* Michael Ferro, who has taken over the Tribune and used to be the largest shareholder of the Sun-Times, told the Trib that he does not get involved in editorial decisions. “That’s not my gig”…
One incident in particular led to a public discussion as to whether Ferro’s influence crossed over into editorial decisions at the Sun-Times. It began with an unflattering October 2014 article by political reporter Dave McKinney about then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Rauner, an original Wrapports investor who sold his 10 percent stake back to Ferro before entering the race.
The Rauner campaign raised concerns with the Sun-Times that McKinney’s marriage to Democratic political strategist Ann Liston represented an “extraordinary” conflict of interest.
McKinney said he was placed on leave two days after his Rauner story ran. He resigned two weeks later, suggesting at the time he was taken off his beat by Ferro in retaliation for the story.
Ferro said he had nothing to do with that decision.
“By the time it came to me, they just wanted to tell me what was going on,” Ferro said. “The only advice I gave them was to do the right thing. … This is a funny thing about journalists. They don’t like being questioned about their honor, but they question everybody’s honor every day.”
Hmm. All he said was “Do the right thing”? OK, but I doubt he needed to give them a road map to arrive at Ferro’s preferred “right thing” destination in that case.
Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Nearly 1,900 people responded to the recent Citizen’s Utility Board survey about Exelon’s push to bailout its nuclear plants. Here is how CUB put it:
“Exelon says keeping its nuclear plants open will fight climate change—and they need economic help. Opponents say Exelon just wants bigger profits.
Should Illinois give unprofitable nuclear plants more money if it helps fight climate change?
No:1,583 (about 84 percent)
Yes:298 (about 16 percent)”
—————————————————
Illinois still has no budget, the state’s finances and services are in shambles, the social safety net is being decimated but Exelon STILL wants the Legislature to pass a huge BAILOUT.
BEST Coalition is a 501C4 nonprofit group of dozens of business, consumer and government groups, as well as large and small businesses. Visitwww.noexelonbailout.com.
The secret about candidate Juliana Stratton? Stratton is really a puppet, a pet for Rahm Emanuel and the politicians who abuse our community. They won’t pass a budget, they eliminate home care for seniors and child care for working parents.
Ken Dunkin’s the stronger choice. Dunkin doesn’t work for Rahm, he works for the people. Dunkin wrote the plan to shut down red light and speed cameras. Dunkin took on Republicans to restore child care. Dunkin gets tough for us.
State chamber chief Todd Maisch defends the spot, saying Dunkin “has demonstrated he is more attuned to job-creation issues than a lot of other members” and has been helpful to the chamber on more than one occasion. Undermining the speaker’s power certain would qualify on that score, too.
I guess he woulda been helpful on “more than one occasion” because he has a 47 percent rating from the Chamber. But do you think anyone else would get a million bucks from the Chamber with a voting record like that?
“I would disagree we were going after him,” Maisch replied. “We’re very supportive of some of his programs as mayor.”
Um, OK.
* Hinz also talked to Greg Goldner, who runs Illinois GO, which paid for the ad, then writes…
I’d sure like to be there the next time Goldner asks for a favor from City Hall. “His influence is gone,” says one insider. Or for that matter, the next time the state chamber wants Chicago help on one of its bills. Says a top Emanuel hand, “The chamber now has zero influence on Democrats. They’ve dropped any semblance of being anything except a Rauner puppet.”
My, my. Sure looks like they’re making progress on a Springfield budget deal, no?
* Speaker Madigan isn’t making a whole lot of new pals in the Quad Cities these days. I’ve already told you about what he’s doing to House candidate Katelyn Hotle, but check this out…
Statement from Citizens for Jeff Jacobs on Halpin TV Attacks
Yesterday, March 9, 2016 the Illinois State Board of Elections reported a contribution of $75,000 to the Mike Halpin campaign from State Representative Mike Smiddy. Until this past weekend, Representative Smiddy had professed to be neutral on this campaign.
On Monday, March 7, 2016, Smiddy called Representative Pat Verschoore to tell him Madigan’s staff had called and pressured him heavily to contribute money to the Halpin campaign immediately. He apologized to Representative Verschoore for his call but said “I had to do it for my future.” This clearly shows that Speaker Madigan’s promise of neutrality to Rep Pat Verschoore was untrue.
