Rauner alleges Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and House Speaker Michael Madigan are coordinating to shut down state government
“Governor Rauner, do your job.”
– Chance The Rapper, in pledging $1 million to Chicago Public Schools
The Senate's grand bargain falls apart
“He's willing to compromise as long as he gets 100% of what he wants apparently. So, that's not how it works.”
– Senate Pres. John Cullerton, who blames Rauner for pulling GOP votes off a grand bargain to end the budget impasse, a claim Rauner denies
The Illinois Senate approves a few pieces of a grand compromise to end the budget impasse, but some of the more politically difficult bills still have to be passed
While in Washington, D.C. for a meeting of the National Governors Association, Rauner says he discussed violence policy with President Trump's administration, but won't say who or what specifically was discussed
A downstate Illinois judge rules against Attorney General Lisa Madigan, saying state employees should continue to be paid even though there's no budget
Let's set up a meeting soon. Looking forward to our conversation @chancetherapper ! https://t.co/5ikiWOhuLp
— Bruce Rauner (@GovRauner) February 13, 2017
“It smacks you in the face. It makes you uncomfortable and it should.”
– Senate Pres. John Cullerton, after detailing the consequences of not having a full state budget
After losing a campaign questioning her independence from Rauner, the governor hires former Comptroller Leslie Munger as a Deputy Governor
About 30,000 AFSCME state employees begin voting on whether they should strike
In an email to state workers, a member of Rauner’s administration warns employees against striking saying it would disrupt their pay, health insurance, and pensions
“Serious concerns about the executive order have been raised.”
– Gov. Rauner's spokeswoman, Catherine Kelly, in response to protests at O'Hare Airport over President Donald Trump's travel ban executive order
Senate leaders Cullerton and Radogno say their colleagues should expect to vote on the Senate budget plan in February
“I actually dream about it sometimes”
– Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, talking about budget negotiations in the Senate
Rauner gives his campaign $50 million of his own money
“There’s a lot of stalling going on”
– Gov. Rauner, after canceling budget negotiations with legislative leaders
In 2014, Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner had a taxable income of $58.3 million; In 2015, Rauner has a taxable income of $188.2 million
Rauner contributes $100,000 to the Republican candidate for Missouri governor, Eric Greitens
“My concern with the proposal so far is they’re largely based upon re-ramping the payment schedule, and slowing down the payment schedule and back loading it. That’s what we’ve done in Chicago for decades, and it’s the reason Chicago has the worst credit rating of any city other than Detroit.”
– Gov. Rauner on Chicago plan to increase water and sewer taxes to cover pension payments
Rauner contributes $100,000 to the Republican candidate for Indiana governor, Eric Holcomb
“Does Gov. Rauner sound familiar to you? Does he sound like Donald Trump to you?”
Gov. Rauner does not attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, in which Donald Trump officially receives the party's nomination for president
Gov. Rauner announces the creation of a task force to study the way Illinois distributes state money for public schools
“He got a standing ovation from us today because his agenda is our agenda.”
– Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Todd Maisch on Gov. Rauner's address to the organization
“I hope this is not the moment when Thelma looks at Louise and they decide to drive off the cliff.”
– Democratic Sen. Don Harmon on Gov. Rauner's announcement of his new chief of staff, Richard Goldberg
“Anybody who says, ‘Well we can’t work together because you were mean to me yesterday.’ Oh come on.”
– Gov. Rauner, on whether political insults matter to budget negotiations
The Spring legislative session ends without a budget deal, or even a plan to fund grade schools and early childhood education
The House vote to override Rauner veto holds up; Rahm's pension bill for police and fire passes
— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) May 30, 2016
“It's no wonder no one can trust him.”
– Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Gov. Rauner, after Rauner vetoed a bill affecing how the city pays for its police and firefighters' pensions
Rauner says he won't go to the Republican National Convention
Chicago State University announces it will be laying off 300 employees
“We finally agreed on something. Which is rare. It’s been over a year where we’ve walked into a small meeting room and walked out with an agreement on some things ”
Comptroller Leslie Munger announces she will sign paychecks for elected officials on a delayed basis. Their checks will come later than usual from now on, in line with groups that the state routinely pays late
9 months without a budget
Gov. Rauner delivers the Budget Address for next year, despite not having a budget for the current year
“We're all better served ... if we follow the traditional approach, people become reasonable with each other, move away from extreme agendas, recognize that the No. 1 problem facing the state of Illinois is the budget deficit.”
