Gov. Rauner complains to Tribune Edit Board that @WBEZ discontinued "Ask the Governor" segment for political reasons. It was too successful in getting out his message! "Some of the powers that be didn't want me goin' on there, it's really more of a Democrat station." #twill
*** UPDATE *** From WBEZ President and CEO Goli Sheikholeslami…
“WBEZ and Governor Rauner’s team agreed that the ‘Ask the Governor’ segment would have a limited run and end by Labor Day, as it would not be fair to gubernatorial candidates of all parties to allow the governor an hour of airtime each month during the election campaign. WBEZ is committed to providing voters with fair coverage of all candidates, and we look forward to having Governor Rauner join us for our upcoming GOP primary candidate forum in 2018.”
I checked with a former Rauner staffer this evening and was told the very same thing. This was always a limited run show.
Also, nice little jab at the end. Rauner has refused to answer any questions about whether he will debate Rep. Jeanne Ives.
Rauner began appearing on “The Morning Shift” for a monthly segment which began on Feb. 10. He appeared six times, with his last show on Aug. 18. Listeners were able to call the studio with questions or post them on their Facebook page. The show’s host Tony Sarabia also asked the governor questions during the “Ask the Governor” segment, which usually lasted about 20 minutes.
A former staffer with knowledge of the deal said the governor’s office and WBEZ had agreed to do the segment for three months — with the option of continuing it. But there was an agreement that it could not carry into the campaign months, so as not give him an unfair advantage.
The staffer said it was both Rauner and First Lady Diana Rauner’s idea to do the segment — inspired by one conducted on a public radio station in Massachusetts. The Rauner administration had been in talks with WBEZ since fall of 2016.
Last week, a Fitch Ratings report determined that Illinois is the worst in the nation when it comes to pensions as a share of residents’ personal income. Under Fitch’s calculation, Illinois’ total debt – defined as net tax-supported debt and net pension liability – amounted to more than 28 percent of Illinois residents’ personal income. The average in other states is 3 percent. State Representative Jeanne Ives, a Republican Candidate for Governor, released the following statement:
“The Fitch Ratings report that Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities equaled 22.8% of residents’ personal income last year, compared to a median of 3.1% across all states and 1% in Florida, explains why Illinois’ economy has been stagnant, growing a meager 0.9% on an inflation-adjusted annual basis since 2012—the slowest in the Great Lakes and half as fast as the U.S. overall.
“Illinois finances and fiscal policy aren’t just bad, they are extreme and immoral. Illinois families and businesses contribute billions of dollars each year to both local and state pensions, yet the state’s unfunded liability continues to rise, despite increasing contributions and a favorable stock market. Currently, pension payments eat up a full quarter of our state budget.
“After his election, Benedict Rauner was quick to abandon us in the fight for pension reform. While some in Springfield chose to ignore his betrayal, it did not go unnoticed by the ratings agencies. And once the junk ratings come, it will be too late to reverse course without an enormous amount of pain to taxpayers, state retirees, and the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
“I urge Governor Rauner to join me, and many of my colleagues in the General Assembly, in taking thoughtful and transformative action on the state’s most pressing issue. One of the first pieces of legislation that I filed as a state legislator was a bill to bring about major reforms to our pension system (HB 3303, 2013, 98th ILGA). Our pension system is the state’s most urgent budget issue. It must be solved to save our state and our cities.
“These three initiatives must happen simultaneously:
Pass a constitutional amendment to change the pension protection clause in Article VIII, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, which states that pensions cannot be diminished or impaired. This change will ensure taxpayers are not on the hook for pension obligations on services not yet rendered.
Require all new hires to enter a 401K-stlye self-managed plan. This provides the flexibility and ownership of assets that is prevalent in our private sector and relevant for our modernized employment system where job mobility is important to workers. As well, the US Military is shifting to this plan for all military personnel.
Re-negotiate pension obligations with current workers and retirees. Many of these plans will either be insolvent or require confiscatory taxes that cannot be paid. We must have an honest conversation, as Rhode Island politicians had with their pensioners, in order to solve this problem once and for all.
“The plan I am proposing ultimately restores fiscal order to the state by eliminating unsustainable pensions and unfunded liabilities. This paves the way for the economy to flourish, fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and create the jobs Illinoisans need.”
It’s an individual guarantee, so they’d have to negotiate with every worker and every retiree, unless they can come up with another way to accomplish the same thing.
* I reached out to Mickey Straub’s campaign three times last week about this and haven’t heard one word back. As you already know, the Burr Ridge mayor is running as a Republican against House GOP Leader Jim Durkin. Click the pic for a larger image…
Mickey Straub Refuses to Say Why He Used Taxpayer Dollars to Attend Political Fundraisers
“Madigan Mickey” remains silent as he faces questions about his misuse of public funds
“There’s a reason why Mike Madigan’s union allies support Mickey Straub. First we discover that Straub defended a friend who abused his public office. Now we learn that Straub has done the same. Public records reveal that Straub used taxpayer dollars to attend political fundraisers, but refuses to answer questions about his misuse of public funds. ‘Madigan Mickey’ Straub is the worst type of politician - special privileges for him, higher taxes for the rest of us.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
There’s a reason why Mike Madigan’s union allies are revving up the Chicago Machine for “Madigan Mickey” Straub.
Weeks ago, we found out that Straub believes politicians deserve special privileges. In the late 1990s, a friend of Straub’s was accused of abusing his public position to get out of traffic violations. Straub took to the papers to defend his friend’s abuse of power. Straub later said there will always be “favoritism” and “we all do it to friends.”
But it gets worse.
Now we learn that Mickey Straub used taxpayer dollars to attend political fundraisers. Public records reveal that Straub used his position as Mayor to steer public resources to his own political priorities, but Straub refuses to answers questions about his misuse of public funds.
“Madigan Mickey” Straub is the worst type of politician - special privileges for him, higher taxes for the rest of us. What will Illinois voters learn about “Madigan Mickey” next?
* Bailey calls for change in direction as he takes on Reis in District 109: As for all the growing rumors about Durkin now working hand and hand with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), Bailey said there’s no denying that the majority of Durkin’s leadership team aligned themselves behind the record-setting 32 percent tax hike passed as the recently enacted new state budget… Bailey said his hope is that current Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub will find a way to knock off Durkin in the March primary.
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best State Agency Director goes to Mike Hoffman at CMS…
CMS can be a behemoth of an agency, with controversial issues lurking around every corner. Hoffman has been able to set a clear direction for each of the unique bureaus and handle the criticism that comes with the daily task of managing the state’s operations (including sensitive topics like personnel, state property, health insurance, labor relations, etc.).
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Congresscritter goes to Cheri Bustos…
Another vote for Cheri Bustos, IL- 17th. I’ve discussed two of her regular features, “Cheri on Shift” and “Supermarket Saturdays” here previously - she’s responsive to constituents, she’s knowledgeable about the issue of concern (jobs jobs jobs), and she’s a hard worker - a virtue Central Illinoisans admire and respect.
Plus, she’s been running workshops for constituents who want to run for local office, “Build the Bench.”
She’s acquiring a national reputation and to my mind, it’s well deserved.
* And now let’s move along to today’s categories…
* Best “Do-Gooder” Lobbyist
* Best Contract Lobbyist
As always, make sure to explain your votes and please nominate in both categories. Thanks.
Facing a primary challenge amid Republican unrest over his expansion of taxpayer-funded abortions, Gov. Bruce Rauner is offering a new answer to why abortion opponents should support him: Look at what his wallet has done.
“I am the strongest supporter of candidates for office who are pro-life. Nobody has worked harder to elect pro-life Republicans than I have and I remind everybody of that. I have fought hard,” Rauner said Friday on WJPF-AM 1340 in Herrin when asked what he was telling angry social conservatives.
