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* UPDATED x1 - ILGOP responds * Kennedy responds to Republican attack

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* The background to this post is here. The Tribune has Chris Kennedy’s response to the ILGOP’s mocking video…

The video uses clips from the Democratic National Convention, when Kennedy awkwardly scolded reporters for trying to talk to him after he’d addressed an Illinois delegation breakfast meeting in Philadelphia.

“Have some decency. What have you become?” Kennedy asked the reporters as he tried to ride an elevator away from the cameras. He ultimately left the elevator and used a stairwell to flee the scene.

“I’ll admit, my elevator speech needed a little work, but we’ve made great progress since last summer,” Kennedy said in an emailed statement. “Too bad the same can’t be said for Illinois. It’s nice to see Gov. Rauner worried about someone besides himself for first time in two years.”

That’s not a bad response at all. Some self-deprecation combined with a jab at the governor’s inability to move the state forward.

But if Team Rauner follows recent practice and aggressively promotes its new video on social media and Kennedy doesn’t respond in kind, it won’t mean much.

*** UPDATE *** The ILGOP was not impressed…

Yesterday, Chris Kennedy responded to the Illinois Republican Party’s new digital ad, highlighting Kenendy’s ties to Mike Madigan, by completely avoiding the subject.

“Chris Kennedy’s dodge isn’t going to cut it. Mike Madigan endorsed Kennedy as an ‘excellent candidate’ for Governor and in return, Kennedy funneled tens of thousands of dollars to Madigan candidates and political groups. It’s time for Chris Kennedy to come clean. Does Kennedy endorse or oppose Mike Madigan as Speaker and head of the Democratic Party of Illinois? – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:33 am

Comments

Great response from Chris Kennedy. As you said, good mix of self deprecating humor with a hit on Rauner and his ineffective leadership.

Comment by Downstate Dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:48 am
This just isn’t Chris’ arena. He’s a nice guy, a good guy, a talented guy…who’s not suited for this is the least. There is a lot of greatness in his extended family that extends way beyond politics. His better pursuits are elsewhere.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:48 am
Attack, attack, attack! That’s all the ILGOP has.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:51 am
Just a wild thought here…how great would it be if Kennedy AND Pritzker jointly hired a small staff to set up a website and Twitter account to point out the current Governor’s performance failures. Stuff that the Illinois Democratic Party should be doing and isn’t.

Comment by Bill L Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:52 am
===…if Team Rauner follows recent practice and aggressively promotes its new video on social media and Kennedy doesn’t respond in kind, it won’t mean much.===

This is the ball game.

This will only be muted once a proportional response occurs and then topped with an aggressive positive social media piece, polished, like sharing a stage with Jim Edgar, looking and sounding engaged, willing to offer serious answers, and holding Bruce Rauner accountable for being Governor and owning the bad Rauner has continued and created.

The statement is fine, and for insiders, it’s thoughtful and smart to the situation.

These aren’t normal times anymore.

Ridiculous “He’s been all over… ” counters aren’t proportional to the Rauner onslaught that has already started and Wong let up until Kennedy drops out, or Election Day.

It’s fine, it’s good, but don’t tell me “that’s it”.

Proportional. Continual, Focused responses need to occur to honestly and truthfully get this behind Kennedy, and put Rauner in a position to realize Kennedy IS for real.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:53 am
As OW would say, that Kennedy response is restaurant quality. Too bad it will get drowned out by Rauner attack ads.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:54 am
===This just isn’t Chris’ arena.===

We’ll find out.

- A Guy - if that’s true, you should be encouraging Kennedy, if it can help Rauner.

Why are you?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:55 am
That’s an OK response, but I thought Pritzker’s was sharper. And quicker, which means something. Then again, the hit on Pritzker was a little easier to parlay.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:04 am
OW, I like Chris. It’s not in his best interests and this process will make a very good guy look foolish. I admire surgeons. I’m not gifted in the skills that would make me a good one. Life still has meaning. A lot of it. Chris’ very substantial talents are elsewhere. I wouldn’t sack good advice to him to help anyone else. I’m sure he’s hearing this from more people much closer to him than me.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:05 am
(Tips cap to - SAP -)

Dear - Dowmstate Dem -

Read what Rich wrote.

