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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Is there an adult in the room? And if so, who is it? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:38 pm

Comments

Kelly Cassidy is one, at least on guns.

As to the budget, I’m not aware of any.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:41 pm
That is hard to identify. Disappointed that this Governor continues to lob hand grenades. I suppose it is to be expected since he had no prior government experience.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:42 pm
Rich Miller. Accurate reporting, fact-based analysis. Doesn’t pretend he knows everything or is above everyone. Oh, you mean someone who is an elected official in the statehouse? Bueller? Bueller?

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:43 pm
I wish both sides were stop coming out with inane press releases blaming one another and actually sit in a room together and hash out major issues facing this state. There is way too much caucusing and strategizing how to smear the other side and not enough fundamental talks about the issues.

Sit all the legislatures in the room, with dominos pizza (since it’s cheap) and make them stay in there until they have progress.

Comment by JW Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:43 pm
I’d say Cullerton is a teenager…more mature than the rest, but not yet an adult.

Heather Steans and David Harris are among the adults in the room…unfortunately none of the grown-ups are in charge.

Comment by PTR Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:46 pm
So far its just the kids in the hall and it doesn’t look like the kids are alright.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:48 pm
None any longer, now that everyone is playing by the same rules.

Rauner, Cullerton and Madigan are the closest to adults because they have the ability to apply the brakes, but until all three act like adults then none will.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:49 pm
No. There are no adults in the room.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:49 pm
RNUG. He’s just not in the right room.

Comment by CharlieKratos Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:49 pm
In the Senate, possibly John Cullerton. Just going to depend; he can come up with reasonable proposals and compromises but doesn’t always get listened to.

In the House, and this is going to sound a bit out there, but maybe, just maybe, Raymond Poe. He doesn’t always follow Madigan and he doesn’t get rattled by the threats and posturing. The only problem is he doesn’t have much real power other than a bit of respect and a lot of experience, so I don’t think he can make that much of a difference overall.

Now if you had asked instead about wild cards …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Not currently. Among politicians, Pat Quinn came closest, but the voters threw him out of the room, as they likely will the next politician who has the temerity to suggest that taxes must be raised and contractual obligations paid. After all, this is Illinois, land of spoiled children.

Comment by Andy S. Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:50 pm
“Pat Quinn came closest” - HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! - Oh, you were being serious?

Comment by horse w/ no name Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:52 pm
I’ll give you two. John Cullerton, for the modest and prescient way that he has led on pensions, and Don Harmon, for his, entirely reasonable reply to Rauners taunting which was published here last week.

Comment by West Sider Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:53 pm
I’m ready for both sides to come together on what can be accomplished. They need to make a budget — they need to settle a contact — let’s do it and actually help the folks who live in this state.

Rauner talks about how he’s working for the people of Illinois. He’s compromised. Let’s see Madigan do it, too. And let’s get things going for the coming year.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:53 pm
The vacuum left after the passing of Judy Baar Topinka was never someting born of hyperbole.

This question, and the fact I can’t think of a soul right now that could get the Leaders and the Governor together to mediate makes her loss to the state ever more apparent.

I’ll keep looking, and reading here to see suggestions, but this is a void, finding the adult. We need one soon.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:54 pm
Nope.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:55 pm
Madigan. He is doing his negotiating in public for all to see. Bothers Rauner and the GOP to no end.

Comment by Austin Blvd Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:56 pm
Adults? Did we ever have any in the Illinois Legislature? All we have is 2 parties who enjoy taking swings at each other, I’m just waiting to see who gets knocked out first so far neither have landed a blow it’s a shame they can’t even do that correctly. end snark/

Comment by bloval27 Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm
Plenty! They just get ignored.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm
I have been saying this for quite some time, only to have most of my remarks removed because the “comment police” do not agree. There is not a person, man or woman, in Springfield that is a true statesman (woman) who wants to stand up for what is right for this State. It is all D against R. This goes for the top three (Rauner, Madigan, Cullerton). What a true shame for everyone. Where does this all end? Maybe the “Comment Police guy (gal)” has the answer. He is one making a lot of $$$ on all of this.

