Big John, Ramblin’ Ray, and Governor Bruce Rauner mention the latest lawsuit against J.B. Pritzker involving people from his campaign staff. Gov Rauner goes into Pritzker’s tax policies and how will hurt the people of Illinois. He also touches upon topics of mental health, the service he has done for Illinois, and his plans to help the people of Illinois.
Tag Archives: Bruce Rauner
Senator Sam McCann: Candidate for Governor
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray talk to governor-hopeful Senator Sam McCann about his campaign as well as his ongoing problems with Governor Bruce Rauner and his policies. McCann also keeps good on a promise at the beginning of his career.
Diana Rauner: “We are closer than people think to the state we want to live in.”
Diana Rauner joins Big John and Ramblin’ Ray to talk about the upcoming gubernatorial election. The First Lady of Illinois also touches on life since her husband took office, where Bruce stands on the upcoming mayoral race, and an incident with a deer.
Bruce Rauner: “This is the most important election of my life”
In for Big John and Ramblin’ Ray is Lauren Cohn and John Kass, they are joined by governor Bruce Rauner where they talk about the new bill passed to allow medical cannabis to treat pain instead of opioids, in hopes to cut down the opioid epidemic. Rauner also talks about his campaign and how important this upcoming election is and how he’s going around making sure people go out and vote.
Mike Flannery: “Bruce Rauner’s just not very good at this governor thing.”
Ramblin Ray is in for Big John and Lauren Cohn is in for Rambin Ray, are joined by Mike Flannery of Fox 32 where they talk about the mayoral race. Covering the latest mayoral poll that came out this weekend, his thoughts on the mayoral candidates especially Willie Wilson, and his thoughts on Governor Bruce Rauner.
Bill Cameron: “their spending on the campaign so far is over $100 million, it’s just insane.”
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray are joined by Bill Cameron, from Connected to Chicago, where they talk about the latest polls between Bruce Rauner and J.B. Pritzker. Plus who Bill Cameron has on for this weeks episode of Connected to Chicago.
Listen to Bill Cameron on Connected to Chicago, Sunday nights at 7 pm.
Rauner on Madigan lawsuit: “ I hope they get to the truth of it”
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has long been a political target of Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the governor ratcheted it up a notch Monday, saying, “I hope he’s been doing something illegal and I hope he gets prosecuted.”
Rauner’s comments came as reporters asked him about a lawsuit in which Madigan is accused of recruiting “sham” candidates to run against him for state representative in 2016 as a means of hurting opponent Jason Gonzales.
Rauner said Monday that he doesn’t know “much about the case itself,” nor does he know Gonzales.
“Never spoken with him, never had interaction with him. I do know that Speaker Madigan has a pattern of putting up sham candidates in many elections, not just this one,” Rauner said, before adding: “So I hope they get to the truth of it and frankly I hope clearly he’s been doing unethical things, I hope he’s been doing something illegal and I hope he gets prosecuted.”
Read more at WTTW.
Listen to raw audio of Bruce Rauner’s Q&A here.
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Mayor Rahm Emanuel: ‘He’s got to go’
As Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police try to calm down the city’s violence, President Trump and Governor Rauner are ratcheting up the rhetoric.
The first volley fired at Emanuel came Thursday morning, as governor Rauner called him corrupt. Speaking on a downstate radio station, Rauner claimed that Emanuel received $20 million from special interest groups.
“He’s corrupt. He’s part of the problem in Chicago,” Rauner said. “Failure on jobs. Failure on taxes. He’s got to go.”
Adam Collins, a spokesman for the mayor, said Rauner’s comments were “high praise” considering he was named the worst governor in America.
“He’s wrapping up a term in which he achieved nothing other than gridlock, and I guess desperate times call for desperate rhetoric,” Collins said.
Emanuel has faced calls to resign from Chance the Rapper and prominent Chicago pastor Reverend Gregory Livingstone.
Check out more at ABC7 Chicago.
Rauner looks to the future without fair share fees in State Government
Rauner Looks to the Future Without Fair Share Fees in State Government
Bill Cameron, WLS-AM 890
Taping Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron for Sunday night at 7, Governor Rauner said his Supreme Court victory eliminating “fair share” fees for unions would make a big difference in the second term he’s seeking.
