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On day 686 without a state budget, Bruce Rauner reported a $20 million contribution from Ken Griffin. The contribution is the largest individual contribution by a noncandidate in Illinois state history.
The staggering figure begs the question: What has Ken Griffin seen from Governor Rauner’s time in office that makes him think he’s worth $20 million dollars?
In making the contribution Ken Griffin stated, “he has the winning plan to create jobs, improve our schools and put Illinois on the right path forward.”
Is it a secret plan? Because here’s what Illinoisans have actually seen from Governor Rauner’s time in office:
687 days without a state budget.
$14.3 billion in unpaid bills.
A state economy in crisis, with jobs and businesses leaving the state and workers giving up on finding employment.
Cuts and unpaid bills to Illinois schools, leading to plans for layoffs and slashing of programs.
Attacks on unions and the rights of working families to organize.“Bruce Rauner is being rewarded by his special interest friends for failing to produce a budget, putting our schools and our state economy at risk, and attacking our working families,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “It’s clear that Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin’s Rauner-Trump agenda does not work for Illinois families. Rauner’s broken promises and made up plans won’t solve this crisis of his own making. Illinois families are ready for a leader like JB who will stand with them to clean up Rauner’s mess.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:27 am
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Here are a list of Bruce’s accomplishments:
- droppin’ his G’s
- blamin’ Madigan
- makin’ TV commercials playin’ with duct/duck tape
Thats worth 20 schimolians, right?
Comment by Mike Cirrincione Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:29 am
Mike C, why don’t you also list Madigan’s accomplishments?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:32 am
Bruce Rauner has failed as a governor.
You give Bruce Rauner $20 million dollars to reward the failure that has produced the destruction of social services and the continued demise of Illinois’ higher education.
That’s what Griffin is paying for… squeeze the beast, destroying Illinois passively.
It’s Ken Griffin, Richard Uihlein, Bruce Rauner… and Democrat Diana Rauner… making sure Illinois is unrecognizable… a business decision Ken Griffin is advocating.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:37 am
“687 days without a state budget.
$14.3 billion in unpaid bills.
A state economy in crisis, with jobs and businesses leaving the state and workers giving up on finding employment.
Cuts and unpaid bills to Illinois schools, leading to plans for layoffs and slashing of programs.
Attacks on unions and the rights of working families to organize.”
This is the status quo–not the stale talking point pushed by Raunerites.
This is where to attack, where it matters most, that the state is far worse today directly because of Rauner.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:39 am
Ruaner has Ken and GOP aligned special interests fine. JBP seems a bit hypocritical in pointing that out; what with that special relationship with Berrios and the benefits that go along with it. Ken’s donation was made with his personal capital, Berrios’s friendly appeal on JBP Aster street property pushed the tax burden on his neighbors. Glass houses and all !
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:39 am
Anonymous
At least Illinois survived 40 years of Madigan. 2 years of Rauner and its on its deathbed.
Comment by Real Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:40 am
Anonymous 9:32
Because Governor own.
Comment by Porgy Tirebiter Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:42 am
“– why don’t you also list Madigan’s accomplishments?”
Anonymous, I would be happy to do that. Please deposit $20 million.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:49 am
Oh - Texas Red -, lol
Bruce and Diana Rauner clouted their denied Winnetka-living daughter into Payton Prep, denying a Chicago worthy child a chance to go to that school.
Bruce and Diana called Arne Duncan, and when questioned, Bruce said the scores were perfect (putting his daughter out front), then stated Diana “may” have made a call that clouted their daughter, but was “unclear” how it went down (hiding behind his wife).
You’re so worried about that tax burden, how about the families of kids that Diana and Bruce Rauner denied an education at Payton Prep?
A worthy Chicago student was denied. You’re cool with that?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:56 am
Don’t forget 1.25% saved by taxpayers and deposited into retirement and children’s college funds.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:57 am
I see parts of what may be a consistent, cohesive message in the press release in tying Rauner to Trump. I didn’t see “failed governor” or “do your job” or anything that other candidates can build on and make resonate. He attacked Rauner on schools, which is a good idea as that is Rauner’s main positive that he’s touting at this time.