“I supported Bill Brady when he ran. I’m supporting Erika Harold,” the governor said of the unsuccessful 2010 GOP candidate for governor and current Republican contender for attorney general, respectively. “I’m supporting legislators who are pro-life. I am a strong ally and strong supporter for pro-life candidates.” […]
“He happened to be on a very popular southern Illinois radio station and of course down there he told everybody he’s pro-life. That’s what you would actually think if you didn’t know the real story,” said [Rep. David McSweeney], a Barrington Hills Republican. […]
The lawmaker also said it’s another sign that for Rauner, “the issue is that it’s all about the money again.” Rauner pumped millions of dollars into GOP legislative campaigns last year, in part earning the allegiance of rank-and-file Republican lawmakers until earlier this year.
*** UPDATE *** Personal PAC is fundraising off the story…
Governor Rauner is committing to spend tens of millions of dollars to elect the most extreme anti-choice candidates to ever run for the Illinois House and Senate, all of whom are pledging to repeal HB 40 and ending reproductive rights in Illinois. And he is not shy about his plans.
This is what Personal PAC is up against. The most well-funded and extreme candidates imaginable who are committed to making abortion illegal in Illinois, ending access to birth control and making certain HB 40 is repealed.
Personal PAC does not need to match Governor Rauner and his right-wing allies dollar for dollar, but our amazing pro-choice candidates need us—and YOU!— to make certain we can adequately communicate with voters in order to win elections. Without your help, we simply can’t win.
The primary election is 13 weeks from today. Please make a year-end contribution to our vital work TODAY so that we can be as strong as ever in bringing our candidates over the finish line on election day. Donate here.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Rauner campaign…
2017 Illinois Democrats’ Not Top 10
After looking at Governor Rauner’s accomplishments yesterday, let’s take a look at Illinois Democrats’ worst moments from this past year
1. Madigan’s 32% Tax Hike
Mike Madigan forced through a 32% tax hike on Illinois families. Despite decades of irresponsible spending and tax increases, Madigan continues to ask more of hardworking taxpayers with reckless tax increases and no desire for real spending reform.
2. Madigan-Pritzker-Berrios Property Tax Racket
This month, the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica published a shocking report on Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and the corrupt property tax racket he oversees. Mike Madigan’s property tax assessment law firm benefitted from Berrios’ dereliction of duty, making millions while hurting small businesses and hardworking families. Not to mention political insiders like J.B. Pritzker utilizing their Madigan-Berrios connections to secure their own tax breaks.
3. J.B. Pritzker: Incompetent Investor or Avoiding Taxes?
When Hyatt Hotels heir J.B. Pritzker released his tax returns for the past year, he reported only $15 million in income. For someone who inherited well over $1 billion, it begs the question: is he an incompetent investor, or is he avoiding paying his fair share of taxes? Republicans and Democrats agree: J.B. Pritzker has a troubling record of cheating on his taxes.
4. Chris Kennedy’s ‘business prowess’ costs taxpayers millions
Utilizing family connections, Kennedy’s company received a no-bid contract to oversee a nearly half billion-dollar public-private partnership to build a Medical Mart in Cleveland, Ohio, a project which was “plagued by accusations of insider dealings, secrecy and failed promises.” Once Kennedy had made his millions, their company was gone, leaving taxpayers with “an inherited albatross” and the bill.
5. Pritzker’s Embrace of Mike Madigan
It’s taken some time for him to come out of his shell, but J.B. Pritzker is embracing Mike Madigan. It makes sense after all. Whether it’s term limits on elected officials or property tax reform to reduce the corruption in the Cook County Assessor’s Office, Pritzker’s responses are flippant and deferential to the man lining up support behind him: the longest serving state Speaker of the House in U.S. History, Mike Madigan.
6. J.B. Pritzker Pays to Play
The Chicago Tribune published a bombshell report highlighting a $100,000 campaign donation from J.B. Pritzker to incarcerated former governor Rod Blagojevich, which was followed just days later by a $1 million state grant to the Holocaust Museum. That project’s chief fundraiser was none other than J.B. Pritzker. Pritzker was already caught on FBI wiretaps discussing potential appointments, proving just how deep his ties are to the corruption and cronyism that plague Illinois.
7. Cook County Democrats Line Up to Save Their Friend Blago
A number of Cook County Democrats have signed on to an amicus brief requesting the Supreme Court hear disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich’s appeal for a reduced prison sentence. Among those Democrats who have signed on to the amicus brief are Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley, and Glenn Poshard, three key endorsers of J.B. Pritzker’s candidacy. Does he stand with his endorsers in calling for the Supreme Court to hear Blagojevich’s appeal?
8. Unfunded Pension Liabilities
Another year and Mike Madigan continues to disregard Illinois’ massive unfunded pension liabilities. Since Madigan joined the General Assembly in 1971, pension liabilities have skyrocketed from $2.5 billion to $151.5 billion dollars. Madigan has been called the “constant in key decisions that created the mess” Illinois finds itself in.
9. Soda Tax Goes Pop
Cook County Board President and Madigan ally Toni Preckwinkle enacted an unpopular and unclear soda tax this year, leading to an overwhelming outcry for tax reduction and spending reform. Preckwinkle defended the tax despite its clear and disproportionate impact on low income communities throughout Cook County. Thankfully, public outrage led to its repeal.
10. Daniel Biss picks Socialist Running Mate, Promptly Replaces Him
State Senator and candidate for governor Daniel Biss took proving his progressive bona fides too far when choosing a self-proclaimed socialist Carlos Ramirez-Rosa as his running mate. Biss’ former running mate supports BDS - a total boycott and divestment from Israeli organizations, a stance that Biss has made clear he does not support. After just one week, Biss dropped his running mate and broke the hearts of Illinois’ socialists.
A leading contender in the race for Illinois attorney general has received $100,000 in donations in recent weeks from companies controlled by a tobacco mogul, companies that are directly regulated by the attorney general’s office under the national tobacco master settlement agreement.
Campaign disclosure records indicate that state Sen. Kwame Raoul of Chicago, who has been endorsed by the Cook County Democratic Organization in the race to succeed retiring Attorney General Lisa Madigan, has received 10 contributions of $10,000 each from companies operated by Don Levin.
Levin’s Top Tobacco is one of the parties to the national pact that Madigan enforces and oversees here in Illinois. Madigan’s office confirms that it has opposed Top Tobacco in a series of arbitrations—one pending—in which it is seeking tens of millions of dollars from that company and others in a dispute over payments to the state from the tobacco settlement.
Levin is best known locally as the owner of the Chicago Wolves professional hockey team. But, professionally, he’s more prominent as the head of an empire of tobacco and tobacco-related products, including Job rolling papers, which Reuters in 2012 estimated as being worth as much as $2.3 billion. […]
Also at issue is the appearance that, if he’s elected with Levin’s money—Levin’s companies have provided roughly a third of the funds Raoul has reported receiving so far for the primary campaign—Raoul would be in a position to immediately provide millions of dollars of regulatory relief in exchange. […]
Raoul spokesman Holmes said none of this makes a difference, since “Raoul is not attorney general.”
* From rival AG candidate Jesse Ruiz…
It is deeply disturbing that Kwame Raoul has accepted $100,000 in campaign donations from ten companies controlled by a single tobacco mogul – even though that mogul’s company is currently in direct conflict with the Illinois Attorney General through a multimillion-dollar tobacco arbitration.
The statement from his campaign that ‘Raoul is not Attorney General’ demonstrates a profound ethical indifference incompatible with the responsibilities of the Illinois Attorney General. This indifference can further be seen in the fact that Senator Raoul has seemingly encouraged a contributor to do an end run around the legal limits on campaign contributions.
When candidates take huge amounts of money from contributors who have a very obvious financial interest in the outcome of an election and a pending case, it undermines public trust in our democratic system of government. I call on Kwame Raoul to do the right and ethical thing and return the $100,000 in tobacco money.
