J.B. Pritzker Can’t Hide from His Deep Ties to Rod Blagojevich
Pritzker following the Madigan Playbook - dodge and distract when you can’t handle the truth
“Now that J.B. Pritzker is desperate to hide his deep ties to Rod Blagojevich, he’s dusting off the Madigan Playbook - dodge and distract when you can’t handle the truth. Pritzker is attempting to whitewash history by calling his dealmaking with disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich “crazy rantings.” The truth is that J.B. Pritzker and his family have a decades-long record of cutting deals with Rod Blagojevich and bankrolling his campaigns, while subsequently facing subpoenas from a federal grand jury.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Moments ago, J.B. Pritzker’s spokesman attempted to whitewash the long record of Blagojevich-Pritzker dealmaking by calling Blagojevich’s propositions to Pritzker “crazy rantings.”
Unfortunately for Pritzker, his ties to Blagojevich go back decades.
J.B. Worked as Campaign Fundraiser for Rod Blagojevich
J.B. Pritzker fundraised for Rod Blagojevich’s campaign for the U.S. House, working alongside “North Side political boss” Dick Mell, Blagojevich’s father-in-law. The Chicago Sun-Times reporter visited Blagojevich’s campaign office and reported that J.B. worked there.
“’I’m J. B. Pritzker; I help with fund-raising,’ said the man in a dark green suit.”
(Chicago Sun-Times, In Mell’s World, It’s Politics as Usual, Jorge Oclander, March 23, 1996)
After Raising Money for Blagojevich, Pritzker Remarked That Blagojevich Would Be “very helpful” In His Own Campaign for U.S. House
Crain’s Chicago Business reported, “Fresh from installing one junior congressman-son-in-law Rod Blagojevich-Alderman Richard Mell (33rd) apparently has his eye on another: J. B. Pritzker, 32, who wants Rep. Sidney Yates’ lakefront seat. Mr. Mell says any behind-the-scenes role won’t be official until Mr. Pritzker’s ‘98 campaign is official. The Pritzker family scion, who aborted a challenge to Mr. Yates, 87, two years ago, raised money for Mr. Blagojevich’s ‘96 race. Demurring about Mr. Mell’s future role, Mr. Pritzker, right, says, ‘I know Rod is going to be very helpful.’
Blagojevich Even Considered Giving Up His Seat to Pritzker, If Pritzker Would Help Fund His Gubernatorial Campaign
The Chicago Sun-Times reported, “Sneed hears Pritzker would help fund the gubernatorial race of Mell’s son-in-law, Rep. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.) and Mell, in turn, would throw his weight behind Pritzker for his son-in-law’s North Side congressional seat.”
Pritzker Fulfilled His End of the Bargain
J.B. and his family contributed over $160,000 to Rod Blagojevich’s campaigns. (Source: IL State Board of Elections)
Patti Blagojevich Uses Ties with J.B. In Job Search
Patti Blagojevich met with J.B., looking for job, just as Rod Blagojevich was trying to sell Illinois’ US Senate Seat.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported, “On Oct. 6, Blagojevich met with officials of the Pritzker Family Foundation, which has $65 million in assets. Among those at the meeting was foundation president J.B. Pritzker, one of several candidates the Chicago-Sun Times has reported the governor was considering to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s seat in the U.S. Senate.”
J.B. Pritzker’s Connections to Blagojevich were Subpoenaed by a Federal Grand Jury
Read the subpoena here.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:15 pm:
Wow…
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:16 pm:
Because Bruce Rauner doesn’t have enough enemies already, he’s decided to poke a billionaire in the eye.
Team Rauner must be brilliant, because from my dumb vantage point, this doesn’t make any sense.
- AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
I guess the Governor really doesn’t have anything better to do.
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
Amateur hour. When they try to tie him to MJM you’ll know they’re serious.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
Clearly close ties there, but 160 grand is almost chump change even back then, especially when the family involved has billions.
