Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: *** LIVE COVERAGE ***
Next Post: Lightfoot marks 100 days in office
Posted in:
* Tuesday afternoon press release…
Governor JB Pritzker today announced a major step toward the sale of the James R. Thompson Center (JRTC). The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) this week for an array of technical and project management expertise for the disposition of the JRTC at the best value to the State of Illinois.
“The Thompson Center is an inefficient work environment for the current demands of State business,” Governor Pritzker said. “Today we are moving forward with the process of selling the facility and using the proceeds to help stabilize the pension system.”
Opened in 1985, the JRTC is a 17-story marble, granite, glass, and steel structure, encompassing approximately 1.2 million sq. ft. of enclosed area. The building’s steel frame is topped by a cylindrical skylight, 75 ft. above the roof level. The sky-lit rotunda is 160 ft. in diameter and is surrounded by 16 floors of open office space. The main building enclosure system is glazed with single-pane, non-thermally broken aluminum frames. The system is energy inefficient and does not meet current standards for performance or thermal comfort.
Because of prolonged deferred maintenance and delayed capital projects, the construction cost in 2016 was estimated to be over $300 million to bring the building into a good state of repair. The facility is also larger than necessary and costly to operate with annual operating expenses exceeding $17 million. By divesting of the oversized, outdated and expensive facility, the State can relocate its core services to appropriate replacement spaces. This strategic relocation effort will reduce operating costs and increase productivity.
“Issuing this RFP moves the State a step closer to selling the property,” CMS Acting Director Janel Forde said. “The property is inefficient and expensive to operate. The State can achieve significant cost savings by relocating to more optimized space.”
The RFP for Technical and Project Management Expertise will be issued this week; responses are due at 1:00 P.M. Central Time on October 4, 2019. A copy of the RFP will be available on the General Services Illinois Procurement Bulletin, also referred to as the Bulletin or BidBuy (https://www.bidbuy.illinois.gov/bso/). The Offeror’s conference meeting and networking event will be held at the JRTC in Chicago and at the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 1:00 P.M. Central Time on September 13, 2019.
In April, the Governor signed Senate Bill 886 into law that dictates the process for the sale of the property.
The move is the latest by the Pritzker administration to ensure the State’s pensions are sustainably funded. In February, the Governor established the Pension Asset Value and Transfer Task Force and the Pension Consolidation Task Force. Both task forces will provide recommendations and help finalize a long-term pension reform plan. In April, Illinois received significantly stronger than expected revenues that allowed the State to meet the current funding commitment to the pension systems without extending the ramp.
* CBS 2…
Former Gov. Bruce Rauner announced in 2015 that he planned to ask state lawmakers to ask him to unload the Thompson Center. At the time, Rauner said the building needed $100 million in maintenance in the few years to come, and said selling the building and moving state workers elsewhere could save the state between $6 million and $12 million annually.
Then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel blocked efforts to go ahead with the sale, insisting that the city must not be held financially responsible for rebuilding the Chicago Transit Authority Clark/Lake Blue Line subway station inside the building as part of any major redevelopment of the site.
In 2017, Rauner offered to dedicate all future property tax revenue from a Thompson Center sale to help fund the Chicago Public Schools – a proposal that Emanuel dismissed as a political stunt. Afterward, Emanuel said he would help rezone the Thompson Center property in exchange for a city pension deal. Rauner refused the offer.
* Tribune…
If the building is sold, state employees will be moved across LaSalle Street to the Michael A. Bilandic Building and to other state-owned or -rented offices, according to the governor’s office. […]
Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said the governor’s office has “had a number of productive conversations with the city about the transaction, including zoning.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office confirmed in a statement that the governor’s office had been in touch.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:07 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: *** LIVE COVERAGE ***
Next Post: Lightfoot marks 100 days in office
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
What?
Surely this is a mere paperwork formality — Scott Kennedy has already solved this problem.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:18 am
How would a sale affect the CTA stop at Clark/Lake? CTA has an easement for that station?
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:21 am
Upon publication of the RFP, Tim and Dan Gantz, former owner’s of Noah’s Ark waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, announced their plan to submit a bid. “Since selling our last business, we have found great success in commercial consulting,” said Tim Gantz. “We are committed to helping the state find a beneficial way to divest from this property in a fun and relaxing way.” The Gantz family made headlines in 2017 when they offered to facilitate the sale of another government building. Sean Spicer, spokesman for that building’s occupant at the time said he had no comment about the sale, except that “it would be the biggest property deal in the history of the world.”
