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Three more Republican lawmakers from East Central Illinois have cashed checks from Citizens for Rauner Inc., the political action committee of Gov. Bruce Rauner, which at last count had more than $20 million on hand.

Reps. Adam Brown of Champaign and Tom Bennett of Gibson City, plus Sen. Dale Righter of Mattoon, each reported $8,000 contributions from Rauner. Brown, Bennett and Sens. Bill Brady and Righter have reported taking the campaign contribution from the governor, who last month said he had given $400,000 to Republican lawmakers.

If any other Republicans are going to cash in the Rauner campaign donations, they haven’t done it yet.

By my count, 27 out of 67 House and Senate Republicans have cashed the governor’s checks, or about 40 percent.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has not yet reported cashing his check, but Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno did a while ago.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:24 pm

Comments

If it was no big deal that the sitting governor of Illinois gave $400K to all 67 GOP GA members just mere hours before a House vote that Rauner required a “yellow”…

… then all 67 should have cashed the checks. Right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Is Rauner is providing financial methadone to wean so many GOP off of union money?

Comment by Percival Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:29 pm
- Percival -,

So Rauner is a special interest? lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:30 pm
The legislators who haven’t cashed a check and still refuse to vote should resign. They want to pretend like they’re standing firm — but not they’re not doing the job they’re elected for, and they’re not playing by their boss’s rules.

At least the group that cashed in is being honest.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:30 pm
=If it was no big deal that the sitting governor of Illinois gave $400K to all 67 GOP GA members just mere hours before a House vote that Rauner required a “yellow”…

… then all 67 should have cashed the checks. Right? =
Is there a state law requiring elected officials to cash contributions to their campaign account, immediately? If not, then what’s the issue?

Comment by Apocalypse Now Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Durkin better have been given a check, dude has been doing most of the heavy lifting here, having all his suburban members continually voting agains prop tax relief.

Comment by DecaturGuy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Rauner had it easy while acquiring the GOP.

But staging a takeover of the ILGA, which is already a subsidiary of Madigan Inc, may prove more challenging.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:40 pm
=== If not, then what’s the issue? ===

This is the largest check some of these folks have ever received. For others, it’s probably the largest check they’ve ever received in an off-year.

If you can’t see the significance in them not cashing those checks, then I can’t help you.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:42 pm
It’s one check. They need annual checks, or at least every election year.

Comment by Percival Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:44 pm
$8,000 is a ton of cash for the likes of Senator Righter or Rep. Bennett. That is essentially 8 high-level sponsorships at a golf outing without having to invest any sweat equity.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:46 pm
They are now also (not) enjoying “no expenses paid” trips to Springfield at the whim of the Speaker and Senate Pres. Some may actually need the dough to cover their costs to and fro.

I’m guessing most of them will be cashed eventually. Look for some to bundle them with other contributions later in the year.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:46 pm
No, - Percival - you said…

===Is Rauner is providing financial methadone to wean so many GOP off of union money?===

I asked if that makes Rauner a special interest.

Rauner has $20 million.

You made the connection as to why(?), just own it, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Percival - not in a district like Senator Righter’s. Other than Rep. Reis, there would be no credible challenger either in the primary or general. And why would Rep. Reis run against Senator Righter? Same goes for Rep. Brown. He moved to a safer district and is now in HGOP leadership. Leader Durkin would do whatever he could to protect Rep. Brown. So that cash is not a panacea.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:48 pm
===I’m guessing most of them will be cashed eventually. Look for some to bundle them with other contributions later in the year.===

Still received it hours before a vote, with HGOP members required to be “yellow”

Bundle or not, that is the framing Rauner wanted.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Anyone else see a problem with this? These legislators make over 60k each already. The governor comes in with his bankroll and start handing it out like candy. This to me is a huge conflict of interest and undermines the ability of the legislature to remain impartial and actually vote in the interests of the constituency they were sent to represent. This sort of arrangement is an ethical nightmare to say the least.

Comment by Working for the people Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:49 pm
===Bundle or not, that is the framing Rauner wanted.===

But it does negate some of the timing you take issue with.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:50 pm
===But it does negate some of the timing you take issue with.===

So you admit it’s bad, the timing, the impression, the idea that $400K is for the voting keys of 67 to stay in Rauner’s grasp?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Working - do you ever check the Trib cash tracker on the side of this page? Just today Rep. D’Amico reported four (4) contributions of over $1,000 each. Each contribution was from a corporate entity.