- The Captain - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:17 pm:
1) the person who needs an oppo dump done on Pritzker more than anyone else is Chris Kennedy, so why is the Rauner crew doing Kennedy’s work for him? Are they just physically incapable of controlling themselves?
2) this is the kind of oppo that works better in the general than the primary. Yes Democratic primary voters don’t like Blagojevich either but if the takeaway is Pritzker has a history of helping Democrats raise money that’s not exactly going to hurt him with Democratic primary voters. Sort of how independents are appalled at how Rauner has fully bought the Republican party but Republican party primary voters see it as a good thing.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:18 pm:
Man, there is a lot of “A told B and B told C I’ll Meet You at the Top of the Coconut Tree” in that one.
Might be useful, if it gets the IL press to start digging and they find something. But on its own, this stuff is going to need too much explanation to rise above the din.
- RIJ - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:19 pm:
That sounds like ILGOP panic to me…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:19 pm:
===When they try to tie him to MJM you’ll know they’re serious===
They already did that. Twice.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
I don’t know one thing about this Pritzker fellow. But I, old Blue, a dumb… that voted for Rauner would vote for PritZ in a heartbeat. Kinda like a person on deathrow, a last minute confession.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
Since Rauner has no desire to govern…
The best return for the $60+ million that Diana and Bruce can point to is to disparage someone helpful to Diana when Bruce’s business decisions hit too close to Diana’s liking.
“I will bury her” - Bruce Rauner.
Remember that. I do.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
So… is Dr. Rauner going to “self-fund” now???
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20160802/NEWS07/160809958/j-b-m-k-pritzker-give-5-million-to-ounce-of-prevention-fund
- Almost the Weekend - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:25 pm:
Say what you want about Rauner as governor. But the IL GOP finally arrived to the big leagues. Pritzker and Kennedy are seeing the realities of the 24/7 limelight. I don’t think they want it.
It has to be somebody downstate that can get votes in non dem areas to makeup the gap with Rauner in suburban cook. Manar with a little bit of Metro East, Springfield and Decatur. Three media markets Manar has run in before. Also with backing off Cullerton, no real strings attached to Madigan, and not from Chicago.
Manar can also slam him for pulling strings to get his daughter into CPS. I have to imagine CPS polls just as bad as Madigan South of I-80 and moderate leaning burbs.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:25 pm:
“J.B. Pritzker’s Connections to Blagojevich were Subpoenaed by a Federal Grand Jury…”
Yes, that’s what grand juries do during investigations: they collect evidence.
But Blago is in jail and Pritzker is not. Hm.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:27 pm:
That the Rauner Republicans are so terrified of Pritzker makes me like him that much more.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
Wow. I can’t believe an organization as fine and reputable as The Ounce Of Prevention would accept such dirty money from such a dirty man. I assume now that the ILGOP has blown the lid off of JB and his dark money ways, Diana Rauner will be refunding that $5,000,000. If not, what does that say about The Ounce of Prevention?
- Centenial - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:32 pm:
I wasn’t that excited about JB as a candidate, until now. Anyone who has Rauner’s party in a tizzy already is my kind of guy.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:32 pm:
Diana Rauner is more than ok when other Social Services starve due to Bruce and his agenda.
I guess Diana, the Democrat, feels the need to ruin the reputation of the man and family that allows The Ounce to be spared by Diana’s belief of eliminating social service groups?
Hmm.
- Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
This may be a case of shooting the horse before the race starts.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
Bruce is really worried that his evil plan to convert IL into WI in four years is in serious jeopardy…
- Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
I’m not going to remember this in 2018, nor will most non political types, tell me about it then, not now. Right now, I’m concerned with a budget, how much the needed tax increase is going to be, and how much my health care costs are going up. All you are doing is firming up my resolve to not vote GOP in 2018.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:36 pm:
Oh - Thoughts Matter -
It doesn’t matter if YOU remember, I’m betting Mr. Pritzker never forgets.
Capiche?
- LizPhairTax - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
They already did that. Twice.
I stand corrected.