Comment by OutOfState Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:22 am
If you’re not already on the Scott Kennedy floaty-raft…
To the Post,
However the building or property is sold, the uniqueness of the elevated train hub location is a huge bonus and will need to be a mitigating factor if/when the property is sold and the monies needed in cooperation with CTA baked into any/all rehabilitation or demolition (most likely, probably, heck, will be demolition) costs after sale in a bid.
My sincere hope is a 21st styled company is willing to buy the property and embrace the mass transit element as the focal reason, making employees and others also see the importance of public transportation in this new (20 years in, but whatevs) century.
Or… just build the water park already.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:30 am
For the state to keep it the dollars dont add up. Do what you have to and sell it for Pete’s sake. Get it over with.
Comment by Arron shocked Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:40 am
=Or… just build the water park already.=
OW, with respect, enough with the water park idea as it would clearly make a much better aquarium. you could probably fit an actual whale in there. /s
But seriously too..but not really.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:52 am
How the Thompson Center isn’t the completely obvious choice for a casino is beyond me.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:54 am
- JS Mill -
But… but… but the reinforced glass issues.
The makings of a 1970s “large animal disaster upon a major city” film.
“Run for you lives, the land-loving whale broke itself out of the Thompson Aquarium, and gift shop, and is heading north down LaSalle… run”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 9:55 am
What is the Pritzker administration babbling about here? When they first built the JRTC the state claimed they would shut down and sell what was later renamed the Bilandic Building. The state then remodeled THAT building. Now they need studies to sell the JRTC building? The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:09 am
JB: We’d love to redevelop the Thompson Center, it could be a great commercial property or a casino.
LL: I hear you, but my team is thinking that without pension relief, it would make a great park.
JB: A park? Seriously we need the profits for our own pension issues.
LL: If it makes you feel better, we could build a little park pavilion for your new furniture.
Comment by WH Mess Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:14 am
=The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking.=
Rauner put up the for sale sign and included it as revenue in his budget more than once.
Mr. Successful couldn’t get the deal done during his 4 years and now you are criticizing the governor of 7 months?
The irony of glass houses and stones here is too much.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:21 am
“OW, with respect, enough with the water park idea as it would clearly make a much better aquarium. you could probably fit an actual whale in there. /s”
There’s more than one reason it was named for Big Jim. /s
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:24 am
===The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking.===
Rauner was governor these past four years.
Bruce Rauner failed. Failed at selling the JRTC too.
As a Raunerite, - Louis G Atsaves -, you should read this;
===And that refusal to celebrate any victory - small or large - continued almost unabated for years. He (Rauner) refused to take a win on just about anything until he had to declare defeat last November.===
Then Bruce tried to recruit 4 different people to run in his place, to avoid is own election humiliation. Rauner failed in that too.
The sale of the JRTC is going to take a Herculean effort with zoning, public transportation, demolition, and finding not only the buyer but occupants.
But please…
Ding those who are trying to complete something your own patron failed at is quite rich.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:29 am
Whoa. Show down. If you sell it now, that’s a $500 million hole in the next three state budgets.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 10:36 am
Public employees have suffered the last four years but closing the JRTC may result in fewer state employees based in Chicago.
There is some “redundancy” in Chicago which could be (should be) more efficiently addressed in Springfield.
While Gov. Rauner would have taken a hatchet to Chicago-based positions (à la the US Dept of Interior shifting the Bureau of Land Management to Colorado) even Gov. Pritzker will hard-pressed not to scalpel away some largess.
Comment by Alternative Logic Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:02 am
Any truth to the rumor they Jann was inspired by seeing Big Jim in a blue seersucker suit? #seersuckercaucus
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:10 am
@Willie and @Mill, did you both forget the refusal of the legislature to send the bill to Rauner so he could sell that albatross?
Now they need studies? Put up a sign and ask for too much money. Isn’t that the general principle of selling real estate? Or claim correctly that it’s a fixer-upper?
Sheesh.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:10 am
===did you both forget the refusal of the legislature to send the bill to Rauner so he could sell that albatross?===
Rauner couldn’t get 60 or 30… but made sure Dunkin, Drury and Franks hurt Illinois… purposely.
You admitting, even here Rauner failed to get his agenda passed is prolly why he looked for people to take his spot to stave off humiliation.
