Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Cook moves Enyart district from “Lean D” to “Toss-up”
Next Post: Another day, another $1.5 million
Posted in:
* Mark Brown way back on March 19th…
My take on Rauner is that he brings an owner’s mentality to politics. The State of Illinois is his next acquisition. He’s a goal-oriented man who has switched his sights from making money to acquiring power. He’s paid no dues but now is well on his way to buying an election.
* ABC Chicago’s Charles Thomas last night…
Is it a multimillionaire stepping up to help a community, or is it a political candidate trying to buy votes? ABC7 Eyewitness News has learned Bruce Rauner has promised to give a South Side credit union $1 million.
Nothing like this has ever happened in Illinois politics: A candidate for governor promised $1 million of his own money to help the audience at a campaign event.
“I understand what he understands, and that’s money,” said Otis Monroe, Monroe Foundation.
Monroe was among the African American activists who greeted Bruce Rauner this week at the National Black Wall Street office. After the doors closed to the news media, Monroe says he asked the wealthy Republican to deposit $1 million in the South Side Community Federal Credit Union for loans to small businesses.
“He said he would commit not just a million dollars, but more than a million dollars to this institution,” said Monroe. […]
A Rauner campaign spokesman confirmed the $1 million dollar deal, calling it “one of many steps Bruce will take to reinvigorate our communities that have suffered under the failed policies and broken commitments of politicians.” […]
A spokeswoman for a stunned Quinn campaign wrote: “Any exchange of money for political support raises serious ethical questions. Pay to play has no place in Illinois.”
Partisan Republicans have long claimed that Democrats have used government and campaign money to “buy” black votes. So, I doubt anybody on Rauner’s side of the fence will be too offended by this bit of turnabout.
And I’d bet a whole lot of cash that this is only the tip of Rauner’s iceberg.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:31 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Cook moves Enyart district from “Lean D” to “Toss-up”
Next Post: Another day, another $1.5 million
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Rauner has invested millions of his own money previously in schools and projects throughout the city, this seems consistent with that
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:38 am
My only “beef”, if you want to even call it a beef, is the timing and blatant timing, and that personal wealth is seen as ONE man injecting himself at a certain time, not fit the good of the community, but the good of what it might mean for him.
I thought Bruce Rauner wanted to stop that.
If Rauner never set himself up as a “reformer of the status quo.” I would have ZERO beef, but words mean things, and this is no different than what Quinn could do, so what differences is Rauner talking about? It’s more about the hypocritical rhetoric than the action, which is always my beef with Rauner; live one way, campaign another.
Other than that…yikes for Quinn!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:40 am
Well the community asked for support and Rauner obliged. I can’t help but imagine what the headline would have been if he said no.
Comment by PMcP Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:44 am
Using programs to bolster struggling communities isn’t birbery. It’s the job of government. I hope Rauner’s investment does some good, though, even if it’s probably not coming from the goodness of his heart.
Comment by Barrett's Privateer Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:45 am
Um, PMcP, the headline that you might have seen if he said no would be something like “Candidate Rauner Respectfully Declines Contribution Request to Avoid Even ‘A Hint’ of Impropriety.”
Comment by And I Approved This Message Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:50 am
so this is Rauner’s personally-funded NRI-like program?
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:50 am
Waiting to hear the scowls from the peanut gallery. Doesn’t bother me though.
Rauner is using his own money for community reinvestment, which you know will be done in an efficient manner.
When Pat Quinn does community reinvestment, he uses YOUR money, and we all are aware that there was/is too large a percentage of those dollars that would be classified as either FRAUD, WASTE and/or ABUSE.
Comment by Jerry Hubbard Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:51 am
The hypocrisy is so apparent and I am surprised it was not pointed out in some of the copy in todays Cap Fax.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:53 am
Man, this is gonna be fun. It’ll be like Blago in reverse. Instead of having something bleeping golden and needing to get something for it, he is trying to get something bleeping golden and needing to give something for it. I almost hope he wins, just so I can watch the show.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:54 am
Just in case anyone wasn’t clear… we are dealing with a completely different type of political figure. You can argue the optics, the ethics or whatever else you like. The fact remains that the phrase “buying the election” has a whole different meaning in 2014 Illinois than it ever has before.
Goes nicely with the “Mr. Potter” theme, though. Danny Davis or some other black leader needs to get down there immediately with a George Bailey speech: “Can’t you see what’s happening here? Rauner’s not selling! Rauner’s buying!”