Also - what do you think the payment is? This is a contribution to their campaign committees - not a personal loan or “gift” (which is illegal). Yeah, they can use it for dinner. Whoopie! Saputo’s for the kids!

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:00 pm
=This is the largest check some of these folks have ever received. For others, it’s probably the largest check they’ve ever received in an off-year.

If you can’t see the significance in them not cashing those checks, then I can’t help you. =
I wonder, if there is as much scrutiny about legislators receiving checks for other PAC’s and/or unions? The general public really doesn’t care much about this, since the vast majority already believe politicians on both side of the isle are bought and paid for.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:03 pm
Don’t miss the $4,000 in campaign cash newly minted Sen. Neil Anderson pocketed last week.

Comment by Send an angel Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:04 pm
===I wonder, if there is as much scrutiny about legislators receiving checks for other PAC’s and/or unions? The general public really doesn’t care much about this, since the vast majority already believe politicians on both side of the isle are bought and paid for.===

Are you saying Bruce Rauner bought and paid for the GOP GA? Are you saying the special interest of one branch of government is using monies hours before votes to have legislators stay bought?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:07 pm
I love reading some of the comments above. It is perfectly ok for the emperor of il MJM to dole out hundreds of thousands of $ to his little worker bees, but when a republican does it it’s unethical bordering on criminal. Talk about a double standard. If I were one of these democrats from downstate or collar counties not in a completely safe district you haven’t seen anything yet.

Comment by Short Bus Rider Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:09 pm
@OW- I’ve got another one for you- if Rauner has captured the zeitgeist of the moment, wouldn’t it be OK to just cash the check?

==The general public really doesn’t care much about this, since the vast majority already believe politicians on both side of the isle are bought and paid for.==

Same as it ever was…

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:11 pm
=== It is perfectly ok for the emperor of il MJM to dole out hundreds of thousands of $ to his little worker bees===

Um, how many of those little worker bees sit on their checks for a month?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:11 pm
- Short Bus Rider -,

Thought Rauner was stopping business as usual. lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:11 pm
=Are you saying Bruce Rauner bought and paid for the GOP GA? Are you saying the special interest of one branch of government is using monies hours before votes to have legislators stay bought? =
That is the publics perception and probably yours, also. OW, please don’t try your spin on me.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:12 pm
==It is perfectly ok for the emperor of il MJM to dole out hundreds of thousands of $ to his little worker bees, but when a republican does it it’s unethical bordering on criminal.==

Same as it ever was. The Springfield status quo shook Rauner.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:12 pm
===That is the publics perception and probably yours, also. OW, please don’t try your spin on me.===

So the public perception IS Rauner bought the GOP GA?

lol.

It’s not spin if I’m using your “logic”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:15 pm
How long have these members been in receipt of these contributions?

==- Short Bus Rider - Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:09 pm:==

Please show us the data on the Speaker’s donations to his members during session.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:19 pm
@PC, not to mention the fact that the beneficiaries of the Speaker’s contributions typically aren’t voting with him on most of the tough votes. He’s got them for the two big ones(for him), and that is about it.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:23 pm
=Um, how many of those little worker bees sit on their checks for a month? =
That’s a good question? We really don’t know.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Lemme see. So Derrick Smith gave it up for 7K, but he was new and a punk,so…. there you go, Ladies and Gents,using the tools of a free market, we’ve established a market price for a soul.
We should inform the CME. Too bad open outcry is a thing of the past- that would be a thing of beauty.

Comment by West Sider Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:26 pm
and right before a vote

Comment by WeeblesWobble Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:27 pm
sorry and addition to PC @ 1:19

…and right before a vote!

Comment by WeeblesWobble Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:28 pm
The hypocrisy on this topic here is astounding. Unions and trial lawyers have owned democratic legislators for generations, using their money to buy votes. Rauner and his buddies are doing the same thing, and now it is a bad thing. That’s rich.