===Now they need studies? Put up a sign and ask for too much money. Isn’t that the general principle of selling real estate? Or claim correctly that it’s a fixer-upper?===
There’s a governor that cares about Illinois in place now. Rauner, a multimillionaire who destroyed things for cash had no plans except in his deals where he wanted the money to go in a EFT…
We’re talking about RFPs, not EFTs, keep up, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:18 am
= The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking. =
I share your frustrations, but do you really have that much trust in the $6 million to $12 million projections? I not only question that, but the upfront costs likely wipe out those savings for, shall we say, an extended period.
Comment by Bertrum Cates Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:22 am
@willie, Pritzker signed the bill giving the state permission to market the property. Pritzker. Not Rauner.
The three years or so delay is on them. Not Rauner. Now he’s going the study the situation after the Democrats deliberately slow walked the decision to sell and made the property less valuable.
But don’t despair Pritzker apologists. Pritzker’s office claims they’ve had productive meetings with the City on this sale. The City only confirmed that Pritzker’s office has been in touch.
Sheesh.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:37 am
“Louie”, lol
===Pritzker signed the bill giving the state permission to market the property. Pritzker. Not Rauner.===
Rauner failed. Couldn’t get the legislature to stop giving him $&@#% problems. But, boy “Louie”, Rauner used Dunkin, Drury, and Franks to hurt as many Illinoisans as possible.
So to whine “Louie” that it’s the legislature, Rauner found it easier to get 3 than 60. That’s on any governor.
===Now he’s going the study the situation after the Democrats deliberately slow walked the decision to sell and made the property less valuable.===
It may rise in value too. Property is like that.
===The three years or so delay is on them. Not Rauner.===
Rauner failed to get 60. That’s why he was personally humiliated with the largest loss of any incumbent “Republican” governor in 100 years.
Your family made out, that’s good.
===Pritzker’s office claims they’ve had productive meetings with the City on this sale. The City only confirmed that Pritzker’s office has been in touch.===
LOL
Rauner lied that he talked to legislative leaders on election nite, for the love of Pete… now you’re worried about semantics here.
“Louie”, even Rauner knew he was a colossal failure, trying to replace himself.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:43 am
=Pritzker signed the bill giving the state permission to market the property. Pritzker. Not Rauner.
The three years or so delay is on them=
Checks calendar and notes Pritzker has been governor since……..January 2019.
Would have been nice if it had been earlier though. I guess we agree on that.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:49 am
@Willie, nice attempt at diversion again. Pritzker signed the bill. The Democrats just couldn’t bring themselves to allow Rauner to sell the building. Politics in Illinois is so oriented to serving the public, isn’t it?/snark
I know you can’t move away from blaming Rauner for everything, and you like to target and insult my wife when on the short end of any argument with me, but stick to the facts here.
If you can. And if you can’t, that’s on you.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 11:55 am
===Pritzker signed the bill. The Democrats just couldn’t bring themselves to allow Rauner to sell the building.===
My gosh, the victimhood.
Read for comprehension, “Louie”
===And that refusal to celebrate any victory - small or large - continued almost unabated for years. He (Rauner) refused to take a win on just about anything until he had to declare defeat last November.===
Rauner failed at the politics, not the GA.
It’s 60/71 and 30/36.
Rauner failed to take wins to build consensus, even on JRTC
That’s on any governor.
===I know you can’t move away from blaming Rauner for everything…===
You wrote…
===The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking.===
Your placing blame solely on DEMS was breathtaking, and …unsolicited.
Your continual blaming Dems for Rauner as a failure is comical. Rauner tried to find a replacement knowing how much of a failure he was. You seem to forget that.
===… and you like to target and insult my wife===
Your family did fine, others didn’t. That’s Raunerism. I can see why you defend Rauner. Makes sense.
===…when on the short end of any argument with me, but stick to the facts here.===
I have. You don’t like the facts, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:04 pm
@willie, “victimhood”? The citizens of Illinois were the victims of that stunt, not just little ol’ me. Who benefited from the brick that was placed on that bill that prevented the bill as enacted from being sent to the Governor’s office for signature? Which “Raunerite” benefited from that stunt?
Try harder.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:24 pm
===The citizens of Illinois were the victims of that stunt, not just little ol’ me.===
… and the citizens of Illinois corrected it, humiliating the sitting governor. Now that Rauner is gone, lots getting done.
