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* Democratic state Sen. Daniel Biss told Rick Pearson yesterday that he will decide whether to run for governor “in the next few weeks”…
“The state of Illinois is in an incredibly terrible situation now, and we need someone who’s prepared to lead us out of it,” Biss said Sunday on WGN AM-720.
“We need someone to lead us out of it by laying out a progressive economic vision for Illinois — a vision that is about protecting the middle class, lifting up the middle class and fixing the budget by going to the billionaires who have gotten off scot-free and finally, for the first time in generations, having them pay their fair share,” he said.
Biss said that vision needs to be laid out “in a clear, direct, progressive and bold way” that will “build a movement that’s going to be used not just to win a governor’s race but to transform governance in the state of Illinois.” […]
“If we want to do this properly, it’s going to require building something over the course of many months. It’s not going to be quick. It’s not going to be turnkey. It’s not going to be automatic. It’s not going to be all television. It’s going to be a slow, gradual movement of people across the state, and that’s what’s needed, again, not just to win but to really transform Illinois,” he said.
OK, I get the rhetoric here, but just keep in mind that you usually can’t “transform” anything unless you win.
The full interview is here.
* At about the 14:45 mark, Pearson asks him if he thinks Gov. Rauner really wants a budget…
I have no idea. He’s not acting like he wants a budget… I don’t know what’s in his head, all I know is his behavior. And Gov. Rauner is behaving like someone who doesn’t care whether the state has a budget at all. He’s talking about other things 24/7 and that’s just not what he should be doing. His job, his first job and his most important job is to fix the disastrous budget problem that Illinois has.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:24 am
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Northshore Dems are already talking about State Senate candidates, looking for a consensus candidate who can avoid an expensive primary. Biss may have already signaled his plans to them.
Comment by Former Downstater Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:30 am
..progressive economic vision.. If that is what the Dem’s have in store for 2018 they are doomed to failure. 12 plus billion in the red is a hardly a good place to be pitching progressive economics.
Comment by Texas Red Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:41 am
If only Daniel Biss’ grandfather had the foresight to become a billionaire…
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:45 am
I would support and volunteer for Biss. He presents a clear message for a way forward for Illinois.
Comment by DHS Jim Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:45 am
It’s almost March and not one mention anywhere yet of the Great Lisa Madigan for Governor Conspiracy from any of the usual suspects.
That one was old enough to have a driver’s license. John Kass has lost a quarter of his career’s work.
I guess he’ll just have to keep writing about what he saw on the tee vee box the day before.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:47 am
I’m a fan of Biss’….would love to see him move up the ladder. Just not certain what his path is in the Dem primary. Kennedy, Pritzker, Pawar, Biss — 4 male candidates candidates from the same 10-mile swath of the north lakefront.
Comment by 44 Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:49 am
Anyone who has spent even five minutes actually listening to Biss speak understands how smart and thoughtful he is and would be as Governor. He has a clear political vision and ideology, but unlike Rauner, he’s someone who is able to compromise with others and actually get things done. We’d be lucky to have Biss as governor.
Comment by slow down Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:51 am
How can someone talk about stabilizing and protecting the middle class while trying to deprive pensioners/pension contributors of their earned benefits? Biss led the effort along with Nekritz to decrease middle class pension earners. He does not stand for middle class protection to me.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:54 am
wordslinger — surely you know Lisa put an end to that talk when SHE said she’ll never run as long as he dad is Speaker. can’t blame Kass for that.
Comment by jim Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:56 am
And, incidentally, they all—-every single one of them—–gives lip service to this “payint their fair share” when talking about wealthy people. For some odd reason, that never happens when they get into office. They just add financial burdens to the old workhorses (aka middle class workers) while letting those so-called billionaires off scot free. Someone needs to hold their feet to the fire on this loose rhetoric.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:56 am
Whoever runs against Rauner will need a lot of money. I think Biss is probably the smartest man in the Capitol so that’s a plus. I think he would embrace a progressive income tax which this state desperately needs. I just don’t know how good of a campaigner he would be.
