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* From Peter Hancock’s interview with the governor…
Capitol News Illinois: What do you think you learned about state government in your first year? Is there anything you know now that you didn’t know coming into the job?
Pritzker: Certainly from outside of government, I had seen that government had been hollowed out and that there were agencies that just weren’t fulfilling their functions properly. But it isn’t until you get inside of the agencies that you see just how bad it really is, that they hadn’t been fulfilling their mission – in part because of morale, in part because of a failure to fill positions that are authorized to be filled, and in part because there’s a failure of mission and direction. When I came into office, it was frankly worse than I thought. And so I have worked very hard over the course of my first year to change that and to set us in the right direction.
And we have made real progress. I’ll give you one example, if I may. We walked into office and found that there was a backlog of people who had applied for Medicaid, many of whom are eligible for Medicaid, and those who have applied for what’s called redetermination. Year-in year-out, Medicaid recipients have to reapply. That backlog had grown to 140,000 people. That’s basically because under my predecessor, they had stopped processing those applications. And so when we walked into office (seeing a) 140,000 backlog, we had to work very hard to address that. We basically cut that in half in just a year, which is a very hard thing to do, because we were already understaffed.
Today is the one-year anniversary of Pritzker’s inauguration. His campaign committee, Think Big Illinois, has compiled a list of accomplishments. Click here for that.
* The Question: On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best score, how would you rate Gov. Pritzker’s first year in office? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:29 pm
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9. It would be 10 if it wasn’t taking so long to get sports betting up and running
Comment by Oak Parker Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:32 pm
I gave him an 8. He’s had a couple of missteps but is mostly trying to fix things. And I don’t agree with everything he wants to do.
I don’t think he will get everything fixed … but I do think the State will function much better at the end of JB’s years as Governor.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:35 pm
This is a refreshing interview, compared to made-up stories about state offices that don’t have computers. If I was a state employee, I’d be reassured that Gov. Pritzker is actually paying attention during tours and not just nodding off.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:46 pm
He did fine, hopefully he’ll do better. The elephants in the room are pensions and deficits.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:47 pm
I gave him an 8. Would have done an 8.5 if possible. He fulfilled a lot of his campaign promises and did solid work for the state. For a first year governor his work was impressive (especially considering the “legacy” his predecessor left behind), and I think that after several years of JB the state will be better for it. Always room for improvement though.
Comment by short staffer Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:48 pm
9. Mostly because I am comparing him to Rauner but in reality he accomplished a lot.
Comment by R A T Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:50 pm
They got lucky on a few things (like finding $1.5 billion in the couch cushions) but he’s also done really well. It’s hard evaluate though until we know how the fair tax referendum turns out. I gave him an incomplete 7 but I could reassess that up to a 9 if the fair tax passes in November.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:54 pm
I consider myself a Republican and I gave him an 8
I would never give anyone a 10 However if he keeps it up I would give him a 9. Refreshing
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:55 pm
Went 7. For JB himself, it would be a 9 or 10; it’s hard for me to imagine the year going better for him. Docked it a few points, from the state as a whole perspective, just because I basically haven’t seen a really convincing plan to pay for *gestures vaguely* all of it. I hope the progress tax passes, but even so I’m still worried.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:55 pm
Short staffer, I gave him a 9 to even out your 8 because I would have given him an 8.5 if I could. He did A LOT for a political novice in his first year, and continues to say the right things at the right time (see his comments on corruption earlier today as just one example). Still has plenty on his plate to finish though, and now comes the hard part because the Gov. is now a known commodity. Let’s see if this upcoming session is as productive as last years.
Comment by SpfdNewb Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:57 pm
8. Many victories. Great job on building relationships too with both Madigan and republicans.
-2 for not doing anything yet about DCFS.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 2:59 pm
I gave him a 2. Raised gas taxes, raised license plate fees, raised registration fees, raised video gaming and cigarette taxes, taxed parking spaces. So much for helping the common person.
