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Radogno too?

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Illinois

Rumors abound State Sen. Christine Radogno, a Republican, who is working together with Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) to break the budget logjam by securing votes for the so-called “grand bargain,” is planning to pull the plug in June and/or may be heading for a state appointment by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Or is she so disgusted and frustrated with the fractious negotiations, she is planning not to run for re-election in 2018?

• Radogno’s comment: “Opponents of the plan are getting desperate!”

Stay tuned.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:29 am

Comments

Senator Radogno, you have shown signs of being a true leader. We need your leadership. Stay strong!

Comment by Norseman Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:34 am
Who can blame them.
It’s no longer about good governing but rather campaigning 24/7/365. Who would want that?

Comment by train111 Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:36 am
That these rumors are swirling makes me feel pretty queasy about the Senate deal.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:37 am
I guess this is one way to get term limits.

Comment by Served Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:38 am
You could say Cullerton and Radogno both issued non-denial denials to Sneed.

How do pass something as difficult as the Senate deal when the leaders backing it are perceived as lame ducks?

Comment by Ted Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:40 am
Might pay more to get an appointment but it could turn out to be a short-term gig.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:42 am
A job with so much pressure and constant criticism, I wonder if there is one or two thousand teachers that could relate.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:43 am
More of Rauner’s “winnin’” ! He’ll do everything he can to control the seat she’ll leave open.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:47 am
The collapse (or in this specific case of both Radogno and Cullerton) of leaders… feeling that the frustration is the greater return on hard work than that feeling of accomplishing something, seeing the fruits of the labor, doing the job, yeah, I can see the collapse of leadership by the weight of this 2 year impasse, absolutely.

I think part of the Rauner Legacy, among many other negative things you can pick from, is the sheer willingness by Governor Rauner to curtail honest autonomy to help him, and by doing so alienated members, like maybe a Sen Murphy, that the simplicity of just getting paid is overshadowing the Rauner thumb on curtailing governing.

Members have egos too, meaning when Rauner usurps the legitimate power the Four Tops have, or committee chairs, or freshmen reps, at what point do these members realize it’s not putting aside ego(s) for the betterment of the state, it’s crushing ego(s) for a man who took over a while function of one branch of government, and stalling and controlling the other “half of a half” of another branch.

My respect for the General Assembly hasn’t wavered or lost its intensity, far from it. What has been frustrating for me is Rauner crushing the possible assets of Radogno and Durkin by continually undercutting or flat out controlling their caucuses. I know, I know it, that Radogno and Durkin are outstanding leaders and would show that outstanding-ness much more by allowing them to be the leaders they are.

I was told once “biting your tongue too often will lead to not only losing your tongue, but losing your voice”. I think it’s tough to feel your teeth touching through your tongue daily when you know, because of institutional knowledge, the real way to help a governor is to show the winning angles, not be used as an angle to nothing.

I hope both rumors of Cullerton and Radogno aren’t true. If anything, a case could be made a top shining moment for them both is saying “enough” and working together, and traveling to Edit Boards together and working as “one” to defeat “both sides” of an impasse.

My frustrations are seeing how great a Radogno of a Durkin are and can be greater, and that greatness is lost, not unlike a tongue that had no reason to be bittin on, execpt to allow a governor to usurp power.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:47 am
This news or rumor about Leader Radogno is no surprise, the grand bargain simply can’t be popular among fiscally conservative Republican Senators especially when the cost for school funding reform is thrown in the pot. I will give those Senators credit they have largely kept their mouths shut publicly and have refrained from attacking leader Radogno.

Senator Radogno is out of touch with the new Republican party of Trump, she is sort of a moderate conservative with no real links to the rabble on the right. Instead of taking a golden parachute from Governor Rauner I think she would be a lot happier if she returned to social work until retirement, she is after all 64 years old.

