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* UPDATED x1 - CK out * Hahn out, more to come

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* Subscribers know more, but, yeah, from what I’m gathering morale ain’t all that high…

The shakeup in Governor Bruce Rauner’s office continues as NBC 5 has learned Brad Hahn was fired Tuesday morning.

Hahn had served as deputy chief of staff for public engagement and communications director. He has been a longtime GOP staffer, working for both Comptroller Judy Barr Topinka and Leslie Munger.

When Hahn was hired last year, he was part of the 23 people who worked for Munger and were then hired by the Rauner administration when Munger lost her bid for re-election.

Insiders said the morale inside the Rauner office and campaign is very low among those who do not agree with the governor’s decision to shift his strategy to a more conservative tone.

Brad was top notch, but he never really fit in with the governor’s style. And now that Rauner’s office is becoming an adjunct of the Illinois Policy Institute, he’s probably much better off.

*** UPDATE *** Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly was just fired. What’s so unreal about this is that CK was a loyal Raunerite. She busted her tail for the governor.

CK was expected to be leaving perhaps as early as next month anyway because her husband has a job in another state. But this action today was unexpected.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:32 pm

Comments

On the plus side, I hear the IPI is hiring.

Richard Goldberg left the insanity of the Illinois Governor’s office to return to his old line of work. What that tells you is Goldberg thinks it’ll be easier trying to broker peace in the Middle East or curb North Korean’s missile program than to help Rauner get re-elected.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:37 pm
Rauner bent over backwards to compromise with Madigan. He went from 3% to 4.95%. He went from 44 items to 3. The Kirk staffers wanted to be deal makers.

Madigan proved that he isn’t interested in a deal, no matter how favorable the terms. He only cares about political power.

Rauner has learned his lesson. Madigan is a foe who cannot be reasoned with in good faith.

That means its time to bring in the real policy wonks and get rid of the mush middle deal makers.

Comment by Phil King Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:40 pm
Hahn is top notch and has very portable skills. A reasonable kiss good bye, a little time to exhale and he’ll turn up with a gig he likes more and likely pays better.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:40 pm
===That means its time to bring in the real policy wonks===

If you say so, cowboy.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:41 pm
===And now that Rauner’s office is becoming an adjunct of the Illinois Policy Institute…===

CMS should just see what the the cost of the IPI lease is… they’d save all the office space and make the IPI offices a “Governor’s Office Annex”

Who’s not coming over from IPI?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:41 pm
I’m curious to see what calculation Rauner is making that thinks he’ll be reelected by going MORE conservative. He got voted in by appealing to many regular Democrat voters by not being Pat Quinn & seeming to be reasonable Republican.

Comment by Lincoln Parker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:43 pm
Since he’s going the right wing route, I wonder if he will finally utter that elusive 5 letter work - T R U M P.

Comment by I'mDone Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:43 pm
===Who’s not coming over from IPI?===

Tillman. At least so far. If I were Sanguinetti, I’d be worried about Tillman jumping on-board as the next LG.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:43 pm
===Madigan proved that he isn’t interested in a deal, no matter how favorable the terms. He only cares about political power.===

The blowing up of two Senate Grand Bargains, and the vetoes of all the budget bills and revenue… then not wanting an override, but continuing to purposely hurting Illinois…

… boy, Madigan controls Rauner’s vetoes and decisions “pretty good”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:44 pm
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Comment by Sgt. Slaughter Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:45 pm
OW

they have something like 40+ employees at last count. he’s hired what, three? four?

Comment by Anonnin Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:45 pm
==The beatings will continue until morale improves.==

Picture it - Rauner as Joan Crawford with a wire hanger screaming “no more budgets EVER” and “you will be as happy as I am or you’re fired”.

Comment by I'mDone Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:48 pm
Can’t wait for the new Mrs. Rauner commercials telling us Uncle Brucie doesn’t have an agenda… But, I am REALLY waiting for that February budget address written by the IPI…

Comment by Not Rich Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:48 pm
It appears that Governor Bruce doesn’t like to hear the word no.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:48 pm
Not sure how “give me what I want and I’ll go away” negotiating is “bending over backwards. Please explain Phil.

Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:48 pm
Quite a bit or turnover for someone who hasn’t even been in office for 3 years.

Barclay - gone
Nuding - gone
Z - gone
Goldberg - gone
Schrimpf - gone
Winters - gone
Arduin - gone

These were all the big time people brought in to help the neophyte governor.

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/10/gov-elect-rauner-names-key-advisers-cabinet-direct/

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:48 pm
“Rauner bent over backwards to compromise with Madigan.”

And it’s not even 5 yet.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:50 pm
It’s Judy Baar Topinka, not Barr. C’mon, NBC. But I guess it doesn’t matter. The only name we need to spell correctly now is Uihlein.

Comment by Democrat Grrrl Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:53 pm
Leader Radogno just poured herself another glass of wine and smiled

Comment by Not Rich Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:54 pm
Never a good sign when you start kicking your loyal party people with institutional knowledge to the curb. Brad, the democrats will welcome you too.