Cheerleading for a message that has a strong possibility of being drowned out by a continued onslaught isn’t worth the words typed to make it.

Your obvious misses are more glaring then your obvious cheerleading.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:05 am
Anyone who doesn’t take Chris Kennedy seriously is foolish. If he decides to run no one is going to remember things like this.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:11 am
===Chris’ very substantial talents are elsewhere.===

It appears he disagrees. You continual dismissing Kennedy makes me wonder, “If he’s so unsuited, why aren’t you encouraging this?”

Saying that is because you “like” him, given the rapid and tenacious response by Raunerites, looking to take him out, I can’t see your “concern” as genuine. The logic doesn’t add up given your commenting here.

Kennedy needs to get in the game and proportionally respond and raise $7-10 million, and I mean raise that, not self fund, then I can measure. That’s a measurable talent for running.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:12 am
Everything I’ve read about the Kennedy campaign is how great his consultants are. This is what they came up with?

Comment by DDR Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:12 am
===If he decides to run no one is going to remember things like this.===

Keep telling yourself this as more views and more people talk about it, and Raunerites keep the full-court press on this.

Did you not learn from Brady, Dillard, Rutherford, Schock, Quinn…

This. Ain’t. Stoppin’.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:14 am
Kennedy didn’t handle the Philly incident well, but I love this self-deprecating zinger.

And generally you expect people do get better as time goes on at public presentation. If I recall correctly, this blog has done analysis of pre-campaign Rauner versus campaign Rauner (there is no governin’ Rauner) and the improvements (some as just “improvements”) that he made.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:19 am
===This. Ain’t. Stoppin’. ===

Correct.

People will remember because they won’t be allowed to forget.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:21 am
The Trib should ask the now famous question put to Uncle Ted- why do you want to be Governor(president). Little tyke probably has the same lame answer. Why not find a real candidate with experience in resolving governmental problems?

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:23 am
How about Mr Kennedy telling us what he would do to pass a budget.

What would he cut, how high would he raise taxes, would he push for any reforms, does he support term limits, fair maps, pension reform, workers comp and property tax reform?

What would he do to settle AFSCME contract? A lot of people are worried about these issues and if he will have to weigh in sooner or later.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:28 am
== It’s not in his best interests and this process will make a very good guy look foolish.==

Your concern is noted.

==Little tyke probably has the same lame answer.==

It’s pretty weird to criticize someone for what you guess they might do in a hypothetical situation you articulated.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:30 am
LUCKY

Please address your questions to Rauner, he is the Governor

Comment by MOON Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:31 am
===As OW would say, that Kennedy response is restaurant quality. Too bad it will get drowned out by Rauner attack ads.===

Too bad we’re rating candidates based on “comebacks”, one-liners, retorts, and video clips to judge candidates’ competency.

Comment by justacitizen Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:33 am
Doesn’t matter if anybody remembers THIS hit. It is the first of many. Anybody who looks like he or she might possibly consider running against Rauner will get bombed into the stone ages by attack ads.

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:36 am
Oswego … I think Kennedy’s message is great … that’s my point. You’re talking about tactics, I’m talking message. I have no idea what Kennedy’s campaign tactics will be, and you’re right you need to push a message to make it stick.

Comment by Downstate Dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:41 am
Get it, his “Elevator Speech” needed work. Its a pun. Its supposed to be funny…

Comment by A Modest Proposal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:47 am
“Does Kennedy endorse or oppose Mike Madigan as Speaker…”

Does it matter? Kennedy isn’t a state rep.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:53 am
“How about Mr Kennedy telling us what he would do to pass a budget.

What would he cut, how high would he raise taxes, would he push for any reforms, does he support term limits, fair maps, pension reform, workers comp and property tax reform?”

In other words, would he use the same obstructions Rauner uses to prevent any budget from being proposed or signed?

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:55 am
–How about Mr Kennedy telling us what he would do to pass a budget.–

LOL, how’about asking the guy who has the job? You’re programming is a bit off, C3PO.

