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Mrs. Rauner’s e-mail shows her thoughts on last year’s staff purge

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* On Monday July 17, 2017, a week to the day after Gov. Rauner fired his chief of staff Richard Goldberg, Diana Rickert formally began her job as the governor’s new Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications after six years at the Illinois Policy Institute.

It was a chaotic day. Lots of people resigned, including the governor’s body man after some nasty stuff was found in his Twitter feed. The governor demanded that the General Assembly send him the education funding reform bill so he could veto it. Weird times.

* Tuesday dawned with a poll that had Rauner’s disapproval rating at 49 percent and an approval rating of 40 percent. The Sun-Times published a memorable story that morning…

Fear is the operative emotion in the governor’s office, which has essentially been taken over by a conservative think tank, according to remaining staffers. The resignations on the administration’s policy, digital and communications team, were a way to protest the new ideology, sources said. […]

While many are still scratching their heads over the takeover, a source with close knowledge of the governor’s administration said the uproar was sparked by Rauner’s and his wife’s “unhealthy obsession with media and messaging” and discussions the couple had at “North Shore cocktail parties.”

* That evening, First Lady Diana Rauner sent an e-mail to her chief of staff Emily Bashedo and her public relations advisor Anne Kavanaugh. “Emily, please forward this to Diana [Rickert] as I don’t yet have her new email,” the e-mail began. It was forwarded about twelve minutes later, according to a document published by the Edgar County Watchdogs…

Thanks for a great conversation today. I’m excited for the opportunity to change the narrative and get Bruce out far more right away. I wanted to follow up on our conversation re Sneed and bring Anne’s good thinking into the mix.

As we discussed, Emily is a great off the record spokesperson for the “silent majority” who weren’t part of the frat boys cabal. She’s been there since the beginning and has been on the receiving end, especially the last year or so. I think she can speak to a genuine sigh of relief that some of the arrogance and closed thinking that excluded so many great contributors has been swept out and a more open, respectful and inclusive atmosphere can emerge. I’d also like to push back on the idea that the IPI folks have done a takeover that will move the governor to the right - rather, they’re aligning with him. And that they’re professional and pragmatic and understand the difference between governing and advocacy.

Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this- honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable. I know they dismissed me as a “liberal democrat” and resented my feedback on their performance. And it’s part of the closed thinking culture to resent anyone who comes in with differing viewpoints and ideas.

Would like to discuss next steps to get this going asap so we can squelch these stories. Thanks.

So, she was relieved when the frat boys were pushed out and she was excited about the “professional and pragmatic” Illinois Policy Institute folks who understood the difference “between governing and advocacy.”

Um, OK.

Just sayin’, but the governor would probably love to have the same poll numbers now that he had back then.

By the way, I’m not sure which Sneed column Mrs. Rauner was referring to, but the two most recent at the time can be read here and here. They were both brutal.

Rickert, you may recall, sued to get several e-mails, some involving Mrs. Rauner. Rickert prevailed.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 12:58 pm

Comments

I’m sensing a plot line for the 1st episode of the final season of Dad’s Home State!

Comment by WhoKnew Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:04 pm
So much for the theory that Diana Rauner is more “professional and pragmatic” than her husband.

Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:04 pm
That IPI Cabal experiment sure seems to have worked.

Comment by illini97 Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:06 pm
Ugh, I can’t wait for the Rauners to have their own disappearing act and in their place real “professional and pragmatic” individuals can fix the messes the Rauners and IPI have created.

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:14 pm
== a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable.==

One thing is certain, if anything showed just how much of an “expert” the First Lady was on policy and messaging, it was the second half of 2017……..

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:15 pm
Seems like there was some personal animus between Mrs. Rauner and the Frat Boys.

Still, it’s truly hard to understand the logic and judgment that landed on the IPI crew as a step up in governing and messaging skills. Based on what?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Mrs. Rauner’s original impression of IPI staff was correct. As was the frat boys’ impression of Mrs. Rauner.

IPI staff are professional and pragmatic. They understand the difference between governing and advocacy.

But it’s impossible to work with a controlling liberal Democrat of a First Lady and a Governor who doesn’t understand even the basic details of public policy.

Comment by Political Animal Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:18 pm
I thought the frat boys were an effective group.

Until we started learning about the Quincy Vets Home.

They blew it.

