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* WIFR…
Last week’s storm was the first crisis for Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration. Today he talked about what he saw when he toured the area on Friday.
“Rochelle was devastated and the Town of Fairdale was…it was horrible what happened. We went there to offer our emotional support, our financial support, and to thank those first responders, our firefighters, our police officers and our Red Cross volunteers,” Rauner said.
Because of Illinois’ inability to get federal aid for Washington, Illinois after the November 2013 tornado, Rauner believes there’s little hope Fairdale and Rochelle will receive any aid from Washington. His plan is to rebuild those towns with private donations.
The Governor and his wife Diana have already anted up $100,000.
“My wife and I are trying to lead a major fundraising effort with the Red Cross. The Red Cross is doing extraordinary work to provide meals, provide shelter and provide transportation to those families and we’re doing everything we can to bring private resources to help,” the Governor said.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 9:45 am
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That was an EF-4 storm, looks like Pres Obama,Sen Durbin and Sen Kirk should be able to help these communities.
Sen Durbin says ‘he stands ready to help’. Rochelle and Fairdale sure hope so.
Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:02 am
Good deal.
He has money, let’s see him use it for good.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:03 am
It’s admirable that the Rauners are contributing the equivalent of about a day’s earnings to the relief effort, but the Red Cross has been leading the way as the first to show up and the last to leave for about 135 years now.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:17 am
==It’s admirable that the Rauners are contributing the equivalent of about a day’s earnings to the relief effort, but the Red Cross has been leading the way as the first to show up and the last to leave for about 135 years now.==
Yeah, and Rauner is giving the money to the Red Cross. And praised the Red Cross in his statement. What’s your point?
Comment by so... Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:23 am
To put the $100,000 donation in perspective, Rauners’ contribution based on income of $50 million is the same as a family with an income of $50,000 donating $100.
Comment by cimry90 Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:27 am
Good move, to be applauded.
Might have been better form for Rauner to publicly ask for Red Cross donations, without touting his own leadership and big donation. But what’s a politician to do?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:27 am
Walker- I thought the same thing. Quietly donate $100k to the Red Cross and ask the public to make donations.
Comment by Slick Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:37 am
Good for the Rauner’s. I hope he didn’t think he had to be governor to make that contribution.
Comment by chi Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:48 am
Good for him - of course. But are we always going to have a governor who can afford to plunk down $100,000 of his own money every time there’s a tornado? Relying solely on the charity of private individuals isn’t a sustainable approach. We have a lot of tornadoes. Maybe Rauner should help with the short-term relief effort but then put some time into working with governors in similarly-situated states to lobby the federal government for a change in disaster relief policy so small towns that are virtually wiped off the map aren’t punished just because they happen to be located in a state with a large population.
Comment by Commander Norton Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 10:58 am
You’d never see old Rod & Patti do anything remotely like that.
Comment by Tollway Ivory Tower Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 11:05 am
===You’d never see old Rod & Patti do anything remotely like that.===
Feel better?
People lost everything, but you got your shot it.
Dope.
Good on Mr. and Mrs. Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 11:18 am
Yeah, and old Rod and Patti weren’t makin’ $50M a year …
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 11:20 am
You guys really can’t help yourselves, can you? It was a generous donation. He brought attention to the area. He committed State help. It’s a gracious gesture. I’m sure he’s asked others to be generous as well. My own circumstances allow $100 now, more later and a pint of blood.
It’s a crisis there. Just leave the nasties out of this one.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 11:59 am
It was generous but I’m surprised he didn’t blame the tornadoes on “the unions” or talk about the corrupt bargain between nature and Illinois.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:21 pm
“I’m sure he’s asked others to be generous as well.”
Well, God knows Rauner isn’t shy about asking others to make sacrifices.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:26 pm
In that spirit Mr.JM, go ahead and make one. Maybe you already did. If so, good on you.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:30 pm
That’s the equivalent of a $70,000.00 salaried employee giving $125.00.
Comment by ROLLO TOMASI Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:33 pm
that’s very nice of them to donate. very nice.
that said, rich people donating is no long term prescription. we made these jokes when he was running because he kept talking about how much money he could personally spread around for several problems. the Santa Clause approach to government is not sound.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:41 pm
I agree, nice gesture, and sincere. However, will he also direct his Administration to ask the Feds for assistance? Will he investigate what the State can do? Private donations are fine, and can go a long way, but this is not the time for “less” government. The State is not a country club, and this is not a silent auction.