–This just isn’t Chris’ arena. He’s a nice guy, a good guy, a talented guy…who’s not suited for this is the least. There is a lot of greatness in his extended family that extends way beyond politics. His better pursuits are elsewhere.–

Such concern trolling from Robin Leach. You said the same nonsense as to why Duckworth shouldn’t run against Kirk.

–Little tyke probably has the same lame answer.–

Pace yourself. It’s not noon yet.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:00 am
Amazingly quick response from the Superstars. Yet they cant process one bill for Meals on Wheels in six months.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:02 am
Kennedy won’t have to raise taxes. Rauner is going to do that for him. Rauner has to raise taxes to fill in that $8 billion hole he signed into law. Rauner won’t have much of a record if the only budget he signs during his term has an $8 billion hole.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:13 am
===I think Kennedy’s message is great … that’s my point. You’re talking about tactics, I’m talking message. I have no idea what Kennedy’s campaign tactics will be, and you’re right you need to push a message to make it stick.===

… yeah, and the Rauner Crew is giving no quarter, as they respond to a quality response, and that’s all Kennedy has… while the video still remains.

Again, you continue to miss the point, and misunderstand me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:14 am
-SUE-

“Why not find a real candidate with experience in resolving governmental problems?”

Does Illinois have someone with experience resolving governmental problems?

Comment by Consideration Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:20 am
No matter who opposes Rauner, this person will face an onslaught of attacks.

This person’s campaign should try to use all the politics Rauner has played against him. Rauner spent all his time campaigning and not governing, and he crashed the state. Something along those lines.

Did I say Rauner spent all his time campaigning? I’m sorry, I made a mistake. Rauner doesn’t know anything about any campaigning. He’s not involved in that stuff. He’s too busy governin’, workin’ his behind off 24/7 for the people of Illinois.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:29 am
I didn’t think much of Kennedy’s response, but Team Rauner’s follow-up is even worse. “Okay, whatever, BUT MADIGAN!”

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:42 am
Attention Republicans at this point in the game your boy Bruce has done nothing to help Illinoisan and it’s going to take a trillion dollars to get Bruce reelected we Illinoisan are fed up so my advice is stop attacking the would be could be candidates and get to work solving problems

Comment by Frank Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:45 am
Does any of this really matter? We here are the only ones paying attention. Do the Rauner folks really think an incumbent with a sub 30% approval is going to be reelected if they can just manage to spend 9 figures? He has done such a poor job, EVEN PAT QUINN COULD BEAT HIM. All they are really doing is inoculating their competition from attacks. Really, the average Joe sees this crap for years and it never stops, they are used to it. It has virtually no effect. It only serves the hardcore partisans. And those people are going to vote anyway.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:46 am
I don’t think the Republican party wants MJM to retire. Who would they have to blame then for everything?

Comment by Finally Out Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:53 am
To the ILGOP response

If Chris Kennedy decides to run for Governor, he will not be running against Madigan or for Madigan. He will be running against Bruce Rauner, and the unprecedented damage he has done in the past 2 years against Illinois social services, Illinois students, and Illinois businesses that he stiffed to the tune of $8 billion dollars.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:55 am
== How about Mr Kennedy telling us what he would do to pass a budget. ==

== What would he cut ==

Corporate welfare and tax breaks

== how high would he raise taxes ==

Won’t have to because Rauner will have to do it. If he wants to, revive the millionaires tax in the form of a graduated tax where most people will pay the same or less.

== would he push for any reforms ==

School funding would be popular

== does he support term limits, fair maps ==

Does he need to with all the other items he’ll be for?

== pension reform ==

Won’t be any to do, the courts are going to tell Rauner no

== workers comp ==

Most likely be done before 2018

== property tax reform ==

If you fix school funding with the State contributing more, you can lower local property taxes

== What would he do to settle AFSCME contract ==

Whatever we end up with from Rauner, it will still be in place. All Kennedy needs to do is promise to review it for fairness.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:56 am
RnUG. I SAW TODAY THAT CALPERS just cut pension bennies. How can they do that.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:06 pm
==Do the Rauner folks really think an incumbent with a sub 30% approval is going to be reelected if they can just manage to spend 9 figures?==

Probably, and that’s a reasonable belief.

