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Rauner repeatedly lashes out at reporters over Madigan: “You’re playing games and you’re not reporting the truth to the people of Illinois”

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* From the end of the governor’s press conference this morning…

Reporter: Governor, how long will you continue to blame Mike Madigan for the state’s problems?

Gov. Rauner: ‘Til he’s gone. I mean, I mean, he’s been in charge for 35 years. The guy’s become a millionaire off of high property taxes in this state. It’s not a coincidence that we have the worst property taxes in America. He’s become a millionaire by making them high, and having a tax appeals law firm on the side. And he holds businesses in Chicago hostage to use his law firm. The system is broken.

He controls, he’s rigged his primary. He has rigged his Democratic primary. He has rigged it, ladies and gentlemen. If you guys won’t report it, shame on you. He has rigged the system, he controls it. It’s a Mafia protection racket. And until he’s gone, we aren’t going to fix Illinois and we aren’t going to have a good future.

Reporter: So, who do you think his candidate for governor is?

Rauner: [Laughs] Oh, c’mon. You know what? If you guys are asking that question you’re playing games and you’re not reporting the truth to the people of Illinois. You’d better answer that question yourself. You’ve been around, you know the answer to that question.

Reporter: So, if he’s been in charge for the last 35 years, have you been in charge for the last three?

Rauner: I wish I had. We would have our problems fixed. Illinois would be on a great future. We’d have 200,000 more jobs in this state. We’d have lower property taxes in this state. We would have term limits in this state if I was in charge. I am not in charge. I’m trying to get to be in charge.

[Last question!]

Reporter: How can you say you’re not in charge? You’re the governor of Illinois.

Rauner: The General Assembly can block the major things. What I control, union contracts, we’re incredible, Medicaid reform, incredible, criminal justice reform, incredible. The things that I can control, we’re transforming the state. And I’ve been able to recruit 120,000 net new jobs despite our regulations being bad. If, if I could get the General Assembly to support term limits, property tax relief, red tape reduction on businesses, rolling back that income tax hike, we will kick tails, we will be one of the strongest states in America.

Lots to unpack there, so have at it.

…Adding… Tribune…

While Rauner has executed new collective bargaining agreements with more than a dozen trade unions, he has been unable to reach agreement with the state’s largest public employee union and was barred earlier this year from attempting to impose his own contract terms on the workers.

Rauner’s overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program has been criticized by Democrats as moving too fast and at too great of an expense to the state. And while Rauner has indeed presided over several significant changes to the criminal justice system over the nearly three years he’s been in office, much of that work was made possible by lawmakers who sent bills to his desk for approval.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 1:59 pm

Comments

Again
The price of perfidy is
Trust.
Nobody trusts you Bruce.
Lie all you want now.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Holy Donald Trump-esque quote.

Comment by BigLou Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:03 pm
I think it’s finally dawning on Rauner
That his gambit
destroyed the ILGOP
Perfidy never pays in the long run.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:04 pm
How has he rigged the primary? Does Rauner mean every primary, or next year’s primary? I don’t even get what specific allegation he’s making (if he’s making one).

To the extent the political system in Illinois is a Mafia protection racket, it’s the same in every state and at the federal level too. The fact that one guy has been Speaker here for 35 years does not make politics/government a Mafia protection racket.

And for starters on the property tax system, our inability to institute a progressive income tax is a big part of what led to the current schools and localities funding operations the way they do. Madigan was a delgate to that convention, but I don’t think he was running the show back then.

Comment by chi Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:05 pm
Has any executive in American political history more completely failed to grasp our system of government? I get that his background is CEO. But for the love of God, he’s *still* whining about the fact that “the General Assembly can block me” as if that’s a bad thing? That is, literally, the foundation of American government.

Comment by PJ Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:06 pm
== I am not in charge. I’m trying to get to be in charge.==

I’m confused, is he running for his first or second term?

Comment by AC Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:06 pm
So the person sitting in one of the most powerful governor’s offices in the nation (by virtue of the amendatory veto power) hasn’t been in charge for the past three years.

That truly explains a great deal.

Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:06 pm
Meltdown.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:07 pm
The truth is it’s never been
about business or the economy.
It’s always been about destroying

unions
government
education

the
restrictions
on
large corporate
profit

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:07 pm
-was elected in 2014
-is now 2017, over 3 years since election
-Governor hasn’t been in control for 3 years

So……who is in charge?

