Bruce Rauner for Illinois

President Obama's here today to try to rescue Pat Quinn – AGAIN.  It hasn’t worked twice before – so they’re hoping the third time’s the charm.  Will you chip in $10, $100, or $1,000 to make sure it doesn’t work?

The President arrives just hours after the Chicago Sun-Times, the Peoria Journal Star, the Champaign News-Gazette and the Belleville News-Democrat joined the chorus of voices endorsing our vision for Illinois and calling out Pat Quinn for what he is – the worst governor in America.  We are sweeping the endorsements around the state – and the latest independent poll shows us inching ahead, up 2%. 

Early voting starts tomorrow and the President is here to try to stop our momentum.  He sees what’s happening – they all do.  Pat Quinn is heading toward defeat and the national Democrat Party is panicking.  Will you chip in $10, $100, or $1,000?

Since last week’s debate, voters around the state are waking up to a scary reality – we might be just over two weeks from a massive tax increase.  Pat Quinn wants to raise taxes right after the election.  The only way to stop a massive tax hike is to stop Pat Quinn.  Will you help?

The President is here today.  Bill Clinton’s on deck.  Then Joe Biden.  Pat Quinn and the special interests who control Springfield are pulling out all the stops.  We’ve got the momentum. But they’re not pulling back.

Media reports say that the Democrats have spent more money in Illinois than any other governor’s race in America. Barack Obama has done more Pat Quinn than any other candidate in America.

Heck, the Sun-Times joked they’d send Bo and Sunny if it’d help Pat Quinn.

Well, I don’t have them. But I do have you. Will you help?

16 days to go…

Bruce

Throw 'De Bum Out! Save ILLINOIS!!!

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breaking news Inbox x Updates x Bruce Rauner BruceR@brucerauner.com via cmail2.com  1:01 PM (3 hours ago) to me It’s breaking news.  President Obama is coming back AGAIN to try  to rescue Pat Quinn from defeat.   I’m going to need your help now more than ever. The President must have figured out what we’ve known all along –  Pat Quinn is on the verge of defeat.  And if Quinn loses, the power  brokers who run Springfield lose too. With 23 days left in this campaign, I’m asking you to make a contribution of $23 or more today to send a clear message to the national Democratic Party – no matter how many times the President comes to rescue Pat Quinn, it won’t be enough to save him. “Today’s Illinois is broke and broken.”  That’s what the Chicago  Tribune said when it endorsed me today. “Quinn’s tenure as governor has been a complete failure.” “[Quinn]  is not the leader we need. Bruce Rauner is.”  “We now have a chance  to change course.”  That’s what the Daily Herald, Crain’s Chicago  Business and Shaw Media said when they endorsed me too. Broke and broken.  A complete failure.  A chance to change course.   But we’ll only get that chance if we win this election.   And we’ll only win this election if I can still count on the generous support you’ve shown since day one. Pat Quinn’s on the brink of defeat and the President’s going to try  to rescue him one more time.   Will you help me match Pat Quinn’s Obama fundraising machine by making a contribution of $23 or more online right now? Here’s a sampling of what the newspapers are saying about us: “A Gov. Rauner would restore state government to solvency” – Chicago Tribune “[Quinn] is not the leader we need. Bruce Rauner is.” –  Daily Herald “Rauner is the best candidate to pull the Illinois economy  out of its low-growth rut.” – Crain’s Chicago Business “Quinn offers more of the same failures. Bruce Rauner  gives Illinois hope.” – Shaw Media You have the power to put us over the top.  You have the power  to shake up Springfield and bring back Illinois.   Will you make it happen? The President’s coming back to try to rescue Pat Quinn.   I need your help… …will you help? Bruce p.s. Pat Quinn has lost every newspaper endorsement so far –  and he’s growing more desperate by the day.   With the President coming back to try to rescue Pat Quinn, will you contribute $23 or more right now?  Thank you! – BR

Illinois Gubernatorial Debate - Quinn v. Ruaner

PEORIA, Ill. (Associated Press) -Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Bruce Rauner met for their first true debate of the Illinois governor's race.

The candidates in the race for Illinois governor are presenting contrasting views on the economic climate in Illinois.

Gov. Quinn says manufacturing is up since he's been governor and notes auto manufacturing companies including Chrysler and Ford have increased jobs in recent years under his watch.

But Rauner says the state's regulations and taxes are stifling growth.

Quinn wants to extend the state's temporary tax increase which is set to expire next January. Rauner, meanwhile, supports an incremental rollback.

The candidates have contrasting views on a proposal to fix the formula used to fund the state's schools.

Democratic Sen. Andy Manar's proposal would direct more state money to poorer rural districts at the expense of wealthier suburban districts. The plan passed the Senate in the spring and is being considered in the House. Lawmakers from wealthier Chicago suburbs object to the funding cuts some districts would face.

Gov. Quinn says the state needs to increase education investment. But he says Manar's proposal needs "a lot of oversight and review" as well as more debate.

