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By Hannah Meisel
* Gov. Rauner was on Maze Jackson and Charles Thomas’ WVON morning show this a.m. Today is June 19, otherwise known as Juneteenth, the day slavery formally ended. Jackson posted video of the morning show on his YouTube channel, labeling it “Juneteenth, but are we free though?” Rauner is officially recognizing today as Juneteenth Day.
The group started out asking Rauner about the new Pritzker campaign ad, “Porcelain Prince,” and Thomas mentioned that Pritzker in turn repeatedly hammers Rauner as a “failed governor.”
Charles Thomas: Tell us why you’re not a failure.
Rauner: …We’ve done historic things for the Black community, I would argue more than any other governor. Creating economic opportunity, making more equality in contracting. We’ve done historic things and we’re going to keep on fighting —
Maze Jackson: Hold on, Governor. You said you did more than any other governor for Black folks?
Rauner: Exactly.
Jackson: I don’t know, man. I’m going to tell you — Rod Blagojevich. Man, right now we did a poll and we said if Rod Blagojevich got out of jail right now, he could beat Rahm Emanuel in an election.
Jackson then asked if Rauner wouldn’t be the least bit happy if Blagojevich got out of jail, if only for an election boost for himself.
Thomas got the conversation back on track, asking Rauner about a recent executive order targeted at making state contractors within a certain community reflect the actual business ownership. It’s specific to Black-owned business owners and will hold state employees responsible for contracting accountable for awarding contracts to Black-owned businesses when possible.
Rauner: That’s one of the reasons I say I’m fighting — you know, it’s one thing to promote social spending, human services programs. That’s fine. Blagojevich did a lot of that. Okay, great. I respect that and I support a lot of that too.
I support a lot of that too. But I’ve done more for Black business, for Black economic opportunity and Black education opportunity than anybody.Thomas: As opposed to minorities?
Rauner: I’ve helped all minorities. But especially, I’ve been great for Black businesses and African American schools. No governor’s done more than me.
…Adding…
* Last week’s employment numbers revealed that while statewide unemployment is down, unemployment among African Americans in Illinois is the highest in the nation.
…Also adding…
* More context for the EO the Governor is referring to. A WCIA story from last month reported the Black Caucus was blaming Rauner for shrinking state contracts among Black-owned businesses.
The Illinois Black Legislative Caucus accuses him of showboating for political gain. They say, in reality, his administration only made this problem worse by failing to enforce laws they’ve already passed.
At a press conference Thursday morning, the caucus shared data from the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), a state program designed to help women, minorities and disabled business owners partner with the state. While participation has grown, it shows over the last two years, the amount of money spent on black vendors has dropped 22%.
“All we’re trying to do is ask him to be fair and honest instead of playing lip service with these very important issues and pay attention to a lot of things we put into that bill,“ says Rep. Al Riley (D- Chicago).
Rauner’s office pushed back on the notion he’s hurt black business since taking office. They say compared to Gov. Quinn’s administration, the state is spending $32.7 million more on African-American vendors.
“I want equal opportunity and government that plays fair,” says Gov. Rauner.
*** UPDATE 1***
* Responses from Twitter…
Every single unbalanced budget @BruceRauner proposed had targeted cuts to programs that disproportionately affect our community.
— Litesa Wallace (@LitesaWallace) June 19, 2018
Childcare facilities are small businesses often owned by Black women, they were DEVASTATED by cuts to CCAP
— Litesa Wallace (@LitesaWallace) June 19, 2018
What @GovRauner has done for black ppl: blow up hundreds of black owned child care businesses; have a cabinet w/ less diversity than a country club; refuse to comment on a racist cartoon; called our schools crumbling prisons; cut Ceasefire causing more shootings. You’ve lost it. https://t.co/p3DyEDBvhP
— Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) June 19, 2018
2016: Trump asks Black people what we have to lose. 2018: IL Black unemployment highest in the nation, investment in Black business & contracting down & social services decimated. At every turn, our Prez and Gov use Black people as props for political gain. It's exhausting.
— Senator Toi Hutchinson (@ToiHutchinson) June 19, 2018
6th Ward Ald. and chair of the City Council’s Black Caucus:
Bulls%*t. https://t.co/UG7c4qtC9y
— Roderick T. Sawyer (@RoderickTSawyer) June 19, 2018
*** UPDATE 2***
* Was forwarded a newsletter from the National Black Chamber of Commerce, which praised Rauner in its May 21st edition of the newsletter…
There is no elected official in our nation who is showing the commitment of Governor Bruce Rauner, Governor, State of Illinois. His recent Executive Order should be used as an example for all mayors, county executives and governors throughout our nation. We, the federation of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, should show our appreciation and recognize his wisdom. We are preparing a thank you letter and, hereby, ask for all NBCC chapters and other business associations to join in.
*** UPDATE 3***
* Statements from both JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. candidate Rep. Juliana Stratton…
“Bruce Rauner fabricated a track record of standing up for the black community when he’s been nothing short of a failure,” said JB Pritzker. “While Rauner pays lip service, Illinois’ black unemployment rate is the highest in the nation. That’s after Rauner’s budget crisis crushed small businesses, decimated social services, reduced access to child care assistance for working families, and forced anti-violence programs to freeze operations. Rauner tried to exploit divisions between Chicago and downstate with racially charged language and even refused to call KKK leader David Duke a racist. There’s nothing more shameful than a failed governor using a day that commemorates freedom and the fight for justice to grandstand and spread lies.”
“Juneteenth is about freedom and our fight for economic justice,” said State Representative Juliana Stratton. “For Bruce Rauner to take this day and pretend to be a champion for the black community, when he has done nothing but turn the clock back for our communities, is appalling and deeply insulting. This is the same Bruce Rauner who vetoed a $15 minimum wage, disinvested in our small businesses, and drove our state to the highest black unemployment rate in the nation. Illinois deserves a leader who ensures no community is left behind and that is not and never will be Bruce Rauner.”
*** UPDATE 3***
Got a response from the Sen. Kim Lightford (D-Maywood), Black Caucus Chair…
“And here I thought Bruce Rauner, as a white man, wasn’t going to have anything else to say about race. Well, since he brought it up, a true friend of the black community wouldn’t have slashed funding for Chicago State University, wiped out childcare assistance, grossly underfunded Teen REACH, waged a war against the students and teachers in Chicago Public Schools and vetoed an increase in the minimum wage.
Perhaps the self-proclaimed protector of the black community forgot that black-owned businesses didn’t get paid during his impasse.
Maybe he needs to be reminded that African American women get breast cancer, too, and benefit from the screenings he tried to eliminate.
And in the midst of all this exaggeration let’s not forget that under Bruce Rauner’s watch the African American unemployment rate in Illinois is the highest in the nation.
Some friend he is.
Next, he’s probably going to tell us he really liked Black Panther, too.
That movie contains less fiction than Rauner’s claims.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:28 am
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From Trump’s mouth to Rauner’s ears.
Comment by Dome Gnome Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:33 am
Most things RB did were with an eye to his jury pools
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:33 am
Candidate Rainer put some money in a minority owned bank. What did Governor Rauner do?
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:35 am
Very Trumpian of Bruce, to lie and brag.
Both love holding the most vulnerable hostage. Rauner deliberately cut funding for social services, higher ed, businesses who’re owed money and very importantly, anti-violence programs. He wants to bust apart public employee unions, in which African-Americans get economic equality.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:36 am
As a black male I will say that Rauner is a joke. JB needs to ad this to the Rauner lies series. Rauner has done nothing for the black community. The black community rejects Rauner and his kind like Ken Dunkin. We rejected Dunkin and Rauner put him back on the taxpayer dime.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:37 am
Fighting or fightin?
Comment by Barrington Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:37 am
Technically, he doesn’t say he’s done more *good* for black people.
