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*** UPDATED x1 *** Awaiting a response

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• Updated Posts

* So far, the good government groups haven’t heard anything back from the governor. I asked the administration for a response and was told “No comment.” Emphasis in original…

November 10, 2015

Hon. Bruce Rauner, Governor
State of Illinois
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Governor Rauner:

We thank you for your response to the letter we sent you and the four Illinois legislative leaders on October 20, 2015 regarding the state budget impasse. We appreciate your willingness to meet, but would like clarification on a few items:

You stated that the date of Wednesday, November 18th from 9:30 - Noon was available for a meeting, and the legislative leaders agreed. While the time is mutually accepted, the location remains unclear. Will you be hosting in Springfield or Chicago?

Also included in your response was a reference to “appropriate media access (fully open, pooled press, streamed online, etc.)” to be determined. What direct access will be provided to the media, and who will broadcast or live stream the event?

You also indicated that you would circulate an agenda prior to the meeting. The reform organizations listed below urge that you seek input on the agenda from all parties participating in the budget discussion. To our knowledge, there has not yet been outreach on the agenda to the legislative leaders. We hope you will be responsive to this request. We believe the meeting can be productive and worthwhile if all participants contribute to the agenda.

We stand ready to assist in a truly bipartisan manner. We are confident that all involved want to ensure that Illinois provides a viable, strong future for everyone in our state.

We appreciate your crucial role as convener in this process and hope the November 18th meeting will produce real progress.

Sincerely,

Hon. Susan Garrett
Board Chair, ICPR

Mary Kubasak
President, League of Women Voters of Illinois

Hoy McConnell
Executive Director, BPI

Maryam Judar
Executive Director, Citizen Advocacy Center

Abe Scarr
Director, Illinois PIRG

Andy Shaw
President and CEO, Better Government Association

George Ranney
Chair, CHANGE Illinois

Brooke Wiseman
President, Union League Club of Chicago

CC: Hon. Michael J. Madigan, Hon. Jim Durkin, Hon. John J. Cullerton, Hon. Christine Radogno

Speaker Madigan told reporters Tuesday that he hadn’t yet seen an agenda, either.

* Meanwhile, I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you…

Could a budget deal be on the way, after a five month impasse between GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and members of the Democratic-led legislature?

Top operatives on both sides say discussions are finally progressing, though House Speaker Michael Madigan and Rauner aren’t singing Kumbaya just yet. Some Democrats believe that Rauner’s compromise to ease eligibility rules for child care assistance might have sent a message that he could be willing to cut a deal.

I just checked with some folks and they have no idea where this came from. But, hey, keep hope alive.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

Last week, The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) and a group of reform and civic organizations urged the Governor and legislative leaders to meet to end the Illinois budget crisis. Now, less than one week prior to the agreed meeting date of November 18th, details of the meeting remain unclear.

ICPR Board Chair Susan Garrett explains, “Now, more than ever, we need clarity and a commitment to resolve our budget impasse.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:28 am

Comments

1. Paging “Ambassador” Dunkin…

   Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:31 am

2. The hijacking was tried, “called”, and now Rauner needs to find another life raft.

   Trashing the discussions before they even happen isn’t helping.

   Not responding to the Goo-Goos isn’t helping.

   What is the Rauner Crew waiting for? Are they hoping the Goo-Goos will cave and THEY will be the ones to cancel the whole thing?

   No way.

   That’s not happening.

   The hijacking failed. Rauner can be the governor or not. Up to him.

   Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:36 am

3. Where do all these rumors keep coming from about a Budget deal? I’ve heard the same, from several usually credible, sources.

   Comment by Centennial Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:37 am

4. ===We stand ready to assist in a truly bipartisan manner. We are confident that all involved want to ensure that Illinois provides a viable, strong future for everyone in our state.===

   i.e. We are watching you, Governor.

   Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:49 am

5. Any day now:

   “Madigan and the good government organizations he controls…”

   Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:53 am

6. Rauner can’t control this narrative, so he isn’t speaking.

   Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:57 am

7. I have never witnessed a government leader avoid responsibility as much as Rauner. It is just astounding. He steals the meeting from the goo goos and then does absolutely nothing to advance it.

   He would rather spend his time getting his picture taken in his camo during his early morning hunt, or go talk to school children, or go to butcher shops for tuna fillets.

   Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 11:59 am

8. Time for Rauner to find his “man” card and come to the table.

   Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:03 pm

9. I wonder if the Governor realizes that these groups are literally holding his hand through the Governing process???

   Hey Mr. Rauner, take off the training wheels!!!

   What’s the over/under he does not show?

   Comment by TROOPER Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:04 pm

10. ===Where do all these rumors keep coming from about a Budget deal? I’ve heard the same, from several usually credible, sources.===

    Is it possible that a deal is in the works between rank and file house or senate members?

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:06 pm

11. To the Update;

    “Governor, we ‘called’. We aren’t folding our cards, show yours.

    We are NOT going away.”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:09 pm

12. The war will be over by Christmas!

    https://theworldwar.org/explore/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/over-christmas

    Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:11 pm

13. ===What’s the over/under he does not show?===

    He’s the only one who knows where he hijacked the meeting to, so he’ll be there. When no one else shows, … because Madigan.

    Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:30 pm

14. I really wish they’d hurry. I have leaves to rake.

    Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:31 pm

15. The lack of optimism of the people is amazing. Politician’s think what they are doing is normal. Like the way Nero acted while Rome burned.

    Comment by Mokenavince Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 12:53 pm

16. “People, hold your business. We’re trying to come up with an agenda that guarantees the Governor sounds good and Madigan sounds bad. That’s a difficult task even for our superstar staff!” Lance

    “LANCE, quit telling people the truth. We need to blame the agenda lag on the corrupt union supporting goo goos who want to prevent us from talking about structural reforms.” Schrimpf

    Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:08 pm

17. The agenda will be available on a table for them to pick up as they walk in.

    Comment by burbanite Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:15 pm

18. Or released the day before at close of business

    Comment by doofusguy Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 1:33 pm

19. ==Speaker Madigan told reporters Tuesday that he hadn’t yet seen an agenda, either.==

    Speaker Madigan should not cede the agenda to Governor Rauner. He should submit the items he would like wants included, and he should not expect them all to make the cut.

    Unless there is a prior agenda agreed by all five participants, this will be a ==debate== not a ==meeting==. Ugh.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 2:23 pm

20. agenda: Crush the unions. See them driven before the Govenor. Hear the lamentations of their women.

    Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:06 pm

21. Nice Conan reference Ghost. I never tire of it.

    Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 3:39 pm

22. sometimes yah just have to go beyond mob movies and animal house

    Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 4:42 pm

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