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* UPDATED x1 * This just in… Rauner to appoint Leslie Munger to comptroller

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* From a press release…

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner announced today that he will appoint Leslie Geissler Munger of Lincolnshire to fill the vacancy in the Comptroller’s office that will occur on Monday, January 12. Both also strongly endorsed “Judy’s Amendment,” which would merge the Comptroller’s and Treasurer’s offices, an idea long advocated for by Judy Baar Topinka.

“I am deeply honored to become Illinois’ next Comptroller and humbly look forward to serving all the people of Illinois,” Munger said. “I’ll be a guardian of their money and a watchdog for Illinois’ finances. Our state is in terrible financial shape, and I’ll do everything I can to help turn things around.”

“I’m not interested in a political career; only on doing what is best for the state we all love and want to make great again,” Munger added. “With that in mind, I will relentlessly advocate that the General Assembly put a Constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot to merge the Comptroller’s office with the Treasurer’s office. That’s what Judy wanted, and the people deserve the opportunity to vote on it. I would look forward to helping eliminate the very office to which I was appointed.”

A career businesswoman with an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from Northwestern, Munger made her first run for state office last year, falling short of defeating an incumbent state representative by just 1349 votes in the Democrat-leaning 59th district. A full bio is below.

“No one can ever replace Judy Baar Topinkia, but Leslie is the perfect candidate to continue building on Judy’s legacy,” Gov.-elect Rauner said. “Leslie has always been laser focused on fiscal and economic issues, and as Comptroller, she will do everything within her power to help fix our state’s broken finances.”

“A first step towards delivering greater efficiency and reform for Illinois taxpayers is to merge the offices of Comptroller and Treasurer,” Rauner continued. “That is something that Leslie and I both support and believe should be the legislature’s focus in the days and weeks ahead. Rather than a special election for a short-term appointment, next year’s ballot should include a Constitutional amendment to merge the offices. That would be a long-term answer that will result in greater value for taxpayers. It would pass, and when it does, Leslie would be able to immediately begin work on winding down and merging the offices. That’s the right path to take and in the best interest of Illinoisans.”

Munger lost to Rep. Carol Sente, who blasted Munger for being a tea partier. Munger, however, denied the claims.

Nancy Kimme will reportedly stay on as chief of staff.

*** UPDATE *** Not surprisingly, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin approves…

“Leslie Munger is a smart choice for Illinois Comptroller. I witnessed first-hand her work ethic and became friends with her immediately. Leslie is honest, driven and dedicated to improving Illinois. She brings to the office 25 years of business experience in the private sector that will serve the taxpayers well. While no one can take the place of Judy Baar Topinka, I know Leslie Munger will do a great job as Comptroller and leading the charge to merge the two offices of Comptroller and Treasurer. Judy Baar Topinka would be proud of this appointment.”

* Also, from the Tribune…

Aides for Rauner said Munger was traveling out of state and could not be reached for comment Monday but said she will join Rauner on a statewide tour Saturday.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:20 pm

Comments

=“I’m not interested in a political career; only on doing what is best for the state we all love and want to make great again,”=

Didn’t she run for State Senate in the 59th District?

Comment by Knome Sane Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:23 pm
Leslie Munger is a tea partier like Rand Paul is a warmonger.

Comment by Confused Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:24 pm
I met her on the campaign trail. I was not too impressed. A head scratching pick if you ask me.

Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:29 pm
Well, there you have it. Hopefully this all goes as planned now and Judy’s ultimate goal is reached.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:29 pm
Outstanding choice! Congrats to Leslie and to the State of Illinois!

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:33 pm
Nice to have an MBA who is fiscally conservative in the position

Comment by kidfixr Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:35 pm
This makes sense. Who’s out there opposing merging the offices?

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Leslie a tea partier? Ha! Yeah, right. She is pretty far from that and I think she will do a wonderful job as Comptroller. Granted, I have a very biased opinion of her so, take it as you will. Anyways, congrats Leslie. See you in Springfield.

Comment by Alex P. Keaton Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Take note - that right there is real LEADERSHIP. Despite the rumors and innuendos bantered about by the liberal media, Governor-Elect Rauner took time and care and set forth a solid choice to fill the Comptroller vacancy in Leslie Munger. Well done!

Comment by Black Ivy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:36 pm
=Despite the rumors and innuendos bantered about by the liberal media=

Examples, please.

Comment by Knome Sane Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:38 pm
Bob Grogan hit hardest by this news.

Comment by Anyonymous77 Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:41 pm
I guess this appointment just made the decision for the House D’s about a special election.

Comment by Secretariat Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:42 pm
This is tied to the earlier post, which I just now saw.

