Letter to the governor: Don't forget caring

Dear Gov. Rauner: Congratulations, you've now been our fearless leader in Illinois for 90 days. And yes, fearless fits, doesn't it? You didn't waste much time delivering the bad news on the budget and showing Illinoisans exactly what it means to spend only what the state takes in, or less.

It means pain. Deep, gut-wrenching pain.

You busted out of the gate taking on public employee unions you see as part of the core of Illinois corruption. You've agitated mayors, saying property taxes should be frozen and they need to lose a chunk of their state taxes.

You've recommended a fair number of Democrats for key positions, spent quite a bit of time in Springfield, hit a few high school basketball games and more than a few downstate worship services.

You've been talking up right-to-work zones and fair-share fees and you hit the highways again last week talking to editorial boards and community groups, all as part of your Turnaround Tour. You've used your bully pulpit to full advantage and probably haven't even had to dip into that $20 million campaign fund you intimidated your allies and opponents with just after you won.

Ninety days in, my guess is you've cemented the wrath of your enemies and made quite a few new ones. You've secured the unabashed love of your supporters, who think you're the closest thing to a savior Illinois might ever see. And you've left a fair number of the silent middle still wondering just who you are, what the heck you're up to and whether they should fear you.

Oh, and all that probably makes you chuckle because you don't really care much what people think. After all, you told the Springfield State Journal-Register, "I literally, literally don't care if I get re-elected. This has never been my life goal."

But you've got to care a bit, right? Why else would you tour the state again and again, trying to build support for your plans? Why else would you tell the Daily Herald you think the state's Supreme Court is corrupt, but then try to walk it back, saying electing judges with donations from lawyers is the problem.

That's the thing, governor. Words matter. Appearances matter. Actions, as you well know, matter. So, to the people watching from the silent middle, many of whom do want to see you succeed, it didn't make much sense when you cut off $26 million in funding to people who help needy teens, immigrants, developmentally disabled children and adults, and those with HIV and AIDS. And then soon came word that you'd granted $100 million in business tax credits.

You said the credits were negotiated by your predecessor and you were fulfilling them because of "an issue of credibility with the business community."

The optics are bad, governor. All those poor, sick and needy people and those who love them have an issue of credibility with you now. Your press staff said it had to be done to solve the budget mess Democrats created last year. You didn't create that mess, but you will be blamed for some of these cuts.

Keep that in mind, please, as you and the Democrats in Chicago and Springfield set about the epic battle of cutting $6 billion in the next six weeks or so. Turn around on your tour and listen.

Maybe even think about organizing some private fundraising efforts to help those people and programs that just took a hit? Don't forget what you told the Champaign News Gazette you're hearing from people: "They are hungry for some leadership, some caring and some actual results. It gets me very energized."

Leadership, caring, results. It's good you're energized. Whether or not we voted for you, most of us wish you well, governor. Especially these next 90 days.

Madeleine Doubek is chief operating officer of Reboot Illinois, an organization devoted to reform in Illinois government. This column is taken from the Reboot website, rebootillinois.com, with permission.