Hinz: Business-Backed Group To Sit Out Springfield Budget War — For Now
From Crain's Chicago Business
A well-financed centrist group that some expected would be allied with Gov. Bruce Rauner in this summer's state budget war instead has decided to keep its financial powder dry, at least for now.
Illinoisans for Growth and Prosperity, a business-backed group formed to support Democrats who take tough votes on the state budget, has raised more than $14 million in two political funds. But it will not be joining Rauner in a media campaign for legislative term limits, workers compensation reform and other changes the governor is pushing to be packaged with a 2016 state budget agreement.
Instead, says Greg Goldner, a longtime Chicago political operative who is the organization's consultant, the group will engage only in limited activities for now, and only positive ones.
"Our primary goal is to defend Democratic legislators who are willing to take tough votes, not to push them," Goldner told me. "Legislators who made good votes (this session) deserve a little pat on the back instead of always being criticized."
Goldner and other IllinoisGO officials always have said that the group, which is interested in school and pension reform, was focused on helping Democrats. Big early donors—including Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky and Peak 6 Investments co-founder Matthew Hulsizer—have given to members of both major political parties
Goldner hinted in recent weeks that it was about to open its wallet soon, seemingly preparing for a two-pronged attack on lawmakers alongside Rauner, who has gathered an even bigger warchest that he says will soon target legislative foes, especially House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.
But in the interview, Goldner seemed to suggest there is little role for IllinoisGO in what is starting to look like a personal battle between the governor and the speaker. "We will be most effective if we can articulate a positive alternative," Goldner said.
Goldner didn't identify any specific issues or lawmakers that will win the group's largesse. But he noted the support that the Democratic establishment last year gave state Rep. Christian Mitchell, a Chicago Democrat from a minority district who bucked the Chicago Teachers Union to vote for pension reform.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From Crain's Chicago Business
A well-financed centrist group that some expected would be allied with Gov. Bruce Rauner in this summer's state budget war instead has decided to keep its financial powder dry, at least for now.
Illinoisans for Growth and Prosperity, a business-backed group formed to support Democrats who take tough votes on the state budget, has raised more than $14 million in two political funds. But it will not be joining Rauner in a media campaign for legislative term limits, workers compensation reform and other changes the governor is pushing to be packaged with a 2016 state budget agreement.
Instead, says Greg Goldner, a longtime Chicago political operative who is the organization's consultant, the group will engage only in limited activities for now, and only positive ones.
"Our primary goal is to defend Democratic legislators who are willing to take tough votes, not to push them," Goldner told me. "Legislators who made good votes (this session) deserve a little pat on the back instead of always being criticized."
Goldner and other IllinoisGO officials always have said that the group, which is interested in school and pension reform, was focused on helping Democrats. Big early donors—including Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky and Peak 6 Investments co-founder Matthew Hulsizer—have given to members of both major political parties
Goldner hinted in recent weeks that it was about to open its wallet soon, seemingly preparing for a two-pronged attack on lawmakers alongside Rauner, who has gathered an even bigger warchest that he says will soon target legislative foes, especially House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.
But in the interview, Goldner seemed to suggest there is little role for IllinoisGO in what is starting to look like a personal battle between the governor and the speaker. "We will be most effective if we can articulate a positive alternative," Goldner said.
Goldner didn't identify any specific issues or lawmakers that will win the group's largesse. But he noted the support that the Democratic establishment last year gave state Rep. Christian Mitchell, a Chicago Democrat from a minority district who bucked the Chicago Teachers Union to vote for pension reform.
Read more in our daily News Update...