(CHICAGO) EVEN SUBTRACTING FOR EXAGGERATON, THE WAY THE NEW GOVERNOR DESCRIBES THE MESS HE’S INHERITED IS UNUSUAL.
“WE’RE IN MASSIVE DETERIORATON MODE.”
COULD IT BE THAT BAD?
“I KNEW IT WAS BAD BUT IT IS WORSE THAN I THOUGHT WHEN I STARTED THE PROCESS”
WHY IS IT THAT BAD?
“THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND THE SELF-DEALING AND THE CULTURE OF WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME: I’LL GIVE YOU YOURS, YOU GIVE ME MINE. WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME. THAT MINDSET IS PERVASIVE.”
SO WHAT’S THE RAUNER TEAM DOING ABOUT IT SO FAR?
“WE’VE DONE A DEEP DIVE IN EACH DEPT LOOKING FOR THE SPENDING AND THE CONTRACTS AND THE STRUCTURE AND THE REPORTING AND REALLY GOING DEEP ON THE ISSUES. AND I HAVE TO SAY EVERYWHERE WE LOOK YOU WANT TO PUT THE COVERS BACK ON AND SAY OKAY! IT’S BAD.”
SO IS IT HOPELESS?
“THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WILL TELL THE TALE, BUT I’M CAUTIOUSLY OPTOMISTIC THAT WE CAN GET SOME REFORMS DONE.”
Bill Cameron
Reporter/Anchor