*** UPDATE *** Raoul campaign…
Sen. Raoul has the strongest drug reform record in this race. He’s eager to talk about what he’s done for Illinois children as a legislator and what he will do for them when he’s attorney general over the course of the campaign.
However, since Mr. Ruiz brought it up, let’s examine Sen. Raoul’s record side-by-side with Mr. Ruiz. While Jesse was supposed to be looking out for our children he:
awarded a multi-million dollar no-bid contract to the SUPES Academy - a training group where then-CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett had once worked - which led to an eventual 4 and ½ year prison sentence for bribery charges
closed 50 schools in Chicago’s neighborhoods
Had to borrow $1 billion just to cover budget gaps created by his board’s mismanagement
Meanwhile, Sen. Raoul:
Passed a law to establish penalties for knowingly manufacturing, delivering or possessing fentanyl.
Passed a bill out of the Senate which makes it illegal to distribute or sell a product containing or delivering nicotine that is not a tobacco product unless the product has been approved or otherwise certified for legal sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a tobacco use cessation product, or for other medical purposes, and is being marketed and sold solely for that approved purpose.
Passed a bill out of the Senate which bans flavored tobacco wraps which were manufactured and marketed to minors.
Passed a law to amend the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to include certain synthetic cannabinoids under the list of Schedule I controlled substances.
Was the chief co-sponsor of a law to provide that treatment under the supervision of a licensed program designated by the Department of Human Services is not available to: a first-time offender charged or convicted of possession of 15 grams or more of methamphetamine; or a person who is otherwise ineligible for probation under specified provisions of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.
Sponsored a law to provide that the offense of knowingly manufacturing or delivering heroin, or possessing heroin with intent to manufacture or deliver, is not eligible for probation, conditional discharge, or periodic imprisonment if the amount of the heroin is 3 grams or more.
Sponsored a law to provide that a person who falsely advertises a synthetic drug product is guilty of a Class 3 felony and may be fined an amount not to exceed $100,000. That law also amended the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to include 5-methoxy-diallyltryptamine as a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
Sponsored a bill to gives DHS the ability to schedule entire structural classes of synthetic drugs as controlled substances. The bill also expanded the definition of “controlled substance” to specifically include synthetic drugs. It also defined “synthetic drug” to include references to the three most common classes of synthetic drugs: synthetic cannabinoids (”Spice”), synthetic cathinones (”Bath Salts”), and synthetic piperazines (”Fake Ecstasy”).
And he voted for SB 500, the Smoke Free Illinois Act. He was a co-sponsor of and voted for HB0556, the proposed 90 cent per pack cigarette tax hike, in ‘07 and co-sponsored resolutions recognizing our Smoke Free Illinois law.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Former Gov. Pat Quinn…
“If you’re running for Attorney General, you shouldn’t be taking $100,000 from Big Tobacco. That’s the wrong way to go. Pay-to-play has no place in the Attorney General’s office, which directly oversees the tobacco settlement agreement. Senator Raoul should return the $100,000 campaign contribution from Big Tobacco immediately.”
Rep. Scott Drury…
Raoul has a long history of taking the side of special interests to the detriment of consumers and children. Whether the issue is promoting underage gambling, the proliferation of guns and, now, tobacco - Raoul is the enemy of consumer protection.
Illinois deserves an Attorney General committed to cleaning up Illinois. I have demonstrated that commitment as a federal prosecutor and legislator, and, as Attorney General, I will continue this fight.
* Sharon Fairley…
Senator Raoul is becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the corporate special interests that cause the most damage in our communities – energy companies, casinos, alcohol distributors, and now big tobacco. These companies have so much to gain, and Illinoisans have so much to lose, by having an attorney general under their influence.
Raoul’s most recent contributions from a tobacco magnate have obviously been structured in a manner to circumvent campaign finance rules, and are a clear reflection of the Senator’s lack of concern for the African-American community of Illinois, which is disproportionately affected by the harms of smoking.
This does not reflect the kind of integrity and independence we should expect from our next Attorney General.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Jesse Ruiz…
It’s not surprising that Kwame Raoul is trying to change the subject and shift attention away from his unethical decision to accept $100,000 in tobacco money from someone with litigation pending before the Office of the Attorney General.
So will Kwame Raoul return the tainted contribution or is he going to hide behind his statement that it doesn’t matter since he’s not currently the Attorney General? Will he stand for honesty and integrity in government or will he continue the same unethical ways of Springfield that voters are so sick of?
My father always told me that the best test of a person’s character is the way you behave when you think no one is looking. Senator Raoul is failing that test.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Mayor Nancy Rotering…
“Revelations that Kwame Raoul circumvented campaign finance laws to accept one hundred thousand dollars from ten different companies associated with Tobacco Mogul Dan Levin is deeply troubling. It was the Illinois Attorney General who, in 1998, sued Big Tobacco for the millions in compensation the state pays for tobacco-related medical expenses each year. Kwame Raoul can not be trusted to continue to hold Big Tobacco accountable. He has already demonstrated he lacks the political backbone to stand up to powerful special interests such as the NRA. In 2013, Kwame Raoul compromised with the NRA by writing a bill that made it now illegal in Illinois to ban assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips. His compromises with the NRA are no less outrageous than his willingness to enlist Big Tobacco as a partner in his campaign for Attorney General. He should immediately donate this cash to non-profits such as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Association.”
More Mike Madigan Loyalists Endorse J.B. Pritzker’s Campaign for Governor
Stuart, Hoffman, and Greenwood all voted Madigan Speaker, now supporting Madigan’s candidate for governor
“J.B. Pritzker is the key for Mike Madigan to protect his majority, rig the legislative maps one more time, and tighten his grip on power. That’s why it’s no surprise that politicians loyal to Madigan are lining up behind Pritzker, Madigan’s candidate for governor. Illinois taxpayers can’t afford any more corrupt, tax-hiking politicians who are loyal to Madigan like J.B. Pritzker.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
It was over six months ago that we first learned Mike Madigan was “breaking legs behind the scenes” to ensure J.B. Pritzker steamrolls his opposition and wins the Democratic nomination for governor.
We already know Pritzker gave $900,000 to Madigan’s Super PAC and secretly funneled over $200,000 to Madigan’s hand-picked House candidates, but why does Madigan want Pritzker so badly? Other than using Pritzker’s inherited fortune to protect his majority, Pritzker is the key for Madigan to return Illinois to one-party rule by gerrymandering the legislative maps for another decade, tightening Madigan’s grip on power.
That’s why it’s no surprise that more lawmakers loyal to Mike Madigan have endorsed J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor. Not only have Katie Stuart, Jay Hoffman, and LaToya Greenwood voted for Speaker Madigan, they’ve pushed his unbalanced budgets, tax hikes, and job-killing regulations.
Now, House Democrats are falling in line with Madigan once again. They want Pritzker in the Governor’s Mansion so they can rig the legislative maps one more time and continue to push their disastrous Chicago agenda on Illinois taxpayers.
Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza blasted Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for calling her a “puppet” of House Speaker Michael Madigan, saying the governor won’t accept responsibility for problems he’s created for Illinois.
“To always say, first of all, that a strong, independent, outspoken woman who holds him accountable is a puppet of someone else, which is exactly what he did call me … is just a condescending acknowledgment, frankly, that he cannot take criticism from anybody — much less than from a 5-foot-3 woman from Chicago,” Mendoza said on WGN 720-AM. […]
“If you want the job, then take the accountability that comes with it. Take the criticism that comes with it,” she said. “Don’t just take credit when people say nice things about you.
“When you screw up the state of Illinois to the extent that you have, take ownership of it. Act like a grown man and a grown adult. Don’t blame everybody else but yourself for your colossal failures,” Mendoza said. “This governor has a gene in his DNA code that does not allow him to take accountability or responsibility for any of the failures that he has imposed upon this state.”