Some realize the blatant hypocrisy and cover it with a tizzy about the timing of the cashing of the check. Who cares? When the check is cashed it will be reported. Their real concern is the impact of the money. The fear is warranted given that it has worked so well for the unions and trial lawyers.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:49 pm
To me there’s a distinction between Madigan (as chairman of the Democratic party) distributing party money to his reps and Rauner (as Rauner) giving Rauner money to his. Also, Madigan has never come out and said anything about having a %^$% problem.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Any Labor reaction about GOP’s that have a history of Labor support having aligned with Rauner?

Early on, it sounded like some mixed messages as to whether Labor was really concerned or not with legislators walking on votes, but taking the cash is publicly acknowledging the brand - labor hasn’t shown much financial support for these guys lately, do they get scrutinized/targeted more heavily for the Labor to Rauner flip?

Comment by Midstate Indy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:52 pm
==Rauner and his buddies are doing the same thing==

Springfield has shaken up Bruce Rauner.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:57 pm
==Any Labor reaction about GOP’s that have a history of Labor support having aligned with Rauner?==

I think the ones who have a good working relationship with Labor haven’t cashed the checks yet. Some even claim they don’t know if they got them.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:59 pm
===Rauner and his buddies are doing the same thing, and now it is a bad thing.===

Um, if it was so OK, then why have 60 percent of the recipients not yet cashed their checks?

I would bet many of those 60 percenters have received and deposited other campaign checks this year. Leader Durkin, for sure.

Why not deposit this check?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:59 pm
chicon, were you napping when the Democrats passed legislation reducing labor’s pension, or retiree health care benefits, or removing 2,000 union employees out of the bargaining unit? Because I don’t remember a majority of the members of the GOP pushing to get those things done.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:01 pm
Chicon, i think the hypocrisy is also directed at Rauner saying he was going to end business as usual in Springfield. how is a sitting Governor dropping hundreds of thousands of dollars into the legislative process ending business as usual?

and when the Governor himself says that unions and trial lawyers contributing to Dems is a corrupt bargain, a corrupt process, a conflict of interest, insider deals and so on… how is the Governor and his billionaire friends dumping possibly millions more into the same system not also a corrupt bargain and conflict of interest?

and some GOP legislators not cashing their checks yet, could be that they also view this as a perception problem for themselves, appearing to be bought and paid for by the Governor in their own party. not being seen as truly representative of the constituency that voted them into office. again how is this not the same hypocrisy, conflict of interest, corrupt bargain, insider dealing, specials interests that continues to go on by both sides?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:07 pm
I already regret voting for Rauner.

Comment by BringBack IL Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:07 pm
The cashing of the check is a beautiful red herring. Some will cash it when they feel there will be less political fallout. Politicians using the rules to their best advantage…..not exactly a news flash.

Money works. Dems have proved that for years, that’s what the consternation is about.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:11 pm
(Sigh)

If it’s ok Rauner wrote the checks on their own merits, the checks, all of them should be cashed already. Hiding them, bundling them, waiting everyone out screams something else.

Further, all the Raunerite, “do things different” crowd; you can’t claim that mantle, then immediately say, “Madigan/Ubions/Lobbyist do the same thing for 2 very clear reasons; 1) This is a whole party of GA members. 2) This is hours before a vote. Rauner can’t be for “fundamental change” and follow the samd rules, to an entire party of the legislature.

Finally, you can’t have Caucuses, in this case, the HGOP get these monies, all be “yellow” hours later and then not cash checks and not have it seem like it’s not bad optics. Cash them, then let’s talk.

Rauner was suppose to be different. This isn’t different. It’s also government branches holding leverage over Caucuses.

And you cheer this?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:12 pm
Anonymous - you were hoping for unilateral disarmament? C’mon, really?

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:14 pm
Chicon, you were the one who used the hypocrisy card. when you say you’re going to end business as usual and call one side corrupt, then do basically the same thing. is that not hypocritical?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Willy - I am not the perpetually concerned Republican. That role is already taken.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:18 pm
and I’m not saying the Governor should not use the resources at his disposal to pursue his agenda. but don’t accuse the other side of wrongdoing and then do the same yourself. looks silly.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Anonymous - I accept that the Dems have set the rules and are playing by those rules. People are allowed to donate to campaigns. Republicans are doing the same thing, and the Democrats are suddenly opposed to the way the game is played. That is the definition of hypocrisy.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Has Terri Bryant cashed hers yet?????how would I find out??

