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Absurd absurdity

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Illinois

* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…

The absurd facade of this long-running state government impasse might best be summed up with two brief statements.

1) Gov. Bruce Rauner to Democrats: “Just support my plans to eviscerate organized labor and I’ll give you the rare privilege of voting to raise everybody’s income taxes.”

2) Democrats to Rauner: “Just accept our piddly little workers’ compensation reforms and we’ll let you put all Republican legislators on an income tax hike bill, which you can then, of course, gleefully sign into law.”

Those two statements bring to mind a long-ago description of the absurdist theatrical “Waiting for Godot.” It was, the reviewer wrote, a play in which “nothing happens, twice.”

Ain’t that the truth.

Neither of those two things ever will happen.

I also have heard some portray this standoff as something like a religious war, where each side is so wedded to their own core beliefs, particularly when it comes to labor unions (Rauner against, Democrats for), that all rapprochement is impossible.

But, really, as absurd and hardline as the summer has most certainly appeared, I am increasingly becoming convinced that this overtime session cannot accurately be described as either of those things.

Rauner talks a good game, but as we’ve seen, he often backs off. He repeatedly threatened to shut down the government during last year’s campaign but instead has done everything possible to avoid a shutdown after vetoing most of the budget in June.

The governor has railed against unions but negotiated a state contract with the Teamsters that even includes collecting “fair share” fees that he believes are unconstitutional. He has made innumerable cuts that were quickly restored, whether through executive fiat, legislation he supports or court cases he backs.

House Speaker Michael Madigan likewise talks a very good game about “protecting the middle class,” but he hasn’t always been such a white knight for his core constituencies, either. He flipped on his much-favored trial lawyers and rammed through medical malpractice lawsuit reforms last decade.

The speaker made a deal that undercut trade unions at McCormick Place when asked to by Chicago’s mayor. He muscled through a Tier 2 pension plan for state workers and teachers that resulted in their boycott of him in the 2010 campaign. That led to the 2011 legislative education reforms (also pushed by the mayor and people like Rauner), aimed mostly at teachers and their unions, and legislation to cut back the number of state workers represented by AFSCME, along with pension reform Part 2.

To me, the key here is Mayor Rahm Emanuel. If he really is privately asking for some legislative limits on teachers’ union collective bargaining powers, as the governor has been telling reporters and anyone else who will listen, then you can expect the speaker and the Senate president eventually will go along.

Why would they? Because that’s what Democratic leaders from Chicago usually do when their mayor needs them. Not every time, but it’s a pretty safe bet.

And since Emanuel has not, as of this writing, actually denied the governor’s claim about what he really wants, I’m guessing the governor probably is telling the truth. Or at least a close enough version of reality to finally smoke out the mayor and have him prod his two leaders to move on a resolution that can be applied statewide.

As you know, the governor refuses to even talk about a budget until he gets some of his “turnaround agenda” passed, and keeping the teachers’ unions in check could go a long way toward that goal.

Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion and watch the governor’s poll numbers move inexorably down toward their own low positions, while galvanizing organized labor behind the Democratic Party like never before.

And as long as Rauner can keep most of government functioning, I don’t think he is prepared to make any major deals, either.

So the Democrats and the mayor and the governor could all choose to wait until the stuff really hits the fan this month and into next month, when the state government’s rapidly deteriorating condition could very well excuse an ugly deal in the minds of their respective constituencies.

Or they could just stick their necks out, act like statesmen and hammer out a compromise before the pain really begins.

Nah.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 8:52 am

Comments

This is a great read to start out the day. I think you pretty much nailed it Rich. I don’t think they will agree on anything until the situation hits critical mass sometime next month and then they will probably compromise just enough to keep things running for a while. I don’t expect any long term solution any time soon.

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:11 am
For all the alleged political strategerizing going on, the fact is for FY16 state GRF spending is projected at $38 billion on projected revenues of $33 billion.

And that’s without billions in social services, unis and group insurance being accounted for.

That problem will grow bigger, more unmanageable, more destructive to real people and more difficult to solve every day.

The political quacks behind the governor’s budget hostage strategy have, predictably, created a Frankenstein’s monster, a crisis of choice that will push all other issues to the side for some time to come.

