Hinz: Rauner, Top Dems Hold A 'Cordial' Meeting
From Crain's Chicago Business
Illinois' new Republican governor and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly held their first post-election meeting today and, though details are still a little sketchy, the session went on for almost two and a half hours — a good sign.
The meeting occurred at the downtown Chicago Club and involved Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their respective chiefs of staff, with the aides sitting in only for part of the session.
"The speaker thought the meeting was productive," said Steve Brown, Mr. Madigan's spokesman. "There was a general sense of common agreement that the state budget is the biggest problem."
"It was very cordial," said John Patterson, a spokesman for Mr. Cullerton. "Most of it was just getting to know each other."
Mr. Rauner so far has had no comment on the get-together, but according to the Democrats the most specific thing that came up is that he personally asked that lawmakers take up little of substance during the fall veto session that begins next week, when Pat Quinn still will be governor.
Perhaps the biggest potential item is raising the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour, and, on that count, neither leader apparently gave Mr. Rauner what he wanted.
"We're in the process of surveying our members and then we'll see where we are," Mr. Brown said. "We're going to caucus with our members next week and see what they want to do," Mr. Patterson said.
Mr. Rauner has said he favors a hike, but only if it is incorporated with "pro-business" changes in the state's tort reform and workers' compensation systems.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From Crain's Chicago Business
Illinois' new Republican governor and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly held their first post-election meeting today and, though details are still a little sketchy, the session went on for almost two and a half hours — a good sign.
The meeting occurred at the downtown Chicago Club and involved Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their respective chiefs of staff, with the aides sitting in only for part of the session.
"The speaker thought the meeting was productive," said Steve Brown, Mr. Madigan's spokesman. "There was a general sense of common agreement that the state budget is the biggest problem."
"It was very cordial," said John Patterson, a spokesman for Mr. Cullerton. "Most of it was just getting to know each other."
Mr. Rauner so far has had no comment on the get-together, but according to the Democrats the most specific thing that came up is that he personally asked that lawmakers take up little of substance during the fall veto session that begins next week, when Pat Quinn still will be governor.
Perhaps the biggest potential item is raising the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour, and, on that count, neither leader apparently gave Mr. Rauner what he wanted.
"We're in the process of surveying our members and then we'll see where we are," Mr. Brown said. "We're going to caucus with our members next week and see what they want to do," Mr. Patterson said.
Mr. Rauner has said he favors a hike, but only if it is incorporated with "pro-business" changes in the state's tort reform and workers' compensation systems.
Read more in our daily News Update...