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 12:52 pm
“Maybe you already did. If so, good on you.”
You’ll never know, guy.
“When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!” Matthew 6:2
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:03 pm
The Givernor could use that 20 million he set aside to buy votes and instead help these people with that money.
Help people in need, 100k. Slush fund to get rid of the middle class, and fair wages for construction workers, 20 million.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Well at least he did give something, even if it was on the cheap side. I’m not going to bash him for this one. I surprised he didn’t make more of show of it. He loves that white hot spotlight! I’m sure it will make his next power point though.
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:12 pm
===MrJM - Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
“Maybe you already did. If so, good on you.”
You’ll never know, guy.===
Nor will I ever care. Just seems you took inventory on another guys with your comments. Look up that verse too. Google it if it’s not at the top of your head.
Very cute though. Ack.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:26 pm
The town needs help in any way it can be given, and appreciates this and other offers of generosity.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:29 pm
What’s the Bible verse on “took inventory on another guys?”
The google is no help.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:41 pm
= “the Rauners are contributing the equivalent of about a day’s earnings” =
= “To put the $100,000 donation in perspective, Rauners’ contribution based on income of $50 million is the same as a family with an income of $50,000 donating $100.” =
= “without touting his own leadership and big donation” =
= ““When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do — blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!” Matthew 6:2″ =
= “People lost everything, but you got your shot in” =
OW - people lost everything, and WHO got their shots in ???
MrJM - So, a one sentence statement promoting donations is now “blowing trumpets”? Is it possible that by indicating your own starting donation, it may help urge others to follow suit?
Cimry90 - Let me know when all of the $50K earners in IL pony up their $100
The way this blog has become so partisan is disappointing. I mean, if there was a time to give credit where its due, it was here. I don’t care what percentage it is of his income, he just provided a huge donation he was not obligated to provide.
Comment by Kodachrome Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Um, - Kodachrome -…
Why you lumped me into your rant is lost on me, but I think, no, I know, I was taking to task a Dope who took a shot at another former governor, because, well, there was no reason.
I also said good on the Rauners.
Take a breath.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:58 pm
To steal a line from Roe Conn on WGN:
“Everybody makes fun of Rauner for droppin’ his G’s…well he just dropped a hundred of them for tornado relief.”
Comment by Stu Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Someone should figure up the advertising value equivalency of this move. Want to bet it’s over 100K?
And Kodachrome, yes, a statewide press pop is blowing trumpets. Even when it’s for a good cause.
Comment by Hah Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 2:50 pm
=== Wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
What’s the Bible verse on “took inventory on another guys?”===
Rephrase it and Google harder. You’ve been posting like a Theological Scholar lately. Try the old “cast the first stone” line, or measuring someone else’s efforts, be imaginative.
The google is no help.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Willy, even I will testify to your innocence on this one. It is good on him. And everyone who thinks $100K won’t help and go a long way there is just a jerk. It was generous. I’m sure he encouraged others. And the early dough helps out big time.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 3:10 pm
== Hah - Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 2:50 pm:=== Why don’t you use that very active mind of yours to doing something productive.
The Governor and his wife have a long and deep record of being extraordinarily charitable with their money. Do you?
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Sorry Willy - just seemed like there were a few peeps who used the opportunity to take shots at Rauner, despite what seems to be a very generous gesture to me, before you posted, and the first one you jumped on was the one who took a shot at Blago. The initial shots at him aggravated me a bit, the way Tollway aggravated you - $100,000 ain’t chump change, no matter how rich you may be. In some eyes, the guy can do no right, no matter what, and that is unfortunate. You did give the Rauners credit, for which I give you credit
Comment by Kodachrome Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 3:22 pm
First of all, good for the Governor and his wife. It was a very generous donation.
Second, while I understand some have an issue with him publicizing his donation, I don’t know that it’s a big deal. I would take the opposite view that publicizing his donation was simply showing that he was leading by example. It’s hard to ask for donations when you haven’t donated yourself.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 4:01 pm
Donations and Donating seem to be one of the Rauners favorite things. Good for them and kudos for all those who have helped like first responders, volunteers, churches, the Red Cross, etc. Its great to see people come together for a cause. It takes a disaster for that to happen anymore. Rauner could have challenged the entire state to help out, and matched what ever the commoners of the state could muster together, now that would have been positive press worthy statewide news release.
Comment by BlameBruceRauner Wednesday, Apr 15, 15 @ 5:56 pm