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Because being governor apparently isn’t enough work

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Illinois

* AP…

Gov. Bruce Rauner is calling on new Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza to fight a lawsuit filed by her fellow Democratic lawmakers seeking to collect paychecks they haven’t received since May.

Speaking in Chicago, the Republican governor says it’s clear the lawsuit was “orchestrated” with Democratic party leaders such as Rauner’s rival, House Speaker Michael Madigan. […]

Rauner says he hopes Mendoza will “fight as hard as Comptroller Munger has.”

He says she should hire outside legal counsel rather than be represented by Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office. Lisa Madigan, a Democrat, is Michael Madigan’s daughter.

* Sun-Times…

“I hope that she’ll speak out about it every day. I hope that she will get her own special counsel and not purely count on Attorney General Lisa Madigan to fight the lawsuit,” Rauner said. […]

Mendoza’s office responded to calls for an independent counsel in a statement, citing her office’s independence from the governor’s office.

“We appreciate the governor’s advice but as an independent constitutional office, we’ll explore our best legal options on this case and any others,” Mendoza spokesman Abdon Pallasch said.

The Illinois Attorney General’s office, however, on Monday said it’s reviewing the lawsuit and plans to represent the comptroller’s office.

Abdon’s response was pretty darned polite, considering the situation. But, hey, he just started a new gig.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:01 am

Comments

so glad to follow where Abdon Pallasch is working! Mendoza is lucky to have him.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:05 am
Maybe Mendoza will follow the Illinois Constitution, a novel concept at this point.

Comment by Romeo Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:06 am
===…Abdon Pallasch said.===

Great to see Abdon back!

To the Post,

Rauner trying to co-op Mendoza and paint her to choose to ignore her constitutional oath (even as she ran on ignoring it from the get go… ) is a telling sign that Rauner may want to seem to have sway and linkedge to Mendoza, and making Mendoza’s Crew think twice about their own messaging.

Enter… Abdon Pallasch…

That was a tempered response…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:06 am
“We appreciate the governor’s advice but as an independent constitutional office, we’ll explore our best legal options on this case and any others,”…

Finally a responsible, adult public statement that isn’t laced with snark, political rhetoric, or personal attacks. Refreshing!

Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:13 am
Might as well said; “I need these hostages, and more!”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:13 am
Abdon’s a plus.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:19 am
Is Rauner still afraid to say Mendoza’s name?

Perhaps he is wary of guacamole deliveries?

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:20 am
Perhps capt Fax or other media could outline just how hard Wingman “fought” on this or any other issue. Generally conversation went…”Hey BigBrain who do I pay today and gets the OK for cash from Vendor Assistance?”
Very heroic

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:23 am
Abdon, I agree with previous commenters in that you gave a responsible and respectful statement. That being said, your boss’ enemies don’t care about responsible and respectful. They’ve been trained and practiced in misdirection and disrespect. They’ll also take lessons from the post-truth precedent set by the Trumpies.

Here’s how they’d respond, Abdon:

The governor needs to read the Illinois Constitution to understand that we will be represented by the Attorney General. We suggest the governor should direct his energy toward negotiating a budget that will enable the state to pay its bills and provide services to so many in need.”

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:28 am
I expect that Mendoza will soon claim enlightenment on the constitutional duties of her office. This issue only had value on the campaign trail and the campaign is now over. I suspect that we’ll soon hear about how she needs to be a responsible fiscal steward and engaging in a practice that will only incur additional legal costs at a time when the state is already constrained is inadvisable. She’ll be saddened to do so because people are hurting and we need a budget, but she’ll have no choice.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:29 am
Nice insult to the Attorney General, too. She’s done her level best to represent the State under all circumstances.

Comment by Archiesmom Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:29 am
It’s probably not enough work when you don’t actual govern.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:30 am
While Mendoza is considering her best legal options for this and “other cases,” I suggest she talk to those legal minds about cutting checks without a constitutional required appropriation. In 1991, Dawn Clark Netsch refused to make those payments and she forced a budget deal as a result:

http://www.rebootillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/afscme-v-netsch.pdf

Comment by TJ Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:30 am
Abdon is the first great decision made in that office. (giving credit to the office, but I know better) If Abdon has time, he should give Yingling a quick call.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:31 am
== the campaign is now over==

It’s never over. Especially not for Mendoza.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:35 am
Rauner, your wingwoman lost.

Deal with it.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:43 am
Looks to me that the court case will be a big win for the outside counsel hired and yet another loss for the taxpayers of Illinois. I wonder when the outside counsel will be paid?

Comment by Small town taxpayer Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:48 am
Abdon is a class act all the way around! I am so glad he has a great new gig and the other campers are right, what a pickup for our new Comptroller. Best of luck to a quality statewide elected and a quality press spokesman.

Comment by prairiestatedem Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:54 am
- prairiestatedem -

Ugh…

===Best of luck to a quality statewide elected…===

Yeah, when Mendoza possibly decides to break HER oath in about 17 minutes, your ridiculousness will be noted.

Mendoza has been a statewide less than 48 hours, k? K.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:57 am
I hope Mendoza is ready for the loads of negative ads and abuse that’s about to be heaped on her for the crime of showing the least bit of independence from Gov. 1.4 percent.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:10 pm
Man, Abdon must have bought a lot of Capfax readers a beer during his Springfield days.

Comment by Lemme think Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:10 pm
- Lemme think -

I never met him, but he’s quality.

I read his work. It’s solid. I respect that and him.

Speaks more about him than me or any beverage never shared.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:15 pm
Didn’t Rauner fire Abdon Pallaasch after he took office?

Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:50 pm
They’re not THAT independent as a constitutional office. Lots of Team Frerichs influence on that transition team.

Comment by Snucka Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:32 pm
===Man, Abdon must have bought a lot of Capfax readers a beer during his Springfield days.===

Dude, he was mostly a reporter. They can’t afford to buy anyone beer. In fact they become experts at pimping a glasses from a pitcher.

Another nugget…reporters make a living being sober when other people aren’t.

It’s possible that he was just really good at what he did and now does. I’m happy to confirm.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Apparently, the governor is content to be a sideshow of a sideshow on this issue.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 2:52 pm
@Lemme Think, yep, Abdon is good, really good. that is all it is!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Abdon’s response was professional, and he’ll serve his boss well if he maintains that approach.

Comment by jim Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 3:44 pm
abdon worked for Quinn. He left with the Quinn administration. He wasn’t fired by Rauner.

Comment by jim Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 3:47 pm
$46M Gov 1.4% and you lost the only race that counts. Here’s hoping Mendoza puts the heat on everyone soon.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 4:14 pm
Multi-millionaire Bruce Rauner should be more concerned about the new Veterans Home Project he’s had stopped on the Northwest Side for more than two years than whether or not he wins a petty fight over legislators pay…start acting like a leader Governor!

Comment by Tim Cullerton Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 6:57 pm
Nice to see Abdon back again.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 8:25 pm