I respect the Illinois Review for carrying the conservative faction’s water. However, they are completely tin-eared and unable to grasp political reality even when it hits them in the face. Why would Governor-elect Rauner appoint Adam A. or Bob Grogan? What would that prove? Adam A. would cause friction between Rauner and both Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton just by being appointed (let alone actually serving and advocating his causes).

Rauner wants to keep things on the up-and-up. He was not about to appoint a firebreather.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:43 pm
If she had won her race for State Senate, would she still be selflessly accepting this position and getting ready to be the state’s last comptroller? Kind of funny that she says she’s not interested in a political career when she just lost a Senate race two months ago.

Comment by Snucka Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Well I sure hope Adam Angiejeepersjewski at least gets a free ticket to the inauguration in party for all of his rahmner groveling.

Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:44 pm
I met her many times while campaigning last year. She is smart and sincere, well-accomplished and even-keeled. And she will work to close that office. Good move.

Comment by Creative Nickname Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:44 pm
Sorry, clearly I meant House… not Senate.

Comment by Snucka Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:46 pm
Translation: Leslie is a four year appt.

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Billboards Tom Cross left on the scrap heap
Nothing sez “shaken it up” like a loser from north ‘burbs
Sheer genius

Comment by circularfiringsquad Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Just a few weeks ago the Gov-Elect said Nancy Kimme was the clear choice for the job. Doesn’t seem like much of a “shake up” to me.

Comment by Raunersaurus Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:48 pm
== by just 1349 votes==

Percentage wise it is an even bigger loss than your win Bruce.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:49 pm
==- Knome Sane - Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:38 pm:==

The sound you hear and will continue to hear is that of crickets.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:50 pm
===Gov-Elect said Nancy Kimme was the clear choice for the job===

For the three-week job, not this one. Pay attention.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Schedule the special election asap, AND put the constitutional amendment on the ballot. Let the people decide who their comptroller is.

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Excellent choice.

Comment by econ prof Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:52 pm
===Billboards Tom Cross left on the scrap heap===

I don’t think he wanted it.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:52 pm
If you cannot win, get appointed.

She sure seemed politically ambitious in her run for State Rep. against Sente, (who btw was a business CEO).

If her only job is to consolidate the offices, then probably OK if she has that business management experience.

She’s a P&G-trained brand manager, and attained a senior position in marketing at Helene Curtis. Probably a good communicator, ambitious, and smart. Solid career achievements.

But not sure her management background is applicable either to financial control or to restructuring and consolidating operations.

Overall, not a harmful choice, but might have done better.

Comment by walker Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:52 pm
A few notes on this –

1) This is sound pick no matter what happens with regard to the Special Election. She’s not giving up a seat, so she’s got nothing to lose by taking it. On paper, her resume seems to make her relatively acceptable;

2) Nice that Rauner would make the choice relatively early so that we can now focus on other issues, but

3) “Democrat leaning”? Every time I read reference to “Democrat leaning” or “Democrat Party” I assume the writer spends too much time watching right wing news. Come on Bruce. Your team should be above that;

4) Let’s not forget that Quinn some took some heat for appointing political losers, although admittedly the situations were somewhat different. It will be interesting to see if there is any similar outrage over Rauner continuing that practice.

Overall, this seems like an appointment that will be viewed relatively favorably by most.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:52 pm
So she ran for a political office, and she’s taken a political appointment to a political office, but she doesn’t want a political career.

Who writes this stuff? And why doesn’t anyone read it before they put it out?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:53 pm
It’s four years, not exactly a career. What’s hard to understand?

Comment by Nikkyname Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:57 pm
“liberal media” means I cannot support my own position with facts, just engage in Ad Hominem attacks.

Comment by Del Clinkton Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 3:59 pm
@walker is Munger a social conservative - anti-abortion and opposing same sex marriage and all the rest? If so, how could she get re-elected in two years in Illinois? No wonder Rauner does not want a special election in two years.

Comment by anon Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:03 pm
=What’s hard to understand?=

If she wasn’t coming off the heels of a state senate run, I would agree with you. But she just tried to get elected, fell short and is now the presumptive appointee for a 4-year constutional position. It’s tough to swallow “I’m not interested in a political career” with those bona fides.

Comment by Knome Sane Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Great choice! We move on….

Comment by Sunshine Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:06 pm
her race web page gives a one nugget sentence about qualifications in business and adds the phrase that drives me nuts “and most importantly a mom.” yeah, cause men in politics have to write that. this pick is tea partyish.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:08 pm
This seems odd: “Munger made her first run for state office last year, falling short of defeating an incumbent state representative by just 1349 votes in the Democrat-leaning 59th district.” It’s as though they’re trying to get you to believe she narrowly lost her race. She lost her race by 5 points compared to say Rauner who only won his by 4 points.

