GOP gov. candidates say they can work with Dems they criticize

SPRINGFIELD -- Not even the Republicans running for governor think their party is likely to win back the House and Senate in next year's elections, creating the scenario where, if one of them wins, they'll have to bargain with the Democratic leaders they're now gleefully bashing on the campaign trail.

"I'm not under any illusion that we'll be able to take back the Senate - or the House in one cycle," said Hinsdale businessman Adam Andrzejewski. "On policy, all of us need Michael Madigan's approval."

Candidate and DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom added, "It's clear as day there's going to be a Democratic legislature down there."

Andrzejewski and Schillerstrom were among the five Republicans running for governor to appear Tuesday at a Daily Herald editorial board session. The others were Hinsdale state Sen. Kirk Dillard, Chicago businessman Andy McKenna and Chicago political consultant Dan Proft. Former state Attorney General Jim Ryan of Elmhurst and Bloomington state Sen. Bill Brady are also seeking the party nomination.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, also chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, has been a constant target of Republican criticism as has, to a lesser extent, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton. But Democrats hold 70 of the 118 House seats and 37 of the 59 Senate seats and aren't likely to surrender their majorities.

Given that, the Republicans running for governor were asked how they'd go about enacting their agendas for changing state government since they'd need to get Democrats onboard.

Andrzejewski said putting state spending online and a sweeping forensic audit of Democratic government spending would allow him to balance the scales of power.

Proft said the answer lies in finding where the two sides have similar goals and pointed to his recent meeting with Democratic state Sen. James Meeks of Chicago, who's increasingly frustrated with city school conditions.

"This idea that we can rule by benevolent dictatorship around Mike Madigan and legislative leaders is dangerously naive," said Proft. "The bottom line is you're going to have to build nontraditional coalitions around common interests."

He also said the governor can't allow himself to be bullied by Democratic powers.

Schillerstrom said there's a time to fight the Democrats and a time to work with them, pointing to his efforts to advance the expansion of O'Hare International Airport despite strong local opposition.

"I couldn't figure it out. I think at the end of the day the only reason we've been opposed to it was we'd always been opposed to it and you have to put that kind of thinking behind you," he said. "What we got out of that - it will bring billions of dollars to this area and thousands of jobs."

"You're going to have to be tough from time to time but you're also going to have to work with them (Democrats) and that's the art of leadership," Schillerstrom said.

Dillard touted his history of both working with and saying "no" to Democrats and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, not only as a lawmaker but a top aide to then-Republican Gov. Jim Edgar.

"There's nobody in this race that has a proven record, and I don't give up on principle, of working with the players that are down there," Dillard said.

McKenna said a Republican governor must build a mandate among the people for changes. He cited a southern Illinois Supreme Court race that focused on limiting jury awards in malpractice cases. The Republican win in that race ultimately prodded Democrats in the General Assembly to approve those limits.

"You've got to have the courage of your own conviction and a public way to stand up for people and call them out," McKenna said.

During a similar editorial board session earlier this week, Ryan called Madigan's approach to government "tyranny" but also said he has no personal ax to grind and had been able to work with him as state attorney general.

"I think anyone who knows me knows I try to be civil," said Ryan. "What I would do is - I would try to work with people. Because I know there are a lot of Democrats who are very frustrated too. Democrats are people too."

Brady was at a legislative hearing Tuesday, but contacted later, he similarly expressed a willingness to work with Democratic leaders.

"There are Democrats who recognize that one-party control hasn't worked for the people of Illinois. I'm going to work, as governor, with the speaker

and the president of the Senate, and all the members of the legislature for

the change and new direction for Illinois that people want," Brady said.

A spokesman for Madigan said the House speaker preferred voters elect a Democrat to the governor's office.