Problems with a state computer system have prevented tens of thousands of Illinois households from receiving federal food stamp benefits since the new system’s latest phase got underway.
The Illinois Department of Human Services began rolling out a new computer system in 2013 to administer entitlement benefits, including food stamps. The second phase of that process began in late October.
State officials tell The Chicago Tribune that problems with the computer system caused more than 40,000 households to lose their food stamp benefits during November. More than 30,000 of those households remain without those benefits.
This is just… I mean… Oh, never mind. What a mess.
Officials with the Department of Human Services and representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union — which represents more than 2,400 human services caseworkers in Illinois — disagree on what’s causing the problems. But both sides say they hope to restore benefits as soon as possible for those who are eligible. […]
A certain number of SNAP recipients routinely lose their benefits each month because of missed deadlines or ineligibility, but that number ballooned after the second phase of the new system was rolled out. With the old system, the state canceled some 14,000 to 15,000 cases per month, said Diane Grigsby-Jackson, director of the division of family and community services for the Department of Human Services.
On Nov. 15, under the new system, the state canceled 41,000 cases, 12,000 of which have since been reinstated, she said.
Some caseworkers on the front lines say they’re overwhelmed and undertrained.
“Everybody’s learning the new system, but the problem is we’re learning on the backs of poor people. And we’re taking their benefits away during the worst possible season,” said Vonceil Metts, a human services casework manager at a local DHS office in West Garfield Park.
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
As the holiday season begins, tens of thousands of Illinois working families are not receiving federal food stamp benefits due to a botched program rollout by Bruce Rauner’s Department of Human Services.
In late October, the department began rolling out a new computer system to administer benefits, causing more than 40,000 households to lose access to the program. Over a month after the rollout and with the holidays quickly approaching, more than 30,000 families still had not received their benefits as of last week.
“Bruce Rauner’s mismanagement and neglect is once again devastating Illinois families as tens of thousands are now going without SNAP benefits this holiday season,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “From DCFS, to Veterans Affairs and now Human Services, Bruce Rauner has proven entirely incapable of running the government of Illinois.”
* I’ve been using this line in speeches for over a year and it always gets a big reaction…
The people following state politics and government the closest read the Capitol Fax web site, and the people at the City Club heard from the man behind that one-man operation Monday.
Rich Miller knows not to make predictions, but he has seen enough Illinois government and politics to say this:
“(Gov. Bruce) Rauner or whomever the Democrat is will be left with another mess,” Miller said before raising his voice. “We really suck at this governing thing in Illinois!”
* It’s custom to take questions after a City Club speech and somebody asked me yesterday about how Gov. Rauner can win reelection…
“In a wave like this, he’s not going to win by touting his accomplishments,” Miller said to widespread laughter in a packed room of business and civic leaders that it’s fair to say tilted heavily Democratic.
“He has to run the most negative campaign anyone in this room has ever seen, period. He has to drive down the black turnout, the woman turnout, Latino turnout, young people turnout — he’s got to drive them all down,” he said of discouraging voters most likely to cast a ballot for the Democrat running against Rauner.
“The only way to do that — the only way to do that — is to be unbelievably negative, so negative that you just gasp at the TV ads.”
Short of Twitter going out of business and “solving a lot of Republican problems” by silencing President Donald Trump’s social media output, “that’s what (Rauner) has to do,” Miller said, citing the higher-than-expected black voter turnout in Alabama’s recent special election as evidence of an energized Democratic base.
“Negative, negative, negative, negative … what Rod (Blagojevich) did to Judy (Baar Topinka) times 50,” Miller said, referring to the expensive 2006 campaign ads in which Blagojevich painted the late Topinka as irresponsible by repeating the phrase “What’s she thinking?” over and over again.
2017 Rauner Top 10
As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look at some of Bruce Rauner’s biggest accomplishments this past year
1. Historic Education Funding Reform
For the first time in decades, Illinois has updated the formula that provides funding to the state’s public schools. Thanks to Governor Rauner’s influence, this bill distributes funding more equitably across the state and puts in place a school choice program to provide low-income families with greater education options for their children.
2. Illinois’ First Ever Scholarship Tax Credit Program
For the first time in its history, Illinois has enacted a scholarship choice program, providing the neediest families in the state an opportunity to choose the best educational options for their children. Governor Rauner has long been an advocate of providing school choice for underprivileged students, and this program is the first step to providing quality education to every child in Illinois.
3. Creating Clean Energy Jobs
The Future Energy Jobs Act, signed into law by Governor Rauner one year ago, has helped make Illinois the 2017 Midwest leader in clean energy jobs. Illinois is a state with abundant energy resources, and thanks to the governor’s reforms, the Midwest is already seeing the results of growing jobs in Illinois.
4. EDGE Tax Credits
Renewed this year to further promote business growth in Illinois, the EDGE Tax Credit Program has served to attract businesses and jobs to the state. Providing incentives for companies that create long-lasting, good-paying jobs in Illinois is a crucial part of Governor Rauner’s strategy to make Illinois a business-friendly state.
5. Opioid Prevention and Intervention Task Force
The opioid crisis has claimed too many lives in Illinois and across the country, but Governor Rauner has put in place a task force to stop its advance and help push back against the horror of addiction. The Opioid Prevention and Intervention Task Force has provided resources to those suffering from addiction, as well as expanded first responders’ access to life-saving drugs like Narcan.
6. Vetoed the Madigan Tax Hike
Mike Madigan forced through a 32% tax hike on Illinois families, but Bruce Rauner stood in firm opposition. Governor Rauner is fighting to protect the hardworking taxpayers of this state, and will not stop until Madigan’s outrageous tax hike is rolled back.
7. Ethical Government and Fighting Corruption
Governor Rauner has worked to run an ethical government, starting with proposals for term limits for elected officials and fair maps to ensure every voter’s voice is heard. Now the Governor is calling on Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios to resign as the Madigan-Pritzker-Berrios property tax racket has been exposed, where political insiders make money hand-over-fist while taxpayers foot the bill.
8. Discovery Partners Institute
In October, Governor Rauner released his plan for the Discovery Partners Institute, a public-private partnership led by the University of Illinois bringing the state’s best and brightest together on one campus in Chicago’s South Loop. The plan will bring millions of dollars of direct investment to the state, as well as build up a pool of talented Illinoisans working together to address issues facing society and business. The campus is part of the broader Illinois Innovation Network, connecting all of Illinois’ universities in collaboration on a variety of projects.
9. International Trade Missions
Following renewal of the EDGE Tax Credit Program, the governor embarked on international trade missions to China, Japan, and Israel to bolster Illinois’ standing abroad and recruit foreign direct investment to the state. Meeting with business and political leaders of these countries, Governor Rauner successfully promoted Illinois’ future as he continues to cut red tape and make Illinois a business-friendly environment.
10. Amazon
Governor Rauner is leading the team that has put together a proposal to bring Amazon’s second headquarters to Chicago - a $5 billion project that will create 50,000 jobs. Working with a bipartisan group of business leaders, the governor was able to highlight the talented young workforce, prime strategic location, and diverse community available to Amazon in Chicago, providing a compelling case for the company to bring their business to Illinois.
Um, OK, the Amazon bid made the list? A bid made a top 10 list? Really?
* DGA…
Today, Governor Bruce Rauner’s campaign released a list of 10 “accomplishments” in 2017 that really underscore how little Rauner has done for Illinois families. Rauner’s list includes a couple whoppers, some stretches, and a few things that simply didn’t happen:
Rauner’s list includes passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act…which was signed in 2016 and not 2017.
Rauner’s campaign lists “Amazon” as an accomplishment. By that logic, 238 states and locales that applied for HQ2 consideration can claim that accomplishment.
Rauner continues take credit for education reform, despite the fact Rauner vetoed and campaigned against the reforms for months.
Rauner lists his veto of the state’s budget as an accomplishment. Yes, he wanted to keep the budget impasse going despite the debt and strain it put on the state.
Rauner claims he “worked to run an ethical government.” This year, Rauner hired a lobbyist as his Chief of Staff, saw his General Counsel mysteriously resign after penning a memo on separating politics from governing, and has had ethics complaints filed against two staff members.
Rauner’s list ignores the damage he did to the state’s services during an opioid epidemic, praises the release of a plan with no funding source, and brags about taking overseas trips where he bad-mouthed the state. It would not be a surprise to find “made a list” as the 11th accomplishment.
“Bruce Rauner is patting himself on the back for another failed year in office,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Illinois is still falling behind but Rauner seems oblivious to his administration’s failures. Debt went up, jobs and people were still lost, and Rauner spent the year dodging the tough fights on behalf of Illinois families. Rauner should be honest with Illinois voters and list the 10 ways he’s failed the state.”
* Pritzker campaign…
Today, the “Worst Republican Governor in America” released his top 10 “accomplishments” of 2017. Seeing as Bruce Rauner left a few items off of that list, the JB for Governor campaign launched WorstGov.com to show what really happened with the #WorstGov in charge.
Here are the top 10 accomplishments of the Worst Republican Governor in America:
1. BUDGET CRISIS: For 736 days, Bruce Rauner created a historic budget crisis that decimated vital services across the state. Rauner closed social service agencies and small business development centers, withheld billions of dollars from doctors and school administrators, and cost thousands of Illinoisans their jobs.
2. VETERANS’ HOME CRISIS: Under Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement and neglect, 13 Illinois Veterans have lost their lives from Legionnaires’ disease at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy. Now, 11 families are suing the state for negligence and some lawsuits even allege that Rauner’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs failed to notify families of the outbreaks and test residents for the disease.
3. MEDICAID SCHEME: Bruce Rauner inked the largest procurement in state history behind closed doors and is now under fire for skyrocketing costs and violating procurement law. A health policy expert said Rauner’s Medicaid overhaul could destabilize Medicaid and cause significant care disruptions.
4. MURASHKO MEMO: Shortly after authoring a detailed memo on ethical guidelines for interactions between the governor’s official and political offices, Bruce Rauner’s chief legal counsel abruptly resigned. Questions about potential ethics violations are mounting while Rauner refuses to give Illinoisans the answers they deserve as to why Murashko resigned.
5. DCFS IN SHAMBLES: Bruce Rauner’s understaffed DCFS has been plagued by gut wrenching failures, leading to a “toxic” environment at the agency. Whether it’s handing out no-bid contracts or mishandling heartbreaking cases, Rauner’s DCFS has consistently failed Illinois children and families.
6. SNAP TERMINATED: As the holiday season began this year, over 30,000 Illinois working families were not receiving their SNAP benefits due to Bruce Rauner’s dysfunctional DHS.
7. STAFF FIRINGS: In a move straight out of the Trump playbook, Bruce Rauner cycled through senior staff this summer, including firing his whole communications team after only 37 days on the job.
8. SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS: In a desperate effort to ram through his special interest agenda, Rauner manufactured a school funding crisis that ended in him signing face-saving legislation while forcing through a back-door voucher program.
9. CREDIT DOWNGRADES: Rauner pushed Illinois’ credit rating to the brink of junk while dragging five Illinois universities’ down to junk status and decimating public education across the state.
10. BILL BACKLOG: Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis tripled Illinois’ bill backlog, leaving medical providers, schools, and social service agencies with billions in IOUs. When Illinois legislators tried to pass transparency legislation, Rauner vetoed it only to be overridden by a bipartisan group of legislators.
“Either Amazon moved to Illinois and forgot to tell anyone or Bruce Rauner is so desperate for accomplishments he is boasting about submitting a proposal,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “This is a failed governor who announces plans like the Discovery Partners Institute with no follow through, decimates education funding and calls it a victory, and manufactures a 736-day budget crisis and then says ‘I’m not in charge.’ Illinoisans no longer expect Bruce Rauner to accomplish anything other than getting voted out of office in November.”
…Adding… Heh…
🎶 It's Bruce Rauner's 10 Accomplishments of Christmas! 🎶
“It’s a warmed-over list of so-called accomplishments, some of which he opposed, some of which just benefit the wealthy and well-connected, and some of which are simply figments of his imagination,” said state Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston. […]
Chris Kennedy’s campaign, too, said the governor is “disingenuous” for “patting himself on the back.
“It would take more than 10 items to list the lasting damage Governor Rauner has inflicted on the state of Illinois from slashing the social safety net to cutting public education to the rampant gun violence across Illinois,” Kennedy spokeswoman Rebecca Evans said in a statement.
“I’m not in charge,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said recently, “I’m trying to get to be in charge.”
Rauner said he’ll “get to be in charge” by taking away House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democratic majority next year. Madigan, Rauner says, is “really” in charge of Illinois.
The Republicans need to win nine net seats. So, can Rauner really take out Madigan next year?
Keep in mind that Speaker Madigan drew the legislative district maps. Thumping him in what looks to be a big Democratic year after taking four net seats away from Madigan in 2016 will stretch the partisan possibilities of that map beyond what most would consider common sense.
Rauner does have three things going for him, however: Money, the income tax hike passed over his veto and Madigan himself. Rauner has plenty of the former, and the latter two don’t poll well for the Democrats.
The Republicans must first sweep four southern Illinois districts to have a shot, and winning them are very possible.
The only statewide Democrat to win appointed Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie’s (D-Elizabethtown) deep southern Illinois district since 2012 was Secretary of State Jesse White. She has a great family name for the area, however, and she was appointed after the income tax hike votes.
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Smithton) also has a well-known family name, voted against the tax hike, but also has a district that has been won only by White since 2012.
Freshman Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) was the sole bright spot for the House Democrats last year. She defeated a flawed Republican incumbent, Dwight Kay, who is running again against a female Republican. Stuart voted against the tax hike.
Rep. Dan Beiser’s (D-Alton) winning margins seemed to tighten every two years, which is one reason why he’s retiring. While President Trump won Beiser’s district by 16 points, Tammy Duckworth and Susana Mendoza both won, as did Dick Durbin, Lisa Madigan and Jesse White in 2014. President Obama also won it by five points in 2012. So, while it’s in play because it’s an open seat, this won’t be easy for the Republicans.
OK, so let’s say Republicans win all four of those (not a lock, but maybe). They still need five more.
Let’s start with three suburban races that have been in play before.
Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) underperformed Hillary Clinton by 9 points and had to be dragged across the finish line in the closing days by Speaker Madigan’s top field generals. He won what was considered to be a GOP district in 2012, so the Republicans won’t ever give up. Yingling voted against the tax hike.
Retiring Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) cruised to an easy victory last year. She had some trouble in 2014, winning by five points. Rauner won that district by 16, which puts it in play in the GOP’s mind along with it being an open seat.
Rep. Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) won his last race by 19 points, but the Republicans never give up on him, either. Just three statewide Republicans have won this district since 2012 (Munger, Rauner and Judy Baar Topinka). Moylan voted against the tax hike. The anti-gun Democrat is facing a pro-gun Republican, Marilyn Smolenski.
If the Republicans somehow win all three (not likely), they’re still two seats shy of taking the chamber — if they can somehow hold onto all their own suburban seats.
Now, let’s look at possibly vulnerable Democrats who voted for the “Mike Madigan income tax hike” earlier this year.
Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) is at the top of the list. Scherer voted to override Rauner’s tax hike veto after first voting against the tax hike. Her district just barely went Democratic last year.
Rauner and Topinka are the only two Republicans who’ve won Rep. Fred Crespo’s (D-Hoffman Estates) district since 2012 (Clinton won it by 29). Add Tom Cross to that very short GOP winner list for Rep. Deb Conroy’s (D-Villa Park) district. Those same three Republicans won Rep. Stefanie Kifowit’s (D-Oswego) district. Rep. Anna Moeller’s (D-Elgin) district is also pretty solidly Democratic, outside of Rauner and Topinka wins during a strong national GOP wave.
Two pretty Democratic north suburban open seat races might possibly be in play: districts represented by retired Rep. Elaine Nekritz and attorney general candidate Rep. Scott Drury. And there may be one or two more, but I have my doubts about Rauner picking up a net nine.
So, if Rauner is re-elected next year, he probably still won’t be in charge — by his own definition.
* Monday is my “Christmas with Rich Miller” speaking gig and I’ve decided to just shut down for the day, so I’ll be back on Tuesday. If you’re going to the event, don’t forget to bring a toy for kids 2-5. Whether you’re going or not, you can donate to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois by clicking here. You’ll be able to watch the luncheon address live at the Chicago City Club website.
* WJPF’s Tom Miller asked Gov. Rauner today how he fights back against the blame he gets…
It’s such spin baloney. Tom, you understand the truth. You see both sides and you’re reasonable on these points. What’s frustrating to me and many people around the state is how biased a lot of the media is around Chicago, around the state. Biased for the status quo. Biased for, you know, against the changes that we’re recommending. The bias is, is hard to overcome.
The reality though is that truth comes out. People of Illinois are gonna see the truth. The reality is our system has been rigged. It’s broken, it’s dominated by a corrupt Chicago political machine that makes them and their money, their cronies a lot of money. And it costs the people of southern Illinois higher taxes and more job losses.
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Government Spokesperson is, for the first time, a group award…
The Governor’s comms staff, prior to the July purge. They all played a thankless role in muzzling a lot of craziness. The best argument in support of their nomination is what happened when they weren’t there. Chaos.
Yep.
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Campaign Staffer goes to Galia Slayen…
For giving the Illinois GOP a taste of their own medicine and ferociously taking Bruce Rauner to task. There isn’t a smarter, quicker, sassier campaigner in the game right now and Pritzker is lucky to have her.
The other campaigns are gonna murder me for that one, but she received some very strong nominations and she deserves it.
* And now let’s move along to today’s categories…
* Best State Agency Director
* Best Illinois Congresscritter
Yes, these are somewhat divergent topics, but please do your very best to nominate in both categories. Also, explain your votes or they won’t count. Thanks.
Today, JB for Governor released a new digital ad, “I Will Be In Charge,” highlighting Bruce Rauner’s excuses for his failed leadership, and JB’s commitment to taking charge as the next governor of Illinois.
“Bruce Rauner has done nothing but create crisis and destruction for Illinois’ working families while he’s been in charge,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Illinoisans deserve a governor in Springfield who will actually lead the state, stand up to Donald Trump, and get real results for Illinois families. Unlike Bruce Rauner, when JB Pritzker is governor, he will be in charge.”
Bruce Rauner unleashed 736 days of a budget crisis on our state. He destroyed jobs and opportunities. Our schools and social services suffered, and families across the state have paid the price. And after all of that, he has the nerve to look you in the eye and say, ‘I’m not in charge.’ If I’m elected governor, when it comes time to passing a state budget, I will work with every elected official in Springfield, Republican or Democrat. And to be clear, I will be in charge. When the LGBTQ community needs my voice, when the Dreamers need my protection, when people of color need my commitment to justice and women everywhere need me to say, ‘we believe you,’ you will find me standing right there next to you. I will be in charge. And when Donald Trump attacks our values, undermines our institutions, tries to pit one American against another, I won’t stand by. I will be in charge. Illinois deserves better than Bruce Rauner. Illinois deserves a leader.
* Emptying out my in-box. Listed from newest to oldest. This afternoon…
IL Attorney General Candidate Sen. Kwame Raoul received the formal endorsement of Congresswoman Robin Kelly today.
“I need a partner in the Office of the Attorney General who understands the plight of our communities and has a record of getting things done for us. Since filling President Obama’s seat in the state senate, Kwame has fought tirelessly to pass laws to keep us safe and reform our criminal justice system. Kwame’s work has led to laws which modernize our juvenile justice system, place tougher accountability measures on police, strengthen the state’s gun laws and prioritize prosecuting violent criminals instead of locking up low-level non-violent offenders,” said Congresswoman Kelly who represents the 2nd Congressional District.
During her time in the legislature, Congresswoman Kelly served with both Kwame and his predecessor Barack Obama.
“I’ve seen Kwame’s dedication to the critical issues in this race first-hand during my time in Springfield. We worked together in the legislature to protect victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” added Kelly.
As a legislator, Kwame has also fought to pass the Illinois Voting Rights Act along with a constitutional amendment to protect voting rights, the law to expand the ACA to more Illinoisans and worked with Attorney General Madigan to prevent sexual assault on our college campuses. He’s vowed to continue those fights and more as the next Illinois Attorney General.
· As a father, he’ll join other attorney generals from across the country in the fight against Donald Trump and his Secretary of Education’s attempts to eliminate Obama-era Title IX guidelines on campus sexual assault investigations.
· As a cancer survivor, he’ll fight against the Trump White House’s defunding of cost-sharing subsidies which help lower the cost of health care for millions of Illinoisans.
· And as the author of the Illinois Voting Rights Act and a constitutional amendment protecting voting rights, he’s working to end the state’s use of Donald Trump’s Crosscheck program.
“Congresswoman Kelly has been a voice for the voiceless throughout her career in public service. She has been a champion of efforts to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state - championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence. I’m proud to call her a friend and thankful for her endorsement today,” said Raoul.
* This morning…
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of State Representative Will Davis.
“I’m excited to announce my support for Daniel Biss,” said Will Davis. “For decades, Springfield has left my constituents behind—whether we’re talking infrastructure investments or school funding, we’re always hearing that there just isn’t enough money to go around.
“This election is an opportunity to change that. We can elect a progressive legislator with real budget solutions, a community organizer dedicated to amplifying all of our voices, and a middle-class father we can trust to stand on our side. I’m proud to announce my endorsement today and to organize my community to join in as well.”
“It’s an honor to receive Will Davis’ endorsement,” said Daniel Biss. “A tireless public servant with an unwavering commitment to improving public education in Illinois, Will led the charge for school funding reform this summer and is sure to be a powerful advocate for our state’s children in years to come. Fully and fairly funding our schools is a years-long battle and a top priority of mine—that’s why I’m so proud to have Will as an ally in the legislature, on the campaign trail, and when I’m governor.”
* Also this morning…
Today, Ameya Pawar, progressive alderman and current member of the Chicago City Council, announced his endorsement of Marie Newman’s bid to represent the 3rd District of Illinois. Pawar joins a growing list of progressive people and institutions who are lending their support to Newman’s campaign.
“Marie Newman is a fighter committed to social justice. You see, while politicians like Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump bully people and communities with their divisive politics, Marie has been recognized nationally for her efforts to combat bullying in schools,” said Ameya Pawar. “She’s worked for many years to promote common sense gun reforms and as an advocate for cancer research.”
“Marie’s candidacy presents us with a choice: elect a progressive who believes we rise and fall together, or continue with more of the same entrenched and divisive politics,” said Pawar. “This is what makes her candidacy compelling and inspiring. By supporting Marie, we are supporting an agenda for all of us. An agenda which includes more funding for public education, Medicare for All, and greater support for working families across our nation. The choice couldn’t be clearer.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of a pragmatic progressive like Alderman Pawar,” said Marie Newman. “He and I share a vision of the future in which American working families have a fair shot at realizing the American Dream. I look forward to tapping into his policy expertise as we map out a path for revitalizing the 3rd District.”
* Yesterday morning…
Today, Democratic Candidate for State Senate, Ram Villivalam (IL-8) announced the endorsement of Fmr. Gubernatorial Candidate & Alderman Ameya Pawar.