I’m not saying Rauner’s money *will* save him, even coupled with Dem incompetence. But it’s by no means out of the question.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:07 pm
== RnUG. I SAW TODAY THAT CALPERS just cut pension bennies. How can they do that. ==

Only 3 states have an ironclad pension clause in their Constitution: NY, IL, and AZ. We copied NY, and AZ copied both NY and IL.

I’m going to go find the story and read it.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Here is a canned response Kennedy and anyone else on “the list” can use. Feel free to edit as you see fit.

“Mike Madigan, whether you like him or not, is an institution in Illinois politics. The practice of governing, as opposed to campaigning, is to work with members of both parties to reach compromise. Democratic governors and republican governors alike have had disagreements with Mike Madigan, but up until now they have all been able to reach a compromise because they knew the difference between governing and campaigning. Bruce Rauner has failed to start governing and is no closer to reaching a budget agreement now then he was during his campaign when he said he could manage the current budget at the 3.75% tax rate. He has failed to introduce a single balanced budget at that rate, or any other rate since his election and has failed to end his campaign and begin the job of Governor.”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:17 pm
RNUG and Wordslinger- Winning the internet today!

I would suggest he Kennedy people or whom ever can get the money flowing look to these gents and a few others for help with messaging. They smoke the Fratboys/superstars every single day.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:19 pm
It’s a bit more complicated than the headline reporting. A city pulled out of Calpers (think IMRF here) without fully funding their pensions, then refused for years to pay what was owed. Calpers reduced pensions for 4 members. Now the city is trying to get back into Calpers and also talking about the city directly paying the 4 retirees the difference. Calpers “out” is the city terminated the “contract” without fully funding. This still has a long way to play out; nobody has filed a lawsuit yet but it could happen.

Here’s a link to one of the stories:

http://pension360.org/calpers-cuts-tiny-towns-pensions-by-60-percent/

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:23 pm
Adding … this is as much or more about Calpers making sure cities pay what they owe as anything else. Calpers admits they have the legal latitude to keep paying the 4 pensions after what the city paid in is exhausted. Calpers doesn’t want other cities getting the idea they can dump and run on paying their share for pensions.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:38 pm
Thanks. Early reporting showed pretty drastic cuts. Never been in favor of that, but AAI,constitutionally , gotts be changed.

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:51 pm
Chris, The Board of Trustees at the U of I. You remember that gig as head of the Board, right? What a sterling job overseeing those contracts, the turnover at the top, the athletic mess.

That stuff come to mind Chris?

Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 12:57 pm
Oh - Piece of Work -

Rauner has personally denied via Veto and no budgetary funding… $800 million less… to the University of Illinois.

That stuff come to mind, - Piece of Work -

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:00 pm
Look, the Democratic Party of Illinois needs to start fighting back with a vengeance and I mean NOW!

No more sitting around and taking the punches from Rauner and the pathetic GOP party that he controls.
Get into at least the 20th Century (prefer the 21st Century) and start hiring people who understand how Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets work and start attacking all of those GOP’ers who won’t stand up for Illinois’ working men and women.

This is the only way Rauner and the GOP’ers he controls will learn and lose in 2018.

Comment by ILGOV2018 Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:01 pm
Piece of Work-

You think attacking Kennedy on higher education works? He’s going to skewer Rauner on his stewardship of the almost complete collapse of our state system.

Comment by Lil Lewbowski Urban Achiever Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:13 pm
RNUG, of all the TA items, why do you think that Workers Comp reform will be done before 2018? To me it seems that Workers Comp is the issue that is least likely to get done considering all the “interest” groups involved: labor, business, doctors, hospitals, governmental units, insurance companies, firefighters, police, chiropractors, physical therapists, lawyers etc., etc. etc. So, why is Workers Comp the easy issue?

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:19 pm
== So, why is Workers Comp the easy issue? ==

Because there are a lot of groups who want to do it and it is probably the most “business friendly” thing you might be able to get agreement on. Both parties are, to varying degrees, willing to embrace it.