This whole spectacle has been odd. Rauner is fighting hard to have the power to appoint an unelected statewide constitutional office holder for a full four year term and and he’s doing it so that he can appoint someone who has never held office and couldn’t win a state rep seat in a wave Republican year? It’s hard to make the case that this is the people’s choice.

Comment by The Captain Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:09 pm
We think Billboards will take anything he can. Now he can slide over to HPA
BTW it looks like the Munger dropped $500 on Mitt so apparently donors are eligible for “shake it up” spots. Yipee.
Very surprised media did not mention $$$$. It looks like they gave WhackyJack’s posse some cash too. That should confirm the wing nut credential

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Between this and Evelyn Sanguinetti, I get the sense Rauner has his own “binder of women” line of thinking. Qualifications seem to matter a lot less than the appearance of checking off the diversity box.

Comment by horse w/ no name Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Merging the offices is a BAD idea!

This is definitely one area where you want redundancy. There are checks and balances every step of the way between the two offices.

A bad Apple gets in the combined offices can do a lot of damage, at least until yearly audit time but that is each year.

Comment by low level Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:14 pm
This is a big middle finger to the voters. People didn’t think she was qualified to be a state rep but Rauner thinks she is good enough for a state wide nod w/o a special election. Keep it classy, Bruce.

Comment by Come on man! Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:15 pm
The Dems called all GOP opponents “tea partiers,” whether they were or not. The Tea Party is very unpopular in Illinois. In almost every Dem benchmark poll taken last year, tying their oppenents to the Tea Party tested better than anything else.

Comment by T.H. Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:16 pm
This could set off a civil war in the Illinois AstroTurf Teaparty between Adam gollyjeepersjewski’s AstroTurf and rahmner’s AstroTurf! Oh no!

Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Don’t know enough to pass judgment, but she’s going to need Nancy Kimme to show her the government and political ropes.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:20 pm
It’s completely his choice, and she certainly appears competent. Nuff sed, it seems to me.

Comment by Percival Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:21 pm
I wish only “tea partyish” women had to tout their “mom cred.” Unfortunately, that’s just about ubiquitous in politics, regardless of party ID.

Comment by Commander Norton Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Rich, what is Munger’s positions on social issues? Is she pro-choice? Does she support same sex marriage?

Comment by anon Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:24 pm
I dunno what to make of it;

Good, bad, indifferent, whatever.

Kinda befuddling, but if Nancy Kimme is staying on, that is probably the only thing I can comment on abd say “Thank goodness for that.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:25 pm
Probably the best way to avoid a political career is to refrain from running for political office or accepting appointments to political office.

Whatever. It’s just empty rhetoric. I just don’t understand who it is supposed to convince of what.

I mean, Rauner poured tens of millions into a political campaign for a political office yet felt the need to tell people he wasn’t a politician. What’s the point?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:25 pm
Damn I had Cindy Panayatovich and Carol Pankau as my long shots…not Leslie Munger..vegas odds must have paid big?! 35-1? Lol

Comment by 10th ward Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:28 pm
I support placing both the special election AND the constitutional amendment to merge the office with the Treasurer on the November 2016 ballot with the merger of offices effective January 2019.

Let the people decide who their comptroller is for the last two years that Illinois even has a controller.

Comment by Bill White Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:29 pm
this type of clueless pick will be forever dubbed a Munger.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:33 pm
==Who’s out there opposing merging the offices? ==

No one but the ghost of Orville Hodge, the man whose work as an embezzler is the reason for the current separation of the offices. But that could never happen today (*cough former Dixon Treasurer Rita Crundwell cough*) so there’s nothing to worry about with putting them back together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orville_Hodge

Comment by Agricola Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Pro-choice, fiscal conservative woman. Seems like a good fit to me.

Comment by Johnny Q Suburban Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Agricola, Hodge was also the state auditor. Nobody is talking about merging the auditor general’s office.

Also, quite a few other states have merged offices. It’s not been a problem.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:37 pm
I’m not interested in a political career is as believable as I’m for term limits. Rauner will use his extensive access to funds to keep himself and his minions in power, preserving political careers for those who claim they’re not interested in politics.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:38 pm
Munger race turned when Personal Pac came in and blasted her. She was cruising to victory riding the Sente/Pedophile debacle until the choice issue reversed fortunes in the final days of the race She is definetely not Pro-choice.

Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:39 pm
I have worked with Ms. Munger for many years….she is exactly what Illinois needs…..independent leadership, beholden to no-one and doing what is fiscally responsible and best for the taxpayers! Kudos to Gov. Rauner for a great appointment.

Comment by SoccerMom Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:53 pm
@Anon - 4:39

From Munger’s website: “I support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.”

That ain’t pro-life.

Comment by Johnny Q Suburban Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:54 pm
Munger said this: “I believe in freedom and that it is not the role of government to interfere with a woman’s personal health choice,” Munger stated. Sounds pro-choice to me.

Comment by anon Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:56 pm
Leslie Munger is Pro-Choice….her opponent, Sente lied and used her statement to Personal PAC both ways. Importantly, what does this have to do with the office of Comptroller? Munger is a fiscal conservative and social moderate who advocated balanced budgets, reforming pensions and consolidating the office of Comptroller and Treasurer. how is this bad???

Comment by ILIndependent Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:01 pm
Rich:
Just so you know, I based my comments on the remarks made by Michael Howlett to the Constitutional Convention on January 14, 1970, where Howlett (the then-serving Auditor of Public Accounts) called for the creation of both the office of Auditor General and an elected office of Comptroller as a response to the Orville Hodge scandal. Howlett’s remarks are at pages 87-88 of the .pdf of the ConCon transcript available at LRU’s website: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lru/lru_home.html
If I have misunderstood Howlett’s remarks, then I am sorry for the misrepresentation.

Comment by Agricola Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:06 pm
@ Gooner 3:52
-Let’s not forget that Quinn some took some heat for appointing political losers-

Come on man. He got heat for appointing political losers after they made controversial lame-duck votes for him. Big difference.

-She’s not the people’s choice because she didn’t win a rep race-

A gerrymandered district is never representative of the state. By that theory, Quinn shouldn’t have been gov. in 2010 because he only won a few counties and Brady won the rest.

Munger is an extremely accomplished businesswoman with a little political experience. I wish she had more political experience, but I prefer a business resume over a political one. I don’t believe state rep experience alone helps make you a good comptroller. There’s a big difference between being an executive and a legislator. Hanging around the capitol doesn’t make you an executive.

Comment by Stan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:15 pm
Since we want to know a Comptroller’s views on abortion and same sex marriage, what’s her opinion on other relevant topics like the Designated Hitter Rule? Zone defense or man to man? The 4-3 or 3-4 defense? Jay Cutler’s return?

Comment by Designated Hitter Rule Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:17 pm
BTW, we really should give the Rauner team kudos for running a tight ship on this one. There wasn’t a single rumor about Munger.

Comment by Stan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:17 pm
==Who’s out there opposing merging the offices? ==

Just this guy named Mike Madigan. In 2011, SJRCA 13 passed the Senate 55-0 but never made it out of House rules. In 2014 an identical resolution languished in Senate Exec subcommittee. If Madigan decides to support the consolidation it will be on the ballot in 2016. If not, it won’t.

Comment by Jaded Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:18 pm
===A gerrymandered district is never representative of the state. By that theory, Quinn shouldn’t have been gov. in 2010 because he only won a few counties and Brady won the rest.===

Counties. Don’t. Vote.

As to the gerrymandering, either you win, or you lose.

MJM won the chamber with a GOP map…4 times.

Loses are loses. Excuses are excuses. Counties don’t vote, ever.

You’re not helping.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:20 pm
Let’s all take a breath. Having supported Leslie in her campaign for the 59th District (which is a state rep seat, not the senate, peeps), I can say with personal knowledge that she is dynamite. If you haven’t met her, please keep an open mind until you do. She’ll impress.

Comment by Team America Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:24 pm
@ Oswego Willy

-counties don’t vote-

Really? Seems every county votes. There are countywide races in every county I know of. Quinn would have lost in almost every countywide race in 2010 yet he was elected. There are districts where it is impossible for a Republican to win and others where it is impossible for a Dem to win. Doesn’t mean a candidate can’t win statewide. Some of the best races are run by people who lose.

Heck Tom Cross lost, Jill Tracy lost. Would the same argument be made if they were appointed? Probably not. Did either of those candidates ever win a swing district???

Comment by Stan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:28 pm
@Designated Hitter Rule
I seem to remember JBT being rather outspoken on the SSM issue. Of course as a hetero male, you wouldn’t care, but there are those of us who do. When the DH becomes a hot button political issue, then, please, feel free to make the comparison.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:29 pm
Rauner was brilliant in his choice for Comptroller. Munger is a political outsider who said she would not take a pension and supports Term Limits, Fair maps and balanced budgets. She is not a politician, but an intelligent businesswoman who is a proven problem-solver with an impressive resume of success. Stop piling on and let her do her job…..

