elect state lawmakers.

The framers did anticipate that something might happen, which is why they gave the GA the power to pass a special elections bill.

* Tribune

Democrats contended that lawmakers needed to act now to avoid a legal battle in which Munger is sworn in on Monday and could claim a “property right” to the office for four years.

That’s true.

* More Tribune

Meanwhile, Cullerton dismissed the notion that the maneuver sets a poor tone for his working relationship with Rauner, saying, “We have plenty of other things to talk about to get us set on a good foot.”

Yeah? Name one.

  60 Comments      


NRCC already attacking Simon

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From WSIL TV interviewed outgoing Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon

As for her future, some people are urging her to run for Congress against Republican Mike Bost, who just took office this week. For that reason, Simon tells News 3 it’s far too early to make a decision. But she’s not ruling it out.

* The NRCC responded this morning with its usual understated modesty…

Hey there –

News hit today that former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon is thinking about running for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District. Shocking right? It’s almost unbelievable that someone so closely tied to the toxic former Governor Pat Quinn would even consider running for another office after November’s election. Guess some folks just can’t see the writing on the wall.

If you plan on covering the bizarre news that Sheila Simon is thinking about resurrecting her toxic political career, please consider the following quote from the National Republican Congressional Committee:

    “Southern Illinois families have already been hurt enough by the policies of Sheila Simon and Pat Quinn. The last thing folks need is the out-of-touch Quinn-Simon agenda wreaking havoc on them from Washington.” – Katie Martin Prill, NRCC Spokeswoman

Sigh.

All I can figure is, either they must really be worried to go so far over the top already, or they just can’t stop themselves from issuing press releases like this.

We’ve all given LG Simon a lot of grief here, but, c’mon, man… er… Katie.

  35 Comments      


A hot mess

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Legislative Republicans were up in arms yesterday during the debate over a special session. Here are a few quotes. Sun-Times

“It’s a brazen, partisan, politically motivated power play. Period,” Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) told the House on Thursday afternoon during a contentious hourlong debate at the Capitol in Springfield. […]

They said it poisons the well on the eve of a new administration that will bring two-party rule to Springfield. State Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon) said it’s “pure and simple politics.”

“We don’t like the fact that we have a Republican governor that is going to be sworn in and so, at the eleventh hour, bingo, we’re going to stick it to them,” Kay said. “We’re going to do something that has never been done in state history to stick it to Gov. Rauner. And by golly, Mr. Speaker, we enjoy this. Well I say this, this is a pretty doggone bad start to a state that has an awful lot of bad problems.”

* Daily Herald

“Everybody’s talking about how they can’t wait to be bipartisan again and work on these problems together and the tone is so important,” state Sen. Matt Murphy, a Palatine Republican, said to Democratic Senate President John Cullerton. “And the first thing you do, the first partisan punch thrown in the year, was by you.” […]

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said the legislation would “strip an incoming governor of his executive authority” and would likely be challenged in court.

* Gatehouse

“I think this is a shameful way to finish up our business in a lame-duck session,” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs said. “It is a power grab.”

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said, “I think passing this bill today is a naked power play.”

* Tribune

A Rauner aide said there were no plans to sue over the measure, despite a statement taking Democrats to task for not acting in a bipartisan fashion and for passing a “constitutionally dubious” bill.

“In four days we are going to put a new governor in, and just on the eve of that we are stripping him of some of his constitutional executive authority, and that’s something that, if I was governor, I would take very personally,” said House Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs. “We would not be here today if Gov. Quinn was re-elected and a Democrat was elected comptroller.”

  32 Comments      


Today’s number: 15,268

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner will be visiting several small towns today and tomorrow

He starts the two-day tour Friday morning with a stop in the community of Byron outside Rockford. After that he will visit Casey, Grayville and Benton. On Saturday he’ll hit Maryville, Quincy, Moline and Moweaqua.

His team has dubbed it the “Ready to Work Tour.”

Rauner won’t be stopping in any of the state’s major media markets, including Chicago and Springfield.

Total population of the towns in today’s visit: 15,268.

  39 Comments      


“This is the thanks we get”

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Team Rauner sent out a list of inauguration events to reporters yesterday, including info on which events were open to all media and which were not.

The inaugural reception and dinner, the inter-faith prayer service, Rauner’s signing of his oath of office and the governor’s dinner party were all listed as “Limited Media”

Associated Press will provide print and photo coverage for members

* The Sun-Times inquired about the limitations

When a Sun-Times reporter sent an email asking what “limited media” meant and whether all media outlets were to be shut out except the AP for those events, Rauner’s spokesman responded that they could “make them closed entirely.”

“You are members [of AP] aren’t you? There is NOT ENOUGH ROOM. This is the thanks we get for opening events that previously have never been opened before,” wrote Rauner’s transition spokesman Mike Schrimpf. “We can make them closed entirely if you prefer that instead.”

When called and asked to clarify his statement about entirely closing events, Schrimpf said: “We are committed to running the most open inauguration in recent history and have an unprecedented number of events with media access that allows us to do that.”

Look, I can see the need for limiting access to some of these events. Reporter pools are common on the national stage.

But Schrimpf may wanna take a nap or something.

  65 Comments      


Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Friday, Jan 9, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

  Comments Off      


« NEWER POSTS PREVIOUS POSTS »
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Catching up with the congressionals
* Do better
* Big Beautiful Bill roundup: Pritzker says special session may not be needed, warns 330,000 Illinoisans could lose Medicaid; Planned Parenthood of Illinois pledges to continue care despite cuts (Updated)
* RETAIL: The Largest Employer In Illinois
* 'The Chosen One' tones himself down
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today's edition
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Live coverage
* Selected react to budget reconciliation bill passage (Updated x3 - Comments open)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller