* As usual, give him a few days and Gov. Pat Quinn will flip-flop on his tax hike plan. The truth is, he doesn’t really have a plan. From Crains…
Monday, Mr. Quinn suggested that part of the (income tax hike) proceeds would go to cut local property taxes for schools, but much of the $3 billion left after that would be used to replace existing state aid to education — thereby providing indirect budget relief.
“A great deal of it” would be used as an offset for existing state aide, Mr. Quinn said at one point. But at another, he said things like, “We want to invest in education and low property taxes.”
In other words, Quinn’s “education surcharge” is basically the infamous Lottery scam under a different name.
Man, I’m really getting tired of these flip-flops.
* In other weird education-related news, the IEA’s latest anti Bill Brady Internet video is a bit on the creepy side…
Senate Bill 3146 would circumvent the village’s home rule authority, which means the state would control Arlington Park’s slot machine operations.
No. The home rule circumvention means that the town couldn’t stop the slot machines from being placed at the track. The Gaming Board will have control of the slots, just like at the casinos.
* The Palatine Tea Party sent me an e-mail this afternoon saying this radio ad will be playing statewide. I put it on YouTube so you could listen easier…
It’s supposed to be a “get out the vote” ad, but I’m not sure that thing’s gonna motivate anybody. Whew. Somebody got ripped off.
Eighth Congressional candidate Joe Walsh bills himself as an average Joe who, like many, fell victim to hard times when his Evanston condominium was foreclosed upon last year. […]
Yet, court records show Walsh had state and federal liens for unpaid taxes long before the recession began in 2007. […]
Starting in 1992, Walsh was handed several liens for failing to pay state and federal income taxes, together totaling nearly $25,000, according to records from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.
The first lien, in June 1992, was for failing to pay $2,239 in federal income taxes.
In June 1994, Walsh was handed a lien for failing to pay $21,566 in federal income taxes, some going as far back as 1985. Six months later, the state placed another lien for Walsh’s failure to pay $778 in state income taxes. He eventually paid them off and the last lien cleared in 2001.
Oops.
* The most breathless press release of the season is from Republican Joel Pollak’s campaign this morning…
In a speech last night at the Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park,incumbent Jan Schakowsky urged fellow Democrats to intimidate voters into supporting her and other candidates:
“All around the country, people are trying to replicate what we do in Chicago. They–we have a tradition of knockin’ on doors, of pulling people out–you know, people, they talk about ‘message’ and ‘persuasion.’ Here’s our message: ‘I don’t get off your doorstep until you get out to the polls and vote.’ That’s our message! That’s our message!”
Schakowsky is explicitly encouraging Democrats to commit the crime of intimidation.
Yeah. OK.
* Speaking of Schakowsky, the Teaparazzi failed to even get an acknowledgement of their presence the other day. Watch…
* Scott Lee Cohen’s latest targeted mailer clumsily features a Menora…
The guy is doing a ton of mail and nobody’s covering him.
* And, finally, the Jeff Tobolski for Cook County Board campaign is claiming that the Tony Peraica folks are attaching a nasty sticker to their yard signs…
I suppose I’ll stop knocking on people’s doors and asking if they support a candidate and instead chase them around town with a camera in their faces demanding they talk to me. I don’t want to get accused of intimidation!
Yesterday I just received my 6th piece from SLC, no menora yet though. You would think that for all the $ spent on mail they could have afforded a photo shoot so the SLC photo is not always the same.
That IL Tea Party radio ad was so hilarious. I agree, they got ripped off. Don’t spend any money on airtime for that one TPers, that ad is a loser. You won’t get a single click on your website from that confusing and strange ad.
The IEA Brady Bunch ad is cute and has a good message. The only part I don’t like is the kids singing. It is creepy-ish. Still I give it a 7/10. Seems likely to help spook their members into voting for Quinn.
As you will, or should read on my blog, prior to our questioning of Schakowsky, she, along with Lou Lang, spoke at a “Get out the Vote” rally on Oakton next to Skokie’s village hall. In short, it was a public event, on a public street–there was even a lectern.
As for Schakowsky, didn’t she send an old lady to jump on the hood of Dan Rostenskowski’s car?
I wasn’t sent there by anybody. I just replied to an Organizing for America email. I didn’t even know Jan would be there.
- Jake from Elwood - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:04 pm:
It looks like the IEA ad was put together by a couple of 5th graders. It fell flat visually, auditorily and informationally.
Even Florence Henderson should be cringing.
I will enter an “F” in my gradebook.
The question I still have for the IEA, which is worse, telling you I am going to give you X and then not give it to you or just tell you what I am actually going to give you?
Is there a more unpleasant personality in any elected office in the United States than Jan Schakowsky’s? She makes Nancy Pelosi seem Mother Teresa like in comparison. Yes, she is a first class ideologue and panderer and exists only because she represents our version of a rotten borough, but would that the voters of Evanston would look one day beyond abortions and unions to some better definition of e pluribus unum.
Rich - I disagree on the Pollak press release. If Schakowsky did in fact say == ‘I don’t get off your doorstep until you get out to the polls and vote.’ That’s our message! That’s our message!” == what else do you call that? That’s baloney. Pollak’s press release is not the story here.
About the IEA ad - I never know you could shoot laser beams out of your eyes powerful enough to blow up a school. I wish I knew that in 5th grade. It could have come in handy.
47th ward, while we are trading jokey insults around, chew on this.
Now that Schakowsky has been serially hounded about the constitutionality of mandated purchase of health insurance, Joel Pollak saw her flipping through a copy of the constitution. When Schakowsky saw that Joel was watching her, she put the Constitution back in her purse.
At least the Constituion is more practical than carrying Charlie Rangel around in your purse.
non-shore, why don’t you file a law suit about mandated coverage? In my copy of the Constitution, it’s the courts, not the legislature, that resolves these kinds of disputes. Chew on that.
*Now that Schakowsky has been serially hounded about the constitutionality of mandated purchase of health insurance, Joel Pollak saw her flipping through a copy of the constitution. When Schakowsky saw that Joel was watching her, she put the Constitution back in her purse.*
I am sure the seeds of self doubt that Joel and his fellow Tea Party Patriots ™ have sown in Shakowsky’s head is all the victory they will need come November 3rd.
So Governor Quinn, your plan is basically less definitive and on a longer timetable to implementation than that progressive income tax that you derided in the primary? Got it. Good to see that you’re such a part of the solution in this state, not the problem.
Whose fundraising for Q3 was 88% higher than Schakowsky’s.
- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:05 pm:
- longer timetable to implementation than that progressive income tax that you derided in the primary? -
What are you smoking? You think it would be faster to get an amendment passed to allow a progressive income tax and then actually get a bill passed to implement one? Quinn never derided the progressive income tax, just the lie that it could be done fast enough to help with the state’s current problems. Pass some of that stuff my way if you get a chance.
Not only is the IEA ad creepy, but it’s childish. Most people gave up making fun of others names after the sixth grade. The ad looks like it was produced by an immature ham handed goon. F
I work in advertising and marketing and the cardinal rule is:
If you’re going to go with the first, most obvious idea, it and the execution better be home runs.
The IEA video ain’t. “I got it! The Brady Bunch!” The plastering big heads on clips is like the old “ransom note” multiple type faces from 20 years ago that still pop up now and again. Been done.
It’s like “We Mean Business” for commercial banks or “Talk is Cheap” for cell phone plans. Or “this baby is xxxx in debt” for certain politicians.
I hope they’re not paying Creative Director fees, because they’re getting intern work. Believe it.
I’m referring to advertising interns, not the storied line of interns at the Cap Fax, all of whom will be supporting me with their earnings in my old age.
Bluefish - It doesn’t surprise me a bit that Chaney is capable of that. LOL
I still think Brady could get some real points by passing out light green footwear made up only of a soft plastic sole and two white straps. They would be called…… wait for it…….wait for it……Pat Quinn flip flops.
I’ve gotten 5 mail pieces from SLC. I have not received a single mail piece from any other candidate and I’ve voted in every single election since moving to Chicago over four years ago. I’m with you, Rich—I can’t help but think all of SLC’s mail is going to have an impact.
Happy to give you what I’m smoking if you give the Governor some, too. Quinn has 0 chance of passing anything through the GA b/c he refuses to take on Madigan — even though he promised that he’d do so on the budget: (1) after the primary; and then (2) during the veto session. He lied. Repeatedly.
The progressive tax would’ve been on the ballot RIGHT NOW. Passage would’ve been in 2 weeks — and, since it would affect exactly 3% of the population, it might actually have passed. And Madigan, recognizing that it had passed, would have no reason to hold up its implementation, since that would forestall a middle class tax increase that most people oppose, but which Quinn favors — because when push comes to shove, he’s a leader bankrupt of direction and vision.
