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Manar: Rauner has “divided our state into pieces”

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* Bernie talks to Sen. Andy Manar about a possible run for governor…

[Manar] said first-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner “has divided our state into pieces,” and has “used that division every day against Democrats.”

“I think Democrats have to become better at delivering a message that resonates with voters because we have the right policies,” Manar added. […]

“Personal wealth is a factor,” Manar said. “That’s something I don’t bring to the table. Never have; probably never will. But I think there’s other factors that have to be considered when coming up with a nominee.”

“If we’re going to straight up nominate someone who simply has money with no message and no way to deliver a message and no way to resonate with working-class voters, then we’re probably not going to fare as well as … we otherwise would,” he said.

I’ve known Andy for quite a long while. He’s about as sharp as they come.

* One problem, though, will be his school funding reform push. It’s a good idea and he’s visited just about every nook and cranny of Illinois touting it, building friendships and alliances as he goes.

But the wealthier suburbs won’t like it unless there’s lots more state money put into the mix to shield them from state funding cuts. And lots more state money means, of course, a tax hike.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:21 am

Comments

The school funding changes are worthwhile and his effort is the best we’ve had since the late 90’s. If he runs for Governor that issue likely dies again, he’ll have to choose.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:25 am
Cue Bossmadigan.com in 5…4…3….2…

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:28 am
We need more smart and thoughtful leaders like Andy Manar. I don’t know if he will run or if he can win, but he’d be a great governor.

Comment by slow down Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:30 am
Rauner didn’t divide the state. The Democrats did that long ago with their gerrymandered redistricting. Another Dem such as Manar calling out Rauner isn’t truth but partisanship and that will not fix Illinois.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:33 am
===And lots more state money means, of course, a tax hike.===

Isn’t a major tax hike a given at this point? So it’s possible the next governor will have that item off the to-do list.

Or maybe I’m dreaming and we really do end up $20 billion under water in two years.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:34 am
I have known, worked with, worked for and been friends with Manar for almost 20 years. He does this for the right reasons. I don’t always agree with him but at the end of the day i know he votes based on how it will impacts his kids, his district and the state … in that order and not based on D or R.

Comment by Spliff Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:37 am
===…no message and no way to deliver a message and no way to resonate with working-class voters,…===

This is exactly where the HDems and those trying to offset Rauner fail.

This failure is going on daily.

A candidate running against Raunerites and Rauner need to understand that what Manar is saying needs to happen… shoulda been happening months and months ago.

If anything, Biss’ frontal assult put forward the discussion of Rauner with LIFT no one is taking on… while Rauner continues his daily wins unabridged.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:38 am
When I heard Manar’s name floated for Governor, his school funding reform was the first thing I though about. It is a worthy endeavor, but it has probably created at least as many enemies as allies for Manar.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:38 am
=But the wealthier suburbs won’t like it unless there’s lots more state money put into the mix to shield them from state funding cuts.=

Rich, with respect, Manar’s bill will not hurt the wealthy districts. And by wealthy, I mean the Flat Grant districts. They will lose $218 per students if they are zeroed out. They may squak about it but it really won’t hurt them.

It is the “middle class” district that gets hurt. Just enough EAV wealth/growth and not enough poverty. Still reliant on the state for roughly 1/4 to 1/3 of their funding that get hurt.

I have personally mentioned that to Manar to no avail. He is buying votes with his “plan” which is a funding distribution plan and not an education outcome based plan. Big difference.

Manar’s plan acquiesces to current funding levels as well.

You may like it, but it hurts schools that are already hurting. We can do better.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:38 am
Manar would get beaten like the proverbial rented mule!

Tell us Andy, how high will you and MJM raise the state income tax???

Comment by Piece of Work Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:39 am
===…partisanship and that will not fix Illinois.===

… and “BossMadigan.Com” is… helpful.