Comment by Snucka Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:55 am
It’s now open season on Rauner’s wallet. Don’t walk, run, get yours.
Nobody is saying you absolutely have to vote for the guy but there’s no reason to leave money on the table.
Comment by The Captain Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:58 am
Why do we know that the money will be used in an efficient manner? The story says that Rauner agreed to make a $1,000,000 deposit in a credit union. I didn’t see anything mandating that the funds be used in a specific way. He simply promised to deposit the million, and to do it within 30 days. Quite a precedent to set with 13 weeks left in the campaign. Who will be the next group to ask for a “donation”?
Comment by Snucka Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 9:59 am
I could care less how he legally spends his own money. Our money however is a different story and PQ wasted $100 million of that on his NRI program.
Under reported are the $ Rauner has previously spent on community projects.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:00 am
===Goes nicely with the “Mr. Potter” theme, though. Danny Davis or some other black leader needs to get down there immediately with a George Bailey speech: “Can’t you see what’s happening here? Rauner’s not selling! Rauner’s buying!”===
Is that before or after the big check and the photo op?
It may be 100% accurate, but…
===“I understand what he understands, and that’s money,” said Otis Monroe, Monroe Foundation.===
…which is why it would fall on deaf ears(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:01 am
Looks better than love offerings to the churches…..actually better because the loan apps won’t be public, terms unknown, and some might get paid back….better than Literacy Grants or NRI where there was some public paperwork left behind.
Lets all get down to the Southside Federal Federal Credit Union….wonder who regulates them?
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:02 am
OW: I’m not saying it would stop anyone from accepting $1 million. I still think that Quinn needs to enlist help from black leaders to address this type of blatant attempted vote-buying.
Comment by Snucka Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:07 am
–“Any exchange of money for political support raises serious ethical questions. Pay to play has no place in Illinois.”–
But it’s ok to get political contributions from those bidding for state contracts, make job recommendations for political supporters, etc. “SIU, SIU, SIU” - and this from what appears to be the most respected politician in Illinois. A child might call this “pay to play” but I guess the adults know better.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:08 am
Even if Rauner doesn’t get many African-American votes, if Quinn doesn’t get that vote to turn out he’s in serious trouble. Enthusiasm matters.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:09 am
He bought out individual Republican politicians and organizations last year.
He bought out the state Republican Party earlier this year.
Now he is buying out various community groups and influencers.
By this time in 2015 or 2016, he just might own a majority of legislators and key influencers. Enough to do anything and everything he wants without much consequence.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:09 am
==OW: I’m not saying it would stop anyone from accepting $1 million. I still think that Quinn needs to enlist help from black leaders to address this type of blatant attempted vote-buying.==
How, exactly, is this vote-buying? He was asked to make a deposit, and he did. Rauner has been investing in low-income communities for years, this isn’t something he just started doing when he decided to run for office.
Plus, nothing says that anyone has to vote for him. They can take is deposit and vote for Pat Quinn. Most people in those areas probably will.
Comment by so... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:11 am
To me this is no different than an Incumbent greenlighting projects that are popular with their target audience. How many bill signings and ribbon cuttings has PQ been doing lately? That is one of the biggest advantages for Incumbency the ability to steer money to targetted projects that help your favorability. Rauner unlike most challengers has the resources to do something similar. To me this is no different than what PQ was trying with NRI (IF it was all legit big IF) except that Rauner didn’t use taxpayer money to do it. Today Pat Quinn is in Granite City signing a bill to “drive economic development throughout hte metro-east.” Surely that isn’t to make folks think better of him? How is that different than Rauner depositing 1 mil+ to a credit union that makes small business loans?
Comment by Mason born Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:11 am
He’s making a deposit. In a credit union. That falls well short of “buying” anything. He’s improving the asset strength of a financial institution. Small business can borrow there without the hyper-collateralization many other institutions insist on. Good on him. Could turn out to be a great investment where he actually makes money on this. Other than “guffaw”, I can’t see what any other response from the Quinnsters could be. They’re in a bit of a spot there with using other people’s tax money in a giveaway. This ain’t that.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:12 am
“wonder who regulates them? ” Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:13 am
“The State of Illinois is his next acquisition.”
Yep.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:14 am
Rauner cannot claim that this is a benevolent act to help provide economic stimulus to an underserved area. If this were true, he would have given this money prior to his campaign for governor. This is blatant campaign pay to play, which is assume is different from government pay to play since it probably doesn’t break laws. I hope the AA community understands that this is akin to accepting bounty money that is for its own head. If Rauner is elected, most programs that people in these underserved communities will be gutted.
