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* I think a lot of folks can relate…
Rauner/Rahm/Madigan is an interesting situation where I don't feel like I have anyone to root for.
— Mr. Dan Kelly (@mrdankelly) June 6, 2016
When the national liberal chattering class talks about state government, they mainly focus on the troubles in Kansas, a state which means almost nothing. They’ve mostly ignored the far more important Illinois because of the above dynamic. They’ve always hated Rahm, and Madigan is no knight in shining armor, either. So, Illinois gets pretty much no attention.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:13 am
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Why do they only talk about Kansas and not Connecticut which is a deep blue wealthy state also under a staggering debt load. They have seen tax hikes lead to a huge exodus of population and wealth.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:24 am
I think we’re ignored because that is the nature of corporate media. I find they ignore things until it aligns or opposes a position they (corp media) take. Further because it does not effect the owner/investor class it’s not even on the radar. The poor, disabled, elderly haven’t been noticed for decades. And when they are it is easily palatable form which does not ascribe guilt or blame.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:26 am
Given Rauner’s intentional destruction of human services and higher education, his push to bring Illinois into ever-deeping, leveragable debt, I root for Madigan. Madigan is the only one who will stay true to what he says and who does want a budget. Me rooting for Madigan–human services and higher education aside, that may be the cruelest thing Rauner’s done.
Comment by Earnest Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:28 am
I think they talk about Kansas more because it is the perfect example of the failure of supply-side economics.
Comment by paddyrollingstone Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:28 am
Hard to tell stories without heroes. In Illinois, we have none.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:30 am
== I root for Madigan. Madigan is the only one who will stay true to what he says and who does want a budget==
Oh man. Can’t do anything but walk away from that and wonder how it could be.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:33 am
There is very little “rooting for” anybody nowadays. The sad dynamics is we’re mostly faced with choices between the lessor of two evils.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:36 am
totally relate. it’s just getting depressing. and Dems aren’t as bad but that’s not saying much.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:39 am
== I root for Madigan. Madigan is the only one who will stay true to what he says and who does want a budget==
Oh man. Can’t do anything but walk away from that and wonder how it could be.–
You could give a thoughtful and informative counter-argument, if you had one in you. Instead, just the usual, mindless, drive-by snark.
Perhaps, Guy, you can explain, as only you can, why the governor hasn’t signed the $700 million appropriation for social services.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:42 am
If you’re tired of hearing about the decline of Kansas after Brownback’s reforms, you can learn how those same policies are doing in Puerto Rico.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:42 am
I’m rooting for Cullerton.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:50 am
== I root for Madigan. Madigan is the only one who will stay true to what he says and who does want a budget==
Sorry Sling, but when the debate starts with this^^, it’s over before it even begins. It’s akin to arguing that water isn’t wet.
On the appropriation for Social Services? I honestly don’t know. We have common ground in that we’d both like him to sign it. I hope he does.
My mindlessness leaves me hoping. Sorry for my lack of intellectual stimulation for you.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:51 am
Hey don’t you feel sorry for that poor citizen in Kansas?!……the biguest joke is the 2 senators these states get
Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:53 am
Not only is our situation being largely ignored by the national media but this is true for our “local” media as well.
Granted, I live downstate, and typically do not read the Chicago newspapers online ( except when tagged to something here ). I do religiously review those from the Central and Southern parts of the state.
Being honest, can anyone make a case for the local media doing anything close to a detailed and honest analysis of what is going on.
Most articles will lead with more of the BVR talking points, all quoted without questioning the veracity of his hypocritical statements. Granted, most media are owned by corporations who, by their very nature, are probably more closely aligned with the philosophy being espoused and are reluctant to call him out for the damages he is responsible for inflicting on our state. In the only daily I subscribe to ( for the obits and some local stories ) I see far more AP stories about Indiana, Missouri and other surrounding states than I do about Illinois.
So much for any local media pushing the discussion on issues that impact our state!
Comment by illini Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:55 am
I like some of the Governor’s agenda, a few elements in there if done well and in moderation could be helpful.
But I am not rooting for him because his approach, his style and his destruction of the state’s public universities is un-forgivable and not worth the goals he has.
Governing should not be about winning at all costs. He’s done more damage to this state than 30 years of Madigan. Sorry Governor, you may be right about some things - but burning this place to the ground is not helping.
You’re ruining peoples lives, careers and futures. Faculty members, university employees, students, future students and the local jobs who depend on those universities. Ruining their lives. Destroying local economies. That’s what you’ve done here. Really.