Comment by Think Big Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:00 pm
PS he should get extra points for not wearing goofy outfits and pronouncing the letter g
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:00 pm
Solid 8. Done very well with what he has available and what he inherited from the last few administrations. The missteps with nominations for positions and remaining issues with DCFS being the biggest miscues by him and his team.
Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:02 pm
Is the state better off today than it was a year ago?
Yup. 8.5, and the deductions are mostly attributable to rookie mistakes which have been few and minor.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:05 pm
JB showed his true colors with his ridiculous plan to short the pension payment by 1 billion dollars a year for eight years.
He is a tax and spend, limousine liberal billionaire who has proven he does not want to pay his fair share of taxes or fix the pension debacle that is crippling Illinois finances
Liberals love him because he is on of their own.
He is underwater with Independents for good reason
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:06 pm
I gave Pritzker a 9. As a progressive who supported Biss in the primary, I was fairly skeptical of his commitment to the policies he espoused on the campaign trail. But the accomplishments in the first spring session under his governorship were pretty incredible. No doubt the legislature is responsible for much of that, but he obviously worked with them to get support and votes. Putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot for a progressive income tax is a huge win, as is legalizing recreational cannabis and getting legislation for infrastructure repair passed.
He seems to have a genuine interest in finding out what’s not working in various state agencies and doing what he can to fix them.
The fact that he invested his own money to rehab the governor’s mansion and office in Chicago is telling of his commitment to making improvements, although it shouldn’t have had to come out of his pocket.
If I recall correctly, he helped Rockford get the money promised by the state for its airport.
There is always room for improvement and he’s not perfect, but on the whole I’m pretty impressed with what he’s done to improve the quality of life for Illinoisians.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:10 pm
I give him a “G”
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:10 pm
I gave him a 7. I might be convinced to go to an 8 give what he’s accomplished, but I’m also considering how much still needs to be done. I think we’re starting to “see” the corner but there’s a long way to go before we can say that we’ve navigated the turn.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:12 pm
Solid 8. Had a pretty effective year legislatively, and seems to wear the job well. Maybe knocked down a point for issues with some appointments, and not seeming to be as prepared as they should have been to fill top agency spots.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:16 pm
Did an 8. He’s a couple points off perfect because there have been some personnel issues that I worry will cause long term problems implementing everything he passed.
Comment by Boog Alou Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:24 pm
10. He’s honest, works hard, is a realist and actual gets stuff done. It’s easy to be cynical. It took a long time to get where we are. It will take a while to get back. No one’s perfect but he’s a smart guy and has no pecuniary interest in the job. He is what the doctor ordered.
Comment by What's in a name? Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:27 pm
=== limousine liberal===
How you supported the RaunerS and their limousine liberal ways is still comedy gold, lol
To the post,
I gave the governor a 7
“Why???”
So much good Pritzker did, and compared to his failed predecessor, what a huge relief for Illinois after the forced destruction Pritzker’s predecessor wanted for Illinois.
The long list of accomplishments, beginning with a budget, it’s unprecedented the type of first year Pritzker had.
Then why the 7?
The extra pay for staff is a terrible precedent that will harm the executive office for a long time after Pritzker is gone, even after two terms. While understanding motive, public service is a sacrifice and dictating a value to some over others with enhanced pay will be something other governors, if they ignore, will be judged as “devaluing” those committed to public service.
DCFS. The strong commitment by this administration is exemplary and I applaud it, and I know turning a shop around is hard when we’re talking about institutional problems, the real thing I’m not happy with is still an aura of confusion and dysfunction in the public realm, with things only known “after”.
Education, higher ed and K-12. This plays into pensions, budgets, and investing. After the purposeful damage of the past 4 years and the subsequent formula changes, so much more is going to needed to attack property taxes and then see where we are in the progressive tax amendment.
I’m truly grateful for all the overwhelming good this Governor and his administration did in his first year, this second year has a tough act to follow.
