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Question of the day

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Fresh off of awarding what’s believed to be the largest contract in state history—and as the fate of his plan for overhauling education funding hangs in the balance, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday will take questions on “Chicago Tonight.”

Rauner’s sit-down with WTTW will come after the Illinois Senate on Sunday is scheduled to vote on his amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1—a plan that rewrites how Illinois decides how to divvy up state funding for schools. […]

When asked about the governor’s race Thursday on WVON radio, Rauner said “The folks who are thinking about running, they’re all part of the problem. They’ve all been part of the problem.”

What would you like to ask the governor? Put your thoughts in the comments section below.

They don’t have many comment so far, so…

* The Question: What would you like to ask the governor? And no snark, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:43 pm

Comments

Are you a free market capitalist?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Governor you know this state needs additional revenue. Why didn’t you take the Quinn, Cullerton, Madigan tax and make it permanent? Then spend the next four years managing the budget, controlling spending and making a case for reducing it. Your path to re-election was right in front of you.

Comment by Just One More Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:49 pm
“What have been your three biggest mistakes in office?”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:49 pm
Why did you choose to bypass state procurement procedures for the managed care bids?

Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:50 pm
Following up on your inability to call Charlottsville an act of terrorism. Many senate republicans were absent during the resolution passed in that chamber. Did you ask them to not participate?

Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:51 pm
Sorry if this comes off as snark, but it is a legitimate question.

Are you opposed to pinstripe patronage, ie, awarding state contracts to politically connected business partners?

Notice I made sure it could be a simple yes/no answer.

Follow up if the answer is no: why do you feel it is proper to a award contracts to politically connected businesses?

Unfortunately, this requires an essay answer.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:52 pm
Given what you say about caring for Illinois’ citizens and the work history of Mrs. Rauner, what drove you to determine the best way of creating action on your agenda items was to starve the system that cares for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled and those is need of substance abuse treatment.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:52 pm
Without using the words “broken” or “Madigan,” can you tell us why you have accomplished so little in nearly three years? Did you not understand the job before you ran? Do you think you have a better understanding now?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:53 pm
“Why do you deserve reelection?”

Comment by don the legend Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:53 pm
Isn’t it true that the reason Chicago teachers’ pension funds are short is because politicians have failed to keep up payments? How is your approach different? Are you not simply another politician attempting to harm Chicago teachers?

Comment by Robert J Hironimus-Wendt Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:53 pm
“You’ve accomplished very little, no signed budgets, the state has a tax increase you couldn’t stop, the state has no reforms you promised to deliver, and Illinois has the worst credit rating of all 50 states… What would be different in a Rauner second term?”

“Pineapple”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:56 pm
Why don’t you accept SB 1 as compromise, since you support 90% of the bill?

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:56 pm
Please explain how your demand for a property tax cap, when combined with a funding formula that requires more local funding for schools, makes life better for Illinois citizens?

Comment by SouthernGirl Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 12:58 pm
Have you accepted the fact that running a state differs from running a business? Your staff changes suggest otherwise.

Comment by Jocko Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:00 pm
Your “reforms” message hasn’t changed since you became governor. Since you’ve failed to make any meaningful changes while holding the budget hostage for two years, and doubled the state’s debt causing harm to thousands in need of social services and higher education, why should anyone vote you another term?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Do you ever give any thought to the child who was denied a seat in Payton Prep so that your child could attend that school?

Comment by Gooner Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Prior to your AV of SB1 what analysis was done on the long term impact of that AV on school funding level in non-CPS districts.

Assuming that analysis exists, how do funding levels in AV1 compare to SB1 in places like Rockford, Ottawa, Decatur, Springfield, and Carbondale over the next 10 years.

When will you release the data supporting these conclusions to the public?

Comment by TrumpsSmallHands Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:03 pm
Given the events of your time as Governor so far, do you think anything different will happen if you are elected to a second term? Do you intend to use your position as Governor differently if elected t a second term?

