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* Press release…
Today, the Chicago Tribune reported that JB Pritzker used non-union workers during the renovation of his mansion. This is just the latest in a long line of hypocritical actions from Pritzker following union busting at Seadog Cruises and turning on the heat lamps on striking union workers.
In response, Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement:
“This is not surprising. Pritzker’s support of union workers is all talk – he’s a hypocrite. Pritzker has made it seem like he’s looking out for working people, but between this and his scheme to defraud hardworking taxpayers of $330,000, it’s clear he’s only looking out for himself.”
* Trib…
Billionaire Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker has portrayed himself as a champion of working families and received substantial support from organized labor, but he used nonunion workers to remodel his Gold Coast mansion.
Nonunion labor from three trades was hired to work on the yearslong, $25 million renovation of Pritzker’s 20,000-square-foot residence, according to a June 2007 email filed as part of a court dispute that arose between Pritzker and the general contractor.
“A note of caution,” wrote construction consultant Douglas Kaulas to Pritzker’s brother-in-law Thomas Muenster, who oversaw the renovation. “Now that the front yard is screened off and scaffold is going up, the jobsite has a much higher visibility. We’re perfectly legal with our permits, but we do have a non-union mason, demo contractor and roofer working. We are a little concerned that the union (business agents) may come to visit.” […]
“It’s important to finish the exterior work in the three months allotted by the scaffold contract so we can resume our lower profile,” wrote Kaulas, who also told Pritzker’s brother-in-law that “we’re putting a priority” on finishing the exterior work to both hold down scaffold rental costs and “to limit our visibility.”
As part of that renovation project, Kaulas occasionally met with Muenster and J.B. Pritzker to give updates.
…Adding… The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.
…Adding… “Hypocrisy” rarely works in campaigns, but you go with what you got I suppose…
SMN reporting from Chicago where Gov. Rauner called a presser to condemn his competitior Pritzker for using non union workers to renovate his mansion…then says he used non union workers to renovate his own mansion.
Huh? I asked: “It’s his hypocrisy.” 🤔🤔🤔
— Sarah Maslin Nir (@SarahMaslinNir) October 15, 2018
*** UPDATE *** Greg Hinz says today’s press conference is a metaphor…
Rauner exposed himself to new attention on his own union record—and the fact that not one major labor group in the state is backing him for re-election.
He conceded under questioning that he, too, has used nonunion labor in construction jobs on his own property. And he suggested, with a straight face, that he is the real pro-labor candidate in the race for governor.
Yes, he really did that: charge straight ahead without consulting with advisers and associates who might have urged him to be a little less risky. While attention on this issue won’t help Pritzker any, Rauner’s handling of it isn’t likely to help him much, either. In fact, it might hurt.
Call it a metaphor for much of Rauner’s tenure.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:09 am
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Why does the Trib write like its a campaign mailer? What reputable newspaper includes the loaded nicknames like “billionaire” in their reporting? Is this the Trump bleeding in to newspaper reporting?
Comment by anon Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:14 am
Big deal. This is America. You can use whomever you want to use to fix up your home.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:17 am
Anonymous @ 9:17 is me……
Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:17 am
Won’t change ONE union vote. This is how irrelevant the Trib has become
Comment by Wow Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:18 am
I voted for Chris Kennedy because he’s 100% union. Pritzker won in a walk anyway, even with the Blago/Hyatt stuff.
This would mean a lot more if Pritzker wasn’t running against Rauner, who made all public worker jobs in America RtW and wants national RtW for local governments.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:20 am
“We are spending $207,000 a day, every day. Doing actual campaign oppo on ourselves seems silly. Go out and get the office some coffee, donuts, you know, do important stuff.”
- duties of the person tasked to do own oppo on Pritzker, and how they treated that task?
Maybe?
You can run a mediocre campaign against the worst Republican governor and most vulnerable incumbent, and still win.
These are fundamental errors. Fundamentals are always in fashion, no matter how campaigns change.
Oh, they mailed the check for the $330K.
What, for $207,000 a day, every day, that’s being spent, ya can’t just run it over, ala Jake and Elwood Blues, and get a receipt?