I rated a 7
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:27 pm
10
Superb first year, better than anything I’ve seen, especially things that weren’t accomplished in previous attempts: minimum wage hike, RHA, capital bill, casinos, graduated income tax on the ballot, full budget, labor peace and AFSCME contract, and very importantly, more pro-business reforms in one GA session than in Rauner’s entire term.
He’s the polar opposite of Rauner in so many ways, and in willingness to work in a bipartisan manner. Rauner was the worst governor in state history who’s not a convict.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:30 pm
I gave him a 9. He really seems to be trying to fix a huge mess. He is trying to reign-in pensions, change the tax structure, he seems to listen to people, he was quick to act on the McClain mess (hopefully this will remain a priority) and he’s not Rauner. BTW, where the heck is Rauner?
Comment by Flynn's mom Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:31 pm
Went 8. He inherited a dysfunctional mess & and was able to pass multiple huge pieces of legislation in his first year.
Comment by Large Marge Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:32 pm
I gave him a 10, but my perception could be affected by the fact that the previous administration was so terrible in comparison.
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:36 pm
8. He accomplished a lot in his first year. Biggest negative was his pay supplement. His score for the upcoming year will be a little tougher. The joy of being rid of Rauner will have diminished. He needs to show progress on DCFS and continue stabilizing the state’s finances.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:37 pm
All of you complimenting the Governor must have missed his other statement today where he said he is promising to use only 200 million of the 3 billion his progressive tax is supposed to raise to pay down pension debt. That’s like totally insane. All 3 billion needs to go to pensions without one penny being spent on his social BS programs. Wasn’t the whole point of the fair tax to solve the State’s fiscal mess yet JB is promising to use less then 1/15 of the revenue to pay down pension debt.
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:39 pm
7
There’’s been some growing pains and I can’t say I’m on board with everything he’s done, but he has stopped the hemoraging that was left by his predecessor.
Comment by Morty Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:41 pm
I gave him a 9. As a waitress said to me once when I asked what’s good on the menu, “It’s all in relativity.” Relative to the previous governor, an argument could be made for 11 or 12.
He seems committed to his job. He’s a breath of fresh air in a Capitol stale with the old ways. His mistakes are more palatable than his predecessor’s accomplishments.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:42 pm
“10″ seemed appropriate. JB campaigned on a list of things to do, then took them on and got them done. Along the way he modified his stance to a more realistic position. Now there is still leftovers — cleaning up the gaming bill will be mess — and all the other problems. Now he can focus on enacting the fair tax, trying to fix pensions and,of course, the all important remap
Comment by Annonin Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:43 pm
===I gave him a 2. Raised gas taxes, raised license plate fees, raised registration fees, raised video gaming and cigarette taxes, taxed parking spaces. So much for helping the common person.===
Think Big is not thinking big.
I give him an 8. I could make that a 10 next year if he takes serious steps to reform DCFS.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Agreed, relative to his predecessor, Pritzker is 11, maybe 12.
Then again, that 11 or 12 would still be low, given Pritzker’s predecessor wanted to implode a state and eventually a political party too.
That’s my given, so I rated well outside his predecessor, because it would be too easy given ALL this governor accomplished.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:50 pm
@ Think Big. If you are giving Pritzker a “2″, how would you rate Rauner? Please note that Rich’s scale only goes down to “1″.
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:54 pm
I appreciate the arguments supporting high numbers and I do want him to do well.
My concerns revolve around his failure to take responsibility and the almost cavalier way he throws people under the bus.
Character is a big thing with me.
Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 3:56 pm
===I give him a “G”===
G for groovy?
It would have been an “H,” but he couldn’t get home grow done.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:00 pm
===G for groovy? ===
G for pronouncing them.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:03 pm
===My concerns revolve around his failure to take responsibility and the almost cavalier way he throws people under the bus.===
You mean Rauner, right?
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:03 pm
My vote was an 8, in reality I would rate him a 7.5 but not an option. He has room to grow, but has done what he said he would, no parsing, and is raising the revenue to pay the bills. Something the legion of gutless predecessors wouldn’t do.
