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* UPDATED x1 * ILGOP reacts to Pritzker’s inaugural address

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* Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider…

It’s clear that Governor Pritzker’s agenda will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat. Over the course of the election and again today, Pritzker promised billions of dollars in new spending, programs, and regulations, all of which our state cannot afford.

And just a few short months ago, Pritzker broke with his party boss, Mike Madigan, when he promised to support legislative leadership term limits and an independent redistricting commission - two initiatives supported by the Illinois Republican Party - but we didn’t hear anything about them today. Why? Because they were only a ploy to win votes. Pritzker never intended to end the status quo in Springfield. Rather, he’s reinforcing it.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, Madigan, Cullerton, and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know that they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise. We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.

The numbers prove it - Illinois taxpayers are fleeing our state in droves. We must change course before it’s too late or else there won’t be any taxpayers left. As the next debates begin in Springfield, Illinois taxpayers will know that the Illinois Republican Party is on their side.

*** UPDATE *** Message to Republicans from Chairman Schneider…

And so begins the reign of the tax-hiking, tax-avoiding billionaire, Madigan’s hand-picked hand-maiden for the government unions and the special interests feeding on our tax dollars.

The Democratic Party is in ascendency in Illinois: Democrats control every lever of government, unchecked by anything but their own shame and the strength of our voices calling out their abuse and extremism.

We had a glimpse yesterday of what’s to come: more money for the folks who work for the government, increased debt and higher taxes for the rest of us. What a deal!

Governor Pritzker announces that the highest paid government workers in the Midwest don’t make enough — and doubled the government salaries of the top folks around him with pay from his own pocket. Not only does this trample ethical limitations on private payments to public servants, but it sends a clear message to all other government workers too — more is coming to you.

Will Pritzker supplement the pay for all these folks too? Don’t bet on it: recall this is the billionaire who dodged hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes on his Chicago mansion and hides his wealth in the Bahamas to avoid Illinois’ already high taxes — paying literally NO state income tax in 2014.

This higher pay is coming from you. And, with Illinois’ appalling pension system, higher pay today means higher pay forever. So, generations of Illinoisans who don’t work for government and have no right to maintain their salary when they stop working for their current employer will pay for Pritzker’s “largesse.”

Remember: it’s your money, not his, that he’s offering to spend. He won’t move his wealth from the zero-tax Bahamas to pay either the current taxes or the higher taxes he proposes and, being born a billionaire, he has no real idea what each dollar means to the rest of us.

While it may be that marijuana eases suffering for some who are sick, but legalizing its sale here will not cure what ails Illinois. While taxing pot will generate some tax dollars, this new revenue is a minuscule fraction of Pritzker’s new spending — and it simply isn’t worth the terrible social tax that promoting pot imposes. Legal pot will lead to more DUI’s, more fatalities, more opioid use and more bad options for our children.

Government should support moms and dads who are trying to teach values to their children; undermining Moms to pay for ever sweetened deals for government workers is not good government.

It’s often said that voters get the government they deserve. I reject that: it’s often hard to see the truth about what’s happening in this age of fake news and biased media.

People deserve a government that serves them, not a government that takes more than it serves. People deserve a government that produces real opportunities, not a government that undermines property values and family values.

It breaks my heart to think of the damage Democrats will do to this state; you don’t deserve it. But, there won’t be any confusion or obfuscation about who has done what: everything that happens here now is done by Democrats.

And, when you see what they do, come join us. Republicans are the party of people government. Democrats have all the power of government today, but there is no greater power than that of informed and concerned people.

So don’t just worry, come help Republicans take your community and the state back for the good of all.

For Illinois,

Tim Schneider
Chairman, Illinois Republican Party

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:46 pm

Comments

===The numbers prove it - ===

Rauner lost by 15 points as a failed governor, the worst Republican governor in America.

Doesn’t the ILGOP know…

Rauner tried to drop out of the race… Rauner failed… the ILGOP was wholly complicit.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:48 pm
Pritzker reaches out hand to defeated, humiliated ILGOP; petulant losers slap it.

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:50 pm
There is a reason the Republican party is a super minority. Haven’t they learned anything?

Comment by Huh? Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:50 pm
This is a standard response in today’s hyper-partisan political climate. That aside, how do term limits and redistricting help Illinois’ budget woes?

Also, I would rather have people that know how to govern than new blood every 2-4 years.

Comment by Anon88 Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:50 pm
Tim, didn’t he also lose an election recently?

Comment by Anon E Moose Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:51 pm
Who?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:52 pm
Talk about super sour grapes

Comment by Les Nessman Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:52 pm
In other words, we want to make sure what is left of our party understands we are still here and dedicated to not changing a single thing in how we operate.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:53 pm
=Illinois taxpayers will know that the Illinois Republican Party is on their side=

Adding: “But we will not move one finger to solve the problems that affect every citizen of this state. Why? Because solving problems is hard.”