But hey, that’s just me — and the rating agencies, I suppose, who continue to downgrade our debt because of Quinn’s fecklessness.
That IEA ad isn’t nearly as good as the Brady Bunch ad by a UIS student in Ron Michaelson’s campaigns class. That one was well produced and NOT creepy. I think you posted that, right?
Rich, LOL. Thanks — I’ll try. My main point is really this: Quinn is exactly as far on resolving the budget as he’d have been if he embraced a policy that he’d spent his career fighting for — and which most other states actually have. And, even if he had been wrong, that at least would’ve been a real public policy debate about the budget and the future, unlike the lack of debate between Quinn and Brady that we’re having now. It’s the most crucial debate that we can have, and both of these guys are obfuscating. Brady will find his magic beans. And, as for Quinn, as you point out, we STILL don’t even know his position on revenues (except that he “has heart”), and he’s the Governor!
I think Governor Quinn is showing not just what can be called a flip-flop on his tax hike plan, but real confusion on the revenue that can be realized from a 1% tax hike for education and local educational costs. There is simply no way a one percent income tax increase for education could generate enough money to both keep funding flat and also cut local property taxes for schools.
Really at best it might keep property taxes from rising more rapidly in order to maintain flat funding for local school districts.
==In my copy of the Constitution, it’s the courts, not the legislature, that resolves these kinds of disputes. Chew on that.==
Funny, my copy says nothing of the sort. But it does say that the president is supposed to take an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.” I guess you think he’s supposed to do that by doing whatever he wants until the courts tell him to stop? Or, to bring it down to the state level, the General Assembly should pass and the governor should sign a bill enacting a graduated tax, because the Illinois SC hasn’t told them not to?
- Cal Skinner - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:44 pm:
The sticker made me chuckle.
- EazyTurner - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:46 pm:
I suppose I’ll stop knocking on people’s doors and asking if they support a candidate and instead chase them around town with a camera in their faces demanding they talk to me. I don’t want to get accused of intimidation!
- Reggie P - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
Yesterday I just received my 6th piece from SLC, no menora yet though. You would think that for all the $ spent on mail they could have afforded a photo shoot so the SLC photo is not always the same.
- Really?? - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:48 pm:
So the press never learns. They didn’t cover SLC the last time around, and look what happened.
- A.B. - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:52 pm:
Jan S and her husband have been known and accused of many suspect campaign activities over the years, but this claim is BEYOND weak.
- siriusly - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:57 pm:
That IL Tea Party radio ad was so hilarious. I agree, they got ripped off. Don’t spend any money on airtime for that one TPers, that ad is a loser. You won’t get a single click on your website from that confusing and strange ad.
The IEA Brady Bunch ad is cute and has a good message. The only part I don’t like is the kids singing. It is creepy-ish. Still I give it a 7/10. Seems likely to help spook their members into voting for Quinn.
- John Ruberry - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:01 pm:
As you will, or should read on my blog, prior to our questioning of Schakowsky, she, along with Lou Lang, spoke at a “Get out the Vote” rally on Oakton next to Skokie’s village hall. In short, it was a public event, on a public street–there was even a lectern.
As for Schakowsky, didn’t she send an old lady to jump on the hood of Dan Rostenskowski’s car?
I wasn’t sent there by anybody. I just replied to an Organizing for America email. I didn’t even know Jan would be there.
- Jake from Elwood - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:04 pm:
It looks like the IEA ad was put together by a couple of 5th graders. It fell flat visually, auditorily and informationally.
Even Florence Henderson should be cringing.
I will enter an “F” in my gradebook.
- EazyTurner - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:06 pm:
You’ve either never been a part of or seen GOTV efforts or have a warped idea of what voter intimidation is.
- Old Milwaukee - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:08 pm:
The esteemed IEA put that out? Our educators? Nice addition to the dialogue from this group. Snark.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:09 pm:
The question I still have for the IEA, which is worse, telling you I am going to give you X and then not give it to you or just tell you what I am actually going to give you?
- Levois - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:10 pm:
“Man, I’m really getting tired of these flip-flops.”
Great line for an attack ad.
- non-shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:12 pm:
More Schakowsky question-avoidance:
http://biggovernment.com/amarcus/2010/10/19/jan-schakowsky-refuses-to-answer-tough-questions/
Also, was the intimidation comment an actual press release, or a note on a blog?