Rauner says he "probably wouldn't support that particular bill." He said he favors an overhaul of the current formula.

http://goo.gl/h6bOkc

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Illinois Gubernatorial Debate on WTTW 11 Oct 9, 2014

Illinois 4th most Corrupt State in US

When we think of government corruption (as one tends to do),  our biased minds often gravitate to thoughts of military juntas and third world governments. But, of course, corruption is everywhere, in one form or another. And it’s costing U.S. citizens big time.

A new study from researchers at the University of Hong Kong and Indiana University estimates that corruption on the state level is costing Americans in the 10 most corrupt states an average of $1,308 per year, or 5.2% of those states’ average expenditures per year.

The researchers studied more than 25,000 convictions of public officials for violation of federal corruption laws between 1976 and 2008 as well as patterns in state spending to develop a corruption index that estimates the most and least corrupt states in the union. Based on this method, the the most corrupt states are:

1. Mississippi
2. Louisiana
3. Tennessee
4. Illinois
5. Pennsylvania
6. Alabama
7. Alaska
8. South Dakota
9. Kentucky
10. Florida

http://goo.gl/qsYso0

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22 states honor Illinois' concealed carry permit

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (AP) - Officials say more states are recognizing Illinois' concealed carry permit.

The (Crystal Lake) Northwest Herald reports 22 states honor Illinois' permit. They include surrounding states, most of the Midwest and parts of the West and South.

Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson says the state's 16-hour course is likely a factor. It's among the longest. However, Illinois doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with any states, meaning Illinois doesn't recognize other state .

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/26306038/22-states-honor-illinois-concealed-carry-permit

1 in 4 Illinoisans think state worst place to live in U.S. 28 Apr 2014

| Naomi Lopez Bauman

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Illinoisans are frustrated. But the depths of that frustration may not have been evident until now.

According to a recent Gallup survey:

“Illinois has the unfortunate distinction of being the state with the highest percentage of residents who say it is the worst possible place to live. One in four Illinois residents (25%) say the state is the worst place to live, followed by 17% each in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

“Throughout its history, Illinois has been rocked by high-profile scandals, investigations, and resignations from Chicago to Springfield and elsewhere throughout the state. Such scandals may explain why Illinois residents have the least trust in their state government across all 50 states. Additionally, they are among the most resentful about the amount they pay in state taxes. These factors may contribute to an overall low morale for the state’s residents.”

For the first time, Gallup conducted a poll in all 50 states to ask whether residents view their state as: the best possible place in which to live, as good as any to in, or the worst possible state to live in. A minimum of 600 residents was polled in every state.

Not only was Illinois rated as the worst place to live by its own residents, but it also beat the next two worst places – Rhode Island and Connecticut – by 8 percentage points, and the leading state – Montana – by a whopping 25 percentage points.

- See more at: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/1-in-4-illinoisans-think-state-worst-place-to-live-in-u-s/?utm_source=outbrain#sthash.YpyUfSO4.dpuf

Cook County Use Tax Declared Invalid by Illinois Appellate Court

Cook County Use Tax Update – Reed Smith Wins Appeal – Ordinance Invalid

Mark Kirk: Hamas must be defeated

Story by 89 WLS Reporter Nick Gale
(CHICAGO) Hundreds of supporters of Israel turned up in downtown Chicago Monday.

With pro-Palestinian supporters chanting across the street, supporters of Israel's military actions rallied outside of the Thompson Center. With supporters waving Israeli and American flags, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) had some strong words, saying the terrorist organization Hamas must be destroyed.

I would say that my heart goes out to the men and women of the Israeli defense forces," Kirk said. "I hope that they succeeded in their mission this week to defeat Hamas militarily on the battlefield.

http://goo.gl/http://goo.gl/2hrfh7

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Illinois DICK DURBIN: BORDER CRISIS HAS 'NOTHING TO DO WITH DACA'

by TONY LEE 10 Jul 2014 130POST A COMMENT

On Thursday, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said President Barack Obama's temporary amnesty program for some illegal immigrant children has nothing to do with the increase in the number of illegal immigrant kids flooding across the border.

"I authored the DREAM Act; I'm proud of it," Durbin said at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the $3.7 billion the Obama administration has requested to deal with the crisis. Durbin also said that he urged Obama to sign the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and he was "proud that he did." He said he was "not going to stand here and let people blame those two acts for what we're facing today."

http://goo.gl/B6K64N

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FIXING ILLINOIS

JIM NOWLAN J. THOMAS JOHNSON 

JUL 1, 2014 339 0

Fixing Illinois: Politics and Policy in the Prairie State explores ways to repair damage inflicted by corruption and poor leadership in Illinois.

(Editor’s note: The excerpt below is from the introduction of Fixing Illinois: Politics and Policy in the Prairie State, by Jim Nowlan and Tom Johnson.  In the coming days, Reboot Illinois will share some of the authors’ recommendations on Illinois politics, budgeting, upgrading education, delivery of human services, economic development and many other policy areas. Scroll down to view the recommendations.)