The arithmetic doesn’t care about dorm room political debate clubs and is unforgiving.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:17 am
I saw Rauner out at Veteran’s Day. He impressed me by sitting on that stage in the miserable heat while he could have been just about anywhere else. That is a guy who is dedicated. I don’t agree with what he is doing, but he is willing to take the heat.

I wasn’t very impressed though when he was working the crowd. All he said was, “Hi, I am Bruce” and didn’t really talk to the veteran. It seemed more that he was just posing for pictures at that point.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:23 am
Since Rauner and the Dems are still spending like crazy, aren’t they going to need those new tax revenues sooner rather than later. And how retroactive can they be, as the holidays approach. Are we looking at Rauner having to sign a tax increase higher than 5 percent, despite all the anti-tax yacking. And after he has utterly failed to do much of anything during his first year (but raise taxes), are we looking at three years of The Ceremonial Governor?

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:27 am
Absurd absurdity is the best description.

Neither can claim the high ground, and everyone has some dirt on their hands.

==Now, we wait.==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:28 am
The ststements about the Speaker undercutting core constituents in the past… The fact that the State enacted work comp legislation in 2011… Should strengthen the Speaker’s resolve in opposing the Governor’s turn around and screw the worker agenda. Since when should Indiana be seen as a good example of Government serving the people? Having legislation that creating obstacles for injured workers to qualify for WC belies the program’s purpose. Rather than Worker’s Compensation, Indiana’s program should go by the name of Compensate Yourself - Workers Injured On the Job.

Comment by Triple fat Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:31 am
@ Dude: What exactly happens next month that will force a sudden change? (’Critical mass’ means that an atomic explosion is a few seconds away. I see nothing comparable. ‘Next month’, might be right, but seems pretty optimistic.)

@Cassandra: no one’s really ’spending like crazy’, just funding most of the normal operations of state government (though leaving some pretty important ones out). This is all spending either mandated by the courts or approved by both the legislature and the supposedly penny-pinching Gov. For years (decades?) the tax-structure of the state has not been adequate to raise the money for normal operations, hence the shorting of the pension funds and other accounting tricks. We need a graduated income tax, which will enable most people to pay *less* income tax (most states have one). Until that that be brought in, we need, sadly, to raise the levels of the taxes we can levy. Anything else will just lead to more gimmicks and short-term fixes which make things worse in the long-run.

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:36 am
Rauner keeps increasing the size of the cash bailout for CPS, so I guess he believes he can get Emanuel to eventually talk the others into getting what he wants. I don’t think it will happen because he wants to hit collective bargaining statewide, not just Chicago.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:36 am
A graduated income tax may be the best solution long term, but it isn’t happening this fiscal year, because it would require a constitutional change. The question now is, just how retroactive would the income tax need to be. Every day the problem gets worse.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:43 am
In other words Madigan is workable if Rauner would grow up.

Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:44 am
Did any of the guv’s political whiz kids ever get a hard count on how many GOP votes there are in the GA on issues such as gutting collective bargaining and prevailing wage?

Was there ever a sober assessment of the realistic chances for success of a reactionary, secret agenda unleashed after the election without any demonstrated public support?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:44 am
===I don’t agree with what he is doing, but he is willing to take the heat.===

There’s a big difference in outside temperature and heat in the politics of choices. Rauner can’t take lukewarm heat, let alone own his own decisions.

To the Post,

===Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion and watch the governor’s poll numbers move inexorably down toward their own low positions, while galvanizing organized labor behind the Democratic Party like never before.

And as long as Rauner can keep most of government functioning, I don’t think he is prepared to make any major deals, either.===

Ball game.

Rich, once again, not surprisingly, you really “get at” the bottom line governing through the prism of the political goals both sides wish, or are willing to live with in their decisions. Well done, again.

I never thought a governor, when as a candidate harped “Pur governor failed!”, but is so lacking in fundamentals, like that governors own, and governors need budgets. If the mentality is “I don’t need a budget, I don’t need successes, but I need to destroy unions”, at what point will Rauner’s failures be too much to overcome by simply repeating, over and over, “Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls…”?

