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* From a press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner signed Executive Order 15-10 today to increase government transparency.
Under Executive Order 15-10, Rutan-exempt employees will be published on the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal (ITAP) website, finally giving the people of Illinois a way to easily find the state’s political hires.
“The IDOT hiring scandal proved the public deserves a way to easily find out who are all the political appointees in state government.” Gov. Rauner said. “We need to restore faith in state government if we expect the people of Illinois to help the government in its mission. This Executive Order is a first step towards earning back the people’s trust.”
The Executive Order also instructs the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to assist units of local government in providing information about their employees for posting on the ITAP website.
“Taxpayers at every level of government deserve to know more about how their money is being spent,” Gov. Rauner added. “The action we are taking today will help build a more open and accountable government.”
The full EO is here.
* Rauner also had a few other things to say today…
* “Since the election, my primary focus has been recruiting. Recruiting the most talented team we can possibly have.”
* Asked whether he’ll undo Quinn’s executive order mandating that state contractors pay workers at least $10 an hour: “I won’t comment on specific things. My bias is to take action to undo pretty much everything that Gov. Quinn did since the election since every time we look most of it’s bad.”
* “There’s so much to do, there is so much to do.”
* Communication with legislative leaders by previous governor was, “Lacking or frigid.”
* “People who disagree don’t have to be disrespectful to each other… We can still like each other and respect each other even when we’re cracking each others’ heads…”
* “The bureaucracy in Illinois has run amok, and I’m going to change that.”
* On that $20 million campaign fund: “All that is is a way for me to get involved in the process going forward… There’s an ongoing campaign every day… around reform… We’ve got to get our message to the voters… There’s going to be an ongoing process, every month. It’s not just two years until the next election. It’s a process to communicate with people in this state so they understand what’s going on.”
* Raw audio…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:27 am
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“There’s so much to do, there is so much to do.”
Is that you Willy Wonka?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:30 am
===* On that $20 million campaign fund: “All that is is a way for me to get involved in the process going forward… There’s an ongoing campaign every day… around reform… We’ve got to get our message to the voters… There’s going to be an ongoing process, every month. It’s not just two years until the next election. It’s a process to communicate with people in this state so they understand what’s going on.”===
Other useful tools that seemed to work exactly the same.
Dead horse head in a bed
Fish wrapped in a bulletproof vest
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:32 am
OW - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvOO1Whi_Gc
Comment by Dave Dahl Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:41 am
Governor Rauner should also insist that any of his appointees have no history of hiring politicians that lost elections that were given appointments or unposted jobs/contracts. Family members hired or given special favors. This will ensure a clean entry into a reform minded leadership team.
Comment by Hallowed Halls Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:42 am
“I won’t comment on specific things….”
Oh, I think you will. No choice. That’s the job, those specifics.
Kind of had two months already for the “recruiting,” did he not?
Glad he cleared up how he’s going to use the Baron/Griff/Dick fund.
Just a guess, based on his opaque explanation, but sounds like he’s going to be running “issue” spots during the session targeting legislators.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:43 am
“There’s so much to do, there is so much to do.”
• There will be plenty of time for plan details after the primary.
• There will be plenty of time for plan details after the summer.
There will be plenty of time for plan details after the election.
• There will be plenty of time for plan details after the inauguration.
• There will be plenty of time for plan details after…
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:44 am
==Governor Rauner should also insist that any of his appointees have no history of hiring politicians that lost elections==
LOL Too late on that one…Comptroller…cough, cough
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:47 am
Paying legislators for their vote out of that 20 million sounds like anything but reform. Transparency to him means instead of passing the money under the table, he passes it over the table for the whole world to see.
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:47 am
Rome like bureaucracy like was not built in a day.
It will take a long and measured time to bust it up. Rauner is in the 1st inning and has a ton of work to do.
I hope we have some changes, we should check the score card after 100 days.
Comment by Mokenavince Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:49 am
“I won’t comment on specific things….”
Oh, I think you will. No choice. That’s the job, those specifics.
Kind of had two months already for the “recruiting,” did he not?
===Glad he cleared up how he’s going to use the Baron/Griff/Dick fund.
Just a guess, based on his opaque explanation, but sounds like he’s going to be running “issue” spots during the session targeting legislators.===
Maybe Uhiline/Proft Productions, you know, so guys like Rep. Sandack stay in the Parliament of Owls(?)
