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* Gov. Bruce Rauner via the Sun-Times…
“I’ve gone into the Department of Revenue, Department of Health and Human Services, IDOT — people are giving me standing ovations and are like, ‘Governors never come see us. . . . I’ve worked here for 25 years and I’ve never seen a governor,’ ” he said.
He let the anecdote sink in for a moment before announcing, “Hello?! I mean, come on.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:39 am
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Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:42 am
===I’ve worked here for 25 years and I’ve never seen a governor,’ ===
I’ll give him some credit for reaching out to employees and the legislators. Its a good thing. But I will be surprised if these employees ever see him again.
Comment by Been There Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:44 am
Hopefully with all those selfies, we won’t see them in six months posted again with…
“This is me with Gov. Rauner 5 months ago. Now that I’m no longer with the state, it isn’t as cool of a shot of us anymore. #ImOutOfThePicture”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:46 am
Were they still cheering after he told them their salaries are too high?
Comment by RJ Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:46 am
He shows up at agencies to say hello but continues to slam state workers every chance he gets. Standing ovations, yeah right.
Comment by Because I said so.... Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:47 am
Also, ovation? Pictures or it didn’t happen, Bruce.
Get out of here with your “greeted as liberators” delusions. You’re sounding like you-know-who without the dedication to coiffeur and cardio.
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:51 am
No quibbles here. This was the right thing for a new leader to do.
Comment by walker Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:52 am
==Also, ovation? Pictures or it didn’t happen, Bruce.==
It happened at Revenue.
Comment by Anon. Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 10:59 am
Brian Williams writing talking points now?
It’s a good gesture, but don’t oversell it.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:02 am
More surprised every governor doesn’t do this…
Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:04 am
Is this in Chicago or Springfield? If it’s the latter, then many of those ovating (I don’t care if it’s a word or not, I’m using it) voted for him because (a) He’s an R, and (b) he’s not Pat Quinn.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:04 am
Wait, during prior terms many people had seen the prior governors…at fund raising events etc. I remember the attempts to force political hires on me at my office. The worse one was during the interview the candidate for hire kept talking about how often he saw the governor.
Comment by illlinifan Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:07 am
Could this guy be more full of himself?
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:08 am
I think he’s confusing respect for the office, and for having the boss visit people where they work, with a standing ovation. It’s not a good sign that he can’t tell the difference.
Comment by AC Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:10 am
Yes, Jim Edgar should’ve showed up at state agencies, shook some hands and smiled for the employees like Bruce did. Is that what he’s remembered for? Of course not. Bruce is getting as much media attention for his window dressing moves as he can. We get it. Can we move on to things that matter?
Comment by shaken Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:10 am
@Anon 10:59
Were you there? Did you take a picture?
And please take a half second to come up with a nickname. It makes following the posts easier for everyone… Thanks
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:12 am
No governor ever visited my agency for a general meet and greet. But I’m not buying the jubilant welcome bit. Given his penchant for retribution no smart employee is going to give the gov any guff.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:12 am
He should learn the name of his agencies. Did he visit the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services? Or is this his way of saying he plans to consolidate and rename them??
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:13 am
“…continues to slam state workers…”
He’s not personally slamming workers. Don’t let the facts get in the way of your emotional post.
Comment by Westward Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:14 am
You had to stand, they didn’t put out chairs. You applaud because it’s the nice thing to do.
Comment by HeavyB Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:22 am
==“I’ve gone into the Department of Revenue, Department of Health and Human Services, IDOT — people are giving me standing ovations and are like, ‘Governors never come see us. . . . I’ve worked here for 25 years and I’ve never seen a governor,’ ” he said.== Only a mentally ill person would want to see the people he plans to kill. When you cut a person’s job, you kill a part of the person and their means to support their family.
Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:24 am
==He’s not personally slamming workers. Don’t let the facts get in the way of your emotional post.==
Ummm, what would you call it?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:25 am
The Governor coming out to IDOT within days of him taking office was a nice touch and meaningful to the employees at IDOT. He was very gracious in staying to take pictures with anyone that wanted - me included. It really helped boost the morale. Having said that … I got my pink slip the following week. But, I still don’t think you should take away the Governor’s wanting to visit with state employees. At least he’s trying. By the way, the Governor has also been to several area Springfield and rural bball games. Nice personal touch.
Comment by Just Sayin .... Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:26 am
Blago visited IDOT early on in his first term, glad hanandign and promising to get things moving with a new team….we know where that went.
Purges, cronyism and lawsuits…
Comment by One day at a time Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:28 am
@Westward:
“He’s not personally slamming workers. Don’t let the facts get in the way of your emotional post.”
Well, it would be a long speech if he were to personally name each state worker. So he just consolidates the list to “State Workers” in his little chats.
Don’t let your defense of Rauner get in the way of his intent.
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:28 am
“He should learn the name of his agencies” I wonder if he’s planning on any trips to Lincoln county?
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:32 am
Demoralized - unions and inflated salaries.
Comment by Westward Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:33 am
@Liz
==Were you there? Did you take a picture?==
Taking a photo inside Revenue is a firing offense…. I doubt they will be applauding when the health care changes take effect July 1
Comment by Anotheretiree Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:43 am
- Westward - Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:33 am:
Demoralized - unions and inflated salaries.