It’s literally as though Rauner just doesn’t care too much about being governor except when he can lower wages, stop collective bargaining, and keep the “them” away from the people he calls “us”. Otherwise, Rauner sees little to helping the state. So, “we wait”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:46 am
All of these people need to realize that this isn’t a theoretical crisis-real people are hurting now.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:47 am
You left out the part about after the taxes are raised TeamBungle gets to spend all the money. …vety attractive option

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:47 am
Willy,

===It’s literally as though Rauner just doesn’t care too much about being governor except when he can lower wages, stop collective bargaining, and keep the “them” away from the people he calls “us”.===

I think that the attitude you describe is made quite clear by the realities of the budget. The one he spoke about at the budget address requires billions in additional revenue to function and his behavior makes it sound like he’s not really aware of that.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:58 am
We do seem to be stuck in an unfunny version of Groundhog Day.

Now repeat stress relief mantra nos. 23, “take a step back.”

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2014/10/12/calm-stress-response/

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 9:58 am
Rauner has folded in the past, I believe, to pave the way for what is now upon us, the Ragnorock of labor battles. I beleave every goal has been subordinated to forcing AFSCME out on strike. He has gathered his einherjar for this SOLE purpose. We will see whom Loki Madigan sides with starting Wednesday if-when Cullerton calls for a vote to override SB 1229. If the override passes the Senate then it’s on the House and the next test. Then we will see if Madigan sold AFSCME out, paving the way for the battle of Ragnorock as Rauner desires or if he will deny Rauner his SOLE aim, the destruction of AFSCME through the nuclear winter of a protracted strike. If Rauner brings about Ragnorock I bet you anything he WILL NOT FOLD, HE WILL NOT STOP till AFSCME crumbles. I really beleave that Rauner has planned and prepared for this time and this time alone. He’s not governing. He’s not leading. He’s only compromising in order to bring about the final battle, the Ragnorock of Labor.
( yes, I’m being hyperbolic, but you have to admit, Ragnorock of Labor, is a pretty awesome phrase )

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:14 am
@Honeybear: I love the reference to Norse mythology! Anyone know whether Rauner is a Wagner fan?

(For those as ignorant as I was, here’s a short extract from Wikepedia:
‘In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr, and Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterward, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and returning gods will meet, and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors.’)

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:18 am
Whether it is rahm, or a calamitous event that grabs the public’s attention, it will take some outside factor to get them to a resolution. Maybe a combination. For a supposedly smart, successful, guy, with a cast of supporting superstars, rauners analytical ability is woefully lacking. His playbook has one page. The longer they wait, the fewer and more difficult their choices.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:21 am
==rauners analytical ability is woefully lacking==

I don’t think that’s true. I think his analytical ability is tied to the world of CEO’s and that doesn’t translate into governing. He hasn’t made the transition from CEO to Governor yet. Until he does we’ll see more of the same from him.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:26 am
Götterdämmerung performed by Illinois politicians is fascinating but also more frightening than I’d ever imagined. Just wait till the rivers start rising…

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:26 am
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:14 am:

I always like your comments.

Not as much as RNUG but you are a good commenter

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:29 am
Great column. The two summaries say it all. By the way, isn’t Arduin’s contract up at the end of the month? I’m expecting the announcement of extending it for her “superstar” work any day now.

Comment by Demise Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:30 am
The speaker made a deal that undercut trade unions at McCormick Place when asked to by Chicago’s mayor-
It wasn’t Chicago’s mayor that was the motivator.
It was really a favor to Madigan’s appropriations chief Veeonica Lynch and her husband Jim Reilly who were having a very serious financial crisis from their ownership of a B&B, The Sandpiper in Union Pier, Michigan.
While the unions took a hit on McCormick Place, it is the taxpayers who have lost billions in this one Madigan favor.

Comment by Chicago 20 Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:31 am
Oh yeah, as a Chicago trained former Professional French Horn player, I can totally go there on Wagner. The problem with Norse myth/Wagner ring cycle is that some characters/players act or see themselves differently than they really are. It’s a fascinating exercise to put the present situation into this context. Rauner sees himself as Sigfried, the hero or in his grandiose moment as Wotan/Odin, the Allfather. He has been gathering his forces, his einherjar, from the ILGOP fallen, to wait, feast in Valhalla, the “corpse hall” for the final battle Ragnorock. Thoughts?

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:38 am
While I like the Norse mythology, I don’t like the idea that this will be Gotterdamarung (sorry can’t make umlauts here), or that only two will survive. Somehow I don’t think I’d be one of them….

