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Summers explains himself

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* It turns out, I met Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers back when he was a Dunn Fellow in 2001-2002. He reminded me of it when we chatted for several minutes yesterday about a possible gubernatorial bid. The content of our talk wasn’t much different than what Amanda reported today…

A new name has been added to the mix of possibilities: Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, who is in his first term.

“If I continue to love it and I see opportunities to do greater good for a greater number of people, then I’ll certainly consider those,” Summers (who also made the trip to the state fair rally Thursday) said. “Given the problems that we have in the city of Chicago and in the state of Illinois it’s irresponsible to look too far down the line. It doesn’t respect the situation that we’re in.”

Media reports cite sources close to Summers as having floated the idea. Summers is also frequently mentioned as a could-be candidate for mayor of Chicago, but that race isn’t until 2019.

* Same with Tina…

Summers is “open to all options,” a source close to the treasurer said, including a potential run for governor. Summers was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel after Stephanie Neely abruptly resigned in 2014. He also served as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s chief of staff before leaving to join Grosvenor Capital Management, run by an Emanuel friend, Michael Sacks. […]

“I promised my wife that we’d feel out how this fits together and whether or not we enjoy it, and turns out so far I love it. If I continue to love it and I see opportunities to do greater good for a greater number of people, then I’ll certainly consider those,” Summers said at the Democrat Day rally. […]

“I haven’t talked to a single significant employer who said, ‘I can’t continue to be in Illinois because you all have strong unions there.’ I haven’t talked to a single significant employer who said, ‘I can’t be in Illinois because you’re raising the minimum wage.’ I think the work[ers’] compensation issue is a legitimate one that I’ve heard concerns about, and I think reform has been on the table and there has been some movement there,” Summers said. “And there’s more that can be done. But most of the ‘Turnaround Agenda’ is ideology, and it’s not based on economic fact and practice.”

Summers said Kraft Heinz, ConAgra, and McDonald’s moving to Chicago is an indication that some businesses aren’t fleeing the state, a claim Rauner has made throughout his campaign and during his term.

“I think that his Turnaround Agenda isn’t supported by real economics and people who really employ people in Illinois,” he said.

He’s a pretty impressive guy.

* But it was also pointed out to me by a Chicago Democrat yesterday that Summers uses P2 Consulting as his fundraising consultant. P2 often floats its candidates’ names for higher office to help raise reelection money (Sen. Kwame Raoul comes immediately to mind). So, we’ll see.

* Related…

* Is Kurt Summers the Future of Chicago Politics? - The city’s young treasurer has turned a moribund office into a hive of activity, fueling speculation that he has higher aspirations.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:09 am

Comments

=Amanda=

When Rich use only your first name, and everybody knows exactly who you are — you’ve really made it. Deservedly so.

To the post:
==“I think that his Turnaround Agenda isn’t supported by real economics ..”

Now the shows real intelligence and knowledge! But he’d better get out of Chicago, before that fiscal situation buries the reputation of all involved.

Comment by walker Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:17 am
Oscar Mayer moved back to Chicago from Wisconsin. It is part of Kraft Heinz. Boing also moved to Chicago in the not too distant past. I don’t think McDonald’s ever left.

But it is good that someone is pointing out that businesses aren’t fleeing.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:23 am
A 2001/2002 Dunn Fellow? That means he is one of George Ryan’s cronies.

(Actually I’m just joking, the Edgar/Ryan administrations made that fellowship program a very reputable program, it wasn’t until Blago that the program became a reward center for campaign donors and other Democraric relatives. Remember all the firings Blago did his first week in office? They tried to fire all the Dunn Fellows but couldn’t, so then made the Fellows deliver the bad news to all their former bosses.)

Comment by Not It Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:37 am
Summers has never been vetted, he has never had opponent. First real race he wants to run statewide? He bases turnaround agenda in corporations moving executive jobs to Chicago. What about ADM executive jobs being moved from Decatur to Chicago. Nice bars, restaurants, hotels that were economically impacted. Summers is seeing Illinois through the prism of Chicago. If you want to win downstate that is not the recipe.

You hear how much he talks himself kind of explains it all.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:42 am
While Rauner touts his TA as an economic necessity, he hasn’t backed it up with data. That’s because it’s not about economics, but rather about weakening the Democratic party in Illinois.

Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:46 am
Being associated with the City of Chicago’s ongoing disaster is a qualification for Governor? Only in Illinois.

Comment by Horst Cabal Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:00 am
Smart and likable guy. But running for Guv is just too big of a leap for someone at his level — unless you have name recognition, money, or a Medal of Honor.

Comment by Teddy the K Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:03 am
Not it, the Dunn Fellowship program has produced some of the highest quality individuals in the state. It is competitive program, and candidates are scored at CMS. It isn’t, nor has it ever, been treated as a patronage opportunity. You’re just plain wrong.

Comment by There They're Their Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:11 am
=it wasn’t until Blago that the program became a reward center for campaign donors and other Democraric relatives.=

100% false. The Dunn Fellowship has been one of the best programs in the nation for producing high quality future public servants. Before, during, and after the Blagojevich administration. You are demonstrating your lack of knowledge of a great program and denigrating a lot of good people.

Comment by Overwatch Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:53 am
Anyone know what congressional district he lives in?

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 12:36 pm
- Sir Reel - Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:46 am:

=…about weakening the Democratic party in Illinois.=

I would also include eviscerating unions in Illinois.

Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Extinct.

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 2:17 pm
Don’t know what happeneed to my earlier post, but has Mr. Summers not heard that ‘Oreos are now extinct?

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 2:27 pm