=He is a tax and spend, limousine liberal billionaire who has proven he does not want to pay his fair share of taxes or fix the pension debacle that is crippling Illinois finances=
Precious. Rauner was a deadbeat, didn’t want to pay for anything. This is the new pseudo-conservative position now, don’t pay your bills.
Gutless.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:04 pm
I gave him a 5. Reason being, you also have to run the agencies day to day… not just run a legislative agenda. Legislatively it’s a 10. Running day to day government is a 2 at best. Agencies remain a mess, and choices to run many have not been effective choices. IMO
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:04 pm
I rated an 8. I’m still trying to figure out if he is a really good governor, or if my political lifetime that came of age during the Ryan years is affecting my judgment. Either way, he’s the best governor this millennium.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:05 pm
Solid 8.
I can’t believe it has been a year since the Inauguration and the Governor’s Inaugural Ball. Hands down, the best party Springfield has ever seen. That party brought so many different people together to just have fun - breathed life back into a city and culture that desperately needed it (banned punctuation).
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:13 pm
@ Rich Miller
Be careful throwing around those Gs. I’m guessing there’s some pretty nervous folks in Springfield and Chicago right now…
Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:18 pm
I gave him 9 because nobody’s perfect.
Comment by Nameless Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:22 pm
I gave him an 8. He had a number of big policy wins and has been (for Illinois, anyway) pretty scandal free.
But I fear he’s already picked the low-hanging fruit. The next few years will be progressively tougher, trying to address pension costs, consolidating myriad local government bodies, and fixing the mess that is DCFS. That’s not even including smaller issues that aren’t on the state news radar, like funding the state parks. But Pritzker begins year 2 in just about as good a position as you could want.
Comment by Benjamin Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:28 pm
gave him an 8 as he seemed to achieve at least 80 percent of his legislative priorities
Comment by doofusguy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:33 pm
8. Incredible political accomplishments. Big questions are about managerial competence. This next year will tell on that. He has used the Republicans as a counterweight against the most liberal members of the Democratic Party.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 4:40 pm
I gave the Governor an 8. I was torn between 7 and 8. I don’t like his privately paying some of the people who work in his administration and I feel he didn’t prioritize the mess at DCFS properly at first. I landed on 8, however, because he is obviously a decent human being, an achiever who thinks about things and learns from his mistakes, and he seems to have just the right amount of ego for the job. I haven’t been this excited about a politician for a long time and I am optimistic for our state. I really do feel he could do great things.
Comment by yinn Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 5:03 pm
He’s an excellent governor - in fact, he’s exactly what I’d anticipated from following his campaign.
So .. 9? 10? Somewhere thereabouts.
But as I’ve stated elsewhere, and will probably state again ad nauseam, DCFS DCFS DCFS - please, make it your signature cause.
Everything else is doable. If DCFS can be fixed, it’ll be a miracle.
Comment by dbk Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 5:32 pm
7 - He got government to function again, slowed the fiscal bleeding and even brought along a few Republicans. On the negative side, he still hasn’t come up with a credible solution for the pension issues.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 6:07 pm
He’s a 6. I can’t get beyond the DCFS issues and other agency messes.
He’s clearly focused on his legislative promises and he’s made real progress there which is noticed. He hasn’t made a dent in the state’s horrible financial position, the property tax burden, or loss of residents (out migration).
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 6:13 pm
8. Legislative is a ten (or 11). Agency-wise, things are lagging, so a 5 or 6 on that front. JB’s people are so cautious that needed changes are lagging. I know there is a lot to fix; I hope the governor’s focus shifts to the exec branch this year.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 6:45 pm
7 - agencies are still a mess. Playing politics with appointments is what made them a mess. Needs to pick qualified leaders and not worry about their political connections.
Comment by Nobody Sent Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 8:04 pm
Rich. G. For the missing G. I wasn’t sharp enough to know your whiticism.
