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Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Ald. Ameya Pawar, a Democratic candidate for governor, said hes willing to discuss term limits for state officialsbut doesnt think the debate is worth holding up a state budget.

Pawar limited himself as an alderman to two terms, and he's serving in his second now. In speaking on WGN-AM 720, when asked if he thought Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner had done anything correctly, Pawar voiced support for term limits for governor and legislative leaders.

But we need to also then discuss if we want term limits for rank-and-file legislators. Do we want powerful politicians that we elect or do we want powerful bureaucrats? Pawar asked.

Its not a panacea. Its certainly not a panacea that creates new jobs. Its a political move. Its a public policy change one thats worth debatebut certainly not one thats worth holding up a budget over, he said.

Rauner has made term limits on Illinois politicians among the issues he has viewed as a prerequisite for his support for raising taxes as part of resolving the states historic budget impasse.

The Northwest Side alderman has modeled his progressive agenda on Franklin D. Roosevelts Great Depression-era economic and social programs known as the New Deal.

Automation and trade have gutted lots of local economies, and we need to talk about that. And we cant let another generation of people wither on a vine and expect them to hear Democrats and expect them to vote for Democrats, Pawar said.

Its my job to go out and talk to everybody. Im going to go to every county in the state, all 102, and go have a conversation whether theyre red counties or blue counties, he said. I dont believe you write people off based on who they voted for in the last election. And as the leader for the entire state, you dont pit people against one another. You go and hear them out and make decisions to invest in communities and bring them together.

Pawar acknowledged the wealth of businessman Chris Kennedy, who has entered the race, and potential candidate J.B. Pritzker, who has launched an exploratory committee. But he said it was more important to have foot soldiers. The alderman said he plans on largely raising small donations while fielding volunteer supporters. He said he has volunteers committed in 61 counties across Illinois.

Pawar has raised $71,310 in his campaign fund for governor, including $40,300 deposited Friday, state campaign disclosure reports showed. (Rick Pearson)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel's schedule wasn't available.

*Gov.Rauner is scheduled to appearat Atlas Tool Works in Lyons in the early afternoon and atthe Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism in the evening.

*Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza willappear before the City Club of Chicago.

*Spring has sprung.

From the notebook

*Hoop dreams: The University of Illinois isnt in the big tourney, but it is part of the hoops field in the National Invitational Tournament.

The Fighting Illiniplay Monday night at home against the Boise State Broncos.

Of political note, the president of Boise State is Robert Kustra, a former state lawmaker and Illinois lieutenant governor underGov. Jim Edgar. Kustra, by the way, has a doctorate from the University of Illinois.

The Kustras will be cheering their team on from Idaho. (Rick Pearson)

*The Sunday Spin: On this week's show, Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Mike Gelatkaof the Illinois Gaming Machine Operators Association, Democratic governor candidate Ald. Ameya Pawar, and Tribune reporter Hal Dardick.Listen to the full show here.

What we're writing

*State Sen. Daniel Biss expected to announceDemocratic governor bid Monday.

*Rauner asks state Supreme Court to get involved in fight with union.

*Emanuel challenges Trump budget proposalon its values, priorities.

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Morning Spin: Democrat who wants matchup with Rauner would ... - Chicago Tribune