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Plummer still hasn’t come up with a decent excuse

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* Carol Marin takes off after GOP lt. governor nominee Jason Plummer for his new answer to a question he’s been dodging for months: His refusal to release tax returns, as every gubernatorial and (almost every) lt. gubernatorial candidate for decades has done…

“I’m coming from the private sector,” answered Plummer. “I didn’t serve in the public sector last year.”

I fully agree with Carol’s next line: “Huh?”

Marin continues…

But even former Gov. George Ryan, now in prison, and Rod Blagojevich, who’s heading there, disclosed their income taxes.

And as Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney pointed out to Plummer, Blagojevich’s tax forms provided the public with the first clue that convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko was paying Patti Blagojevich.

That was an excellent point by McKinney. It blows away Plummer’s argument that all we need to know is in his Statement of Economic Interests report filed with the state. And that argument doesn’t hold much water, either…

“That’s the most incomprehensible, terrible, convoluted form known to man,” scoffed Dennis Czurylo, a former supervisor for the IRS Criminal Investigation Division who has put many a politician in jail. “Government purposely uses these obscure and useless forms,” he said, because they “don’t disclose what a federal tax form does,” things like debt and land trusts.

And here’s another new argument that I haven’t seen before…

Plummer didn’t mask his exasperation, telling the Sun-Times, “When we’re elected on Nov. 2, I’ll be more than happy to use . . . your interest in my tax return as leverage to force a lot of folks in Springfield to show their tax returns.”

Watch it all here.

Sheila Simon responds…

“It’s not too much to expect from a candidate for statewide office [that] their priority would be statewide office and representing the people of Illinois rather than protecting their family’s business interest,” said Simon, whose late father, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, would divulge tax records that showed how much income she made as a teen-age babysitter and how much her adolescent brother made from his paper route.

“It says his priorities are different than mine and the governor,” Simon said of Plummer. “We’ve disclosed this without being asked and disclosed it fully.”

* Down-ballot roundup…

* Tribune: For the Supreme Court

* Tribune: For the appellate court

* Strong contrast in Illinois lieutenant governor candidates

* Eaton: More Republicans should follow Topinka’s lead into black communities

* Jesse White backing Kelly for treasurer

* Tribune: For the Cook Board

* VIDEO: Roger Keats in Humboldt Park

* Write-in candidate for Illinois governor seeks to be heard by voters

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:19 pm

Comments

Nice to see the Trib endorse the Green for Cook County Board against Jerry Butler. Butler is completely out of touch.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:24 pm
Geez, did anyone give this guy a test drive before allowing him on TV? That was wildly incoherent.

I’m guessing his next campaign assignment will be a 28-day snipe hunt in the Shawnee National Forest.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:24 pm
These are the guys that say they’ll run Illinois like a business? Which business, Enron?

Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:26 pm
I’m no Sheila Simon fan (she’s nice enough, but I don’t really want to vote for her, you know?) but the point in the article re: her father releasing her teenage babysitting income could actually be an important one.

I mean, I can absolutely see that ad, if she would go after Plummer. “Dad always said”…”Why did this change, Bill?” Something like that.

Comment by Concerned Observer Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:29 pm
The one thing I used to use the Trib endorsements for was the judicial races. Now, I won’t even trust them for that.

Comment by justbabs Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:34 pm
Illinois voters selected Jason Plummer and Scott Lee Cohen as the main parties Lt Gov candidates in February. Shame on us for being such an uninformed electorate. I would imagine the Plummer empire looks much like the Brady and Alexi ones-yikes.

Comment by ourMagician Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:35 pm
Gregor

I think at least Enron way paying its bills on time until the end…

It would be interesting to hear him say, I will disclose mine the same time Mike Madigan discloses his (yes they are different but it would be a way to move the focus)

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Not sure if it’s even true, but Plummer’s refusal makes me think there is something serious being hidden. I mean come on, Brady released it and is doing quite well even after being whacked for not paying any taxes, on his public income. What could possibly be so bad that Plummer would flat out refuse, or offer a legitimate reason?

Comment by Matt Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:37 pm
Good point OneMan. After Carol, Shelia, et al demand Madigan’s returns, they can then ask for Jason’s. I wonder who will have more influence on my family’s future - Mike or Jason. Hmmm, I wonder.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:42 pm
I am not a Plummer fan but seeing as though he has not released his tax forms to date, I find it highly unlikely that he will in the next 28 days. I may be wrong for saying let’s move on already, but seriously, let’s move on. I am more interested in hearing details of Brady’s budget than what’s on Plummer’s tax forms.