Comment by Romeo Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:07 pm
Union contracts???? Yes a bang up job on the AFSCME contract so far. He has spent enough on court costs to have just paid everyone a little extra

Comment by Theq Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:08 pm
He hasn’t seemed this presidential since his Fox interview.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:10 pm
He’s flailing. He doesn’t think we believe him so he repeats himself. He threatens us. He cannot pursuade beyond using fear tactics. He is toast.

Give us three accomplishments, please. One for each year in office. Not one that you vetoed, then rolled over on. Three you championed. Tell your 2014 voters what you did to regain their votes in 2018.

We expected results. Where are they? We expected incremental improvements. Where are those? We don’t vote for incumbents without results.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:11 pm
When is this guy going to govern ? Also, there was a lot of hanging G’s in just a couple of paragraphs.

Comment by I ask again Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:13 pm
So, what would you say, B, B- on this press conference?

C?

Lower, huh?

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:13 pm
OMG. He sounds just like the Orange Man in Washington. Except less articulate, if that’s possible.

Comment by Depressed in DuPage Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:15 pm
==It’s a Mafia protection racket.==

Holy moley. He’s gone the Mafia route now. I’m pretty sure Madigan will still be in charge of the House after this next election. Is he once again under the erroneous assumption that if he wins he’ll get what he wants? I’m quite certain calling the guy you’ll have to work with if you win a criminal isn’t going to get you very far.

==We’d have 200,000 more jobs in this state==

What exactly is the basis for that claim?

==What I control, union contracts, we’re incredible==

Umm, ok then.

The Governor is coming unhinged. It’s like he’s calling the President for advice on public communication. That ain’t good.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:16 pm
===Rauner: [Laughs] Oh, c’mon. You know what? If you guys are asking that question you’re playing games and you’re not reporting the truth to the people of Illinois. You’d better answer that question yourself. You’ve been around, you know the answer to that question.===

This is Bruce and Diana Rauner’s beef.

They want Illinois destroyed, but… that pesky bad press Bruce gets makes cocktail parties all but impossible to attend.

“If you guys are asking that question you’re playing games and you’re not reporting the truth to the people of Illinois.”

Can’t ya just hear Diana Rauner

“We need better messaging. We are losing the messsgjbg battle. We need John Tillman and IPI messaging. We need Goldberg gone. We need all these others gone. We need Rickert and Rasmussen, and we need to defeat these reporters getting it wrong”.

Can ya just… hear it?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:16 pm
===The things that I can control, we’re transforming the state.===

Oh, you’ve transformed the state alright.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:18 pm
He conveniently drops “right to work” as one of his reforms that would have saved the state. Right to work.

Comment by Anon Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:18 pm
I thought politics required working together and included some form of compromise.

“I am not in charge. I’m trying to get to be in charge.”

Must be someone beside the Governor running the Executuve branch. Apparently using insults and insisting on ‘my way or the high way’ thinking does not work so well.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:19 pm
Union contracts? You won’t negotiate. Medicaid reform? Your contract costs close to $20 billion more than the estimates I’ve seen. Criminal justice reform? Just because you signed bills that the GA passed, doesn’t mean that you alone are great on criminal justice. If you could get the GA to get on your side for property tax reform…? The four-year property tax freeze got zero Republican votes in the House…. Why is that…?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:20 pm
==So……who is in charge?==

Alexander Haig’s always ready to step in.

Comment by LXB Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:21 pm
“He conveniently drops “right to work” as one of his reforms that would have saved the state”

Wouldn’t save the state, but certainly would help downstate from falling into the abyss.

Comment by Ron Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:22 pm
It’s already one of “those” weeks for the Guv. and Monday isn’t even over yet.

Comment by Dee Lay Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Well, now we know the answer to this morning’s question. Madigan has more homes inside Rauner’s head than Rauner has across the whole country.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:25 pm
also tells farm bureau folks he’s on thier side all the way after emasculating ag education and the department is in tatters.

worst gov in america - bruce rauner

Comment by Sugar Corn Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:25 pm
So this is what a Gubernatorial tantrum looks like. Probably should not have gone out in public today.

Comment by illini97 Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:25 pm
I’d suggest reporters start asking Candidate Rauner how he plans to work with the man in the charge.

GOP voters do not like impotence. At least according to Lakoff’s read on the GOP messaging. I’m not sure how this strategy of impotence works to win elections.

Comment by Macbeth Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:26 pm
Losing his mind. Everyday Jeanne Ives should say it’s time to have a debate between a rich limousine liberal east cost professor posing as a Republican and a strong real Republican woman.
The more he ducks the harder she should go on him.
I guess he’s just afraid of women.

Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:28 pm
Incredible critical thinking skills on display

Comment by Rabid Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:30 pm
He’s providing Ives a clear path forward.

If Rauner can’t be — or refuses to be — in charge, then Ives should make clear she’s ready to be in charge.

It’s the Governor of Illinois for chrissake.

Comment by Macbeth Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Rauner has told a boatload of lies over the last three years, but the idea that he is not in charge remains the dismal truth. Although it looks bad for him politically (perhaps it was an accident), no governor since Thompson has been in charge. And Thompson was only in charge because he negotiated with Madigan, and at that time, he Speaker’s power was not completely consolidated. Our problems in Illinois will not be resolved until someone can leverage enough power to rid the State of the Oligarchy (aka, The Mafia).

Comment by taxrate 62 Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:30 pm
There always has to be a scapegoat. If the Madigangoat gets worn out, then the Mediagoat is still handy.

For a guy with a lot of bucks, none of them seem to stop on Rauner’s desk.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:32 pm
Like Charlie Wheeler wrote last week, reporters should ask Pate if he was controlled by Madigan.

I’d add all the governors since Thompson and the other Senate leaders since the 80s.

Rauner’s problem is that he’s lost control of Republicans in the GA. When he had them intimidated, his vetoes could not be overridden.

Many Republicans no longer fear him and are clear and public in their contempt for him and his constant lies and betrayals.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:34 pm
you missed the point, Ron. If right to work would save the state, and if he really believes in it, then he would continue to push for it. It demonstrates the fact that Rauner has no core beliefs, which is why we have a Jeanne Ives candidacy

Comment by Anon Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:36 pm
(Reply to governor.)

Yeah, yeah, we heard “your not reporting the truth” many times before, from Trump. Are you trying to imitate him? I don’t believe you.

DuPage

Comment by DuPage Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:37 pm
Rauner the Scooby Doo villain: “And I would have got away with it too if not for you meddling kids!”

Sure he’s nuts but keep in mind the Ag people have him a standing “o.” Hopefully they were just being polite.

Comment by Sonny Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:39 pm
When is a reporter just going to ask him, Isn’t that the gig you signed up for?

Step one’s identifying the problem, step two is washing it out–Ray Zalinsky.

We get it Bruce, Madigan=bad. What fray tell are you going to do about it?

Comment by the Patriot Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:41 pm
–which is why we have a Jeanne Ives candidacy–

Not yet, we don’t.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock…….

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:41 pm
“And while Rauner has indeed presided over several significant changes to the criminal justice system over the nearly three years he’s been in office, much of that work was made possible by lawmakers who sent bills to his desk for approval.”
Well, of course, Rich, that’s how the legislative process works. Legislature passed bills, and gov signs them. besides, everyone knows criminal justice reform is one of the few areas where Rauner and Ds are in sync. Dems could do the same thing on workers compensation but they don’t and he can’t make them.

Comment by jim Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:43 pm
Here’s some truth–Bruce Rauner is the worst governor I can remember. And I remember most of the ones who went to jail.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:49 pm
The only way to send the Speaker packing is to win a Republican majority in the House. Did the Republican Party (which Rauner completely controls) even file enough candidates to make that possible?

Comment by Just Me Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:52 pm
I always read the previous comments posted before I attempt to contribute to the discussion.

And then there are times when I prefer to sit back and let other commenters have their say.

Quite often my fairly reasoned response is already taken.

Isn’t it great that our Governor gives us so much to talk about?

Comment by illini Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:53 pm
–Medicaid reform, incredible,–

in·cred·i·ble
inˈkredəb(ə)l/
adjective

1.
impossible to believe.
“an almost incredible tale of triumph and tragedy”
synonyms: unbelievable, beyond belief, hard to believe, unconvincing, far-fetched, implausible, improbable, highly unlikely, dubious, doubtful;

It is indeed, incredible, that the $63B Medicaid contract Rauner signed last week was $23B higher than his $40B estimate from just a few days before.

Very unbelievable. But I think we’ll find out how that happened.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:55 pm
WOW
Now, that’s an impressive meltdown.
Gotta be, what, 3-4 oppo ads in that piece?
Yepper, quite clear madigan is in his head.

Where is BTIA? Boss, sit down, and ST*U.

