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* The Quinnsters tried to make Diana Rauner’s presidency of the Ounce of Prevention group into an issue last year. I didn’t really think it was a big deal at the time…
Diana Rauner is gearing up as first lady, hiring a prominent Springfield political aide as chief of staff and contemplating initiatives that could include children’s advocacy and restoring the capital city’s Executive Mansion.
The 53-year-old Democrat, who is wife to a Republican governor, has a doctoral degree in developmental psychology and a professional reputation of her own, plans to be a supportive wife and an activist with a second job. She will not step down as unpaid president of the early childhood education not-for-profit group Ounce of Prevention, even though the organization receives state grants. […]
Rauner recognizes that spending cuts are her husband’s mantra, and she knows that could also affect Ounce. She said that because she doesn’t receive a salary, she wouldn’t personally benefit from any funding Ounce receives from the state.
“Diana definitely knows the boundaries and she would not jeopardize the Ounce or herself,” [Lula Ford, an Ounce of Prevention board member] said. “They (the public) will be watching. You know they’re going to put a microscope on her.”
There might be a tiny uproar over her hiring of a state-paid chief of staff at $100K per year in a supposed age of austerity, but that’s been done in the past, so unless somebody really wants to scream loudly and long about it (and I doubt that’ll happen), it’ll pass soon.
Your own thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:35 am
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It’s all fine… As long as the mansion get’s the funds Dave needs to fix it up finally!
Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:39 am
Don’t think it’s a big deal either. I didn’t think it was a big deal that Dave McKinney was married to Ann Liston either, so take it for what it’s worth.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:41 am
These are both important jobs.
I trust Lula.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:44 am
To paraphrase Sen Dirksen $100,000 here $100,000 there soon adds up to real money.
Comment by second street Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:47 am
Furthermore, I think it’s great she wants to remain unpaid… It is akin to Bill and Melinda Gates… All the money in the world… But they give their time… What’s not to like?
Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:48 am
Is Rauner not subject to his own Executive Order on stopping all “nonessential” spending? It doesn’t matter what was done by former married governors. Sorry, He shouldn’t get a pass on this, any more than any agency director. Not now.
Maybe after he has an approved budget which adds properly.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:54 am
The title may be new but a staffer for First Lady is not.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:56 am
I have no problem with Diana Rauner taking an unpaid position, but I’d like to point out that it is much more doable when your husband is a billionaire…just sayin.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:56 am
Sara is a talented person. It will be interesting to see what she does. Given her background, get ready for a lot of Diana in the news as the Rauners play out their “rescuing the Peoples’ House” narrative. The $100k is not crazy. You don’t go cheap on the person protecting the image-softening wife’s image.
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 10:59 am
The $100,000 hire is probably fair game right now. I agree it will blow over. He kind of backed himself into a corner with some of this stuff. They knew they would have to hire people and those people would be making good salaries. Doesn’t bother me though.
As for Mrs. Rauner’s work with the Ounce, I never had an issue with her continuing her work even if her husband is the Governor. I thought the whole “controversy” was silly.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:00 am
White House dress rehearsal.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:01 am
Hiring a state-paid $100k CoS for Diana is just a really, really bad decision by the Rauner folks.
It doesn’t make any sense. They’re worth over a half a billion dollars, and Rauner’s campaign fund has $20M in it, and they decide to use state money to pay her CoS? Really?
Comment by AlabamaShake Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:04 am
@walker:
Good post. It should apply to Bruce and Diana Raunervich.
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:10 am
It will pass, but c’mon.
A “chief of staff” for a position that does not exist would seem to be the very definition of “non-essential spending.”
Take it out of the $20 million.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:11 am
I agree with Wordslinger. I’m also curious - is this really a Chief of Staff position? Is there a staff to supervise? Or is this more of a PR position?
Comment by ArmyMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:18 am
===is this really a Chief of Staff position? Is there a staff to supervise? ===
LOL
Excellent point. There is no staff. And Sara is a PR person by trade, although she is also a “nudge.” She makes sure stuff gets done. She’ll serve Mrs. Rauner well, I think.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:22 am
Gee, there hasn’t been a ‘first wife’ for awhile. Settle down boys.
Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:23 am
Patti Blagojevich had a CoS, don’t see this as an issue.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:23 am
Well I think the title was something like Director of the 1st Lady but the pay was basically the same and I’m sure the duties will be similar.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:24 am
I typically have no problem with the 1st Lady having a staff person, BUT…
Whereas you are Governor, and publicly don’t take a salary to “save money”, and,
Whereas you issue EOs to stop all “nonessential” spending, and,
Whereas you have a campaign fund sitting on $20M to threaten lawmakers, and,
Whereas you are likely going to propose a slash and burn budget,
Therefore it could then be said that you are making really, really poor decisions when you hire a $100k CoS to staff a non-staff person family member.
