In a rare interview, Ken Griffin, who the Tribune describes as a billionaire investor, founder and chief executive of Chicago-based hedge fund Citadel, and arguably is this city’s only Wall Street titan, came clean with the Trib. He is a major funder of right-wing super-PACs and a member of Rahm Emanuel’s kitchen cabinet..
From the interview:
Q. You’ve supported a lot of people in Illinois before, yet we’re still not paying our bills on time.
A. Tom Cross is the minority. Let’s face it Governor (Pat) Quinn, (Illinois House Speaker)Mike Madigan, (Senate President John) Cullerton, they’re the majority. And they’ve been in the majority for a very long time. They’ve made promises to the citizens of this state, and, in particular, the state government employees, that have been reckless and irresponsible. And the issue is going to be how we best honor the promises that we’ve made to these employees and yet not bankrupt the state.
We’re going to have to ask our state employees to have careers of equal length to those of us in the private sector before they can enjoy retirement benefits, and we’re going to have to ask them to make other sacrifices. It is very unfortunate that few politicians have been willing to deal with these issues truthfully, pragmatically and honorably over the last 15 years as this problem has come to the forefront.
Q. What about the Koch brothers’ organization (Americans for Prosperity)?
A. Charles and David Koch are huge advocates for free markets. I have a tremendous respect for their intellectual and financial commitment to embracing a set of economic policies that will give us global competitiveness.
Q. How did you meet them? How long have you known them?
A. I’ve known Charles and David for a number of years. I couldn’t actually tell you where I first met them. I don’t recall.
Q. I’m going to come back to this. But I want to touch on two more areas first. What do you think in general about the influence of people with your means on the political process? You said shame on the politicians for listening to the CEOs. Do you think the ultrawealthy have an inordinate or inappropriate amount of influence on the political process?
A. I think they actually have an insufficient influence. Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet. And so I hope that other individuals who have really enjoyed growing up in a country that believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – and economic freedom is part of the pursuit of happiness – (I hope they realize) they have a duty now to step up and protect that.
Q. What were you there talking to Rahm about?
A. Rahm has done a fantastic job of engaging the business community in Chicago. I believe that he understands the fundamental importance of this city needing to create jobs. So he has been very solicitous for advice on what it would take for us to bring more jobs to Chicago, and for Chicago-based employers to create more jobs here.
Q. So he was asking how you could help on that effort?
A. Not just help. I could help. But (it was about) what’s important for us as a city to provide as a value proposition to bring jobs to Chicago. For example, he’s very focused on our children having a full school day because having a working public school system is really important to attracting employers.
Q. So have you asked for something on that? On education?
A. I bring it up with him. But he’s a step ahead of me. He’s really engaged on the issue. I don’t have to.
Fred Klonsky 
I would love to have 20 minutes to make a presentation to Ken Griffin about the 7.5 hour school day and its impact on students, schools, and families.