Comment by Applecity Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:24 pm
=== Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 1:59 pm:

===Rauner and his buddies are doing the same thing, and now it is a bad thing.===

Um, if it was so OK, then why have 60 percent of the recipients not yet cashed their checks?

I would bet many of those 60 percenters have received and deposited other campaign checks this year. Leader Durkin, for sure.

Why not deposit this check?====

I suspect Leader Durkin will be the beneficiary of the noble returns by others and will deposit them all at once and offer up a single news cycle for the skeptics.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:24 pm
“call one side corrupt,” Don’t forget, Rauner said 1/3 of the legislature (including Republicans) was corrupt.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:24 pm
==Rauner said 1/3 of the legislature (including Republicans) was corrupt.==

Sent the corrupt Republicans a check, though.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Is this Rauner trying to ==Shake Up Springfield== or a ==corrupt bargain==?

And no discussion of a governor ==allegedly== ==buying== GA votes is complete without mentioning Careen Gordon, Mike Smith, Bob Flider, David Miller, John O’Sullivan and Michael Carberry.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:28 pm
and Chicon I will also accept that Republican governors for decades also set and played by those same rules. hypocrisy for you is one thing, for me it also applies to saying you’re going to end business as usual and then do the same thing. it works both ways.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:29 pm
==The hypocrisy on this topic here is astounding==

==I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Any one know how to check if your local rep has cashed there check???

Comment by Applecity Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:33 pm
Applecity… seriously?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:34 pm
FKA, you’re telling me Mike Smith and David Miller, both of whom had been pushing for an income tax increase for years, were bought to vote for an income tax increase? And why do you think Carberry and O’Sullivan were appointed to those spots to begin with? Pretty sure it wasn’t for the sake of voting for Madigan’s rules, but to vote for the tax increase after Brosnahan and Joyce left. (Much more of an Avery Bourne type situation, except I imagine she’ll run for a full term.) Gordon and Flider…hmm, well, Bob didn’t get the Ag job until like a year after he left the House? (That’s all I got for those two.)

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:36 pm
Well I am from the BBQ Capitol of illinois

Comment by Applecity Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Anonymous - I understand your point, but that brings us back to unilateral disarmament, imo.

My understanding was that the change Rauner was to bring was the lessening of the power of unions, trial lawyers, etc., and that this change would improve the financial health of the state. We’ll see if he does so (I am skeptical anyone can).

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:37 pm
BBQ effects IQ?

lol

Sorry.

Click the link above. It ain’t hard.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:38 pm
and i was just going to ask Applecity if anyone knows where to find good BBQ in southern IL. dang

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Chicon i hear ya, i’m not suggesting that anyone unilaterally disarms, unless both sides hold some form of Springfield budget and reform a la SALT talks first. im trying to come up with a suitable abbreviation now…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:42 pm
BBQ induces ZZZZZZZs more than it impacts IQs.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:42 pm
===Willy - I am not the perpetually concerned Republican. That role is already taken. ===

You can take over at any time. All good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:44 pm
Those who have received but not cashed the checks - I thought they had to disclose within a reasonable time of receiving a contribution.

(otherwise during an election cycle they could just get a loan to the campaign, pay it back with checks on hand from embarrassing donors)

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:44 pm
Well even though she voted against equal pay for women, she seems to be smart enough not to cash the check!!!

Comment by Applecity Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:44 pm
Juice - https://capitolfax.com/2012/02/15/another-quinncidence/

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:45 pm
Rich, good BBQ ribs certainly affects my IQ, i’m too dumb to know when to stop eating them.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:46 pm
“good BBQ ribs certainly affects my IQ,” or it could be the beer that is often correlated with good BBQ.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:51 pm
Talking about Terri Bryant, I think she is a member of Afscme and still did not vote to stop a strike or lock out. Really decide voting for BBQ I think he has only voted present or not at all. Nice to see our tax dollar being put to good work.

Comment by soill Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:51 pm
Anonymous - when I in the beer with the BBQ, things go downhill!

