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* I’m old enough to remember the days when saying “B.S.” to a group of pastors in a church was considered disrespectful and very bad form…
Businessman and Democratic candidate for governor Chris Kennedy called Illinois’ current chief executive’s pro-business agenda “B.S,” while speaking to a group of South Side pastors Thursday.
“What we need is certainty. What we need is predictability,” Kennedy said, speaking at Bethlehem Star Church on South Cottage Grove. “What we need is a budget. Gov. Rauner, do your job. Get us a state budget.”
Kennedy formerly managed the Merchandise Mart, and he said he dealt with 5,000 companies during his 25 years there.
“Not one in 25 years ever said to me that they were worried about coming to Illinois because of the way we draw our state rep. districts,” Kennedy said. “None of them said they were worried about tort reform or workers’ comp or term limits. That agenda is B.S. when it comes to attracting companies to our state.”
As I’ve said many times before, Democrats should be pushing for remap reform. Right now, they’re counting on Gov. Rauner to lose in 2018. And if he wins and vetoes their map, they’re counting on winning the hat draw, which is a 50-50 proposition. Get the General Assembly out of drawing the maps or Rauner may draw the next one.
And no companies at the Mart were concerned with being sued? Or worried about the state’s high costs when their workers were injured? C’mon. I find that a little difficult to believe. And, even if it’s true, then maybe he should go talk to some Downstate manufacturers before the last one leaves Illinois. COGFA’s executive director Dan Long told me yesterday he believes one reason the state’s revenues are tanking so hard is due to the heavy loss of manufacturing jobs. The Merchandise Mart is important to Illinois, but it doesn’t reflect reality everywhere else.
*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…
“Chris Kennedy keeps repeating Mike Madigan’s talking points because he wants to be the Speaker’s chosen candidate. Only a Madigan machine politician would call term limits, fair maps and job-creating economic reforms ‘B.S.’”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:29 pm
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Still 100 percent disrespectful.
Comment by Centenial Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:36 pm
If there is a religious leader in this state who is more outraged by the use of “B. S.” than by a Governor who has overseen brutal cuts to social services that especially affects the poor and vulnerable, then I have some much stronger language for them.
Come on.
Not to mention, have you seen the “favorable” ratings for Trump among Evangelicals?
Comment by Blue Bayou Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:40 pm
===Still 100 percent disrespectful.===
But true.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:40 pm
Also, the automation of manufacturing has contributed more to losses of jobs than outright closure, as plenty of studies have shown.
Many manufacturers are simply getting rid of people, which makes me wonder how much they really care about tort reform, worker’s comp, etc. Not saying the latter shouldn’t be reformed, but are we really going to destroy the state over it?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:42 pm
–“Not one in 25 years ever said to me that they were worried about coming to Illinois because of the way we draw our state rep. districts,” Kennedy said. “None of them said they were worried about tort reform or workers’ comp or term limits. That agenda is B.S. when it comes to attracting companies to our state.”–
Kennedy is either lying (most likely) or maybe he just forgot, or maybe he actually doesn’t talk to the businesses representatives who make the location decisions. I 100% do not believe that none of the companies he has dealt with have not brought up workers comp or lawsuit abuse.
For that matter, most people in business bring up Madigan’s negative impact on our state, and i’m nearly positive that term limits or maps would have been discussed as well. Maybe not from a business decision standpoint, but if he engaged businesses on a personal level, they would have brought it up.
He just played himself right into Rauner’s hand about being a puppet for Madigan and he might not be ready for prime time.
Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:43 pm
The advice is for Chris to “Up his game”.
It’s good advice.
Wrong place for that term “BS”.
Saying no one has discussed tort, workers comp? Can’t be true.
Someone…please offer him a case to make. He cannot find one on his own. So far, all he’s got (maybe?) is access to a large sum of money. That too, remains to be seen.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:49 pm
-–“Not one in 25 years ever said to me that they were worried about coming to Illinois because of the way we draw our state rep. districts,” Kennedy said. “None of them said they were worried about tort reform or workers’ comp or term limits. That agenda is B.S. when it comes to attracting companies to our state.”–
Come on
They are already here and see the opportunities, the work force and consumer demand.
If all they wanted were cheap workers comp rates they would be having a conversation in North Dakota.
Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:52 pm
== I 100% do not believe that none of the companies he has dealt with have not brought up workers comp or lawsuit abuse.==
Oxford Dictionary has selected “Post-truth” as 2016 International Word of the Year:
adjective:
‘Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.’
Comment by Matt Belcher Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:53 pm
Running on the Kennedy name with out a clue. Illinois needs major reforms for business, tort reform and needs districts that are not gerrymandered by either political party.
Comment by Arock Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 1:57 pm
Rich Miller: “Up your game, Chris”
Chris Kennedy: “Up yours, Rich!”