To HF’s point at 3:29 I guess they go ahead and tie him to Democrat Diana Rauner and call it an up day.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
The “play” is how Diana Rauner took Pritzker’s money, causing The Ounce bad publicity
Diana doesn’t care. The Ounce might be upset that Diana monetary supports stacks on one of their latest large donors… for politics.
Bruce may not have a social agenda, Diana, but your agenda seems to be to find the character smearing of donors of The Ounce… for politics.
That Diana…
- Fixer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
As an independent who leaned republican in prior years, Rauner has made me doubt the Republican Party in Illinois as a whole. I can name several, but these kind of antics are detrimental to getting the job done that he was elected to do. Balance a budget (legally) and try to get Illinois back to being competitive. He has done more damage in the last two years than Madigan in the last 30 plus. And most of it does fall on him because he cannot get himself out of campaign mode.
It’s past time to start governing, Mr. Rauner.
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
Hit em early and hard. Worked for Rauner in the primary.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
===I wasn’t that excited about JB as a candidate, until now. Anyone who has Rauner’s party in a tizzy already is my kind of guy.===
Second. I find myself liking this guy more and more.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:47 pm:
This sort of politicing worked for Trump.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:48 pm:
Is the Illinois GOP really gonna keep slagging one of our Republican-president-elect’s former apprentices like this?
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:48 pm:
Blagojevich tied JBT to George Ryan. That was false and so is this.
The Rauners need to become persona non grata in the nonprofit world. Exclude them from the charity balls and the Boards of Directors. They might notice that.
- Illinoised - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:49 pm:
So?
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:49 pm:
===This sort of politicing worked for Trump.===
Against a potato of a candidate.
- Union Man - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
Blago was 2 Governor’s ago…
- Jack Jackson - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:57 pm:
Gov. Rauner understands that J.B. Pritzker has the means to make these stories known. This is why Gov. Rauner and his team are targeting Mr. Pritzker:
Bruce Rauner, nuring homes and retiree in wheel chair:
http://www.mynursinghomelawyer.com/blog/2014/september/rauner-avoids-responsibility-in-nursing-home-tra/
former
Rauner threatens former employee.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bruce-rauner-christine-kirk-lawsuit-threats
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:07 pm:
I want the Governor to declare December 13th as “Oppo Dump Day” for no other reason that to be able to go around telling people “Happy Oppo Dump Day”.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:11 pm:
Fixer - Rauner has done more damage in less that two years than Madigan has done in 30
Wow you sure sound like an independent leaning Republican
I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:12 pm:
Jack Jackson - come on dude/dudette. Quinn ran those ads ad nauseum two years ago. And the bank ad ran non-stop as well. Rauner still got elected.
- AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:14 pm:
LP
“I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms”
It takes sarcasm for you to finally say something accurate.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
===I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms===
vs the status quo? Yes an unbalanced budget full of borrowing and no “reforms” would leave Illinois way better off than $47 billion backlog in a few years.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:17 pm:
“Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms” Count me among those who answer with an emphatic “Yes.”
- Stuck on the 3rd Floor - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:17 pm:
TS-true, he was elected then. But I have to think social service cuts/shutdowns will be a major theme in ‘18, and thus these angles will likely have a stronger resonance this time around.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:19 pm:
- Team Sleep -
All I kept hearing is “millions will make it stuck”… against Madigan.
Pritzker has Billions. Doesn’t need Billions, but millions will do.
I dunno, let’s see millions in Ads on Bruce Rauner, busting out companies, nursing homes, billing female executives.
Let’s see.
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:19 pm:
“I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms.”
Yes, it would have been.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:20 pm:
“bullying”
Apologies.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:21 pm:
–I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms –
I’m pretty sure FY17 is the record for highest budget deficit at a projected $13 billion.
And I am certain that we’ll soon break the record for the backlog of unpaid bills, if we have not done so already. It’s at $10.8 billion as of today.
But it’s all worth it for that $500 million a year in additional revenue those “reforms” you chant about with cult-like fervor will bring in. If you don’t do the math.