Comment by Gooner Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:04 pm
The Bret Baier question. What would change in a second term? But follow up.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:08 pm
=“The folks who are thinking about running, they’re all part of the problem. They’ve all been part of the problem.”=

Do you consider yourself in that group or is present company excepted?

Comment by MSIX Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:08 pm
Do you think eliminating the FOID card will increase gun crimes in the Chicago area?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:09 pm
After two years of negotiations led by your own Secretary of Education, why did you wait until the 11th hour to propose such a radical change to the school funding formula?

Follow-up: Why do you think that not a single Senate Republican filed a motion to accept your changes to SB1?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:10 pm
What percent of pension payments to former state employees are sent to pensioners that no longer live in Illinois? How has the percent changed over the past 20 years?

Comment by Chicago Resident Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:13 pm
If I’m an Illinois voter who doesn’t like Mike Madigan and would like to elect a governor who could successfully curb the speaker’s power, why would I vote for you when you’ve failed to beat the Speaker at every turn?

Comment by Roman Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:14 pm
Why have you not submitted a balanced budget with specific program cuts?

Comment by Annon3 Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:14 pm
Have you tasted the new bicentennial beer yet? If so, what large-scale brew does it most closely resemble?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:16 pm
You have extensive business experience as a CEO and now several years experience as governor of a large, complex state. What legal, structural, and process differences do you see between those two settings, and where do you see those differences originating?

As a follow-up, how well do you think you’ve done handling those differences so far and what, if any, adjustments do you think are necessary moving toward a second term?

Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:22 pm
1. Name three things you have accomplished since you have been governor; be specific.

2. For decades the state has paid for goods and services by borrowing from future generations and now the bill has come due. What plan do you have to pay past bills without eliminating nearly all state services? Be specific (note: declaring IL as too big to fail in hopes of bailout from Feds is unacceptable answer)

3. Why do you want to be governor?

4. Already covered above - what would change in second term?

Comment by Angry Republican Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:23 pm
While the house is in session on Wednesday will you be in the statehouse or on the fairgrounds?

Comment by Casual observer Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:25 pm
In your private industry life, did any of your acquisitions rely on state sponsored inticement programs similar to Illinois’ EDGE program?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:26 pm
How did you shake up Springfield?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:33 pm
It’s beginning to feel like you need to be a billionaire to be elected Governor in Illinois. You’ve gotta feel for regular guys like say, a Chris Kennedy. How do for feel about major campaign finance reform, or do you support the status quo?

Comment by GOP Extremist Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:39 pm
What is your definition of compromise?

Comment by PragmaticR Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:55 pm
How do you feel about preserving free public education and neighborhood schools? How can public neighborhood schools survive the resource drain caused by charter schools and vouchers? And if polling shows that most people prefer walk-to neighborhood schools, what are you going to do that would improve and strengthen them?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:55 pm
This week, what is your latest position on a soda tax?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:57 pm
You appear to be personable. Could you lead a one year bi-partisan effort to identify efficiencies in state and local government? Look towards a five year window of implementation. What do you think?

Comment by Res Melius Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 1:58 pm
Do you plan to pay off in full the billions of dollars of debt that have accumulated during your first two years in office of Governor during the final two yours of your current term in office? If so, how to you plan to do it?

Comment by Hit or Miss Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:08 pm
What advice would today’s Gov. Rauner give to the brand new Gov. Rauner in January 2015?

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:12 pm
When asked about the governor’s race Thursday on WVON radio, Rauner said “The folks who are thinking about running, they’re all part of the problem. They’ve all been part of the problem.”

Hasn’t he already declared that he’s running? So he admits he is a part of the problem?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:14 pm
What should Illinois policy be on the funding of higher education?

