Primary Day in Illinois

Working people who value the right to organize are off to the polls in Illinois, voting Republican.

Many working folks are expected to vote against Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, whom some say could be the next Scott Walker, without the religious mania, and instead vote for the GOP's State Sen. Kirk Dillard.

Much of organized labor is throwing its weight behind Dillard, including AFSCME.

The largely self-financed Rauner like Walker had been demonizing public sector workers while celebrating the new GOP attack on working-class Americans.

The winner will face Gov. Patrick Quinn (D).

Coverage from the Tribune.

Illinois' Bruce Rauner Is the Next Scott Walker Wannabe

Fighting for families in the Land of Lincoln

Unlike Wisconsin governor Scott Walker who refused to campaign on major anti-union and anti-local control initiatives in favor of launching secret attacks, Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is openly running on his agenda.

Matthew Blake at In These Times describes Rauner as an openly worker-hostile candidate who said of public workers that they are responsible for sending Illinois into "a long-term death spiral."

Blake quotes Don Rose, a progressive Chicago political consultant: "I think Rauner is horrifically and historically anti-union."

The self-financed Rauner faces opposition for the Republican nomination for governor on March 18, and the winner will face Democratic Governor Pat Quinn.

Reports Rich Miller of the Capitol Fax Blog:

David Yepsen, a long time journalist who is now director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said what the unions really want is to not be Wisconsin.

 'I think the labor movement in Illinois is genuinely afraid Bruce Rauner will try to do what Scott Walker tried in Wisconsin and they are worried,' Yepsen told Illinois Watchdog.

Warren in NYT: On Gov Walker and Ridiculing Illinois

James Warren in the NYT:

[A] cautionary note came from [Rich Neimand, a Washington media and political strategist]: Economic health involves more than competitive tax rates and cheap land; it involves thinking far beyond Racine, Prairie du Chien, Carbondale and Elgin.

“Both governors should note that the weather is a lot sunnier in Mexico, the local officials infinitely more generous, the environmental regulations more lax and the gang violence probably no worse than Chicago or Milwaukee,” Mr. Neimand said.

So ridicule Illinoisans picnicking in the Dells, Badgers. But realize that it’s folks around the world who are really eating your lunch, Mr. Walker, and ours.