The Future of Illinois

When we were boys growing up in small-town Illinois in the 1950s, life was good, and getting better. Crops on the farms around us were growing in size each year, and we saw trucks go through town loaded with hogs or cattle, headed for the sprawling Chicago Stock Yards, then to be cut into bacon and steaks at the great meat packers in the city.

http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/07/01/uncategorized/nowlan-johnson/new-book-explores-ways-fix-illinois-politics-policy/19539/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailytip_20140702

http://goo.gl/4UxRFp

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Supreme Court Rules Home Health Care Workers Can Not Be Forced To Join A Union…

Via Free Beacon:

The Supreme Court ruled Monday in Harris v. Quinn that politicians can no longer force family members caring for disabled relatives into public sector unions.

In a 5-4 ruling, the court found the state of Illinois violated the constitution when imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich agreed to funnel a portion of home healthcare worker checks to political allies SEIU and AFSCME. The unions collected more than $50 million from about 20,000 such people over a five-year period.

The decision, authored by Samuel Alito, did not completely limit the ability of public sector unions to collect dues from employees who do not want to join unions. However, the court recognized a category of “partial public employees” and ruled that fees cannot be forcefully extracted from these people.

http://weaselzippers.us/191727-supreme-court-rules-home-health-care-workers-can-not-be-forced-to-join-a-union/

http://goo.gl/JaDwPW

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Gov. Pat Quinn signs Illinois early education law

AP

CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a plan into law that guarantees a higher percentage of state grant money be set aside for early education.

The state’s $300 million Early Education Block Grant program is geared toward children up to age 5.

Quinn signed the legislation Wednesday in Chicago. It says at least 14 percent of the money must be set aside for children up to age 3. That’s up from 11 percent.

http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140611/NEWS/140619821/10329/NEWS 

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STUCK IN A SICKENING AND SICK STATE IN ILLINOIS

MADELEINE DOUBEK 

We’re in a sick state here in Illinois.

Our illness is marked by a strong case of lethargy. We exhibit all the symptoms of some election-year paralysis:

–We saw an attempt to pass some pension reform for Cook County, negotiated by Cook
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and agreed to by several unions, but it stalled out when Republicans wouldn’t vote for it and Democrats refused to go it alone.

–After the colossal mess of Metra’s severance and patronage scandal last summer and a
winter full of discontented train commuters often left stranded, a solid series of recommendations from a Gov. Pat Quinn-appointed, blue-ribbon panel headed by former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and public policy veteran George Ranney derailed nearly as soon
as it was released.

http://goo.gl/pdo62L

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ONLY IN ILLINOIS: ILLINOIS BUDGET HONESTY HARD TO COME BY

MATT DIETRICH MADELEINE DOUBEK  

JUN 6, 2014 245 0

This week Reboot Illinois teamed with Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, for an Illinois budget forum in Lake Forest titled “Spent and Taxed.” Also on the panel were Rep. David Harris, R-Arlington Heights, Stericycle Executive Chairman Mark Miller and Carl LaMell, president of Clearbrook, a suburban agency that serves people with developmental disabilities. The topics of the evening were Illinois tax and budget policy. Much of the focus was on the recently approved and deeply flawed 2015 state budget. Though members of different parties, Drury and Harris both were very critical of both the process behind the budget and the plan that eventually was approved. Though the budget passed on Democratic votes, Drury was a consistent dissenter on the eight bills it comprised. A few high points from the discussion included Harris calling out Democratic leadership for pushing a “maintenance” budget that managed to find extra funding for a handful of select entities.LaMell noted that agencies serving the developmentally disabled asked for an increase that amounted to $15 million, but got nothing. Drury, one of two House Democrats who had vowed to not vote in favor of making permanent the 2011 income tax increase, gives an interesting explanation why he believes taxpayers need to live under the promised tax decrease if they really want it. We’ve boiled it down to the highlights for this week’s “Only in Illinois.”

http://goo.gl/aVwY9h

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Illinois Senate approves ride-sharing regulations

Illinois Senate approves rules for unregulated ridesharing companies

By Chacour Koop, Associated Press4 hours ago

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A plan in the Illinois Legislature that's close to reaching the governor's desk for approval would devastate the ridesharing industry in the state, companies including Uber, Lyft and Sidecar say.

The Senate passed a proposal with strong support Thursday that would place statewide rules on the unregulated industry that connects passengers and drivers through a smartphone app. Its burgeoning popularity in the Chicago area and across the country comes much to the chagrin of taxi company owners, who say the new innovation should play by the same rules as cabs.

The new rules would level the playing field and allow the competitors to survive, said Mara Georges, an attorney for the Illinois Transportation Trade Association, which represents taxi and chauffer livery companies.

http://goo.gl/4s21mJ

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