Comment by Rod Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:57 am
Cullerton-Radogno 2018 in the works?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 10:59 am
Rauner has a track record of moving people who could obstruct his plans by either appointing them to a good job (Raymond Poe) or trying to engineer their defeat (Sam McCann) in the next election.

Makes one wonder if he is trying to get Radogno out of the way?

Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:01 am
The rumor that Radogno might take a position in the Rauner administration seems designed to kill the Grand Bargain. It weakens her status as an independent power player.

The interlocking language in the bills already signals an effort designed to fail in the courts. Makes me wonder what is really happening.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:05 am
I remember all too well Rodogno’s outlandish attempts to defend Rauner, the T.A., and the “Hang in There Governor” frame of reference. A profile in courage, she ain’t. Don’t let the door hit ya…

Comment by wondering Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:08 am
What happened to the rumor that there was a coup within the Senate GOPies? Or did BigBrain big foot that move so some the Ds might vote on bills and his totally unrelated GOPies hate speech campaign have more fodder?

Comment by Annonin' Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:08 am
@Michelle F.. I would love that combo! Could they raise the funds? WHOA talk about shakin’ up springfield!

Comment by 10th ward Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:09 am
Both party extreme sides are probably upset that they are abandoning the party principles and are compromising, so they making their life hell.

Comment by Not It Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:11 am
She should move on definitely. Nice lady I’m sure but a proven non-leader. Can’t get the job done. Obviously we shouldn’t keep paying her for non-performance.

Of course that analysis would apply to pretty much every elected state official.

That said, no I wouldn’t be surprised if failed Rauner puts failed Rodogno on the state payroll somewhere else where she can be mediocre at best.

Comment by GOPgal Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:12 am
Anyone checked to see if there is a 22 year old on the Lemont Library Board; he or she could be a State Senator by summer!

The lack of outright denial by both Cullerton and Radogno is a bit concerning for those that like to see adults in Illinois state government.

Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:17 am
So, is Radogno an unbridled mustang or is she being led out to pasture?

Comment by Johnnie F. Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:22 am
It’s Radogno for Lt. Gov.

Comment by Greener Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:24 am
Leader Radogno is an awesome person, and she’s as friendly and pleasant as they come. However - and this is important as it adds the human element to the story - let’s not forget that she’s been in the Senate for 20 years, lost a child not too long ago, and has several grandkids. She’s got a lot to look forward to if and when she leaves the Senate, and if she can broker the “Grand Bargain” then she can leave on a high note. It may just be time. Sometimes the easiest answer is the best one.

Comment by Curl of the Burl Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:41 am
The Senators who benefit most from these rumors are the ones who want those chairs.

Will truly miss Radogno if she leaves, she is a strong and thoughtful leader. A great legislator.

Cullerton / Radogno - bi-partisan ticket for Governor 2018?

Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:52 am
=== I remember all too well Rodogno’s outlandish attempts to defend Rauner, the T.A., and the “Hang in There Governor” frame of reference. A profile in courage, she ain’t. ===

I do too and I aggressively criticized her at the time. However, one thing you learn or SHOULD learn in legislative politics is that your opponent on one issue can be your friend on another.

If you think about the politics and the money of politics, you can understand Radogno’s actions earlier. However, at this point she appears to understand that the current state of IL politics is hurting or State. It’s time for leadership to help the state.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 11:58 am
Almost every legislator I’ve know who has retired says the same thing when you ask them why they’re pulling the plug:

“It’s just not fun anymore.”

Do either Cullerton or Radogno look like they’re having fun?

Ad the fact that Rauner’s financial influence has made him the de facto leader of the senate GOP caucus, and it’s hard to think of a good reason why Chris would want to stick around — particularly if the grand bargain dies.

Comment by Roman Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Sounds like a pension bump move to me.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Radogno made some callous remarks about the social service agencies that have suffered from the lack of a state budget. She can have my sympathy for her own situation when she apologizes for those poorly chosen words.

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Friday, Feb 3, 17 @ 4:45 pm