Comment by LXB Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:39 am
Bruce Rauner, as a white male, may want to rethink this.
I’d start with the IPI cartoons and…
Well, I wouldn’t recommend saying what Rauner said…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:41 am
Mm-hmmmm…let’s ask Jimmy Odom about how Rauner did. I believe Odom resigned because Rauners efforts to help minority enterprises was a sham
Rauner failed black business
Ask Jimmy
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:43 am
Implementation of RTWFL, elimination of prevailing wage laws and ability of workers to collectively bargain will disproportionately impact minorities and further widen the gap between the haves and have nots.
Comment by kitty Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:47 am
Did Rauner quantify this? Will he quantify this?
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:49 am
Is this all about that chocolate milk?
Comment by Ambrose Chase Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:53 am
What did happen to that 2014 GovJunk deposit in the south side bank? Toss us some fact sheets Mr. BG4BP
Comment by Annonin Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 11:53 am
wndycty, I will quantify this.
In FY ‘14, the state spent $76.3 million with African American owned businesses. In FY ‘15, Quinn’s last budget (and given the reality of procurement, who would have overseen most of the purchases) spending was $95.9 million.
In FY ‘16, spending was down to $72.4 million. In FY ‘17 it held relatively steady at $74.8 million, but still below 2014 figures.
For educational opportunities, I’m not sure how holding MAP grants hostage helps. Or attempting to de-fund CPS while making sure that wealthy suburban districts get to keep all of their hold harmless funding. To say nothing of Rauner’s completely passive role to active indifference in doing anything about violence in certain neighborhoods in the south and west sides over the past couple of years.
Comment by Juice Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:00 pm
That Rauner, he’s quite the humorist. Or dense as lead.
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:05 pm
Whenever someone starts out a response with, “I did more than…” you can bet their nose is a growin’.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:09 pm
Once again, “huh”?
What precisely did GBR do for black schools, esp. in Chicago? The terminology itself is worrying. What did he do for social services? The Janus v. AFSCME decision will hurt black women more than any other demographic of public employees. And we know who originated that.
This is pretty egregious, and JB should jump all over it, pronto.
Comment by dbk Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Not sure why Bruce is Gaslighting and politicizing the issue.
Comment by Mike Cirrincione Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:27 pm
==Not sure why Bruce is Gaslighting and politicizing the issue. ==
Where is the snark label? If not meant as snark you can’t be serious. That’s all the guy knows how to do, gaslighting and politicizing.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:32 pm
Perhaps Bruce is talking about incentivizing the black community like no other governor…to move to Indianapolis. Largest exodus of black folks under any governor.
Comment by wondering Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:33 pm
Rauner should call Betsy DeCoss and ask her to explain the difference between the prepositions “from” and “to”.
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:36 pm
“Rauner should call Betsy DeCoss and ask her to explain the difference between the prepositions “from” and “to”.”
Err.. that should have been “for” and “to” of course. My apologies.
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:37 pm
The previous posters have pretty neatly covered this. Rauner has actually hurt the black community, as well as many others, more than any previous Governor in memory. The Turnaround Agenda was more important that helping the Black community or any other community for that matter. Bruce Rauner said so.
Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:46 pm
Anyone notice all the softballs Maze threw at Rauner. When Pritzker comes on all of a sudden Maze is ready for hardball. Maze is nothing but a sellout just like his buddy Ken Dunkin. They will do anything for a dollar.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:50 pm
Charles Thomas: Tell us why you’re not a failure.
Wow. To get this question after 3+ years as governor says all you need to know about this colossal waste of opportunity.
As Willy has repeatedly said, Bruce Rauner failed
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Noticed a lot of the Lyin’Laugh from GovJunk aka BG4ZBP Also seemed he had to be hand held to remember anything the minority contractor program. Still waitin’ for update on bank deposit
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 12:54 pm
“I have publicly stirred AND drank more chocolate milk than any other governor…so there” BVR
Comment by Chi Girl Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:05 pm
Well he did hire Reverend Meeks and give Ken “Which one of you is naughtier” Dunkin a sweet payback
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:05 pm
Yes, destroying childcare and holding up MAP grants were really helpful to African Americans in Illinois. What a hero!
