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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has just contracted with his new CFO Donna Arduin’s consulting firm for $30,000 a month…

Sole Source Only Justification: The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget is giving notice of its intent to enter into a sole economically feasible source contract with Arduin Associates, Inc. to provide consulting services for continued implementation and necessary adjustment of the State’s 2015 budget to assist in preparing the State’s 2016 budget.

Total Amount of Award: $120,000.00

Length of Initial Term: 4 [months]
Contract Begin Date: 02/02/2015
Contract End Date: 05/31/2015

* Ms. Arduin…

* The Question: Caption?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:01 pm

Comments

So is she getting paid $30k/month on top of a salary? Doesn’t she have a staff position as CFO?

But to the caption…

“They pay me $30k a month, and I don’t even know that IL isn’t allowed to privatize prisons. Imagine what I could make if I knew anything about IL?”

Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:05 pm
“Can the firm get the $120,000 now, before I make the cuts?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:05 pm
“I mean, it’s up to you to justify why it’s too much-I think it’s fine.”

Comment by IB Strapped Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:05 pm
“Tell me; Who are you, what do you do all day, and please, don’t hold back…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

At least I sure hope not.

Comment by Reality Check Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:07 pm
“Give the firm four months, they’ll make the case even you, Speaker, aren’t REALLY needed…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:07 pm
You think pirate shirts are cheap?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:08 pm
“Senator, it’s only contradictory if I say it is. That’s how I’ve operated for years…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:08 pm
I expect to be well compensated to inflict pain on the 99%. Capitalism uber alles.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:08 pm
It’s amazing what passes for essential these days.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:08 pm
Is this in addition to her state salary?

Or is it all of how she’s being compensated?

Comment by walker Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:09 pm
“Hand it over–all of it. Clyde’s waiting for me in the car.”

Comment by Warren Beatty Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:09 pm
“Yes. All of my desks must be gold-plated. It’s in the contract.”

Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:09 pm
===Contract End Date: 05/31/2015===

At midnight.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:10 pm
“I didn’t say ‘get a job’. I said ‘Is that you, Rob’. He looked my friend Rob. Robert (long pause)

Ok?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Will they extend her for another 3 months to keep her around until the end of session?

Comment by SAP Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:10 pm
“See what you can do without an union”

Comment by Mouthy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, will I do better here than in Kansas come the fall?

Comment by Skeptical Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Let’s see. . . That’s the finger before the thumb, and that makes 4 — the answer to the question, Senator, is $4 billion. . . . Wait a minute. Let me check my math. . . .

Comment by ChiTown Seven Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:11 pm
” I’d like to answer that but I see your time is up!”

Comment by IB Strapped Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:11 pm
I couldn’t be a blood-sucking vampire; you can see my reflection in the glass.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Skeptical beat me to it. I saw the reflection and thought of “Snow White.”

Comment by Under Further Review Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:12 pm
“I had heard, Representative, that your chamber was reduced by a 1/3 at one point. What if 38 more just…left? Poof. I’m just thinking out loud…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Senator. As long as I get mine, I’m OK with that.

Comment by BigBob Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:14 pm
“No, the racial breakdown of the employees at our company is nothing close to the racial makeup of the state. Are you kidding? Why do you ask?”

Comment by chi Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Donna Arduin shows her abilities to turn things upside down.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:14 pm
“But I WANNA be a pirate!”

The flip-side of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjFjD11zOCM

Comment by Linus Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:14 pm
200 hours at $150 an hour with paid bathroom breaks..

Comment by Mouthy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Eager actress Donna Arduin auditioning as an extra for “That 70s Show”.

Comment by Not Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:15 pm
“A-U-R-D-U-I-N…it use to be A-U-R-D-U-I-N…N…but I cut that last lazy letter, for obvious reasons…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:16 pm
I promise I will eat more cheesecake, especially now that I am being compensated properly. (Until then, I will put rocks in my pocket so that I don’t blow away.)

Comment by cdog1962 Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:16 pm
This is the same poofy shirt worn on Seinfeld. Cost me 4 Kansas state workers and a California prison guard.