Rauner calls his big win in the Supreme Court not only historic and a big victory for free speech, but something he’d use to change the way he deals with state employees if he’s re-elected. “I will be able to restructure the government in ways that are more productive. I can pay state employees more but do it independently from all the union restrictions and all of the seniority requirements and pay people based upon productivity and merit and how about if we have a gain sharing plan where – let’s save a dollar in a department and give an employee 10-cents of that dollar as a bonus. It’s a win-win for everybody,” said Governor Rauner.
When I asked Rauner if he’d like President Trump to come in for a rally with him downstate, he said he wants support from everybody, Republicans and Democrats, but he didn’t say yes to a Trump rally.
copyright 2018 WLS-AM News
Jeanne Ives: I ran to hold [Rauner] accountable for his policy positions
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray are joined by Jeanne Ives, a politician and Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 42nd district, where she speaks about running against Bruce Rauner and where she will put her vote even though she doesn’t endorse that candidate.
Connected to Chicago (04-29-2018)
Bill sits down with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Mayor comments include how Chicago is leading the way for corporate relocation, pension reform, and the “MeToo” movement.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel also comments on his goals of building a bright future for the City of Chicago.
In this week’s round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain’s, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times, and Fran Speilman of the Chicago Sun Times. The Group reacts to Bill’s interview with Mayor Emanuel, discuss pension reform, and the fallout from the recent Bill Cosby Trial.
This week’s Community Spotlight is with Nick Gale about Chicago’s new citykey program.
The 3 in 1 city issued card will act as ID for the undocumented as well as a library card and as a tool to help people register to vote. In the announcement this week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the card will also offer discounts at over 30 businesses and institutions across the city.
Connected to Chicago (04-22-2018)
Former Mayor of Chicago Richard M Daley is celebrating his 76th birthday on April 24th. Bill pays tribute with a retrospective of Daley’s most memorable moments.
In this week’s round table segment, we continue with part two of former Mayor Richard M Daley’s greatest hits. Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain’s, and Fran Spielman of the Chicago Sun Times. Topic’s of discussion include Dorthy Brown’s decision to run for mayor,the possibility of a runoff vote between the candidates for mayor, and how downstate republican senator Sam McCann could challenge Bruce Rauner in the upcoming governor’s race.
This week’s community spotlight segment with John Dempsey is about Mayor Emanuel’s plan to acquire more land for parks in the city and to expand access to the Chicago Riverfront.
Governor Bruce Rauner heads to Europe on jobs mission
Gov. Bruce Rauner may have left for a trip to Europe, but he took time out of his day to talk with John and Ray. Rauner is meeting with leaders in business, government, higher education and skilled worker training to bring jobs back to Illinois.
Connected To Chicago (8-13-17)
Bill Cameron sits down with Governor Bruce Rauner in this week’s news-maker interview. They discuss Rahm Emanuel and the state of Chicago Public Schools, specifically the deficits and the lack of funding for CPS. They also discuss taxes in Chicago as well as all of Illinois. Other topics include the Illinois State fair, as well as the state budget and deficit, and other issues in Springfield. Governor Rauner discusses some of the political rhetoric in Illinois, including being called “evil” by Toni Preckwinkle.
In this week’s round table discussion, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain’s, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. They discuss Rahm Emanuel and the current state of Chicago Public schools. They also discuss J.B. Pritzker and the race for Governor of Illinois. Other topics include issues with taxes, as well as Rahm Emanuel and Bruce Rauner. They also talk about President Trump and the ongoing issues with North Korea.
In this week’s Community Spotlight segment, Jennifer Keiper speaks with Steve Bernas, Better Business Bureau Chicago Chief. Discussed are the various scams the Better Business Bureau is seeing in Chicago. First, the group is concerned about recently situations involving in-person transactions made for on-line purchases. One of those scams resulted in the death of a Chicago area man who was selling a video game system. Bernas also discusses fake tickets being sold online and fake utility workers showing up at Chicago area homes, gaining access, and robbing homeowners.