Comment by anon Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:17 am
Rauner put anothr 1.5 mil into his campaign yesterday too. One thing you can say about the guy–he certainly puts his $$$ where his mouth is.
Comment by train111 Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:20 am
- Snucka -, no worries, but understand, it’s a deposit to a credit union. The “argument” could turn on, “what more can we soak this guy for?”.
I do not want to hear the talking points “He’s been doing this for … has given millions…”
It’s about this ONE specific deposit, and the timing bad relevance to the race for governor.
The hypocrisy is real, but the action is not hypocritical if the rhetoric didn’t make it so.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:20 am
==If this were true, he would have given this money prior to his campaign for governor. ==
Well if this specific credit union had asked for it prior to his campaign, he may have. This type of stuff is consistent with investments and donations he’s made in the past, before he started his campaign.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:21 am
“…timing and relevance… ”
Apologies.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:22 am
===This type of stuff is consistent with investments and donations he’s made in the past, before he started his campaign.===
Like the $250K to Payton Prep?
How about we just look at this deposit as it is?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:23 am
For those that say, “How is it different than….” That’s just the point. Proclaiming to “shake up Springfield” and “be an outsider” is inconsistent with his actions - he is well practiced, and continues, to say and do things that will help get votes - even if that means backing from previous proclaimed values and positions.
He is earning votes at the cost of integrity.
Comment by archimedes Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:26 am
==Like the $250K to Payton Prep?
How about we just look at this deposit as it is?==
Why stop there. Why not also mention the school that bears his last name. Quinn (and his spinster on here, OW) is free to try and raise this…but it also opens the door to Rauner talking about the millions he’s given to community and educational investments over the years.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:26 am
For the GOP, if government increases investments in black neighborhoods, it is just a vote buying scheme, but if government gives corporate welfare handouts to wealthy white-dominated businesses, everything is fine. The racism of such crony capitalist conservatives is disgusting. It is nearly as disgusting as Bruce Rauner’s new cynical pay to play scheme. Rauner had to decades to demonstrate a commitment to the diverse reality of American life and his commitment was clear: no blacks necessary. Not a single Black American employed at his business. Did Bruce Rauner ever use his power in private equity to combat racism in the finance industry? No. Did Bruce Rauner ever make it a point at GTCR to find opportunities in places marked purposely for disinvestment by his industry friends and their friends in government? No. But suddenly less than 100 days before an election in which he is a gubernatorial nominee Bruce Rauner has found it in his heart to donate to this institution?
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:28 am
He is just using the millions he made off taxpayer funded pension investing to buy influence. He’s a ”hammer and shake” different from those union bosses.
Comment by Johnnie F. Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:31 am
Ummm….not trying to sound naïve here….but if I read the story correctly, this was not a donation, it was a request for a deposit to increase the liquidity of the credit union in order to facilitate more loans. It is an investment to a organization that is doing real things with real people to help lift them from poverty. In other words, exactly what I would expect someone like Rauner to do. For Pete’s sake, go to the website and see the programs they have put together for the community. And I’ll expand on what Jerry said, when a Dem does something like this, it takes a new tax appropriation, creation of a whole new bureaucratic kingdom with a $5 million budget, 2,000 pages of new regulations, and the credit union would get a deposit of $250,000 instead of a million.
Comment by jimlion Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:32 am
He has the right to put his own money anywhere he wants. Its a DEPOSIT, not a donation or bribe. If the credit union uses the money for loans then what’s the problem? He’ll even get the usual tiny amount of interest (.1% at my CU today!) on his deposit. Not nearly the profit he usually earns on his investments, but it does buy positive PR in the community.
And yes, I am defending the Baron here on this issue. There are plenty of other things he has done and will do (nursing home failures and accounting fraud anyone?) that merit criticism. This deposit sure isn’t one of them.
Comment by Roadypig Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:33 am
“Quinn (and his spinster on here, OW)” All that is holy, I never thought I would read that series of words strung together in that order ever in my life time. Gimme a second to get off the floor.
Comment by anonymoose Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:38 am
== Pay to play has no place in Illinois ==
Says the campaign with the NRI cloud looming over their heads.
== Partisan Republicans have long claimed that Democrats have used government and campaign money ==
It’s not just partisans who say this. The public realizes that politicians have mastered the art of skirting the quid pro quo line.
