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Rauner rubs it in with volunteer day

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Illinois

* Press release…

Governor Rauner Declares First Annual State Day of Service

Governor Bruce Rauner today announced that April 22, 2017, will be the first annual State Day of Service in the state of Illinois.

Throughout the past few years, many volunteer groups have expressed an interest in helping out at various state agencies. However, due to the previous AFSCME contract, severe restrictions were placed on the use of volunteers. The recent decision by the Illinois Labor Relations Board will now allow the state greater flexibility in using volunteers.

“We are all residents of Illinois and all working towards the goal of making the state a better place to live and work,” said Governor Rauner. “Given the state’s challenging financial circumstances, it is absolutely essential that we engage partners when and where we can. Through the first State Day of Service, we will be able to provide additional services at no cost to taxpayers, while giving volunteers an opportunity to give back and help their fellow Illinois residents.”

On the State Day of Service, groups and individuals will be able to come together across the state to assist state agencies through activities like cleaning up state parks, working on projects at the state fairgrounds or even volunteering at the state’s veterans homes.

In the coming weeks and months, more information regarding the timing, location, and activities that will occur on April 22, 2017, will be released.

* It’s also probably no coincidence that the announcement comes today…

Public service workers in Illinois state government are planning a day of demonstrations across the state amid cost-cutting efforts by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The “Don’t Dictate, Negotiate” events Thursday are being organized at 120 worksites across the state. They come after a state board ruled Tuesday that contract talks between Rauner’s administration and the state’s largest public-employees union are hopelessly deadlocked.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:35 am

Comments

And remember, with volunteer work, you get what you pay for.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:41 am
I volunteer to be Lt. Gov.
someone will have to brief me, but i think i can handle it.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:43 am
Now the Governor is just showing off…

The man who used the term Af-scammy is trolling because he can.

Welp, what did AFSCME expect?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:43 am
LOL.

Comment by Liberty Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:44 am
I have no problem with one day use of volunteers- but with volunteers comes added risk of injury, theft, and other liabilities.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:44 am
A VOLUNTEER Day, should never be looked down upon, this is something that many groups try and do all over and are not able to at state sites like parks and Veterans homes because the unions sue over it… That just isn’t right…. if groups and individuals wish to help out and do their part in certain areas … obviously not all areas and they happen to be a state park or veterans home they could be allowed not shunned as they are now… This is EVERYONE’S state and we should all pitch in and help make it great… Not only that but it is another area the makes AFSCME look like greedy bullies to the public.

Comment by Allen D Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:46 am
Getting something without paying for it, in this case labor/work. Is this the new brand of Republicanism that’s sweeping the nation? The vendors, suppliers etc of this state have been ‘volunteering’ their products and services for 2+ years now - Joe Taxpayer you’re next. Seriously?

Comment by farandwide Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:46 am
I’m not sure if AFSCME has enough giant inflatable rats to make every volunteer dislike them.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:47 am
AA volunteers to be Assistant Chief of Staff to the First Lady.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:48 am
Allen D, self-appointed spokesman for “the public.”

I volunteer to be governor. I’ll order GOMB to complete economic and fiscal projections on Rauner’s agenda, just like they do in the private sector.

That way, we can determine the ROI on all this damage.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:51 am
May I volunteer to cover for my State Senator, Kyle McCarter? Just saying “no” to everything & complaining looks easy. Maybe I’m wrong, and he only makes it look easy.

Oh yeah & that pork bit he does every year is hilarious.

Comment by Highland IL Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:51 am
On April 22, I will voluntarily submit a balanced budget to the governor and GA.

Comment by Tron Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:51 am
“Diana and I are doin’ our part by offerin’ up some great opportunities for volunteers to do their part by cleanin’ up after our dogs, workin’ on the roof at the Governor’s mansion, and fun stuff like that! Make Illinois great again!”

Comment by Leave it to BVR Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:52 am
Myself and scores of others volunteer at the local vets home all the time. The vets and staff are always happy to see us. Just more IPI style spin.

Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:53 am
April 22, 2017, in case you haven’t looked it up, is a Saturday.
So, of course, for many volunteer efforts a State employee might choose to help out in, it will be at no cost to taxpayers It’s their own private weekend time!

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:55 am
Just wait till one of those volunteers looks up someone they know in the system or file room and violates HIPPA.

Comment by Union proud Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:55 am
That Governor, he’s a rascal!

Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:57 am
Which happen first.

This volunteer day or a budgetary framework and/or an actual budget.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:58 am
==volunteering at the state’s veterans homes.==

After the whole Duckworth scandal, do you really think volunteers in a Veteran’s Home are a good idea?

Comment by HangingOn Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:00 am
One only needs to look at the successes of our “Volunteer Governor” to understand the outcome of an official volunteer day he sponsors.

Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:00 am
Is April 21 the next rumored strike date?

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:01 am
Will “volunteer day” be mandatory?

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:02 am
“Is April 21 the next rumored strike date?”

The governor has heard ‘chatter’ that the strike is on for September 1st. /s

Comment by Union proud Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:03 am
Of course volunteer groups have been picking up trash along state roads for 20 years on a volunteer basis under the Adopt-a-Highway program.

Comment by stateandlake Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:05 am
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, as well as other state historic sites, have made heavy use of volunteers throughout the years. (The majority of ALPLM volunteers do docent work in various parts of the museum, especially in the “Journey” sections).

Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:08 am
Volunteers for America by Jefferson Airplane.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:08 am
For the first time ever I actually agree with Allen D. Most agencies are severely understaffed so why not utilize volunteers for things like those mentioned? Of course you wouldn’t want them to have access to HIPPA protected information but helping clean a state park or assisting in a VA home should be a win-win. I’ve always felt AFSCME’s argument that volunteers take work away from potential state employees is ludicrous. The volunteer tasks are always those ‘other duties as assigned’ that no one has time to do. The state isn’t going to hire someone full time to perform these tasks so they go unperformed which decreases efficiency. If someone is willing to do this work for free why get in the way of that? Cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:11 am
1. No raises for two years to cover the cost of inflation. (My property Tax goes up every years, food is sky-rocking, etc.)

2. My Health Insurance is going to be doubled.

3. I am required to work and extra 2 1/2 hours a week for free (no increase in pay for that extra time.)

and now you want me to volunteer a Saturday, so that you Raunner) can look good.

B!#& me

Comment by Rufus Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:13 am
Stop the fight! AFSCME has a family!

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:15 am
Yeah. But who’s gonna volunteer to work the DMV?

Comment by Rogue Roni Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:22 am
This is brilliant messaging. “AFSCME is the reason people can’t volunteer to help out in making the state better. They just want the state to have to spend money on their members instead of accept help from volunteers, so things to go undone because the state can’t afford more employees.” And it is legitimately hard to refute the argument that accepting willing volunteers makes state services better for no additional costs.

Context is everything, though, and this isn’t about good, it’s about the destruction of AFSCME and other unions.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:29 am
There have always been volunteers and volunteer groups helping in the State for years. Just as State employees also donate their time and talents to causes they believe in that benefit the State and our People. Do not let Rauner spin this his way. Get out in front from now until April 22, 2017 and Tell Those Stories!

Here’s one group for example: http://www.trailsforillinois.org

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:31 am
Langhorne, you’d pick it up real quick. You report to the office and wait for instructions from some lower level flunky to call and tell you that you need to attend a function the governor doesn’t care about. The governor’s press office will provide you with a propaganda speech. A staffer, chosen with care to ensure that Slip N Sue doesn’t slip, will drive to the event. Of course, you can ask for a voluteer to do that. Then it’s back to the office and imagine what possible tragedies may befall the chief executive.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:33 am
I volunteer to be governor for the day, with attendant powers.

Comment by illinoisef Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:46 am
Some of y’all need to get out more often…
To the Post:

IDNR and other agencies already work with hundreds of volunteers annually made up of individuals to organized advocacy groups doing thousands of hours of work. These are individual work days, or monthly work days or seasonal work days. The difference is that volunteers cannot be “scheduled” to be the main labor force for the parks or other state properties - which the governor is not saying they are…but we are inching toward that slippery slope.

Comment by Captain Illini Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:48 am
He’s lining up his scabs. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a handout on volunteer day on being ready to help out full time when a strike happens.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:51 am
I think voluteers would work very well as admin replacements in all the major state agencies. No special skills or knowledge needed, just volunteer time.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:07 am
When and where do the volunteers for the Veterans homes get their background checks? I assume the Guv is not going to risk sending potential predators and exploiters into places housing vulnerable populations.
How much is that going to cost?

Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:07 am
First I wonder how many volunteers will even show up. Second I wonder how many of them got something from BR to do so.

Comment by TiredOfIt Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:08 am
A state bake sale date would also be nice. Maybe a state wide golf outing as a fund raiser.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:09 am
Perspective…

“When” was this rolled out?

“Why” this date after the ILRB ruling?

“When” is the actual date of the volunteering?

What was the line about AFSCME really about?

Perspective. Rauner is trolling AFSCME because he can after the ruling.

Discussing the details misses the picture…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:11 am
“Discussing the details misses the picture…”

The big picture is, Gov. Rauner just cannot be gracious or magnanimous in victor. He can’t say, “Well that was hard fought, but let’s put it behind us and concentrate on working for the people of Illinois.”

No, He’s got to rub salt in state workers’ wounds, add insult to injury, and remind state workers — his own workers, remember — that he’s the boss.