The money is being spent to continue funding baseless and untrue claims by Mike Halpin against Jeff Jacobs. For over five weeks now, Halpin has been attacking Jacobs with these untrue claims to confuse voters. “This is the kind of politics that creates deadlocks and prevents us from getting things done for the people of Illinois in Springfield,” said Jeff Jacobs. The Halpin campaign has trailed Jacobs in various polls for the duration of the campaign. The money from Smiddy is clearly intended to smear Jacobs with untruths in the final days through heavy TV, personal phone calls to voters and direct mail
“Our campaign from day one has been about positive ways to grow our Middle Class through good paying jobs in our communities while working together here and in Springfield to build, not destroy,” said Jacobs.
Verschoore has backed his nephew Jacobs from the get-go. Madigan has claimed time and time again that he’s neutral. But, just like the Dunkin race, it’s not very believable. And just like the Dunkin race, we now have some evidence that he didn’t tell the truth here, either.
I tried e-mailing, calling and texting Rep. Smiddy. If he ever responds, I’ll post it in full.
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Smiddy’s response…
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Meanwhile, speaking of Hotle, she has one of the better homemade social media ads I’ve seen in a while…
A few more bucks for production and lots more dollars to put it on TV and that might’ve made a difference.
* Hotle, by the way, was endorsed this week by the Moline Dispatch…
Leading the money race in the four-way battle for the Democrats is a pair of lawyers who have split local party and labor backing: Mike Halpin and Jeff Jacobs.
By contrast, Rock Island Ald. Kate Hotle and Glen Evans, are outside looking in on the money race, though Ald. Hotle has felt its bite as the target of attack mailers paid for by Speaker Madigan. We urge voters to reject specious claims, including that she is a Rauner plant, and to focus on the facts. The only elected official in the field, Ms. Hotle is a hard working alderman not afraid to make the tough decisions. She could be the independent voice in Springfield some crave. She also promises a “better style of politics” our state needs.
* From 47th Ward Democratic Committeeman Paul Rosenfeld…
Hi Rich,
I thought I would let you know what we’re doing in the 47th ward. This is my first election as Committeeman, I’m unopposed, and we have no local races at all- except one judicial race. I still want to have a high turnout and I want to do well for our slate of endorsed candidates (i.e. Kim Foxx), so we created an entire voter mobilization campaign around our neighborhood public schools.
Last week, we put up 100’s of yard signs that say “We vote because of______ school”, a piece of mail hit with the same message (our local elected’s are all holding the sign) and our volunteers hit the doors saying “Rauner and the Republicans want to ruin CPS which will ruin our property values…”.
The result was last weekend we had the highest early vote total of any ward (the 13th Ward was second highest). Currently, the 47th Ward is 29th in weighted vote in Chicago based on last primary vote turnout. Today, we are in the top 5 in early vote/absentee voting.
The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry has sent a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislators saying economic and social progress made in the Joliet area is being “wiped away” by the actions of state leaders.
The letter which outlines cuts being made by local social service agencies, argues that the business climate in Illinois is being ruined by the state budget crisis and suggests the fault lies with the state’s political leaders.
“Partisan opposition and tactical maneuvering are not new elements to the political landscape in Illinois or in the nation,” the letter reads. “So this begets the question, are the issues Illinois is presently facing any more complex than those of the past, or is the current roster of political participants simply not up to the task?”
Good question.
* Comptroller Leslie Munger was in Joliet this week…
Imagine, if you would, Munger said: $7,000 in bills on the kitchen table, $2,000 in bills in the mail, $110,000 in credit card debt and $100 in your bank account for daily spending.
Illinois is grappling with that same ratio, she said, but tack on six additional zeroes at the end of those figures.
“That’s no way to run a state,” she said.
I assume that $110,000 she refers to is pension debt, so it’s more like a long-term mortgage than credit cards, but it’s not a bad analogy otherwise. People in situations like that often have to get another job, by the way. It’s what my parents did when I was a kid. Bankruptcy was not an acceptable option (and it’s not possible with the state). They economized away luxuries and extras, but they needed more revenue to keep the kids fed and housed and the car running.
Illinois African-American lawmakers came out swinging against Governor Bruce Rauner on Wednesday over a jobs training program crippled by the Illinois budget impasse.
