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* Bruce Rauner’s statement that he most definitely wanted to lower the minimum wage by a dollar an hour is becoming quite a big story, despite his attempt to walk back the demand yesterday.
As noted below, all four Republican gubernatorial candidates have now weighed in on the minimum wage issue. And now it’s moved into the state treasurer’s race. From a press release…
Republican Gubernatorial candidate and billionaire Bruce Rauner announced yesterday that he supports lowering Illinois’ minimum wage rate from $8.25 to $7.25. Representative Tom Cross has a long history of rejecting minimum wage increases, most recently voting against increases in 2003 and 2006. If Tom Cross had his way, the minimum wage would still be $4.25 cents an hour as it was when he was first elected. The Cross\Rauner plan to stop an increase or even lower the minimum wage is mean-spirited and would drain millions from our economy and throw thousands more into poverty.
State Senator Mike Frerichs, Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, released the following statement responding to Rauner’s ridiculous idea;
“I’m shocked by billionaire Bruce Rauner’s attack on working families who are just trying to earn a living. Bruce Rauner says that he wants Illinois to be competitive with surrounding states. If he really means that, then he should join our President in his effort to raise the minimum wage for everyone in this country.
Perhaps Rauner took his cues from Tom Cross who in the last ten years voted against raising the minimum wage twice (2003 and 2006) and as recently as last year agreed that raising the minimum wage was a “job killer”. It’s not surprising that Rauner has partnered with Tom Cross by giving the maximum of $10,600 to Cross’ campaign.
Bruce Rauner and Tom Cross represent what the Illinois Republican Party is comprised of; clueless candidates who denigrate low-income workers and stack the deck against working families just trying to get ahead. I repudiate Rauner’s race to the bottom in wages and urge people to sign my petition at www.FrerichsforIllinois.com/supportminwage and tell Rauner and Cross to stand with working families and support President Obama’s call to raise the minimum wage.”
One minor correction. Rauner actually made his original statement on December 11th, according to John Gregory at the Illinois Radio Network, not yesterday. It was reported yesterday, but the quote had been sitting around a while.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:13 pm
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Vitriol and rhetoric, much?
“I’m a divider, not a uniter.” - MF.
“There are ways of making your point without insulting people or stereotyping.” - FKA
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:21 pm
Yeah, Rauner really stepped on his. Unforced error, great TV spot.
When you made $25K an hour the year before, maybe you should clam up on the minimum wage.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:21 pm
How about Sen. Frerichs worry about the Treasurer’e race.
Frerichs is vying to be the “Most Annoying Candidate” and we just entered 2014.
We all know, you are trying to get to the “Big Kid” table, congratulations, but weighing in as this campaign is, and has done, including SSM, we get you need the press, but really?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:22 pm
The Democrats need to show restraint here. Just let the Republican blood flow over this minimum wage issue. Frerichs can easily associate Tom Cross with Rauner in relation to the minimum wage issue once the Republican primary is over and hopefully Rauner has won.
Then both Frerichs and Quinn can use the internal Republican battle against their respective opponents as part of a class war strategy. It’s a beautiful thing.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:29 pm
We’re talking 30 bucks more per week here people. Shoot, that’ll only buy half a tank of gas.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:33 pm
=== Mike Frerichs represents what the Illinois Democratic Party is comprised of; clueless candidates who denigrate job creators and stack the deck against working families just trying to survive in a Democratically controlled and created economy.
He voted in favor of the income tax increase and supports job-destroying policies during a time when Illinois is projected to finish last in job creation during 2014.
I repudiate Frerich’s race to the bottom in jobs and urge people to sign my petition…”
Even if his underlying point is valid, polling indicates that such vapid rhetoric and ugly talking points are turning people off.
Media reports published today indicate Independents are now at an all-time high, and it’s not because of the civil discourse between our parties and leaders.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:36 pm
Don’t these folks have handlers?
Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:40 pm
Don’t underestimate Rauner’s “lower the standard of living” plan, he was just firming up the citadel financial and iPi vote.
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:42 pm
I’m waiting for Sheila to play a song about the minimum wage on her banjo
Comment by JB Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 3:43 pm
Dear MF,
You seem to once again be confused. You vote to raise the minimum wage and also raise taxes. This hurts jobs and makes people (like your own family) move their business elsewhere. In all seriousness what office are you running for? I still haven’t heard an announcement.
zài jiàn
Comment by Purple Foxx Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:06 pm
JB wins the intrawebs today. Funny visual and funny that she might actually do that.
Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:15 pm
Senator Frerichs: you’re better than this really idiotic release indicates. Don’t go along with what your childish campaign staff wants. Show us the class you’ve exhibited in the past. Elevate the dialogue and dare your opponent to enter the fray.
Comment by Just Saying Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:18 pm
Nicely played Mike!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:22 pm
I can just imagine Rauner’s new campaign commercial. Rauner in a helicopter pointing at soldier field saying, “as governor I plans to fill this stadium with people whose standard of living I just lowered.”
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:38 pm
The world could use less of “billionaire Bruce Rauner” and more of “billionaire Bruce Wayne”…
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 4:41 pm
The guy rakes in 53 million a year and want’s to squeeze the little guy. The Republicans are their own worst enemy.
Job killers are Madigan and Cullerton, Rauner is not the solution.
Think of it Jay Culter has to work 4 years to make 53 million. Life is not fair.
Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 6:52 pm
Nothing personal against Mike, but his knowledge of “working families” is purely 2nd hand. He hasn’t had an actual job since graduating from college. And his wife got a Madigan-like job from the U of I, earning $140K, more than the average full professor earns after a decade.
Comment by Filmmaker Professor Wednesday, Jan 8, 14 @ 7:15 pm