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* From Steve Brown…
Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement after Tuesday’s election results:
“Yesterday, voters in the Democratic primary election made it very clear they want representatives in the State Capitol who will stand up for middle-class families, children and the elderly, not turn their backs on them. I’m honored to have again received the trust and support of the voters of the 22nd District, where they rejected a candidate who received his financial support from a number of Republicans and those aligned with the governor’s belief in how government should be run.
“Voters in the 5th Representative District clearly were unhappy with Ken Dunkin’s record, how he turned his back on the elderly, children and families struggling to make ends meet, his failure to follow through on promises he made, and his association with Bruce Rauner and the governor’s allies. Also, a message was sent that spending more money does not translate into electoral success. The millions spent by Ken Dunkin, IllinoisGO, the Illinois Opportunity Project and others – an effort that significantly outspent the Stratton campaign – did not persuade voters because their views do not reflect the views of middle-class and struggling families.
“As Speaker, I have consistently and successfully worked with Republican governors to find common ground on issues important to moving the state forward. I am prepared, as I have been for the last year, to work cooperatively and professionally with Governor Rauner to address the most important issues facing our state today. However, the gridlock that we are experiencing stems not from a difference in political parties, but from the governor’s insistence that we focus on his agenda attacking middle-class families, rather than making the budget deficit his priority. Over the last year, you will find the times that the governor and the Legislature were able to work together, such as the passage of a measure to free up billions of dollars in federal funds and rejecting cost of living adjustments for lawmakers, is when the governor was willing to put aside his agenda that hurts middle-class families and work directly with the Legislature on the most important issue at hand.
“With the clear message sent by voters Tuesday, I am hopeful we can use this framework moving forward to implement a state budget and work together to get things accomplished for the people we serve.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:27 am
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Fun “In Your Face” victory dance. However, it’s not going to help with governing. Then again, there hasn’t been much done by either side to help with governing.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:33 am
Can’t wait for the unnamed high level Rauner aid to tell Rich this was all part of the plan, that they have Madigan right where they want him on a massive OODA loop.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:35 am
That’s a winning message in November. Yesterday was the first fruits of it - and if the GOP thought yesterday was bad, November is going to be far worse.
If the GOP doesn’t start defecting from their defective governor, they won’t return to Springfield.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:38 am
While it’s undoubtedly true that the people have spoken, unfortunately for them, they’re not the people that Bruce Rauner is concerned about.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:39 am
===…IllinoisGO, the Illinois Opportunity Project and others…====
“Well that’s baloney. I don’t know anything about those things… ” - Fake Bruce Rauner
@FakeLTrover - oh yeah Speaker, you’ll respect the Governor, it’s theveay he wants it! #FredoMentality
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:39 am
P.S. Okay — we have had some involvement in that race.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:40 am
The governor must now understand that the process of balancing the budget involves negotiation and long term goals. His dictatorial tendencies where it is either his way or the highway will not go down well with the electorate.
Rauner’s cold blooded approach in which he would throw hundreds of hard working families under the bus in order to massage his bloated ego and mean streak wont fly. I cant wait for his turn to be voted out of office
Comment by DumpRauner Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:46 am
VanillaMan, Labor is going to neutralize the effect of defection. We’re going to pound away like nothing the tie to Rauner, again, and again, and again. Only McCann broke away and only McCann will be saved, AND WAS SAVED. Hardest hit will be the Raunerites of the college towns.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:47 am
The governor must now understand that the process of balancing the budget involves negotiation and long term goals. His dictatorial tendencies where it is either his way or the highway will not go down well with the electorate.
Rauner’s cold blooded approach in which he would throw hundreds of hard working families under the bus in order to massage his bloated ego and mean streak wont fly. I cant wait for his turn to be voted out of office
Comment by The Truth Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:50 am
I’m still waiting for the Democrats to put forward a comprehensive reform plan that will result in balanced budgets and significantly paying down the state’s backlog of unpaid bills. It’s fine to object to the Governor’s plan and accuse him of not governing, but where is the serious alternative plan that addresses the state’s very significant financial problems? At some point there must be a plan. Holding a series of votes for campaign mailers is a good political plan, but it’s not a governance plan for the branch that is, after all, co-equal in governance. This really isn’t intended to be a snarky post. I’m being earnest in wondering whether the Dems will eventually unveil a serious alternative plan.
Comment by Illannoyed Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:56 am
===Only McCann broke away and only McCann will be saved, AND WAS SAVED.===
- Honeybear -
Slow down, Speed Racer…
Right now, all Labor should be doing in regards to campaigns is study and find no more than 4, no less than 2, that Labor can undoubtedly have a major General Election impact on, and quietly look into those races as to the membership population in those districts, and where organizers live in relation to these races.
You won. Everyone knows. No need to say anything, yesterday said it all.
“I wouldn’t be suprised if we find a race or two Labor wants to help.” - Fake Smart Labor Statement.
You want to be liked, you want to be feared, you want to be respected, you do want to give bulletin board material the day after a win.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:59 am
Hopefully, this brings momentum to a more definitive, more vocal — and most importantly — more rhetorically explicit “anti-Rauner” movement in November.
Anti-Rauner up until now has always been couched in “pro-business, anti-labor” rhetoric — stuff that’s nowhere near as powerful as, simply, “anti-Rauner” or “anyone but Rauner.”
I suspect that resonates now but will — thanks to a neutered GOP GA — be especially resonant and relevant in November. I mean, we all know that this loss for Rauner means only that he’s going to double (triple?) down and go-for-broke (despite an increasing number of voices advising him to the contrary).