Seems Rep. Sandack learned real quick…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:50 am
In 1990, Mary Lee Leahy struggled to get the list of Rutan exemptions to be made public and the settlement agreement required exactly that. The list has never been readily available for review and it became a hidden list over the past decade.
It is fitting that such an Executive Order be issued that finally fulfills the promises that the State made nearly 25 years ago.
It is a shame that it took so long for such a simple task.
Comment by Carl Draper Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:56 am
Pot calling kettle- don’t forget the soon to be toll way ex director Tom ( double ) Cross.
Comment by Dupage whisperer Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:58 am
I like idea of publishing information about who has exempt jobs.
I also like that Rauner is resisting Illiana.
Expand Gary Airport capacity. Don’t pave farmland to build Jesse Jackson, Jr’s folly.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:59 am
He has been in office three days. He needs to hire people and listen to them. He may end up a good or bad governor, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Comment by Peoria Guy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:59 am
Not all Rutan-exempt employees are political appointees. I work with (3) people that are double exempt that have no political connection, simply bid on the job. A large number of term appointments were converted to exempt to get around the hiring rules on the mid level manager area. I appreciate the effort here but
I think this is an error in judgment.
Comment by Just Because Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:59 am
Sometimes I almost wish this were Facebook, so I could hit “like” on every comment from MrJM and Wordslinger.
Comment by Linus Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:01 am
“I won’t comment on specific things.” Sounds like a new gubernatorial motto!
Comment by Eli Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:06 am
Regarding Executive Puffery (Order) 15-10, I’m sure the citizens of the state will feel much better now that we have branded the letter P (Political Hack) on the heads of these employees. Since all employees are listed on the web, maybe we can change the color and font on the names of these folks to show how dangerous they are compared to general workers.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:08 am
It really worries me for some of my friends and former colleagues that Gov Rauner seems to think that all Rutan-Exempt employees are political hires. Many of these people we either promoted (in hindsight it wasn’t a promotion at all) or earned those jobs by being very hardworking. Not all double exempts work elections or even care about politics, they just show up & do their job every day. Hopefully the Governor doesn’t cast a wide net over all these people & actually reviews their performance before canning them.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:08 am
This is brilliant, makes it so much easier to know who to call for campaign volunteers.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:10 am
Good point Hallowed Halls. That should also include Bruce’s Nursing Homes and GTCR.
Remember, he is going to “Shake Up Springfield”.
Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:11 am
Just Because and Anonymous. If they didn’t get in because of how they voted, the campaign they worked on, the staff they came from, who they knew or who they were related to, then they must have mysteriously walked into the CMS testing room, declared they were the best qualified and were then scooped up because no one — no one — in the political world had their qualifications or wanted that job. THAT is a pretty unique class of people to be in, especially considering the paucity of these jobs since Rutan. Rauner should definitely keep anyone in that class, especially those who decide that they are members of that class.
Comment by Savoir Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:12 am
“Under Executive Order 15-10, Rutan-exempt employees will be published on the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal” - Umm, I’m pretty sure they’ve been there the whole time. I know I have and I’m double exempt.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:15 am
Rauner struggles when he’s unscripted, and just starts wandering the long way around the barn, hoping to kill time until the questions stop.
Seriously, “the bureaucracy has run amok?” I can’t begin to understand what he’s talking about. Where, whom, how?
The press corps hopefully will get in a rhythm on follow up questions to move him off the superficial campaign talking points.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:17 am
Perhaps the better way isn’t to list whether they’re Rutan exempt or not, but show how they applied for the job, was it a bid (including Posting ID) or some other way?
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:20 am
=== “Since the election, my primary focus has been recruiting. Recruiting the most talented team we can possibly have.” ===
Yes, recruiting will go so smoothly when you tell them that if their jobs go away because of a political transition, they will likely have to wait a year to get another job with a company dealing with the state. Plus, their names will be placed on a list showing that they’re political hacks. Finally, their salaries will most likely be frozen (unless these favored people are not held to the same standard as regular MCs).
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:21 am
Thank you Just Because and Anonymous at 11:08, you are exactly right! I sit in one of those “high-paying” double exempt positions due to the convuluted personnel code. I earn less than those I supervise, haven’t had a raise in 5 years, was mandated to take the furlough days several years back, and still take my job and responsibilities seriously. We’re not all “political hacks” because we’re “double-exempt”. I would bet there are plenty of union employees that are more politically active than I am.