You think on that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:39 am
===Tell us Andy, how high will you and MJM raise the state income tax???===

You mean the Rauner Tax, the one Rauner will sign?

That’s fun, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:41 am
Rauner has not divided the state. The state has been divided for decades. This is nothing new - there’s just finally being light shed on the way Illinois has operated for years now. Stop acting surprised and finding new and “creative” ways to say that downstaters despise northerners and vice versa.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:42 am
I don’t think it’s a messaging problem. I think it’s a connection problem. Privileged liberals are 100% disconnected from anyone making under 100k a year. I know suburban liberals are going to squawk at me but there you have it. Clintonite liberals lost for a reason. People didn’t show up for her. The disconnection from 99% is why. I like Manar. I want him to succeed which is why I’m saying connection should drive the messaging not messaging driving the connection.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:42 am
God forbid we ever contemplate “leveling up” state school funding to help needy schools. “Robin Hood” state school funding won’t play well in the suburbs. As is, most suburban school districts receive less than 5-10% of their revenue from the state. That said, Manar has the strongest knowledge of school funding of any legislator. And he’s a square shooter.

Comment by Diogenes in DuPage Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:42 am
I swore to stop making predictions after this year, but I don’t understand how someone from from a rural, central/southern IL legislative district can run for Governor after such a short time. I know labor will be engaged, but I just don’t see him as a serious candidate — yet. Smart as a whip, I’d hate to lose him so soon.

Comment by Indochine Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:42 am
===And lots more state money means, of course, a tax hike.===

If we’re to continue we’re either going to need a significant tax hike or extreme cuts to state government.

The political reality in Springfield is that everyone needs a tax hike and Rauner’s shenanigans have just made it so that the tax hike must be even greater to dig our way out of the hole.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:43 am
Why would the wealthy suburbs care when they can use clout to get their child into a prestigious CPS school?

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:43 am
Look at Katie Stuart. Connection to voters by a million knocks on people’s doors then message. Not this is my message which you will agree with as a liberal.

Katie won. Message candidates lost

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:46 am
–But the wealthier suburbs won’t like it unless there’s lots more state money put into the mix to shield them from state funding cuts.–

The education fund in my Oak Park K-12 district gets about 10% of its revenue from state sources. The high school district, about 5%.

They’re more worried about a pension shift.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:46 am
Perhaps it is time for the boss to go, good men like Andy cannot work for the good of all with MM micromanaging every thought and then crushing the ones he doesn’t like. We must have a state government that truly cares about the people of Illinois, the businesspeople and the poor, we must adjust old policies that have bankrupted Illinois, but we can still support labor and reject RTW laws, labor enriches all workers, union and non union. We must be fair and reasonable to all, and not look at everything as “what’s in it for me”. Illinois should be the wealthiest state in the Midwest, it’s time to get serious and elect more Andy Manars.

Comment by Grandpa Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:46 am
Yes, he’s smart and thoughtful. Now show me the money.

Without mega bucks to counter, smart and thoughtful will be the attributes the electorate won’t hear about.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:48 am
His bitterness at the Avery race is very unbecoming of someone who wants to be taken seriously. Sorry Andy but there was a lot more at play there than just “a wave election in rural areas”.

Comment by Thinking Man Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:48 am
This is how inequality festers in a democracy, where those who have the most spend millions to persuade those who have some to turn against those who have the least.

Comment by ZC Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:48 am
=They’re more worried about a pension shift.=

Bingo. The question being asked is will they be allowed to levy for cost shift.

Madigan said no when these discussion were initially taking place.

Rauner sounds like a no.

Hey! They agree on something!!

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:55 am
The problem is that it doesn’t take much wealth to be considered a wealthy suburb in this state.

Any income tax hike will hit folks in so-called wealthy districts hard. They’ll pay more in income tax but will not be lucky to keep ed funding from the state constant and already high property taxes frozen.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:57 am
=That said, Manar has the strongest knowledge of school funding of any legislator. And he’s a square shooter.=

Your judgement is based on your command of school funding?