State Senator Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), chairman of the Senate Black Caucus, complained yesterday that without a budget the Transportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training (TCART) program, which provides minorities, disadvantaged people and women with access and training to work in the highway construction trades is no longer functioning.
“The governor’s political battle over his turnaround agenda is killing jobs and opportunities for young black males in communities across the state,” Jones said. “I just find it particularly interesting that the governor is willing to let successful job programs suffer, but cut deals to find funding for downstate prisons.”
According to Jones, as of May 15, 2015, the TCART program had generated 340 jobs for African Americans, women and the disadvantaged. The average hourly wage for participants is nearly $17 per hour, with more than 41 percent of those hired earning between $16 and $43 per hour.
State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) cited the governor’s Illinois “turnaround” theme to argue for the jobs training program.
“I believe government should be focused on trying to solve programs,” Evans said. “Bringing more income into the state through business growth and developing neighborhoods is the key to sustainable results. This governor talks about turning this state around – this program takes us in the direction of doing just that.”
Gov. Rauner made a very big deal last year out of helping minorities move into construction trades.
“I’ve known Bryce for over a decade and am proud to call him a friend. We both grew up in Taylorville and share the same small town values – hard work, honesty and accountability. I know Bryce will serve us with the same dedication and integrity that he’s brought to his career in law enforcement. I am proud to endorse Bryce Benton for State Senate because he’ll make sure our children will inherit a better, stronger Illinois.”
“When you think about Central Illinois and the 50th Senate district – its people who work hard, play by the rules, have a strong faith in God, love their community and are frustrated with state government. Bryce epitomizes those values. He has served us honorably as a law enforcement officer, and will serve voters well in the State Senate. I endorse Bryce Benton for State Senate because he’s one of us, and will serve us with integrity and pride.”
* Meanwhile, a blast e-mail isn’t gonna do much, obviously, but AFSCME has been trying to convince its members to take GOP ballots and vote for McCann. I’m not sure it’ll work, particularly after what happened in Michigan this week. Democrats may now take D ballots to vote for their favorite presidential candidate…
$2.5 million! That’s how much Bruce Rauner’s cronies have spent to defeat Senator Sam McCann—all because Sam dared to defy Rauner and stand up for the people of his district.
Sam McCann stood with state employees to support SB 1229 and HB 580, legislation to ensure a fair contract settlement. He stood with senior citizens in voting against cuts to pension benefits and retiree health care. He stood up for public employees everywhere who deserve fair treatment.
That’s why AFSCME, Illinois Education Association, FOP, Police Benevolent, Firefighters and dozens of other unions are all supporting Sam McCann for State Senator.
Sam put his whole political career on the line to stand with us. Now he’s counting on us to stand with him on Election Day.
Even if you’ve never voted before—or never voted in a Republican primary before—now is the time to take a Republican ballot and cast your vote for Sam McCann.
And please don’t vote alone—when you go to your polling place, bring your spouse, your brother, your sister, your neighbor. Encourage everyone you know to cast their vote for Sam McCann.
Vote early! Early voting is now underway at a polling place near you. Most early voting locations are open all day Saturday. Click here to find the polling place nearest you for early voting.
Or vote on Tuesday, March 15 at your local polling place any time from 6AM to 7 PM.
If you don’t vote, Bruce Rauner and his big-money pals win. If we all vote together, we can send a powerful message that we will stand with those who stand with us.
With less than a week to go, let’s go all-in to reelect Sam McCann.
Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Credit unions exist to help people, not make a profit. It is this motto of ‘People Helping People’ that sets credit unions apart. Credit unions exist as member owned, not-for- profit financial institutions that have a strong sense of community. Historically, credit unions have championed the cause of supporting underserved communities. In its 36 years of service, the Illinois Credit Union Foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships, community service grants, assistance to peer assistance programs, emergencies and natural disaster efforts, and community involvement projects. If you are not yet a credit union member, go to ASmarterChoice.org to discover of all the advantages that membership holds.
Help to strengthen our communities from the inside out by becoming a credit union member today!
* These late hits don’t work as well as they used to, partly because of early voting and partly because people just don’t believe them. But it’s getting some play in Elgin.
State Senate candidate Steve Caramelli has been suspended several times during his 10-year career as an Illinois state trooper, according to police files obtained via an open records request.