Proof he has never understood the job. Equal branches. 30/60. It’s the fault of the press. I️ want to see his head explode after the state of the state, when madigan coolly offers to “cooperate professionally” w the governor.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 2:55 pm
he’s not playing nice with reporters. but this anti Madigan refrain has legs so he wants to keep playing it. almost every time a friend starts a political discussion with me it veers to how much they cannot stand Madigan because they believe he has damaged the state. these are not political people. they are not Republicans and are not political Dems. but they are aware of Madigan and they don’t like him. Rauner knows he has to stoke that.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:02 pm
“If, if I could get the General Assembly to support term limits, property tax relief, red tape reduction on businesses, rolling back that income tax hike, we will kick tails, we will be one of the strongest states in America…”
…. why, we could be, we could be ….Kansas!

Comment by LeadingInDecatur Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:08 pm
On the other hand, after his first term, I’m hard pressed to come up with an alternative message. “This time I’ll work as an equal partner with the guy I spent four years demonizing?” He seems to be boxed in.

Comment by whetstone Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:11 pm
Is Trump the governor of Illinois/s

Comment by Flynn's mom Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:14 pm
Now the Governor is blaming the media too. I actually think the media has been soft on the Governor if anything. He contradicts himself on the facts all the time and the media should call him out more than they do. The Governor looked to be in meltdown mode today. He is a liar and a phony.He refused to use the vast powers he has been accorded as Governor to make changes because he is afraid to take responsibility. Today shows that he does not have the temperament nor the stability to be to be a good Governor. Madigan and the Mafia, that’s just nuts!

Comment by Dude Abides Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:18 pm
“If right to work would save the state, and if he really believes in it, then he would continue to push for it.” And there’d be some facts to back it up (and not just ‘Believe me!’) And it would get 60/30.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:18 pm
Rauner to reporters. Quit trying to infuse facts into my tirades.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:20 pm
For a moment I thought we were gonna get an “up day” quote outta the Gov.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:24 pm
-Rauner: The General Assembly can block the major things. What I control, union contracts, we’re incredible, Medicaid reform, incredible, criminal justice reform, incredible.-

In regards to criminal justice reforms, is my memory failing me or did Rep. Gordon-Booth champion a lot of the reforms and the Governor signed her bills?

Comment by Sigh Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:26 pm
Chance the Rapper to Governor Rauner: “Do your job”

Rauner’s response: “I can’t and I won’t”

Comment by East Central Illinois Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:34 pm
Jim Edgar gave Governor Rauner some advice on dealing with Speaker Madigan back in October of 2015 and he ignored it completely. “There are a lot of things I muttered in private” as governor, Edgar said. “I always thought I had to watch what I said or my staff said. … We always tried to be extremely careful … not to get involved in personalities.”

Good advice ignored.

Comment by Rod Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:51 pm
The Governor might want to consider neuroleptics.

Comment by Psychotropic Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 3:59 pm
I read where he’s going to be addressing the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce tomorrow at the Bolingbrook Golf Club maybe the reporters and other should show up there and ask him questions

Comment by Honeybadger Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:04 pm
- Dude Abides -

You’re right, Rauner has received pretty favorable press from the press, particularly the Chicago television news shops.

But that’s been changing. The staff purges, in which he jettisoned some savvy political and communications folks who were liked and respected by reporters, was the first blow. Then his fight with Mendoza over the unpaid bill backlog legislation cost him support among editorial boards. Now if he’s starts personally taking on reporters with “do your job” rants, he’ll completely lose them.

Comment by Roman Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:12 pm
== The General Assembly can block the major things. ==

Actually, it has been Rauner blocking a lot of things with his vetoes and legislation bricking. Madigan and the D’s passed a lot of what the Governor requested minus the union busting; it was just sponsored by a D rather than an R. Rauner either tried to brick it or vetoed it.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:17 pm
===Meltdown.===

Tantrum might be better. My kids used to scream that “it’s not fair,” and fall on the floor screaming and crying.

Did Rauner fall on the floor?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:18 pm
Too bad real reporters won’t roll over for Rauner’s craven, whiny message like a certain editorial board will.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:22 pm
==[laughs] Oh, c’mon. You know what? If you guys are asking that question you’re playing games and you’re not reporting the truth to the people of Illinois.==

You’re not reporting the truth? Is that how an Ivy League gender studies professor says “fake news”?

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:24 pm
==Now if he’s starts personally taking on reporters with “do your job” rants, he’ll completely lose them.==

We’ll see. Republicans have a pretty good record at working the refs. But yeah, something snapped in the last year or so, and a lot of IL media has gotten hip to the fact that he’s flailing.