Comment by Sugar Corn Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:20 pm
Well done Mrs. Rauner! You were able to (hopefully) finally kneecap your husbands time as governor and bring the GOP and Democrats together.

Fine job Diana!

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:20 pm
===Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this- honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable. I know they dismissed me as a “liberal democrat” and resented my feedback on their performance. And it’s part of the closed thinking culture to resent anyone who comes in with differing viewpoints and ideas.===

(Snicker-snicker)

LOL

“Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this-“

LOL

This type of comedy you can’t write. Diana is writing about all the bad and closed mindedness and what she hopes to see now and literally directing email traffic pertaining to messaging… but she’s not the one behind these things.

For the love of Pete, how embarrassing.

This is the same person who is obsessed with messaging.. her own brand… and how people see her at these cocktail parties, so *of course* she doesn’t want her and on things as the bad cop “now”, but won’t mind if it works out to take the credit in a Sneed snippet.

I can’t stop laughing.

“…honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable.”

LOL, “they don’t like that I’m know more than them, and I’ll do whatever I can to protect my own brand from what they were choosing up do that hurt my brand abs my influence here protecting myself.”

“I know they dismissed me as a “liberal democrat”…”

Yeah, I’m gonna stop here.

She said in Ads… she’s a Democrat. She made a whole point about it. It’s her brand to help Bruce. Diana is a Democrat. Liberal might be up for some sort of discussion, maybe, but, please, Diana was in a seven figure ad campaign, as a Democrat.

“…and resented my feedback on their performance.”

Here, where she paid, by then probably, half of $70 million, to own the ILGOP and get Bruce elected, Diana felt she could and should have a say, but the Governor hires his staff. They work for the Governor, as anyone in a similar spot. Maybe this is a lacking of self-awareness, I dunno.

“And it’s part of the closed thinking culture to resent anyone who comes in with differing viewpoints and ideas.”

Maybe. Maybe not.

Maybe it’s micromanaging brand and messaging they faced too.

The insight here… whoa.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:21 pm
Darn. Missed her name on the ballot the other day. Sounds like a real take charge leader. Could use some of that in Springfield these days.

Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:21 pm
“they’re professional and pragmatic and understand the difference between governing and advocacy.”

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha (I just wet myself)hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:22 pm
So Mrs. Rauner has that whole bitter victimhood thing going too. Lovely.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:24 pm
Good summary, OW.

I feel sorry for Ounce of Prevention staffers who have to deal with her.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:26 pm
“frat boys,” sounds familiar.

Hi Di.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:33 pm
===I’m sensing a plot line for the 1st episode of the final season of Dad’s Home State===

I do have mixed emotions.

It could run another four seasons, so wanting the show to end would be sad to the creative.

The state will take a least a decade to recover from the Bruce Rauner years so…

I’d sacrifice the series.

Maybe a new episode is around the corner, however…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:35 pm
Another one of her emails -

Out damn’d spot, out, I say - One, two: why, then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie my lored - fie, a soldier and afeard?

What need we fear who know it, when none can call our power to accompt?

Who would have thought the old staff to have had so much blood in them?

Sincerely
Lady Rauner

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:36 pm
“It could run another four seasons, so wanting the show to end would be sad to the creative.”

Final scene of final episode …

Pat Quinn wakes up and Squeezy tells him it was all just a dream.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:38 pm
== Maybe a new episode is around the corner, however… ==

And maybe they will buy another State (we without a Madigan) and try it again. Then you could revive it as The New Adventures of Old Bruce …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:41 pm
“…get Bruce out far more right away.” Dr. Rauner.

Take some time and read that phrase out loud, placing emphasis on the words in various combinations and play with some commas while doing so. It’s more fun than drinking game.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:43 pm
No wonder she is fighting handing over her emails. Looks like they may expose the “real Diana.”

== One thing is certain, if anything showed just how much of an “expert” the First Lady was on policy and messaging, it was the second half of 2017…….. ==

That absolutely nails it.

And so Oswego Willy. This email shows how obsessed Diana is…with Diana.

Comment by No wonder Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:43 pm
Astoundingly inept by Rauners. You fire the boys club and don’t know what you are getting with the IPI club?!? You think you are molding THEM to YOU? That’s some bubble you’re living in.

Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:45 pm
What percentage of the governor’s office staff ultimately followed Goldberg out the door?