Comment by NeveroddoreveN Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:42 pm
Plummer’s obviously hiding something and his excuses are incredibly lame for not providing.

My guess is there’s something in there that might reveal that the $300 grand or whatever he loaned his campaign as reported on his D-2 was maybe just provided by daddy. That’s just my speculation and Plummer invites such speculation when he’s not transparent.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:43 pm
Plummer has 27 days NOT to sink the ever sinking Brady ship. Was it hubris (Jason knows what ‘hubris’ means, it was on his last spelling test) when he thought he could stonewalll this issue, running out the clock on this issue?

Jason Plummer is afraid that Daddy’s allowance will be seen, or worse … he had sucha pittence of an incomethat Daddy HAD to be a piggy bank.

My thought? Rich, remember a while back when D2s stipulated the “Jason Plummer” gave money to the campaign … but was that actually FROM Jason Plummer and did Jason Plummer have the personal means to MAKE that transaction? That, I believe, is the biggest fear …

It will only get worse for you Jason … even if you are fortunate enough to win … there isn’t a journalist that covers the statehouse that will let you draw ZERO salary without finding out where you DO get your money …

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:43 pm
Plummer cant release his tax returns without revealing information on his parents business dealings and how they are legally able to lower business profits by paying salaries to family members and providing fringe benefits. Another question would be did he receive tax benefits from loses incurred in the family real estate business and how much did they lower or eliminate his tax liability. Plummer may be in the same situation as Giannoulias in that both have received their wealth through the efforts of parents, not through their own work.

Comment by WRMNpolitics Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:44 pm
===Plummer may be in the same situation as Giannoulias in that both have received their wealth through the efforts of parents, not through their own work.===

Ya think????

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Oswego Willy nails it again. Plummer was making BIG contributions. I’d like to know if his father was giving him the dough to pass on in the son’s name. And more importantly, I’d like to know that Jason paid the income tax on any large sums of money his father gave him. The former is a campaign finance violation, the latter a possible felony tax evasion charge.

This isn’t a minor issue. He needs to come clean and I hope the media keeps up the pressure.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:49 pm
What is Jason Plummer hiding?

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:55 pm
47th may have it. So now we finally have a workable strategy for getting rid of this guy: elect and indict.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Jesse White endorses Robin Kelly….I would assume that was a given.

Comment by Who Cares Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:58 pm
Re: the Judicial Race articles.

Every time I see somewhat advocate for “merit” selection of judges I want to throw something. You don’t diminish the power of party insiders and special interests by taking away the influence of … voters!

Non-partisan merit-based appointments in Illinois? Really?

I’d like to have the crack the proponents of such a system must be smoking.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:58 pm
I agree with Plummer. His private tax situation is his. My assumtion is that the business he is in takes advantage of all these little tax incentives poured out over the years to create jobs in order to overcome the over-regulated atmosphere that we have created for business.
Now lets consider some of the other tax benefits the Plummers get. The pre-existing Plummer lumberyard was granted a TIF in it hometown of Edwardsville. The Plummers in Illinois get the builders spec home exemption when it comes to property taxes. The Plummers also get the subdivided farmground tax exemptions as well in Illinois. I don’t fault the Plummers for taking advantage of these exemptions and we all would do it as well if we were in their shoes. The real issue here is to quit handing out these special interest giveaways right and left and change the never ending slew of new regulations making these handouts necessary.
A little guy can’t start up anymore because of the regulations, the exusting types reap rewards from the tax system.
Quit giving out incentives if you expect people not to use them. Quit the continued regulations if you don’t want to keep handing out incentives.

Comment by Sueann Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 12:59 pm
If you “contribute” over $300K in 2009, and you had to live, and you are VP of your Dad’s company … How much “liquid” asset did you have to make such a large sum at the end of the year?

Jason …

“Jason Plummer” contributed $300K to your campaign, did you pay a penalty tax to get THAT liquid?

At 27, you “happen” to have $300K laying around that you wouldn’t NEED to take a tax hit on?