Am I crazy, or could Pritzker just work on tying Rauner to Quinn as two failed governors and just run the campaign Rauner ran four years ago? The phrase “clean up Rauner’s mess” made me think of it.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 9:58 am
Real example of failure. Rauner has so decimated our workforce that it takes forever to process and get cases out the door. So many have retired or left that we don’t even have a full skeleton for a skeleton crew!
Meanwhile a high school social worker is panicked because a homeless abandoned kid hasn’t been approved for medical yet. School is ending and this poor child has serious medical needs. She’s got to fax over the verifications again. We’ll get it solved today, but only because of the diligence of that school social worker. We can’t bail fast enough. We need more hands at the pumps. Rauners hatred of us and the hatred of his followers has made such a hostile work environment. We’ve reached “service level insolvency”.
As you debate. Remember these numbers
Refer to real live people
Good illinois people
Our neighbors
Our family members
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:01 am
=OW=
It works both ways Willy; Rauner also freed up the expenses that would have gone to educatin(g) his kid in the Winnetka district.The money not spend on his school aged daughter can be used on other kids or programs.
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:02 am
=Mike C, why don’t you also list Madigan’s accomplishments?=
Because the post was about Griffin and Pritzker.
Reading is fundamental.
=Don’t forget 1.25% saved by taxpayers and deposited into retirement and children’s college funds. =
CZ- with respect- there are a lot of taxpayers out of work or who haven’t been paid thanks in part to the governor. In part.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:03 am
Well done. JB needs to run TV commercials with this type of info to counter Rauner’s false and misleading ads which are winning the news cycle every day. Consider addressing the number of aged, blind, disabled and disadvantaged persons whom have lost access to social services as a result of Rauner’s failure to govern.
Comment by kitty Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:03 am
I don’t get the use of the union reference, is the union vote so important to Democratic candidates it always has to be included? Is this message more for the primary than the general election?
If your going after Rauner at this point why not try to go after his base? His voters aren’t going to be too concerned with union rights. Why not give some numbers? How much is owed to collar county school districts? How many teacher layoffs? 687 days without a budget doesn’t mean much to most folks who would vote for Rauner, since they likely aren’t too dependent on government services, or at least don’t realize it. Make it personal, show how Rauner’s failed leadership has hurt middle class white folks, union talk and abstract concepts of failure won’t work.
Comment by Swift Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:05 am
===Rauner also freed up the expenses that would have gone to educatin(g) his kid===
That’s ridiculous. One less kid isn’t going to lower that district’s fixed costs.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:06 am
===The money not spend on his school aged daughter can be used on other kids or programs.===
So, you are cool Diana and Bruce Rauner denied an opportunity for a worthy Chicago child so their denied Winnetka-living daughter could be placed with clout in Payton Prep?
Got it. Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:08 am
It would’ve been more fun if Griffin gave JB $20 million to finish his mansion rehab.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:10 am
===If your going after Rauner at this point why not try to go after his base?===
Because Rauner’s base doesn’t vote in Democratic primaries.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:11 am
@anonymous:
Mike Madigan, like most Republicans, is:
“Pro-life, for the Whole life!”
Love,
Mike C.
Comment by Mike Cirrincione Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:11 am
There are finite seats at Payton Prep. Once one child gets clouded, another child loses out.
Why am I “here” with this and you - Texas Red -
Your concern about property taxes, a financial engine to fund schools, the wringing of your hands over Pritzker costing monies, the Rauner’s personally cost a seat, through clout, denying a worthy Chicago student.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:11 am
=The money not spend on his school aged daughter can be used on other kids or programs.=
Rather than sending his kid to PP and booting a deserving student out (had the option to send he to New Trier as well) Rauner could have tuitioned his daughter into CPS.
That may have left the door open for another student. Given the magnitude of his wealth it would have been like looking for pocket change (the tuition is based on the per cap cost).
By paying tuition, he could have saved money on buying his secondary (or ninth) residence.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:16 am
A secret plan? What have the Democrats been violently opposing for over two years?