Comment by "The Silent Majority" Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:45 pm
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 4, Episode 24

Bruce comes back from DC feeling great about his plans, sees polling hasn’t changed and goes ice skating to feel better. Diana goes back and reads past emails, confused who was writing emails on her account. Diana’s State Employee locks all TVs on Olympic reruns until March 20th. Anne and Hud argue about which Leprechaun costume looks best on Bruce for the parades, the Looch accidentally calls Bruce “Mike” to a cable news host about to interview Bruce. Comedy, 65 minutes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:46 pm
The only winners out of this whole mess… the frat boys for moving on

Comment by KOL Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:47 pm
=== … a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable … ===

Are the Ounce people getting nervous right now about that great expertise and influence?

OW, I apologize. I sometimes thought you were being a little harsh on Diana. This proves you weren’t harsh enough.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:48 pm
===Then you could revive it as The New Adventures of Old Bruce …===

We scouted locations in Montana and Florida but both state party apparatus said they weren’t for sale. We did like the New York backdrops, and the moat, so it still might happen, look at Romney and Massachusetts and Utah.

===This email shows how obsessed Diana is…with Diana.===

May I?

Diana the person obsessed with Diana the brand?

===Pat Quinn wakes up and Squeezy tells him it was all just a dream.===

I was hoping for a Scooby-Doo ending but how can you go wrong with the Chicago-Bob Newhart tie-in.

(Tips cap to - Robert the Bruce -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:53 pm
Pretty clear Diana reads comments on here (like OW) and then reacts to them. No offense to y’all but you guys are like less than half a % of the electorate and most already have their minds made up on every race on their ballot.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:56 pm
Narcissism
Breeds
Perfidy

An unelected official
Controlling state government
With a state paid Chief of Staff
Wasting and controlling taxpayer money
Bless his heart
Bruce wasn’t lying
He’s not in charge.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:58 pm
==This email shows how obsessed Diana is…with Diana. ==

Excuse me, I have to disagree. I feel this email shows how obsessed Diana is with winning at all cost. Perhaps I’m missing something.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 1:59 pm
- Mama -

“Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this- honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable. I know they dismissed me as a “liberal democrat” and resented my feedback on their performance. And it’s part of the closed thinking culture to resent anyone who comes in with differing viewpoints and ideas.

Would like to discuss next steps to get this going asap so we can squelch these stories.”

Believe this shows it’s is all about Diana in two ways. 1) A primary objective is to kill these stories pitting the staff change and ensuing screw ups on her. 2) She self-describes herself as filled with “messaging expertise” which is quite the self-confident statement for someone with no actual political, campaign, public relations or marketing experience to say about oneself.

Comment by Diana's Narcissism Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:06 pm
I’m gonna need some more popcorn

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:06 pm
In fairness, the spouse of an elected complaining that staff ignores input is hardly “Man Bites Dog.”

But I still find her lack of judgment and self-awareness to be a bit amusing.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:10 pm
=== Pretty clear Diana reads comments on here (like OW) and then reacts to them. ===

Capitol Fax is where it’s at.

=== No offense to y’all but you guys are like less than half a % of the electorate and most already have their minds made up on every race on their ballot. ===

Perhaps that’s because we all have what Diana calls “policy and messaging expertise and influence.”

;)

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:10 pm
It’s possible for Diana Rauner to be both stunningly naive about the IPI ideologues hired by her husband and entirely correct that his previous team included a bunch of frat boys, no matter how effective they were at politics.

Comment by Marty Funkhouser Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:13 pm
===Pretty clear Diana reads comments on here (like OW)===

I’d say “as an example”, not “like” when using me there, too much to play off of.

I wouldn’t venture a guess if Diana knows of me, let alone if she likes me.

- Norseman -, going back to our FIRST write in for governor campaign, that you almost pulled off… you never need apologize. Do I need to remind you how many times you made me see the light, far too, too many to mention is the answer. OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:18 pm
I always wondered about whether OW might be on target about her.

Well, this just goes to show that it is indeed possible to be richer than 99.999% of the population and remain clueless.

Who did she think the IPI was? Did she not understand their role in policy advocacy? Incroyable.

You’d think they could have paid a political tutor (or alternatively, read this site daily) to get a clue.

Vanilla Man: That Lady Macbeth thing was pretty great.

Comment by dbk Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:32 pm
“And maybe they will buy another State” I wonder how much Kansas is going for on eBay?