I think Biss is probably right when answering that question about Rauner. If getting a balanced budget was high on Rauner’s priority list we would have had a budget a long time ago. It’s obvious the Rauner is in no hurry to get a budget deal done. At some point he will be because I think he’s smart enough to know that he can’t get reelected without one.
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:58 am
== I guess he’ll just have to keep writing about what he saw on the tee vee box the day before. ==
So true. That, and he’ll figure a way to shoe-horn a Jim DeLeo reference into the mix.
Comment by Roman Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 9:59 am
Rich tells us: “In other words, do your best to be civilized and smart.” Daniel does that best of anyone. I’m all in.
Comment by Mike Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:03 am
I live in Biss’ district. When he first ran for state rep he came to my door, looked me in the face, and said he would fight any attack on teacher pensions. That was a lie. The Schakowsky/Suffredin machine owns him. He can’t be trusted.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:06 am
Biss could be interesting if he can build off of the fundraising success he had in ‘16 (build off of it a lot, of course) and continues to improve his presence on the stump. He was pretty rough when he started that Comptroller campaign, but he did get better…
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:07 am
===said he would fight any attack on teacher pensions..That was a lie.==
We got that same face to face statement from Michael Connelly. Go figure? And folks have problems with Trump rhetoric?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:09 am
I think his press appearances are improving, this is a great quote:
” He’s not acting like he wants a budget I don’t know what’s in his head, all I know is his behavior. And Gov. Rauner is behaving like someone who doesn’t care whether the state has a budget at all. He’s talking about other things 24/7 and that’s just not what he should be doing. His job, his first job and his most important job is to fix the disastrous budget problem that Illinois has.”
Comment by siriusly Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:13 am
As a faithful cog in the Jan and Bob machine that runs and mismanages Evanston, which is in a terrible situation now, I do no have much faith in Biss.
Comment by W Flag Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:15 am
Even if Biss does well in the polls, can he beat Kennedy & Rauner’s money sources to win the election?
Biss, stay where you are needed the most - in the Senate.
Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:16 am
He won’t fly with the independents….too much a Madigan man and follower.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:17 am
Finding Biss’ lane is hard. Kennedy and Pritzker occupy conventional Dem space. I think the Bernie backers would be attracted to Biss, but by being first out and deliberately targeting them Pawar is sucking up the oxygen there.
Comment by In 630 Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:18 am
I enjoy a good anonymous comment as much as the next person, but 10:17 is in a class by itself!
Biss=Madigan. Totally. Nailed it. What’s YOUR recipe for beer can chicken?
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:22 am
Biss has a tailor-made Congressional seat waiting for him if/when Jan Schakowsky retires. That seems like the better fit. He is idealogically very liberal - which is fine except when it comes to running for governor in non-presidential years when voter turnout is lower and facing an incumbent who can create whatever narrative of himself and whatever narrative of his opponent that he wants to sell to the public.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:26 am
The two Dem money guys are less impressive. If Biss can get the $$$ backing, he would be a better opponent to Rauner. Of course, money is the key.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:37 am
Note to Dan - reserve a small room. Not that many billionaires in Illinois to talk to
Comment by Sue Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 10:43 am
Money won’t really be an issue once there’s a Democratic nominee. While the Unions, Trial attys, DGA etc might not match Rauner’s money, it’ll be competitive.
Comment by Fax Machine Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:00 am
As the author and principal sponsor of the infamous
“Biss Amendment” which was unconstitutional on its face, I am not sure if Biss is a certified rocket scientist. Higher ed adjuncts across the state revile him for this “smoke and mirrors” pension fix that resulted in the firing of part-time faculty members across the state.
Comment by Ward Heeler Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:02 am
Can;t believe Rauner’s IPI people are here commenting anonymously.
Wow.
Comment by Blue Bayou Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:17 am
Slowdown
“Anyone who has spent even five minutes actually listening to Biss speak understands how smart and thoughtful he is and would be as Governor. He has a clear political vision and ideology, but unlike Rauner, he’s someone who is able to compromise with others and actually get things done. We’d be lucky to have Biss as governor.”