I would say that Barrickman is at least as knowledgeable as Manar. That from the perspective of someone that does it for a living.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 9:57 am
Folks- a majority elected Rauner but he has been deprived from doing anything by Madigan and his public sector union goons. Stop blaming him for all of our ills- he didn’t create either the pension or business climate debacles

Comment by Sue Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:07 am
Willy, I have a co-worker that uses the word fun about 50 times a day, mostly in ways it shouldn’t be used.

Maybe you do too, because you just showed it—congrats!!

Comment by Piece of Work Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:07 am
====ZC==
We don’t live in a democracy; our Country and indeed our sate adhere to a Constitutional Republic form of Government. I would reference the lyrics from the song “The Mob Rules” by Black Sabbath …”If you listen to fools
The Mob Rules”

Comment by Lech W Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:10 am
- Piece of Work -

I hope you feel better, lol

And… the Rauner Tax IS coming.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:12 am
- Sue -

71 and 39.

That’s the GA numbers that the voters also sent to govern.

Those are Democratic totals.

Divided government.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:14 am
An interesting wrinkle to “wealthy suburbs won’t like Manar’s school reform plan” is that the suburbs (I would expect especially the wealthy ones) is where Rauner’s numbers have held up the best.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:18 am
==a majority elected Rauner but he has been deprived from doing anything by Madigan and his public sector union goons==

More “Rauner is the victim” nonsense. And goons? Please.

==Stop blaming him for all of our ills==

I don’t think anybody has. But he does share in the blame now

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:19 am
Also, Sue, the Democrats still control the General Assembly. So don’t try that “the people elected Rauner” so he should get his way garbage.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:20 am
@JS Mill — I know a little bit — I’m a retired school superintendent.

Comment by Diogenes in DuPage Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:21 am
== a majority elected Rauner but he has been deprived from doing anything by Madigan==

A majority also elected House Democrats, knowing full well that that would make Mike Madigan Speaker.

The problem is that Rauner’s agenda wasn’t fully formed during the campaign and he assured us that he could work with Madigan, unlike the “failure” Pat Quinn.

==he didn’t create either the pension or business climate debacles==

No one’s claiming he did, but he hasn’t fixed them, either. I think he’s made them worse, in fact.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:24 am
Wealthy districts will lose up to $218 per student in General State Aid AND $9,000 for each special education teacher, psychologist, social worker, school nurse, etc. PLUS much other Categorical funding.

Evidence based, the other alternative, states here are 27 elements you should do, but each school district has complete freedom whether do them or not do them.

As summarized in yesterday’s School Funding Commission: Evidence based does not “want to interfere with ‘local control’” as it gives
“the ability to school boards to determine which elements to implement and fund.”

Here is the money - spend it any way you want to.

Comment by winners and losers Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:24 am
“As sharp as they come” in the legislature is the equivalent of being Valedictorian of an unaccredited community college. And so it is with Manar and his claim of superior policy ideas from the Dems … which has brought on decades of financial ruination for Illinois. Basically, unfunded identity politics run amok: Making promise after promise and spending like there is no tomorrow.

The Dems’ great policy “ideas” have the State in a financial hole the depths of which Manar cannot conceptualize … despite his supposed sharpness.

Manar’s a one-tricky pony- school funding which endears him locally but does not — surprise — add up. In short, he’d be Rauner’s preferred opponent.

Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:25 am
- Sue -

Since 1858, every governor funded Higher Ed.

Rauner has chosen not to fund Higher Ed.

That’s on Rauner.

All day.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:27 am
Sue, Madigan and his “goons” have not prevented Rauner from presenting a balanced budget, which is his jog. He just refuses to do it.

Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:28 am
===“As sharp as they come” in the legislature is the equivalent of being Valedictorian of an unaccredited community college.===

Reading is fundamental.

