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* UPDATED x1 - Kennedy responds * A “revolution” against an “evil” Chicago “bailout”?

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Day two of the Special Session in Springfield has Gov. Bruce Rauner Rauner meeting with his Republican caucus Thursday urging them to stick together in opposing the school funding bill.

Senate Bill One is not yet on Rauner’s desk, but, with schools opening in the next few weeks, many districts are anxiously awaiting the state’s financial aid.

So what happened at Thursday’s closed door caucus meeting?

Sources tell NBC 5 Rauner said a “revolution” is coming.

He also told Republicans SB1 is evil and a Chicago bailout.

I’ve talked with a half dozen or so Republicans I trust this morning who were at the meeting (none of whom are Rauner rah-rah types) and not one of them can remember hearing the word “evil.” One said he might have used it to describe what Madigan and Cullerton were doing by holding on to the bill, but he couldn’t be sure. That doesn’t mean the report is wrong, just that I can’t confirm it.

The governor regularly calls SB 1 a Chicago bailout, so that’s assured. And “revolution” is a term often used by Republican tea party types, so I can definitely believe he said it, particularly in relation to Speaker Madigan.

…Adding… From a Senate GOP source…

He said “evil” in describing them holding the bill and putting schools at risk of not opening, not the bill itself.

*** UPDATE *** Chris Kennedy…

The only revolution that needs to happen is for the people of Illinois to rise up in the next election and remove Bruce Rauner from office. His irresponsible, neglectful, self-serving leadership is holding back our state. That he would use children as political pawns and threaten not to open public schools in a few weeks is a new low in the history of Illinois. We need fundamental change to fix our public schools and provide all children with a quality education that prepares them for college, career and life. It is far past time that our state elects leaders in Springfield who will commit themselves to serving families throughout the state.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:08 am

Comments

To the Post,

Without missing a “Beat”

Gov. Rauner you say you want a revolution, well you know, we all want to change the world. You came to Springfield to shake up and bring back. How’s that going? 63% disapproval.

You tell me that it’s evolution, well you know, we all want to change the world. But, Governor, when you talk about destruction, and you destroy social services, and impair higher education, and now want to see schools not open… if you haven’t been paying attention… don’t you know that you can count me out.

Don’t you know… it’s gonna be… all right. Yep, all right. Your anger, it’ll be all right

Now you met with your caucuses.

You say you got a real solution.
Well, you know, we’d all love to see the plan.

Your state party, just a few days ago, was fundraising off your anger.

You ask ME for a contribution? Well, you know, I’m doing what I can… here.

But… if you want money for people with minds that hate? All I can tell is brother you have to wait… for mine.

Don’t fret. Don’t you know… it’s gonna be… All right. Yep, all right, it’ll be all right.

Now these pension issues?

You say you’ll change the constitution, well, you know, we all want to change your head. You tell me “Madigan”. You tell me it “Democrats”.

You say… it’s the institution, well, you know, you better free your mind instead. But if you go comparing us to Wisconsin again, you ain’t going to get the needed votes with these members, anyhow.

Don’t you know, governor. It’s gonna be … all right.

Right?, exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:11 am
Even just “revolution” is awfully grandiose language for a bill about changing the formula for public school funding. Rauner needs a nap.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:11 am
So a bill that Rauner agrees with 90% of is also evil?

K.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:15 am
Governor, you say you want a revolution?

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can

But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don’t you know it’s gonna be
All right, all right, all right

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:17 am
“Revolution”?

His party is reeling at the national level, he’s up during what is likely to be a wave midterm electorate, with well-funded opponents.

I think he might be right, but the revolution is going to be the fruit of the realization that Republicans are terrible at governing.

Comment by Blue Bayou Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:17 am
Perhaps Sen. Barickman could clarify.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:18 am
Oswego Willy….Excellent!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:18 am
If you’re in a hyperpartisan bubble — as Rauner is (and probably always has been) — then a “revolution” is always right around the corner.

Comment by Mr. K. Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:21 am
=== - Blue Bayou - Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:17 am:

His party is reeling at the national level ===

Have you been asleep for the last 9 years? Democrats have had staggering losses.

Comment by Birdseed Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:22 am
If a “revolution” is really coming, the Republicans should be very worried since Illinois has a lot more Democrats than Republicans, and based on poll numbers, Independents are not very supportive of the Republican leadership at the moment. Considering the Republicans keep pushing out their party members that don’t tow the line 100% of the time, They are more likely to see a revolution within their party than outside it.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:23 am
Willy. Muy bueno

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:24 am
1.4% needs a revolution. Well, at least half of a revolution from sleeping on his back to sleeping on his stomach.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:25 am
Birdseed, have you been awake the last 9 hours?

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:26 am
His revolution is the abandonment of core Republican values. Land Grant Colleges, a Republican idea. Not funding Higher Education, a Rauner choice. Transcontinental railroads as a public private partnership, a Republican idea. No capital bill, a Rauner choice.

This revolution is just revolting.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:28 am
Don’t some in the caucus groan when he says that? That is pretty weird. He is in power, not an outsider.

Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:30 am
Birdseed: The GOP is reeling at the national level, right now.

Are past elections going to mean 2018 will be a GOP windfall?

Who’s asleep?