Good luck, Bruce. You failed yesterday. Maybe that was the first time — but I doubt it. Folks are smarter than you think they are — and you’re nowhere near as smart as you think you are.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:01 pm
…significantly paying down the state’s backlog of unpaid bills…
OK - who wants to tell this guy that the bill backlog was being paid off until Rauner took office? Anyone? WE ALL KNOW THIS - but it seems this gentleman didn’t get the message!
The bill backlog sir, was being quickly paid off. Then Rauner was inaugurated and what you see now - is thanks to him. ALL BY HIS LONESOME.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:01 pm
- Illannoyed -
I point you to Article VIII, Section 2, (a)
Thank you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:01 pm
-Honeybear-
In the Metro East, a fun matchup for Representative is staged. Dwight Kay-R (Glen Carbon) has supported Rauner’s claim that those dirty Dem’s didn’t really want to fund higher ed with their “sham” Senate Bill.
On the other side? Katie Stuart-D (Edwardsville) is a professor of mathematics at SIUe and certainly has an interest in protecting that major economic engine in the area.
Add in the chancellor announcing $20 million in cuts at that institution and you have a pretty good narrative in the area. I think this one will get pretty interesting.
Comment by illini97 Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:09 pm
wish Rich would put up a little counter that tells us how many posts a commenter has put up here. I have a few, but have to believe that illannoyed has a LOT less, or isn’t paying attention…
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:10 pm
As a past Union member, and a proud Union supporter, what is all this euphoria about. 16 of the last 24 years we have been led by Democratic presidents, illinois has pretty much been Dem controlled and membership can’t get any lower. More states now are RTW. One crappy trade deal after another. Take matters into your own hands and out of the politicos and union bosses by buying and insisting on quality, union built products. It is the only thing that will save us.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Thank you for your comments, Mr. Madigan; your turn, Brucie…
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:15 pm
=== I’m still waiting for the Democrats to put forward a comprehensive reform plan that will result in balanced budgets and significantly paying down the state’s backlog of unpaid bills. ===
We had that from 2011-2014.
The voters pulled Quinn in 2014 and brought Rauner in to pitch. He’s the guy on the mound. When the pitcher can’t find the strike zone — even with a map — do you blame the second baseman?
No, you don’t.
And if a middle-reliever held a presser after a big loss and blamed the defense, even though he walked seven and gave up three homers across four innings, you would think “That guy is disconnected from reality.” And you would be right.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:16 pm
Poor Sam - He isn’t Madigan’s favorite legislator anymore.
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:01 pm
Illini97, The Kay-Stuart race is my Local’s task. That and defending the 5th District Appellate court for Weber and Bleyer. We’ve met with Stuart several times already.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:10 pm
I thought Cullerton was Madigans favorite Senator.
Comment by Magic carpet ride Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:12 pm
I hope Madigan is actually willing to compromise and work with Cullerton & Rauner on a solution. I just doubt it. This election is probably just going to make both Rauner & Madigan double down.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:14 pm
innnnnnn…..and…. ooooouuuuttttttt, cleansing breath. Thank you OW. My local has the two mentioned above. So what the other locals or leadership decides, I don’t know. I’m not leadership. I’m a grunt. We have had our orders on these two for a while. We’ve got narrative on Kay and if we lose Bleyer and Weber we’ve lost our entire legal option. Either one of these would be a big task so my local is carrying a lot of load. Orange is up for it. Roberta knows that we’re up to it. Plus we have our best activist in our region. I would follow him into the jaws of hell. As always your advice is so helpful.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:17 pm
Good to hear, -Honeybear-.
Comment by illini97 Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Such a joy! Looks like Rome’s not the only thing burning; that’s smoke from the Governor’s smouldering hopes I see.
Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:47 pm
very professional sounding. it makes the govs press release look child like and incompetent. Rauner snarky approach IMHO is starting to make him look unprofessional
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Illinois get the government it votes for, continued gridlock and mismanagement. We’re at our current state of fiscal distress because of a political class that always puts their own self-interest first, and the voters reward them for this. Just amazing, in spite of a bankrupt State of Illinois, bankrupt City of Chicago, and bankrupt Chicago Public Schools. I just can’t imagine how any of those in office actually sleep at night knowing how they have destroyed this state. 9 more years, then retirement and get the heck out of this state.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:38 pm
So now it is time to go after the Senate & House Republican leadership.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:44 pm
“- Honeybear - Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:17 pm:”
It is good that we are on the same side, Union supporters. You fight as hard as any woman I know and all of my sisters are in the teachers unions.
Simply put: We Union supporters are lucky that you are pro-Union.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:47 pm
You’re in a lot of trouble when people don’t believe you whether you’re telling the truth or not.
It just doesn’t matter because that’s where he is. It’s just petulance.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:28 pm
I have said I do t know how many times. Madigan is not the problem and just like he said he has worked with Republican voters to turn his state around. And what Bruce doesn’t understand he will look more like a leader if he would work with Madigan and not against him.
Comment by Honest abe Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:37 pm
=== You’re in a lot of trouble when people don’t believe you whether you’re telling the truth or not. ===
Correct. That’s been Rauner’s problem since his first major fib on election night. It hasn’t gotten any better throughout his first 14 months in office.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 4:10 pm
== Take matters into your own hands and out of the politicos and union bosses by buying and insisting on quality, union built products. It is the only thing that will save us. ==
Well said, Blue dog dem
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 7:32 pm
Rauner’s Agony In Defeat….
Comment by Shake Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 6:44 am