Your “slam” is one on Rich’s assessment of Manar, so your questioning is of Rich, not the General Assembly members. (Sigh)

===The Dems’ great policy “ideas” have the State in a financial hole the depths of which Manar cannot conceptualize … despite his supposed sharpness===

There was 26 years of Republican governors you gloss over, but if it helps you…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:32 am
==his claim of superior policy ideas==

I don’t think he’s ever claimed such a thing. He came up with an idea.

==despite his supposed sharpness==

Having worked with him and knowing him professionally I can tell you he is sharp.

Having fun criticizing from the cheap seats?

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:32 am
Wealthy districts are worried about a pension shift from the State to local school districts AND a property tax freeze.

The vast majority of their funding comes from their local property tax.

Manar has had so many problems because his proposal with shift money out of the wealthy districts and into poorer schools (such as in his district).

Comment by winners and losers Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:40 am
Willy, I fully expect a tax increase, so you can sleep peacefully.

Have a fun sandwich for lunch!!

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:43 am
I think we’ve got something backward here…. The people in government are the representatives of the citizens of their various constituencies, not the other way around. Perhaps it is easier to say the Madigan or Rauner have divided the state, but it is more accurate to say they are reflective of the divisions among the population.

Currently, there’s a divide among the public about how to run the state going forward. Democracy can be messy sometimes. It’s been said it is the worst form of government ever invented, except for every other one….

Enjoy the battle; at least we get to have one!

Comment by Anony Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:45 am
===I fully expect a tax increase===

Hmm.

===Tell us Andy, how high will you and MJM raise the state income tax???===

If you “fully expect it” and Runer will sign the Rauner Tax…

I’m confused, what was your point again?

That’s fun! LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:45 am
= I’m a retired school superintendent. =

God bless you, hopefully you left with your sanity intact!!! I mean every bit of that.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:46 am
Demoralized is on the money with this. Do I think he’s got a shot? Not really, unless JB or Kennedy start kicking in major contributions to his campaign if he were to run. However, he would be able to connect with people better than any other candidate I’ve seen brought up so far on the Dem side.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:47 am
–Folks- a majority elected Rauner but he has been deprived from doing anything by Madigan and his public sector union goons. –

What a thoughtful and appropriate post on the issue.

From Merriam-Webster:

goon, noun: a person who is hired to threaten, beat up, or kill someone

I never really thought of my kids’ former teachers as “goons.” Or the cops and firemen on my block who do dangerous jobs 24/7/365. Or the trooper patrolling the expressways. Or the corrections officer dealing with dangerous people every day. Or the guy who plows the block. Or the people at village hall or state offices.

I just thought they were regular people, doing their jobs. Thanks, Sue, for your humanitarian insight. I guess I’ll have to keep my eyes on them. “Goons” are bad!

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:48 am
Manar is very smart and tries to do things in the best interests of the state, not for partisan or ideological reasons.
I think in order to rid this state of this scourge named Rauner it’s going to take a lot of money, something Manar doesn’t have. That’s why the Rauner camp is scared of Pritzker. Pritzker has the money to match Rauner, he is a Democrat in a blue leaning state, and he doesn’t have a political record that can be attacked. Rauner does and as we approach the halfway point of Rauner’s term, his record is worse than that of Blagojevich, as Jim Edgar stated just yesterday. Pritzker will beat Rauner easily if he has competent people running his campaign.

Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:50 am
=“the ability to school boards to determine which elements to implement and fund.”

Here is the money - spend it any way you want to.=

I think you have captured the essence of the EBM.

I would add “here is the money and here are the outcomes you should expect”

I think that is a real component that makes it different than Manar’s model or our current model. The EBM focuses on outcomes.

=Valedictorian of an unaccredited community college.=

As opposed to your title of attainment “Grand Champion of the Clown College”. Where is the budget? You keep blathering on with nonsense words and drive by’s but when asked for substance…Zipp, nada, nothing.