Stay on the porch, ILGOP, we’ve got it from here.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:53 pm
=Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, Madigan, Cullerton, and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know that they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise. We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.=

Big deal. You didn’t hold Rauner accountable when you could have and your actions led to a massive sweep by the democrats to the point that the ILGOP is on the precipice of being totally irrelevant. You won’t be holding the Democrats accountable because you lack any power to do so.

The message of the day was hope and bi-partisanship.
Your response shows that your piano can only play one tune.

Hopefully Durkin and Brady do better. Hopefully they are smarter.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:55 pm
@Anon E Moose

Yes, he lost to political newcomer Kevin Morrison who captured about 55% of the vote

Comment by Anon88 Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:56 pm
– Illinois taxpayers are fleeing our state in droves. –

Driven out by a (now former) governor with no interest in having a state that provides services or support for anyone beneath the 1 percent, a (now former) governor bent on decimating if not closing downstate universities that for decades provided the only available means for middle-class families to get ahead, a (now former) governor who watched and shrugged as thousands of dedicated people who committed their lives to helping others less fortunate were driven from their jobs as the social service agencies that employed them closed their doors.

That was Bruce Rauner’s Illinois and I’m not sure why Tim Schneider has chosen now to begin complaining.

I’d recommend some silent moments of reflection and shame for what helped perpetrate on the people of Illinois.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:56 pm
Illinois needs a GOP but not this tired failed message.

Comment by Klaus VonBulow Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:56 pm
Again, these idiots keep repeating the same thing over and over. People are leaving the state in droves over lack of employment and low wages, NOT TAXES.

Comment by Brendan Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:57 pm
Is this message endorsed by Brady and Durkin? If so, what a shame.

Comment by Anon88 Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 12:58 pm
Same as it ever was.

Comment by HCMcB Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:00 pm
Bad form. When extended an olive branch in their situation, take it, offer to work with him, then raise the other issues.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:01 pm
GOP, just sit back and grab the popcorn and watch this administration try to solve the problems of the state

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:03 pm
So it sounds like the status quo for the republican party. They are losing big time nationally, regionally and in the states. You would think they might extend a hand to the new governor and working across the aisle.

Comment by Flynn's Mom Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:05 pm
Did the Rauner team pen this prior to leaving? Someone should have checked it over before releasing. Bad form in the extreme.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:05 pm
Because map drawing reform is so relate-able and energizing for the general public. Especially to Dems. It should definitely be one of the issues you highlight loudly and often, especially in your first speech as Governor. /s

Bye, Felicia

Comment by Perrid Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:06 pm
“Flynn’s Mom”
No, they are going to go the way of the whigs.

Comment by Brendan Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:06 pm
ILGOP. The Bob Bittermans haven’t learned a thing… and unfortunately, they’ve haven’t fled the state yet as they encourage others to do.

Wake up. Be part of the positive solutions or be even more marginalized than you’ve already made yourselves.

Comment by El Conquistador Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:10 pm
===…just sit back and grab the popcorn and watch this administration try to solve the problems of the state===

Why would any voter vote for a do-nothing party?

The ILGOP needs to be relevant to governing or not exist at all. That’s where they are right now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:15 pm
Wow, The ILGOP held out their hand and took Rauner’s money and stood by silently and watched the destruction he wrought on the state. Now that their guy Rauner has been thrown out of office in a historical landslide they are telling us that they are on our side. What a joke. What happened to the ILGOP that I used to know?

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:20 pm
JB’s acts of bipartisanship apparently don’t count. Appointing Dave Harris to head the Revenue Dept. doesn’t mean a thing. Neither does having Gov. Edgar or Sen. Radogno on his transition team. Even Jim Durkin recognizes that JB is reaching out.

But to chairman Schneider, all of this is a smokescreen. It’s simply business as usual. It might make a Democrat wonder why bother?

Comment by anon2 Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:24 pm
This is a fairly obvious signal that the ILGOP will be as ineffectual and as irrelevant as they have been for these past 4 years.

Comment by illini Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:25 pm
As a former republican and committeeman, I am embarrassed by the response of the IGOP today. I am now an independent because they no longer represent the things I believe in. They have made themselves irrelevant in today’s Illinois. Pritzker has reached out to them and they have rebuffed the offer. Good on Pritzker for reaching out to them. The GOP have now to prove that they can be a part of governing and form compromises with the Dems or stay irrelevant as they have been.

Comment by Boat captain Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:26 pm
==We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.==

…while simultaneously offering little in the way of constructive ideas other than “reducing waste, fraud, & abuse” and “reform” of some sort or another.

