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* Above the fold, even…
* From the story…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday sought to distance himself and a private education group he helps fund from the growing scandal over a $20.5 million no-bid contract at Chicago Public Schools that is under federal investigation.
The governor’s comments were the first since it was disclosed that federal investigators have demanded Chicago Public Schools records related to the Chicago Public Education Fund, a nonprofit education group closely aligned with the education initiatives of both Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Rauner.
The scandal has focused on CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who once worked for the Wilmette-based SUPES Academy company that received the no-bid contract to train school principals. The district announced Friday that she is taking a leave of absence.
The SUPES training program was launched with seed money from the nonprofit education fund. CPS took over and expanded the program after the first year.
* Rauner’s responses probably didn’t help him much…
First, Rauner mistakenly argued that the Chicago Public Education Fund had no connection to the firm at the center of the scandal. Then he characterized himself as occasionally “frustrated” by the organization’s lack of independence from City Hall. […]
“Let’s back up. Illinois and Chicago have a long, long sordid history of insider dealing and corruption and conflict of interest. . . . That particular group, I don’t know anything about, was brought in by I believe by this CEO of schools,” Rauner said. “It wasn’t brought in by the fund, by the foundation.”
Rauner was corrected by a reporter who asked the question from the audience, saying it was the Fund that Rauner was once part of that in fact brought in SUPES.
Rauner replied: “I believe that Barbara had worked there before? Had worked for that group? Anyway, but let me finish the point. I believe in public-private partnerships. I believe that there can be private capital brought to assist government in turning itself around, think that’s a good thing.
“My experience with the education fund has been mostly good although I will say this: The fund didn’t make many of its own decisions as much as it was a facilitator for the mayor or the schools leaders. It was really more of a support group rather than a truly independent group. That was a source of frustration to me at the time. The investigation, I hope the potential wrongdoing that I read about didn’t occur, I don’t know.”
Throwing the mayor under the bus likely wasn’t a good idea, either.
* Yes, Rauner once chaired the Chicago Public Education Fund. He has lots of ties to the group, as do a whole lot of other Chicago elites. And the CPEF released this statement yesterday…
The Chicago Public Education Fund is a nonprofit organization that has made more than $50 million in grants over the past 15 years, primarily to organizations working with teachers and principals in Chicago’s public schools. In 2011, our organization made a $380,000 grant to SUPES Academy for a one-year pilot program to train CPS network chiefs and their deputies. Network chiefs are the CPS employees who supervise and manage school principals.
In 2012, following the completion of that pilot program, we declined a request by CPS leadership to provide a second year of funding for SUPES Academy training of principals. The Chicago Public Education Fund, its directors, and its staff have had no involvement with SUPES Academy since 2012.
We have been advised that our participation in the recent investigation regarding CPS and SUPES Academy is solely as a witness. We continue to cooperate in the ongoing federal investigation. Throughout this process, we remain focused on our commitment to the education of all of Chicago’s students and to the educators in our schools.
They withdrew funding and have been told by the feds that they’re merely a “witness.” I kinda think this Rauner angle is a bit overblown.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:13 am
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Gosh Bruce. Relax. The feds didn’t get Quinn. I’m sure you got nothin’ to worry ’bout.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:17 am
This is a stain on Rauner’s shirt, not a wound needing mending.
I totally agree; throwing Rahm under the bus on ethics or about a federal probe isn’t the best way to keep personal relationships intact that may be needed in the politics of governing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:18 am
It’s kinda funny how, when Rauner doesn’t know what else to say, he just stammers about Illinois corruption for a bit. It’s like jazz!
Probably not a huge deal, but Rahm has already learned that he politically needs to whack at the Governor every so often. If he gets mad and WANTS to, things could get really weird, really fast.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:23 am
I am worried about this potential wrongdoin’.
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:24 am
First he makes an enemy of the Speaker with that whole trust thing, now he’s picking a fight with Rahm? Rauner seems to be punching above his weight against a pair of short angry men with far more political savvy than he could hope to gain.
Comment by downstate Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:27 am
Overblown? Sure. But he got himself into this mess by prevaricating.
His office shoulda prepped him with a canned response, knowing full well that when you speak before a room full of education reporters you’re probably gonna be asked a question about the major education-related issues of the day.
Instead, he shot himself in the foot.
Comment by Owen, son of Gus Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:27 am
Geez, one question, and Emanuel and Byrd-Bennett go under the bus, all tied in with his “long, sordid history” lecture.
He didn’t have to do that, he chose to do that, at the first whiff of trouble.
Food for thought for those who have to work with this guy.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:32 am
Rahm must be wondering if those luxurious vacation stays and expensive wines are worth the grief.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:34 am
“… punching above his weight against a pair of short angry men …”
Marvelous line. Brought a smile to my face.
“… he shot himself in the foot. ”
The timex watch does this every time he opens his mouth.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:41 am
=== sought to distance himself ===
PR 101: Heroes run into the burning building, not away from it.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:46 am
Overblown? Were Rauner a national Dem, Fox News would have him doing a virtual perp walk by now. I mean Benghazi! (But, yeah, it is a bit overblown.)
