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* Erickson a few days ago…
Republican lawmakers may be following Gov. Bruce Rauner’s lead when it comes to his battle with House Speaker Michael Madigan, but some members of the minority party say the governor’s decision to dole out $400,000 in campaign contributions to them during the final days of the legislative session was unusual and possibly inappropriate.
In what amounts to a rare departure from the unity GOP lawmakers have shown in Rauner’s first six months in office, a handful of downstate Republicans say they have not cashed the checks Rauner’s political fundraising arm made to their campaign funds because it could be viewed as him buying their votes.
“I don’t want to make it look like someone is influencing me from the administration. So, it’s setting in a drawer and we’re going to hold it,” said state Rep. David Reis, a Willow Hill Republican, speaking of the checks worth $3,000 to $10,000 that Rauner sent to each Republican member of the House and Senate. […]
According to a review of the contributions as of last week, six members of the Senate had still not cashed their checks, including state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.
In the House, 16 of the 47 GOP members had not cashed Rauner’s checks.
In all, the lawmakers have collectively left $119,000 of Rauner’s money on the table.
* Erickson today…
Gov. Bruce Rauner ended the most recent fundraising quarter with more than $19.7 million in his campaign war chest.
The Republican from Winnetka, who spent record amounts of his own cash to beat Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn in November, raised $614,357 between April 1 and June 30, according to a report filed at the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Most of the money Rauner raised came from his personal bank account. Records show the former private equity investor received small contributions from just four people but gave his account $550,000. He later refunded a check to himself for $300,000.
The report also notes Rauner spent more than $515,000 during the three-month span, including more than $152,000 on out-of-state media and political consultants.
“$152,000 on out-of-state media and political consultants.” The never-ending campaign.
* But take a look at his D-2 by clicking here.
He has no record that I can find of any Republican lawmakers actually returning their contributions.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 12:39 pm
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Does it really matter whether they cash the checks now or wait until a budget is passed? Either way, they were bought.
Comment by Defeated Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Hours before a House vote, a vote a Governor required a specific voting outcome of part of the Legislators, a vote that could NOT be a certain way…
That Governor made contributions, $400K to 67 legislators, of both chambers. It was a reminder. It was real;
I own you now. You all are mine. Your vote is my vote, not anyone else’s.
None, not I’ve check has been returned, but, over $100K is still not cashed.
This is the “Blago Base”, the dream of owned majority caucuses in both chambers. The $400K, was money solidifying “Phase One” of the Raunerite Caucuses, using Rod Blagojevich’s dream real.
The GOP GA autonomy is over. Over. The ILGOP is over too.
Cash the check, don’t cash the check, you’re owned now.
Until legislator(s) return checks, actually return checks, and vote outside what is demanded (or cowardly walk away like the “7″ did on Unions…) the $400K is the solidifying of Blago’s Dream, to make that Raunerite Party real.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Can anybody explain what he hopes to get by spending all of this money? What is the payoff in the long run? He’s already a billionaire. All of his friends are billionaires. What do they want? I just don’t get it.
Comment by Screwed Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:00 pm
I have to agree with OW. Not cashing the check till later proves nothing to me. Returning it and voting for your district does. Voting Present isn’t doing that.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:03 pm
The feds don’t need wiretaps or hidden cameras. Rauner hands out the money for votes in plain sight. It might be wise to NOT cash those checks.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Well said Willy!
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:17 pm
I always thought that the clock starts on disclosing a gift on the day it is received, rather than the day it is deposited.
Otherwise, campaigns could just hold off on depositing checks made by controversial donors until after an election, buy more media with confidence that the checks are coming in, and deposit/pay bills after the election.
Am I wrong? Thanks in advance to whoever corrects me.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Yes, leaving it in a drawer until the heat is off is not exactly a Profile in Courage, or integrity.
And I agree with Robert the Bruce–if I have am in possession of a check that is good and am not acting to send it back, any reasonable person or law would conclude that I have accepted it.
Comment by Harry Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:34 pm
Imagine the horror if Madigan or Cullerton acted similarly. The Tribune may go into V-fib.
Comment by Unspun Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:42 pm
It amazes me that no one says boo when MJM drops a quarter of a million dollars in the last month of a heated Third District Illinois Supreme Court election to get his buddy Tom Kilbride elected in 2000, but when the Republicans use the perfectly legal similar strategy, everyone calls a foul! It’s truly amazing just how deep blue this state has become to the detriment of its citizens…
Comment by DuPage Don Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:52 pm
===It amazes me that no one says boo when MJM drops a quarter of a million dollars in the last month of a heated Third District Illinois Supreme Court election…===
(Sigh)
This was not during an election, it was during Session, hours before a vote, and check you “search” key, it was done for all 67 to let the newly bought members “know”… Rauner had their “backs”, while controlling the voting keys in front of them.
The donations were to “prop up” and influence… during session.