Comment by NewBeginnings Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:30 pm
===Seems every county votes.===

Really? Counties don’t vote.

There isn’t an electoral college electing governors.

===There are districts where it is impossible for a Republican to win and others where it is impossible for a Dem to win. Doesn’t mean a candidate can’t win statewide. Some of the best races are run by people who lose.==

All that matters who DOES win.

That’s how elections work, lol

I am confused on your Cross/Tracy thingy but it looks swell.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:33 pm
Stan do yourself a big favor and don’t engage with Willy u will have more fun banging your head against a brick wall trust me

Comment by regular democrat Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:38 pm
- regular democrat -,

Two words for ya;

Concussion protocol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:41 pm
After running against a MM candidate seems to me a special election might be on the horizon

Comment by Outside the lines Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:41 pm
== Schedule the special election asap, AND put the constitutional amendment on the ballot. Let the people decide who their comptroller is. ==

I second @Bill White. That is a decent compromise idea by @PublicServant. Everyone gives a little, and the public has more input.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:41 pm
@ Oswego Willy

-There isn’t an electoral college electing governors- Or comptrollers for that matter.

Just because she lost one state rep race doesn’t mean she can’t win statewide. Thanks for making my point.

Regarding Tracy/Cross. They lost their most recent races. Yet no one on this blog would have been talking about how they were not the “people’s choice” if they had been appointed.

Comment by Stan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 5:56 pm
===Regarding Tracy/Cross. They lost their most recent races. Yet no one on this blog would have been talking about how they were not the “people’s choice” if they had been appointed===

How do you know that?

You know in an alternative universe how people would react to things that never happened?

Sure…

===Just because she lost one state rep race doesn’t mean she can’t win statewide. Thanks for making my point.===

What point is that…exactly?

Her electoral experience is a loss.

This is a bottom line business in campaigns. Wins. Loses.

The crutch of Counties, gerrymandering, it boils down to winning or losing. MJM won a chamber with a GOP map, you can win districts, so you’re saying Sente was unbeatable? That district is un-winnable?

Her record is what it is, making excuses isn’t helping.

She IS the Comptroller-Designate.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:06 pm
Who backed her in the last race?

Comment by Outside the lines Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:06 pm
She sounds socially moderate and fiscally conservative. Exactly like Bruce and exactly what many Illinoisans who swing vote were looking for in 2014.

Comment by Outsider Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:26 pm
Stan,

Could you tell me the votes that Dan Seals took in that lame duck session? Because I don’t recall him being in Springfield.

But I remember a lot of outrage from the GOP over that one.

So much of that little theory you had.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:33 pm
Leslie Munger suffered through “one of the most disgusting attack campaigns in the state” per the Chicago Tribune endorsement of her. She has no interest in a long term political career. She wants to help put the state right and get out. She definitely supports term limits. There is more to her than you think.

Comment by Mark Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:33 pm
===Leslie Munger suffered through “one of the most disgusting attack campaigns in the state” per the Chicago Tribune endorsement===

Yeah, it was pretty freaking harsh, but the edit board needs to get out more.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:41 pm
Does she have ANY financial experience? What was her BS in? Those big corps where she has all this nebulous business experience, they have Accounting, Finance Departments and CFOs. She’s qualified to be comptroller how again?

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:44 pm
Some silly stuff from the Tribbies in the update; she was “traveling out of state and couldn’t be reached for comment.”

Seriously, what does that mean?

Is she traveling back in time, perhaps before Samuel Morse invented the telegraph?

Or perhaps by “traveling out of state” they meant she was traveling on an astral plane and is really, really, out of state.

Why not just say, “We wanted to talk to her, but the Rauner people wouldn’t give us her cell number and told us to just print the stuff they put in the press release.”

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:45 pm
“I’m not taking a pension; I’m not taking healthcare” is code for I can afford not to. it makes people who do that look, well awful by comparison and it is most often a not fair standard. so I fully expect that the Republican Party will take a look at all their state and local elected officials and hold them to the “I don’t need it” standard. they can start with Townships and make sure that officials don’t, say, have a pension from a County job and are starting to earn a pension from a Township elected position. start in the NW Chicago suburbs.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:48 pm
== Johnny Q Suburban - Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 4:54 pm:

From Munger’s website: “I support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.”
==

Um, that sentence doesn’t prove she’s pro-choice, it only proves she knows how politicize the answer. Of course she wouldn’t “vote to overturn Roe v. Wade” — only the US Supreme Court can do that. Not members of the General Assembly.

I’m sure that sentence was written by some campaign staffer, but it bothers me.