Comment by Both Sides Now Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:23 am
Will he be commenting on specifics on February 18?
Comment by The Drummer Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:23 am
=== “The bureaucracy in Illinois has run amok, and I’m going to change that.” ===
How so?
Oops, you’ve answered with this quote: “I won’t comment on specific things.”
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:23 am
It seems so negative to begin with how the old guys messed it up. I realize he doesn’t like revealing details but why start on a negative?
We voted him in and Quinn out so we know we didn’t like how Quinn was performing.
Comment by Belle Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:24 am
Anon - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:15 am, you’ve been on the list but have you been branded yet.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:25 am
- Savoir -,
It appears the anger of your comment is as wrong as the spelling of your handle.
Deep breaths…and spell check.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:26 am
Echoing Just Because and Anonymous 11:08 comments that many formerly Rutan middle manager jobs were changed to exempt/double-exempt by Blago/Quinn. Rather than targeting these positions, Rauner should re-examine these positions and reclassify them to what they should be.
Comment by Soccertease Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:27 am
OW-
Savoir - Fr. to know
Comment by Savoir Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:29 am
Both Sides Now, too much information. People aren’t interested. Seriously, it’s sad the generalizations used by folks without know the details.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:33 am
@Belle
=It seems so negative to begin with how the old guys messed it up.=
Ummm, he was ELECTED as a Republican in a VERY Blue state to fix the problems brought to crisis levels by the Dems, Belle. The people understood that Quinn and Blago “messed up” so they elected someone who’d clean up the mess.
Right now, Rauner is trying to establish a political “brand”, and this is right on message.
He’s just a week into this job, Belle. First come the words, then come the actions (hopefully). We’ll see.
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:33 am
===Savoir - Fr. to know===
Now I know. I also know you’re angry at;
===Just Because and Anonymous. If they didn’t get in because of how they voted, the campaign they worked on, the staff they came from, who they knew or who they were related to, then they must have mysteriously walked into the CMS testing room, declared they were the best qualified and were then scooped up because no one — no one — in the political world had their qualifications or wanted that job===
You could apply, or did you?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:38 am
Kudos to the new guy for his attempts at transparency regarding Rutan-exempt state positions. It is a fine start.
Yet, I’m not hearing him speak in terms which will unite the State. For a guy who knows how to sell, he needs to be aware that he is not using language that will build a bipartisan coalition.
Try to speak respectfully of your predecessor and let your minions rave. As governor, you need to prove yourself on your own terms. You cannot do that by tearing down the previous governors. That is our job here on this Blog! You need to be above that.
Yes, there is so much to do.
“I won’t comment on specific things. My bias is to take action to undo pretty much everything that Gov. Quinn did since the election since every time we look most of it’s bad.”
Wrong thing to say, all around. You’ve been in Office three days. You don’t have any bipartisan credibility to really know what you are saying as true. It might be your “bias”, but you weren’t elected to exercise that “bias”. It will be your job to move beyond it, and demonstrate to your base and to your critics that your decisions aren’t politically biased.
“People who disagree don’t have to be disrespectful to each other… We can still like each other and respect each other even when we’re cracking each others’ heads…” Please be aware that your inaugural speech is considered disrespectful to some very sincere, and dedicated public servants and officials with more experiences in government than you have.
I’m concerned about how he has a need and has an opportunity to build bipartisanship, but seems unable to speak in a way to reach it. That campaign language needs to go, and it needs to be replaced with governing language which is more empathetic, respectful and humble for all.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:44 am
All this gibberish is about setting the tone. Other than bringing in his “people” and removing as many of PQ’s “people” as possible the Governor would be wise to take a moment before he acts or speaks. Most good leaders that I have been associated with take a look around and evaluate before they act.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:45 am
Bad news for you Arizona Bob. Republicans have failed to keep the pension funds current. Republicans built all the prisons downstate, staffed them with patronage workers with Free Government Healthcare and Pensions at retirement, with no way to pay for them. Republicans have failed this state too. Republican Governors have been in prison.
Illinoisans elected a Governor who said he’d expand education…
….by cutting taxes.
When will Republicans ever learn?
Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:47 am
So many negative comments…lets wait a few months and see how the new guy does…so far he sounds rational to me.
Comment by OutSider Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:47 am
The EO on Rutan transparency was fine, though I believe that info was already available. Maybe he means they’ll make the site easier to use.