You are an empty shill for the Rauner boyquarium bro down festival.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 10:51 am
Everyone responding to the effect that the Dems control the legislature overlook that the Dems have so politicized the district maps that it’s impossible to allow for Repubs to get a better number of seats

Comment by Sue Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:05 am
- Sue -

Madigan won 4 of 5 majorities with a GOP drawn map.

What else ya got?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:09 am
===the Dems have so politicized the district maps that it’s impossible to allow for Repubs to get a better number of seats===

Are you just completely daft?

The Republicans picked up a net 4 in the House and 2 in the Senate - in a huge Democratic year in this state.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:12 am
These aren’t easy problems for Rauner to deal with. The bulk of resistance to school funding reform, just like any local govt consolidation, and the property tax freeze, will come from local Republican power brokers and office holders in the geographies most critical to Rauner’s victory.

Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:29 am
Well Walker, if that’s true — and others have made the same assertions — then why wouldn’t Madigan and Cullerton let Rauner’s legislation go to the floor for votes and action so as to permit those fights to happen … and supposedly weaken Rauner?

Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:41 am
===Rauner’s legislation go to the floor for votes and action so as to permit those fights to happen … and supposedly weaken Rauner?===

They have, less the poison pills Rauner wants… then Rauner calls them a sham.

Keep up, please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:43 am
==Manar’s a one-tricky pony- school funding==

I mean, he was in the news what, two weeks ago, for sponsoring AVR.

==In short, he’d be Rauner’s preferred opponent.==

That’s not really consistent with how Rauner has treated Manar vs. how he’s treated his other potential opponents. But maybe Rauner doesn’t know what’s good for him.

I think you’re letting your understandable ignorance of Manar color your analysis of him.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:47 am
== then why wouldn’t Madigan and Cullerton let Rauner’s legislation go to the floor==

An awful lot of the legislation that hasn’t “gotten to the floor” is the super-complex things like workers comp and pension reform that aren’t ripe yet (in part because Rauner hasn’t been entirely clear about what he wants from them). I mean, RTW zones got a vote. Property tax freeze got a vote.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:50 am
== Rauner hasn’t divided the state ==

Have you been paying attention?

Just check out the dozens of Chicago-bashing emails Rich’s has been posting from the state GOP.

It’s one thing for a back-bencher in the General Assembly to exploit regionalism, it’s unconscionable for the governor of the entire state to do it.

Comment by Ted Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 11:56 am
>“I think Democrats have to become better at delivering a message that resonates with voters

Completely agree. I’m not sure that I agree with him that they already have a message but just aren’t delivering it well though.

Like him or not (OK, nobody actually likes him) Madigan is a strong House Speaker. Where he seems to be weak is as the head of the Illinois Democratic Party.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:01 pm
==Manar’s a one-tricky pony- school funding==

Didn’t he get write-ups here within the last month for AVR and labor issues? I mean, you may not know the other things Manar does, ’cause he’s a middle-bench state legislator. And what he does may not be good. But there’s quite a bit more going on than school funding.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:02 pm
==Like him or not (OK, nobody actually likes him) Madigan is a strong House Speaker. Where he seems to be weak is as the head of the Illinois Democratic Party.==

This is pretty accurate. Very good at technical caucus management, not so good at “the vision thing”.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:03 pm
What if Manar somehow gets the financial backing of Pritzger etc? Andy gets it better than anyone I’ve ever met. My guess is that he absolutely knows that he’s going to need backing of major Chicago donors to beat Rauner. He’s not stupid. And I’d bet he’s already putting something into motion to see if that’s achievable. If (and that’s a huge if) he can thread that needle, a well financed Andy Manar could be a mess for Rauner.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:13 pm
==What if Manar somehow gets the financial backing of Pritzger etc?==

Then he’d be in a pretty good spot?

