Why is Thad Glad?

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I wanted Illinois voters to deflect the Second #Bluewave with the hope that the state could recover from the lingering damage left by the #Bluewave that came ashore in 2002.   I am not sure if the latest wave has the damaging force of a ripple or a tsunami.  Time will tell.   While my natural and regretfully cynical instincts push me to choose higher ground, I will instead stay put with hopes that a thread of silver lining will provide adequate shelter.  What is my reason to believe?  JB Pritzker could actually be the leader that the state needs.  While his campaign did nothing to assure me, I think back to a surprising conversation at work that I cannot seem to let go.

Earlier this year while chit chatting before a meeting started, I spoke with a technology consultant who praised of JB’s business leadership when JB was involved with the management of a credit reporting firm.   The consultant’s comments had nothing to do with political positions, just good old fashioned leadership.  I wish I got more details, but did not.   As I think about the #Bluewave, I have to ask, ‘What if JB really is a great leader?’   If this consultant was right, then the sun may actually shine sooner than I expect.  It may be delusion, but I have a few reasons to believe.

First, in business and the military, great leaders know how to create a culture of accountability and performance.   People do not typically associate high performance with government and I have heard that the culture in Springfield is toxic.  Maybe JB will lead by example and drive accountability and unity of purpose in state government just like great CEOs and generals do with their organizations.  The state clearly needs a culture focused on fiscal discipline.  Most business people minimally understand that revenues are supposed to exceed spending, but please focus mostly on the spending part of the equation.

Second, there is no place to hide.  JB, Mike Madigan, and John Cullerton hold strong majorities across all aspects of government.   Is there even a single Republican who will be in office in 2019 and is worthy of blame for obstruction?  I do not think the ‘Jim Durkin Budget Crisis’ is a viable talking point.  Heck, Susana Mendosa may even struggle for partisan Twitter content – now I am being delusional.  Accountability for management of the state is clearly in single party control.  Why consolidate power if you are not going to use it?  I hope they use it well.

Third, while Democrats got the votes in the election, people and businesses are also voting with their feet.  It’s been widely reported that Illinois faces a population decline, much of which is rightly attributed the state’s high taxes and fiscal mismanagement. Large companies choosing HQ2s or new factory sites do not seem to be routinely picking Illinois.  I am hopeful that the prospect these continued trends will counter what I think is a Democrat predisposition that prevents needed budget and government employee pension reform.    Leadership is not always easy or pleasant but great leaders deal with circumstances and problems as they exist.  I am hopeful that JB will be great.

Lastly, successful business leaders know and serve their customers with passion.  On this point I have the least confidence that the #Bluewave will lead to the recovery that we need.    My hope is that JB can lead Madigan, Cullerton and their General Assembly colleagues to unite in the service of the residents of the state by taking decisive action to fix our fiscal mess for the long term.  However, my fear is that this new triumvirate will actually unite in support of the status quo, public service unions, and liberal special interest projects rather than driving the changes that our state so desperately needs.  With that, I will close with a question: ‘JB, who are your customers?’