Comment by Duh!! Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:58 pm
State Senator Michael Noland, who is leading the way on decriminalization as well as legalization and taxation.

Comment by Biker Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm
Judging by the charades put on today, not the Douglas side

Comment by nobiggie Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm
I vote for the Illinois Supreme Court. They’re not in the room, but you can certainly see a mom saying “No more excuses, you two get in there and fix it.”

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Only Pumkin & Stella (Rauners’ dogs).

Comment by Yossarian Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:02 pm
The Supreme Court is the closest thing we have to adults. They impose their form of discipline on the executive and legislative branches when they overstep boundaries. Now they are not perfect adults and they require formal presentation of issues before they can act. But in this environment, they are the adults.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:05 pm
No. We have kids in a name calling contest now.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:06 pm
I know lobbyists are not welcome but many of them are adults in various rooms. If I were Mike Z, I would get a meeting together of a few of the GOP adults and Dem adults and get their advice…McClain, Filan, Cullen?….Hendren, Sullivan, Kimme?
Others?

Comment by Lobby Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:07 pm
No.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:08 pm
The adult(s) will emerge from someone willing to tell the Governor, President, and Speaker to stop this nonsense and finish the job, and all three take he/she/them seriously.

Big ask.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:12 pm
Well, Greg Harris, Ron Sandack and Richard Goldberg took themselves out of consideration by behaving like children at today’s smearing, sorry, hearing.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:14 pm
Not that I can tell. There is one adult at the Tribune Tower - Eric Zorn.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:15 pm
No adults to be seen anywhere. Just constant posturing using the worst phases ever such as “the people of Illinois.” There is no issue that “the people of Illinois” agree on 100%-quit trying to make it sound like you have a mandate for your own agendas.

Comment by OurMagician Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Sadly, there have been no adults in the room since Judy Barr Topinka’s passing.

Comment by The Unknown Poster Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:21 pm
The Supremes.

Years were wasted on the thieving fever dreams of Ty, the Civvies and the semi-literate hysterics at the Tribbie edit board.

Like a sideline trainer going through the protocols for a severly concussed player, the Supremes patiently but firmly explained to them that their game was over and that simple declarative sentences written at a sixth grade level mean what they say and are not subject to contradictory interpretation.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:21 pm
Perhaps if there are no adults in the room, we should give the state budget mess to a bunch of high school kids to figure out. I’d bet they could do it more quickly than our legislators!

Comment by Amy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:23 pm
I miss Luking

Comment by Deep Yogurt Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Hey name was Judy and she left us last year.

Comment by Abe the Babe Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:25 pm
Ralph Martire.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Ralph Martire has consistently and correctly stated that the pension debit is a symptom of our structural deficit and not the cause. It is the lack of our tax system to keep pace with the growing cost of government (just like our household expenses increase) that is at the root cause. Only by not making required pension payments have politicians been able to provide state services to citizens without the proper amount of taxation. Once you make the pension payment, then the structural deficit must be faced.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Agree with Word on the Supremes. Who else has made the point that it is responsible to pay back money borrowed from the pension fund payments and there is no wheedling out of the responsible course.

>>>> “Pat Quinn came closest” - HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! - Oh, you were being serious?
The past is over and done, but agree on Pat Quinn with the gigantic exception of signing the FY15 budget. He made a lot of cuts, was unpopular with AFSCME, increased revenue, and made the pension payments every year. Mind you, I’m limiting consideration to his adulthood to that very narrow perspective. Contrast his behavior with that of our current leaders, none of whom has put forward a budget that balances expenses with revenues.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:33 pm
@ Earnest - Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:33 pm:

=Who else has made the point that it is responsible to pay back money borrowed from the pension fund payments and there is no wheedling out of the responsible course.=

Ralph Martire.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:35 pm
To shuttle diplomacy;

When both sides, not just the governor, not just the Democrats, when both sides actually stop with the press releases, we will know adults are milling about.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:36 pm
Some lobbyists, the Supremes, Cullerton, Steanes and certainly Rich Miller.