Rauner made Illinois Dems stronger, even Madigan with 74 HDems.
“The citizens of Illinois were the victims of that stunt, not just little ol’ me.”
… and Rauner out of the picture saved Illinois, not just with the JRTC, but social services, state agencies…
===Which “Raunerite” benefited from that stunt?===
So, Counselor, you admit you benefited with Rauner?
That’s fun.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:28 pm
@willie, I’ll repeat the question, since your reading comprehension skills have evaporated along with any facts supporting your argument:
“Which ‘Raunerite’ benefited from that stunt?”
If you can’t answer that question, just say so. And for the record, using my nicknames of Louie or LouieG is not insulting to me. Like my real name that I use to post here, those are my real nicknames.
Try harder.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:42 pm
@Willie, and as we lawyers are fond of saying, the jury is still out as to whether Pritzker is the savior of Illinois.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:46 pm
===Which ‘Raunerite’ benefited from that stunt?===
Rauner couldn’t get 60 votes.
It’s not a stunt, Counselor, it’s a failed governor.
That’s the thing about Raunerites like yourself;
The victimhood *must* be a stunt, or “corruption” or “the machine”, but in reality, any governor that can’t get 60 votes, 30 votes, that’s on them. Co-equal branch, that needs the other.
Rauner chose to “fight”
Told the whole state. In ads, on TV, every chance Rauner got, it was a “fight”.
===And that refusal to celebrate any victory - small or large - continued almost unabated for years. He (Rauner) refused to take a win on just about anything until he had to declare defeat last November.===
It’s not a stunt. Failing as a governor is a shame.
Who benefited? Which Raunerite?
We’ll never know.
Unlike DoIT, we know who benefited when Rauner got something, it’s like you admit, you benefitted.
===The heel dragging by Democrats to sell that albatross these past four years is breathtaking.===
The victimhood. Try harder to understanding Rauner knew he was a failure, tried to replace himself. Maybe that realization hasn’t hit you yet, lol.. try harder.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:50 pm
=he jury is still out as to whether Pritzker is the savior of Illinois.=
True, I don’t see any one person as the savior of Illinois but he is helping to make it better.
We do know who one of the ruiners was.
Hint- rhymes with Ruiner. Almost spelled the same. too.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:50 pm
===and as we lawyers are fond of saying, the jury is still out as to whether Pritzker is the savior of Illinois.===
Rauner went two years without a budget, a third with a veto overridden budget, and one signed budget.
Pritzker saved Illinois from Rauner.
Is Pritzker the savior of Illinois? Dunno. The jury is out on the larger, but saving Illinois from Raunerism, the voters felt Illinois needed saving.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 12:52 pm
“The *insert building name here* is an inefficient work environment for the current demands of State business,”
I think my fix to this statement is more reflectively accurate.
Comment by R A T Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 1:33 pm
I do not like to call people names out here and I do not like the name troll as I think it is needlessly mean and lazy but come on Louis G Atsaves. If you are not trolling, you sure are uninformed and daft beyond assistance.
Comment by R A T Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 1:45 pm
==I know you can’t move away from blaming Rauner for everything==
That’s funny coming from a guy who spent four years being a Rauner apologist and buying into his “I’m just the victim” argument. You’re a phony
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 2:23 pm
==The heel dragging by Democrats ==
I don’t think it was only their fault. As with all things Rauner, some of it was due to the fact that Rauner couldn’t get 100% of what he wanted so nothing got done. Had he been less Rauner and more of a Governor maybe something would have been accomplished.
Plenty of blame to go around except from you professional victims.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 2:27 pm
===I don’t think it was only their fault.===
We are in agreement here. Welcome to the “phony” and “victim” club.
It is Willie who blames only Rauner and forever only Rauner here.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 4:39 pm
“Louie”
Your wife got the job.
Rauner isn’t governor anymore.
Defending Rauner now looks … well, it looks sad…
Governors own. They always do.
Pat Quinn failed too, amirite? LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 4:44 pm
“Louie”
“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
Who says that “Louie”?
Who’s plan was that… “Louie”?
Who hurt people for an agenda that had no 60 and 30?
Your victimhood is touching, but Rauner not getting 60 or 30 for the sale of the JRTC was Raunerism, yet again… well, failing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 4:50 pm
Willie, my wife was appointed to positions in WC by Governors Thompson, Edgar, Ryan, Blagojevich, Quinn, and Rauner.