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:51 pm
Is there not a separation of powers issue here? One branch is clearly trying to influence the other beyond the mere attempt to keep their party in power, as this is not an election-related contribution. Running it through a white-washed system, such as a PAC, does not remove the intent of the donation. These Assemblymen/women were elected to speak on behalf of their districts… where are the polls to determine the public’s temperature on these matters? In lieu of polls, are we finding feigned apprehension awaiting the proverbial “check in the mail”? Probably not, but the G.A. should take ownership of their Branch of Government…It’s time to stand firm for your piece of the pie….because if they haven’t realized it yet, they’re up for acquisition next. This guy thinks he can buy anything and he has the cash to give it a go.

Comment by Tex Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:52 pm
Reads like I already “added” in a few beers….

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Text - Rauner feels he can buy a win here. He’ll probably need to outbid the unions and trial lawyers.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:56 pm
FKA, I’m not saying they didn’t get put on the public payroll. I’m disagreeing with your assertion that they were bought. Quinn also appointed unsuccessful congressional candidates Julie Hamos, David Gill and Dan Seals. Didn’t see them taking a vote on taxes.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 2:57 pm
ugh i dumped my cache and forgot to type my handle. the Anon posts before was me, Chicon and others, my apologies.

and as for BBQ and beer, maybe the Governor should have some 17th Street delivered to the mansion and have a detente party with some smoked chicken and ribs. money better spent than on a war

Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:00 pm
So Ill - she is a member of ISEA/Local 2002.

http://www.lincolnseries.com/GovernorBios/Bryant%20Bio.html

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:08 pm
PG - I hope the busted cache doesn’t result in a stint on the disabled list.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Thanks team sleep….
Still the fact that she is a union member and has voted against ever thing supporting unions blows my mind. She should have her card pulled, for life.

Comment by Soill Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:16 pm
Well let me rephrase that, she voted present or did not vote which to me is even worse…

Comment by Soill Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:18 pm
no I’m good and ready to go. I just hope the same can be said for the Blackhawks tonight. Monday was a tough loss.

Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:18 pm
PG - a very tough loss, indeed.

Comment by chicon Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Applecity - Perhaps you should review these links before accusing your Rep of being against equal pay. You appear to be misinformed.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/99/house/09900HB0695_05152015_007000A.pdf

http://thesouthern.com/news/opinion/editorial/guest/guest-view-setting-the-record-straight-on-equal-pay/article_e1dad8d6-c175-5160-ae70-82e2f6292f8e.html

Comment by Anonymau5 Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Maybe the new kid in town has learned to play the game better than the master MJM, and with more money, unions ante up it’s gonna be a long ride you can’t win in the long run.

Comment by Short Bus Rider Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:46 pm
Oops, try this link instead. Bryant voted for Equal Pay. The legislative sausage-making process can be difficult at times.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/99/house/09900HB3619_05312015_048000C.pdf

Comment by Anonymau5 Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 3:51 pm
Juice - with respect, I disagree. Some of those arguments offer plausible deniability, just as they did in 2012.

But as a wise man on that linked post says, ==Yeah, because it was total coincidence that those two got public jobs after leaving the House. Right.==

Some of those may have been coincidence, but not all.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 4:25 pm
- SBR -,

If it’s a great move, why isn’t everyone cashing the checks now?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Just for fun, kids, look up Wanda Brandtstetter on the Google in your Internet machine. Then you can either divide $400,000 by 1,000 or by 67.

The stories pre-date the magnificence of electronic media but laws have roots deeper than Twitter.

Comment by Wallinger Dickus Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 4:48 pm
I hope they all wrote very nice thank you notes. We will know if any souls have actually been sold in the due course of time.

Comment by Mom Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 5:14 pm
When do most checks expire? Burning them on the Manson yard could be fun.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 8:41 pm
== When do most checks expire? ==

Typically, after 6 months banks / businesses don’t have to honor them. But these days almost no one looks at the date on a check …

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 9:37 pm
Wallinger, wow, that took me back. But I didn’t have to use the Google to say I’ll see your Wanda and raise you one Nord Swandstrom.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 10, 15 @ 10:37 pm
Gov Rauner has no chance if he is passive. The unions and plaintiff attorneys control many of the Dems. He has to be aggressive to have any chance of attaining major change.

Comment by Peoria Guy Thursday, Jun 11, 15 @ 7:54 am
- Peoria Guy -,

With respect.

All Rauner has, honestly, is his rhetoric and 67 votes.

Nothing else. That’s the reality of his governing. Governing. Rauner needs compromise.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 11, 15 @ 8:00 am