Comment by Publius Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:36 pm
Can the Supremes get “involved” any deeper than trying to get all these guys and their Crews in a room?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:39 pm
I agree with the “Duh!!” comment. There has to be someone out there BESIDES Rauner, Madagin, and Cullerton. Anyone have the guts to STAND UP!! I heard that “step up” comment before.

Comment by I AGREE Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:40 pm
Clearly Madigan
He patiently sent members to the sham Working Groups, worked a spending plan through passage in the House and Senate and is trying to give BVR some accomplishments. Team BVR has missed many opportunities because they are new, uninformed or craving a big government shutdown to boost the presidential campaign. They should check with Newt.
Meanwhile they may be learning that insulting folks or questioning integrity creates ill will that does not heal Check with Tristano

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:42 pm
Hey Norseman…….Grow up or pick up your marbles and GO HOME! Wow!!!

Comment by Hey Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Eric Madiar who came out with a legal opinion - a few years ago - that the state can not welch on it’s pension obligations.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:45 pm
I want to also offer up RNUG.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:48 pm
My big three are Ralph Martire, Eric Madiar, and our own RUNUG. The three pension adults who have been consistent, thoughtful and have gone where the facts have taken them.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Governor Rauner.

Comment by Kankakee Jimmy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:50 pm
sorry about the spelling — RNUG our retired non union guy.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:51 pm
The Supreme Court.

For that reason, I expect to see Raun-Griff money flood into those campaigns.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:52 pm
No. It’s pretty sad.

Comment by Belle Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:54 pm
Maybe we change the Statehouse into a giant casino?

Comment by Surprised Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:55 pm
I think Daniel Biss has the smarts, common sense and the backbone to emerge as one of the adults.

Comment by Great Caesar's Ghost! Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:56 pm
The adults are out of sight, out of mind.
They cannot be heard over the din right now.

And they themselves have been subject to individual attack for previous compromise deals.
None of them has the power to pull it off.

This is all on the Governor and Legislative Leaders.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:57 pm
Hey, thanks for proving my point. LOL

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 3:59 pm
I’m also voting for the Supremes. I’m not sure there’s an adult in the executive or legislative branches, maybe the legislative branch, but I’m sure that the Four Tops make sure these adult voices are marginalized.

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:01 pm
Jim Dodge.

Comment by ChiTownSeven Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:05 pm
Madiar, Martire, Cullerton and the Supremes. Thank God for checks and balances.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Eveleyn,she don’t say anything anymore

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Imagine if the chambers were run by say Kwame Raoul and Elaine Nekritz. That would be more adult. We’d still have a governor intent of break em down and build em back up. It’s the venture capital way.

Comment by Distant Viewer Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Sorry, that should have been the private equity way.

Comment by Distant Viewer Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Look at what the adults have done.
Maybe we should be wishing for something different.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:17 pm
nope, none.

Comment by bored now Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:25 pm
An adult might put the good of the State ahead of their own re-election/party loyalty. Nope. None present.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:26 pm
Well good Lord almighty, it ain’t Sandack. Holy cow. I used to like the guy, but he makes me cringe now. How can he speak like that on the floor?

Comment by Centennial Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Rep. Sandack’s routine is akin to adult entertainment

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:31 pm
They all validate the need for term limits; terms not exceeding 24 hours.

Comment by Buzzie Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:32 pm
Leader Bellock! She is truly a class act!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:34 pm
I made a list of twelve strong “adults” on the budget in the legislature alone, some of whom have already been noted. Then realized it doesn’t matter anyway, because it’s up to elected leaders to fix it at this point, representing state-level political forces. Don’t look for superman or wonderwoman on this one.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:41 pm
I was never a big Madigan fan, but at least he has tried to give Rauner teachable moments. Even after his failed state road show Rauner still insists that he wants everything in his agenda. He never took RTW and other Turn Back agenda items off the table. He just hid them in his remaining requests.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:41 pm
Rich,
You didn’t condition the question with “present elected official” perhaps intentionally, so . . . just thinking out loud . . . would either of these be a pick for adult?
___________________________
#1
Munger channeling Kimme (Topinka’s chief of staff, Nancy Kimme, will remain in her position. Kimme is a top deputy in Rauner’s transition team.)
re Munger: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Rauner-Wants-Quinn-to-Appoint-Kimme-as-Temporary-Topinka-Replacement-285415731.html

