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* It’s amazing to me that candidates are still getting caught doing this. From Kerry Lester…
A candidate running for state Senate wrote a $2,595 check to the Cook County Assessor on Friday after I called to ask him about improperly claiming two primary homeowner exemptions for a number of years.
Steve Caramelli, who’s running against Cristina Castro of Elgin in the 22nd District Democratic primary, listed homes in both Hoffman Estates and Chicago as primary residences during property tax years 2010 to 2014, records show. Caramelli, who rents out the Chicago property, wasn’t aware of the issue, spokesman Ryan Keith said, and took care of it as soon as he learned.
Caramelli’s not the only politician to run into this problem in recent years. In fact, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was claiming exemptions on a Winnetka home, a Chicago penthouse and a condo on a separate floor of the same building for a number of years. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth also claimed two homeowner exemptions from 2007 to 2010 in DeKalb and Hoffman Estates. Like Caramelli, both paid the amount owed after the Daily Herald pointed out the errors.
* And from SEIU Healthcare…
Watch this video to hear child care worker Brenda McMillon and home care worker Vanessa Land talk about their disturbing encounter recently with Rep. Ken Dunkin. We think he owes them an apology.
*** UPDATE *** The earlier video had no disclaimer. It’s now been fixed…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 12:59 pm
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Stay classy Ken!
Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:06 pm
The man reveals more about himself every day.
Comment by slow down Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:09 pm
I thought Mr. Dunkin would be a good lobbyist but after watching that video I just don’t know if that would be a good job for him. Could he sale cars after elected office life?
Comment by Down State Paul Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:12 pm
He is a disgrace to the State.
Comment by Merry Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:13 pm
Ken being Ken. Anyone surprised?
Comment by AlabamaShake Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:13 pm
Re the house exemptions, I’ve been guilty of that. It’s not necessarily the candidate’s fault. Last time I moved (didn’t sell the house at that time), I told the county assessor’s office I had moved. Assumed they would switch the homestead exemption; they didn’t, just added it to the house I was living in. They didn’t get it right until I filed a couple of years later for senior citizen.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:13 pm
I know there have been more than a few politicians who were found doing this, and while they should know better, there’s also something wrong with the homeowners exemption if it works this way. It’s not uncommon to convert a residence to a rental property, and many lenders make it very easy to fill out for a homeowners exemption on the next house, and the local taxing authority will apply the exemption without removing the previous one. I wonder how many millions local governments are missing out on by failing to question why someone has the exemption on more than one home.
Comment by AC Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:14 pm
** It’s not necessarily the candidate’s fault. **
First thing I ask a candidate is about property taxes and homeowner exemptions. Its an easy problem to be caught on, and its an easy problem to fix before you get caught.
Comment by AlabamaShake Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:15 pm
I would not want to have Ken Dunkin dating my daughters. I would not want to have Ken Dunkin as a neighbor.
Comment by Joe M Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:15 pm
If Dunkin has the race sealed up why does he need to intimidate people? You only take the pic of someone’s plate if you think they have committed a crime OR you are trying to intimidate them.
Comment by burbanite Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:21 pm
Joe M - good stuff. We can go the whole Dr. Seuss route with Ken if we could rhyme something with Senate.
Comment by paddyrollingstone Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:21 pm
Dunkin will now have all the child care providers walking for Juliana.
Comment by here we go Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:23 pm
Video removed by user? What was in it?
Comment by CharlieKratos Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Dunkin video removed. Another source? Or a description of the video?
Please elaborate.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Yes, please describe the video is painful detail
Comment by MissingG Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:26 pm
“This video has been removed by the user.” Can anyone describe what it showed before it didn’t show anything? Unless that would stray beyond the bounds of basic human decency and good taste. As I rather expect.
Comment by Linus Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:27 pm
In the first part, the lady alleges that she was canvassing for Ms. Stratton when she was approached by Ken Dunkin, who hurled insults at her. She alleges that Dunkin insulted her hair, her hands, her lips, etc, and that she was just a tool for some political agenda.
The second lady was talking about how they recorded her license plate, and that’s all I got before I had to turn it off
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Dunkin was following the lead of his benefactor, I remember the allegation: ‘I will bury her, make her radioactive’.
Comment by AC Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:32 pm
I don’t think Ken Dunkin is really a tennis player or even enjoys tennis. They (tennis people) have far better manners than he does!
Comment by Flynn's mom Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:33 pm
===What was in it? ===
It’ll be reposted soon. It lacked a disclaimer.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Standing by for a statement from Dunkin and/or his benefactor(s), having now seen the video. However, statement or not, I believe the ladies.
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:15 pm
—Dunkin was following the lead of his benefactor, I remember the allegation: ‘I will bury her, make her radioactive’.—
You know, I wasn’t there. But if these allegations are true, one has to wonder what ails the guy. Is he that afraid of what will happen in his life if he’s no longer in the House…?
Comment by Independent retiree/lawyer/journalist Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:31 pm
BTW.. did ILGO every respond with their defense of Ken Dunkin’s abuse/deadbeat dad past?
Comment by AlabamaShake Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Dunkin gets very defensive and verbally combative when women challenge him. Watch that video of SEIU members talking to him before the child care vote.
Comment by There is power in a union... Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Passions will intensify as the primary gets closer.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear what marching orders Dunkin’s mysterious picketer-supporters receive.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:34 pm
Are they sure it was him? Isn’t he supposed to be in his sleeping bag outside Madigan’s office?
Comment by Qui Tam Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:35 pm
I surely hope that he has the will to respond to this publicly, especially regarding the overt nature of the implied threat of the license plate picture. That will be fascinating.
Keep track of these ladies. Could there be a new culture where there are consequences to opposing powerful people?
Good for them to be out knocking on doors. They are exercising their rights and showing that they are solid Americans, regardless of their politics.
Comment by cdog Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:43 pm
Joe M -Don’t worry, Ken doesn’t want to date your daughters.
Comment by Signal and Noise Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:45 pm
Mr Caramelli is a Cook County committeeman and getting a tax break on your investment property (for over 5yrs) he knew what he was doing. I’m sure the voters of Hoffman Estates do not appreciate that and I know, I live in Hoffman Estates.
Comment by Northwestburbs Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:46 pm
Followup: It does make you wonder if Dunkin’s mysterious picketer-supporters will take a cue from the behavior of the boss.
After seeing video clips of these guys in action, I’m pretty sure they’re not door-to-door canvassing, hi-how-ya-doin’ types.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 2:54 pm
This is 100% consistent with the Team Dunkin I saw the last time he has a real challenger.
Also, it is pretty standard for candidates to hire gang members to work the polls of them. No matter what side you are on and they are on, on election day, usually you just smile and say hello as you walk on by. Ken’s were different. They definitely had a purpose.
This is going to continue to get ugly, because that’s who Ken Dunkin is.
Comment by Gooner Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 3:00 pm
There is power in a union@ 2:32 -
Wonder if we can get him on an interview where Megyn Kelly can work him over!
Gooner @ 3:00 -
An occasional twenty bucks can buy a lot of loyalty in some parts of town…
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Monday, Feb 22, 16 @ 4:47 pm