Rauner is doing the same thing, and everyone from “Tea Party” groups to “community activists” to Otis Monroe have clearly learned well how these “negotiations” work.
Worse still, this was a hostage negotiation as much as a candidate purchasing support or neutrality. Can you imagine the headlines had Rauner refused? “Megabucks Republican nominee refuses to invest a pittance in black small businesses”. Rauner had to say yes.
This sort of stuff is distasteful at best on both ends, whether it is done using public money or private money. The fact it happens so overtly and publicly that participants now feel comfortable breaking down specific details for reporters shows just how numb the Illinois public has become to this sort of “deal” that is “not a deal”.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:44 am
To me the greatest hypocrisy is PQ. Who is using the treasury to do the same thing.
Granted there is the appearence of the same old pay to play which is a legitimate issue to bring up ut not by PQ.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:44 am
I can’t believe we’re arguing over whether this is just a kindhearted donation with no hopes of his largesse influencing votes. The guy is running for governor, and he knows what he is doing.
Quinn isn’t innocent either - see the federal investigations.
I’d call it both justifiable turnabout and pay to play.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:47 am
Oswego Willy says:
“How about we just look at this deposit as it is?”
Not sure I understand why you don’t want anyone else bringing up his previous investments in communities. I think his previous (before running for Governor) investments are relevant here. The question posed in the headline is whether this should be considered “pay to play.” I think if this was the first time he’d ever done this, a lot of people would say it was; but if he has a history of these kinds of investments, then they might not.
Comment by ??? Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:48 am
== I never thought I would read that series of words strung together in that order ever in my life time. ==
Amazing what utter distaste for a candidate (As OW has for Rauner) will do, but it is what it is. If Rauner held up a bottle of Shinola, OW would spin and say it’s, well, you know
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:48 am
===Why stop there. Why not also mention the school that bears his last name.===
That his daughter DIDN’T go to, lol
===Quinn (and his spinster on here, OW) is free to try and raise this…===
I don’t think I would be considered a Quinn person, use the “search” key. Thanks.
Making a deposit with pure political reasoning is not the same. You are missing the whole point, trying to justify good works that should stand on their own.
-annonymoose -, I have smelling salts or Plummer meds…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:49 am
The difference being it’s his money not mine.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:52 am
It was a campaign event.
Private cash is changing hands.
Our campaign finance laws really never contemplated something like this.
Perfectly legal, just like all of the tax deductible checks he is dropping on nonprofits around the state.
And yes, Rich is correct, this $1 million is only the tip of the iceberg.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:52 am
My take on Rauner is that he brings an owner’s mentality to politics. The State of Illinois is his next acquisition. He’s a goal-oriented man who has switched his sights from making money to acquiring power. He’s paid no dues but now is well on his way to buying an election.
Oh please, open your eyes!
My take on Quinn is that he brings an politician’s mentality to the governor’s office. The State of Illinois was his political goal and he got it. He’s a party caretaker who used his political patronage of nearly forty years to acquire power. He’s knowledgeable on how to use public money to buy an election.
The difference between the two is Rauner uses his money to buy political power, and Quinn uses our money to buy it. Voters need to decide if they want someone who knows business, or someone who knows politics, to give Illinois a new lease on its future.
There is good points and bad points regarding the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates. It is the time now, for each of them to tell us how they had, are, or will be making Illinois better.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:55 am
Formerly
You bring up a good point either Rauner makes the deposit gets accused of pay to play by Quinn camp or refuse to avoid that appearence and gets painted as borderline racist for not supporting small business loans in minority areas most likely by the Quinn camp.
He was in a trick bag either way.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:58 am
This should make it easier for Rauner to get lots of invitations to speak at churches in Chicago.
Lots of invitations, like 6-7 every Sunday.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:16 am
I, too, want to join Bruce in bringing back Illinois.
A $100,000 deposit in my credit union account will help reinvigorate my local economy as I hire professionals to make home improvements, go out to eat, and buy a new car.
If there’s pay, then I want to play.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:24 am
Word, I’ll be in line behind you for some reinvigoration to my bank account. I’ll be wheeling my wife up for her share as well.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:31 am
Here’s a man who had a venture capital company for 30 years. He couldn’t find one qualified black person to mentor in this business the entire time. Now, he wants to deposit a million dollars for micro loans in the black community? What expectations does Rauner have of the South Side Federal Credit Union and the people in attendance at the meeting? Why were the media asked to leave at a certain point in the meeting, but briefed on the fact that that Rauner is going to make a million dollar investment? How many entrepreneurs do they intend to serve with these loans? What broader policy issues were discussed?