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:38 pm
Willy, if you search for “Dad’s Home State” almost the entire four seasons is found. I suggest you get a copyright attorney asap. One never knows who might try and use this to enrich themselves by pitching it Netflix.

Also, this is imperative because Diana obviously has played an important role and may try allege a percentage of the intellectual ownership.

Protect your work, son.

Comment by cdog Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:41 pm
Interesting. While Bastedo was around from beginning, she’d would never stick up for those IPI goons.

Comment by Illinoisian Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:47 pm
“Final scene of final episode …
Pat Quinn wakes up and Squeezy tells him it was all just a dream.”

Maybe Jim Edgar wakes up and it was all a dream.
Or, even better, Adlai Stevenson,

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 2:52 pm
Maybe the Dem. Diane can get her husband to sign the gun bill?

Comment by Rutro Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 3:01 pm
Trump is on receiving end of this petty drama constantly and he just keeps advancing the ball. Problem here, no one is doing any real work.

Comment by Chris P. Bacon Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 3:16 pm
- cdog -

Appreciate it. Checking with Legal along with Standards and Practices at HBO.

My hope is HBO is doing right by the work, plus we’ve had box sets for the holidays, merchandising, the screening parties have always gone well…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 3:22 pm
==Maybe the Dem. Diane can get her husband to sign the gun bill? ==

He will need to promise a bishop otherwise first.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 3:31 pm
OW - can there be a limited edition boxed set with some “Bruce and Diana” Funko Pop dorbs? Maybe an audio commentary track with Radical Candor?

Really looking forward to the UHD set!

Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:01 pm
“Still, it’s truly hard to understand the logic and judgment that landed on the IPI crew as a step up in governing and messaging skills. Based on what?”

Speaking of bad messaging, In the letter the IPI sent to state workers a year or so ago to revoke AFSCME membership, it literally admitted to the benefits the union gets state workers, and how to get them at the fair share fee cost.

Thanks for the messaging gift, BTIAtm, and making the clear case that no fair share fees will bring freeloading.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:09 pm
The fact they misread the IPI folks so badly is mind boggling. Were they talking to any experienced GOP folks about this decision? Or did they think they knew better than everybody?

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:17 pm
Others have picked up on it too, and it still amazes me she wrote this…

===Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this- honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable.===

“Finally, I’d really like to push back on the idea that I’m somehow behind this-“

Ok, it’s washing her hands of what happened or what happens next. The removal of her own expertise in policy and messaging…

However…

“.., honestly that complaint reveals the ambivalence about (or maybe pure dislike of) a First Lady with policy and messaging expertise and influence who is not controllable.”

She’s saying… she has that policy and messaging expertise and the influence to do it… and they didn’t like that…

… but wasn’t involved.

“Fire them, but don’t blame me… but in my policy and messaging expert opinion, that they don’t like… I want them gone, and now they’re gone… but it wasn’t me.”

Did Diana want congratulations… that she’s saying she wants no direct knowledge of… or credit for… it happening?

How great is that? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:23 pm
- Name Withheld -

If this is the last season, many options will be considered, feedback is important from viewers. Look out for that UHD set.

===Maybe Jim Edgar wakes up and it was all a dream.
Or, even better, Adlai Stevenson,==

We’ve tried to cast them both these past 3 seasons, scheduling conflicts, but cameoes are really going to increase.

The cast, Diana and Bruce, and the Crew too, both DHS and their own Crews, and the cast… the last episode might be just a big love note to the audience, maybe some tears, maybe some belly laughs, but we all hope it hits all the notes everyone wants.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:32 pm
Bruce Rauner, heard murmuring in the halls of the Governor’s Mansion in the wee hours of the night prior to commencement of the Big Purge:
“If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy…If mama ain’t happy…”

Comment by Winnin’ Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:44 pm
Wow — what a bad judge of character Diana seems to be.

She’s into herself, though. What a pompous email.

Comment by Anoniphone Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:48 pm
==She’s into herself, though.==

Which confirms what you said before: she’s a bad judge of character.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:57 pm
===The state will take a least a decade to recover from the Bruce Rauner years===

I gotta agree with you, Willy. You are spot on. It’ll take at least ten years and it’s very sad.

Question: How many years would you say it would take the state to recover from the Quinn years? A serious, thoughtful number. I’m interested in how you would assess the damage each one caused, relatively speaking, by the comparing the number of years you would say it would take to recover.

