The Weekend Desk Report

"Gov. Bruce Rauner used an amendatory veto Friday to rewrite legislation aimed at blocking his cuts to home care for the elderly and disabled, saying Illinois cannot afford to provide the services without more sweeping changes in the way the state does business," the Tribune reports.

In other words, in Rauner's view, Illinois cannot afford to provide services to the elderly and disabled until it enacts term limits and lessens the cost to employers of workman's compensation to employees who have been hurt on their jobs, just to name two of the planks in the governor's Turnaround Agenda that have nothing to do with the state budget but which he is holding the elderly and disabled hostage over. Just so everybody is clear.

By the way, Illinois' workmen's comp costs have now fallen below those of Indiana and Wisconsin, according to Crain's, due to workmen's comp reform passed by the General Assembly in 2011.

If Rauner would like to revisit the issue, he's free to do so - by introducing new legislative reforms, for example. That's called governing.

But trying to get his way by inflicting as much damage as he can on the poor, the elderly, the disabled and children as he thinks compassionate Democrats can take before they buckle is not only sadistic, but illustrates which party in his estimation has at least an ounce of compassion.

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"The action comes as lawmakers prepare to return to Springfield to vote on another Democratic proposal that would roll back the Republican governor's cuts to a child care assistance program that helps low-income families."

Lovely.

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"These bills may be well-intentioned, but they are ultimately harmful to the programs they are trying to help," Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said in a statement. "The governor understands and shares the frustration of members who want to fund these programs, but the appropriate way to do so is in the context of a truly balanced budget."

To be clear, the governor has yet to introduce a balanced budget, which is also his job.

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"The sides remain deadlocked as the governor seeks to tie the budget-making process to winning his agenda that would limit union rights and benefit business owners."

It's a good thing he's not a career politician, who might see the budget-making process as something separate from that agenda.

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Let's review.

Gov. Bruce Rauner: Sadist.

Gov. Pat Quinn: Phony bumbler.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich: Narcissist felon.

Gov. George Ryan: Unrepentantly corrupt ex-con.

Gov. Jim Edgar: Adultish.

Gov. Jim Thompson: Grifter.

Gov. Dan Walker: Late ex-con.

Illinois: A truly awful state.

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Here's the president of the Ounce of Prevention appearing in a campaign ad with Rauner:

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Has anyone checked in with Newt Minow lately?

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Are Democrats blameless? Of course not. After all, they didn't have the guts to replace Pat Quinn with a stronger candidate. And allowing Michael Madigan to rule with an iron fist for all these years surely accrued ill will among the populace that benefited Rauner in his election. But on the specifics of the budget battle? I don't see how you meet Rauner's demands.

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The Illinois recall provisions don't help given that the state Republican lawmakers who would be needed to get the ball rolling on such a thing remain loyal to the governor who has bought their loyalty. Anyone contemplating a break from the governor must also contemplate a break from the governor's overstuffed campaign fund, which would not only be available to ensure re-election, but to ensure a ridiculously well-funded opponent.

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This is what Rauner ran to do. He's not going to give up. He believes he's making history. My prediction: We will still be without a budget when the 2016 elections roll around. Then we see if that changes the dynamic by breaking the Democrats' super-majority or making the super-majority real by adding enough votes to overcome the two or three that aren't in Madigan's control. If neither happens, good luck until 2018.

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The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #76: Jay Cutler, Derrick Rose & Patrick Kane Are Back?
Media narratives are not your friend.

Plus: The Bears Stay The Course; Cubs At Peak Betting Value; Dusty Hoiberg; Patrick Kane Not Vindicated; Kane D.A. Shows Caveman Colors; Blackhawks Blues; and Wearing Kane's Jersey.

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The Sound Opinions Weekend Listening Report: "Inspired by the artists of the 1950s, Low Cut Connie has dedicated itself to bringing the upright piano back to rock 'n' roll. The band (a favorite of President Obama) joins Jim and Greg for a conversation and performance. Then a review of the debut solo album by ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons."

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Weekend BeachBook

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Weekend TweetWood

Nobody needs to read this. We all KNOW that **Americans** don't do things like this. Only Bad Countries & People do. https://t.co/UiOw2jC7BH

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 6, 2015

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Amen. https://t.co/lY1VLi228b

— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) November 6, 2015

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/@RVA explains how much protective power celebrity status affords #PatrickKane https://t.co/KKEBvbcKQj #rapeculture pic.twitter.com/bwW7v6KPpm

— Chicago Taskforce (@chitaskforce) November 6, 2015

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Exhibit A in the "just because charges were dropped doesn't mean nothing happened" argument. https://t.co/th5K6WZmfE

— Julie DiCaro (@JulieDiCaro) November 6, 2015

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The Weekend Desk Tip Line: 20% is customary.

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