Comment by Valerie F. Leonard Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:35 am
This was a business transaction, straightforward and simple.
Had it been an isolated incident, one might surmise this was a wonderful, spur-of-the-moment happenstance. Rich guy running for gov. meets behind closed doors with minority community leaders. During the course of said meeting, a plan organically develops among the group to help invest in minority communities and business. Being a man of compassionate and helpful disposition, the wealthy candidate offers to kick in $1 million of his own money.
That would make for an uplifting story. That also would not fit the pattern of reality here.
Look at his donation history and the pattern behind it.
In 2012, he gives heavily to Republican House and Senate leadership organizations as well as House and Senate candidates. This gains favor with established, upper-level party leaders and members.
In 2013, those donations stop and he instead begins donating heavily to Republican county and township organizations. This gains favor with local party leaders and members, especially crucial during the upcoming primary. When “conservative” and “tea party” groups create some fuss, he throws them a few bones along the way.
In 2014, he begins donating heavily to minority churches and giving money to other minority-oriented programs such as the South Side Community Credit Union small business loan programs. This gains favor with a minority leaders and voters, a demographic crucial during the upcoming general.
= = = The State of Illinois IS his next acquisition, and he is taking it over by purchasing one block of voting shares at a time on the open market. = = =
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:35 am
bruce received money from nursing homes and dd homes- tax dollars- check
bruce received money from trs tax dollars- check
bruce dosent pay into social security- check
bruce gives to a non-profit bank with his “own money”- check
he is growing on me.
all hail King Rauner!
Comment by throwing stones Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:36 am
Nearly everybody buys an election. Rauner just has less distance to go to get the funds.
Comment by Mouthy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:36 am
Good for Bruce Rauner putting his money where his mouth is. Politics is all about buying votes, right? You put money in to commercials, yard signs, radio ads, push polling, etc. This is actually going to spur investment in an under served area.
Comment by Lunchbox Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:54 am
In a race where things seem to be evolving into businessman versus career politician, I’m just musing here. We use the term “politician” as a dirty word these days. It seems to define a career in elected government, no matter the perspective of the elected official. There actually are still people running and serving as old-fashioned public servants. Just because someone has spent a long time in office shouldn’t condemn them. I know both types - people who really care about the job and the people they serve, or want to serve, and those who get into politics as n ego trip. These days, you can lost tell by just talking to a candidate, but it has to be in person. Who is talking substance? Who really knows the demographics, the issues facing the people they want to serve? Who gives you talking points automatically, versus those who actually respond specifically to a question. Who meets your eyes when you talk to them, and whose gaze immediately shifts to the next person in line. I’ve met Pat Quinn a number of times, and while he maddens me for a number of reasons, he also has actively and intelligently conversed with me on substantive issues. I wonder how I would feel talking to Rauner. Like I said, just musing here.
Comment by Archiesmom Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 11:59 am
==- ??? - Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:48 am:==
List them.
==- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:52 am:==
Bloomberg shut up many of his critics by dropping dimes throughout his NYC mayoralty to the point that is considered a weakness of DeBlasio that he can’t shut anyone up on demand.
==- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 10:55 am:==
Rauner doesn’t know management. He’s not an analyst. He knows sales. Those are his own words.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:03 pm
THANK YOU Valerie Leonard (and congrats on the Reader award)!
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:04 pm
My beef with Rauner is his basic refusal to brag about his personal donations that funded new chatter schools and a beautiful YMCA in economically disadvantaged areas of Chicago. And that is just the tip of the iceberg of his generosity.
He didn’t have to do that. He did it because he wanted to.
For that he is branded as Mr. Potter? A wealthy evil cad who only cares about the bottom line? Pretty odd or out of character behavior for a Mr. Potter type.
Give. Me. A. Break.
The Quinn campaign response along with many responses here are borderline childish. Pay to play? Buying the election? Everyone tries to buy an election, that is why they raise so much money. Quinn is no campaign pauper and has $12 million in cash, along with those other evil “outsider” group ads pushing for him. (They are evil if they are Republican, saintly if they are Democratic!)