Illinois income tax increase being discussed in Springfield
By John Dempsey, WLS-AM 890 News
(SPRINGFIELD) There is a plan percolating in Springfield to raise Illinois income taxes, as a way to end the Illinois budget standoff that has been going on for over two years. Politico’s Natasha Korecki broke the story that Bloomington Republican State Senator and former Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady, is proposing a five year temporary income tax freeze, as long as it is coupled with a five year local property tax freeze.
Brady talked about the plan this morning on “The Big John and Ray Show” on WLS.
“This, unlike under Governor Quinn, has a spending cap and job creation,” said Brady, “So with the business reforms, the business buy-in, the job creation, revenues would naturally grow. Expenditures would be capped at today’s level for five years which means as revenues rose they would exceed current levels and be in a position we project where in five years, revenues at the old tax rate would be sufficient to meet the current level of spending and we’d have a balanced budget and have saved people property tax costs over that period of time reining in local government spending.”
During the administration of Governor Pat Quinn, the state income tax was temporarily raised from %3.75 to %5. The rate went back down to %5 in 2015. Brady says he is discussing the plan with his fellow Senators of both parties as a way to end the budget standoff. He tells WLS it is easier to justify higher income taxes that it is to justify higher property taxes.
“Income taxes are arguably based on ability to pay, and corporations have the same mentality that if we make money we’re willing to pay our fair share. Help us be competitive so we make money and can pay our fair share but help freeze our property taxes as well.”
John Patterson, a spokesman for State Senate President John Cullerton, tells POLITICO “When Sen. Brady filed his proposals, we welcomed him to the discussions. The idea here is if people have ideas, let’s see if the numbers add up and if we can make them work,” Patterson said Sunday. “This isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, we’re all trying to work together to find a solution. The original (grand bargain) bills that were filed had Republican bills that were in there.”
Any proposal that emerges from the Senate must be approved by the House, whose leader, Speaker Michael Madigan has been embroiled in a bitter budget feud with Republican Governor Bruce Rauner.
Copyright 2017 WLS-AM News
Connected to Chicago (05-07-2017)
Bill Cameron is joined this week by Republican Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner. They discuss many issues regarding “Trumpcare” including Governor Rauner’s thoughts on how far we are from seeing a new health care bill passed. Rauner also touches on how he and his staff plan on making health care in Illinois better, while keeping the quality of the health care high. Bill Cameron and Governor Rauner discuss the Affordable Care Act, as well as the Governor’s recent interests in selling the Thompson Center. Cameron and Rauner discuss the issues Mayor Rahm Emanuel has with Rauner’s plan and possible ways they can come to certain agreements.
Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain’s, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times for this week’s round table discussion. They bring up the topic of “Trumpcare,” discussing issues such as what the senate will do with the proposed bill. What Democrats and Republicans think of “Trumpcare” as a whole, as well as specific aspects. They discuss specifics of health care coverage, hospital funding and more. The round table continues by discussing rebuilding projects, taxes, and other funding issues in Illinois. The panelists weigh in on if they think the proposed “Trumpcare” bill will pass through the senate.
In this week’s Community spotlight, Jennifer Keiper focuses on Illinois tourism. The Illinois Office of Tourism kicks off “National Travel and Tourism Week” by launching it’s new “Faces of Travel” campaign. The State is going with an “Illinois Made theme by showcasing its very own artisans who are all small business owners which, Tourism Director Cory Jobe says helps drive tourism around the state. Jobe talks about some of the gems we may not know about and how tourism impacts the state and Chicago.
Lauren Cohn and John Howell are filling in for Bob & Marianne; Governor Bruce Rauner talks about his new ad campaign – 3/30/17 (Hour 1)
Governor Bruce Rauner joins the show to talk about his new ad campaign. John wants to know why seasons ticket holders are so possessive of their seats.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner talks about the state budget impasse
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner joins the show to talk about his battle with the Democrats over the state budget.
Gov. Rauner wary of ‘Obamacare’ repeal without replacement
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says President Barack Obama’s health care law has “massive flaws,” but he’s cautious about repeal “with nothing to replace it.”
Rauner spoke to reporters Wednesday after an event in Springfield. The Republican says he’s encouraging Illinois officials to talk with President-elect Donald Trump’s team and “encourage them to be thoughtful about it.”