#2
Tim Nuding, Director of Governor’s Office of Management and Budget

Tim Nuding has spent 25 years working in state government for the Illinois Senate Republican Staff. The first 16 years of his career were spent focusing on state fiscal issues through the Senate Appropriations Committee both as a budget analyst and as the Director of the Senate Appropriations Staff. Most recently he has served as Chief of Staff to Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno. Tim’s experience working in the legislature has given him a unique perspective and understanding of the budget problems facing Illinois. He is widely respected in the State Capitol and has established a solid network of relationships with executive agency staff, stakeholders and key legislators and legislative staff from both political parties. Tim graduated from Illinois State University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. He and his family reside in Rochester, Illinois.

Comment by zonz Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Madigan gave Rauner months to work on something substantial. Instead, BVR chose to continue the campaign, focusing on an issue so toxic and unsupportable in this state that it can’t be used as leverage.

He swoops in the final few weeks and expects the other party to roll over? That’s childish.

I don’t really see how Madigan bears the blame when this is what he has to work with. And it’s not his responsibility to make Rauner look competent or accept any part of his agenda.

Comment by Daryl Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:55 pm
Q: What’s the difference between the Illinois General Assembly and the Cub Scouts?
A: The Cub Scouts have adult supervision.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 4:59 pm
Rich, when are u gonna write about Rauner’s plan to lockout state employees (union and merit comp except agency Directors and Deputy Directors)? It’s gonna happen in July. He won’t let any of them back in until they agree to move from the Tier 1 pension system to Tier 2.

Comment by Raunerite Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:10 pm
Today at the Statehouse? Not even.

On a sidenote, whenever I see Jim Durkin (a very fine person and legislator) up there doing the bidding of Bruce Rauner, I always wonder if Ray Poe is so glad he didn’t get the leadership slot. I wonder.

Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:12 pm
pls delete mine at 5:17 - wrong thread

Comment by zonz Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:18 pm
what deep yogurt said. Luking is much missed.

I would look to the disciples of Lord Luking. for example, glad to see Derek Blaida in the mix and for someone comparatively young, he is quite an adult.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:22 pm
Rauner. Adults usually have to tell the misbehaving children to behave.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:48 pm
I think the governor and the four leaders are all adults.

Let’s just be clear that they all have competing interests.

And let’s not forget that all life’s a stage and all of us actors with roles to play.

They all have parts to play.

The only tricky part here is no one really trusts/understands/believes what Rauner wants. He has said he wants so many different things and also acted in contradictory ways.

Maybe he isn’t quite sure what he wants and that is the problem.

His advisors tell him he is holding all of the cards, or atleast a strong upper hand, but if he doesn’t come out of this at least looking like a winner after spending $100 million of his own money, that does not sit well.

But does he really want to fix the state budget, is his ultimate goal to dissassemble Illinois’ middle class alliance, or is he really auditioning for VP?

No one really knows. By the way he is plundering the state coffers with people like Purvis, and waving his sword around, I think the answer is #2.

In which case, he is certainly going about it the only way he can, but then Democrats will and should do everything they can to stop him.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 5:50 pm
Pat Quinn? Really? Well, I’ll see that and raise you an Arizona Bob. C’mon, man.

To the Post, I’ll join the votes for the Supremes with an Honorable Mention to the Staff folks who have to work around their bosses’ petulance. Right. Anonin’ ?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 6:01 pm
Martire has been presenting unvarnished fiscal reality for many years.

Comment by anon Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 7:15 pm
I vote for Martire also. He needs somebody to translate his message into soundbites.