Westward has no facts just jealousy and hatred of State Workers.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:44 am
Or maybe I’m a well paid state worker who sympathizes with non-Union employees and Rauner’s position that many job title salaries are out of whack with reality. It really isn’t so difficult to sort out my position. Being jealous gets you nowhere. That right there is a fact. See what I did there?
Comment by Westward Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:51 am
Has he filled the Secretary spot for the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services? Must be very intense search process.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:53 am
They are not booing, they are “Bruuuuuuuuccccce”ing
Comment by Bobby Hill Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 11:55 am
Ha! Standing ovation my foot. We were all standing during his talk because there was nowhere to sit. That being said he did receive what I would call polite applause after his remarks but hardly a thunderous response.
Comment by The Unknown Poster Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:03 pm
The agency employees I’ve talked to are scared to death. Not just for their jobs, but for their ability to do those jobs. The uncertainty is killing them. And these are folks who really care about doing athe best they can to help people and carry out a given mission. They may be standing and applauding, but those legs are shaking.
Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Thanks Anotheretiree.
Interesting that’s the spot where this irrefutable standing ovation took place.
Just Sayin, sorry to hear about the pink slip. Better times ahead.
But since cameras were out, any chance you’ve got a picture of a standing o?
Haven’t heard back from Anon. yet.
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:05 pm
I’m guessing the standing O at Rev was because they were all standing when he came in. Mild applauding could be stretched to be called a standing ovation.
Comment by Anotheretiree Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:09 pm
Man, after every election, I hear this “employees are scared” stuff. So much rhetoric. Union employees shouldn’t be worried about anything. They aren’t going anywhere. Just something else to complain about.
Comment by Westward Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Have a snickers Westward.
Comment by #5 Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:12 pm
To all raunerbots working for the state of Illinois, when he says your salaries and benefits are too generous what do you think he means by that? Ya you got your selfie with him in return he’s going to make you pay 12 grand a year for health insurance. Nice trade off
Comment by foster brooks Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:13 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl_NpdAy3WY
Sally Field - “I can’t deny the fact that you like me”
Jeesh!
Comment by 2 cents... Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:35 pm
==They are not booing, they are “Bruuuuuuuuccccce”ing==
That would be Bruuuuucccin’ !!
Comment by Rusty618 Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:41 pm
All comes down to hard bargaining this summer. Will the workforce be ready, organized, and supportive of whatever it may take to sustain what they have, get what they want, or bend only as far as they are willing to. And will the Governor be willing to do what is necessary (like allowing portions of state government and agencies shutdown under a strike or lockout)to get what they deem sufficient.
This summer’s bargaining will be worth watching and should be educational. But most of all let’s hope it is productive with both sides walking away unhappy, which usually means something was accomplished.
Comment by nadia Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 12:47 pm
All Hail The Great Leader!
Brucey Boy is developing quite the cult of personality inside the gray matter.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Pretty sure those standing ovations (if they ever really happened) were before the pink slips started to go out.
Comment by hakuna matata Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:11 pm
==Union employees shouldn’t be worried about anything. They aren’t going anywhere. ==
And you think that because? You think he’s closing a $6 billion budget hole without any layoffs?
Man, you got this all figured out don’t you. He’s not attacking workers (never mind he says their overpaid, which is an attack) and employees ain’t got nothing to worry about (never mind that there are going to be massive cuts).
Like you fantasy land do you?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:19 pm
==They are not booing, they are “Bruuuuuuuuccccce”ing==
Z, are they booing me?
Uh, no. They’re saying Boo-RUCE, Boo-RUCE!
(Turns to IDOT crowd) Excuse me, are you saying Boo or Boo-ruce?
Boooooooooo!!!
(spox, to himself) I was saying Boo-ruce.
Comment by Todd Gak Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:21 pm
LizPhairTax @ 12:05 ==Haven’t heard back from Anon. yet.==
Revenue employees were told it was ok to take photos of the governor in public areas, and a number of selfies of employees with the governor have appeared on Facebook. The applause was pretty loud. I was not one of the people applauding or posing for selfies with the governor, but I wasn’t surprised. The prior administration’s treatment of employees did not earn it any friends, even among the unionized workers.
Comment by Anon. Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Why on earth would people complain when the Governor comes to visit? Southern Illinois waited for Quinn to visit….instead when he actually did he hid in cornfields!
Comment by Millie K. Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:34 pm
He wants to cut my pay, cut my pension, destroy my union, but By Golly, he came to say “hi” to me! What a swell guy.
Comment by Voice of Reason Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Thanks Anon.
Without proof, Bruce Rauner’s standing ovations are a lot like Kim Jong-Il’s golf scores.
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 2:43 pm
JRT, JE and GHR all came to the agencies I worked at. DCCA, IDOT. IDPH. It was Blago that never did. I’m glad Rauner is reaching out to rank and file. Look at them, while you stab them.
Comment by Former State Employee 2 Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 4:00 pm
=== JRT, JE and GHR all came to the agencies I worked at. DCCA, IDOT. IDPH. ===
I was at one of these agencies for all three govs and they never came for a general get together for employees. They came for dog and pony shows for some issue. To me there is a difference.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Feb 9, 15 @ 4:11 pm