I voted 1. The pain he has inflicted on the working poor and middle class with gas and liscence fee increases exhibits his hypocrisy.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 8:08 pm
I gave him an 8. He sure got a lot done in a short period of time
I don’t agree on everything but the capital bill was necessary and the stabilization of higher ed are both crucial.
Comment by Regular democrat Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 9:02 pm
== … after Pritzker is gone, even after two terms. ==my
-OW-, you do realize there are no term limits for the Governor’s office? The Con-Con talked about term limits, but it was left out if the 1970 IL Constitution approved by the voters. So JB can serve as long as he can get re-elected
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:29 pm
- RNUG -
I do. I can’t imagine a “thrice billioned” individual waiting to be a governor for longer than 8 years.
:)
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:32 pm
== … still hasn’t come up with a credible solution for the pension issues. ==
There is only one solution: to pay them. The only thing up for discussion is the method used to pay them.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:34 pm
== I can’t imagine a “thrice billioned” individual waiting to be a governor for longer than 8 years. ==
If he gets the progressive income tax passed and the trouble agencies (especially DCFS) under control, he may find being Governor could be fun.
I don’t agree with parts of his agenda and he’s a little too liberal for me overall, but a long term stable Governor in the mold of Big Jim could be what the State needs right now.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:40 pm
- RNUG -
Agree on all counts with your retort. Like…
=== but a long term stable Governor in the mold of Big Jim could be what the State needs right now.===
… but it remains to be seen where Pritzker will want to be, or if being the next “Big Jim” is what he’d like for 12 years.
Possible? Yep. How you set it up, that would be tasty, will Pritzker “see” the joy Thompson saw in long term service is the variable.
Illinois could use the Thompson-like stability.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 10:45 pm
1 - 123
Comment by Captain Obvious Tuesday, Jan 14, 20 @ 11:07 pm
A solid 7, tending toward 8.
JB is benefitting considerably from not being Rauner. This halo effect distorts his true level of performance. One point off to guard against this.
Another point off for being late to the gate with DCFS, some gimmickry with pension payments, underfunding education at all levels, and inadequately addressing property taxes. He’s banking a little too much on approval of a progressive income tax to get him out from under some of this.
The third point of for using his own money to boost salaries for some administration officials. Something like this can never pass the smell test at a time when government actions are already under so much fire. The very wealthy too often take their great fortune as a simple matter of fact; I think JB may be guilty of this. It’s one thing to give to institutions like museums, hospitals, or universities. It’s another thing altogether to use it in government, where it undercuts ties to the public.
I’m tempted to give JB a point extra credit for making Sue’s and LP’s heads almost explode. Maybe next year.
Comment by Flapdoodle Wednesday, Jan 15, 20 @ 12:40 am
The capital bill was good work. Marijuana legalization is another big win. Let’s be honest, JB didn’t run as a reformer. He’s not here to blow anything up. Our state’s deep financial and ethical issues won’t be addressed by this Governor in any meaningful way. He’ll continue to tackle small and medium sized issues and avoid any controversy.
Comment by CubsFan16 Wednesday, Jan 15, 20 @ 12:45 am
He didn’t remove toilets to avoid property taxes so there’s that. But he still has most of his money hidden in the islands to avoid income taxes. But he didn’t call Blagojovich to ask what clout could get him.
Hmmm maybe a 5 for being less of a shady guy than before. After all Illinois does have some pretty low standards.
Comment by Taxyourwaytoprosperity Wednesday, Jan 15, 20 @ 1:28 pm
Wow. Lots of shills here for this guy. Taxes keep going up, more people leaving the state, corruption the same. So, what’s changed here? Nothing.
Comment by Tc3223 Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 10:56 am
1.Why not cram some more taxes down our throats. Spend, spend, spend. Tax, tax, tax. Until there is meaningful pension reform, term limits, and more business friendly policies in this state it’ll remain in the crapper. Fire every one of them, declare bankruptcy, and start all over is about our only hope now.
Comment by Pyro7896 Thursday, Jan 16, 20 @ 12:15 pm