It won’t matter, probably, in “the end”, but gross malpractice to simple own oppo mistakes, in close “real” races where the opponent isn’t 20+ points under water… it’s a pattern in that campaign, we might see this pattern in the governing, or other campaigns after Pritzker.
It’s a red flag.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:21 am
Treat him like everyone else - bring out the inflatable Rat
Comment by Texas Red Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:22 am
25 million for a renovation. WOW! I guess the Cook County Assessor had better take another look at the 2018 proposed market value for this home’s triennial reassessment.
Comment by qualified someone nobody sent Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:22 am
Give him the McAuliffe treatment
https://capitolfax.com/2017/11/15/two-unions-inflatable-rat-show-up-at-rep-michael-mcauliffes-house/
Comment by Texas Red Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:24 am
===…Adding… The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.===
It’s a big indicator how not knowing, or completely ignoring fundamentals keeps haunting and haunting.
“We’re up 16-22, it doesn’t matter.”
Yep. If that’s how you want to be seen, these errors, yep.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:25 am
===…Adding… The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.==
This is a non-issue. Nobody will pay attention.
Comment by Real Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:26 am
Union workers are not “in the tank” for JB Pritzker just like they are not “in the tank” for Mike Madigan.
Just as Tolkien wrote so long ago, sometimes foes band together because a higher evil appears. A larger threat looms. Sometimes dwarves and elves band together to take down Sauron.
It is also the case that the Unions recognize the greater evil of Illinois: Bruce Rauner. JB Pritzker and Mike Madigan are vessels to take him down while doing so on the cheap. No doubt had Daniel Biss or Chris Kennedy had won the primary, those campaigns would have asked for more than just door knocking - leaving little for down ballot races.
No, I think it is a safe bet that as soon as the votes are cast and everyone cheers the defeat of Rauner, the swords will be drawn, everyone will put their backs in a corner, and the Unions and Democrats will resume their bitter war over who should be following who.
Comment by MG85 Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:27 am
No this will likely not change anything either, but it is OK to express displeasure with it and expect better. This was over a decade ago, but from the Blago tapes it was clear he was politically ambitious even back then. Sure doesn’t sound like his brother-in-law has been doing him any favors. Lastly, he sure seems able to get away with the “I wasn’t directly involved” defense in his personal and business affairs. Is this an excuse we can expect to have continue as Governor?
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:29 am
Regardless of what was reported in the Trib article, Pritzker, as governor, will still be better for organized labor than Rauner. So, Guv, kindly shut your pie hole.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:31 am
JB has a mixed record with Labor, but Rauner? LOL It’s not even close.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:32 am
–The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.–
Can’t wait to see the costume.
August Spies? Lech Walesa? Mother Jones?
If Pritzker was running against any other GOP gubernatorial candidate of recent vintage, this and his family businesses labor practices would be a severe handicap.
But he’s not. He’s running againt Rauner, the dude whose sole discernible goal is to put unions out of business entirely.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:35 am
===This is a non-issue. Nobody will pay attention.===
Your simplicity is quite amusing.
The constant and continued errors, a pattern of negligence to their own oppo.
Is this what we should expect from a Pritzker Administration?
Negligence to own oppo, campaign negligence to correct the correctable, maybe a glimpse into how Pritzker will govern?
I believe a quote attributed to Pritzker, to another campaign unforced error was…
“It doesn’t matter”
Hmm. Not great.
So, focus on what I’ve readily admitted, but the big picture is what it speaks to in a campaign, and how Pritzker might govern.
Errors make ya look at things differently.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:36 am
I am a union person. That being said, I am also a fundamentalist. What Bruce Rauner has done with Right to Work proposals and thumbing his nose at court orders on AFSCME step increases is fundamentally wrong. I voted with my paycheck Bruce. And It was not for you.
Comment by Early voter Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:37 am
Unless the polling has just changed Rauner’s attacks have been massive duds. He teed up an answer to a debate question about what Pritzker called African-American politicians, giving a long pause to say…offensive. I thought he was going to drop a bombshell, but it was all flatulence, no defecation.