Make fun of Quinn all you like, I think there is no comparison as to the amount of damage caused.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:27 pm
- Mighty M. Mouse -

===Question: How many years would you say it would take the state to recover from the Quinn years? A serious, thoughtful number.===

We’d have to go in the “Wayback Machine”, three years, to then see what was happening.

You had downgraded bonds, you had a tax increase that was paying down the bills, and “trying to keep the lights on while the water was past due, paying gas for the car that needs a new tire”.

Higher Ed, not doing well…

You had a state in disrepair, but not purposely starving state agencies, higher education… but it wasn’t sunshine and lollipops.

Had Quinn won, and the Quinn tax had stayed or brought back in a budgetary package, and the state having budgets, “today” we’d still be, easily 5, 6, 7 years from where Illinois would need to be, given normal factors?

We’ll never know if Quinn would’ve gotten a tax increase or a pension deal that may have helped. Heck, let’s be real honest, Quinn got a blank check revenue amount, no budget showing fiscal foresight.

If I’m weighing, and I can’t, honestly know how these past 3 years coulda gone, but how Rauner had them go…

Quinn’s own “Quinn-ness” would’ve hurt putting Illinois at least a whole “gubernatorial term, plus” away from getting things better, but I can’t speak to Quinn’s impact as these past 3 years have literally shut things down in ways Quinn wouldn’t have, because Rauner chose a path of hostage taking to a degree we all never saw.

So I answered, but how can I answer better, since it’s realky dorm type speculation too(?), with a great deal of respect to your ask.

That help? Probably not, but…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:47 pm
The Rauners have certainly doubled down (or gone into full Kirk mode) by funding a web site for “Democrats, Republicans and Independents” who are Pro-Choice. How does the governor expect to unite the party if he is renominated?

Comment by Gone in Ten Months Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:47 pm
===because Rauner chose a path of hostage taking to a degree we all never saw===

I warned everybody on this blog. Don’t you remember? I know Rich does.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:09 pm
–IPI staff are professional and pragmatic. They understand the difference between governing and advocacy.–

Well, they hid those skills awfully well last summer.

–But it’s impossible to work with a controlling liberal Democrat of a First Lady and a Governor who doesn’t understand even the basic details of public policy. –

That “liberal Democrat” first lady and a dolt of a governor hired you. Did you not know who they were?

Cashed the checks, though, while you could, didn’t you?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:16 pm
Yeah, well, we know what OW thinks of the Governor and Dr. Rauner, but he’s cashed those HBO checks, hasn’t he?

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:39 pm
===…thinks of the Governor and Dr. Rauner, but he’s cashed those HBO checks, hasn’t he?===

Hey.

HEY.

Bruce and Diana and the whole cast gets paid exceptionally well, better than the writers, I’ll tell you that…

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:42 pm
===I warned everybody on this blog. Don’t you remember? I know Rich does.===

This is the blog of record for Illinois state politics.

Your warning(s) were heard, it’s unbelievable that Rauner was living up to any declaration so sadly hurtful for Illinois.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:46 pm
……Your warning(s) were heard, it’s unbelievable that Rauner was living up to any declaration so sadly hurtful for Illinois…..
So very true.

Comment by Barrington Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:51 pm
Bruce and Diana = Burns and Allen?

/Say goodnight, Brucie.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 7:42 pm
The frat boys handled crisis better than anyone. Rauners didn’t appreciate that government in IL is ongoing crisis. The Vets home? Linda Lingle and Trey Childress are put in charge in 2015, while Z is told he’s not the governing kind. Poor result. In 2016, Lingle is ousted, Childress is sidelined and Goldberg takes charge. Response at VA is immediate and handled well. In 2017, C team in charge with Childress at the helm and all hell breaks loose. ‘nuf said.

Comment by western observeration Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 8:15 pm
== the last episode might be just a big love note to the audience, maybe some tears, maybe some belly laughs ==

-OW-, Save the film crew money and just roll your reel of blooper outtakes. The problem will be editing it down to only an hour.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 9:19 pm
===Save the film crew money and just roll your reel of blooper outtakes. The problem will be editing it down to only an hour.===

- RNUG -

With that great idea, maybe 90 minutes…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 9:26 pm
Just shows she too is a political neophyte albeit with a deep pocketed hubby.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 9:53 pm