I don’t get his attitude that he won’t comment on specifics. That’s a campaign strategy. For him to say: “We haven’t decided yet. That issue is under review. We’ll let you know.” all would work better for him now.
Comment by walker Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:56 am
The culling of the Quinn herd has been somewhat scattered. Liaisons at Revenue & IDOT for example have not been axed while others who are less partisan/political were shown the door. They need to figure out where all the political hacks have buried and go after them.
Comment by 1776 Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:59 am
Funny how the National GOP turns itself inside out every time Obama issues an Executive Order, but it’s swell when one of their guys does it. Oh, I forgot: Do as I say, not as I do.
Well, let’s give him a little time before we declare “business as usual” but with different rhetoric.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:03 pm
“It’s a process to communicate with people in this state so they understand what’s going on.”
But also,
“I won’t comment on specific things.”
Might I humbly suggest that commenting on specific things is a great way to communicate with the people and let them know what is going on?
Comment by VM Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:03 pm
Savoir @ 11:12am I know it comes as a shock to you but yes those people do exist. There are positions (such as the one I had) that except for the fact that the posting said “Exempt” you couldn’t tell it from a non-exempt one. Publicly Posted, bids, Rutan-style interviews, the whole nine yards. Just because the job title says “SPSA” doesn’t mean “Political.”
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:10 pm
An unfunded local government mandate.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:15 pm
* “The bureaucracy in Illinois has run amok, and I’m going to change that.”
Hits the nail right on the head..
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:18 pm
It impresses me how negative the comments are here. After listening to what he had to say, I came away with positive vibes.
Let’s give Governor Rauner a chance.
Comment by Down South OX Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:21 pm
Skeptic
I have a question for you. I believe you that there are Rutan exempt spots that really are no different than the other PSA or SPSA etc. My question is can the Gov. Reclassify these so that Rutan exempt spots are appropriately labeled?
It seems to me that those inappropriately classified job are just as bad as know nothing political hacks.
Comment by Mason born Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Skeptic - You’re absolutely correct….Savoir must think its still 1979….
Comment by Anotherretiree Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:29 pm
@1776:
I’m sure Bruce had some pretty sharp Diaper Changers in his nursing homes that will wind up as Directors for the state. No need to worry.
Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:32 pm
“It impresses me how negative the comments are here.”
Would it be better not to say anything while we wait for Rauner to provide details he says he can’t give us? And how long will that take? But, it’s OK for Rauner to continue with negative comments about Quinn and the state every time he speaks? How about he shuts up until he can provide us with the plans we’ve been waiting two years to hear?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Negative comments, of course. We are as partisan as the politicians.
Comment by Peoria Guy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Yes Wensicia, it would be better to say nothing.
Comment by Peoria Guy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:44 pm
These connected employees are now deeply entrenched in the state agencies It is going to take time and patience to remove them or reduce there job status. The focus should be toward those employees which have positions they are not qualified for. Good luck to them. Start with cms grades given and where they were valid
Comment by Hhood Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:52 pm
The states in trouble. I don’t care who fixes it. Governor Rauner is a businessman. His head will explode when he sees all the ignorant wasteful spending in our bloated government.
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:55 pm
==finally giving the people of Illinois a way to easily find the state’s political hires==
Rutan exempt DOES NOT mean political hire.
==My bias is to take action to undo pretty much everything that Gov. Quinn did since the election==
Yeah, because state government operations should have just come to a halt for 2 months waiting on him to take office.
==The bureaucracy in Illinois has run amok, and I’m going to change that==
Really? How so? It’s a nice slogan but really has no meaning.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:56 pm
===Just a guess, based on his opaque explanation, but sounds like he’s going to be running “issue” spots during the session targeting legislators.===
You all are thinking of the wrong $20 million.
The $20 million for issue ads you’re thinking about is going to come from a concerned retired rural Ohioan who — with a little bit of help from a conservative Cincinnati law firm — is going to set up and fund a non-profit to pay for them with complete anonymity.
Comment by Sam Weinberg Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:56 pm
I have worked for the state 29 years. I have never worked on a campaign. I started as a student worker and worked my way up to SPSA. It started with Blago. After he demoted all his people from SPSA to PSA then placed them in the union they needed managers so the next step was to take all the MC position with the cover of a reorg and make them Exempt and Double exempt. Mine was one of them. It was their way of getting around the hiring rules and removing people they didn’t like for what ever reason. I was lucky my boss (PSA) in the union very political cant do my job so I guess I got to stay.