Comment by Jorge Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:16 pm
“Ok. It’s your dime. Start with the questions.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:17 pm
**Sorry not a caption contest entry**
But, the sole source justification attachment is also a great read. A case study in answering questions, without answering questions…

Q2: Why are the requested supplies or services the only one that can satisfy your requirements?
A: Arduin has advised multiple other states on budget matters including California, Michigan, Florida and Kanasas.

Q3: What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific, quantifiable factors/qualifications:
A: Although there may be other budget experts, Arduin Associates has been highly recommended to the Governor by other present and former governors of other states

Q5. Were alternative supplies or services evaluated
A:No
Q5c: If no, why were alternatives not evaluated
A: (blank)

Q6: What efforts were made the get the best possible price?
A: The parties conducted arms’ length negotiations as to price and conditions

Hahahhahhaha

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:18 pm
“I’ll let my past work speak for itself…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Unconscionable and ironic, especially given that Ms. Arduin will, based on her record to date, advocate for draconian cuts which will impact those who already socio economically marginalized.

Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:19 pm
The top talent the governor paid top salaries for is just not good enough.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:19 pm
“As part of the $120,000, my colleagues, Bob…and Bob…they will be visiting all the agencies real soon.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:20 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee, I would say this…how the hell you people ever got elected is utter amazement to me.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:20 pm
“Well, Kansas hasn’t turned out well because they didn’t make all the cuts we suggested.”

Comment by chi Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:20 pm
She looked at herself in the mirror and said “get a job”
Her reflection answered back, “OK, how about $30K a month?”

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:21 pm
“must have been a lot of yellow paint left over from the department of transportation put to use elswhere”

or

“Gosh, for some reason I really want a hot dog right now with my favorite condiment”….

Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
I hate government so much I make my living off it.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Senator, you get to ask the questions, I get to answer them. It’s not in my contract to make you happy.Look it up!

Comment by IB Strapped Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Yes, my contract requires a surface with reflection
surface wherever I am.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
“Usually there is water on this table, but I cut that…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
“Knibb High football rules!!!”

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:22 pm
My recommendations are to immediately withhold legislator pay, eliminate COLA for all current judges, and force retirees to pay for healthcare. What’s that?

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:23 pm
“I am committed to cutting waste, and that contract the firm got proves my commitment…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:23 pm
“Trust me, when we cut basic services and eliminate the Treasurer’s office, you won’t even notice the $120K anymore…in fact you’ll want to give me more.”

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:25 pm
“I can justify a 10% pay increase to a $100,000 sakary for the First Lady’s Chief of Staff, but I need an additional 4 months and $120,000 to do it…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:26 pm
The last person who mocked my puffy shirt lost their job as a hand model.

Comment by Been There Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:26 pm
“Senator. Please. The Governor is making a dollar a year. Sacrifices are being made…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:27 pm
It looks like staff time to me. No added benefits cost and no leaks. It’s taking one hit on a Friday afternoon for the price of many.

Comment by A guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Austerity ain’t cheap!

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:27 pm
If she is the only one that can fix the budget, the sole source, then why didn’t we elect her Governor? For starters we could have saved ourselves $30,000/mo. I’d even throw in a pirate clothes budget, go crazy.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:28 pm
“Yes. Who validates parking? Who do I see about that?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:28 pm
“I hear you boys play real political hardball here, well,… GAME ON!”

Comment by IB Strapped Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:29 pm
“We had to do it as a contract because Rutherford screwed up our ability to, in good faith, give out stipends.”

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:30 pm
“I’m Ms. Arduin. You must be the one know as ‘The Owl’ Ron Sandack? You can stop with the ‘who’…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:31 pm
The G.A.J. is my new plan to reduce unemployment. Oh, it means “get a job.”