Documented infractions include pornography found on his work computer, pulling his weapon on a hospital valet and chasing a fleeing motorcyclist who fatally crashed, according to records released by the Illinois State Police.
Caramelli, a Hanover Township trustee and Democratic committeeman in Tuesday’s primary against Cristina Castro for the 22nd District seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Noland, has been disciplined at least seven times for incidents since 2007, according to state police records.
The 39-year-old Hoffman Estates resident said he was at one point part of the motorcycle enforcement bureau, a “very targeted unit” that focused on DUI, seat belt, speeding, improper lane usage and reckless driving violations.
“When you’re doing 26 stops a day and you’re writing over 50 tickets, you’re going to come across people who are unhappy,” he said. Caramelli said troopers had quotas and “had to produce volume” in the unit.
Go read the whole thing. This story has the feel of an oppo report plant, but whatevs. It’s gonna leave a mark either way. The question is how deep of a mark it’ll be.
* The race has recently turned ugly…
Neither side has much money, however. Ergo, the apparent oppo plant.
* But Sen. Kwame Raoul did go off on the Prince of Snarkness yesterday in committee…
Oof.
…Adding… Sen. Raoul was apparently responding to Goldberg’s statement about how the last time he appeared before the committee the Senate Democrats were holding “sham” hearings to end negotiations and vote down the Governor’s proposals. Goldberg’s “YouTube” comment refers back to one of those hearings where Raoul again lost his temper. Click here.
* Goldberg said this yesterday at the hearing regarding the pension reform plan…
“We will support any language that the Senate President puts forward”
He qualified it by adding something about if the bill saves money. But, still. That’s a pretty broad invitation for Democratic poison pills.
Any suggestions?
* While we’re somewhat on this topic, here’s a letter from the governor’s education czar…
Dear Superintendents,
Yesterday a letter addressed to me was sent to you by Senate President Cullerton regarding funding Illinois PK-12 schools. Luckily, the letter was also printed in Capitol Fax, so I also had a chance to read it.
To reiterate, Governor Rauner’s proposed budget has three primary goals:
1. End proration of the current funding formula, which disproportionately affects low-income students.
2. Increase early childhood funding by $75,000,000 in order to increase the number of full-day preschool seats available statewide and to ensure continued operation of the current programs.
3. Continue to fund Safe and Alternative Schools.
If passed by the General Assembly, Governor Rauner will sign the bill immediately into law, thereby allowing you to begin planning for 2016-2017 school year.
The Governor agrees and has stated repeatedly that the current funding formula is inadequate. Illinois is last in state support for local education and has some of the largest funding disparities in the country on a district-by-district basis. We believe that more money is needed to support our children, especially those who live in poverty. We have pledged to continue to work with supporters of reform to determine how to create a funding formula that better meets the needs of all children.
Given the history of formula change efforts during times of one-party control, such a compromise will likely not be reached quickly in the current climate. President Cullerton and other Democratic lawmakers did not threaten to hold up school funding last year or years prior — only now that Governor Rauner has been in office for one year. During this first year, the Governor has proposed record funding for PK-12 schools in two consecutive budgets and is hoping to end proration for the first time since 2009. Again, I urge you to support his proposal so that schools open on time in the fall while we continue to work together toward bipartisan funding formula reform.
Sincerely,
Beth Purvis
Secretary of Education
Thanks for the free advertising, Beth, but the governor still has to explain how he can support a funding plan that appears to slash Chicago Public Schools by $78 million. C’mon.
On Thursday afternoon, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown was asked about the Dunkin-Stratton contest and what role the speaker played in getting the Obama endorsement. “We have no involvement in that race,” Brown said.
A half-hour later, a delivery van pulled up to Madigan’s Southwest Side 13th Ward office and two men unloaded hundreds of blue-and-white yard signs with the message “President Barack Obama endorses Juliana Stratton.”
The driver must’ve had the wrong address. It’s all just a simple mistake, because Madigan would never tell a falsehood, right?
* The SJ-R surprised quite a few people last night by endorsing Sen. Sam McCann’s Republican primary opponent…
Going beyond the arbitration vote, we remain deeply troubled by the pattern of incidents involving Sen. McCann that have dogged him for multiple election cycles.
There is confusion about whether McCann has exaggerated or lied about being in the U.S. Marines, a controversy that dates back to his 2010 campaigns and prompted a recent public rebuke from two of Illinois’ congressmen, John Shimkus and Adam Kinzinger, both veterans.