I hope reporters ask Rauner questions about his anti-union record, like holding up budget negotiations because they didn’t have anti-union policies.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:38 am
Your simplicity is quite amusing.
-Find out where anyone is in an uproar about this and get back to me.
Comment by Real Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:39 am
Who knew JB’s brother in law (aka scapegoat in chief) agreed with Governor Rauner’s approach to labor, union and non union contractors are welcome to bid on projects.
At least Governor Rauner is upfront about it, unlike JB who is stingy with his own money but super generous with the taxpayers.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:44 am
This is exactly what I have been talking about. More powerful than JANUS. More powerful than RTW. The power of consumers. It’s not just JB. it’s most people. Twenty years. Tops.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:46 am
Grandson- the all flatulence, no defecation remark made my day
Comment by The Way I See It Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:51 am
===Find out where anyone is in an uproar about this and get back to me.===
“We won“
That it?
You’re playing into exactly what I’m saying.
Either it’s gross negligence that others will see when the post-mortem happens, or they all knew, and ignored their own oppo, and in a close race… it will mater.
When you spend $146 million, you can be mediocre and win, ignore fundamentals, and when you get the most vulnerable and worst Republican governor as your opponent, why worry?
Welp, if this is how Pritzker will govern, lapsed attention to things that can be corrected, maybe “partial” homework done…
Rauner is calling this… oops, sorry… the Inspector General called this a “Scheme to Defraud.”
Campaigns end. Campaigns can give insight to governing too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:54 am
The best the Governor could do is divert some union members support of JB (though I doubt that is going to happen), but not even close to being enough to affect the outcome of the election. And the impact of the Governor attacking JB over this issue is muted by the fact that the Governor has solidly anti-union credentials himself. Everyone knows the Governor has an extreme dislike of unions and has actively worked towards breaking unions and paying lower wages.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:55 am
==Governor Rauner’s approach to labor==
Governor Rauner’s approach to labor is to destroy them.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:56 am
How many home remodelers are union shops? Did the contract specify that union workers be used? Are the workers being paid prevailing wage?
To me, this isn’t a big deal.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:58 am
While I understand OW’s critique of JB’s crew and their inability to get in front of the oppo research, this is not one of those instances. Rauner bring up anything Union will just remind Labor folks why they hate Rauner so much. Folks who don’t care about Labor issues will not care one way or the other. This is one item Rauner’s crew should have kept in the bag or released some other way.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 9:58 am
Demoralized. Do you really think JB gives a darn about labor? Other than their votes. C’mon man. Anybody who uses non union labor is just a hypocrite. If you can’t see that….
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:00 am
This campaign reminds me of PeeWee Herman’s retort: “I know you are, but what am I?”
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:01 am
===…this is not one of those instances.===
Two totally different issues.
What union worker would choose Rauner over… anyone… at this point?
What campaign continually ignores fixable own oppo for months and months?
My critique also reminds… in a close race… well, this, right now, isn’t a close race.
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:02 am
More hyperbole about “destroying labor”
It is possible for labor’s political interests to no longer supersede all others in Illinois and not be “destroyed”
Organized labor is adding more new jobs in our neighboring states than in Illinois. Some destruction
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:04 am
Good thing the unions all rushed to support this guy in the primary. Definitely the kind of guy you want in your corner.
Comment by Evanstonian Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:04 am
Now I am curious. Me wonders if JB is paying any workers on this job a little cash under the table.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:04 am
We thought GovJunk was doin’ other event. Can someone tel him to read the whole Tribbie piece? It recaps al the anti worker/anti union stuff that highlights the pre Exit Interview Tour phas of his time in government. And can we assume GovJunk has always used union help on all his work.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:07 am
This is great news for Sam McCann - union workers can vote for Sam knowing Rauner will still lose.
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:18 am
=====…Adding… The governor is holding a press conference on this topic at 10:30 this morning. Stay tuned.==
Will he be wearing an AFSCME tee shirt?
Comment by Whatever Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:18 am
What a weak, pathetic story completely unworthy of front page top of the fold. So if I understand this, Pritzker did a massive renovation, hired probably dozens or hundreds of contractors and three of them were nonunion. So that means dozens or hundreds were union or we would be hearing about that.