Comment by AlabamaShake Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
I’ve not worked directly with Sara, but I’ve only heard good things about her. I’m sure she will do well regardless of what her title is. Maybe she will get a ’staff’ later.
Comment by ArmyMan Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
Couldn’t negotiate it down to $85k?
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:32 am
Much ado. Bruce is taking nothing for his service. No salary, no benies. The trade-of is pretty significant. The state will benefit handsomely from a lot of private funding coming in to help rehab the mansion.
If this bugs you, you’re too small for any real conversation. She’s not some private gofer. She works for the Executive Branch of government and she’s someone who could generate a much larger salary elsewhere. Her value proposition for this state will be a huge net gain.
Like I said, much ado…
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:41 am
I’ll echo that this is a bad idea for a governor who says the budget is much worst than has ever been discussed.
Comment by TCB Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:44 am
If it weren’t for the hypocracy angle, I wouldn’t mind much. But is this really “eseential spending?” Not by a long shot.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:44 am
I don’t mind the position or the salary, but remaining involved with Ounce of Prevention is beyond the pale. Not only does Ounce take state money, it takes positions on both legislation and on agency matters. There are simply too many conflicts of interest here.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:45 am
=== Couldn’t negotiate it down to $85k? ===
New state workers better get as much as they can now. There will be no raises for quite some time. Most MC staff haven’t had a raise since Blago’s reelection run.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:45 am
Norseman, she’s not MC. Better to start under 100k and then scoot it up in six months…
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:50 am
===If this bugs you, you’re too small for any real conversation.===
Glad to see “big footing” what is “due” to the First Lady is said so welcoming.
As the Rauner Administration begins, every time I feel I’m turning a corner, you continually push me away with the hubris and arrogance demanded for them that they are trying really hard not to be.
It’s like a fan of a team you respect but their fan base is such you can’t be a fan.
To the Post,
She is First Lady of Illinois. Mrs. Ryan had Staff, I believe Mrs. Blagojevich had staffing(?), it’s the Rauner Adminstration’s call.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:52 am
Gee Willy, I wasn’t aware your affection was up for bid again. I’ll be more sensitive.
She needs to be a state employee and all that entails to do this job. It really is as simple as that.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:55 am
@a guy:
Normally I’d agree with you.
Most people accept a paycheck when they take a job. I’m sure Bruce would look askance if a “Diaper Changer” in the Nursing Home wanted to do it for free. But because Bruce wants to play “Governor-Intern” he doesnt get a pass. That his problem, not mine.
Governor-Intern Rauner spent $36 a vote to tell us he’s going to “Shake Up Springfield” and just how corrupt it is. Bruce is in P-U-B-L-I-C life now. Appearance is everything. This reeks of corruption.
Governor-Intern Rauner also decreed a spending freeze. It covers his family, otherwise its Nepotism and the same old corruption that he accuses others of.
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 11:56 am
Soccermom, the point is that pay raises are going to be few and far between during this fiscal crisis time - unless Rauner pulls a Quinn and gives his staff raises while others get bupkis.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Not sure this is an “essential service” but don’t have a problem with Mrs. Rauner having a state-paid helper; think the salary might be a tad high for the job. Would think that even if the governor hadn’t issued his executive order…
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:06 pm
Guy, who needs to be a state employee? What’s the job, exactly?
Is it essential that Diana Rauner has a state-paid spin doctor?
It’s not the biggest deal in the world, but when you’re spinning austerity on one hand, and noblesse oblige on the other, walk the talk.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:10 pm
“Patti Blagojevich had a CoS, don’t see this as an issue.”
It’s an issue when the new governor says he’s freezing all non-essential spending. A “chief of staff” for an unelected first lady with no actual governmental power is the very definition of “non-essential.”
Comment by South of Sherman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:11 pm
She picked a pusher that will keep her up and running and keep her issues in the public eye. And that’s bad why?
You go Ms. Rauner.
Comment by Toure's Latte Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:25 pm
I’ll echo those in general opposition.
So, previous first ladies have had staff? Why is that relevant?
1) The basis of the Rauner campaign was to take a new approach and “shake things up.” Citing prior practice would seem to point in the opposite direction.
2) The First Spouse is not a position in state government. No duties, no salary, no office; AND, Ms. Rauner has job eleswhere.
3) Executive directive for no non-essential spending. How is this an essential expense?