Please, using election moves is apples and oranges, and further, it’s EVERY one of the GOP GA members, like when you reinvest in something you own, you pay more into it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:56 pm
@dupage don:
Just for comparison the exciting new “red” state of Wiscondin is giving the professional basketball team $250,000,000.00 in Welfare for a new arena, but no mandatory drug testing.
Meanwhile the person who gets $200.00 in Food Stamps has to be drug tested.
Gotta live the Freedom and Liberty of “red” states!
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:00 pm
House Republicans are an awful expensive date. Ten-thousand clams a piece to vote “present” on a fake bill that everyone unanimously agrees was a political stunt and had a snowballs chance of passing to begin with? They really needed that big of an incentive to take that vote? “Who” honestly believes that?
Comment by As We Go Silly Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:02 pm
-OW- I’m sure if Mr. Lewis sees it the way you do we will find out eventually…
Comment by DuPage Don Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:02 pm
=== It’s truly amazing just how deep blue this state has become to the detriment of its citizens.===
Ugh.
10/8, Dems to Repubs in Congress, 3 of 6 Constitutionals are Republicans… your victimhood is compelling, Mr. Lewis notwithstanding.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:06 pm
You can’t decry tactics you claim are being used by a “corrupt” Speaker, and do the exact same thing, during a session, and claim it isn’t as corrupt or even more so.
Real reformers follow their own advice. Believing Bruce Rauner is a reformer is like believing the Big Bad Wolf was really Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandmother.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:12 pm
Horror of horrors—the leader of the Republican Party supporting those who support his agenda. My gosh, who would have guessed this could happen.
Comment by 19th ward guy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:26 pm
I wouldn’t compare this to Madigan, Mike knows how to control people from the beginning, Rauner simply isn’t as good or experienced at the levers of control. Rauner wants to be Madigan but lacks the years of learning and earned experience.
Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Willy, you are really going to deny that the dems control this state? Or at least have up till now? Come on, the last time Illinois went red in a presidential election was in 1988…
Comment by DuPage Don Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:30 pm
Corrected:
Horror of horrors—the leader of the Republican Party Bribing those who might support his agenda.
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Maybe they aren’t cashing the checks to mess up his checkbook. That’s what my aunt always accused me of doing when I would misplace the birthday checks she sent me (entirely by accident).
Comment by Not quite a majority Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:36 pm
- DuPage Don -,
So…
Mark Kirk is run by the IL Democrats, the 8 GOP members of Congress are run by Democrats, Judy Topinka, run by Democrats… Dan Rutherford, controlled by Democrats…
If you’re going to be a victim, choosing how a state votes in one specific office is really an embarrassing way to prove a point.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:36 pm
- 19th ward guy -,
Well, I’m sure you can point out another governor of either party, donating $400K before a vote, during session, to all members of their party, not during an election year no less, and publicly claim it to “have their backs”
I’m sure you can find that…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:42 pm
===It amazes me that no one says boo when MJM drops a quarter of a million dollars in the last month of a heated Third District Illinois Supreme Court election…===
If no one said “boo”, you wouldn’t know about it. Spending money during an election is intended to spread a message (positive or negative) about a candidate. Spending money to directly influence votes (Rauner’s carrot/stick approach) is in a different category. But hey, don’t take our word for it; just read the quotes from GOP that haven’t cashed their checks yet.
Comment by out of touch Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:46 pm
Willy, I thought you told me once you’re “a maps guy.” The redistricting process has been hermetically sealed and nailed down like a lock box for the last two decades…
Comment by DuPage Don Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:58 pm
When Bill Brady lost the Mansion, it was more about the map than Pat Quinn.
If I have to choose one, I’m a map person, sure, but MJM beat the GOP drawn map 4 out of 5 times, and those 4 were in a row.
Maps don’t win seats. Madigan proved that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Just dropped by to say “Nice Headline’
Comment by lincoln's beard Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Madigan, and the Democratic infrastructure he runs as party chairman, equally promises his assistance. He just makes delivery closer to election day than Rauner did.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:03 pm
– He’s already a billionaire. All of his friends are billionaires. What do they want?–
The future, Mr. Gitts, the future!
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:14 pm
===What do they want?===
Hey, it’s Amorica, baby.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:15 pm
==I always thought that the clock starts on disclosing a gift on the day it is received, rather than the day it is deposited.==
It used to be that way, before the last campaign finance “reform.” Now the reporting clock starts on date of deposit. Best of the bad options, primarily because the deposit date can be verified and documented, while the date of receipt cannot. Once received a significant check in the mail 8 weeks after it was postmarked.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:24 pm
When 30% of your rentals don’t cash the check or vikunteer an answer hard to think the payments are anything but sleazy..wonder what Durkie excuse is?
And did he give himself 300k cause this was a dumb dumb move
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 5:13 pm
“Someday, and that day may never come, your Don will call upon you for a favor.”
Comment by Late to the Party Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 6:46 am
So when Madigan does it, it is shady and corrupt according ro Rauner, but when Rauner does it, it is politics….. Glad to see Rauner already turning into somehing he claims to despise.
Comment by Bud Keyes Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 8:35 am