Still, I’d rather flail with $150 million than not…

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:39 pm
Is Rauner neither able nor willing to Govern?
Then why call him Governor?
(with apologies to Epicurus)

Comment by Mr Creosote Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:40 pm
Actually it was Rauner blocking all of these things?

As always every single problem bounces off the Speaker and boomerangs back to the Governor where it must stay because “Governor’s own” and nothing sticks to Madigan.

If Rauner was truly in charge, the 40 plus items in the Turnaround Agenda would have been implemented instead of being blocked in their entirety.

If there was some degree of balance, at least the proposals would have been voted on instead of gathering dust in Madigan’s rules committee circular file cabinet for two and half years.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:53 pm
==Is Rauner neither able nor willing to Govern?==

Yes on both counts. He seems to truly lack the ability to understand how government works. When you say stuff like “I’m not in charge” you can’t draw any other conclusion than he doesn’t understand government.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:54 pm
===boomerangs back to the Governor where it must stay because “Governor’s own”===

This is the way of the world for eons. Your whining can’t and won’t change it. One day, he’s gotta take responsibility like he said he would during the campaign.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 4:57 pm
==If there was some degree of balance, at least the proposals would have been voted==

They were. Rauner bricked ‘em.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:03 pm
===If Rauner was truly in charge, the 40 plus items in the Turnaround Agenda would have been implemented instead of being blocked in their entirety.===

If Rauner had found 60 and 30, he woulda had “40” victories.

Rauner chose to veto budgets. Rauner chose to hurt Illinois’ most vulnerable. Rauner chose to try to close state universities by flat out refusing to fund them.

Rauner owns his choices. All governors do.

===If there was some degree of balance, at least the proposals would have been voted on instead of gathering dust in Madigan’s rules committee circular file cabinet for two and half years.===

LOL

Example?

Rauner wanted property tax reform. Wanted also to destroy labor.

House gives on property tax reform. Republicans are “Red”. Rauner calls it sham vote

“Why?”

Rauner isn’t about gives. Rauner is about getting what Rauner wants.

The bipartisan overrides, giving Illinois a budget, funding Rauner’s agencies, funding higher education, paying social services… remember that’s over Rauner’s vetoes… is another failure of him, and “you” at understanding 71 and 36

LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:05 pm
So Bruce Rauner cannot compete with a guy who has a 26 percent approval rate. Strong leader there….

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:09 pm
If you don’t think the Speaker is in charge go back and read George Will’s column from a few days ago.

Comment by Hickory Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:25 pm
===…go back and read George Will’s column from a few days ago===

LOL, yeah, George Will, I see him every time I’m in Springfield. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s George Will… from DC…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:27 pm
===If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s George Will… from DC…===

Just like John Miller… from a dirt road in rural Michigan.

Comment by People Over Parties Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:33 pm
===Just like John Miller… from a dirt road in rural Michigan.===

National Review devoted its cover to Rauner. Miller even went after Madigan too…

Maybe the takeaway is Rauner’s 30% approval has national conservatives split 50/50 on Rauner(?)

Or… Madigan isn’t as bad as Raunerites want?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:37 pm
===National Review devoted its cover to Rauner. Miller even went after Madigan too…===

Lol, I’m sure that makes it more accurate. You know, because George Will can’t possibly know what’s going on from D.C., but John Miller can from…Michigan (?)

Comment by People Over Parties Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:49 pm
Rauner’s proposals were not even allowed for a vote. Sham bills on property tax freezes were run dozens of times just for political reasons, not the definition of cooperation and professionalism.

Democrats were too busy voting to send local officials to prison for voting for right to work legislation.

And yet they say unions don’t have veto power over everything in Illinois.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:49 pm
===I’m sure that makes it more accurate. You know, because George Will can’t possibly know what’s going on from D.C., but John Miller can from…Michigan===

Nah, but that cover and headline, paired with the 30% approval makes more sense in a hit piece than George Will saying “Madigan” from DC

If you’re saying George Will is right, then John Miller must be right with that logic, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 5:54 pm
Time for another mental health check on Bruce.

Or was that one of the things Bruce slashed?

That would be some irony there

Comment by Morty Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 7:08 pm
Or, as Rauner’s Swedish immigrant grandfather might have said: “Jag är inte ansvarig”

Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 7:29 pm
Rauner is referring to himself. He just changed his name to Madigan.

Comment by Mama Monday, Dec 4, 17 @ 10:33 pm