Illinois Statewide Mega-Thread: State has first budget in over a year

[Blair]

Reminds me of Louis Litt from Suits, it seems like the only Kennedy gene he's inherited (other than his money)

[Illiniwek]

If Chris Kennedy is going to run for governor he is going to have to do something about his "smile". My goodness its hard to look at.

If Sheila Simon could manage, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Oh goodness, I had forgotten about her! At least she didn't have to be on tv often. Anyway, I would definitely welcome a Governor Kennedy.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

So Lisa Madigan really doesn't want the job?

[muon2]

So Lisa Madigan really doesn't want the job?

That will depend on her father based on what happened in the last cycle.

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[Vosem]

I know there was chatter about Dick Durbin considering a gubernatorial run -- how serious is that possibility?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I know there was chatter about Dick Durbin considering a gubernatorial run -- how serious is that possibility?

He declined already.

[Miles]

The People's Pat not ruling out running for office again!

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[MT Treasurer]

IL voters blame Madigan, not Rauner for impasse by a wide margin

The poll found that voters blame Madigan by a decisive 21-point margin, 55-34 percent, with just 9 percent saying "both" and a mere 2 percent saying they were undecided.

Who is to blame for the impasse? Rauner or Madigan?

Chicago: Rauner (52%-35%)
Suburban Cook County: Madigan (54%-36%)
Collar counties: Madigan (64%-27%) (!)
Downstate: Madigan (59%-29%)

Men: Madigan (62%-29%)
Women: Madigan (55%-38%)

[Coolface Sock #42069]

IL voters blame Madigan, not Rauner for impasse by a wide margin

The poll found that voters blame Madigan by a decisive 21-point margin, 55-34 percent, with just 9 percent saying "both" and a mere 2 percent saying they were undecided.

Who is to blame for the impasse? Rauner or Madigan?

Chicago: Rauner (52%-35%)
Suburban Cook County: Madigan (54%-36%)
Collar counties: Madigan (64%-27%) (!)
Downstate: Madigan (59%-29%)

Men: Madigan (62%-29%)
Women: Madigan (55%-38%)

I'd just like to remind everyone that Obama won Chicago with around 80% of the vote both times and won by huge margins in the collar counties and suburban Cook both times as well, and even won Downstate in 2008.

For such huge majorities in every part of the state except Chicago to back their Republican governor over their Democratic Speaker of the House is unprecedented. It's also crazy that only a bare majority in Chicago blames Rauner.

[Pandaguineapig]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

[Green Line]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

[Pandaguineapig]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Making illinois a third world country to pay off his buddies is pretty bad

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

[Ebsy]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

You are making the mistake of assuming the problems in Illinois have much of anything to do with ideology.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

[ElectionsGuy]

Hahaha Illinois Dems fail again.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

LOLOLOLOL. A moderate is the antithesis of a partisan.

[Green Line]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

LOLOLOLOL. A moderate is the antithesis of a partisan.

You're wrong.  Madigan and his General Assembly Democrats have always governed conservatively.  They don't like to rock the boat, and have to be dragged kicking and screaming when it comes to passing progressive legislation.  They're not ideologically conservative, necessarily.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

LOLOLOLOL. A moderate is the antithesis of a partisan.

You're wrong.  Madigan and his General Assembly Democrats have always governed conservatively.  They don't like to rock the boat, and have to be dragged kicking and screaming when it comes to passing progressive legislation.  They're not ideologically conservative, necessarily.

Okay, fine, they didn't pass the pet health care bill of the left, or whatever. I'm not going to call anyone who gridlock the legislature to the extent Madigan has for purposes of partisanship and/or punishment and/or not liking rauner as a person a moderate, period. If you want to, suit yourself. But if I lived in Illinois, I'd vote for a piece of gum over Madigan.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

LOLOLOLOL. A moderate is the antithesis of a partisan.

You're wrong.  Madigan and his General Assembly Democrats have always governed conservatively.  They don't like to rock the boat, and have to be dragged kicking and screaming when it comes to passing progressive legislation.  They're not ideologically conservative, necessarily.

Okay, fine, they didn't pass the pet health care bill of the left, or whatever. I'm not going to call anyone who gridlock the legislature to the extent Madigan has for purposes of partisanship and/or punishment and/or not liking rauner as a person a moderate, period. If you want to, suit yourself. But if I lived in Illinois, I'd vote for a piece of gum over Madigan.

I'm sure Speaker Madigan will be devastated to learn that some random Republican in Minnesota doesn't like him.

[Clarko95 📚💰📈]

For a little throwback to 1988, to see how much things have and haven't changed: http://www.lib.niu.edu/1989/ii890217.html

Worth the read, has easy-to-read tables as well

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[TJ in Oregon]

Madigan is the closest a human being can come to garbage

He's not that bad, aside from bankrupting the state.  The Illinois Democrats are pretty moderate thanks to him.

Madigan is not a moderate; if he was the legislature wouldn't be a gridlocked hellhole. I mean seriously, they can't even pass education funding despite rauner bending over backward? Madigan is a fierce partisan who wants to punish the state for electing rauner.

One can be a partisan moderate.

LOLOLOLOL. A moderate is the antithesis of a partisan.

You're wrong.  Madigan and his General Assembly Democrats have always governed conservatively.  They don't like to rock the boat, and have to be dragged kicking and screaming when it comes to passing progressive legislation.  They're not ideologically conservative, necessarily.

Okay, fine, they didn't pass the pet health care bill of the left, or whatever. I'm not going to call anyone who gridlock the legislature to the extent Madigan has for purposes of partisanship and/or punishment and/or not liking rauner as a person a moderate, period. If you want to, suit yourself. But if I lived in Illinois, I'd vote for a piece of gum over Madigan.

There is a massive difference between being moderate and adopting a good-government outlook on policies. They are often opposed: some of the most moderate states have historically been places like PA, NY, and LA because their politicians are elected for graft instead of for ideology.

[Kingpoleon]

I was looking over the last couple of pages and found these gems:

If Chris Kennedy is going to run for governor he is going to have to do something about his "smile". My goodness its hard to look at.

If Sheila Simon could manage, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Apparently there was a very good reason the Democrats nominated this guy in 2010.

[Green Line]

Yes, Illinois Republicans are much more attractive than Illinois Democrats.  Not even close!

[Illiniwek]

Yes, Illinois Republicans are much more attractive than Illinois Democrats.  Not even close!

Upon first thought of analyzing the attractiveness of top Republicans in the state vs. top Democrats, I may have to concede that you're right. My congressman, Bill Foster, cannot take a picture that won't scare children away.

Among the voters though, its a Democratic landslide