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* Last week…
When asked the percentage of blacks and Latinos working on his campaign or in his administration, Rauner said he didn’t have a figure. Instead, he said rather than focusing on staff, “it’s results for families.”
“I don’t know the exact number. In our campaign we’ve got African-American members of our campaign. We have Latino members. I don’t know the exact numbers,” he said. “Our administration has (a) huge number and I’ve appointed many African-Americans to key boards, key leadership positions in our departments and many Latinos as well.”
* WBEZ took a look at the claimed “huge number” of minorities in his administration…
The vast majority of Rauner’s appointees to state boards, commissions, and task forces were white, while men far outnumber women in those panels. In the three years ending June 30, Rauner made nearly 1,200 such appointments. His picks for those posts were 73 percent white, 10 percent black, 6 percent Hispanic, and 3 percent Asian. No race was given for 7 percent of the Rauner appointees.
Women made up 36 percent of Rauner’s appointees to state board, commission, and task force positions in the last three years.
At the 38 state agencies under Rauner’s control, 30 of Rauner’s department heads are white, four are black, two are Hispanic, and two are Asian. Twenty-seven are men, and 11 are women.
* By comparison…
As of July 1, 2017, the people of Illinois were 61.3 percent white, 17.3 Hispanic, 14.6 percent black, and 5.7 percent Asian, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The problem here is that this Rauner info is only available because of a recent state law. So, there’s no way to easily compare Rauner’s hiring/appointment record to his predecessors’ records. Maybe it’s a good record in comparison, maybe it’s not. We just don’t know.
…Adding… DPI Executive Director Christian Mitchell…
No one should be shocked by Bruce Rauner’s failure to build a diverse administration. Despite Rauner’s Trumpian claim that he’s done more for the black community than ‘any other governor,’ Rauner has completely failed communities of color. Rauner referred to Chicago teachers as illiterate, and schools for minority children as ‘crumbling prisons.’ Rauner replaced nearly his entire senior staff with members of a right-wing think tank who commissioned a cartoon that both Republicans and Democrats condemned as racist. And Rauner’s two-year budget crisis led to cuts TO CeaseFire, child care programs, and education that hurt minority communities. Rauner’s embrace of Trumpian policies is a direct insult to Illinois women, Latinos, African-Americans, and anyone who sees Illinois’ diversity as a strength. This report is merely proof of a fact that Illinoisans already know: Bruce Rauner has failed every community in this state, and none more profoundly than communities of color.
* Rauner was also pressed on the number of minorities in high-level campaign positions by Mike Flannery…
FLANNERY: Let me ask you. Your opponent’s been caught up in controversy about alleged discrimination and racial issues on his staff. How many senior staff in your campaign are African American?
RAUNER: We have many African Americans on our staff. We have many Latinos.
FLANNERY: But not in senior positions.
RAUNER: “Well, we have Rhonda, and a number are very senior. Chauncey’s senior. We have many Latinos. The issue though, Mike, is not staff, it’s policy to drive results.
Rhonda Brown is a consultant and Chauncey Colquitt is his minority outreach person (Colquitt is allied with Maze Jackson). I’m not sure if that qualifies as “senior” staff.
* Meanwhile…
Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new digital video highlighting JB Pritzker’s pattern of racial discrimination. The video features the news that broke last week that the Pritzker campaign is being sued by its own staff alleging a “cesspool of racial discrimination.” The video then cuts to Pritzker’s conversation with disgraced ex-governor Rod Blagojevich calling Jesse White the “least offensive” African American.
The lawsuit follows a recent IG report stating Pritzker committed a “scheme to defraud” taxpayers and Pritzker’s previous attempts to buy political office from Rod Blagojevich. It’s clear that JB Pritzker lacks the character and integrity to be governor.
* The ad…
* And the Pritzker campaign is running this spot featuring Juliana Stratton on black radio…
* Script…
Hi, I’m Juliana Stratton, and I’m running for lieutenant governor with JB Pritzker.
I think about my dad who marched in Selma, and it was a March that was really to bring attention to the fact that so many blacks in the south did not have access to the ballot.
If I’m elected, I will be the first ever black lieutenant governor in Illinois history, and when I think about that, it’s an awesome responsibility. I just think about how but for people like my dad and so many others who marched and fought and raised their voices, some of whom even lost their lives, so that I could be a candidate.
I see this as a tremendous opportunity for all people. All people that have often been marginalized. All people who have not been recognized and acknowledged as important voices in our state.
Again, this is Juliana Stratton. Please don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard. Make sure you vote.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 1:28 pm
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Rauner, also known as Mr. Zero, with a weak answer and a weaker ad. He has no credibility on this issue and he knows it.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 1:34 pm
==The issue though, Mike, is not staff, it’s policy to drive results.==
Ok Governor, could you then identify the policies you have created and point to their results?
Or should we ask your former point person on minority economic development, Jimmy Odom:
“Prior you accepting this position, I always stated I would step down in my role if I believed the Illinois leadership towards helping the community was no longer a genuine priority. Unfortunately, that day has come.”
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 1:41 pm
Even with the weak foundation, Raauner’s cesspool ad is nonetheless the best ad they’ve done this cycle.
Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 1:41 pm
It’s called sensitivity of dominance. Rauner sees women and men of color in a sea of white males and thinks there are more of them than there are because they stand out in his perception.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 1:51 pm
Is it even fair to compare Rauner appointees’ diversity to the entire population of Illinois? It’s only natural for Rauner to appoint like-minded people and Republicans to his staff, and that population maybe a whole lot less than 14.6% Black and 17.3% Hispanic. It’s just more difficult for Republicans to have diversity in their administrations because the Republican Party itself is short on diversity.
Comment by Just Askin' Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:01 pm
===compare Rauner appointees’ diversity to the entire population===
Yes. He’s governor of the entire state, not the GOP.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:03 pm
I’m kinda surprised he didn’t slip and mention Shayster as a minority in a senior position in his campaign.
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:16 pm
Day 5, now ads, I guess handling personnel matters after they blow up interrupts the messaging.
Who knew?
It may not matter, but here’s an example to learn from… handle your business before it’s an airing of negative laundry.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Poor Rauner, still can’t find any qualified minorities.
In the entire State of Illinois.
He had the same problem in the private sector.
“We were frustrated,” Rauner said. “We weren’t finding the folks. They weren’t there.”
See? They weren’t there.
How do you hire people that aren’t there?
Except if they’re ghost payrollers on his personal staff, stashed away in the agencies.
They’re not there, either.
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/quinn-supporters-question-rauners-commitment-to-diversity/98495/
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Yet no mention of the lack of diversity in Pritzker’s personal investment company (Pritzker Group) with having 0 female partners and 0 African Americans employed within the company.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 22, 18 @ 2:37 pm