I didn’t define the scope of what it might look like. It might be something as simple as forcing the insurance companies to cut their rates some more since they didn’t pass along a lot of the savings from the previous reform. Or it could be more comprehensive, such as also forcing the medical field to settle for Medicare / Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Bottom line is there are enough moving parts each side could give a bit and still be able to walk away and claim they “won”.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:31 pm
RNUG, thanks. I think I got iton Workers Comp reform. Just thinking out loud, though. So, in a theoretical Workers Comp reform scenario in which each side gives, both Dems and Repubs are going to be asked to vote against their traditional allies, Dems against labor and lawyers, for example and Repubs against doctors and insurance companies, for example. And for this tough vote, they both get the privilege of having to vote for a tax increase. Sounds like two negative votes to me. But I guess that is what the leaders will have to sell to their respective caucuses.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:54 pm
- Just Me -

Yep. Actual governing is a process of incremental change. And that’s why you have the agreed bill process where you can keep your most vunerable players on the sidelines but still get enough votes to reach 60 & 30.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:06 pm
Just Me - sorry to jump in but to lump onto RNUG’s comment/response I would like to hearken back to my comments yesterday about school funding as a wedge/weapon. The transverse of schools impacting every area of the state and millions of people is the issue of worker’s comp. Worker’s comp impacts every business and employer but it is an extremely difficult issue to grasp and (according to the IWCC) impacts less than 4% of workers each year. I found that from the most recent report from FY 2015: http://www.iwcc.il.gov/FiscalYear2015AnnualReport.pdf.

Unlike other TA matters/proposals the overall impact of worker’s comp would be smaller and is truly more of a niche issue in terms of policy. Think about property taxes. Every homeowner pays them. Landlords and landowners pay them. Most businesses pay them. Townships, villages, towns, cities, counties, libraries, schools, etc. all depend on property tax funding. There are so many moving parts and so many implications that wholesale property tax reform may very well not happen for years (if it ever happens).

Look at how long it took to get the Exelon bill done. I remember rumblings in early 2015 that something would happen. It took until December 2016 to get it passed and signed into law.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Team Kennedy- Is there a budget yet?
All day everyday.

Comment by DuPage Bard Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:16 pm
==Such concern trolling from Robin Leach. You said the same nonsense as to why Duckworth shouldn’t run against Kirk.==

In the Christmas spirit I see, Sling. Tammy should not have run for the Senate. It won’t be pleasant. She won’t accomplish anything there beyond being a consistent vote for Sen. Schumer. She’ll have the most lackluster record in the other chamber now.

The biggest difference between Tammy and Chris. She needs the money and the benefits. He doesn’t. He has a choice. She really didn’t. Tammy is a severely injured war hero. He isn’t. People running against Tammy had to be very careful and walk on eggshells. Be it a primary or a general, Chris is going to have a refrigerator dropped on his head every day. Tammy has no family legacy to defend. Chris does. Which relatives and which events do you think are going to come up? Nice guy that Chris is, he reacts sensitively, can come across like a whiny elitist (like in the elevator) and he’s not Speed Racer when it comes to responses. The Kennedy’s expect money to find them…they’re a bit proud to walk around asking for it. They don’t like to spend their own dough too much either. There are a lot of reasons.

I feel sorry for Tammy, but there wasn’t much of a doubt that she would win.

I feel sorry for Chris, and there’s little chance he could win. Really little. But, he’ll go through hell to find out.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Kennedy’s response was alright but not sure he can shed the baggage that comes with his last name in a Governor’s race.

Comment by Braidwood Billy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 4:37 pm
–Kennedy’s response was alright but not sure he can shed the baggage that comes with his last name in a Governor’s race.–

Baggage? The Illinois GOP thinks the family name is ‘legendary.” They put it out on the innertubes.

–The biggest difference between Tammy and Chris. She needs the money and the benefits–

LOL, the voices in your head tell you that Duckworth risked a safe Rep. seat for the “salary and benefits” of the Senate?

They are the same, the House and the Senate, the salary and the benefits.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 5:35 pm
RNUG. Unless there are changes to causation standards. Any changes to work comp are really meaningless. If Rauner just wants a moral victory before he raises taxes, he is a bigger buffoon than i ever imagined.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 8:46 pm
- Blue dog dem -

You make a valid point but I’ll also repeat one line from my 1:31 pm post:

“I didn’t define the scope of what it might look like.”