Think about this for a moment. They are 22 days out - the time a losing campaign would normally drop the nuclear bomb - and their nuke is that three contractors who worked for a guy they fired were non-union? Is this what they had in that supposedly massive oppo book they bragged to Greg Hinz about over the summer?
Comment by A Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:18 am
Wordslinger - I would pay many real dollars to see Gov sporting a Lech Walesa ’stache.
Please, please let a reporter ask if Rauner has ever had remodeling done and if he can prove he used union labor.
Comment by lakeside Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:21 am
It looks like Rauner’s flailing around, trying to find a soft spot somewhere. He just went Trump on immigration and Paul Ryan on ACA Medicaid expansion. Now he’s going to attack someone on unions after he’s been the most anti-union governor in Illinois history, and the most anti-public employee union politician in American history.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:36 am
Regarding self oppo, what’s he supposed to do get in a time machine to go back and use union workers? They knew about this and rightly decided that it was not a big enough problem to sink him. If anything this reeks of Rauner desperation, to think this will cause a rift between labor and Pritzker is laughable.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:39 am
==If you can’t see that…==
If you can’t see that JB would be far more friendly to labor than the Governor then I don’t know what to tell you other than you would be wrong.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:45 am
===…what’s he supposed to do get in a time machine to go back and use union workers?===
“My commitment to organized labor isn’t lip service. Yes, at my home I used non-union labor. What I’ve learned is choosing union labor is critical to helping Illinois get past Rauner’s failures. Months ago, I… “
… and show a recourse to a local, or a training program, something that, compared to spending $207,000 a day, every day, is a signal of knowing he needed to do better.
Not just money, but a real “thing” to show a learned moment.
They made a choice as a campaign. Made a few.
This isn’t a close race, it won’t matter, maybe… but it highlights deficiencies in the campaign, a pattern of them too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:46 am
Just what the state needs. A ‘friendly hypocrite’ for governor. As the old saying goes, “ do as I say, not as I do”.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:50 am
===Just what the state needs. A ‘friendly hypocrite’ for governor. As the old saying goes, “ do as I say, not as I do”.===
As a governor, Pritzker states his relationship and Illinois’ relationship with labor will be better with Pritzker as governor, versus the relationship labor has now with Rauner.
Is that too hard to comprehend, or…
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:52 am
Labor is unified behind JB in a massive way. They are unified because Rauner is a genuine threat and JB is genuinely friendly to them. Three nonunion contractors amid dozens of union contractors aren’t going to change that.
Comment by A Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 10:54 am
A. Define friendly. In my experience as both a union member and owner of a union operated shop, talk is cheap. The real proof of friendship is when you open up your wallet. This isn’t about Rauner. We know his act. This is about JB. He seems to talk a good game.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:01 am
Restaurant quality concern trolling by Rauner. Too bad he is such a phony that it bothers no one.
This reminds me of the 2014 race. Every good criticism of Rauner by Quinn was like water off a duck’s back due to Quinn’s own failures. Hopefully, Pritzker will fare better in his 4 years in office so we don’t have another repeat of “X failed” in 2022.
Comment by Jibba Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:13 am
Who cares? Is anyone really going to change their vote over this story?
Comment by Steve Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:16 am
Rauner criticizing *anyone* else as it relates to support of union members is laughable.
As a union member I was lied to, coerced (unsuccessfully), subjected to misinformation and attempts to pit me against my union and other State employees *on State time using State resources*, and denied a contract…all by Rauner *in his capacity as Governor*.
There is nothing he can say now that will erase his 4-year record against collective bargaining.
Comment by Happy Retiree Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:17 am
==Define friendly. ==
The opposite of Governor Rauner.
JB isn’t going to be pushing for RTW or the elimination of PW requirements, nor is he going to bash public unions and most definitely will settle a contract that has been outstanding for 4 years.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:32 am
The world of perfection is for political purity types. Many people know their choices have flaws, but Rauner is the epitome of anti-unionism.
