* SEIU Healthcare has posted the now notorious exchange between President Obama and Rep. Ken Dunkin, with a couple of amusing twists…
* And Rep. Reggie Phillips (R-Charleston) wasn’t exactly soft-spoken with some EIU students after a recent rally when he tried to explain why he didn’t come to Springfield to vote for the MAP grant appropriations bill earlier this month…
* From Bob Fioretti’s state Senate campaign…
The pyramid scheme that has allowed [State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt] to get rich through her public office ranks its salespeople from entry level to “Diamond” level. The more people you can get to join a business that is roundly criticized by former members and consumer advocates, the higher your rank.
Van Pelt has used her office to achieve Platinum level and her pursuit of Diamond level, a journey that has gotten her a Bentley and a BMW, has caused her to blur the line between the business of government and her personal wealth. It was covered in a recent Better Government Association Investigative Report.
In the accompanying video she talks about using her influence as a Senator to earn money as the Platinum Vice President of a pyramid scheme. She has repeatedly demonstrated she doesn’t understand why she can’t leverage her office and use the more than 300,000 households in the district as patsies to fuel her desire for an extravagant lifestyle.
A s reported in March of 2014, Van Pelt was asked if she was ” soliciting public-sector employees… [that] could be construed as improper if it’s the boss doing the ask.” Van Pelt refused to comment.
But Van Pelt has a lot to say about going diamond.
“I need 7 BMW’s on the ground in order for me to feel comfortable driving a Bentley… Before I turn diamond I need to have 5 Bentleys on the ground.”
The Van Pelt campaign has laced the community with lies and propaganda in the hope of shifting attention from the truth. Numerous ethical complaints have flowed into several agencies, including the State Board of Elections, alleging improper campaign violations. It has gotten so bad, that a cease and desist order has been issued to the Van Pelt campaign regarding the distribution of deceptive materials to her community.
Phillips was a member of the 1985 Bears that won Super Bowl XX, returning an interception for a touchdown in that game. He was also a member of the “Shuffling Crew” in the video The Super Bowl Shuffle.
Attention Reginald Keith Phillips, Reginald “Reggie” Phillips of Charleston is killing your brand.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
I saw door hangers for Van Pelt on my block, yet my state senator is President Cullerton. I guess it is because I am at the northeast corner of the 32nd ward and Van Pelt’s district covers part of that ward, but it seemed like a huge waste of money.
Rep. Phillips: “And we’d get away with it, too, if if wasn’t for you meddling kids!”
What’s with these whiny GOPers from Charleston and their promises?
Both Phillips and JJ said they were moving to Florida because Illinois is just keeping them down. Yet here they remain, counting their money from their successful, long-time Illinois businesses.
- horse w/ no name - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Phillips taking a page from the Joe Walsh “Shout down your constituents” playbook
- Century Club - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:42 am:
Why on Earth would SEIU edit the news footage so that it ends on the news anchor saying President Obama was commending Dunkin on his independence?
- Niblets - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:49 am:
Van Pelt! That is so bizarre. I mean really.
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:54 am:
Phillips was a member of the 1985 Bears that won Super Bowl XX, returning an interception for a touchdown in that game. He was also a member of the “Shuffling Crew” in the video The Super Bowl Shuffle.
Attention Reginald Keith Phillips, Reginald “Reggie” Phillips of Charleston is killing your brand.
- chi - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:56 am:
Where does Lisnek get the idea that Obama was commending Dunkin for sticking with his “values”? That is some oblivious punditry.
- BMW Fleet Captain - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:04 am:
This also seems like a novel way to potentially violate campaign finance laws.
- Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:07 am:
SEIU didn’t have much text at the end, so they could have at least spelled “district” right if they’re going public with this.
- illini97 - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:13 am:
I have to assume Reggie regrets that exchange. Yelling at constituents isn’t a strong strategy for success, is it?
- austinman - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:23 am:
Van Pelt = disappointment
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
I saw door hangers for Van Pelt on my block, yet my state senator is President Cullerton. I guess it is because I am at the northeast corner of the 32nd ward and Van Pelt’s district covers part of that ward, but it seemed like a huge waste of money.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:18 pm:
Rep. Phillips: “And we’d get away with it, too, if if wasn’t for you meddling kids!”
What’s with these whiny GOPers from Charleston and their promises?
Both Phillips and JJ said they were moving to Florida because Illinois is just keeping them down. Yet here they remain, counting their money from their successful, long-time Illinois businesses.
Can’t miss you if you won’t leave.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
Has Fioretti settled the lawsuits with the lawyers who used to work with him and claimed that they were owed wages?