That makes her in your eyes a Thomsonite, Edgarite, Ryanite, Blagojevichite, Quinnite and Raunerite.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 4:53 pm
Your family chose those appointments.
Including Rauner’s
Are you saying you can’t turn them down?
I’m sure there was at least one person choosing not to work for… Rod… Quinn… GHR… even Rauner.
The stain of Rauner is real.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 4:57 pm
All those Governors chose her under the appointment system of WC. And she racked up a ton of awards and accolades during her years of service in the WC system of this state.
Is she supposed to be embarrassed about her appointments, awards and accolades?
Cheap shot me all you want. You don’t like my views. Tough. I don’t agree with a lot of yours. But cheap shotting her is beyond poor taste. Even for one “Oswego Willie.”
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:07 pm
===Is she supposed to be embarrassed about her appointments, awards and accolades?===
If you’re so proud of working for Rauner, making out on that deal while others were hurt by Rauner, then you are.
Again, no one is required to take appointments, there must be at least one person turning down appointments.
You guys made out, others didn’t. Maybe your angst about it is painful, while being proud?
===Tough===
You said the same thing to me when Rauner won, vetoed budgets, hurt innocent folks… it was always…
===Tough===
Welp, you helped Rauner make Madigan more powerful, the most powerful he has been, with the most seats.
Rauner ran a ticket that Rauner himself looked for his own replacement.
How can you be proud, politically and governmentally, to work and support a guy looking to bail out on everyone?
And here you are, again, defending Rauner.
Rauner was bailing on you, LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:29 pm
Don’t change the subject Willie. You are out of line. You have no idea what you are talking about over those appointments. The more you babble about them, the more obvious your ignorance.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:40 pm
===You are out of line===
What do you say? “Tough”
I stand by my words, thanks.
You don’t like it.
===You have no idea what you are talking about over those appointments. The more you babble about them, the more obvious your ignorance.===
While social services closed, while people suffered…
… your family made out on “no budget” and the harm Rauner caused.
To the Post,
If you’re proud that Rauner couldn’t get this JRTC sale passed because Rauner was as a victim of Dems… yikes man, LOL
Take pride in that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:44 pm
“Louie”
How was it, when you found out Bruce was secretly bailing on you?
How does it feel now, you defending him, knowing that too.
I’m mean it’s comical, actually.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:49 pm
Don’t change the subject Willie. You are still way out of line. You have no idea what you are talking about over those appointments. The more you babble about them, the more obvious your ignorance.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:54 pm
===You are still way out of line.===
“Louie”
===Tough===
Your family made out. Others lost their jobs because of Rauner’s Administration.
So you don’t feel foolish defending Rauner knowing he tried to bail?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 5:58 pm
The great debater and commentator Willie drags someone’s wife through the mud when he loses the argument. Then he stubbornly refuses to either back off or apologize.
Not a very award winning moment for you now, is it?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:00 pm
“Louie”
You don’t like facts. Rauner didn’t like facts. That makes sense.
You defend Rauner, who looked to bail on you? I mean, that’s not a great moment, you don’t owe Rauner anything now, LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:02 pm
Fact: Rauner wanted to sell the building. Fact: Democrats refused to cooperate in this endeavor. You cheered and so did they.
Fact: We have a new Governor. HE wants to sell the building (before being elected he was making noises about rehabbing it). You cheer and so did his fellow Democrats.
Fact: The citizens of Illinois lost out big time over this childishness.
Keep on cheering WIllie. Enough facts for you?
Another attack on my wife in 3 - 2 - 1.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:08 pm
===Democrats refused to cooperate in this endeavor. You cheered and so did they.===
Rauner couldn’t find 60… like every single governor before him needed since 1971. That’s not the Dems fault. Rauner is no victim. You don’t like that. But, governing is about 60/30 and a governor. You cheered as Rauner held the state hostage, by the same rules of 60/30… by blocking overrides… and you cheered.
===We have a new Governor. HE wants to sell the building (before being elected he was making noises about rehabbing it). You cheer and so did his fellow Democrats.===
They had the votes, Rauner used the phony savings in sham budgets, so seeing a real sale, sure, it’s money that isn’t as phony as Rauner.
===The citizens of Illinois lost out big time over this childishness.===
Rauner’s two years without a budget… Illinois lost out to that childishness, that you cheered, that actually hurt folks, and this sale, or no sale, isn’t hurting folks like not having a budget, your family made out during the budget hostage crisis.