Comment by ugh Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 6:53 pm
I’m probably going to get smacked around for this, but I don’t see how she’s remotely qualified. How does work experience 14 years ago and some volunteering makes a person qualified to manage an office of 500 people and make financial decisions? Thank God Nancy is sticking around.

What a coincidence Rauner announces this today, just in time to make a push for a special election look political, even though it is the right thing to do.

Comment by WWMJMD Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:01 pm
She won’t accept the pension. So? Are those that do accept the state’s offer of current and deferred compensation in the form of the pension somehow compromised? She’s an elitist that doesn’t represent the common man voter in any way, and that’s the ultimate reason to limit her appointment via a special election.

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:04 pm
@gooner 6:33

The outrage against Quinn started with appointments like Coreen Gordon only days after she voted for the lame-duck tax increase. Or Mike Smith who received a job that he didn’t meet the legal requirements for. Let’s not forget Quinn’s appointment of Terry Cosgrove.

Quinn lost major credibility on appointments. He had many overtly political ones. An occasional “Dan Seal” type of appointment wouldn’t have caused outrage on their own.

Comment by Stan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:06 pm
===Aides for Rauner said Munger was traveling out of state and could not be reached for comment Monday but said she will join Rauner on a statewide tour Saturday.===

“Ok. That bought us 5 days to get her ‘Programmed’ as a full Raunerbot. Make sure she makes it to one of the 8 houses!”

(This is snark, I mean, she can’t talk till Saturday, lol)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:17 pm
“Yeah, it was pretty freaking harsh, . . .”

Yes. It. Was. It was beyond disgusting. The Trib did call that one correctly.

Munger is extremely smart. She is an excellent choice for this position. This was a great choice that clearly has shaken up many here. Great call by the Governor-Elect.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:20 pm
How is she financially qualified to hold a financially-oriented statewide position Louie?

Comment by PublicServant Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:22 pm
Traveling out of state?

Why announce if there isn’t time for a 15 minute conference call with the media?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:42 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,

With respect, up to maybe a week ago, let’s say, Munger didn’t even know she was being considered. Now, in a week, not a campaign of months or a career IN government, she is an “excellent” choice, a “great” choice bases on that …Rauner picked her?

lol.

Here is my take. Pretty simple;

If Nancy Kimme is staying on, that speaks more to me than she faced a “tough” campaign that she lost.

The rest is the puffery. That’s all this is.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:45 pm
Willy, if you knew anything about her background, her personality and her smarts, you would instantly regret your last posting.

I know you have a boulder sized chip on your shoulder about Rauner, but if Munger is an example of future Rauner appointments, then the State of Illinois will be in great hands.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:51 pm
===I know you have a boulder sized chip on your shoulder about Rauner,===

No I don’t, don’t make it about me…

The question posed to you was…

===up to maybe a week ago, let’s say, Munger didn’t even know she was being considered. Now, in a week, not a campaign of months or a career IN government, she is an “excellent” choice, a “great” choice bases on that …Rauner picked her?===

Seems pretty straight forward, not loaded. A person, up to a week ago, let’s say, with no experience in politics except a “tough” loss is picked by an novice in government, and you called it a “great” pick, an “excellent” pick…(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:58 pm
Willy, yes your last comment was all about you. Get over it.

Since November 4th, how many individuals are being considered for how many positions and how many of them do or do not know if they are going to be appointed? So what are you trying to tell us? What is your point?

Post election, I expect a lot of new faces in government. That was part of what was promised. Shaking things up. A Willy type would lash out at a series of “same old, same old” type of appointments. A Willy type also lashes out at new unknown highly intelligent types? That isn’t being straight forward. That is circular logic.

Clarify please!

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:05 pm
Most past Comptrollers had no previous experience and few complained. Critically, Illinois is a fiscal mess and is soon to go over the cliff. Judy Barr Topinka was re-elected and it is Rauner’s job to fill the vacancy. I think Rauner is smart to have picked an experienced business person who created budgets, managed people, had P&L responsibility, etc. like Munger who advocated consolidating the office and will now work to do so. Wise choice streamlining Illinois making it more efficient. WIN-WIN for the taxpayers.

Comment by Moneybags Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:05 pm
Oswego Willy-You have put up 7 comments on just this one post. You are making this about you.
BTW, I love Oswego after having discovered it going back and forth to Farnsworth House a few times over the years.

Comment by Bob the Slob with a Cushy State Job Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:14 pm
Louie, that office pretty much runs itself. It’s a political choice for a political position so speculation on the the politics is kosher.

It’s not like experience in brand management for shampoo and anti-perspirant is a pre-req for whiz-bang financial reporting.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:15 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,

Can. You. Read?

- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 7:58 pm: |Edit

The question posed to you was…

===up to maybe a week ago, let’s say, Munger didn’t even know she was being considered. Now, in a week, not a campaign of months or a career IN government, she is an “excellent” choice, a “great” choice bases on that …Rauner picked her?===

Seems pretty straight forward, not loaded. A person, up to a week ago, let’s say, with no experience in politics except a “tough” loss is picked by an novice in government, and you called it a “great” pick, an “excellent” pick…(?)===

So, I don’t see how that’s about me. lol

You said she was a “great” pick, she was an “excellent” pick, ok, then answer.

You’re not helping.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:17 pm
Stan,

Were Republicans outraged over Dan Seals?

You may wish they had the sense to limit their outrage, but we both know they didn’t.

Face it — the same people who were SHOCKED that Gov. Quinn would appoint a losing Congressional candidate are now going to act thrilled that Gov. Rauner is appointed a losing State Rep. candidate.

That tells us a lot about the ILGOP.

Comment by Gooner Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:18 pm
OW, since you won’t answer my question, I’ll just move on.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:28 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,

You are a Dope.

You can’t say why she’s an “excellent” pick, a “great” pick?

I asked ya first, and further, asking me about other “appointees” isn’t what this post is about.

It’s like you just can’t answer.

At all.

Can you not answer straight-forward questions?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:37 pm
A Dope? At least I don’t have that massive chip that you have on your shoulder.

I know Leslie Munger very well. That is why I am thrilled to see her being appointed. She is an excellent choice. You don’t know her. You are wildly and blindly critical of everything Rauner does.

Explain why your ignorance should be given credence then.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:52 pm
So, you’re personal assessment.

No facts, nothing you are willing to point to…

Given, a week ago, she might not have had considered this job.

I stated very clearly, Nancy Kimme staying on is huge, that is a plus that think it’ll go well…

You saying “great” and “excellent”, c’mon…

I have been very complimentary of Rauner’s staffing and said his transition team is his call, said nothing about it.

Trying to discredit me ain’t working. You want it to, but hit the “search” key, I like “Z”, I think the default is just to take it out on me, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 8:58 pm
I’m not interested in a political career, this is where I insert a eye roll lol. If you are running for a Senate seat then you are interested in a political career. I love it when people come off as something they are not. Seems like this is the only type of people that run for office anymore.

Comment by Honest Abe Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 9:02 pm
After reading through this thread tonight, its going to be very hard for Ms. Munger (or B Rauner) to do anything right-even if its right. Wow.

Comment by Soccertease Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 9:22 pm
That’s the definition of “failing up.”

Comment by A. Nonymous Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 10:10 pm
“Not bad for someone who got her BS Interior Design”

Besides the fact that you conveniently forgot about her MBA, I’m a little disgusted with all the talk today on this thread and another one about what degrees people have. Y’all sound like a bunch of liberal yuppie elitists. Degrees mean nothing - especially when you got them 30 years ago (this coming from someone witha degree from UIUC).

P.S. Scot Walker did not have a degree when he became Governor. He’s been elected what, 3 times now?

Comment by J.Nolan Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 11:21 pm
@ D

She’s got an MBA from Northwestern. Give the hyper-spin a rest.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 11:42 pm
It’s late, but if this is up in the am, I’d love a response to OW’s core question. Why is Ms. Munger an “excellent” pick, a “great” pick?

Several of the commenters know her and make this claim. Why? What in her resume will make her an “excellent” or “great” comptroller? I know nothing about her except what was in the press release (not much) and what has been posted here (likes and dislike, but little in the way of relevant info). I have made no judgements on this so far, but would like some specifics about Ms. Munger’s background.

(I agree with OW that losing a race for state rep does not seem to be much of a qualification.)

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 11:50 pm
It’s too bad Tom Cross didn’t want it, he would have made a lot of sense in the role. Don’t know a lot about Leslie Munger, but all the best to her.

“No one can ever replace Judy Baar Topinkia…”

Was this in the actual press release?

Comment by Lunchbox Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 12:07 am
Positive points about Leslie:
MBA from Northwestern with concentration in finance
Executive experience at large firm.
Vetted by Madigan Machine.
Proved to be strong candidate.
Qualified “outsider” who just earned a street degree in Illinois politics.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 12:10 am
Yikes….

===MBA from Northwestern with concentration in finance=== and …===Executive experience at large firm.===

Is Business finance the same as being a Constitutional Comptroller with mandated duties and responsibilities?

===Vetted by Madigan Machine.===

I guess “Vetted” means defeated?