– House Speaker Michael Madigan, reacting to Gov. Rauner's Budget Address
Rauner: If legislature won't adopt my agenda, "cuts will have to be made" and he'll do it to all but schools, preK. pic.twitter.com/6kSGRlNomF
— Amanda Vinicky (@AmandaVinicky) February 17, 2016
"This is fascinating to watch," Obama says talking about Illinois politicians
— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) February 10, 2016
Gov. Rauner delivers the 2016 State of the State Address
Gov. Rauner asks the Illinois Labor Relations Board to declare an impasse in contract negotiations with AFSCME, the largest union representing state government employees
6 months without a budget
Gov Rauner tells crowd at IL Manufacturers lunch that he expects a budget agreement somewhere between January-April
— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) December 4, 2015
3 months without a budget
“Mr. Goldberg. When a senator is speaking to you, I would strongly counsel you to close your mouth and open your ears and then you’ll have a chance to respond.”
– Sen. Don Harmon, (D-Oak Park), speaking to Rauner aide Richard Goldberg during a Senate hearing
Governor Rauner just told one man on the route "I'm working for you."
— Amanda Vinicky (@AmandaVinicky) August 13, 2015
"No you're not," the guy said. "You're working for the Koch brothers."
Attorney General Lisa Madigan files a court motion, moving the battle over what Illinois state government can spend money on - and if government employees can get paid - into the hands of a Cook County judge
The Senate passes a short-term, one-month budget to fund some state services, but a separate plan fails in the House of Representatives
Senate Pres. Cullerton introduces a measure that includes an eventual two-year property tax freeze for Chicago in exchange for several financial changes to Chicago Public Schools. Republicans say it doesn't go far enough for Rauner's Turnaround Agenda
Gov. Rauner tells state employees he thinks they should continue working and getting paid as the government begins to shut down
In a sign continuing sign of the rivalry between Speaker Madigan and Gov. Rauner, a Madigan spokesman criticizes Rauner's idea of having the state pay Chicago Public Schools' teacher pensions, saying he wants local school districts across the state to pay for their own pensions, and not rely on the state
After signing Democrats' budget plan for schools, Rauner vetoes their budget for the rest of state government, setting the stage for a government shut down
A Democratic state senator says she's 'mad as hell' that Rauner vetoed the bduget, saying people will suffer if there's a government shut down
Rauner signs the Democrats' spending plan for Illinois' schools, in effect keeping schools open if a budget impasse continues into the Fall
Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says if there's no budget deal by July 1, new Medicaid provider payments will stop and nonprofits that depend on state money won't receive expedited payments
Rauner's administration initiates about $400 million in cuts in response to the spending plan passed by Democrats, including suspending tax credits to companies, payments for low income people to keep their heat on and closing state museums
As a stalemate over the state budget and Gov. Rauner's Turnaround Agenda policy items continues, both Republicans and Democrats frame the fight is over the quality of life for Illinois' middle class.
“He has chosen to hold the budget hostage.”
– John Cullerton, criticizing Gov. Rauner for advocating for a property tax freeze and changes to workers compensation over a spending plan
“Speaker Madigan has been the one constant in Illinois politics for more than 30 years. We've been driven into the ditch.”
– Bruce Rauner, addressing reporters on the final day of session after not reaching a deal with Democratic leadership
Final day scheduled for legislative session. Bills passed after May 31 require more votes to gain approval
Senate Democrats reject other elements of Gov. Rauner's policies about changing regulations over civil lawsuits, freezing property taxes and limiting collective bargaining. Republicans say Democrats aren't willing to compromise. Democrats say it's not that they aren't willing to compromise, but that they simply oppose the policies
“I fully anticipated that this would be a difficult and long process because again, it's not only difficult issues, but it's a complete change in dynamic that people need to get used to”
– Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, on Democrats and Gov. Rauner not agreeing on many issues
Senate Democrats vote down Gov. Rauner's proposal to change workers compensation regulations
Democrats begin passing their own spending plans for next year, over the objections of Republicans who say their budget runs an almost $4 billion deficit. Democrats say they will debate tax increases later to avoid massive cuts that Rauner proposed
The so-called "millionaire's tax," a proposed change to the Illinois state constitution that would raise taxes on income more than $1 million, falls three votes short to pass the Illinois House of Representatives. Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan supported the measure, and after the vote criticized "Rauner Republicans" for not voting in favor of it.
Democratic representatives call a bill calling for "right to work" laws in Illinois, even though they don't support it, since Gov. Rauner has advocated for "empowerment zones." Republican House Leader Jim Durkin called the process "Branson, Illinois," referring to the bill being a fake proposal. Zero representatives vote in favor of it.
“Crisis is not an excuse to abandon the rule of law. It is a summons to defend it.”
– Illinois State Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier, in the opinion for all seven justices in striking down the pension law
Meeks, Koch being questioned this am in IL Sen. Approp. Comm. "I would support almost any revenue that would help us fund our schools."