Comment by neveranonymous Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:21 pm
Why does he keep saying things like this? Does he lack discipline? Is he trolling people? Does he actually believe it? None of those reasons are very comforting. It’s like he subconsciously no longer wants to be governor.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:25 pm
Call me a party-pooper but June 19 was when Union forces took over in Texas and declared an end to slavery in the last Confederate state, under the Emancipation Proclamation which as a military measure. Slavery actually ended throughout the US, including slave states that did not rebel (Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware), in December 1965 with ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.
Comment by Harry Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:29 pm
Abraham Lincoln…..
Comment by FLEA Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:40 pm
It’s a major mistake by Rauner. This is fodder for a JB commercial, to tie Rauner to Trump as being Trumpian and to state how terrible Rauner has been for African-Americans.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 1:49 pm
And when does the pandering to special interest groups ever stop. Government spending shouldn’t be based on quotas. It should be on the ‘lowest responsible bidder.” The current system of steering government contracts towards a certain community group works against value. But it’s really about votes isn’t it.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:21 pm
He did do good for the AA community. Just ask Corey Booker (appointed to the tollway board for his support of Rauner) and Rev James Meeks (appointed to be Chairman of the State Board of Education for his support of Rauner). Yep, he did great for the AA community.
Comment by Honeybadger Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:23 pm
And don’t forget Rauner wanting to bring back the death penalty.
Never had any racial justice issue with the death penalty in this state.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Little known fact, Bruce Rauner was up for the role of Black Panter but decided to run for governor instead believing he could more for the black community from the governor’s office.
It’s true, just ask him. It’s the public service dream that first brought his grandfather here from Nigeria.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:27 pm
By reading some of these posts, I am sure the African American community has been grateful for Democratic Legislative control of this state for the last umpteen decades. I’d hate to see how bad it would be around here if that weren’t the case
. Is Utopia the word I am looking for?
Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:28 pm
Rauner seems to relate to folks through his costumes. There’s his workin’ man Carhartt, his cow wranglin’ plaid with belt buckle and his leather vest biker outfit.
Free advice here Bruce: Don’t let Hal Patton dress you for your African American get up.
Comment by Wait, wha? Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:33 pm
Lol Michelle, I heard the Rauners were looking at homes in Wauconda before the campaign took off…
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:34 pm
BlueDog … you should hit the google for Republican Senate President Pate Philip and race and get back to us on what you find.
GOP control wasn’t that long ago and hasn’t been forgotten. And it’s not like the new GOP has gone in a different direction on those issues.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:34 pm
To be fair, Rauner did clout his kid into a Chicago Public School named after a black person.
Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:43 pm
–By reading some of these posts, I am sure the African American community has been grateful for Democratic Legislative control of this state for the last umpteen decades.–
You really have no knowledge whatsoever of even recent state history, do you? Yet you have no problem revealing that for your trolling pleasure.
Some people are just desperate for any kind of attention, in the worst way.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:49 pm
I can’t help but wonder if the National Black Chamber of Commerce has ever accepted contributions from the Governor. I mean why would they make such a statement of support considering what this administration has done?
Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:56 pm
“I am sure the African American community has been grateful for Democratic Legislative control of this state for the last umpteen decades.”
Why do African-Americans overwhelmingly vote Democratic? Maybe you can do some whitesplainin’.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 2:56 pm
Michelle. I left partison politics twenty years ago. Like the working poor and middle classes, african americans are represented by neither major political party. Pretend if you want. I woke up and smelled the coffee .
Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:09 pm
He may not be too far off on this. He has succeeded in prison reform and that’s likely his most positive accomplishment in his tenure.