You “owned” a company that your Dad was listed as president in the corporation papers, and said …”trust me, I owned it…” Then it was sold … so since you OWNED it, what was the sale price, and was it enough to cover $300K

My beef with Jason Plummer is that at least Peter Fitzgerald worked, then moved up the ladder and THEN when for the big time. Alexi … stepping stone job at Treasurer, then run for the big time …

At 27 … 5 years from graduating from the U of I, and here Jason is running for the most controversial constitutional office with all that the office has faced with Rod … and he CAN’T tell the public HOW he can afford $300K in 2009 to run for an office a heartbeat away from the 5th largest economy in the United States????

Goodness!!!!!

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 1:06 pm
John,

We’ve been through this one before. The experience of other states is that if you have a screening panel before the appointments, you don’t totally eliminate the influence of various insiders or special interests. But you do eliminate the bottom of the barrel. And that’s a farily significant percentage of Illinois judges.

You also eliminate judges getting appointed solely on the recommendation of Eddie V. or similar figures, or being elected to sub-circuit vacancies solely because of their family relationship to a committeemen or because they have a nice name. Some of those folks will still get through, but at least they’ll have minimum qualifications.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 1:10 pm
This should be a part of overall reform then make it the law to disclose. Blago was in Government for years when that was discovered that is compairing apples to oranges. I am not a big admirer but there is nothing in the election law that forces anyone to disclose their income taxes. BTW I have googled it every way I can think of and can’t get an answer; does Speaker Madigan disclose his income taxes? Now I’m curious since it’s hard to find.

Comment by conservative Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 1:17 pm
Candidates’ having to release their tax returns is an idiotic idea which has now gotten out of control. What are we trying to do: drive more good people away from ever running for office? What if a spouse objects? And the criticism that somebody who loses money and owes no taxes should pay anyway is also ludicrous. Why can’t we just debate experience and issues at ekection time?

Comment by Xgman Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 1:20 pm
“What are we trying to do: drive more good people away from ever running for office?”

A legitimate question — but it has nothing to do with Jason Plummer.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 1:45 pm
The state is $15 billion + in the hole; Quinn believes that education is the way to solve the state’s fiscal crisis. Yet he doesn’t understand or explain that it will take years to see results from increase school funding materialize in the type of *brain power* he thinks will attract businesses to Illinois. *=fairy dust

As a voter and taxpayer I only care whether or not someone seeking public office filed his/her taxes and filed on time. All of these people complaining about Plummer’s taxes sat on their hands when it was revealed that U.S. Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner did not pay his taxes because he “forgot.” C’mon the man only worked in the financial services sector. You mean he doesn’t know when tax time is? How’s that possible for someone like him. Now, if Jason or Bill or Pat or Alexi or Mark had said that they forgot to pay their taxes, I would be calling for their heads and refusing not to vote for them.

Speaking of forgetting…it is funny, no really pathetic, how Quinn, Simon and the media forget that Quinn only allowed a 3-hour peak-a-boo of his ’08 taxes. That Brady did earlier this year Quinn et al. have a problem with it. Are you kidding me? Hypocritical much?

Not showing me his taxes or only allowing the media a 3 hr peek is just not a deal breaker in my view.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 2:03 pm
I have known Jason for a long time. I’ve known his parents for just as long. It is odd that he won’t release his returns, and the impropriety question does remain, but the people who question why Madigan won’t release his returns raise just as valid a point - and perhaps more valid a point. I’m quite sure that Mr. Madigan’s legal career nets him quite the nice income and perhaps may even come squarely into conflict with his other job as House Speaker. This is not a small oversight. Yet how many times has Carol Marin made Speaker Madigan look foolish for not answering questions about his tax returns? And does she really think Jason Plummer will have as big a role shaping policy for the next four years as Speaker Madigan will?

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 2:08 pm
===Yet how many times has Carol Marin made Speaker Madigan look foolish for not answering questions about his tax returns? ===

None so far, but she’s whacked him on a myriad of other issues over the years.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 2:16 pm
Team Sleep,

I have a great deal of respect for your post, and you laid out a good case.

However, at 27, and now 28 … and being able to drop $300K in a 6 week period before the end of 2009, and never holding a single job that did not have Dad as the payor of Jason’s salary, (Dad was president of the internet company, and you have known the family for a long time, so is Dad lying, or is Jason?) Isn’t it fair and proper that the people of Illinois should know?