Manar was actually pretty good at fundraising for his state senate seat, but that’s a few orders of magnitude away from taking on Rauner.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:29 pm
Manar is a smart guy and in my estimation, they guy to watch in the Governor’s race.

He definitely has the pulse of “everyday Joes” being from a downstate district, and he is well liked in his caucus.

If Manar runs and loses, he will probably become Cullerton’s chief of staff again since he was great at that job, which will double his salary. It’s a win-win for him.

Comment by John John Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:29 pm
Anyone who was in Southern Illinois or the Quad Cities when Chris Kennedy spoke knows that he’s got a serious and substantive message. I predict he’ll emerge as a strong candidate on issues to improve the state in every region — not just Chicago and Cook.

Comment by Downstate Dem Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:44 pm
===I predict he’ll emerge as a strong candidate on issues to improve the state in every region — not just Chicago and Cook.===

… as long as there’s no elevators, reporters, uncomfortable, unstructured press questions or staged events.

But, those are the Ups and Downs of campaigns…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:47 pm
Republicans finally have some influence after twelve years on one party rule in Springfield.

The Speaker and Senate President refuse to accept the reality that compromise is necessary- they have offered none. They agree to a pension deal for CPS but then fail to keep their end of the bargain by passing meaningful pension reform proposed as written by Senator Cullerton.

For that Senator Manar blames Governor Rauner blames “dividing our state into pieces”

Only a fool would be believe even though Chicago has has been home to the leaders of the legislature and Governors for decades but somehow CPS has been shortchanged.

The partisan maps designed by Democrats is what has divided our state into pieces. Governor Rauner won every county except Cook. If the Federal Courts can rule Wisconsin legislative maps are unconstitional what is stopping them from ruling the same in Illinois?

Democrats have had almost two years to explain why there policies are better and have failed to pass any reforming our state.

Just saying no to Governor Rauner does not count as a policy.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:48 pm
===Only a fool would be believe even though Chicago has has been home to the leaders of the legislature and Governors for decades but somehow CPS has been shortchanged.===

Rauner “moved” to Chicago, living there so his denied, formerly Winnetka-living Daughter could be clouted INTO the CPS school, Payton Prep.

Sounds like Rauner got a pretty sweet deal, living in Chicago too, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:56 pm
===Governor Rauner won every county except Cook===

Counties don’t vote.

===The partisan maps designed by Democrats is what has divided our state into pieces===

And yet, at Rauner’s midterm, the Raunerotes picked up 6 total seats?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 12:58 pm
–Republicans finally have some influence after twelve years on one party rule in Springfield.–

LOL, yes, Blago, Madigan, and Emil Jones were just one happy family, pulling together as one.

If I recall, Blago, Tom Cross and his House GOP caucus were pretty, pretty, pretty tight at times, especially in efforts to expand gambling.

And for some strange reason, RNC member Bob Kjellander got the score of a lifetime from Blago by steering the $10B POB to Bear Stearns. And Ty Fahner’s firm got the bond counsel business.

Plus, who could forget, Citizen Rauner had some influence in Springfield under the Democrats when it came to landing pension business. Maybe having GOP money man Stu Levine on the payroll helped.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 1:13 pm
The School Funding Commission is already becoming very political.

One elected official repeatedly asked why Gov. Rauner was saying (in a leaders meeting) that the Commission would have a proposal by the middle of December.

Democrats are very wary that they are being set up for blame no matter what happens (or does not happen) with the school funding formulas.

Comment by winners and losers Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 1:36 pm
Senator Manar is neither a genius nor a fool. But he got himself in way too deep on school funding reform. The various funding formulas which he supported often resulted in funding cuts for districts that were not truly wealthy, nor under taxed.

It seems obvious he either did not understand the underlying math involved or did not want to look at the details. Once the spread sheets came out and the screaming began he wanted to yet fix the formula with amendments yet again and again.