Comment by Jocko Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:30 pm
Lucky for Timmay and the ILGOP you don’t need any dough to issue press releases.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:32 pm
The ILGOP really needs a new chairperson. Someone like Sen Radogno, who knows the art of bipartisanship, would help the ILGOP immensely.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:33 pm
===who knows the art of bipartisanship===

Party chairs are not supposed to be bipartisan. It’s a partisan position. That’s one reason why (of many) some folks don’t like the idea of MJM being a state chairman.

Could the ILGOP have shown more class today? Yep. But they have a job to do.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:34 pm
What a crabby and mean-spirited message on a day of hope, optimism, and the promise of bipartisanship. There is nothing in that message that gives me any confidence in the ILGOP.

Comment by LakeCo Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:46 pm
Enjoy the day and the honeymoon Democrats. You earned it! However, as of today you own it. All of it. Governor’s own.
Now stop complaining and fix the problems in Illinois. The ones that took decades to create and compounded by the last four years.
Governor Pritzker, the wheel is all yours…

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Maybe Tim wants to see if Illinois can see its very first “Super-DUPER” minority in 2021…

Comment by Don Gerard Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Republicans gonna Republican. They’re not change people. They don’t support needed reforms. They support the status quo of low state income taxes for the wealthy, not legalizing marijuana, not raising the minimum wage, etc.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 1:55 pm
The IL GOP has once again tripped over itself. They don’t even realize they lost the election, and no longer have the power to stop the Democrats. Amazing, and in four years they’ll have no more of a clue than they have today. Glad I’m an independent who doesn’t thin either party has all the answers.

Comment by revvedup Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:01 pm
And the ILGOP releases a statement that reinforces one-party rule.

I’m not sure how they plan to have anyones back on anything with superminorities at every level.

At this point the Republicans with the most power and clout in this state are Pritzker appointees.

Thats the state of the ILGOP.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:22 pm
Rich’s statement pretty much say it all in a very efficient manner.

Comment by Steve Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:25 pm
“Could the ILGOP have shown more class today? Yep. But they have a job to do.”
What job is that? Seriously.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:26 pm
Tim Schneider certainly hasn’t learned anything in the past 4 years.

Comment by A 400lb. Guy on a bed Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:40 pm
“undermining Moms to pay for ever sweetened deals for government workers is not good government”

But low taxes for the rich that help cause debt is okay, so that middle class government workers get the cuts. Big tax cuts to billionaire corporations are okay—no worries about growing debt and deficits because corporation owners are feasting on a 21% boost in income through the federal corporate tax cut.

Go ahead, GOP, keep pushing your unpopular austerity and rank fiscal hypocrisy.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:44 pm
How long until the lights are out at the IL GOP?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 2:46 pm
The public needs government to succeed. The out-of-power political party needs the in-power party to fail in order to regain control. Talk about a conflict of interest that is greater than any government union issue.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:00 pm
What was he supposed to say? -We’re really excited about the prospect of helping the D’s being successful so they can entirely wipe us out in 2020. Plus lead us to have no chance of winning in the 2020 Senate race.

Could he have toned down a bit, maybe. But to what end does that help? Another wave year with Trump in the White House running for reelection will be a total disaster for the party.

Comment by DuPage Bard Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:07 pm
Tim performing CPR on the turnaround agenda corpse. GOP on your side like a thorn

Comment by Rabid Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:13 pm
hand-maiden for the government unions

Stop. Stop with the bashing of good public servants who just want to do their job and be paid what their employment contract
Promised them. Your bashing and hatred have traumatized good people, loyal people who serve this state for four years.
Enough is enough
You are abusive
Absolutely abusive
Stop teaching your children to hate Illinoisans who serve others in state government.
My daughters have been verbally taunted at school because of who I work for.
Stop scapegoating us to cover the
perfidy of your corporate fascism.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:16 pm
Schneider shoots himself in the right foot with the first press release. Figured to be safe by putting gun in left pocket. Shoots self in left foot with the second press release.

Don’t the words “super minority” mean anything to Schneider?

Not helping things.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:16 pm
I wish Chairman Schneider would have waited a couple weeks to attack JB and his plans. JB sent us an olive branch for a cooling off period. We need to get OUR Party together before we go on the attack.

Comment by SILGOP Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:17 pm
All the GOP has left is to pit sections of the working class against each other. Union v. non-union, public v. private sector, black v. white, chicago v. downstate. They don’t want to find solutions to problems that affect everyone, they’d rather see everyone fight over the scraps so their donors can have a lower tax bill. Let’s hope the people in this state continue to not buy what they are

Comment by Actual Red Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:22 pm
To the update,

Make no mistake, I know and understand a party’s role is to be partisan, but that update continues the shrinking of the ILGOP, and asks others who might return to think twice, as there is no sense of the ILGOP proposing anything but “fighting”

You can’t be the alternative by being the party of “no”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:23 pm
Looks like the CarWash King wants confirm he is bigger Dope than Pat Brady. Maybe he can get shift at the Fire Madigan BOGO clearance

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:26 pm
>What was he supposed to say?