“I am proud to endorse my friend Ram Villivalam for State Senate. As a Gubernatorial Candidate, I worked hard to shine a light on how Bruce Rauner and Donald Trump use race, class, and geography to divide people and communities against each other.” said Alderman Ameya Pawar. “The best way to fight their divisive and bigoted politics is to unite people and communities. Ram will do just that because his whole career has been focused on bringing people and communities together for social justice. Having worked to pass legislation to raise the minimum wage, guarantee paid sick leave, and better working conditions, Ram was one of the organizers fighting in the trenches to build coalitions to help me pass these progressive policies. Ram knows how to get things done and he’s the kind of effective leader we need in Springfield.”
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Alderman Pawar,” said Ram Villivalam. “Alderman Pawar led a grassroots movement across the state of Illinois, which recruited more than 3,000 volunteers and 2,500 donors on the message of unity and that government does have a vital role in giving people a hand up and a push forward. I hope to follow in Alderman Pawar’s footsteps of using my progressive principles as the foundation of working together to pass substantive legislation.”
On November 27th, Ram filed 2,700 petition signatures, more than 2.5 times the amount needed and which was collected by more than 50 grassroots volunteers to become an official candidate for State Senate in the 8th District of Illinois. Ram raised approximately $90,000 in his first month on the campaign.
Ram also announced the endorsements of U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Senator Laura Murphy, State Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, UFCW Local 881, and the Indo-American Democratic Organization.
Jesse White: This is Secretary of State Jesse White. Let me tell you about my friend Joe Berrios. Growing up in Cabrini Green, Joe learned early on the importance of hard work, commitment and giving back. That’s exactly what he has done as a public official. As Cook County Assessor he has protected homeowners, made the office more accessible while cutting his staff 25 percent. Please join me, Jesse White, in supporting Joe Berrios for Cook County Assessor.
Announcer: While Joe Berrios works to reform a broken system, investment banker Fritz Kaegi profited off of it. Kaegi managed a fund that invested nearly $30 million in private prisons. Prisons where minority women faced abusive guards and detainees died suspiciously. The company he invested in even pushed for harsher sentencing laws. Fritz Kaegi saw prisons as a way to make money. He is no reformer.
* Related…
* Eric Zorn: Desperate Berrios and the ‘Republican’ lie: Kaegi’s camp fired back, calling the ad a “malicious lie,” saying the prison investments were made by others after he stepped down and declaring that “there is not a single document listing (a private prison company) as a holding that also lists Fritz as a portfolio manager.” Does the Berrios campaign have such a document? I asked Thursday and didn’t receive a response by my deadline. But even if they did … really? Is Berrios so desperate that he wants to make the campaign about ethical asset management in areas utterly unrelated to the duties of the assessor? And that he thinks branding his opponent as a secret Republican is the key to re-election?
The analysis shows a large percentage of first-pass reassessments under Berrios remained the same over multiple reassessment periods. For example, 51 percent of the approximately 40,000 PINs in the analysis had the same first-pass value for the 2012 reassessment as the 2009 reassessment. For the 2015 reassessment, 39 percent of first-pass values were identical to the 2012 reassessment. Twenty-three percent of first-pass values were the same for all three reassessment periods.
By comparison, just 1 percent of first-pass values for the 2003, 2006 and 2009 reassessments conducted under Houlihan stayed the same from one reassessment to the next.
In cases when the first-pass values didn’t change, many of the property owners filed appeals and won reductions that lowered their tax bill – only to see the value snap right back to the same first-pass value during the next reassessment. [Emphasis added.]
* I asked ProPublica for the numbers behind its “many of the property owners filed appeals and won reductions” line and here’s what they sent..
Of the parcels that saw no change in assessment, 77 percent had appeals filed on them. Of the ones that had appeals filed on them, 74 percent won a reduction, only to have the value snap back to the same number.
Why would so many of those property values snap right back to the previous values? Could this be some sort of deliberate make-work scheme for tax appeals attorneys, who often make money based on the amount they successfully reduce assessments on appeal and who then contribute to Assessor Berrios’ campaign committee?
In other words: Lawyer gets client’s property value reduced on appeal, lawyer gets cut from client, lawyer makes Berrios contribution; assessor’s office assigns pre-appeal value during the next round of assessments, lawyer again gets client’s value reduced on appeal, lawyer again gets cut from client, lawyer again makes Berrios contribution; assessor’s office again assigns pre-appeal value during the next round, and etc. ad infinitum.
* The assessor’s office sent me a long reply that pointed out what it claimed were some real problems with the ProPublica/Tribune story. The reply (click here) did not fully answer my question, however, so I sent them this…
OK, but I don’t see anything in your response that addresses why a property that was assessed at a certain level and then had the value lowered on appeal would then have the valuation snap back to the old level again at the reassessment.
I’ll also point out this statement from the Trib story: - “There is no rationale for having no change in these initial valuations,” said Richard Almy, former executive director of the International Association of Assessing Officers. “Especially if the assessor later agreed to a reduction, there’s no earthly reason for them to go back to the same value.”
* The assessor’s reply…
That is incorrect. Among the “earthly” reasons would be if the reduction-on-appeal were based on new data about revenue of an income-generating commercial building. Again, valuation of income-generating commercial buildings is done based on numerous factors, and revenue is tremendously important in the income-approach-to-value method of assessment used in for commercial buildings in Cook County.
We should never assume the revenue figures are the same for the next triennial, sometimes not even for the next single-year period. Therefore, a reduction-on-appeal may not be the fairest figure the next time around. In many of those cases, we consider the original (pre-appeal) number to once again be a reasonable starting point.
Still other reasons for returning to the former number as a reasonable starting point are:
· Turnover of previously below-market leases, resulting in increases built into the new leases (more revenue)
· Past reduction was based on the loss of a major tenant and revenue. That loss has since been made up and revenue is higher than in the period which had resulted in the return to the former Assessor First-Pass number.
· Improving market conditions
· New triennial change in the underlying land value
· Prior damage now repaired
· New construction/added square feet making up for the reduction in value that was granted on appeal, thus raising the former lower-by-appeal number back to the original Assessor First-Pass figure
Speaking to reporters after a speech in Chicago on Dec. 4, Gov. Bruce Rauner predicted a re-election victory in next year’s gubernatorial race and warned of dire tax consequences if any of the three main Democratic candidates for the post win.
“You know what will happen? We will get a massive income tax hike. The candidates controlled by (House Speaker Michael) Madigan, all of them have said, ‘The answer to our problems is a massive income tax hike,’ ” Rauner said, referring to Democratic candidates Daniel Biss, Chris Kennedy and JB Pritzker.
All three have stated they support replacing Illinois’ flat-rate income tax with a system in which those with higher incomes pay higher rates. […]
Despite Rauner’s examples, a progressive income tax system does not necessarily mean a tax increase for the middle class. And there is no evidence that anyone in Illinois politics has a blueprint for income and tax brackets under a potential Illinois system. The closest such blueprint, from 2012, had the vast majority of voters paying the same or lower taxes.
Nor is that decision up to the governor. It would take three-fifths of the General Assembly and a majority of voters to bring a progressive tax to reality. Recent history does not point favorably to this happening without significant Democratic gains in the Legislature.
Pritzker was squishy when discussing immediate revenue needs with Crain’s, but Rauner cites the Crain’s article as Pritzker’s solid endorsement of a “massive tax increase.” We rate Rauner’s statement Mostly False.
Two of 10 lawsuits filed against the state of Illinois claim the Illinois Veterans Home knew of the presence of the water-borne bacteria Legionella in its facility by July 2015 and did not notify the residents or their families about the issues.
They also claim that when two residents became ill and exhibited fevers, they never were tested for Legionella by medical personnel at the facility.