Comment by South of Sherman Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:00 pm
I just want to see evidence of a clear, concise, consistent message that the candidates of the IL Democratic Party are building on.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:01 pm
Maybe it’s a hot button topic here, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard a single person say that remap reform is on their minds. I’m not saying others discuss it, but not around here…
Comment by The_Equalizer Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Yikes. I get what Kennedy is trying to say about key aspects of the Turnaround Agenda, but he’s never heard of business leaders voicing their concerns about worker’s comp? I can’t say I know many business leaders but even I’ve heard that it is a top concern when they consider setting up shop here.
Comment by RoPo Ranger Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Who believe that all the bipartisan business types that supported fair maps have never met Mr Kennedy?
Ministers usually have a problem with lying in Church.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-remap-amendment-michael-madigan-emanuel-daley-stevenson-illinois-edit-0831-jm-20150828-story.html
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:02 pm
When you’re Irish, “B.S.” is a reference to the Blarney Stone, which according to legend, if you kiss it, you’ll be blessed with the skill of flattery. Excessive flattery in this country is sometimes referred to as bull (deleted), which coincidentally is also known as B.S.
Kennedy is Irish. This is simply a cultural misunderstanding. Much ado about nothing. Etc., etc. Move along, nothing to see here.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:03 pm
“with out a clue. Illinois needs major reforms for business, tort reform and needs districts that are not gerrymandered by either political party.”
Name a place in with the business reforms, tort reforms and non gerrymandered districts that you believe Illinois should have; with a higher standard of living.
Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:04 pm
Rich,
I think your last paragraph is likely most important. Looking at the list of tenants in the Mart, I think Mr. Kennedy has a rather myopic view of Illinois employers.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:05 pm
My goodness such pearl clutching. As a member of the clergy I can tell you that I’ve know many a pastor who could blush a longshoreman.
Look I think Chris would know about companies coming here. What they ARE interested in is what kind of EDGE TIF RZ zone HTC or other hoodie can I get. They ask of both parties. Look the economy is up so they’ve got to keep the tax liability down. It’s “economic development” coming on line siphoning it off. Ever wonder why East St Louis never has gotten anything even being next to STL? Nothing to offer above an enterprise zone. Follow the money. I don’t think it’s manufacturing. That had been gone for some time AND the jobs didn’t pay that much to workers. No instead I think they need to tally up all the incentive/ rebate and see how much should have gone into our treasury. Economic development consultants are thriving.
release the 2016 EDGE report
Release the 2015, 2016 HTC reports
Release the 2015 EZ report
You’ll see the money we left on my he table
For little benefit to the taxpayer
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:08 pm
After hearing some of the Presidents remarks on women B.S. is downright Puritan
Comment by Rogue Roni Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:10 pm
Loving God sorry about all the phone typing mistakes.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:14 pm
To my point municipalities, counties and the State should now be in compliance with GASB 71. If not what are you hiding?
Make them add it up folks. Manufacturing my toochas!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:22 pm
I believe him. Why would I discuss map redistricting or workers comp with my Landlord? His customers are concerned with
the cost per square foot, building maintenence, security, etc.
Comment by Jackal52 Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:22 pm
I’m not all that interested in Kennedy’s bid, but these seem like some slender reeds to lean against. Were any of the clergy offended by “B.S.”?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:23 pm
He still spoke the truth.
Comment by Union Man Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:31 pm
another mjm puppet, mendoz, kennedy, all of them
Comment by sharkette Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Geez. Can we find another more articulate and charismatic Dem billionaire to run?
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:43 pm
And this is why candidates need to pick a message — and then rigorously adhere to that message.
If you stick to your intended message and don’t say “B.S” then no one wonders if you should have said “B.S.”
If you stick to your intended message and don’t say “B.S” then no one uses that quote out of context.
If you stick to your intended message and don’t say “B.S” then people may hear and consider your intended message.
Stick to your intended message, Mr. Kennedy.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:49 pm
Depends on what types of businesses Kennedy met that moved into Merch Mart. I imagine a lot of white collar professions and the 1871 types move into merch mart and don’t care much about workers’ comp one way or the other. It’s not a major factor in low-risk occupations.
Manufacturers don’t set shop in Merch Mart, neither do truck driving companies, masonries, etc. He might legitimately never hear from companies that worry about it.
What that betrays, though, is that he’s not listening to the industries that employ the blue-collar middle class that used to be the Kennedy family base.
Comment by Lucci Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 2:49 pm
no doubt Rauner has good people around him. But they better up their game. We will have the money, manpower, and resources to compete–whoever is the candidate. This is a blue state with a very unpopular Governor who it appears today will have gone 4 years without a real budget. Blame Madigan all you want, but in the end, Bruce will be running against Pritzker, or Kennedy not Quinn. The staff around those two will be just as good as the people Rauner has. Oh, and did I mention Trump?