Comment by jake Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 7:51 pm
Coach Q. He’s keeping it all together. Now we just need to get him into THIS room.

Comment by Juan MacLean Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 7:53 pm
– Coach Q. He’s keeping it all together.–

The NHL channel did a piece on Coach Q with clips in which he was miked for a game.

That smiling Uncle Fuzzy you see in the post-game interviews ain’t the dude on the bench during a game, lol.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:07 pm
Adults in the room in the Capitol? Most likely the innocent, hard-working State employees whose livelihoods are threatened by all this bickering and childish behavior.

Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:14 pm
I think Rep Lang, he has a good head on his shoulders.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:26 pm
Andy Manar his star is risin. A no nonsense guy that has not forgotten were he came from.

Comment by rilt Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:26 pm
The Democrats have rolled over the Republicans mercilessly for 10 years. The power has been neutralized with Rauner winning a couple downstate D’s breaking Madigan’s supermajority, increasing the power of Rauner’s veto. Both sides are now pushing hard at each other to check for boundaries, weakness, and limits.

I’m not sure fighting hard is such a bad thing.

Comment by Rhino Slider Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:37 pm
Rhino, give it a think; if there truly were practical, working Dem super-majorities in the House or Senate, we wouldn’t be having this discussion on June 4. They don’t exist.

What also is true is that Gov. Rauner can’t pass the time of day without a significant number of Democratic votes — not the revenue he wants, not anything. In fact, he’ll need more Dems now the he did before June 1.

So here we are.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 8:54 pm
The eight hundred pound gorilla the pension fund that’s what it’s all about?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 9:20 pm
This is one of the funniest posts I’ve ever read.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 4, 15 @ 11:14 pm
Great question to gin up the knuckleheads, Rich!! So I say you are (admittedly, snark).

Comment by Georg Sande Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 6:29 am
@wordslinger - exactly!

Comment by Juan MacLean Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 6:39 am
+1 on Martire. with Netsch gone, he’s the go to smart person on fiscal issues. and he serves on a school board!

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 6:42 am
I think you are Rich. You tell it like it is.

Comment by ah AH Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 7:30 am
I switch to Martire too. Pick an idea, any of them, and refute it. I doubt anyone can.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 7:30 am
Martire. And I agree with earlier comment regarding sound bites. I have long followed the factual releases by Martire but rarely saw them in the media. Instead saw the sound bites from Rauner and Dems- Rauner is just a shill for big money and has no concept of government’s role, and the Dems have long had the chance to fix this but displayed no guts because their number one concern has been to get re-elected (resulting in their cowardly pension reform bill instead of addressing the need for more revenue).

Comment by illinoised Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 7:34 am
Marty Morris?

Comment by Rahmfather Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 7:47 am
Rhino:

Rauner has won nothing.

He will have won nothing until he passes a budget that is approved by the General Assembly and the voters.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 8:08 am
The guy has it nailed. Why don’t they just listen and do what he says? It would consume a lot less political capital for everyone than what they’re doing now.

Comment by Another Vote For Martire Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 8:17 am
Leslie Munger has impressed me… Jim Durkin has been a BIG disappointment… Radagno seems to have lost her common sense since Rauner took over…

Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 8:27 am
“Madigan gave Rauner months to work on something substantial. Instead, BVR chose to continue the campaign, focusing on an issue so toxic and unsupportable in this state that it can’t be used as leverage.

He swoops in the final few weeks and expects the other party to roll over? That’s childish.”

I agree and couldn’t have said it better myself–literally.

Rauner viciously attacked unions and spent too much time pushing that agenda. Madigan helped pass a lot of very important bills this session, which to me is much better than last year’s session.

Plus, Madigan doesn’t attack people in public like Rauner does. He is not petulant and nasty, like Rauner was in his recent press appearance.

I know this is politics, and even with all the rancor, I am pulling for the leaders to pass a balanced budget that involves raising revenue. There’s little to fear in raising revenue, and lots to fear if we don’t.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 5, 15 @ 9:07 am