The Herald-Whig obtained the lawsuits from the Illinois Court of Claims through a Freedom of Information Act request. An 11th lawsuit is expected to be filed. […]
In the lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of Melvin Tucker, who died Aug. 31, 2015, at the age of 88 from a Legionella pneumophilia infection, the family claims that daily nursing logs in July 2015 showed Tucker was doing well. But the family claims that on Aug. 21, 2015, Tucker told the staff that “he did not feel well and was concerned that he was sick.” The family claims further logs noted that Tucker had a fever and issues with his lungs. He reportedly was given Tylenol, but the suit says no further action was taken.
“By August 27, 2015, Mr. Tucker was very anxious about his health and it is noted that he informed his priest that he was fearful he was going to die,” an exhibit from the lawsuit said. “Finally, on this date, the staff took a urine sample and confirmed that he was in fact positive for Legionella.”
August 27th is highlighted for a reason.
Consult the timeline we talked about yesterday. Veterans Affairs Director Erica Jeffries claims that the remediation cleanup started on August 21st. Since I posted that timeline yesterday, IDPH Director Nirav Shah has told me that his agency was informed by the county health department on August 5th about the first case and was notified about the second case on August 21st (individual cases are pretty common everywhere, but when a second case is found, it’s more cause for alarm). On August 23rd, the CDC was formally notified of five confirmed cases. The governor’s office was notified on August 24th.
And yet, it wasn’t until August 27th that Tucker was finally tested even though he was exhibiting classic symptoms?
* Oh, and by the way, in the midst of all this, on August 25th, Gov. Rauner and IDVA Director Erica Jeffries did a photo op in Springfield with some veterans…
* Rep. Jil Tracy, who represents the Quincy area, told me today that she would “not hesitate about putting my father into the veterans’ home.”
It does appear that the veterans’ home has upped its game since then. They’ve had a couple of outbreaks since 2015 and they’ve both been contained. “It’s a great place for anyone to live,” Tracy insisted.
* I think one thing that local leaders are really worried about is the potential for closure. From WBEZ’s report...
Sen. Durbin tells WBEZ far more dramatic steps are necessary in light of the most recent legionellosis cases in October and November.
He said the state must move the Quincy home’s nearly 400 veterans and their spouses to a safe place until its century-old plumbing system is fully free of the waterborne bacteria that killed residents. If that isn’t possible, the state should build a new home, Durbin said. […]
“I want an admission by the governor that we have failed these veterans, and we need to do something immediately on an emergency basis to protect those who are there to make sure this never happens again and, if necessary, to replace this facility,” said Durbin, who along with fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, has endorsed candidate J.B. Pritzker to be their party’s nominee to challenge Rauner as the potential GOP candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial election.
“What we have now lurching from year to year is a situation that’s embarrassing, and it’s an insult to these veterans and their families,” Durbin said.
* Pritzker campaign…
“Allegations of failure to notify families and test residents are appalling and more evidence of Bruce Rauner’s gross mismanagement and neglect,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Sadly, this is only the tip of the iceberg as many more details remain unknown, which is why Bruce Rauner must immediately release all communication about the Legionnaires outbreaks in Quincy.”
…Adding… DGA…
Two new reports out today added more questions about Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration’s response to the tragic Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Ultimately, 13 people died in 2015. The Herald-Whig obtained lawsuits that detail how residents were not tested or treated in a timely fashion, despite showing symptoms of the disease. Why did the Rauner administration not take more aggressive steps to ensure everyone was tested and cared for knowing the deadliness of the disease?
Secondly, Capitol Fax reported Governor Bruce Rauner attended a veterans’ honor flight with his Veterans’ Affairs Director after the Governor’s office was informed of the outbreak, but before the public was alerted. This meeting calls into question Rauner’s role in the then-unfolding situation at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Was Rauner briefed by his Veterans’ Affairs Director during this meeting? Did Rauner and the Director talk about when the public should be informed?
So far, Rauner’s administration has done nothing to address the questions raised by WBEZ’s heartbreaking account from Wednesday. As new information leaks out, those questions will only grow.
“Bruce Rauner’s administration already failed veterans at the Quincy home, and now he is refusing to be transparent about what happened,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The families of the deceased should not need to find out what happened to their loved ones through press reports. Rauner needs to come clean about what he knew when, and what he did about it. This is not the time for Rauner to simply duck accountability for his administration’s failures like he always does.”
Moody’s Investors Service is seeking comments from market participants on proposed changes to its methodology for states’ general obligation credit ratings, which would include an increased emphasis on states’ debt and pension obligations.
Under the proposed changes, debt and pension obligations will have a 25% weight on state credit ratings, up from 20% currently. The individual state’s economy, another factor in Moody’s ratings, will also have a 25% weight, up from 20%. Governance will fall to 20% from 30% and finances will be maintained at 30%.
The debt and pension factor “is critical because debt and pension obligations are the primary long-term liabilities that states have,” Moody’s said in an announcement on the proposed changes Tuesday. “As these liabilities grow, states face rising expenses to pay debt and pension benefits. High fixed debt service and pension costs can crowd out other budgetary priorities and force states to raise taxes in order to meet them. Debt and pensions can curtail a state’s budgetary flexibility and heighten the risk that it will seek to deleverage through a debt restructuring.”
The Illinois Policy Institute’s news service notes this potential change and concludes it “could make Illinois the first state whose bonds fall to junk status.”
Fitch Ratings agency put out their 2017 State Pension Update this week. It shows that Illinois’ pension crisis is the worst in the nation at more than $151 billion. That’s $60 billion more than second worst New Jersey’s liability.
“Six states have long-term liability burdens that Fitch considers elevated [in excess of 20 percent of personal income],” the report said, “with Illinois carrying the highest liability burden at 28.5 percent of personal income.”
Fitch Senior Director Doug Offerman said taxpayers should care because the burden takes up more than 28 percent of all personal income in Illinois, “which is essentially a proxy for the wealth level, the resource base of a given government.” […]
“For the last several years the [pension] increases did grow faster, and I would say do crowd out other spending that might have otherwise taken up organic revenue growth,” [Fitch Ratings Senior Director Karen Krop] said.
If anyone thought the holiday season would caused politicians to tone down the snark, guess again.
In fact, Gov. BRUCE RAUNER is using the holiday spirit to take another shot at his favorite target, House Speaker MICHAEL MADIGAN. At brucerauner.com we have #ThanksMike where you can “show your thanks to Mike Madigan this holiday season.” You enter your name, email and zip code and then type in a message.
A couple of messages are already posted. Gary says, “I am Mad Again at Mike Madigan. Please resign and make Illinois a better place.” Becky writes, “Thanks, Mike, that pretty soon, my property taxes will be so high, that I will be moving out of this state. I have no obligation to pay for your corruption.”
Clearly, Rauner is providing an outlet for people moved by the spirit of the season.
I couldn’t find the #ThanksMike page on the site’s main page, so I reached out to the campaign and they pointed me to this link.
* The Kankakee Daily Journal profiles Jason Helland, who is the Republican candidate for secretary of state…
But [Secretary of State Jesse White], who has been in office since 1999 and is the longest-serving secretary of state in Illinois history, also is part of the problem, Helland said.
“Our biggest problem is career politicians who have burnt Springfield to the ground,'’ he said.
Helland considers himself the antithesis of these office holders. “I’m extremely ordinary,'’ he said. He also expanded on how his common background paved the way for success.
He was raised on a Grundy County farm and is a member of the Seneca High School Class of 1994. During his junior year, he began working at the Eagle Country Market in Morris. He remained there until 2000 and worked most jobs the grocery store had to offer.
The experience proved invaluable when he first ran for state’s attorney. He was considered an underdog in the race, but those making that assessment didn’t take his background into account.
“People discounted me in 2012,'’ he said. “But by working at the Eagle market, I knew everybody in town. A lot of people watched me grow up.'’
* Trying to get a couple of posts together and it’s just taking much longer than I’d anticipated. So, talk amongst yourselves. Keep it Illinois-centric, please.
