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A silly idea

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* Yesterday, Gov. Bruce Rauner was asked for his thoughts on a possible special session if he fails yet again to get a budget deal by the end of May. Rauner said he thought the General Assembly could come to an agreement on a two-year budget deal along with elements of his Turnaround Agenda by the end of May, then said…

“If we have to go into special sessions, we’ll deal with that at the time. I don’t want taxpayers to be charged for it. I would seriously consider - we’re discussing this within our administration - me paying for it personally, so the taxpayers don’t have to if special sessions have to be called. We should not let this go past May 31st.”

* The SJ-R looks at recent history…

Last year, the legislature worked past its May 31 adjournment in an attempt to reach a budget agreement. But since the extended session wasn’t a special session called by the governor, lawmakers did not receive per diem pay, which stops after May 31.

“There was just a mechanism the House used last year to keep the legislature in continuous session, and I don’t think the term special session ever came up,” said Steve Brown, spokesman to House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

The current per diem amount for legislators is $111 per session day, which would cost the state $19,647 daily if every lawmaker accepted the pay. However, some lawmakers are unwilling to accept per diems in overtime sessions, and some don’t accept it year-round.

So, the only way it would likely cost taxpayers much of anything would be if Rauner forced everyone back to town. And Rauner has admitted in the past that such a thing doesn’t really work. The only way it works is if everybody is ready to cut a deal. But then you don’t really need an official special session. They can just come back for a couple of days, vote and then go home.

* Meanwhile, Rauner’s not the only person calling attention to his massive personal wealth…

Homeless youth and advocates gathered outside one of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s homes on Thursday, to call attention to the state budget impasse and its impact on programs for the homeless.

The group lined up backpacks outside 340 on the Park, a high-rise condo building across the street from Maggie Daley Park. Rauner owns a condo there, and organizers of the demonstration said the governor uses that condo only for storage.

“We are out here in front of one of Governor Rauner’s nine homes. He owns nine luxury homes, and yet there are thousands of homeless people around the state that have no homes, and the only places that they have to stay are in jeopardy,” said Julie Dworkin, policy director for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The 25 backpacks they laid out on the sidewalk represent the 25,000 homeless children in Illinois. For homeless youth, backpacks often carry everything they own.

Maybe his money would be put to better use by helping those kids.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:44 am

Comments

Rich, the best way to help those kids is to enact my business reforms to create jobs and grow the economy.–fake Gov. Rauner

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:53 am
Rauner’s continual and purposeful left-handed way of reminding everyone he’s the “Richest Man in Town” only highlights he’s Henry F. Potter and not George Bailey.

The “wealth” game is only fun for those who want to humble brag…

“I own the Steelers, but just a part… ”

“I have a small piece of the Red Sox, very small stake in the Baseball team”

“I own some land in Montana, what, like 23,000 acres or something, so I have some property”

“I’ve donated to Dartmouth, couple buildings or something, couple million or so, just a donation really”

Enough.

Taking no salary makes it about Rauner dismissing and mocking earning a wage… Labor.

Saying he’d pay for a session is really mocking the institutions of government, that monies grease things, as Rauber rails on the status quo.

Ounce of Prevevtion’s Prez taking no money while Gov. Rauner attends their Gala, that’s personal wealth being brazenly put out there to cover the purposeful destruction of the Ounce.

Enough with “the money”. It’s a loser in perception.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:54 am
What OW said.

Comment by illinoised Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:56 am
“…that’s personal wealth being brazenly put out there to cover the purposeful destruction of the Ounce’s mission by the Governor by refusing to fund programs that help children.”

My sincere apology for not making my thought clear.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 10:56 am
Storage? Like for what, leather motorcycle vests and patches?

How’s about this for a win-win:

I’ll rent the governor my garage for $5,000 a month. He can pile it to the rafters with his junk.

All proceeds will go to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

The governor saves money, the kids get a safe place to sleep and shower.

If the governor has a better idea on how to help the homeless kids, he can spit it out anytime now.

I mean, that’s his job, right, solving problems?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:09 am
==Maybe his money would be put to better use by helping those kids. ==

There’s no maybe about it Rich.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:14 am
Do you know how much money Bruce Rauner gives to charity?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:19 am
I have No use for the guv….. It is always easy to find better ways for other people to use their money.

Comment by Niblets Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:21 am
I’m guessing we are about to find out . . .

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:23 am
–Do you know how much money Bruce Rauner gives to charity?–

Do you know what the duties and responsibilities are of being the governor of Illinois? You know, those things they make you swear an oath to perform?

It ain’t a hobby.