But more recently Senator Manar jumped on the evidence based model (EBM) for school funding band wagon, Barbara Flynn Currie indicated in a House Task Force meeting last session the model could bring school funding to an adequate level (House Education Task Force). But the model would cost the State much more than it could afford even with an income tax increase, she simply said it would cost over $2 billion more a year than the FY16 k-12 appropriation. Sen Manar supported the Governor calling together the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission and had a seat at that table. The focus has been the EBM proposal.

The 10th meeting of the commission was held yesterday and at it was estimated that the EBM would cost “an additional $5 billion in funding to meet adequacy” for Illinois (if Rich wants to check this was in slide 10 of the introductory power point presentation at the meeting yesterday).

Now that really takes it to a level beyond what Barbara Flynn Currie discussed last session. So now apparently the Commission will try to implement elements of the evidence based model to get on a pathway to adequacy.

Senator Manar basically decided he could lead the fix of the State school funding formula and that it also would politically sell for Democrats particularly downstate and have some support from Republicans whose districts feel overwhelmed by school property taxes. One big, real big problem for Manar was and is where will the money come from especially given the fact that most income tax increases being discussed, and often opposed, have really centered around keeping the state afloat, paying down debt, honoring pensions, keeping State Universities open, etc. I believe the reality of school funding reform and the various proposals Senator Manar has floated and failed to pass will make it hard for him to run for Governor even though he is a very attractive and well-spoken man from heartland of Illinois.

Comment by Rod Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 1:48 pm
The School Funding Commission is starting to panic.

Yesterday the State Superintendent of Education disagreed with the Secretary of Education on what they could accomplish by their February 1 termination.

It was pointed out that national experts had told them they had to have a proposal by December 1 so it could be run by ISBE to see what it would do to funding for each school district, then have time to revise their proposal, and then have ISBE run the numbers of the revision.

The are just now going to set up sub-committees to try to reach some agreements.

Some of them are just now realizing just how complex and complicated this is.

They are trying to take on everything (reducing what schools are required to do, reducing mandates, looking at a property freeze, completely changing how schools are funded, etc.)

They are meeting five (5) times in January to try to come up with something by their Feb. 1 deadline.

Comment by winners and losers Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 2:09 pm
Willy, I expect a tax increase, but it may not happen, because there could be 2 more years of an impasse.

Even if there is one, if Manar ran and won(won’t happen so it is a hypothetical) he and MJM will either significantly increase income taxes and ginormously increase taxes

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:08 pm
===I expect a tax increase, but it may not happen, because there could be 2 more years of an impasse

Manar ran and won(won’t happen so it is a hypothetical) he and MJM will either significantly increase income taxes and ginormously increase taxes===

If it won’t happen? It will happen?

Geez, Louise, you now just looks ill-informed… and it’s premise is dorm room late night silliness?

Please. Stop. Just stop.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:13 pm
==Even if there is one, if Manar ran and won(won’t happen so it is a hypothetical) he and MJM will either significantly increase income taxes and ginormously increase taxes==

So you think Rauner will probably raise taxes, and then Hypothetical Governor Manar would raise them again?

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 3:54 pm
==His bitterness at the Avery race is very unbecoming of someone who wants to be taken seriously. Sorry Andy but there was a lot more at play there than just “a wave election in rural areas”.==

That’s just about the least bitter way I can think of to explain a loss.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:01 pm
I don'’t think any path exists for Manar to reach the governor’s mansion in 2018 — so yeah, dismiss his chances if you wish.

But don’t dismiss him as a single-issue senator. If you’ve worked with Manar you know he’s both a serious policy wonk and a savvy political operator. Also happens to be a pretty nice guy.

Comment by Ash Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:16 pm
Bunker Hill Illinois. that has so much great potential in message!

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Just amother Cullerton / Madigan puppet, we have enough of those already.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 16 @ 5:14 pm