I’d rather see Rauner use his own cash than watch taxpayer money go to waste. If Rauner wastes his money, that is his problem, now ours. Anyone read the Tribune today about the “small business loans” that were never made by an affiliated State program now under serious investigation? Where they made no loans but paid themselves for rent, etc? Who were vetted by a few under subpoena for the “anti-violence” program who understandably refused comment for that story?
Give. Me. A. Break.
Politics can get ugly, but this Mr. Potter stuff is so far over the top that it reminds me of Fonzie jumping the shark tank.
Everyone tries to “buy” an election. The two candidates for governor both are “guilty” of that charge.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:09 pm
Why is this any different than what Blago did? If there were secret tapes of the offer, or wiretaps, would they be evidence of a scheme to pay people to vote so he could personally benefit? What would Zagel rule?
Comment by Raging Bull Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:26 pm
At a minimum, shouldn’t all these millions being promised be coming from a campaign fund? Where is the transparency? It is a clear end-run around the election laws.
Comment by Raging Bull Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:28 pm
And lastly, will he only pay if he wins and gets what he wants, (aka Payton Prep and 250k )? This is slimy. This certainly explains why at least one downstate minister is welcoming GOP candidates into his church. The hustle is on.
Comment by Raging Bull Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:41 pm
“- Raging Bull - Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:28 pm:
At a minimum, shouldn’t all these millions being promised be coming from a campaign fund? Where is the transparency? It is a clear end-run around the election laws.”
It’s as transparent as can be. Guys asked for the deposit, Rauner agreed. They both told the whole world about it.
Comment by mcb Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:41 pm
mcb, there is a line on the campaign reporting form called “in-kind contributions”. Rauner is making a personal contribution to benefit his campaign. These should be listed on his campaign forms as in-kind contributions. Or in the case when paid after the election, as an in-kind loan. What he is doing is illegal, in my opinion, unless it is reported.
Comment by Raging Bull Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:46 pm
At this point let’s just stop the theater, the Quinnochio, the Mr. Potter/Mr. Burns and see who can give out the most money.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:17 pm
so this is Rauner’s personally-funded NRI-like program?
“The difference being it’s his money not mine.”
OneMan - that’s why I said “personally-funded.”
I get the difference too
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:21 pm
“- Raging Bull - Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 12:46 pm:
mcb, there is a line on the campaign reporting form called “in-kind contributions”. Rauner is making a personal contribution to benefit his campaign. These should be listed on his campaign forms as in-kind contributions. Or in the case when paid after the election, as an in-kind loan. What he is doing is illegal, in my opinion, unless it is reported.”
First, campaign reports are so citizens can watch the money that came in and out. We don’t need to dig through D2’s here to find out what happened, because everyone made it very public.
Second, there are lots of things that could benefit a campaign that aren’t reported. Buying lunch at a local diner could hep you with the owner. If it’s your money, it doesn’t get reported. No difference here, Rauner made a deposit of his money in a particular credit union. It only feels different because he has so much money and the figures are immensely larger than typical campaigns.
Comment by mcb Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:27 pm
Raging Bull, your screen name is missing one more word at the end of it to describe your contribution here.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:32 pm
If a candidate buys an ad for the benefit of his or her campaign, that is reported as an in-kind contribution. If a candidate uses personal money in exchange for support and votes, that also is for the benefit of the campaign. That ain’t no BS.
Comment by Raging Bull Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:49 pm
Hey, maybe Rauner could just personally fully fund the state pension system and we could stop arguing about it.
Comment by Joan P. Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 1:54 pm
Let the money keep flowing to worthwhile causes. Good for Rauner — and this isn’t his first effort to help some communities or groups.
To think Rauner will get better performance from established community groups, because it’s his money and not the state’s, is foolish. Money is money, and the state does have some auditing programs which Rauner probably has not set up.
Comment by walker Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 2:02 pm
In order to win as a Republican in this State, you have to fight fire with fire. He’s playing by the rules that exist, and he darn well should. If he’s going to take out this populist bumbler, he’s going to have to use all the tools available. To leave one on the table would be unconscionable. I, for one, am glad to see a Republican put the brass knuckles on - and use them.
I’d much rather see Rauner give out his own money to these purposes than watch Quinn give out our tax money for them.
Comment by Befuddled Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Saying that Rauner’s community investment will be spent in an efficient manner is kind of funny since he has donated heavily to charter schools like UNO–very efficient indeed.
Comment by Pollster Friday, Aug 1, 14 @ 3:40 pm
gluten free diet weight loss
Comment by funeralhomeswebs.zendesk.Com Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:17 pm