So don’t sell your guy short there, LP. He’s accomplished quite a bit in almost two years.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
===I suppose Illinois would have been much better off with another unbalanced budget and no reforms===
If you believe that, the the hostage taking is Rauner’s, for he is “preventing” what you are saying here.
How’s that?
- A Jack - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
Or how about “Bruce Rauner: Failed Governor” on every billboard in Illinois. Full page ads in every major newspaper showing Rauner’s failures. J. B. Pritzker has the money and now he has a reason to do it.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
Willy - not sure what to tell you. Pat Quinn spent over $30 million in 2014. There were no other major statewide races that sucked up people’s attention (other than Treasurer - but that wasn’t a big money race). Quinn’s ads ran quite often and people on this blog were for certain that the ads would take Rauner down. It didn’t. And the initial “FIRE MADIGAN” stuff had NO money behind it whatsoever. It was a stupid website and GOP giggling.
I’m not saying it won’t work. Stuck is right: perhaps tying it all together with a nice little bow might do the trick. Who knows. I can’t believe we might have 22+ more months of this.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:29 pm:
===we might have 22+ more months of this===
Might?
- Fixer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
LP what reforms has he passed?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
- Team Sleep -
Rauner went after Quinn even during his own Primary.
My hope is Pritzker goes wall to wall against Rauner and his destruction of Illinois.
Antagonizing like Rauner is, it will be 22 months of this, with “BossMadigan.Com” keeping pace.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:37 pm:
Rich - the only reason I used might was in the context of Pritzker actually running. Sorry for being a bit obtuse.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:48 pm:
Of course no reforms and unbalanced budgets are very popular with Democrat’s special interests. I don’t think the majority of Illinois residents share your enthusiasm for the status quo.
Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion. The Democratic legislature does not seem to be too panicked about this or the expiration of the stop gap. They are home enjoying the holidays.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
===Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion===
Carry-over on overdue bills.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
LP, “status quo” means “existing state of affairs” which is record FY17 budget deficit and record backlog of unpaid bills.
You’re programming is off. Have you been outside The Matrix?
–Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion.–
Try reading instead. Careful, there be numbers here. And you realize that “stop gap” phrase is absolutely meaningless, don’t you? The state is subject to consent decrees.
https://capitolfax.com/2016/12/02/report-a-decade-to-reach-solvency-if-leaders-cooperate-on-tough-plan/
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
===Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion===
Your schtick is so tiring. You know. You know the answers to your drivel.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
The Mike Madigan wingman in charge of stomping all dissent is a much more virtuous pursuit.
- Jack Jackson - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:13 pm:
===Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion ===
Illinois’ low flat tax rate of 3.75% limits Illinois’ ability to invest in universities, communities, infrastructure.
Minnesota’s upper rate - 9.85%
Iowa’s upper rate - 8.89%
Wisconsin’s upper rate - 7.65%
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:15 pm:
===stomping all dissent===
(Sigh)
===Love to hear how an 8 billion dollar stop gap deficit suddenly ballooned to 13 billion===
You’re a victim of your own words, not mine. Realize that and move on. It’s not me.
To the Post,
Imagine if Pritzker only gave $3 million to The Ounce and not $5 million.
Is this the RaunerS showing restraint?
- Fixer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:18 pm:
LP, get off the talking points and actually LOOK at what Rauner has accomplished. He’s signed the Exelon bailout and 2 stop gap budgets. He’s presented exactly ONE budget and even that wasn’t balanced.
Stop living in Raunertopia. The man is a joke of a leader. I voted for him on the premise that he was going to actually lead. ALL he has done is more campaignin’.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:36 pm:
There has been an unbalanced budget passed by our legislative leaders and signed by past governors for decades which apparently was fine and dandy.
The outrage with Rauner for trying without success so far to change this trajectory is really unbelievable.
Speaker Madigan has promised to work professionally and cooperatively with the Governor to solve the #1 problem in the State of Illinois- the budget deficit. What specifically has he done to solve the impasse? No concessions so far after two years.