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:31 pm
==It looks like staff time to me. No added benefits cost and no leaks.==

Most importantly no FOIA.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:31 pm
“Don’t make me press the red button.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:32 pm
“Mr. Sandack. I told you. I’m Ms. Arduin. Do you have any other question that doesn’t begin with ‘who’?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:33 pm
“Well, I negotiated the cost with myself. And, believe you me, I was tough. I initially asked myself for $300 K, but I said, look, that won’t fly, and offered myself $30K, I went back and forth and talked myself down to $120 K, which, considering the starting point, is a pretty good deal.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:33 pm
“Call Donna…ask her if she can get the number to Cong. Schock’s decorator. The firm has some extra cash to blow…”

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:33 pm
“Mr. Sandack. Sir. If you say ‘who’ again, I’ll tell the governor to primary you…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:34 pm
Who is this woman and why is she involved in Illinois state government in any capacity?

Comment by Bright One Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:35 pm
“I heard that the Capitol Fax comments were running a bit negative. Is that a reflection on me?”

Comment by Observation Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:36 pm
You’re kidding, right? No….seriously….
Do the optics suck on this thing or what?
Come on AFSCME….come on media (Tribune)….where the heck are the hard questions???

Comment by northernwatersports Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:36 pm
“If you say I’m extorting my services to the state again, I’ll have your legs broken.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:37 pm
==Who is this woman and why is she involved in Illinois state government in any capacity?==

She was brought on board to save us from fiscal irresponsibility!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:38 pm
If you want my reflection, you have to pay for it.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:38 pm
Hmmn, how are we different from Blagojevich? Let me give that one some thought, Senator.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:40 pm
If I’m not 100% satisfied with my firm’s efforts, my firm will give the money back.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:40 pm
Hey, you Democrats are on the ones that just passed the big wage hike.

Comment by 1776 Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:40 pm
“I have an opening sentence, not a statement, a sentence; GOP members, the Governor says hello, and you know what he means by that. Don’t you? Of course you all do. So (deep breath) let’s all be friends…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:40 pm
“Where will the money come from? If you give the Governor the spending authority he is asking for, there won’t be any problem finding the money for this.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:41 pm
“Am I not merciful?”

Optics Baby!

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:41 pm
“Look, the salary you guys are paying me is peanuts. Do you know what I could make in the private sector?”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:42 pm
“Chairman, please ask Rep. Sandack to phrase the rest of his questions beyond a ‘who’ question. I’ll wait for him to think on that…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:45 pm
No, this contract cannot be diminished. Unlike pensions…

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:46 pm
“That’s a tough question. Are you a Republican?…you are…You want to rethink asking me that?…Yes I am taking names….”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:46 pm
Financial Disclosures Form? Potential Conflicts of Interest Form? Ethics Disclosue Form? Staement of Economic Interest? Never heard of them …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:47 pm
“What are you gonna do about it? You think anyone’s gonna believe you? You think anyone is gonna take your word over mine? I’m a woman of respect around here. They love me around here. I’m a swell gal.”

(With apologies to John Hughes)

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Are you sure that isn’t Renee Zellweger (post face stuff) and this isn’t just a really bad movie?

Comment by hakuna matata Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:48 pm
(Sitting quietly, waiting for Rep. Ron Sandack to ask a non “who” question. Three minutes and counting…)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:48 pm
“I realize that it is unusual for someone not on the payroll of Chicago State to get this kind of money around here, but please give me a chance to show what I can do.”

Comment by Meanderthal Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Well my neighbor sold his house at far above the value. My property taxes are going to increase. This should cover it.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Contract End Date: 05/31/2015

This is GREAT news.
It means session ends on schedule.
Start planning the party now.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:49 pm
“You have to break some eggs to make an omelet. In this case, we need about 120,000 more eggs than we originally thought.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Leave the axe, take the cannoli.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Sole source justification: vendor is only person identified who demonstrates capacity for developing budgets based on fictitious data, imaginary analysis, erroneous arithmetic, attacks on public employees, elimination of services for those in need, questionable borrowing, big paychecks and pay-offs to robber barons, bailing wire, band-aids, and blemish cream. See Arduin/Laffer report to the Florida Legislator and Arduin work for Sarasota County, at

http://extra.heraldtribune.com/2014/01/24/arduin-story/

Comment by ChiTown Seven Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Oh, a little persuasion might be in order. Now let me see… Boiling in oil? Uh, keelhauling? Eh, marooning?