He paid big money for the job, he can start doing it anytime now.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:33 am
==Do you know how much DAMAGE Bruce Rauner HAS DONE to charitIES?==

There, I fixed it for you LP.

Comment by Abe the Babe Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:37 am
I always thought Lucky P was a troll for the gov.

Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:38 am
The problem with Special Sessions has not been the cost, but the lack of success.
If the Guv and 4 leaders reach agreement, things can pass fast. But just bringing the GA to town does little more than make a news headline.
We need the Guv to work on a budget and do not need his money to pay for special sessions.

Comment by Politically Incorrect Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:51 am
“Do you know how much money Bruce Rauner gives to charity?”

Nope.

And I don’t know how many children were entertained by “Pogo the Clown”.

On balance, neither matters.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:51 am
===Do you know how much money Bruce Rauner gives to charity?===

Thanks for proving my point, - Lucky Pierre -

Couldn’t ask for a better example

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:53 am
It doesn’t matter how much one person gives to charity, the social service providers have CONTRACTS with the People of Illinois. Rauner wants to RE-FORM (not a typo) these provider networks. He wants to pick and choose winners and losers. That power needs to be curtailed. Now. He won’t be staying in any office long enough to Rebuild the networks, and no amount of his personal wealth can repair the damage done. If he was interested in doing so, Teen Reach at the Rauner Family YMCA would still be in place instead of in shambles.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:53 am
Lucky Pierre, I wasn’t assuming that the Governor’s self promotion by getting his name placed on buildings throughout Chicago was coming without a cost.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:54 am
I see this simply as more distraction from the intentional destruction of the higher education and human service systems.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 11:56 am
It is one thing for us middle-class people to be jealous and critical of Rauner’s wealth; it is another thing for him to brag about it while ruthlessly cutting programs that help the truly needy.
He doesn’t understand this, and probably never will…

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:06 pm
@OW, can you work those backpacks in to a Dad’s Home State episode? I think the visual would really hit home for some viewers.

Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Rich, this is a classic CF post. Reminds me of the late 90s when I first started reading your actual faxes. You take a comment from a current topic in the news and you wrap it right around their neck. Excellent. I’m sorry but this actually got me excited.

Comment by Southern Dawg Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:17 pm
What the state needs most is a growing economy that forces wages up so the demand for social services goes down. That is lost on those who resist any attempt to make Illinois friendlier to employers. Much easier to demonize the Governor and the millions of dollars he has given to needy charities than to hold those who resist change accountable. We know how much the Governor makes and how much he gives away. We don’t know how much Speaker Madigan makes other than a casual reference that in a good year it exceeds 1 million dollars. No idea what he gives away because he won’t release his returns.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:32 pm
===Much easier to demonize the Governor and the millions of dollars he has given to needy charities than to hold those who resist change accountable.===

So if we donate self-serving millions too, we can “demonize” Rauner for his ineptness?

Please try harder.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:46 pm
Rauner was bragging. He felt a need to brag to rural high schoolers.

Pathetic all around.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:46 pm
Bruce rauner knows that with a budget and governmental reform, the homeless will be best served. Community providers will be paid and the Illinois economy can grow again, providing the youth with jobs to live independently.

Comment by Muscular Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:47 pm
Lucky Pieere our economy grew more then any other state around us. BUT the money went to a few wealthy people at the top. so growing the economy isnt helping put money in the middle class. in fact there is more money in the US economy then in the 50s and 60s, but far fewer middle class families with income at the proportionate lvl. growin low
paying jibs adds to social service demands. we need policies that improve wages for workers, not make the less the. 1% richer at the expense of workers.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:48 pm
“That is lost on those who resist any attempt to make Illinois friendlier to employers. ”

Here’s an example of how non-relevant to the current situation the above comment is.

Small business with a $350,000 annual payroll. Work Comp bill $5000. Even if a 20% decrease was taken from the INSURER, and given to the poor small business owner, it is a whopping $1000. How is that going to improve the economy of Illinois in 2016?

Now you will get my attention if someone starts talking about regulating the out of control health insurance premiums, and the lousy benefits provided, that make it impossible for small business to provide insurance to employees.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:49 pm
Giving a million dollars to the Red Cross is self serving?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:50 pm
” much easier to demonize the governor”. Like how he has demonized his state employee work force???

Comment by Jerrys Pizza Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:50 pm
- Lucky Pierre -

Matthew 6:3

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 12:52 pm
AMEN Mr. Willy!!!

That’s a good one!!!!

