* Greg Hinz…

As J.B. Pritzker nears a decision on whether to run for governor, the Chicago businessman would have to deal with past family political contributions to a group that pushed to cut back on state worker pensions.

I don’t see any signs that the donations from Pritzker and his wife, M.K. Pritzker, would poison his bid to win backing from organized labor. But with a potentially huge field of Democrats vying to take on GOP incumbent Bruce Rauner, the gifts definitely are getting some attention.

The donations—$10,000 each—came in December 2011 and went to the We Mean Business PAC, a group formed by Civic Committee President Ty Fahner to pressure state lawmakers to enact pension changes over union opposition.

The group ended up doing just that, giving large donations to several candidates opposed by labor—though one $10,000 check ironically went to House Speaker Mike Madigan, who enacted pension changes that later were tossed out by the Illinois Supreme Court. […]

“This was about trying to raise awareness of a problem during a time of tremendous crisis facing our state,” says the spokeswoman. “Unfortunately, we’re still facing this crisis today because Gov. Rauner has turned this into an ideological issue when it instead deserves actual leadership. Illinois needs a governor who will work with everyone, especially labor, to stabilize our pension funds and protect workers’ retirement.”

One union leader I spoke with, who asked not to be named, said he doubted the donations would be a major factor when it makes an endorsement. Pritzker’s backing for a $15 minimum wage “is a much bigger deal for us,” that source said.

They actually reported giving Madigan two $10K contris.

Ironically enough, Bruce and Diana Rauner also gave $10K each to that Fahner PAC about ten months after the Pritzker contributions.

Aside from Madigan, the PAC also contributed to Democratic Reps. Christian Mitchell (five times), Elaine Nekrtiz (thrice), Carol Sente and John Bradley (twice). Sen. Daniel Biss, a possible progressive candidate for governor, received two contributions.

So, I dunno. But it’s a fun little bit of oppo a year before the primary.