Then I went on to throw out a couple of potential parameters, but didn’t begin to cover all the possibilities.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:10 pm
Memo to Willy—–My comments were about Kennedy and you love to come back to Rauner. Your MO on everything.

Kennedy was steering the U of I ship. That’s a fact bro!

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:06 am
- Piece of Work -

When Kennedy refuses to fund UIUC at a clip of $800 million, purposely, and arguable $1 Billion by the time this all shakes out, let me know.

That’s $1 Billion (with a B) that is purposely not funding a state university, solely by acts only a Governor can do.

K? K.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:11 am
Some of my best comments to you Willy get deleted.

But, I know you have an agenda. You are definitely the best RINO I know. Congrats!!

Please provide a link or a story to back your claims on the funding.

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:22 am
- Piece of Work -

“Cite?”

Cite.

http://bit.ly/2i5d2KN

I’m a Jim Edgar Republican and the Raunerite agenda isn’t a Republican agenda, but one man’s want who took over a party to get it into reality

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:29 am
- Piece of Work -

===The [University of Illinois] has lost more than $750 million in state funding over the last two years, UI President Tim Killeen noted during his annual meeting with the faculty Monday.

“That’s three-quarters of a billion dollars. That’s a lot,” Killeen told a couple of faculty members lamenting cuts in their units. “We are under huge stress, and Rome is burning around us. These are not normal times.===

Making it about me isn’t making an argument.

Keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:31 am
Did president Killeen mention how much they brought in from increased tuition from all students and from record enrollment figures and from international students?

Jim Edgar was guv about 17 years ago. Welcome to the 21st century. How is the pension ramp up working?

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:40 am
===Did president Killeen mention how much they brought in from increased tuition from all students and from record enrollment figures and from international students?===

40,000 students would need to have tuition increases of close to $25,000 each to cover the $1 billion dollars that could be lost before its all said and done.

Math is hard.

===Jim Edgar was guv about 17 years ago. Welcome to the 21st century.===

… and yet Bruce Rauner begged Edgar to do a fly-around with him that last week.

===How is the pension ramp up working?===

Were all the payments made on time? Show your work.

Anything else?

Your dorm room mentality and logic is perfect for your responses here, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 9:09 am
Well Sparky, apparently math is hard. The total enrollment for the U of I system is between 76,000-80,000. Killeen is the head of the ENTIRE U of I system.

Try to keep up.

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 9:30 am
So… $12,500 tuition increase…

Did that happen?

You are advocating the cost of a new automobile per student now, and the state not kicking in any funding, (Rauner refuses to fund Higher Ed)

… and that’s ok?

It might be time to look for the munchies or order pizza, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 9:36 am
I see another one of my posts got deleted so I will be straightforward with no snark.

Your enrollment figures were 50% off, your total amount of 1 billion was 25% off and it represents several years, not 1.

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 9:50 am
Last first…

===…your total amount of 1 billion was 25% off and it represents several years, not 1.===

Since Rauner became governor over $750 million in funding has been denied.

I never said one year, I cited the news article, and if this continues, I wrote arguably close to $1 billion dollars before its done.

It’s continual. Are you ignoring that?

===Your enrollment figures were 50% off===

My number was just using UIUC, not the system, or post graduates in my configuration.

Again, $12,500 is “better”, but you asked about tuition and enrollment, do you think they’re hitting an increase equal to $12,500 for every single student to cover Rauner’s refusal to fund Higher Ed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 9:57 am
LOL! Your number was 50% off, that is a fact and Killeen heads up UIC, UIUC and UIS plus the med schools and when you factor in the other items, it represents roughly 2 grand per student.

That’s okay, I know you won’t admit my figures are much closer to being accurate. I understand.

Comment by PoW Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 10:12 am
- Piece of Work -

You wrote…

===Did president Killeen mention how much they brought in from increased tuition from all students and from record enrollment figures and from international students?===

I have figures for undergrad UIUC. You want to include the whole system and post graduate, fine…

Where’s the $12,500 for every single student, not just the “jump in enrollment”, or one campus.

Where is the $12,500 you speak of?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 10:16 am