He says Republicans in Congress and Trump don’t yet agree on “how to change” the health law.
Illinois is among 31 states that expanded Medicaid under the law, covering about 340,000 Illinoisans. Rauner says he’s heard proposals to turn over Medicaid funding to states with fewer restrictions as block grants. But he says Illinois “is not well positioned” for that because of what he calls past mismanagement of the Medicaid program.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
$400M property tax increase could save CPS finances: Moody’s
(CHICAGO) The credit rating agency Moody’s says a $400 million property tax increase is the most likely way for Chicago Public Schools to shore up its finances, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
“If CPS fiscal pressures continue, the district may pursue additional revenue by levying for debt service, which could raise Chicago taxpayers’ property taxes by more than $400 million annually,” according to two reports released Thursday by Moody’s.
A property tax increase of that size, through, would weaken the city’s “political and practical ability” to increase taxes to fund pensions and other city services, Moody’s said.
“CPS’ deteriorating credit profile reflects years of budget imbalance which have completely drained operating reserves, leaving the district with minimal protection against further budget pressures,” Naomi Richman, managing director of Moody’s, said in a statement.
Last December, Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have given the Chicago Public Schools $215 million it’s counting on to help pay for teacher pensions.
“CPS continues to make substantial progress, eliminating a billion dollar budget deficit in the past 18 months through management efficiencies and new revenue,” CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in an emailed statement Thursday night. “Despite Gov. Rauner’s veto of pension dollars for Chicago that every other school district receives, CPS will maintain a balanced budget this year, even as we continue to fight for Gov. Rauner to fix the nation’s most discriminatory school funding system.”
Bittner added that some of Moody’s suggestions would harm CPS’ financial position and, in some cases, are not legally possible.
Moody’s said other, “more painful” options include forgoing or deferring employer pension contributions or seeking state authorization to file for bankruptcy, though the latter is unlikely “given the current mayoral administration’s opposition to a CPS bankruptcy.”
— Chicago Sun-Times
Illinois prepares to celebrate 200 years with new state logo
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner kicked off planning for the state’s 200th birthday by unveiling the bicentennial logo.
Rauner showed off the gold-and-blue symbol Thursday at the first meeting of the Bicentennial Commission. The group met at Springfield’s Old State Capitol, where Abraham Lincoln served in the Legislature.
The logo features 21 gold stars surrounding a blue outline of the state. In the middle is a gold-colored “200” in a white “sunburst” with rays emanating in all directions. Stuart Layne is executive director of the governor’s Bicentennial Office. He says the sunburst “portrays the impact Illinois has made on the country and the world.”
The design was created and donated by Ben Olson of the Schaumburg-based public relations agency 3 Monkeys and an Aardvark Studios.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Vice President-elect Pence to attend Chicago fundraiser
CHICAGO (AP) — Vice President-elect Mike Pence is scheduled to be in Chicago to raise money for the Republican National Committee.
The Indiana governor will speak at a luncheon Friday in downtown Chicago. Tickets start at $2,700 per person.
Among those listed on an invitation as members of the host committee are Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, state GOP chairman Tim Schneider and the Republican members of Illinois’ congressional delegation.
Rauner distanced himself from President-elect Donald Trump during the election, refusing to talk politics and even avoiding saying Trump’s name. Since the election he has said he wants to work with the new administration. He said he spoke with Trump by phone and they had a “positive” conversation.
Several groups say they plan to protest outside the Pence event.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Illinois Faces Pension Crisis
By Bill Cameron, John Dempsey and Jen DeSalvo, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) It started the beginning of the year when the Illinois State Supreme Court struck down a state law that tried to cut benefits for some Chicago city workers.
… MORE
Bruce Rauner vs. Michael Madigan
Jen DeSalvo, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) In February, Governor Bruce Rauner admitted the reason he’s having trouble advancing his pro-business agenda in Springfield is that Democrats in the Illinois House are afraid of their powerful Speaker, Michael Madigan.
… MORE
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner talks about his Facebook event today
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner joins the show to talk about his Facebook Live event today at noon.