Comment by siriusly Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:56 am
=Why do they only talk about Kansas and not Connecticut which is a deep blue wealthy state also under a staggering debt load. They have seen tax hikes lead to a huge exodus of population and wealth.=
US Census Bureau estimated population of Connecticut:
Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)
3,590,886
Population estimates, July 1, 2014, (V2014)
3,596,677
Population, Census, April 1, 2010
3,574,097
And there’s research that tells us that higher taxes do not, in fact, drive wealthy people to move. So…yeah.
Comment by In 630 Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:56 am
Our democratic form of government has often been described as an “experiment”. What I mean by that is that our form of government is a living, breathing, ever morphing body of laws, rules and regulations. I suppose in a lot of ways this is a true, if not understandable premise.
On the other hand, the idea that “government” can be broken in order save it, to rebuild it is a dangerous prospect, a prospect that the Governor thinks is his sole purpose. Government can be reformed. It cannot be “broken”. If it is truly broken, it cannot be put back together as Humpty Dumpty or the Six Million Dollar Man.
I know many bloggers will counter that the state is “broke” and/or “broken” already. But the kind of broken I am talking about ends in people being beyond hurt and the state’s ability to attract and retain business irreparably damaged.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:57 am
Second attempt -
Not only is our situation being largely ignored by the national media but this is true for our “local” media as well.
Granted, I live downstate, and typically do not read the Chicago newspapers online ( except when tagged to something here ). I do religiously review those from the Central and Southern parts of the state.
Being honest, can anyone make a case for the local media doing anything close to a detailed and honest analysis of what is going on.
Most articles will lead with more of the BVR talking points, all quoted without questioning the veracity of his hypocritical statements. Granted, most media are owned by corporations who, by their very nature, are probably more closely aligned with the philosophy being espoused and are reluctant to call him out for the damages he is responsible for inflicting on our state. In the only daily I subscribe to ( for the obits and some local stories ) I see far more AP stories about Indiana, Missouri and other surrounding states than I do about Illinois.
So much for any local media pushing the discussion on issues that impact our state!
Comment by illini Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 12:08 pm
“Connecticut which is a deep blue wealthy state also under a staggering debt load. They have seen tax hikes lead to a huge exodus of population and wealth.”
According to the Census Bureau, the percentage change in Connecticut’s population between 2010 and 2015 was 0.5% growth.
While that anemic growth is certainly nothing to write home about, it does not a “mass exodus” make.
– MrJM
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/09
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 12:18 pm
Guy, I guess it’s just a coincidence that the first time in history that the state has gone without a budget was Rauner’s first year in office.
What are the odds that those two unrelated facts would occur at the same time?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 12:30 pm
Sling, we’re racking up a lot of “firsts” these days and none of them are good.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 1:03 pm
“What are the odds that those two unrelated facts would occur at the same time?”
It’s just dumb luck, Wordslinger. Like when a house burns down right after an arsonist moves in.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 1:38 pm
As usual, 47th is correct!
Comment by The Historian Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 1:47 pm
=What are the odds that those two unrelated facts would occur at the same time?=
As it turns out, 100%.
How about our Boomin’ economy though, I guess that was the trade off. /s
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 1:52 pm
The main difference between a corporate Democrat like Rahm and a right wing ideologue Republican like Rahner is that whenever the union yells strike the Democrat will negotiate while the Republican will say bring it on. I know who I’m rooting for in this fight.
Comment by DHSJim Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Seems correct.
The only place Illinois is mentioned with some frequency is in the business press. I half expect the Federal Reserve Chair to mention Illinois and the other states flirting with fiscal disaster as having a likely impact on the national economy.
Perhaps the liberal media is staying away so not to give Dems and their policies (as interpreted in IL) a bad name in the run-up to elections.
The NY Times is devoting a lot of ink lately to the Chicago violence. That’s about it.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 3:27 pm
There was an op-ed two days ago on destruction of higher-ed written by Urbana resident, Amy Hassinger http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/04/opinion/higher-education-in-illinois-is-dying.html]. It was fairly neutral, blaming both the governor and the GA for the impasse. It didn’t say much about the attacks on social services, unions, etc.
Overall, I have to give the Times a C-/D+ on their coverage of our state’s dysfunction.
Comment by X-prof Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I agree with Mr. Dan’ it’s hard to find any heroes in our government leaders.
Comment by X-prof Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 3:59 pm