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:17 am
Last I checked clout is still the bi-partisan coin of the realm in Chicago. The Duncan Clout list for CPS schools was an equal opportunity list in terms of Party…In 2010 the Chicago Tribune first reported that Arne Duncan’s office had kept a list of VIPs seeking favors to get kids into coveted schools, and that it included “25 aldermen, Mayor Richard Daley’s office, House Speaker Michael Madigan, his daughter Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun.”. At least Rauner had the decency to drop a 250,000 donation on Payton Prep. This is ancient history and going back to my original point - THE JBP statement about Ken, IS hypocritical in light of Aster Street.
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:21 am
==”Bruce Rauner has failed as a governor.”==
He hasn’t failed…. tripled his income since he’s been governor.
==”You give Bruce Rauner $20 million dollars to reward the failure that has produced the destruction of social services and the continued demise of Illinois’ higher education.”==
Here’s a thought… Maybe Ken Griffin also tripled his income since Rauner was elected governor.???
Maybe they want to keep the status quo. I just want to know if there’s any relation to Rauner tripling his income and not passing a budget. Any relation at all. If there is, that would be criminal.
Comment by gdubya Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:23 am
It sounds like Oswego Willy was rejected from his safety school.
Comment by Trump2020 Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:23 am
=Last I checked clout is still the bi-partisan coin of the realm in Chicago.=
Well, then that makes it ok. Talk about moral relativism! I everyone else is doing….
Some other kid lost a chance because of his kid who could have gone to New Trier. One of the best schools in the nation.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:26 am
” What has Ken Griffin seen from Governor Rauner’s time in office that makes him think he’s worth $20 million dollars?”
Let’s all remember that that that donation is considered “free speech”, guaranteed by the Constitution, so it does need to buy anything.
Comment by Lech W Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:26 am
If nothing else, “Is it a secret plan?” made me laugh on it’s own terms, and reminded me of the funniest West Wing episode.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:29 am
I think Pritzker’s union reference is important in the message. Rauner’s anti-union agenda is a main reason why he’s such a failure. He spent much of his time attacking unions and their rights instead of living in political reality and doing his job to help the state.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:30 am
- Texas Red -
1) We’re talking about the Governor. If YOU want to lump Diana and Bruce Rauner with Chicago Aldermen, Mayor Daley, “Democrats” galore, that’s on you. The RaunerS are no better than any Chicago “Democrat Pol”. That ain’t a good argument.
2) ===At least Rauner had the decency to drop a 250,000 donation on Payton Prep.===
So the stain of denying a worthy Chicago student over Diana and Bruce’s denied Winnetka-living daughter is a donation of $250K?
Seems like money washes away sins of hurting worthy children, according to you? Got it.
3) ===This is ancient history and going back to my original point===
No. Actually it’s very relevant to YOUR point. You complain that Pritzker isn’t paying property taxes he should, property taxes that pay for Chicago schools too. The RaunerS felt their daughter should be clouded over a worthy child in CPS, who gets their money, wait for it, from property taxes. Plus, the idea how the RaunerS daughter actually got in wasn’t fully closed by the RaunerS. First it was perfect scores that weren’t, then it was Diana asking questions, no real clear answer.
===THE JBP statement about Ken, IS hypocritical in light of Aster Street.===
It’s not special interest to clout an unworthy child into Payton Prep? That’s news to me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:33 am
===It sounds like Oswego Willy was rejected from his safety school.===
I’m a proud alum of the Rocco Globbo School, majored in typewriter maintenance.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:39 am
===Let’s all remember that that that donation is considered “free speech”, guaranteed by the Constitution, so it does need to buy anything===
You keep that in mind when Labor does the same thing…
I’ll remind you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:40 am
one issue is from 2008, the other 2016. In terms of election cycles that is ancient history. If you want we can go all the way back to operation Silver Shovel or Greylord, or Dan Walker. If you insist on some sort of perfect high ground to argue from it will be like waiting for Godot
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:41 am
===one issue is from 2008===
No, actually it was an issue in 2014, Rauner swamped it and Rutherford, Dillard, and Brady were chasing Rauner’s attacks
“Pat Quinn failed” just overwhelmed everything else.