At 27, now 28, what makes Jason so special that everone before him vying for these office at least gave a look? Is he so super-wealthy we wouldn’t understand his return, or, did Jason forget the $300K he loaned his campaign might be looked at somewhere in the returns?

Yeah, it’s that important.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 2:19 pm
Amazing that the Trib would buck the big bucks corporate and Chamber of Commerce special interests to–rightly–endorse retention of Tom Kilbride for Supreme Court.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 2:39 pm
Good grief Team Sleep, although I think you have a point about Madigan, this guy Plummer could very easily be Governor. Don’t you think some vetting is warrented? The Lt. office is ridiculous.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Only the IRS should be able to audit (read see) an individual’s tax return. The Obama administration is taking flack right now for allegedly looking at a corporation’s tax return.

One’s tax return is nobody’s business. Has Plummer (or Alexi, or Quinn, or Simon, or Brady) been cited by the IRS for any irregularities? If yes, beat the crap out of them. If no, move on. I hope that Plummer (and any other candidate who refuses to cave to this intimidation and the illusions of impropriety) sticks to his guns.

We have litigated this here on CapitolFax several times, like this is some earthshaking issue that needs to be addressed. Not too many people believe in transparency, accountability and good governance as I do. And if you think Plummer’s defense of his privacy is a show stopper, you have two choice. Vote against him, or change the state election laws to make disclosure mandatory.

Pick one, then move on.

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 3:52 pm
Cincy has stumbled onto the truth. Yes, a lot of us think that if a guy who wants to be gov. has to hide his tax returns, we will not vote for him.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 3:59 pm
I think I hear a drip drip drip sound on this one, Plummer loaned his campaign $350,000…And is hiding where his due comes from. This one almost makes Rod look good.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 4:05 pm
And, Skeeter, you must be very upset that there will not be enough people like you to matter…

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 4:35 pm
How did Lisa Madigan raise the millions to run for AG? Seems to me that her Dad put the arm on everyone he could for their Christmas card list (if I remember correctly) How do you think Jason got the money? Come on you Dem’s this is crap! Why is campaign money raised by the old man better than money given to him by the old man? To me it is the same only Jason already owed the old man now Lisa’s dad owed allot of people for giving. This is a dead end. And nobody has answered has Speaker Madigan released his tax returns? He IS the most powerful man in this state and has been for 20 years.

Comment by Conservative Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 5:29 pm
Rich

Until recently Mike Madigan has been the best kept secret in Illinois! Outside of the insiders and Pol’s the average Illinois voter couldn’t name him until recently because the media has all but let him stay in the shadows. Mike Brown acted as though the Tribune was persecuting him on their piece in January when that all should have been public knowledge. The media has not whacked Madigan enough in my view; but I am a partisan.

Comment by Conservative Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 5:35 pm
Sorry Steve Brown

Comment by Conservative Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 5:35 pm
Cincinnatus,

You better hope that these 27 days go awfully fast …

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 5:57 pm
Oswego Willy,
I sure wish you would take all fathers and their siblings to task who run businesses and get there siblings to work for them after college. Especially controversial fathers and siblings who use taxpayers dollars to do so, humm like the Madigans, yeah and oh lets not forget the Rev. Jackson. But whats ironic is the Plummers wealth comes from successful private businesses, not working off the taxpayers dime. It’s just getting a little old that Quinn’s campaign cannot come up with anything else to talk about other then Jason Plummer’s tax returns. WOW… Get to some real issues, or better yet promote Gov. Quinn… If you can!

Comment by dumb ol' country boy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 6:22 pm
I suspect that the real problem with Plummer’s tax forms is that they will show, like Bill Brady’s have shown, he didn’t pay any taxes either. That would be one powerful 1-2 punch.

Comment by Him Say Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 6:36 pm
What unnamed “Springfield politicians” referenced in unnamed “national publications” is he talking about in his excuse for not releasing his return? Just MJM? Or is he talking about others? And what national publication?

I mean if you’re gonna hide behind nameless Springfield politicians (of which Mr. Plummer you are seeking to become) as your excuse for not releasing your returns can you at least call them out or reference what national publication you’re talking about here?

Sounds like Mr. Plummer is afraid to call anyone out by name because then they’ll just release their returns and he’ll have to give up his excuse.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 6:38 pm
dumb ol’ country boy,

1) I am a republican. Know of what you speak, I have stated my affiliation a long time ago, been consistant, and my issue with Jason Plummer has never been of a Repub-Dem bias…

2)I have been consistant with Jrs, siblings, etc.. Plummer went to college, worked for Daddy, was an intern … and now wants to be a heartbeat away from running the 5th largest economy in the United States… and you can cite another “legacy” with such hubris …who has done this … at 27???