===Proved to be strong candidate.===

Argumentative. Losing by 5 points….up for discussion I guess.

===Qualified “outsider” who just earned a street degree in Illinois politics.===

Whaaa?

If losing a race means earning a street degree in Illinois Politics, that means there are loads of “Qualified” Comptrollers out there.

This tact isn’t helping…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 12:24 am
My god Willy. There’s no degree for “comptroller”. A finance MBA is pretty good. And being vetted by Madigan means thet didn’t find any baggage. Running a tough race flushes put a lot. She come close in what most people originally thought was a safe district for the Dems. I have a friend who lives in the district who said madigans people were crawling all over the district all day every day. She was a rookie candidate in a tough disrict who got the brunt of the Madigan machine. She did well. Your definition of who is qualified for the position must be very narrow.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 7:20 am
… Not to mention that she was grossly outspent.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 7:27 am
“- Anonymous -”,

===Your definition of who is qualified for the position must be very narrow.===

Let’s see, - Louis G. Atsaves - stated she was an “outstanding” choice at 3:33 pm, and continued with comments of a “great” and an “excellent” choice…

As - Pot calling kettle - picked up…

What makes this pick…

“Outstanding”, “Great”, “Excellent”?

What makes THIS pick all that?

Her education?

Running a “tough” race, as opposed to an easy race? Did she win?

===She come close in what most people originally thought was a safe district for the Dems.===

A 5 point loss isn’t “close”…

===She did well===

So now we give participation trophies instead of winning seats?

Look, until all this hyperbole began, abd the “ecuses”, I was just befuddled.

Can’t she just be a “solid” choice that is in agreement with Rauner and someone Comptroller Topinka would approve?

This is just puffery that seems to be “needed” to inflate a losibg state rep candidate who wants no career in politics but ran fur office and now takes an appointment?

This unnecessary puffery is not helping.

That is the point.

“Outstanding”, “Great”, “Excellent”

Ok. Then you have to own those words…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 7:34 am
I tried to warn Stan earlier not to engage this clown but you guys wont listen. He always right and everyone else is a dope Please just ignore Willy and maybe he will go away. I tried to warn you……

Comment by regular democrat Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 7:41 am
- regular democrat -

How’s that concussion protocol going?

Not good I see.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 7:53 am
She is a very good pick.

I wish her the best of luck and hope we can return to a sensible statewide office combining both the treasurer and comptroller of this state.

The lady who held both offices for multiple terms over the past couple of decades favored this plan and there was simply no one else with that real world experience, integrity and love of Illinois that would know more about this issue.

Illinois needs less politics and less optics. It needs bipartisanship. Lets hope that the new administration can find a way of accomplishing that.

We are in a severe situation all around. The past decade was an unmitigated disaster. What I would like to see over the next couple of years isn’t much, but it was still more than what we had given to us by the last few governors, who actually made our government worse.

Rauner needs a few miracles to pull anything off. I pray it happens because Illinois needs a break from the mass government incompetence and political stupidity we’ve been forced to endure by the party in charge, and the crappy minority party.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:10 am
Seems like she is a pick… PQ was a nice guy… I never did vote for him. I say nice guy because of the military love he always showed. I loved that. Genuine. This lady may be nice and have some qualifications. She was appointed. She is not a career politician…yet. She ran. She lost.. She will get a very good taste of politics. She may continue…She may not…The jury is out if she is a good, bad, or ugly pick… You can’t run for office and lose and then say you don’t want to be in politics… That is disingenuous. There is no gray in that. None. I wish her the best…. I would have liked to see an appointment by someone with NO Government track record. That would have been more of a shock and shake up…

Comment by Walter Mitty Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:24 am
Rauner is apparently pretty serious about doing away with the Comptrollers office, and Leslie Munger is apparently 100% on board with that. I bet that was a major consideration.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:29 am
All the commentary about social issues?
Yeah whenever I make the choice for a financial office holder a candidate’s stance on social issues sways my vote???
Don’t think so.

Comment by DuPage Worker Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:29 am
== -She’s not the people’s choice because she didn’t win a rep race ==

“The people” can give too shakes about who fills this office…

A very real % of the people in Illinois who care about who is in the office at this point, visit this website.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:35 am
==The lady who held both offices for multiple terms over the past couple of decades favored this plan and there was simply no one else with that real world experience, integrity and love of Illinois that would know more about this issue.
==

OK. This is the kind of response that bothers me. Ms. Munger might be a fine choice, but no one has posted much of anything to support some of the over-the-top endorsements. Did Judy know her? How can you say “no one else” would know more? That kind of comment needs some serious backup.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 6, 15 @ 8:39 am