Marathon pundit, you are truly a citizen journalist!
- Vole - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:16 pm:
“The truth is, he doesn’t really have a plan”
Sadly, true. I concede. The primary voters blew it. We need a mulligan.
- walter sobchak - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:16 pm:
Is there a more unpleasant personality in any elected office in the United States than Jan Schakowsky’s? She makes Nancy Pelosi seem Mother Teresa like in comparison. Yes, she is a first class ideologue and panderer and exists only because she represents our version of a rotten borough, but would that the voters of Evanston would look one day beyond abortions and unions to some better definition of e pluribus unum.
- Anon 7 - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:18 pm:
Rich - I disagree on the Pollak press release. If Schakowsky did in fact say == ‘I don’t get off your doorstep until you get out to the polls and vote.’ That’s our message! That’s our message!” == what else do you call that? That’s baloney. Pollak’s press release is not the story here.
- John Ruberry - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:20 pm:
Thanks, NS….yes, Pollak’s campaign did issue a press release regarding the Heartland Cafe comments.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:21 pm:
A7, Pollack goes on to suggest she committed a felony. Please. It’s goofy.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:21 pm:
===Marathon pundit, you are truly a citizen journalist.===
LOL! That’s like saying serial arsonists make the best volunteer firefighters.
- Levois - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:27 pm:
I’m pretty sure my old 8th Grade teacher would’ve loved the Brady bunch ad.
- Bluefish - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:29 pm:
About the IEA ad - I never know you could shoot laser beams out of your eyes powerful enough to blow up a school. I wish I knew that in 5th grade. It could have come in handy.
- Really?? - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:30 pm:
That Tea Party radio ad sounds like an elementary school film strip.
- Bluefish - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:31 pm:
I meant I never knew. Shows that I missed out on a lot in 5th grade.
- non-shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:32 pm:
47th ward, while we are trading jokey insults around, chew on this.
Now that Schakowsky has been serially hounded about the constitutionality of mandated purchase of health insurance, Joel Pollak saw her flipping through a copy of the constitution. When Schakowsky saw that Joel was watching her, she put the Constitution back in her purse.
At least the Constituion is more practical than carrying Charlie Rangel around in your purse.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:35 pm:
non-shore, why don’t you file a law suit about mandated coverage? In my copy of the Constitution, it’s the courts, not the legislature, that resolves these kinds of disputes. Chew on that.
- Hank - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:36 pm:
Man, I’m really getting tired of these flip-flops.
Cheer up, only four more years and we can try again!!
- OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:38 pm:
Bluefish…
I think at this point the IEA is claiming that Brady is a Jedi
- Montrose - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:38 pm:
*Now that Schakowsky has been serially hounded about the constitutionality of mandated purchase of health insurance, Joel Pollak saw her flipping through a copy of the constitution. When Schakowsky saw that Joel was watching her, she put the Constitution back in her purse.*
I am sure the seeds of self doubt that Joel and his fellow Tea Party Patriots ™ have sown in Shakowsky’s head is all the victory they will need come November 3rd.
- Old Milwaukee - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:42 pm:
Vocabulary words of the day for all the students of our Illinois schools, courtesy of the IEA, are “copyright infringement”.
- Corduroy Bob - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:42 pm:
So Governor Quinn, your plan is basically less definitive and on a longer timetable to implementation than that progressive income tax that you derided in the primary? Got it. Good to see that you’re such a part of the solution in this state, not the problem.
- non-shore - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:43 pm:
47th ward, the issue is already being litigated quite strenuously, thank you.
That is as it should be.
- John Bambenek - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:46 pm:
It looks like the IEA ad was written and produced by out-of-work high school guidance counselors.
- Josh - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:00 pm:
Rich, it’s still P-O-L-L-A-K.
Whose fundraising for Q3 was 88% higher than Schakowsky’s.
- Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:05 pm:
- longer timetable to implementation than that progressive income tax that you derided in the primary? -
What are you smoking? You think it would be faster to get an amendment passed to allow a progressive income tax and then actually get a bill passed to implement one? Quinn never derided the progressive income tax, just the lie that it could be done fast enough to help with the state’s current problems. Pass some of that stuff my way if you get a chance.
- We Todd Did - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:11 pm:
Not only is the IEA ad creepy, but it’s childish. Most people gave up making fun of others names after the sixth grade. The ad looks like it was produced by an immature ham handed goon. F
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:16 pm:
Regarding the Brady Bunch:
I work in advertising and marketing and the cardinal rule is:
If you’re going to go with the first, most obvious idea, it and the execution better be home runs.