4) Executive directive to freeze hiring.
5) $20 million in the campaign fund. This is, arguably, a campaign position. The First Spouse promotes the Governor’s policies and initiatives; again, it’s not an official position.
In the end, this is about optics. What are you doing and what message does it convey? Are you really doing things differently? Austerity starts at home…
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Tammy Duckworth is a subsidiary of Dick Durbin and everyone knows it. What happens when Kirk and Rauner call Durbin and ask him to talk Duckworth out of running? There’s absolutely no way she can win without Durbin’s support. This fact will hurt her fundraising unless Durbin is completely “all in” to use his mini-me to take out his buddy Mark Kirk.
Comment by Joseph Heller's Iphone Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:35 pm
My bad - reposting.
Comment by Joseph Heller's Iphone Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:36 pm
I find it laughable that the same people that voted for Mr. Rauner because he would do thing differently are now applauding him for doing the same thing RRB did. You can’t make this stuff up.
Personally, I have no problems with the CoS position for Mrs. Rauner, but Mr. Rauner is the one that put the freeze on non-essential spending, not me.
Comment by late to the party Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:42 pm
== that ($100,000) has been done in the past ==
Sounds like business as usual.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:50 pm
Also, is anyone else concerned that the First Lady will also be working for a “lobbying entity”?
Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:54 pm
I don’t care about the Chief of Staff but the “its ok because Blagojevich did it” defense tends to creep me out.
Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Sara seems to fall into a lot of luck. $100,000 to be “chief of staff” for First Lady Rauner?! Wow. I agree with previous comments that a position like that should probably have been paid out of campaign or personal funds.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:09 pm
She is extremly well qualified for the job. It would be a disservice if she was to step down. Madigans wife was able to seperate out her role with her husband as speaker, and the GA actually has thenpurse strings. She showed it can be managed without actual conflict occuring.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:20 pm
I have no problem with Ms. Rauner staying in her job. There will be a spotlight on any grant money brighter than on other recipients. If anything, it might hurt their chances in some instances if folks in the administration try to avoid the appearance of favoritism.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Could that $100k go to shore up my pension? Then they should be used for that and only that.
Comment by Bob the Slob with a Cushy State Job Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:31 pm
I personally do not care other than the fact that he has openly attacked the compensation of people in my profession. Like many jobs we work countless hours and deal with many challenges. $100k for a CoS/PR person seems high when you complain about the same compensation for people doing work that is actually essential.
I wish I could separate the two since it is a common position, but I cannot. I do not have a billion dollar fortune to fall back on.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:46 pm
=== Wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 12:10 pm:
Guy, who needs to be a state employee? What’s the job, exactly?
Is it essential that Diana Rauner has a state-paid spin doctor?
It’s not the biggest deal in the world, but when you’re spinning austerity on one hand, and noblesse oblige on the other, walk the talk.===
C’mon Sling. There’s no doubt the Rauners could cover the nut for the salary. But, she’s entitled to health insurance and other benefits as a state employee. No doubt she will interact with other state employees, departments and agencies. She won’t simply be doing the spin cycle, though I agree that will be an important aspect of her job.
She’ll need the bona fides of a state position in interacting with others. It takes down any walls that might be erected to say she’s improperly dealing with some agency or some person. It’s a better situation to have her position exist on the flow chart.
I’m genuinely surprised that you don’t agree.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:50 pm
“Madigans wife was able to seperate out her role with her husband as speaker,” You’re sure about that?
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:51 pm
===No doubt she will interact with other state employees, departments and agencies. She won’t simply be doing the spin cycle, though I agree that will be an important aspect of her job.===
Or…
A bonafide state employee sitting in the meetings with her boss at her full time job at Ounce of Prevention, a state employee in the Executive, sitting in, on, let’s say, submitting proposals for state grants for the next fiscal year….
“You’re not helping” - A Guy… -
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Will Sarah get pension credit?
Comment by Obama's Puppy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Whether this blows over depends on whether Rauner delivers on his promises to fix state finances while increasing money for education while keeping tax cuts, etc. If Rauner doesn’t deliver, this ain’t gonna blow over. It’s going to be seen as the first glimpse of the true colors of a guy with an $18 watch and beat-up van who sold the voters a bill of goods.
Comment by Dumb Dumb Dumb Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:02 pm
In balance, hiring a CoS for the First Lady still costs less than the amount being saved by Gov Rauner passing on a salary, so the state still comes out ahead.
It is a problem, imho, that Mrs Rauner stays on as the head of any private organization while serving as First Lady. Why even allow the appearance or possibility of a conflict?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Guy, don’t be surprised when I don’t see it your way.