Comment by Jerry 101 Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:50 pm
“We make up the 120 G’s by dropping them from the governor’s speeches.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:51 pm
Vote with the governor on all ten issues or I’m moving in with your family.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:52 pm
How the hell is this legal?

Also, didn’t Rauner mention in his state of the state how much no-bid contracts are costing taxpayers.

Comment by Huh??? Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:52 pm
“My firm has never been known by or used the name ‘’AA.” Why do you ask?”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:52 pm
“Yes, Senator, I am what you would call a ‘buffer’. The Governor has a lot of buffers…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:54 pm
You don’t just get me for 30,000/mon but you also get this cool hologram of me! Check this out, when I raise my right hand it looks like I am raising my left hand… Opps! Please forget I said that!

Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:54 pm
No, it won’t be business as usual; they’ll be different contracts and different players.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Rep. #1 - Why won’t she talk? Why is she helping us Dems?

Rep. #2 - Speaker brought in her sister, from out of state. She’s seated with Brown in the front row…

Rep. #1 - The Governor didn’t count on that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 3:58 pm
“My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:00 pm
(5 minutes pass…Rep. Sandack still trying to think of a question…)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:04 pm
As a matter of fact, we could afford to hire me a few more times if we weren’t paying our cooks forty thousand dollars a year.

Comment by Quizzical Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:04 pm
No senator, gov. Rauner is not an evil GTCR hologram project gone terribly wrong.

Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:05 pm
The Vulcan mind meld doesn’t seem to be working on Speaker Madigan …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:08 pm
“Ok, Rep. Sandack, it appears your time is up, and the Chair hopes next time you come back to this committee with ‘non-who’ questions…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:09 pm
“As a GOP legislator, should I fear you, or the governor more?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Austerity for thee, but not for me…

Comment by Abe the Babe Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:12 pm
Donna was the kind of gal that rooted for bad guys in the movies.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:12 pm
No I never stick around for the aftermath why do you ask?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:13 pm
“I invented dibs.”

Comment by The Captain Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:13 pm
“Oh Senator, you’d be surprised. Everyone works real well with me. They work well with me, or I get rid of them. I see no staffing issues.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Per Executive Order 15-08

Until July 1, 2015, no State Agency shall let, award, or enter into any contract or grant, or any amendment or change order to or renewal of any existing contract or grant, that obligates the expenditure of State Funds except as follows:
(a) Contracts Required by Law.
(b) Contracts for Emergency Expenditures.
(c) Contracts for Small Purchases. (less than $50,000)
(d) Contracts and Grants for Essential Operations.

http://www.illinois.gov/Government/ExecOrders/Pages/2015_8.aspx

This clearly does not fall under exemptions (a) or (c) and I have trouble seeing how it fits under (b) or (d) as described in the Executive Order.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:14 pm
“Rep. Sandack, your twitching and blinking is distracting the witness…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:15 pm
“For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a budget cutter. To me that was better than being President of the United States. To be a budget-cutter was to own the world.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:16 pm
This is Illinois right? I hope I get my money before this one goes to prison…..

Comment by illinois fan Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Paraphrasing Jimmy:
Q3: What are the unique features of the supplies or services that are not available in any other product or by any other vendor? Provide specific, quantifiable factors/qualifications:
A: Although there may be other budget experts, Arduin Associates has been highly recommended to the Governor by ME !

Comment by sal-says Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:17 pm
“And a…tell the Speaker…in another life…we coulda been great friends…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Define “shared sacrifice”? Senator, I think you should know by now we are workin as hard as we can to letcha y’all know what we’re fixin to do.

Comment by Skeptic Tank Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Ha Ha, Rauner is paying me $30,000 per month for recommendations that the Koch Brothers or Gov Walker would have given him for free!

Comment by Joe M Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
Governor: “Do as I say - Not as I do” when it comes to non-essential spending

Comment by NotYetRetired Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
The Chicago Tribune reports today in a special exclusive that Arduin’s firm has received a 4-month, $40,000 contract from the state of IL.