Hogwash
He can’t even vote yes on all the Grand Bargain bills
“We need someone to lead us out of it by laying out a progressive economic vision for Illinois — a vision that is about protecting the middle class, lifting up the middle class and fixing the budget by going to the billionaires who have gotten off scot-free and finally, for the first time in generations, having them pay their fair share,” he said.
There are 14 billionaires in Illinois. I know he is a “wicked smart” math wiz but increasing taxes on 14 people will not balance the budget
“We need someone to lead us out of it by laying out a progressive economic vision for Illinois — a vision that is about protecting the middle class, lifting up the middle class and fixing the budget by going to the billionaires who have gotten off scot-free and finally, for the first time in generations, having them pay their fair share,” he said.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150929/BLOGS03/150929825/14-of-the-400-wealthiest-americans-are-illinoisans-ken-griffin-leads
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:19 am
“”the Schakowsky/Suffredin machine”"
LOL. Is that the Evanston Combine?
Comment by walker Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:32 am
== fixing the budget by going to the billionaires who have gotten off scot-free==
So anyone earning over $1 billion is exempt from paying state income taxes?! That is one crazy progressive tax structure we’ve got here.
Comment by City Zen Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:45 am
No guns. No Biss.
Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:46 am
**No guns. No Biss.**
Is this actually a 2nd amendment comment?
Comment by JoeMaddon Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 11:56 am
God,guns and Oreos.
Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 12:05 pm
**No guns. No Biss.**
So, which proponent of gun control will you vote for? Kennedy? Pritzker? Pawar?
Your pro-gun Dem candidate doesn’t appear to be in the race.
Comment by JoeMaddon Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 12:15 pm
Joe. I know. And i am sick to my stomach. I wont vote for Rauner, but i wont for a candidate who has an anti-gun bias. I am not a one issue voter…but darn close.
Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 12:18 pm
Its funny - The Rauner strategy for the past two years was to sully the Madigan name because they saw Lisa as the only threat.
They are still convinced she is going to run. That she is just biding her time because she doesn’t have to be out there early.
That’s either $40 million wasted or $40 million well-spent.
Comment by OkComputer Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 12:56 pm
He’s the real deal…I’m hoping…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 1:28 pm
Is anyone from outside of Chicagoland going to announce soon, or….?
Also, all the focus is at the top job right now, but there also will be openings for Democratic nominees for Lt. Governor and Secretary of State…Any rumors there?
Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 2:36 pm
“- Blue dog dem - Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
Joe. I know. And i am sick to my stomach. I wont vote for Rauner, but i wont for a candidate who has an anti-gun bias. I am not a one issue voter…but darn close.”
Really? So guns are more important than funding social service agencies, health care, paying our bills, economic development and a freakin’ budget? Psst, if that’s the case, I hate to tell you this but you’re not a Democrat so maybe it’s time to change your handle to just Blue Dog.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 2:58 pm
Billionaires? I thought we all approved a measure in the last election to have a Millionaires tax! What? Raising the bar now? Who will be next? Trillionaires? All I’m sure of is you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip. If taxing the middle class more doesn’t cut it,Logic tells you you need to look at other sources of cash…….and the ones who have more of it would be a place to start. I do understand that they are the Untouchables however.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 3:03 pm
CC, you really think you get to decide what party a person wants to identify themselves with? Not sure that’s in the Dem handbook either. Or Chicago. Maybe you need to change your handle to just “Cynic”. /s
Comment by A guy Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 3:07 pm
Blue Dog Troll is more like it.
What, exactly, can a governor do about “guns,” if you’ve been paying any attention at all in recent years?
There’s 300 million of them in private hands across the country — and that’s after Obama took them all away, like sober, rational gun-man LaPierre told us he would.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 3:23 pm
Wordslinger. I am starting my Lenten resolution early, and wish you and yours the best.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 3:34 pm
BDD, sorry to hear that you consider it a sacrifice to give up childish trolling for a few weeks.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 3:40 pm
Daniel Biss step right over this way. Say hello to Cheri Bustos, Lenny, Muhammad, Jugdiz and Clayton.
Comment by Greg Marmalard Monday, Feb 27, 17 @ 6:09 pm