===Another attack on my wife in 3 - 2 - 1.===
Meh. Your not a victim. Folks actually hurt when Illinois has no budget were real victims, but make sure it’s out your feelings.
Very telling.
“Let them eat cake… but here’s an attack on me in… “
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:17 pm
Still odd… won’t talk about how Rauner wanted to bail, if you feel foolish.. even today defending a guy looking to evade humiliation.
Why is that?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:20 pm
That’s where your argument failed you and diverted to personal attacks, including those of an innocent bystander.
The measure passed both chambers. Then one person from those chambers put a brick on it until after the election and the swearing into office of the new Governor.
Hell of a system you are cheering about. The residents of this state lost out. The extended delay due to politics while Willie wildly cheered. Now they are hiring consultants?
Nice to see you so cheerful about all that. When the facts turn on one Oswego Willie, he turns to personal attacks. And stubbornly clings to them.
Award winning performance? Hardly.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:21 pm
===The measure passed both chambers. Then one person from those chambers put a brick on it until after the election and the swearing into office of the new Governor.===
Prolly afraid Rauner would veto it… “why take a chance”
Rauner lost. Why give any glory. Rauner hurt real folks. If that hurts your feelings, ===Tough===
===Hell of a system you are cheering about. The residents of this state lost out. The extended delay due to politics while Willie wildly cheered. Now they are hiring consultants?===
LOL
It’s a building “Louie”… Rauner held up an entire state’s budget for a whole General Assembly. Here you are worried about.. a building… that Rauner couldn’t take credit for… yikes, man… this is embarrassing, even for you.
Your phony, and it’s phony, friend, angst about a building… tell that to all the social services that folded.
You want “glory” for Rauner? Is that it? It was one job, and Rauner’s gone. You don’t owe him anymore.
===When the facts turn on one Oswego Willie, he turns to personal attacks. And stubbornly clings to them.===
Tell that to every family who had to move because Rauner refused to fund social services, friend. Your concerned trolling for me is noted.
Your family is fine, no matter.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:29 pm
Its a building that housed (and continues to house) many of those social service agencies you claim pity for. Ever work in that building? No?
Keep cheering. Keep up with the personal attacks. And remember who put the brick on it. And kept it there. Out of spite.
But according to you, no one got hurt by that. No one.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:45 pm
===Its a building that housed (and continues to house) many of those social service agencies you claim pity for.===
Rauner refused to fund agencies too. Rauner hurt a lot of folks. On purpose. You tell me ===Tough===.
Rauner deciding to hurt state agencies, social services, and your “anger” is Rauner didn’t get to sign a bill?
===Keep cheering. Keep up with the personal attacks. And remember who put the brick on it. And kept it there. Out of spite.===
Was it Ken Dunkin, Rauner’s ace in hurting Illinois, or maybe Franks or Drury.
Friend, it’s a building, if you cared about the state for the two years it didn’t have a budget…
“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
… then i wouldn’t laugh as hard as I am at you.
===But according to you, no one got hurt by that. No one.===
The selling of the building by Rauner was a ruse. A phony “sham of a sham” that the Dems decided to pass the bill then let Pritzker sign.
You don’t like that.
===Tough===
“You’ll be fine”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 6:52 pm
For the love of Pete please stop riling up Louis the strain is unbearable.
Comment by Louis' Belt Buckle Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 7:46 pm
- Louis’ Belt Buckle -
“But… Bruce shoulda been able to sign it…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 7:50 pm
The selling of the building was a ruse that Pritzker now agrees with? A ruse? Pritzker agrees with a ruse according to Willie?
Tin foil cap arguments now by Willie.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 7:59 pm
===The selling of the building was a ruse that Pritzker now agrees with? A ruse?===
Pritzker got to sign it? Why?
When Rauner got his own school funding bill, he vetoed it.
When you lose trust, everything is a ruse.
Like phone calls to leaders on election nite.
Rauner was a sham. He wanted unions destroyed, and was willing to hurt Illinois’ most vulnerable to do it.
The Dems weren’t gonna take a chance.
Rauner failed again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 28, 19 @ 8:07 pm
Rich, given that this post is about the Thompson Center, I believe OW’s personal attacks on the spouse of another commenter don’t belong here and should be moderated.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 29, 19 @ 8:15 am