By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – One of Illinois’ leading political pundits made his annual Christmas visit to the City Club of Chicago.

Rich Miller of Capitol Fax says outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner will not be missed.

“There will be no Rauner nostalgia in Illinois,” Miller said, “and Rauner is reinforcing this ever since the election with some of the bizarre things that he has said and done.” Then, referring to former State Sen. Karen McConnaughey as “Gov. Karen McConnaughay,” said, “You might have seen her in the news in recent days.”

McConnaughay, a recently retired state senator, is reportedly one of four people Rauner tried to recruit to run for governor in his place after his narrow primary victory.

And while Gov.-elect JB Pritzker has a liberal agenda, Miller says he avoids liberal rhetoric – and he’s unlike most politicians: “It’s hard to explain this, but he can just talk like a normal person. I’ve never seen a normal person elected governor in my life. It’s very odd.”

Miller praised Pritzker for surrounding himself with women and minorities in his campaign, transition team, and – presumably – his administration.

Miller predicts Pritzker and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) will get along well — at least until it’s time to redraw the political maps after the 2020 Census. Pritzker has favored a “fair map” concept, while, Miller says, Madigan traditionally wants one which is fair to Democrats.