All your points are just superficial spin. Whatever her job is, it’s hardly essential she be on the state payroll to do it.
I’ve heard of people in the private sector who are able to influence government based on who hires them. I think they’re called lobbyists.
The point is, one day you freeze non-essential spending, the next day you hire a “chief of staff” for a staff that doesn’t exist, for an office that doesn’t exist.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Sling, you seldom surprise me. Today was a glaring exception. I’m not sure how I’m spinning here, but you do no matter what I might add. She’s going to take an active role as many first ladies do. There may be a “staff” in the future. Why you get your tidies in a knot over this surprises me. It’s. not. unprecedented. in. any. way. Try this: he considers her essential.
If it were up to you and the Wilmeister, he’d be sitting on an orange crate at a card table.
The responsibility and onus of being you must be an awesome responsibility man. No nit is too small to pick. His wife has a staffer. Booya.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:42 pm
A guy: I agree with Word. It’s not about precedence, it’s about hypocracy. Austerity. Belt-tightening. Economy in horrible shape. Essential spending only. Question every contract since November 1. Shake things up.
Then he does exactly the opposite.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:52 pm
===If it were up to you and the Wilmeister, he’d be sitting on an orange crate at a card table.===
Why you insist on pushing me away..,
Have I said “Boo” on any appointment? I dinged one for Blago ties, but continually say “it’s their shop”
You unnecessary defending to the hilt on every point, all is good, always, keeps me from benefits of doubt.
It’s like I said, in many ways, I respect the Cardinals, I like how they go about their business, but as a Cubs fan, the “fanatics” repel me more than the Cubs-Cards rivalry.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:55 pm
===Then he does exactly the opposite.===
Meh.
Look, I see the logic in speaking against this hire and even of Mrs. Rauner’s presidency of a “lobbying entity,” but a bit of perspective is in order.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 2:55 pm
how big is the first lady’s staff going to get..I mean, what is a CoS to do w/out a staff!
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:00 pm
Hey, the big man spoke. I think I got one slice more than a half a loaf out of him on this.
It is about austerity and ROI. This will generate value.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Willy, I’m a die hard, paint in black, grinding, chip on the shoulder, pay to see ‘em when they’re playin’ hard, White Sox fan. I just can’t relate to the whole Cubs/Cards thing. Don’t know why anyone cares about that! lol.
Peace brother. I’m giving you one more reason to wake up everyday and you can’t quit me.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Guy, I don’t know what “tidies” are, but if I have some, I don’t they’re in a not.
I wrote more than once it’s not the biggest deal in the world. If you read before commenting you would have seen that.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:19 pm
- A Guy… -,
Good luck with all that. I tried twice to give a roadmap.
To the Post,
There is a reality of the position and duties, along with Mrs. Rauner’s work responsibilities.
Now, if someone, like a competing grant applicant, wants to make a point of what the First Lady’s staff does when she is at work, and is there a buffer between both?
It’s tough. A person, any person, who has a state paid for staff while president of an organization that gets state monies… the appearance is now a state staff helping with what exactly?
Mrs. Ryan & Mrs. Blagojevich had staffing.
The scrutiny comes with the territory…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:20 pm
=== Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
- A Guy… -,
Good luck with all that. I tried twice to give a roadmap.====
Sorry Sensei. The world is so big.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:29 pm
That $100,000 could go a long way at the Ounce of Prevention.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Whether its just a staff of one for now or not … I know some legislative assistants that call themselves CoS for Rep. Whats-his/her-face. I am looking forward to great things from the First Lady’s office and … the Gov. has a CoS that is not paid of his campaign … why shouldn’t she have one too. I agree, the money that the Gov. is refusing to take in term of salary and benefits washes out this issue.
Comment by D-43 Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 4:40 pm
We now know more about the unelected Diana Rauner’s plans for her office than we do about the Lt. Governor’s plans for her office.
Seriously, how much media training does Sanguinetti need?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 4:52 pm
- 47th Ward -,
Why do I imagine Evelyn brubg told to move to the basement without her red stapler and to check why her check didn’t come.
However, if she could work on Saturdays, that would be great…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 5:03 pm
=== We now know more about the unelected Diana Rauner’s plans for her office than we do about the Lt. Governor’s plans for her office. ===
I’ve heard through the grapefruit that she’s planning blue curtains, some brownish DOC furniture and few pictures - one of Wheaton City Hall and another of her standing ala Mike Dukakis in a tank at Cantigny Park.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 5:08 pm
Norse, where did you really hear that? lol.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 5:17 pm
A Guy -
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 21, 15 @ 5:35 pm