It’s not settled or 2008… and you wavy to talk about CPS funding and schools, going after where Rauner left a door open. It’s not done, not by a long shot.
Rauner is holding $215 million from CPS, using an emotional veto. The same school district Rauner clouded his denied, Winnetka-living daughter. Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 10:58 am
===If you want we can go all the way back to operation Silver Shovel or Greylord, or Dan Walker===
… since I kept it to Rauner, property taxes, and thise property taxes are used to fund CPS schools, one of which the RaunerS clouted their denied Winnetka-living daughter over a worthy child… your strawmEn look even more ridiculous.
Good try, thou.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 11:00 am
Mike C, that is a position, not an accomplishment. It is a great position to have, if in fact MJM does, but I’ll await his list of accomplishments during his illustrious career starting in 1971.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 11:02 am
Madigan voted for our atrocious state constitution, didn’t he?
Comment by Ron Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 11:55 am
==What have the Democrats been violently opposing for over two years?==
Unless we changed the meaning of the word “violently” while I was gone, nothing.
Wait, I was gone, did Barb Currie pistol whip someone or something?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 12:00 pm
==Madigan voted for our atrocious state constitution, didn’t he?==
According to the Chicago Tribune article he did, as well as 56 other delegates and Illinois voters. The 4 principal sponsors were Republicans, though.
Comment by HangingOn Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 1:31 pm
Honeybear, JB is a multi-billionaire. I would check with him and his friends to seek help.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 1:58 pm
JB is taking on Rauner for his total failure. Keep it up JB!
Comment by Surge voter Thursday, May 18, 17 @ 2:11 pm
@Oswego Willy:
Your argument directed at Rauner for using “clout” to obtain a spot for his daughter at Payton High School would be more meaningful if “clout enrollment” was not the norm in the CPS privilege academies. There are actually several high quality country clubs in the CPS system and the favored few get to have their children enroll in these select schools.
I am aware of one Chicago alderman whose daughter was deemed to be a “honor student” when she enrolled in kindergarten and this justified her being placed in the elite schools forever afterwards.
Comment by Walter Concrete Friday, May 19, 17 @ 8:10 am
What does Ken Griffin see in Bruce Rauner’s time in office?
“Attacks on unions and the rights of working families to organize.”
It’s an ideological battle. Ken Griffin has not suffered as a result of this impasse (hostage standoff), otherwise he might see Rauner differently. But he has not suffered and he obviously doesn’t care about those who have.
Now it is time for an integrity test for Gov. Rauner.
With the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club’s statement today urging the governor to make a budget deal already, and Griffin’s money saying not to, we will see to whom the governor listens.
Does he listen to a group of business constituents or to one man with $20,000,000?
Comment by PDJT Friday, May 19, 17 @ 8:25 am
===Your argument directed at Rauner for using “clout” to obtain a spot for his daughter at Payton High School would be more meaningful if “clout enrollment” was not the norm in the CPS privilege academies.===
The daughter lived in Winnetka.
The daughter’s test score were not meeting any of the benchmarks, according to inspector general.
The daughter didn’t qualify, academically.
You do know that, right?
===I am aware of one Chicago alderman===
So Rauner is no better than a Chicago Alderman? The RaunerS didn’t even live in Chicago, denying a worthy Chicago child. The daughter, according to the inspector general only qualified… due to a phone call.
===…daughter was deemed to be a “honor student” when she enrolled in kindergarten and this justified her being placed in the elite schools forever afterwards.===
Yeah, that’s not what happened here.
The Rauner’s daughter was living in Winnetka, and was already denied. The RaunerS used clout to get their denied child in over a worthy child, that’s what happened.
Good try thou.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 17 @ 8:50 am
- Walter Concrete -
If your arguement is that Diana and Bruce Rauner are “corrupt” and used unscrupulous means to deny a worthy child a chance to go to Payton Prep, as their on child was denied.
If that’s your argument… lol
If your argument is “everyone” does it, that just doesn’t cut it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 19, 17 @ 8:56 am