More than anyone currently in Springfield he is responsible for the 130 billion dollar budget deficit.
Now he wants to repeat what he calls the seven “successful” stop gap budget negotiations which were unbalanced. He goes back on the agreement to pass meaningful pension reform as a condition of the CPS pension bailout. Doesn’t sound like he is too interested in being cooperative.
Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda is down from 44 items to just a handful. Speaker Madigan still won’t budge, much to the delight of 10-15 percent of Illinois residents who approve of his job performance and have benefited from the status quo.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:41 pm:
To paraphrase the Fab Four, money can’t always buy you love. J.B. Pritzker finished third in a field of three when he tried to win the primary in the 9th Congressional District.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:47 pm:
===Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda is down from 44 items to just a handful.===
You write ALL those words, cite 44, and yet you don’t even know what’s left?
“a handful”, LOL!
===Illinois residents who approve of his job performance and have benefited from the status quo.===
- Wordslinger - already explained to you, again, Rauner’s status quo is hurting Illinois unlike any time, closing in on $13 Billion, thanks to Bruce Rauner.
But… you already know that.
===More than anyone currently in Springfield he is responsible for the 130 billion dollar budget deficit.===
Until you read McKinney, your ignorance on “blame” and what has happened is your willful ignorance, not unlike ignoring that $8 billion is greater than $7 billion, and Rauner signed the $8 billion stopgap.
===The outrage with Rauner for trying without success so far to change this trajectory is really unbelievable.===
That’s 1.4% and $500+ million for ALL this changing of trajectory.
It’s about hurting Labor and Social Services.
Again, you already know that.
If it was about helping the trajectory, we’d see the numbers. Term limits? Where is that found in a budget? It’s not.
Your Rauner Word Jumble needs “ck” to tweak it. You are not seeing what you know is true.
Rauner is willing to destroy Illinois for an agenda that can’t get 60 and 30. That’s all this is.
Not doing anything, allows the state to hurt too. Rauner likes that too as part of his plan. Rauner said so. “Shut down the state” and divide Democrats. See the 2012 quote. Rauner has to be happy.
So… you typed a lot of words, but it’s the same ignorance of today and buzz words that aren’t measured.
But, I hope you feel better.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:50 pm:
well, I do get the kill the enemy before he can get stronger tactic. wish Hillary had done that. in the primary.
- Fixer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:57 pm:
LP, I’m going to put this in big boy letters so that maybe you’ll understand this time. IT IS RAUNER’S JOB TO PROPOSE A BALANCED BUDGET. NOT MADIGAN’S. There isn’t anything budget wise to work without because Rauner won’t propose one.
Pension reform , at least as Rauner wants it, will never be at the standard required by the state constitution. Give it up and pass an optional buy out (which still might not pass muster).
Madigan isn’t the end all be all boogeyman. He’s got a ton of clout and uses it, yes. But he isn’t the one thing non budgetary items to a budget. That’s your boy, LP.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 6:17 pm:
===More than anyone currently in Springfield he is responsible for the 130 billion dollar budget deficit.===
Until you read McKinney, your ignorance on “blame” and what has happened is your willful ignorance, not unlike ignoring that $8 billion is greater than $7 billion, and Rauner signed the $8 billion stopgap.
Who else currently in Springfield is more responsible for allowing the pension debt to explode from 43 billion to 130 billion? Democrats had 12 years to address the problem. Now they make no attempts to reign in any of the excesses in government spending. The General Assembly Retirement System was funded at 16% at the end of 2015. Legislators contributing 1.49 million and the taxpayers contributed 15.8 million. Now they kick and scream about reform.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/reboot-illinois/top-25-retired-illinois-p_b_9273856.html
Senator Cullerton is at least pretending to be interested in a solution. Speaker Madigan is perfectly happy with no changes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 6:21 pm:
(Sigh)
Read McKinney…
Here…
http://bit.ly/1Mf5Oj7
Then, get back to all of us.