The bar on this one isn’t very high, so his statement may not be far fetched. The Black Chamber of Commerce statement is helpful to him.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:10 pm
Thank you JB Pritzker and Juliana Stratton. These are things Maze Jackson and Charles should of been bringing up to Rauner after that comment. Instead they laugh and softball around instead of taking him to task.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:31 pm
Why do African-Americans overwhelmingly vote Democratic? Maybe you can do some whitesplainin’.
-Because we see them as the lesser of 2 evils. The republican party being the greater evil. Why do white supremacist overwhelmingly vote republican?
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:38 pm
Maze, Charles and Amara gave Rauner the kid gloves treatment. High fives, lots of kidding around and not a single tough question or “truth to power” moment. Surprising and sad to watch.
Comment by Sugar Corn Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:43 pm
They cut him off before he finished. What he said was, “I’ve done more for black people than any other Governor … of Alabama.”
Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:57 pm
===Michelle. I left partison politics twenty years ago===
And the world left you behind as well, although that goes for a lot of Drumpf supporters. At least do everyone the courtesy of dropping “dem” from your handle. No thoughtful Democrat wants people like you in our party.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 3:57 pm
Whats Rauner doing? Trying on another disguise?
Comment by Generic Drone Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 4:17 pm
Is Maze Jackson a Rauner stooge? He’s very cozy with the well healed Republican.
Comment by Turncoat Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 4:31 pm
Great responses by Pritzker and Stratton, and by the legislators.
“lesser of 2 evils”
A “lesser” is often so much better than the alternative. Kanye West said that Obama changed nothing in Chicago. I wouldn’t call many thousands of low-income Chicagoans getting health insurance because of Obama “nothing.”
I greatly credit many African-Americans for not falling for right wing con jobs, like tax cuts for the wealthy and stripping union rights will bring them prosperity. I credit many also for not being politically selfish like so many Republicans, who don’t want to pay for others to get health insurance and want to strip healthcare away from those who can’t afford it and need taxpayer assistance.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 4:48 pm
A “lesser” is often so much better than the alternative. Kanye West said that Obama changed nothing in Chicago. I wouldn’t call many thousands of low-income Chicagoans getting health insurance because of Obama “nothing.”
-My argument was based on party , not individuals.. The Democratic Party is the lesser of 2 evils when compared with the Republican party in the opinion of most blacks. When refer to Obama you are bringing up an individual issue. I am of a minority among black males that don’t support Obama.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 5:09 pm
Is Maze Jackson a Rauner stooge? He’s very cozy with the well healed Republican.
-Maze Jackson will do anything for a dollar. That’s all I’ll say.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 5:13 pm
=He may not be too far off on this. He has succeeded in prison reform and that’s likely his most positive accomplishment in his tenure. =
He starved our social service safety net, willfully and deliberately and yet you fail to see the consequences of that while touting “prison reform.”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 5:59 pm
===He starved our social service safety net, willfully and deliberately and yet you fail to see the consequences of that while touting “prison reform.”===
You have to excuse - A guy -…
After turning on Rauner for 27 minutes for signing HB40, - A guy - will look for anything now to make supporting the signer of the most liberal state abortion bill in America. Glass half full I guess.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 6:04 pm
Voters are expected to believe that Cook County Democrats, who have been representing the African American community in Illinois since the beginning of time, have zero responsibility for the problems in the community and it is actually Governor Rauner’s fault.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 6:10 pm
Perri Smalls would have took him to the woodshed. Maze is horrible in the AM. Charles could do the show alone in my opinion. Maybe Charles and Amara Inya.
Comment by ShannaB Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 7:30 pm
Rauner measures his success to the amount of standing ovations. Ask dianna
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 9:23 pm
This has nothing to do with Rauners fault, he’s claiming to be the greatest govenor ever known to man
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jun 19, 18 @ 9:41 pm
JoeB. ‘Thoughtful dem’? Is that second cousin to ‘compassionate repub’?
Comment by BlueDogDem Wednesday, Jun 20, 18 @ 3:58 am