What a small, petty, vindictive, small-hearted man Bruce Rauner is.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:27 am
*in victory

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:28 am
April 22nd is Earth Day. Lots of volunteers already out making their communities better…but if Rauner and the SuperStars can take credit for volunteerism then WHY NOT?!?

Comment by Reese's Pieces Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:36 am
Why is no one asking the question, why did AFSCME put such restrictions on volunteerism in the past that this would actually be something worth discussing? AFSCME reply could simply be we embrace the use of volunteerism to meet the needs of the citizens we support…rather than Gov Rauner isn’t negotiating with us even though the LRB said impasse.

Comment by Mod Dem Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 11:55 am
There’s already National Days of Service, but he wouldn’t know.

Comment by Meh Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 12:02 pm
So, what happens when one of these “volunteers” gets injured while volunteering on-site, who pays for that, tax-payers, or is the Governor going to foot the bill since it was his idea. I like the idea of being able to give back, but this idea was clearly not thought through.

Comment by Concerned Taxpayer Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Um, not so fast:

2015:
January 9 - Volunteers Across Illinois Set to Make Martin Luther King Day a “Day On, Not a Day Off”
Day of Service Will Mark the Beginning of the Year of the Volunteer

2014:
January 17 - Governor Quinn Urges People Across Illinois to Participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Serve Illinois Website Offers Thousands of Volunteer Opportunities

2013:
January 18 - Governor Quinn Urges Illinoisans to Participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service “Serve Illinois” Website Offers More than 100,000 Volunteer Opportunities

I could go on and on, but I think I will stop here:

2002
April 22 - Governor Ryan Proclaims Volunteer Week in Illinois Announces Recipients of Illinois Points Of Light Awards

Under Governor Ryan, Earth Day was an entire WEEK of volunteerism.

Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 12:23 pm
Do all volunteers get two 20 minute paid breaks and paid lunch?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Is there room for him to be even more awful, or has he reached the pinnacle for awfulness? It must be no fun working for him on the private side.

Comment by State Worker THX 1138 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 12:38 pm
Volunteer day happens many times over the year for me and many others who contribute to their communities outside of work. I’d like to see him volunteer for something vs throwing his money around. He sinks lower and lower.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:08 pm
in the private sector, 1138, you don’t work for him. you get bought, and then you get fired for the crime of having been employed.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:09 pm
Does our volunteer governor think he invented volunteering for the good of the state?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:22 pm
THX - of the people I know who work for him (on the government or political side) I personally have heard no complaints. That is just my experience.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Politix, I would make a wager that Rauner volunteers more than you do and I believe I would win.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:34 pm
I think a better idea would be to lower the cost of business by encouraging volunteerism at a Ford plant or McDonald’s or Best Buy or State Farm. (partially snark)

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:35 pm
I volunteer for any AFSCME job……..I could use the rest.

Comment by Corporate Pig Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 1:35 pm
Corporate Pig, Volunteer At A Prison..

Comment by Shake Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:04 pm
-Corporate Pig-

We’d love to have you but you’re probably under-qualified for anything available.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Lots of public servants/retirees do volunteer work every day.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:15 pm
My 12 yr old has done more volunteer work than this clown. He can take his day of service and shove it.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:18 pm
“However, due to the previous AFSCME contract, severe restrictions were placed on the use of volunteers. The recent decision by the Illinois Labor Relations Board will now allow the state greater flexibility in using volunteers.”

What?!? - Outside my work hours, NOBODY can or can’t tell me what I can or can’t do.

Comment by Rufus Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:40 pm
-Rufus-

This isn’t saying state employees will be required to volunteer. It simply allows the state to utilize volunteers for certain activities within some agencies/departments.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 3:02 pm
So “volunteers!” is Rauner’s code word for “privatizing.”

Got it.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 4:02 pm
The Gov’s PR team is getting a lot better. While many in the “know” see the issues the general public has no clue. Another win for the Gov. Been a good 2 weeks for him. Picked up seats in the election, no veto overrides in the House and made the Speaker look bad for backing out of a Leaders meeting. Now going to hang with the Pope. Good way to head into the Holidays.

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 4:15 pm
Maybe Ken Griffin and Dick Uihlein can volunteer as a prison guards.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 4:45 pm
AKA Scabs

Comment by Strobby Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 6:29 pm
Limited thought process…. Volunteers… of course they’ve been trained on work place violence, sexual harassment policies, not to mention HIPPA confidential requirements, and of course, volunteers just pour into the Illinois Prison system, or sure let have them operate a salt spreader on an interstate for a day, better yet, if the governor still has an air mode of transportation let’s have a volunteer fly him from point a to…. opps did that plane crash?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 18, 16 @ 8:33 am