- Frank - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 6:21 pm:
Hey JB where can I make a campaign donation ? The fact that the Republicans hate you so much means you get my vote and I don’t even know who you are
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 6:51 pm:
I have read Mc Kinney before and the article confirms no one currently in Springfield has had more to do with the unfunded pensions than Speaker Madigan. All of the other key leaders are currently retired and enjoying their six figure pensions, unless they lost them by being a convicted felon.
Do you really dispute that? In spite of that, the Speaker won’t lift a finger to pass Senator Cullerton’s meaningful pension proposal as agreed to in June.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:15 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
You know, reading is for comprehension?
No one has denied Madigan has had a hand in this mess, heck, I point to McKinney and his work there explaining it.
You ignoring the pension ramp, the skipped payments, the Republicans controlling for two years the General Assembly…
Your simple-minded response is “Because Madigan” and McKinney didn’t say that. Karen Hill was a better “babe in the woods”.
As for “blaming Madigan” for not lifting a finger, governors can find 60 and 30, and Rauner himself says he has Democrats that agree with him. Show them.
The pensions? Is it constitutional? It’s not soup yet. You want it to be soup, it isn’t.
Rauner’s veto was more about inflicting pain to Chicago school students than the pensions. Otherwise, why do it when he did?
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:19 pm:
===There has been an unbalanced budget passed by our legislative leaders and signed by past governors for decades which apparently was fine and dandy.===
Yeah, and somehow the backlog of bills was only 4 billion when your boy took office. He has managed to almost triple that in two years.
- Fixer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:49 pm:
What pension proposal LP? The same one that the ISC knocked down a couple years back? Unless it is a truly voluntary system, it won’t fly.
The other option is another tier where there is NO pension. And that doesn’t do anything for the skipped payments. You really and truly are drinking the Kool-aid.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:50 pm:
This was a calculated two punch to bring madigan to his knees, see what we can do
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 7:57 pm:
We have had this discussion. Quinn had some balanced budgets. Pension payments were made and backlog of unpaid bills was reduced.
His reward was to be defeated by a man who hid his agenda.
We get the government we deserve.
- illinois manufacturer - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 8:04 pm:
Frank I think JB will be happy with your vote . His family is about 40 times richer than Rauner.
- northsider (the original) - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 9:18 pm:
If I happened to be a former private equity multimillionaire who happened to have Blago appointee Stuart Levine on my payroll at 25k a month, voting in favor of my deals without disclosing that he was taking my money, I might not be highlighting JB’s far less egregious ties.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 9:21 pm:
== Senator Cullerton’s meaningful pension proposal … ==
As last presented, said proposal would most likely be found unconstitutional.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 11:02 pm:
If I ordered soup two years ago and the waiter still hasn’t served it I would pick up and go to a different restaurant.
Many of our manufacturers have done just that and that is terrible because they took high wage jobs with them.
Meanwhile we wait until after the next election even though the new legislators from the last election haven’t been sworn in yet.
Really sad state of affairs. I wish you guys were as mad at the legislators as you are with me.
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 11:42 pm:
Early opposition dump trying to scare off the biggest threat. Probably would have waited until after the holidays. Doing now gets no pop and actually gets it out of the way.
Plus if you wait until right around the first of the year you could distract from the fact the stop gap budget ends Jan 1.
So while the ILGOP focuses on Pritzker helping Blagojevich and Diane Rauner, Pritzker can focus on people dying in the cold throughout the State because the Governor can’t use his bidness knowledge to negotiate a deal. I’ll take Pritzker’s hand in that game.
- Blue dog dem - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 8:42 am:
Lucky@11:42. As a manufacture, i know Illinois has many area to improve its business climate. But $1.27/hr vs $$20/ hr for my Oreos?
- Fixer - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 9:12 am:
Most people are mad at the legislature. The only people excited about the current climate in Illinois are Rauner and his crew. The people that voted for him expected something more than 3 straight years of campaigning. Now they’re becoming angry at him.
See how that works?