Comment by Blue Bayou Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:31 am
With apologies to Bob D …

And you tell me over and over and over again my friend
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction

Yeah, my blood’s so mad, feels like coagulatin’

I’m sittin’ here, just contemplatin’

I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation

Handful of Senators don’t pass legislation

…

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:34 am
A revolution in Illinois politics would necessitate climbing out of the cesspool and practice the lost art/virtues of honesty, integrity, service to citizens vs. self. Never happen. Too far gone, and the escape of thousands from this political stench attests to this truth.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:34 am
It seems that Rauner’s strategy has now been reduced to nothing more than Chicago bashing (to go along with Madigan bashing). While dumping on the economic engine of the state might resonate downstate I’m not sure how effective it will be in the areas where Rauner needs every vote that he can get to overcome the Democratic majority he’ll be facing. There’s no doubt that Chicago has it’s own set of challenges. But as someone that lives in the burbs and has worked in the city I don’t see the point in constantly setting up this us vs. them fight. Rauner knew he needed some level of city support to win last time around. Hard to see how he gets it today.

There’s a reason why Clinton had a double digit margin in the state. Acting more like Donald Trump with each passing day doesn’t seem like a winning strategy in Illinois to me.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:40 am
Does the evil revolution come before or after the radical ascension?

Comment by City Zen Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:43 am
The revolution started with the budget override. Maybe some of his own party are starting to see the Gov. for what he really is. He has made promises, threats, bribery, all on his own caucuses. Revolution—You might have the desire, but you don’t have the skills.

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:53 am
I see the commercials already…
Joe Walsh - Revelution is comming - destroyed in Illinois
Don Trump - Reveloution is coming - destroyed in Illinois
Rauner - IPI and Revolution is coming - TBD

…Oh yeah and all the visceral visuals one can imagine. Hopefully, the end result will be the same as it pertains to the statewide results of his revolutionist predecessors.

Comment by JC is just saying... Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:54 am
“Evil”? That’s outrageous.

Comment by Elijah Snow Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:54 am
Bruce might want to read up on his history. People like him normally don’t fare too well when revolutions take place. Cake, anyone

Comment by Redraider Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:54 am
This seems desperate and delusional.

I keep thinking of another leader commanding non existent forces from a bunker in the Capitol. Being furious that the defenders have not repelled the enemy. Now Rauner has hired people who will tell him exactly what he wants to hear. Feeding him, invigorating him with revolutionary zeal.

Look stoking the flames of resentment is dangerous these days. Ask Scalise.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 10:56 am
Bruce owns some land in Montana, no? Maybe he’s just been chatting with his sovereign citizen and freeman neighbors up there.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:07 am
Revolution? Sounds like someone’s having a hard time separating fantasy from reality.

Comment by Politix Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:16 am
RNUG — P. F. Sloan was the composer, and Barry McGuire recorded the hit version. Though Eve of Destruction was definitely influenced by Dylan’s music, right down to the harmonica bit.

Comment by X-prof Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
That is some radical candor being dished.

Comment by My New Handle Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:19 am
Kennedy’s comment are so richly laughable, unless he is talking about ALL the Springfield leaders who have allowed this state to slide into a fiscal blackhole.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:23 am
Won’t be long now before “cultural revolution” is the watchword of the wannabe warrior class.

Comment by walker Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:29 am
Please just AV the bill and get on with the override vote on Monday or as soon as possible. Enough drama, from the Governor, from President Cullerton, and the forever begging CPS. Speaker Madigan is the only one it seems ready to get on with this and let the chips fall where they may.

Comment by Rod Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:30 am
===Please just AV the bill and get on with the override vote on Monday or as soon as possible.===

You seem to think this is a “given”?

I dunno if it’s that much of a given.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:31 am
Using words like “revolution” and “evil” is dangerous. Some soft-headed souls might feel compelled to act when they hear these words. Speech has consequences.

If someone truly believes something is “evil,” are they not compelled to take action to stop evil? How can the righteous turn a blind eye to evil?

Using such loaded terminology is now common in our political discourse. We are asking for trouble if we don’t tone down the rhetoric and find a way to promote spirited but civil debate.

My political opponents are wrong. They aren’t evil.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:35 am
- xprof -

Thanks. Memory isn’t quite what it used to be. I realized that about 30 seconds after I clicked “say it”. Then the comment didn’t show up, so I assumed it got lost or trapped.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:36 am
To Kennedy,

I really like the thoughts there, just a technical thing here, just me…

===It is far past time that our state elects leaders in Springfield who will commit themselves to serving families throughout the state.===

The pointed criticism should be pointed at the person holding the office Kennedy aspires to hold.

The sentence is ambiguous to singling out Rauner, purposely or not, and it loses its luster at holding Rauner accountable, again, purposely or not.

The rest is good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:42 am
If Chicago is that evil, bad, etc., why did Rauner clout his daughter into a Chicago school?

Comment by Northsider Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 11:53 am
The governor is committing to the right wing of the party in order to solidify the caucuses and avoid a costly primary. But when has the right wing won a statewide election? Not since Bill Brady won the gubernatorial nomination in 2010 (with 21% of the vote). They haven’t won a majority since Al Salvi beat Bob Kustra in 96. And they havent won a statewide general in decades.

So part of his “revolution” talk is convincing people that that history doesn’t matter, that he will carry all factions of the Republican Party to victory.

Whether he really can do thst is another story.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 12:34 pm
gov, rauner i am sending you a contribution for your revolution oops it was just sent to kennedy instead

Comment by jw Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 12:59 pm
The best statement I have heard from Kennedy since he started running. Perhaps he is starting to get his sea legs.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 1:07 pm
What is with these politicians using the word “evil” ;Prekwinkle, now Rauner. Next thing you know everyone will sound like Dana Carvey’s Church Lady

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 1:08 pm
===Perhaps he is starting to get his sea legs===

Could be the new comms person he hired. Former PAR student.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 28, 17 @ 1:12 pm