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:45 am
Who will be the fat lady and when will she sing?

Comment by alas Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 10:53 am
Rauner got rich ripping his new acquisitions up, selling the parts for profit, then dumping the bones on someone else. He doesn’t build wealth, he strips it out of built things.

As governor, Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy. He isn’t building it. He has become so conditioned into believing that his profits and wealth certify his genius, he doesn’t listen to opposing views.

When the man walks into a room, he can’t help himself. He behaves like the guy who bought it, the people in it, and the attention he receives. Success blinds people. Rauner’s success over his lifetime has made him blind enough to qualify for one of his own social programs.

So as things burn down, he is breaking out the marshmallows, picking through the smoldering ashes, and expecting to find things that prove that no only does he understand how to strip and sell businesses of every ilk, he understands how to strip and remake governments using a similar formula.

Rauner is a believer that he knows better than you, is more ethical than you, is needed by the people of Illinois, and believes his mega-wealth certified his greatness.

PS - he doesn’t need anyone to remake Illinois, because he isn’t interested in “making” anything.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:04 am
Soul they had not, sense they had not,
Heat nor motion, nor goodly hue

Völuspá (as translated by Henry Adams Bellows)

The Norse origin story’s description of mankind before creation is also fair description of Springfield in 2015.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:12 am
How about a “Repeal Blago” campaign. Then everyone can save face.

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:17 am
Wow, that was well done MisterJayEm.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:26 am
Is Arduin doing anything which would justify keeping her on. Making proposals for changes or cuts that will never happen (has she made any suggestions that were actually implemented?) is not worth the price to taxpayers of another plump contract, and then another, and another. Do our illustrious political masters support paying folks govt money to write fiction.

Let’s get a summary of her work product before we hit up the taxpayer ATM for her again.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:30 am
Still on track for an October budget deal of sorts …

I’m guessing any income tax increase and any new service tax will be pegged to January 1, 2016 since we can apparently fumble along until after then with the existing projected revenue.

Going further, if there is no service tax or closing of various (mostly business) loopholes and based strictly on math, I’d guess the income tax will be set about 7% for the first half of calendar 2016 (last half of FY16) to generate the needed funds, then it will reset to about 5.25% - 5.5% on July 1, 2016 (start of FY17) and, if there IS a grand compromise, also tied to a possible graduated income tax constitutional amendment that also completely eliminates the corporate income tax. I could see Madigan proposing that as a “business friendly” reform since a lot of Illinois businesses already avoid most of their corporate income tax liability through various loopholes. It would be a brilliant move by Madigan because it would place Rauner in the position of either supporting a business friendly reform or opposing increased personal income taxes on the 1%. If that happens, it will be interesting to see which way Rauner goes.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:33 am
-Honeybear-

Probably the best explanation / analogy I’ve heard yet.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:34 am
== As governor, Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy. ==

Be interesting to see which operations Rauner tries to outsource in the name of budget savings.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:35 am
—
Be interesting to see which operations Rauner tries to outsource in the name of budget savings.
—

Not outsourcing, but we do know he’s going to make a move soon on selling the Thompson center. What happens to those folks that work in the Thompson center is probably a big questions. My guess (because the bid request included job counselors) is that he’s going to make them choose between losing a job or moving to Springfield.

I’m surprised there hasn’t been more about the Thompson center (potential) sale. Seems like that’s going to be a big bang in terms of Rauner saying it must be done to save money due to the crisis he’s created.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:44 am
== he’s going to make a move soon on selling the Thompson center. ==

Ironically, dumping that white elephant is actually a move I could agree with. And I could even agree with moving some of the employees back to Springfield (the ones moved to Chicago under Blago) since that would lower the employee cost some since, in my experience, you had give people titles several levels higher than their skill set just to be able to hire / retain them.

I will free sorry for some of the people who might lose jobs but, on the other hand, I know a number of former state employees with desirable job skills who have changed jobs without even changing their parking spaces in the big city.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:50 am
Frenchie, I wouldn’t get too excited about a JRTC sale, even though downtown real estate is hot as a pistol.