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:16 pm
Now that our state is in the worst financial condition has plummeted to the nation’s bottom rung, why do you deserve another 4 years of “crisis creates opportunity” and “squeeze the beast” decimation of our great state?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:17 pm
Have you lately reviewed the list of donars to ‘Intersect Illinois’ and can you assure taxpayers there are no conflicts of interest?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:22 pm
“Higher education in Illinois is losing students to other states like no other. Only New Jersey has more students leaving to go out of state for college. You’ve refused to fully fund Higher Education for 3 years, including a full veto this year for higher ed, how do you see higher education in Illinois, given you refused to fully fund it since taking the oath.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:22 pm
75%+ of voters support the Open Primary. Why isn’t it part of your turn around agenda?

Comment by Johnny Justice Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:26 pm
“When you clouted your denied daughter into Payton Prep, would you say that was part of system-wide corruption, given also she was living in the suburbs too.

According to the inspector general, your daughter didn’t qualify to be admitted and wasn’t on any principal preference list because that list didn’t exist when the clouting occurred”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Do you believe that the violence in the Chicago area is a form of domestic terrorism?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Thank you OW re higher ed. You said it better.

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Your claim that SB1 represented a “bailout” of CPS has incited upstate-downstate hostility anew. In your view, how does this contribute to making all Illinoisans feel united in the effort to save our great state?

Comment by dbk Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:40 pm
How do you expect to attract business to the State if you’re constantly telling everyone all the ways in which Illinois is supposedly broken?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:43 pm
Since you were elected Governor there has been a large increase in the number of shooting and murders in Chicago. What changes to Illinois gun laws do you support that would help to reduce the killings?

Comment by Illinois Native Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:50 pm
- Cheswick -

You’re welcome, I hope you didn’t take as me stealing your thunder. And thanks.

Your wife’s organization sued you while your wife has also defended you in this ongoing battle. How do you both justify this duality? You have her as your face in messaging, and her own organization seems to either be suing you or asking other to override your vetoes. Clarify the duality.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:52 pm
You haven’t condemned Ann Coulter’s use of the ‘r’ word and last week Illinois was found to be out of compliance with the Ligas consent decree. What is your plan to support people with developmental disabilities to be a part of the Illinois community?

To follow up: how does your plan to fund education in Illinois improve supports for students with special needs?

Comment by Earnest Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Do you think the income tax rate on the WPAMC is: a.) too high
b.) too low
c.) just right

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:01 pm
If the gaming bill is passed will you sign it? This is a yes or no question.

Comment by northsider (the original) Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Are you in favor or against a progressive income tax, similar to Minnesota?

Comment by DuPage Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:32 pm
How will your political sponsors Uhlien, Griffin, Zell, and the Koch brothers benefit by having you be governor. What exactly do they want you to do for them. Be specific.

Comment by DeseDemDose Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:51 pm
Before taking office you indicated that you believed Illinois had a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and urged Democrats not to extend the temporary tax hike. Yet one year after taking office, in a 1/11/2016 Interview with the News-Gazette you recognized that Illinois was locked into spending “money on certain things beyond what anybody wants” because of “all these court orders and consent decrees.” How was it good business practice or prudent fiscal policy to run up bill backlogs carrying 12% interest instead either of raising, even temporarily, new revenue streams or at the very least refinancing the backlog debt at significantly lower rates?

Comment by 37B Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:13 pm
The sale of the Thompson Center–Governor, is the next move yours? Or are you waiting for someone else to do something?

Comment by James Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:14 pm
As one Knowledgable in football issues, should the IHSA ban football to help prevent CTE?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 7:22 pm
Why do you oppose higher gaming taxes? Is it because your firm GTCR have casino investors and investments, or your general opposition to paying anyone or anything involved with collective bargaining?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 8:28 pm
Keeping persons with developmental disabilities costs three times as much as serving them in the community. Why are there still seven state facilities for persons with DD/IDD? You are supposedly a businessman and closing expensive state facilities would make good business sense. Why haven’t you done it?

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Aug 15, 17 @ 8:49 am