Thankfully union members have even another option: Sen. McCann. McCann bravely stood up for union members and was viciously attacked for it.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:34 am
RtW and not buying union end up having the same results.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:45 am
Oh please BDD. You’re completely missing the point here.
I’m talking about how JB will deal with the unions. It will be night and day compared to the Governor.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:48 am
if this were a state rep race, I’d say it makes a difference. I’ve seen union workers put up a sign for the Dem candidate and then the vote totals come and it seems the vote totals don’t match the many signs. but this is for a bigger pie to slice and workers know better. also, they know that it is often difficult to get union workers on small jobs at a home. I’ve had this discussion with union leaders….help those of us who want to hire union workers for a tiny job. isn’t there some way to coordinate that with workers who are off bigger jobs?
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 11:54 am
A lakefront cruise line group of employees were trying to organize a union and the Pritzker owned company fought against it tooth and nail. They wanted health insurance and more reasonable working hours. Pritzker’s response? He’s for working families. Honest.
Striking workers hit a group of major downtown hotels, two of them part of the Hyatt group Pritzker maintains an ownership interest. They wanted health insurance and better working conditions. They were amongst the last of the hotels to settle. Pritzker’s response? He’s for working families. Honest.
The Pritzker family removes all the toilets from the neighboring mansion and receives a roughly 85% decline in property tax assessments. The difference is made up by other property tax payers, including working families to the tune of roughly $330,000. No apologies offered. Pritzker’s response? He’s for working families. Honest.
Tribune reports today that all the masonry workers, roofers and laborers used in the main mansion rehab that ran over $25 million on Astor Street were non-union workers. Quick, work fast so they can take down the tell-tale scaffolding that such work is being performed. Later, the Pritzkers and the contractor get into a contractual beef over the $25 million restoration project. They sue each other and after a jury trial, the contractor is awarded by the jury the full amount due, all attorneys fees on behalf of the contractor and $1 million in interest. One million in interest? How much did he stiff the contractor to run up that amount of interest? Pritzker’s response? He’s for working families, honest.
He won’t define what he means by middle class. He won’t say what the progressive income tax proposal will represent or that it will take over two years from referendum to fruition, and the state will run further deficits in the process. He denies even thinking of imposing or raising other taxes. Pritzker’s response? He’s for working families. Honest.
Nothing to see here. Nothing at all. Just move on./snark
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:31 pm
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -, lol
===…and $1 million in interest. One million in interest? How much did he stiff the contractor to run up that amount of interest?===
… if you’re so concerned about $1 million in interest, Bruce Rauner’s $1 billion in interest for refusing to sign budgets for an entire General Assembly should really astound you, and anger you too, lol
“One million in interest? How much did he stiff the contractor to run up that amount of interest?”
Bruce ran up a $1 billion. For Illinois.
Pound that table, Counselor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:37 pm
Louis, you make excellent points. Rauner is so toxic to labor that they all threw in with Pritzker, despite his family’s business record.
Must really sting that Crain’s and the Daily Herald did, too. Only Rauner could bring them in on the side of the unions.
What’s even more amazing is that Rauner somehow managed to honk off both sides of single-issue abortion voters.
The dude has some amazingly unique skills.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:46 pm
==then says he used non union workers to renovate his own mansion.==
Could someone please explain why Rauner wasted his time on this press conference?
I get the oppo dump, but which staffer suggested an availability where he would be asked the most obvious question?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:51 pm
===…which staffer suggested an availability where he would be asked the most obvious question?===
“Governor… we gotta do somptin’… just try not to make it worse”
You’re down 16-22… I woulda kept on the “Scheme to Defraud”, Rauner lost labor about 6 or seven exits back.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:55 pm
Hinz did a great piece on this news and Rauner’s hypocrisy.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/greg-hinz-politics/heres-metaphor-rauners-governorship
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 2:59 pm
Greg Hinz on Governor Rauner:
“But in the process, Rauner exposed himself to new attention on his own union record—and the fact that not one major labor group in the state is backing him for re-election.”
Has Governor Rauner ever passed himself off as a rubber stamp for whatever the unions demand like JB has?