McCann’s construction businesses have been embroiled in liens for alleged tax delinquencies dating back to 2010; McCann has said the government is mistaken and blamed problems with his paperwork filings. He also has faced lawsuits for alleged nonpayment of credit card debt, although three of them were ultimately dismissed. A recent one is pending.
More recently, McCann took more than $38,000 in mileage reimbursements from his campaign fund in the last year. At the federal reimbursement of 57.5 cents per mile, that would mean McCann drove more than 66,000 miles on campaign business last year alone. And that doesn’t count an additional $19,600 in mileage reimbursements from the state since 2011. McCann says he drove those miles to cover his sprawling district, but also admits that “bookkeeping is not one of my strengths.”
These are not isolated blips, but rather an ongoing series of issues. Although the anti-McCann ads have had distortions or overstatements, the liens, mileage questions and other issues should raise serious concerns for voters about McCann’s judgement.
Benton brings a positivity that offers a chance for enthusiasm and change outcomes. Despite his inexperience, he earns the edge for our endorsement.
All good points. It’s amazing to me that he didn’t do more to clear this up before waging battle with the Death Star.
This district, like some other Downstate areas, is very sensitive to “earned media.” Oftentimes, what’s published in newspapers and appears on the TV news is just as or even more important than the ads, which is one difference between TV markets like this one and the Chicago metro area. It’s not that people are more literate or pay more attention, it’s just that legislators are on the TV and radio and are regularly in the papers, so more people tend to know who they are.
State Sen. Sam McCann’s campaign finance committee should be ordered to file amended reports to give specifics on what was purchased for $46,000 in “grouped expenditures” listed, a State Board of Elections hearing officer says.
The hearing officer, board campaign disclosure specialist John Levin, also recommended that there be a public hearing on McCann’s mileage reimbursements from the campaign. The campaign paid McCann more than $38,000 for mileage in April through December of 2015.
The elections board meets Monday – the day before the primary in which McCann, of Plainview, faces a challenge from fellow Republican Bryce Benton of Springfield in the 50th Senate District. […]
“(W)ithout speaking to whether there is sufficient evidence pointing to unwarranted levels of mileage reimbursement … there are enough unanswered questions to support a recommendation that this portion of the complaint move to a public hearing,” Levin wrote. “I therefore recommend the complaint be found to have been filed on justifiable grounds, and that the matter proceed to a public hearing.”
The fate of Southern Illinois basketball postseason has been up in the air over the state’s budget impasse, and the picture got cleared up Wednesday.
Saluki men’s basketball will not participate in a postseason tournament this season, according to a Saluki Athletics press release.
Coach Barry Hinson said there was not one single factor that led to this conclusion.
“We carefully considered a host of factors before reaching the decision to end our season,” he said. “Chief among them were the health and welfare of our players, as well as the budgetary implications of hosting games on our campus during spring break.”
After the team’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament loss to Northern Iowa, Hinson said his team would not pay to play in a postseason tournament “as people are getting ready to lose their jobs.”
* Subscribers were told about this buy earlier today and they have details about the ad itself. What I didn’t know at the time was that the money came from IllinoisGO…
That’s strange — Dunkin is one of the lowest-rated GA members on the chamber’s last scorecard.
I wonder what changed their mind? When’s the Blue Room rollout of the spot so “Hang in There” Todd can give the skinny to media and members statewide as to the importance of Ken Dunkin?
I’m sure all those members statewide who are owed millions by the state for goods and services already rendered want to see the spot and learn all about Dunkin.
I make a $975,000 contribution minus a $960,000 ad buy nets the chamber $15,000 for selling its name.
It’s like the punchline to the old joke — we’ve already established what you are, now we’re just talking price.
Rep. Dunkin voted with the Chamber just 47 percent of the time in the 2013-14 legislative session, the only rating posted on the group’s website.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Meanwhile…
Liberty Principles provides written notice of blowing the caps in the 110th House (Reggie Phillips/Jonathan Kaye). https://t.co/dgMdlD4jh5
* Chew on this partial mailer while I upload ads and mailers for subscribers…
And while I know it will be difficult, please abide by this blog’s commenting rules which forbid violent imagery. You don’t wanna get banned for this guy.