Comment by Tom Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Kennedy walks into it, and then, as we see in the update, the GOP is completely boggled as to how to respond.
“Hey, Kennedy just said something stupid. Let’s get our usual trite reference to Madigan out there! Yeah, that will show him!”
And yeah, as somebody who usually works election day for Democrat, Kennedy’s statement was stupid. There is room for debate as to why Workers’ Comp. is so high in this state, but there is no doubt that it is a problem here. Suggesting it is not is to tell the world that he’s really not familiar with the day to day operations of business.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:17 pm
Not clear on whether he said BS or the full words. If the full words were used, I would consider that to be inappropriate for a candidate to use in front of any group. Unfortunately, swearing is common place in society today.
Comment by Groucho Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:21 pm
@Tom 3:08pm
“This is a blue state…”
Maybe so at the current time, but things are changing, and for the better if you ask me. Take a look at the images on Wikipedia from the last 16 years of how the great state of Illinois has been voting. (Scroll to near the bottom) It’s pretty hard to argue the trending color changes state wide. Chicago is the only thing holding the State in Dem-land; but even that seems to be fading over time.
I wish I knew how to just paste an image, but here is the link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party_strength_in_Illinois
Comment by Exhausted Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Exhausted, look at the overall vote totals, not the counties, for the big picture. Regionally, you’re right. Overall, not so much.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:27 pm
To the Update:
While I agree that Kennedy needs to step up his game (or step aside), I find it hilarious to what lengthy that Rauner’s GOP will go to tie everyone & everything to Madigan. For crying out loud Kennedy comes from one of, if not the most powerful families of in political history, yet the GOP still tries to portray him as member of the Madigan machine. It’s downright comical.
Comment by Get a Job!! Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:28 pm
==Kennedy is Irish. This is simply a cultural misunderstanding. Much ado about nothing. Etc., etc. Move along, nothing to see here.===
47, your comment is BS. And to be clear…I don’t mean the stone. lol
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:35 pm
Two years in, unquantified babble about “job-creating economic reforms” is BS, MS, PhD.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:42 pm
==is BS, MS, PhD.==
True. If you mean BS (what we all know it means)
MS = More of the Same
PhD = Piled Higher and Deeper.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:50 pm
Wasn’t Abby Hoffman disciplined for saying BS?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 3:58 pm
“Ever wonder why East St Louis never has gotten anything even being next to STL? Nothing to offer above an enterprise zone.”
Wrong. …again.
East St. Louis offers TIF, has one of the four River’s Edge redevelopment zones in the state and offers local property tax abatement in addition to an Enterprise Zone. Sounds like a pretty standard set of incentives for an Illinois community - actually possibly on the robust side given the River’s Edge program.
It took me all of ten seconds to find these facts on the ESL city website via the ol’ Google.
Comment by Sulla Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 4:08 pm
Glad to see you holding politicians to a high standard Rich.
Hard to believe what the media allows now.
Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 4:08 pm
I’m not sure what the code of ethics for journalists is, but do you have to publish the ILGOP standard “Madigan” response? I suspect the ILGOP thinks that they are “winning” and their message gets out because their response gets posted, but can’t they be held to a higher standard and only responsive with substance be posted?
The Madigan stuff is fine for 30 second ads, but I’m a little disappointed these weak responses pass muster for posting. I understand there is some fairness issues, but come on, these weak 2 sentence “Madigan” response don’t deserve attention.
Comment by Swift Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 4:22 pm
I’m with Honeybear on this one. BS might not have been an appropriate choice of words, but geez, do you think anyone in the room actually was offended? And I do think he’s largely right - the gov’s agenda is not what businesses care about. Compared to the dysfunction of no budget, it’s almost irrelevant (other than maybe Workmen’s Comp).
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 4:23 pm
Chris Kennedy’s candidacy is going to bring a lot of schadenfreude to the governor’s race.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 4:51 pm
The seed weakens.
-Arthur Andersen, BS, MBA
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Go Pritzker.
Comment by flea Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 5:45 pm
I’m not convinced that Kennedy is the guy who should be selected to defeat Rauner. As to the points, tort reform and workers comp reform are important issues for businesses. Redistricting and term limits are not, regardless of what the Governor is saying.
The BS comment isn’t that big a deal IMO.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 5:47 pm
Nice spin, IL GOP!
Comment by Harvest76 Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 6:09 pm
Another storied political dynasty appears headed to the ash heap.
Comment by Chris, We Hardly Knew Ye Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 6:31 pm
Sulla name one company that has economically benefited in East St. Louis? Just one
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 6:35 pm
Sulla account for the hundreds of millions given away with no accountability
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 6:36 pm
HB, Sulla is into giveaways, not so much with the accountability or even projected benefits.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 7:03 pm
It’s only offensive if a Democrat says it.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 7:06 pm
What if this IS Kennedy’s up game?
Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Thursday, Mar 9, 17 @ 10:48 pm