— WBEZeducation (@WBEZeducation) April 15, 2015
A St. Clair County judge rules against Rauner and determines that the state must continue to collect fair share fees - at least temporarily - while the courts decide if Rauner's executive order is constitutional
Gov Rauner: "I don't trust the Supreme Court to be rational in their decisions" http://t.co/OyA2hLp4sN
— Illinois_Stage (@Illinois_Stage) April 7, 2015A federal judge in Southern Illinois rules the issue over fair share fees should be decided in state court, not federal court, after unions sued Rauner over the issue. The case is moved to the courts in St. Clair County
House Speaker Michael Madigan tells reporters he's continuing his push for increasing income taxes solely on millionaires in Illinois, calling for a 3% surcharge on income that's more than $1 million
“I’m not looking to start a fight with our new governor. I want to work with him. But I don’t work for him. And his budget doesn’t work for Illinois. ”
– John Cullerton
AGMadigan on fair share #union dues case: @GovRauner "does not have the legal authority to sue to challenge the law in federal court."
— Amanda Vinicky (@AmandaVinicky) March 9, 2015A group of unions sue Rauner in state court over his fair share fees executive order
Gov. Rauner speaks to a small group of business leaders about why he's trying to end fair share fees and have local governments adopt right to work zones instead of first negotiating a budget with legislative leaders
Rauner on budget talks: "The sausage will actually taste good in the end, but it's kinda nasty and ugly and a little smelly in the process"
— Tony Arnold (@tonyjarnold) February 27, 2015
Gov. Rauner delivers the Budget Address
Gov. Rauner's budget recommends the state spend more on the Dept. of Juvenile Justice in Fiscal Year 2016 than the state had spent on the agency in 2014. Rauner's recommendation says the agency will spend more money on education of young people and on mental health services
Gov. Rauner proposes spending more more money on Illinois' overcrowded prisons system. He says that money can be used to hire more correctional officers, so employees work less overtime. He's also counting on the state saving money later based on a restructuring of the state's sentencing guidelines for certain penalties, in a proposal that's to be outlined by a commission he created by executive order on Feb. 11.
Gov. Rauner proposes adding more cash into the main fund that distributes state money to primary education schools.
Gov. Rauner proposes big cuts to the state's public universities. This affects all campuses of the University of Illinois, in addition to Illinois State and Chicago State Universities
House Speaker Michael Madigan tells reporters he thinks Gov. Rauner's budget proposal is "reckless" because it calls for $2 billion in savings this year based on changes to pension benefits that would be difficult to pass through the legislature, and would likely be challenged in court - meaning the savings would not go into effect right away
“The budget outlined today is the budget Illinois can afford. And that in itself is an example of thinkin’ anew. ”
– Bruce Rauner
Gov. Rauner signs executive order creating a committee that will look at ways to consolidate local governments, in addition to an analysis of "unfunded mandates" on schools
Gov. Rauner signs executive order creating a committee that will look at the prison sentences for various types of crimes, and the relation between prison recidivism and length of time in prison
Gov. Rauner signs executive order that ends state employee unions' ability to collect fair share fees
Gov. Rauner sues government unions over fair share fees in federal court in Northern Illinois
Gov. Rauner delivers the State of the State Address
"The conditions in our prisons are unacceptable" - Rauner. One Dem says "that's right!"
Calls for more prison guards; but how to pay?
— Amanda Vinicky (@AmandaVinicky) February 4, 2015Rauner: forced unionization states' residents have less disposable income than those with choice. "This is a big big deal" #unions
— Amanda Vinicky (@AmandaVinicky) January 27, 2015Gov. Rauner signs executive order asking for a report into state hiring and training of veterans, along with the awarding of state contracts to veteran-owned businesses
Gov. Rauner signs executive order undoing seven executive orders that were signed in the final days of his predecessor's time as governor. Those orders that were reversed called for several actions, including a ban on law enforcement detaining someone based on their immigration detainer, a mandate that the governor release federal and state income tax returns, and that state contractors pay at least a $10 minimum wage
Gov. Rauner signs executive order mandating that a list of state employees who are hired in policy-making or management positions and are exempt from unions is published online
Gov. Rauner signs executive order banning any state employee from becoming a lobbyist within one year of quitting their state job
Gov. Rauner signs executive order mandating a review of spending on contracts and grants entered into since his win in the November election, limited travel expenses, and watching out for energy waste in office buildings, like leaving the lights and air conditioning on
Bruce Rauner is sworn in as governor of Illinois
Income tax rates for Illinois residents and companies drop after Rauner campaigned on a lower tax platform
Bruce Rauner wins the race for Illinois governor
The Players
Bruce Rauner
Governor, Republican, background in private equity, critic of government unions, proponent of budget cuts
Michael Madigan
House Speaker, Chairman of Illinois Democratic Party, often referred to as the most powerful politician in Illinois
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader, oversees a super-minority of GOP representatives, says voters issued the governor a mandate by electing Rauner
Christine Radogno
Senate Republican Leader, oversees super-minority of GOP senators, defends Rauner's proposed budget as a starting point in negotiations
John Cullerton
Senate President, Democrat, critical of Rauner's "inexperience" with state government and budget negotiations