I was thinking about that question. I think it was a missed opportunity to freshen up their message and outline some things they’d like to accomplish with the new administration. I think of the articles about the incremental reforms Rauner could have gotten “if he wasn’t Rauner.” It might not be too late to work for some of them. Even with super-majorities, there will be a lot of unpopular things that have to be done that Democrats would love to have Republican votes on.

Comment by Earnest Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:49 pm
By repeating attacks of the election, Schneider does not acknowledge the results of the election. That is the biggest problem. This is a day to acknowledge the results, which also means acknowledging the verdict of the people. Rejecting that, today of all days, shows you to be a sore loser with no intention of ever working for the good of the state.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 3:49 pm
This reminds me of a New Yorker piece from last year on the federal GOP: http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/11/tuesdays-crushing-defeat-convinces-gop-theyre-doing-well.html

Comment by Hyde Parker Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 4:01 pm
GOP is just letting you know they’ll not be part of the huge tax increases coming our way.

The thinking that the party in charge can fix this state is illogical. But they hold all the cards so let’s see if they’re comfortable delivering bad news to the taxpayers. All by themselves.

Comment by SSL Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 4:18 pm
===just letting you know they’ll not be part of the huge tax increases===

Then why talk about marijuana?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 4:23 pm
You never give up on a winnin’ message.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 4:49 pm
=== Could the ILGOP have shown more class today? Yep. But they have a job to do. ===

Yeah, they have a job to do, they just aren’t doing it very well, and they might have been better off taking the day off. As you recently noted, Rich, Madigan has a history of saying nice things about governors and cooperating with them well for atleast the first three months.

The ILGOP’s message is out of sync with its own elected officials. That’s bad messaging by any measure — you aren’t supporting your elected officials and you are putting. A message out they refuse to deliver.

If Bernie starts calling local GOP GA members to see if they agree with the party’s description of Pritzker as Madigan’s handmaiden?

Embarrassing to still be using the same talking points that failed so badly three months ago.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 5:13 pm
I am a longtime Republican and I am glad they are making pot legal. This is a billion dollar industry and finally Illinois is creating new tax revenue for our great state!! Do the same for legalizing fireworks. New tax revenue!!

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 5:18 pm
–The thinking that the party in charge can fix this state is illogical.–

You know that statement is so vague and shallow as to be absolutely meaningless, don’t you? Yet you felt a need to say it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 6:55 pm
I say it just to get a rise out of you. It’s so easy. Thanks for playing.

Comment by SSL Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 7:21 pm
–I say it just to get a rise out of you. It’s so easy. Thanks for playing.–

Sure.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 7:30 pm
Fixing the state. A million dollar question or is it a billion dollar solution. To JB and the GOP. All old Blue wants is to lower the property tax burden. If that means raising my income tax. So be it. High property taxes crush those who can afford it the least.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 7:53 pm
BDD…not disagreeing that high property taxes are a problem, but I’m not sure if most folks think they are the highest priority. If income taxes have to go up, I wonder if those increased funds would be better used elsewhere, such as pensions, support for higher ed, health care, and similar things. I suspect since property taxes are determined locally, that might be one of the many problems that cannot be solved by the state in the short term, since income taxes cannot go up infinitely.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 8:23 pm
Jibba. I am afraid if we change tax rates without reformulating education funding it will never get changed.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 9:05 pm
Shorter Schneider “We want Kansas circa 2013”

@BDD- lowering property taxes isn’t the states job. And it never should be. The state can create conditions that would allow local governments that actually levy property taxes to lower them. But that will not come without confidence that the state will pay its bills. That will take time.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 10:18 pm
JS.I understand. But the state must lead the way by pledging to increase Ed funding

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jan 14, 19 @ 10:22 pm
==let’s see if they’re comfortable delivering bad news to the taxpayers==

That’s not too hard. “The complete abdication of responsible governing by the Rauner administration has made our fiscal situation untenable. In 4 years, the Rauner administration couldn’t find enough waste, fraud, and abuse to cut to balance budgets because it simply doesn’t exist. We cannot cut our way out of this problem. Just ask Kansas. We don’t want to raise taxes, but there is no reasonable alternative in the near term due to the irresponsible governing from the Rauner administration. We’ve done everything we can to make sure the working class and middle class feel little to no effects, while those who can afford it like Bruce Rauner and his anti-worker anti-middle class friends who hijacked this state for 4 years, pay for the damage they have done to our state.”

Comment by Anon324 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 9:24 am