Not a single business group in Illinois has endorsed JB, apparently that is irrelevant to a columnist from Crain’s Chicago Business.
Greg Hinz on JB Pritzker:
“Meh. He screwed up. He did what rich guys often do: work the angles.”
I think journalists “work the angles” too!
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:00 pm
=Has Governor Rauner ever passed himself off as a rubber stamp for whatever the unions demand like JB has?==
#1: Has Pritzker?
#2: And if I cut out your hyperbole, from the article you yourself quoted:
=And he suggested, with a straight face, that he is the real pro-labor candidate in the race for governor.=
Comment by Timmeh Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:30 pm
Business groups endorse Rauner probably because he wants to weaken or cripple unions and wants RtW, local or otherwise. Also because Rauner wants to keep their taxes as low as possible (and seek cuts from workers) and drastic workers comp reform (much more than what Madigan offered).
It can’t be Rauner’s worse job numbers than Quinn that they support. It can’t be the tripling of the bill backlog, the exploding deficit, the $1 billion in interest on debt, vendors getting stuffed, severe cuts to higher ed, etc.
Right wing bidness groups gonna right wing…
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:31 pm
==ubber stamp for whatever the unions demand like JB has?==
Has he? Because I haven’t seen that. The Governor isn’t interested in doing anything with unions except destroying them. JB not being a rabid anti-union zealot like the Governor doesn’t translate into a rubber stamp.
==Not a single business group in Illinois has endorsed JB==
Do you have a point every time you say that? Is that supposed to matter? This is the same guy who is currently clobbering the Governor by almost 20 points in the polls. Your talking points are meaningless.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:33 pm
==work the angles==
The Governor has been working the wrong angle for 4 years.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:34 pm
LP says ==Not a single business group in Illinois has endorsed JB==
I think Crain’s did, but maybe they aren’t pro business.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:36 pm
I think a lot of Illinois residents would like to have a Fox Conn or Toyota facility being built in Illinois or anything close to the booming economy just over our borders.
There is a lot more to Labor and middle class families than just the union agenda
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:50 pm
So what. J.B. portrayed himself as a champion for working families. Is that supposed to mean only union families? Those guys working for him have families too.
Comment by Downstate Rube Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:20 pm
–Yes, he really did that: charge straight ahead without consulting with advisers and associates who might have urged him to be a little less risky.–
Interesting that Hinz claims that Rauner held the presser without consulting advisers.
Suggests to me that some BTIA(TM) types are whispering in his ear and throwing the boss under the bus.
Never a good sign, unless you’re Trump.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 16, 18 @ 8:26 am
“Rauner’s handling of it isn’t likely to help him much, either. In fact, it might hurt.”
With all due respect Mr Hinz
It’s not Rauner being hurt
that is truly important here.
It’s to whom the real damage has been done
by Rauners continual and indefatigable
Perfidy
that is important.
Thousands
Millions
effected by Rauner being Governor
The budget impasse, the AFSCME impasse
The destruction,starvation, hollowing out of state agencies.
The back porch privatization and backroom deals by an unfoiable Intersect.
I could go on all day.
These things affect and have ruined
Illinoisans
It’s not theoretical
In’t not a lie
Spend 5 minutes in East St. Louis
I’ll show you who is hurt.
Spend 20 seconds in Cairo
I’ll show you who is hurt.
I spit at Rauner and his hurt.
But he’s about to find out
what losing a job feels like
even if he has millions to
comfort him.
Maybe he’ll get a hint of what someone
who works paycheck to paycheck
would feel.
Like on of the social service workers
who lost their job
and had to start over
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Oct 16, 18 @ 9:43 am
-==I think a lot of Illinois residents would like to have a Fox Conn or Toyota facility being built in Illinois or anything close to the booming economy just over our borders.
There is a lot more to Labor and middle class families than just the union agenda==-
I think it’s great that Walker is giving away billions from Wisconsin to build the Foxx Conn facility so close to Illinois, personally. I hope every other surrounding state does the same thing.
As for no business groups endorsing JB, good.
Comment by brugroffil Tuesday, Oct 16, 18 @ 12:33 pm