Also after 4 short years he makes double my pay!!!
Comment by Just Because Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:02 pm
- Sam Weinberg -
Nope.
Rauner, Griffin and Uihline’ WANT them to know its them.
Discipline requires knowing who is doing the discipline..
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:03 pm
I am an employee who is exempt I was not aware that my status was unavailable to the public, nor was I aware that I was political. It is incredibly terrifying that this administration believes that all rutan exempt positions are political hires! I would go as far as saying that most are not and many of us voted for Rauner, not knowing that his administration wouldn’t do their homework first before making these types of accusations and forming these opinions. That was the entire appeal to having a business man, there was a hope that he would take a sensible approach, not form opinions like Jo Shmoe that reads the Red Eye and thinks he knows how the Government works.
I am nobody, that nobody sent
Comment by Ron Swanson Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:15 pm
They didn’t do their homework on a lot of stuff it seems Ron. For instance, how to run the State, what the difference is between bond funds and GRF and how federally funds only cost the State money when they aren’t spent.
Comment by Me Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:23 pm
-Wensicia: “. . . OK for Rauner to continue with negative comments about Quinn . . .” Kinda like Obama and Bush? How long has he been using that? Rauner only has four years, so I doubt he’ll upset you as long as the Federal Administration.
Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:35 pm
Sam, I wouldn’t count out that Cincinatti law firm coming into play if history is a guide, but that initial $20 million is on the table.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:36 pm
I was a Rutan exempt - but not a political hire - state called me - it was the grade level that made the classification - the salary was high but still a pay cut - did it because I cared - after the past 10 years - I should have had my sanity checked - need a raise
Comment by Yatzi Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:37 pm
Mason Born: I suppose he could reclassify the jobs, but that’s not a trivial exercise (for a reason.) In my case, the job I had should have been reclassified from exempt to non-exempt (I had not the slightest role in policy) but alas that ship has left the building.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Skeptic
Thanks was just curious as to the ability to straighten the whole mess out. Sounds like a Gargantuan undertaking.
Comment by Mason born Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Some who have received letters were political hacks in the truest sense and their departure will create room for improvement.
Unfortunately, I also know some very hard-working, dedicated people with lots of institutional knowledge not easily replaced who received letters.
I hope the good ones will truly get a chance to come back.
Comment by logic not emotion Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:45 pm
The problem with this is that CMS is in charge of implementing this order. Gov. Rauner is now going to find out first-hand how inefficient and inaccurate they are, as well as, how costly it is for them to do something. I do not think he should have them work with the locals, as that will really be costly, so we’re already defeating the EO to curb spending. Most locals already have transparency on their own websites anyway. Also, some Rutan jobs were “rigged” for politicals to receive them, so by only using Rutan-exempt positions will not be accurate. Lastly, why not just evaluate the politically hired for their performance and position, and if both are unacceptable, get rid of them. Of course, there’s the problem of the illegal unionization of these people by the last administration, but the Governor should be able to resolve that issue. We can only hope, for the good of the State.
Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:47 pm
I am a double exempt state employee who still had to go through Rutan interviews against 25 other candidates. The Rutan interview process was not necessary but they did it as a precaution. I was not a political hire. If I was I am sure I would be a member of the 100K club!
Comment by no suprise Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:01 pm
Considering some of the institutional knowledge that Rauner has shoved out the door, I predict there are going to be some major, major audit findings in some of these agencies in the near future. As has been noted, some of those let go were not political hires at all, but people who worked for years to build up the knowledge necessary to do the job they were doing.
Rauner’s people have made themselves a giant mess by not doing their homework.
Comment by TwoFeetThick Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:04 pm
Excuse me, but Blagojevich and Quinn’s people have made Illinois a giant mess by running the state into bankruptcy.
Comment by The Game Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:59 pm
- The Game -
States can’t declare bankruptcy.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:01 pm
He said “running the state into bankruptcy”, not declaring bankruptcy.
His was the use of a figure of speech most non-Autistic folks can differentiate.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:10 pm
You can’t run it into something that can never be…
The state can’t go bankrupt, the hyperbole is as Dopey as it is false.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:13 pm
VMan
Only from your meager mind would such a comment come.