The IEA video ain’t. “I got it! The Brady Bunch!” The plastering big heads on clips is like the old “ransom note” multiple type faces from 20 years ago that still pop up now and again. Been done.
It’s like “We Mean Business” for commercial banks or “Talk is Cheap” for cell phone plans. Or “this baby is xxxx in debt” for certain politicians.
I hope they’re not paying Creative Director fees, because they’re getting intern work. Believe it.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:17 pm:
I’m referring to advertising interns, not the storied line of interns at the Cap Fax, all of whom will be supporting me with their earnings in my old age.
- Phil - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:17 pm:
Interesting, Peraica folks would do that. I wonder what office he will run for next?
- Irish - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:28 pm:
Bluefish - It doesn’t surprise me a bit that Chaney is capable of that. LOL
I still think Brady could get some real points by passing out light green footwear made up only of a soft plastic sole and two white straps. They would be called…… wait for it…….wait for it……Pat Quinn flip flops.
- Brook Jacoby - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:31 pm:
I’ve gotten 5 mail pieces from SLC. I have not received a single mail piece from any other candidate and I’ve voted in every single election since moving to Chicago over four years ago. I’m with you, Rich—I can’t help but think all of SLC’s mail is going to have an impact.
- Corduroy Bob - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:35 pm:
Small Town Liberal,
Happy to give you what I’m smoking if you give the Governor some, too. Quinn has 0 chance of passing anything through the GA b/c he refuses to take on Madigan — even though he promised that he’d do so on the budget: (1) after the primary; and then (2) during the veto session. He lied. Repeatedly.
The progressive tax would’ve been on the ballot RIGHT NOW. Passage would’ve been in 2 weeks — and, since it would affect exactly 3% of the population, it might actually have passed. And Madigan, recognizing that it had passed, would have no reason to hold up its implementation, since that would forestall a middle class tax increase that most people oppose, but which Quinn favors — because when push comes to shove, he’s a leader bankrupt of direction and vision.
But hey, that’s just me — and the rating agencies, I suppose, who continue to downgrade our debt because of Quinn’s fecklessness.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:37 pm:
===The progressive tax would’ve been on the ballot RIGHT NOW. Passage would’ve been in 2 weeks ===
CB, whatever you’ve been smoking, stop. It’s hurting your brain.
- Samwise - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:38 pm:
That IEA ad isn’t nearly as good as the Brady Bunch ad by a UIS student in Ron Michaelson’s campaigns class. That one was well produced and NOT creepy. I think you posted that, right?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:40 pm:
Yes, I did.
- Corduroy Bob - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:44 pm:
Rich, LOL. Thanks — I’ll try. My main point is really this: Quinn is exactly as far on resolving the budget as he’d have been if he embraced a policy that he’d spent his career fighting for — and which most other states actually have. And, even if he had been wrong, that at least would’ve been a real public policy debate about the budget and the future, unlike the lack of debate between Quinn and Brady that we’re having now. It’s the most crucial debate that we can have, and both of these guys are obfuscating. Brady will find his magic beans. And, as for Quinn, as you point out, we STILL don’t even know his position on revenues (except that he “has heart”), and he’s the Governor!
- Ditka - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:52 pm:
A little off topic, but with all these “poor” choices (gov/senate race) and voter frustration, how far away are we from a throw everyone out movement?
- Rod - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 5:10 pm:
I think Governor Quinn is showing not just what can be called a flip-flop on his tax hike plan, but real confusion on the revenue that can be realized from a 1% tax hike for education and local educational costs. There is simply no way a one percent income tax increase for education could generate enough money to both keep funding flat and also cut local property taxes for schools.
Really at best it might keep property taxes from rising more rapidly in order to maintain flat funding for local school districts.
- Macoupin Observer - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:13 pm:
Rich that Brady Bunch internet ad is no better than the cable news.
- Justme - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:27 pm:
==In my copy of the Constitution, it’s the courts, not the legislature, that resolves these kinds of disputes. Chew on that.==
Funny, my copy says nothing of the sort. But it does say that the president is supposed to take an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.” I guess you think he’s supposed to do that by doing whatever he wants until the courts tell him to stop? Or, to bring it down to the state level, the General Assembly should pass and the governor should sign a bill enacting a graduated tax, because the Illinois SC hasn’t told them not to?