I have nothing to do with Quinn … my advice for Jerry and Co., is not often snark, but what I would hope he would do to win …so get over the fact that a Repub (me) thinks a 27 year old intern/Daddy’s VP, & no way of knowing HOW he got $300K of his own money, thinks he is qualified?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 6:42 pm
==Until recently Mike Madigan has been the best kept secret in Illinois! Outside of the insiders and Pol’s the average Illinois voter couldn’t name him until recently because the media has all but let him stay in the shadows.==

Yeah, Mike Madigan has been a real secret. The media (part of the Grand Madigan Conspiracy) kept him hidden in the shadow of the thousands of stories with “Madigan” headlines, in the shadow of the ballot every two years and in the shadow of the Speaker’s Chair of the Illinois House.

Also, he was hidden in the Grassy Knoll. Or was it the Gravelly Road?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 7:43 pm
Interesting how none of you responded to my post
Not that it matters
You are the reasons Illinois is in the mess that it is in
Will things change as long as you are the only voters? Apparently not. You made this into the mess it is in and have no intention of fixing it

Comment by Sueann Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 7:52 pm
Sueann,

Due to the fact Plummer’s tax returns are not available for inspection, how are we to know ANY tax issues of which you posted, so why comment on your speculation, I guess.

I read your post, but didn’t know where you were going with it without actual tax return info.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 6, 10 @ 8:02 pm
Oswego. TIfs are not tax return data, nor or the real estate tax exemptions I mentioned. Once again the lack of having any understanding of income taxes comes to rise while the unknowing throw darts as if they do understand it.
For your help though, you can obtain the TIF data from the Plummer’s hometown TIF maps as well as the real estate tax data online at their hometown county’s tax assessment website. I assume that similar data is availaibe at other counties in Illinois having online assessment data.
Nothing like the facts to confuse Illinoisans, but then again the lottery money goes to education doesn’t it?

Comment by Sueann Thursday, Oct 7, 10 @ 12:59 am
I’m not thrilled with Brady/Plummer anyway, but this tax return issue alone is why I won’t vote for them. This arrogant kid Plummer is obviously hiding someone big and his excuses strike me as more dishonesty. We don’t need another Blago wannabe.

Comment by too obvious Thursday, Oct 7, 10 @ 2:13 am
Sueann,

The issue was Plummer’s non-response to his tax returns, not the property’s TIF possibility and/or status.

Further, you or I or anyone doesn’t know how Jason Plummer, personally, can benefit on the TIF through the TAX RETURN, which is what the post was about …Jason hiding his tax return.

If Carol Marin asked, “Say, Jason, tell us about your business and TIF disticts, then I am sure your post MAY be more relevent. But, since Carol Marin asked about a tax return Plummer has refused to show, I think the TIF issue you raise would be something … different … thus why no one responded to your post.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 7, 10 @ 7:45 am
Plummer cited the privacy of individuals other than himself (family and friends, I believe he said) as a reason for not releasing tax returns. Could be, as others have suggested, that Plummer’s dad gave him the dough that Jason himself supposedly donated to his own campaign. If that were the reason, that would get him into plenty of legal hot water (not just be a campaign problem). Agreed?

What are the other reasons he wouldn’t want to release the returns? How else would “family and friends” be negatively impacted by such a release? Is there a child support issue that would be reflected in tax returns?

For the record, I’m not a fan of Plummer’s, not at all, but I am not trying to start a rumor here. (Rich, please do not ban me. My goal is not to pollute your blog.) I do not know Plummer, nor do I pretend any expertise on what his life is like. I am simply trying to fathom why–apart from the frequently offered speculation about Dad’s money–a young guy Plummer’s age would have a reason to keep his tax returns secret.

Comment by Steve Downstate Thursday, Oct 7, 10 @ 9:10 am
Beyond Jason Plummer’s tax returns, the claim that he is a ‘former Naval intelligence officer’ leads one to wonder about what else he is stretching the truth. When, and through whom, did he receive a commission in the naval Reserves??

Comment by Goldie Monday, Oct 11, 10 @ 5:07 pm