The point is the morons that keep using the term bankruptcy when they talk about the state. The term should never be used because it’s simply inaccurate.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:14 pm
OK, let’s take it easy.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:15 pm
“Just Because” and “Anoyomous” are correct and “Savior” has a mitaken perspective. First, know that when a position is double-exempt, that means it is exempt from the Personnel Code -the Code does not have the position listing- and it is exempt from Rutan rules.) Many double-exempt positions, particularly at IDOT - (at least in the past - when management positions were held by technical people), have had normal Rutan interviews with internal candidates. At times, when the political folks have wanted to appoint to the lower-level positions, manipulations have been made to make positions above Rutan-exempt, because an exempt position cannot be supervised by a covered position. Some Rutan-covered positions have ended up as completely at-will because of a high pay grade, not exactly what is thought of as a Rutan protection. So, the real problem is that Rutan-exemptions have gotten out of control; the political infulence has gotten too far down the food chain. The new administration needs to fix the whole system, drastically reducing the number of “limited, high-ranking, policy-making and confidential” positions.
Comment by Mister M Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:20 pm
Looks like today’s exercise will lead to:
1. about 3,000 labeled political hacks by HandoutAndy and the other “think tankers”
2. A bunch of new law suits complaining the jobs should not b exempt
Fire, Aim, Ready
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 3:37 pm
“It impresses me how negative the comments are here.”
“Would it be better not to say anything while we wait for Rauner to provide details he says he can’t give us?”
“Yes Wensicia, it would be better to say nothing.”
I think you’ve visited the wrong blog, pal.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:05 pm
Excuse me, The Game. But “republics” have been robbing the pension funds too.
Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:10 pm
-Del Clinkton: It’s not about pensions, it’s about hiring and The Game may have used the wrong word (bankruptcy) however, the concept is the same in that Blago and Quinn have spent a ton of money on unqualified political hires.
Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:31 pm
. . . and did absolutely nothing to stop the bleeding for the last 12 years despite having total control of the legislative and executive (and many would say also the judicial) branches in Illinois
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Thank you Vanilla Man @11:44. That is the best way to describe what is happening from his initial inaugural language to the executive orders. Thank you spelling it out. You can not go around talking bi partisan ship and them use primary language as red meat. The campaign is over. Governing is hard. You need the general assembly. Governing by press release or executive fiat is the surest way to make these next few months really really long and really really bumpy. Dump your campaign operatives and invest in people who know state government. Please. For those of those of us who want the state to succeed. Do this fast.
Comment by sideline watcher Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 5:42 pm
sideline, I wouldn’t worry too much about Rauner working in a bipartisan fashion with the GA. He doesn’t have a choice.
The executive branch and those who work in it are another story.
“The bureaucracy in Illinois has run amok, and I’m going to change all that.”
Given cuts in revenue and other fiscal challenges, I’ll give you three guesses what he means by that, and the first two don’t count.
But if I worked within the executive branch, I’d watch out for the Two Bobs, and update my resume, too.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 6:01 pm
Think Rauner will take action on that Blago fumigation list Quinn never did?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 6:32 pm
I’m a double exempt employee also. I don’t play politics. I applied for a job, interviewed and was hired, no political hooks of any kind and proud of it.
Comment by Pacman Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 6:38 pm
I watched a long time employee who was rumored to be very connected clean out his desk. The fumigation has begun. I just hope all of the unqualified employees. Are rooted out
Comment by Hhood Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 6:50 pm
Rauner began governing by fiat, as a king, with these executive orders. Who does he think he is, President Obama? Oh the outrage.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 7:18 pm
Question. Do the people who get hired thru politics have to pay pay pay every time there political sponsor needs something. By pay I mean time and financial donation and does this include your whole family.
Comment by Hhood Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 7:31 pm
The pension fund is taking a larger hit long term due to the ridiculously high salaries doled out by Blago and Quinn for the new hires and the old timers that sold out to them to keep their jobs. Also Draper is right this list is long overdue for the light of day, whether R or D making it happen.
Comment by Macoupin Minority Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 7:36 pm
I’m Rutan exempt. I’m not a political hire. Hell, I was an AFSCME steward for a while. I guess I’ll be in trouble for that too!
Comment by Wow Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:30 pm
I get a kick out of the commenters on this very political blog screaming “I’m not political!”
I’d get my resume in order if I were you.
Comment by Creative Nickname Friday, Jan 16, 15 @ 9:09 am