Comment by Suburban Dad Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:49 am
I love how he also threw his fellow elites under the bus. The group may have a high-powered donors, but per Rauner, they are just following CPS’ lead.
Comment by Urban Girl Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:51 am
His revelation that the Mayor of Chicago controls the Chicago Public Education Fund was very interesting. Lots of investment bakers rubber stamping the Mayor’s requests. Now, why in the world would they do that?
Comment by Eddy Haskell Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 9:55 am
I’m not sure if this is overblown just yet. This is a really complicated issue that is going to take some time to sort out. It could be a fairly clear cut corruption case, but it also could be a fairly complicated corruption case with a lot of ‘what did you know and when did you know it’.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:01 am
This guy Rauner acts like a freshman state rep. Needs some coaching but probably won’t listen to anybody. Maybe one of those reverands from the city could help be a good listener instead of always running off at the mouth.
Comment by scott aster Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:06 am
Rauner should have been briefed on the investigation, reflected on his participation or lack thereof, had staff check records and details as necessary, and then drafted/practiced a succinct response. Basic staffing stuff in the big leagues. Who is playing defense? This has been percolating for days. The best he can do is start w a factual error, stammer the corrupt insider refrain, and throw people under the bus. Amateurish.
Pretty soon session will heat up, esp once he finally comes out w the turnaround agenda in bill form. Each bill will be its own circus. If he continues to have frequent availabilities, even if intended for unrelated purposes, he will be peppered w questions. He needs to be better prepared than he was on this one.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:15 am
Langhore, it is strange that his staff didn’t anticipate questions on this matter, especially since Rauner is pretty shaky when forced off script.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:19 am
If Rauner - or one his donors - is invested in SUPES, then an argument can be made that Rauner’s “investment” in Rahm is starting to pay off.
Comment by Eddy Haskell Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:23 am
I wonder if its intentional that Bruce struggles with going off-script. If he doesnt want the PR help. If its part of his “image” to “shake up springfield”. Just asking.
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:28 am
The empty suit strikes again.
Heckuva Job, Brucie.
That CPEF really is loaded for bear (either current or recently former members of the Board).
Penny Sebring
Susan Crown
Ken Griffin
Penny Pritzker
Bruce Rauner
Helen Zell
Deborah Quazzo (moved over to the CPS Board)
Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:31 am
Rauner: You can’t connect me to this; I have buffers…
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:41 am
I think he struggles w going off script bec he views the world thru a cardboard tube from the paper towels. He is “focused” on his sales pitch, to the exclusion of everything else.
As has been suggested here in various forms, he needs a senior staffer (he will actually listen to) who can be a contrarian, and prepare him for unsettling intrusions and
disruptions.
if you are a staffer, you dont usually tell your principal something is a dumb idea. You say strong points are A, B, C. But opponents are likely to argue D thru Z.
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:44 am
Imagine Rhambo’s CPS board approving a multi million dollar no bid contract .. let the CPS go bankrupt to expose the decades waste, corruption of taxpayer dollars
Comment by better days Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:45 am
“I kinda think this Rauner angle is a bit overblown.”
It certainly is. It’s Rauner’s inept response to this very mild scrutiny that’s really illuminating.
One can only misstate the facts, point fingers at everyone else, and “hope the potential wrongdoing didn’t occur” so many times before you start looking like this guy: https://youtu.be/JFvujknrBuE
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:49 am
First impulse for Rauner when uncomfortable is to say he had nothing to do with it. Then anyone he’s connected to becomes the responsible actor.
Why not just say “This is very concerning. I hope they get to the bottom of it.” and move on.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:01 am
“I’m shocked, shocked to discover corruption.”
Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:03 am
Thanks for the kudos ‘Huh?’
Comment by downstate Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:08 am
Apparently no one taught Bruce to be a man and honestly explain himself. His reactionary lying and pointing fingers is childish.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 11:47 am
=Throwing the mayor under the bus likely wasn’t a good idea either.=
It probably wasn’t a good idea, but we would almost expect that would be Rauner’s response, living up to his actions as governor so far.
1. Blaming others for everything.
2. Throwing the entire state under the bus.
3. He has many ideas, mostly not good ideas.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:11 pm
He can read a newspaper.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 12:27 pm
I’ll bet he has someone to read the paper for him.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:45 pm
too bad Karen fell ill before the primary…these elitists stink to high heaven…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Like others have said, this may be overblown, but if it is overblown it is because Rauner lead off with a material lie. Then, he lied again by claiming the CPEF is just a pass through for money. What does he have to hide?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 3:21 pm
The man has “Guilty” written on his forehead…
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 4:37 pm
“wonder if its intentional that Bruce struggles with going off-script. If he doesnt want the PR help. If its part of his “image” to “shake up springfield”.
Much more realistic to believe his press people are in over there heads. Quinn’s staff would meet weeks in advance on the potentials and obv there were many.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 4:52 pm
Rauner doesn’t read — read anything or anyone — so what do you expect?
He struggles because he’s not as smart as he thinks he is. He’s anti-intellectualism at its purest — and worst.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 6:45 pm