Comment by LouLecture Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 4:59 pm
The staff shakeup is sure going to help Rauner govern, not. The person that needs to be fired is the one Rauner sees in the mirror.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:03 pm
===Catherine Kelly was just fired===

Following a moment of “radical candor” I’m sure.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:03 pm
*** UPDATE *** Rauner spokesperson Catherine Kelly was just fired.

Oh please replace her with Proft Baron von Carhartt.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Hi Bruce!

Just to let you know, h#ll hath no fury like a woman scorned!

-ck

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:04 pm
=== Catherine Kelly was just fired ===

Wow. I get his running to the extreme right to escalate his political war, but I don’t get why the long knives are out for some of his loyalists.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:07 pm
==Quite a bit or turnover for someone who hasn’t even been in office for 3 years.==

It’s not that odd in and of itself; these are high stress jobs, after all.

But again, the timing here suggests a man who, contrary to popular belief, *isn’t* satisfied with how his budget crisis played out.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:09 pm
“….more conservative tone…”? Somebody is making Old Blue laugh til his dentures fall out. One thing this guy isn’t is conservative.lol

Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:11 pm
===contrary to popular belief, *isn’t* satisfied with how his budget crisis played out.===

Agreed. This isn’t how winners behave following a victory.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:11 pm
Maybe he’ll offer CK’s position to Kristen McQueary?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:12 pm
===CK was expected to be leaving perhaps as early as next month anyway because her husband has a job in another state. But this action today was unexpected.===

Petty people, small people don’t allow the simplicity of things like that easy transition work.

“ck”,

All the best to you. You had one difficult job, and you worked tirelessly for the Governor, and tried to make work what messaging you were given.

You have my respect and best wishes.

Sincerely,

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:13 pm
==Agreed. This isn’t how winners behave following a victory.==

The bright line markers for me will be SB1 and primaries for the Taxing Ten. If he opts for open warfare on those, he’ll throw away whatever benefit he got out of the budget crisis.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:14 pm
And the Rauner attempt to turn Illinois and his “party” into a Randian Utopia with the requisite supporting staff continues.

Kansas will shortly look like a model of responsible government.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:17 pm
Is it wrong for me to hope Kristen McQueary or John Kass find a place in the Rauner administration solely for entertainment value?

Comment by AC Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:18 pm
=contrary to popular belief, *isn’t* satisfied with how his budget crisis played out.===

Which is why I said the fast veto was not for a override, but Rauner wanted that bill off his desk asap before the state hit junk status.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:19 pm
Best of luck to those changing jobs. Free advice: Take a longer look next time at the person offering you a job. He or she has an agenda you may want to avoid.

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:20 pm
@real, you beat me to it

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:22 pm
I think the idea here is to buy off the IPI and Proft types so they don’t pound Rauner for his complicity on the tax hike.

I imagine IPI and Proft’s PAC will get some fat checks soon, too, to get them to clam up. Those cats know how to grift.

And make no mistake: Rauner was complicit in the tax hike and wanted that money.

He could have put up a heckuva fight for 60 days on an override vote. He didn’t lift a finger.

Instead, Rauner made sure legislators were in town so it could be overridden almost immediately. He asked them to stay for it, for crying out loud.

Actions vs. words.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:26 pm
==Which is why I said the fast veto was not for a override, but Rauner wanted that bill off his desk asap before the state hit junk status.==

That makes sense, although I suspect the credit ratings folks wouldn’t have junked us *before* a veto. No way to know that for sure, though, and the Governor at least *should* have better info than I do.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:26 pm
Best wishes to CK

Comment by The Way I See It Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:27 pm
So CK who was probably leaving on a month anyway gets canned. So much for loyalty. This will not end well. I feel so sorry for my state.

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:29 pm
Wordslinger hits the nail on the head again.

Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:34 pm
The Devil is cashing in his IOUs, isn’t he?

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:35 pm
So much for those Bruce dosen’t have a agenda commercials. Or those Dems for Bruce ones.

Comment by Inspector Gadget Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:36 pm
ck, I want to thank you for introducing me to all the small villages and hamlets on the backroads of Illinois I’d yet to discover during the RTW campaign.

Seriously, that was cool.

Best of luck.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:37 pm
I suppose firing your own staff could be considered “Shakin’ Up Springfield”. Raunie, you’re doing a heckuva job. Mission Accomplished.

Comment by Markus Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:38 pm
Right wing in overdrive today. canned here and collusion elsewhere.
what a day!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:38 pm
If you think about it I think Rauner wanted to bust Unions before he would of signed a tax hike. A tax hike before busting Unions only makes his argument harder in court that the state can’t afford the AFSCME contract.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:40 pm
So many people are losing their jobs so quickly that, for a moment, I thought the Rauner administration was a newspaper

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:42 pm
Not that the zealot replacement crew will pause to consider it, but loyalty is a one-way street with Rauner. ck’s spinning for Rauner was usually bordering on parody (and sometimes crossing over into), but to thank her for her steadfast defense of the indefensible with a summary firing really takes one’s breath away and demonstrates the governor’s utter lack of character and possession of even minimal decency.

Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:46 pm
Moe, the Frat Boys did seem to dump a lot of the dirty work on ck. They didn’t put their names to those whoppers she was told to peddle.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:50 pm
Seems like another of his emotional responses instead of a coherent plan. A temper tantrum, if you will.

Comment by Union Dues Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:50 pm
===…did seem to dump a lot of the dirty work on ck. They didn’t put their names to those whoppers she was told to peddle.===

That was the tough part, “ck” put her name to things she really shouldn’t have had to. All the best to her.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:53 pm
==time to bring in the real policy wonks==

LOL, literally.

Comment by charles in charge Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:55 pm
These past two and a half years have provided laugh after laugh because of the failures of our inept governor. I mean, with all the “superstars” that have jumped ship, the lack of even a single legislative accomplishment, and the HGOP’s floor leader streaming-sex scandal, you really couldn’t ask for better entertainment.

Thank you Raunerites, for proving just how bad a state “party” can operate. Failure, after failure, after failure.

Comment by dominionhinny Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:57 pm
Kelly was a good soldier, and that is respectable, more respectable if she had been conscripted; but she stuck to the script and did her job.

Comment by My New Handle Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:59 pm
Rauner’s problem is a complete refusal to take small bites at a time. If he started small and grew he would have a list of achievements by now. Instead he wants it all and he wants it right away, and so he has nothing. This new hire doesn’t suggest he has learned his lesson. This is Lobbying 101.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:04 pm
Rauner has totally gone off the reservation. These moves are out of desperation and fueled by paranoia. If he knew that Catherine Kelly may be gone anyway then just let her quietly leave instead of a public firing. if she was one of your most loyal that move is flat out ridiculous.

Comment by J IL Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:06 pm
This tax hike does nothing for Rauner in busting Unions. Rauner wanted this state aa broke as possible in order to win his court case against AFSCME. He would of appealed it to the Illinois Supreme court and asked if he could implement his contract. The tax hike was a big loss for Rauner and a big win for Unions. Even some of the Raunerites in the state house said so.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:08 pm
“That means its time to bring in the real policy wonks and get rid of the mush middle deal makers.”

I hear Trump Jr. may need a job soon /s

Comment by Clark Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:09 pm
–Rauner’s problem is a complete refusal to take small bites at a time.–

He took some big bites out social services and higher ed. That wasn’t an accident.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:11 pm
I hear that Sean Spicer might be looking for a new gig./s

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:15 pm
Wow, didn’t see that second one coming. Repaid her loyalty really well there.

Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:38 pm
If you cross him, you get the knife.

If you’re unfailingly loyal to him, you get the knife.

Rauner über alles.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:51 pm
I’m sure that today’s actions make the best and the brightest want to work for governor junk.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:52 pm
The purge is well underway.

Question is: Should they write their book as a bloc, or individually?

They know where the bodies are buried.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:53 pm
In a ‘homage’ to todays events OW, has the entire cast of Dad’s Home State also been replaced by the IPI?

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 6:57 pm
Rauner could have taught Stalin a few things about cleaning house.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:02 pm
- AC - Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 5:18 pm:
Is it wrong for me to hope Kristen McQueary or John Kass find a place in the Rauner administration solely for entertainment value?

One can only hope.

Comment by ILGOV2018 Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:28 pm
The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work, eh? I always thought IPI ran like a famous government, just not the United States.

XXOO, KR.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 7:45 pm
I’m picturing Rauner in a back office, his new lieutenants at his side, doing his own impression of Alec Baldwin’s sales motivation speech from “Glengarry/ Glen Ross”.

“Always. Be. Closing.”

We just didn’t know it would be shelters, senior centers and universities.

Comment by Newsclown Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:02 pm
To This is life @ 7:41 pm
One person from the Comptrollers office was among the group today. Try to keep up. Please try.

Comment by Working for Mel Brooks Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:15 pm
Any word on whether Evelyn survived the purge?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:32 pm
Hammerin’ and shakin’ at its finest. How about we guess which funds the new hires salaries and benefits will be paid out of??

Comment by Johnnie F. Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 8:57 pm
Gratitude is lacking in those who believe they have divine right.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:00 pm
The Kirk and JBT folks are being purged. Will Mike Z survive?

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:41 pm
CK: I am going to be quitting next month.

Rauner: You can’t quit! Just for that, you’re

fired! Rauner’s true character surfaces.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 9:41 pm
Well at least he got his 4.95 tax rate approved, along with a way to blame someone else.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 11, 17 @ 10:57 pm
Policy aside, there’s those links to the management fads du jour. seems like a hellish place to work.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Jul 12, 17 @ 7:27 am
I’m guessing the staffs use of mental health days will skyrocket.

Comment by Flynn's mom Wednesday, Jul 12, 17 @ 8:26 am
This feels like Rauner is taking his anger about last week’s events on everyone around him. It this level of turnover normal? It feels Great Purge-like.

Comment by Impasse Casualty Wednesday, Jul 12, 17 @ 8:40 am
I think how Rauner is treating his loyal staff - whether he felt a change was needed or not - speaks volumes to how he views loyalty as a one-way street. Reminds me of another executive elected to high office…

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Jul 13, 17 @ 4:56 pm