Comment by cdog Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:00 pm
They should have protested at his
Winnetka mansion

Comment by Foster brooks Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:01 pm
Lucky P: the governor is buying indulgences with his tax-deductible charity dollars. Which is appropriate, as he and a few of his billionaire pals are attempting to recreate a feudal aristocracy.

Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:01 pm
Actually, that whole chapter, Matthew 6, can change a life, even if not familiar with Christianity. The ideas presented are as solid as they come.

Let’s throw in 6:19-21 as very relevant too! BOOM!

Comment by cdog Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:04 pm
–What the state needs most is a growing economy that forces wages up so the demand for social services goes down. That is lost on those who resist any attempt to make Illinois friendlier to employers–

Please share the business plan: you know, assumptions, projections, ROI.

In the World of Big Boys and Girls, you don’t embark on a major course of action without a written plan that you can vet and put to the test.

We’re all full-up on word salad. Bring on the steak.

In other words, put up or shut up. We ain’t in the dorm room.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Thanks LP. I needed that laugh. Voodoo economics is a myth.

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:13 pm
OW you are secure in your position as head of CAVERD. Citizens against virtually everything Rauner does.

I guess the Speaker is a fan of Matthew as he does not release his return so you don’t know how much he gives away. I am sure you would be fine if the Governor took the same approach. A basic understanding of economics is all that is required to understand that if private sector labor is scarce, wages go up. If teen unemployment is 25 percent wages will stay flat. Nothing voo doo about that.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:24 pm
-We’re all full-up on word salad. Bring on the steak.-

I gaffawed so loud that the person 6 offices away asked me what was going on. That IS restaurant quality snark. Goldbergs got nothin’ on you.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Lucky:

I’m not sure how getting rid of collective bargaining and prevailing wage requirements makes wages go up.

Also, you’ve completely missed the point of this entire post. Go read the very last sentence of the post above. If the Governor wants to spend his own money it would be better spent on social services than a special session.

Finally, you really need to stop playing the victim all the time and stomping your feet about everything. This “well, if they don’t want to do it this way then they must be fine with the way things are” argument is getting really old. Besides that it’s utter nonsense.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Until the leaders of the GA acknowledge we have a problem in the business environment in this state there will be no solution

They have no leglislation of their own, won’t call Raunes bills because they will cause middle class people to go the the emergency room and other nonsense. The best medicine is a job and we don’t have enough of them

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Lucky:

I’m pretty certain that decimating collective bargaining and eliminating prevailing wage requirements isn’t the answer unless your answer is lower pay.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Thanks LP, I mean Mr. Lebowski. When are you going to do your Jackie Treehorn reference?

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:01 pm
===…you are secure in your position as head of CAVERD. Citizens against virtually everything Rauner does.===

If you like to discuss any issue as an adult, I have stated my feelings, and made my points where anyone reading can follow, or a question can be asked to clarify.

Making it a out me isbg helping you.

===I guess the Speaker is a fan of Matthew as he does not release his return so you don’t know how much he gives away.===

I dunno. If there’s a point in there, I dunno where that is either.

===A basic understanding of economics is all that is required to understand that if private sector labor is scarce, wages go up. If teen unemployment is 25 percent wages will stay flat. Nothing voo doo about that.===

So… how is Rauner paying for a Special Session helping again?

Do yourself a solid… a nice walk, paint, sculpt, maybe a run… You’re all over the board for no reason.

(Tips cap to - cdog - and - illinoised -)

- Flynn’s Mom -

There’s a production stoppage at the moment, but filming is going on… I’ll keep you posted. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:03 pm
The guv did the “I’ll pay for it” bit both during his remarks in the Auburn HS gym and in the reporter QA afterward.

Comment by Dave Dahl Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:07 pm
=Bruce rauner knows that with a budget and governmental reform, the homeless will be best served. Community providers will be paid and the Illinois economy can grow again, providing the youth with jobs to live independently.=

What does the “governmental reform” mean in this context?

Comment by Flabby Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:24 pm
Lucky @ 1:24 pm: “A basic understanding of economics is all that is required to understand that if private sector labor is scarce, wages go up.”

This explains why the corporations send American jobs to foreign countries and want more H-1B visa workers sent to take tech jobs in this country.
This will keep wages down.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Exactly why Trump is doing so well

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Lucky, good luck building that wall.

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 3:05 pm
==Exactly why Trump is doing so well==

Huh? You go down one rabbit hole and pop up in another.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 3:13 pm
If the Governor is so willing to pay out of his own pocket, how ’bout he and his rich friends pay their fair share of taxes.

Comment by Ms. SHEESH Thursday, Apr 28, 16 @ 3:13 pm