If it ever happens, it’s probably a tear down, so not much money. As AA has pointed out, repurposing that building probably is not in the cards.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:52 am
“Until then, I think the Democratic leadership is content to continue their slow walk to oblivion”

I love this line. For Madigan this process began in the early 80’s for the rest of the Dems it began around 2003

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 11:54 am
Yikes. A 7 percent personal income tax comes online just as the Christmas bills hit? Now that would be remembered at the polls.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:01 pm
- Cassandra -,

It’s the math. We needed a full year at 5% to be more or less even; cram that into half a year and you have to go high if you’re not going to close loopholes or implement a service tax. The good news of sorts is you can spin it as a half year “temporary” increase to be phased back to 5% July 1.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:09 pm
++Rauner is shredding Illinois government, looking for the shiny pieces he thinks someone is going to buy.++ The shiny pieces the governor’s rich friends want to buy is education. Look for higher ed to be outsourced. Also look for public P-12 to be outsourced to public schools & charter schools. Look for private schools to take over part or all of public educations buildings. Watch for future changes to public education.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:22 pm
The above should say “outsourced to private schools &….. Sorry

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:23 pm
Well, better than a retroactive one-time increase, I suppose. Still, I wonder how Rauner would explain this to his supporters. Presumably a deal would require some tamping down of rhetoric re blaming the other side. And under the circumstances, it’s a little hard to blame Pat Quinn.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:32 pm
we could seriously use some statesmen or stateswomen right now.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 12:59 pm
Perfect summary of the madness that is going on

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Nailed it, Rich! However, I would have titled it “Logical Absurdity.”

Comment by DuPage Don Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 1:35 pm
=== @DougFinkeSJR: Rauner says he’d consider shifting downstate teacher pension costs to schools, but with conditions. ===

Let me guess …

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:18 pm
- Norseman -

I don’t think you need to guess … I’m sure we both have zero doubt about the conditions.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 2:37 pm
The democrat controlled Obama administration went 3 years with no budget. What makes you think the democrat Madigan administration won’t do the same? After all, budgets are…so…well …limiting.

Comment by A realistic citizen Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:53 pm
- A realistic citizen -

(Sigh)

Obama is in the Executive, MJM is in the Legislative.

Different roles. Please learn. I know if don’t get that “Democrat” in there you won’t feel better, but your feelings and facts are on opposite sides, and your feelings are accurate to truth.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 3:57 pm
Willy:

Everybody knows Madigan and not the governor runs the state through the democrat super majority.

Comment by A realistic citizen Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:13 pm
===Everybody knows Madigan and not the governor runs the state through the democrat super majority.===

I’m embarrassed for you.

The Governor and all his powers are victim to 1/2 of 1/3 of state givernment.

Do you pretend to be a victim all by yourself, or are you not educated enough to know better?

You are a Troll, read McKinney, maybe you might stop being a victim.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:17 pm
Willy:

Personal insults? Really?
I guess the truth must really, really sting.

Comment by A realistic citizen Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:26 pm
Do. Not. Feed. Trolls.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:27 pm
Sad. Very sad.

Comment by A realistic citizen Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:29 pm
ARC:

If you didn’t post like a troll we might take you seriously. When you have something intelligent to offer to the conversation then by all means offer it.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:35 pm
(Tips cap to - Demoralized -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:38 pm
You know that you have lost a debate when you have to sink to launching personal insults.

In the liberal world, if you didagree, you are a “troll”.

So sad.

Comment by A realistic citizen Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:47 pm
ARC:

What exactly is your argument? That’s all I’ve asked for. As soon as you figure out what you are arguing for or against I’ll be happy to tell you whether I agree or disagree. Now, do you care to tell us what the heck it is you are arguing other than “democrats are bad?”

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:53 pm
There is only so much you can do - Demoralize -

Those want this place better than newspaper comment sections, some want to drag everyone down.

To the Post,

Rauner should have been trying to cobble 60 and 30 in February. That was a choice. Now, why wouldn’t the Dems slow-play? Rauner owns. All the robocalls in the world will never inoculate Rauner.

“Pat Quinn failed” - Candidate Rauner

Welp, welcome to ownership, Governor Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:55 pm
In the real world, if you’re Bruce Rauner, you’re the governor of Illinois.

And will be until January 2019.

This ain’t no summer fling.

It’s an all-day job, so pack a lunch and get on with it, already.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 18, 15 @ 4:57 pm