Comment by ZC Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
When the governor said no-bid contracts were bad, he meant for everyone else.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
Hey…I see you under the table.

Comment by A guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:19 pm
Guess My Line.

The Governor’s CFO, the temporary contract employee, or the owner of a consulting firm which just received a sole source contract?

Seriously, she has to be all-in-one. Being a salaried state employee as CFO, and being the owner of a contracted consulting firm receiving additional funds for a related function, could well be illegal.

Comment by walker Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:20 pm
“I like to think of the $120,000 as a negative budget cut.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Ok senator, let me be clear, we are all GTCR holograms, you are completely surrounded, resistance is futile, so do I still get my 300,000 a month?

Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:20 pm
“Wait until you find out about the bonus clauses.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:20 pm
“And you thought the Mona Lisa had an enigmatic smile? Get ready for the Arduin experience!”

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Don’t worry, Senator, the contract does not have a “Prevailing Wages” requirement.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:22 pm
I’m trying to come up with something funny to say, but $30k a month is so disgusting I just can’t.

Comment by Jaded Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:22 pm
I refuse to answer on the grounds it may incimenate me

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:22 pm
“What do you mean, you want to know what we are doin’ under our contract?!”

Comment by Toffee Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Rich, lol!

Ms. Arduin learned two valuable lessons; never rat out the Governor, and always keep her cuts quiet.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:23 pm
Optics! We don’t need no stinkin’ optics!

Comment by Carhartt Designer Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:24 pm
Senator, I’m sorry but yes we are the Governor and we’re in charge here.

Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:27 pm
I only ate those people because I was really really hungry.

Comment by illinois fan Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:27 pm
“It’s like what Lenin said… you look for the person who will benefit, and, uh, uh… “

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:29 pm
Arduin will be played by Meryl Streep in the upcoming Bruce Rauner biopic.

Comment by name Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:30 pm
“I’m Ms. Arduin. I made my bones while other girls were being cheerleaders…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:31 pm
Can I revise my vote yesterday on how well Rauner is doing down to a 1?

Comment by Chicago Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Darth Donna looks forward to the praise from Darth Bruce after the brazen hypocrisy and conflict of interest caused all legislators’ heads to have literally exploded.

Comment by DeKalb Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Let’s recap a moment.
The Governor campaigned on stopping back-room deals but his staff couldn’t give an Approp committee details of the Gov’s plan yesterday because they are having private negotiations. He also wants transparency, but wants broad budget authority which would likely not be as transparent until after the funds are spent and reflected on the Comptroller’s site. He has ordered non-essential spending stopped, but has hired his wife a COS (with no staff) for $100,000 and has hired Ms Arduin for $30 grand a month! Is it me, or does he keep contradicting himself? He also says he isn’t anti-Union. Based on his words and actions, there is another contradiction.

Comment by NotYetRetired Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:32 pm
For Rich:

“I am the Walrus.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:35 pm
In this world, one thing counts
In the bank, large amounts
I’m afraid these don’t grow on trees,
You’ve got to pick-a-(taxpayer)pocket or two

You’ve got to pick-a-(taxpayer)pocket or two,boys
You’ve got to pick-a-(taxpayer)pocket or two.

Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:35 pm
This is very sad.

Governor: You won. You don’t owe anyone,anything.

You don’t have to play the game. You dont have to please people like this. You are idependent. They are misanthropic losers, the worst.

You can be an Altgeld, an Ogilvie

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Ms. Arduin, upon being asked who ate the canary.

Comment by Stuff happens Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:35 pm
“This contract really ties the administration together.”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:36 pm
The 4:35 submission is from the new Springfield musical: Rauniver!

Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:36 pm
“Hey, Laffer, we got a new contract. I want you to round up every vicious criminal and gunslinger in the west. Take this down: I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, train robbers, bank robbers and Methodists.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Yes, I did go 0-4 with my last assignments, but I’ve learned from those experiences and I have high hopes for this one.

Now please have a minion fetch my coat. I have work to do.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:38 pm
“I am smiling”

Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:38 pm
Is that the first Blazing Saddles reference in the history of the blog? Amen !

Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:39 pm
Ms. Arduin is seen here reflecting on her good fortune of being connected to Illinois Governor Bruce “Outsider” Rauner.

Comment by Samurai Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:40 pm
“Off with their heads!”

Comment by Griz Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:41 pm
“I suggested this table so you all can see that I do have a reflection…so that one myth is debunked.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:41 pm
(Angry robot voice)senator, begin transfer of 30,000/mon now or I will deploy GTCR lasers in my eyes! Beginning laser sequence in 3… 2….

Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Excuse my gadget.

But governor. — don’t go down in history with this crew. Be better than them. Because they’re the worst.

For crying out loud, you’ve devoted two years and millions of dollars to get the gig. And you want to tie yourself to these ignorant haters?

Be a mensch. Go yard. And look out for the folks who need you, as chief executive of the state, who don’t have anywhere else to go.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:44 pm
“I told your staffers before you all came out here; look to the right, look to the left, now look at me. One of the three of you won’t see June in state government, so I startted with the fun stuff…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:44 pm
“Illinois must tighten its belt with this simple economic principle: All for me. None for thee.”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:44 pm
I’m just here so I’m sure I get mine.

Comment by Marshon Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:45 pm
“Dang, that was lucky. Doggone near lost a four hundred dollar handcar.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:46 pm
“The Governor told me this task was simple math. No addition, all subtraction. His Staff, however, all addition, NO subtraction, so I think I can handle that.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:47 pm
“The Dingo ate my conscience.”

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:48 pm
“My firm has instructed me to secure payment in gold bullion…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:48 pm
Money …money…money………MONEY!!!

Wish me had some like that

Comment by One day at a time Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:49 pm
Bring me the money and I’ll let you buy my broom.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Get a job

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:51 pm
It is only with many months of hard work that my analysts can conclude that the best option for Illinois is to cut taxes (especially on the wealthy, if at all possible) and cut spending on poor people.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:52 pm
“When can the puppies leave their mother? Two weeks? Three weeks?”

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:53 pm
“BTW, this is essential, non-essential spending.”

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:53 pm
“What a deal!”

Comment by okgo Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:54 pm
told ya so…

Comment by bored now Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:54 pm
30K a month to this dingbat?

Have the testicular virility to be the bad guy on your own. She aint worth the coin.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:54 pm
“What’s worth doing is worth doing for money.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:55 pm
That there’s a reflection debunks one rumor.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:55 pm
“Members of the Committee, you’re part of a legislature, nobody ever tells you that I’m coming, doesn’t happen that way. There weren’t any arguments or discussions with the governor like in the textbooks. See, your budget-cutters come with smiles, we come as your…friends, the people you’ve read about all of your career. And we always seem to come at a time that you’re at your weakest and most in need of our… help.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:57 pm
My favorite quote? Well, I really like that “Let them eat cake” one but it may make me look too hard….No, not really!

Comment by IB Strapped Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 4:57 pm
“My consulting firm will first crack down on double dipping and then on lazy people living off the taxpayer dollar. Any suggestions where we should start?”

Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 5:03 pm
“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 5:03 pm
My mistake. I thought it was an emergency procurement. I think there still may a problem though. Per the Illinois Procurement Code-(c-15) Sole source procurements. Before entering into a sole source contract, a chief procurement officer exercising sole source procurement authority under this Code shall publish a written description of intent to enter into a sole source contract along with a description of the item to be procured and the intended sole source contractor. This notice must be posted in the online electronic Procurement Bulletin before a sole source contract is awarded and at least 14 calendar days before the hearing required by Section 20-25. Not sure what exempts them from a hearing and they have already started the contract.

Comment by Tough Guy Friday, Feb 6, 15 @ 6:31 pm
Eat your hearts out!! When Bruce leaves office, we will all (conservatives & liberals) will be proud of our state and what he has done.

Comment by conservative-fan Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:00 am
“I also accept payment in the form of souls”.

Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Happy Hunger Games!

Comment by Enviro Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 4:17 pm