* Tribune…

In Illinois politics, timing is everything.

Consider fall 2006. J.B. Pritzker was raising money to build a Holocaust museum in north suburban Chicago. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was raising money for his re-election campaign.

Each had what the other wanted.

On Oct. 27, Pritzker and his wife gave $100,000 in campaign contributions to Friends of Blagojevich.

Four days later — a week before the election — Blagojevich announced he was giving a $1 million state grant to support construction of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. Pritzker was the museum’s chief fundraiser.

The piece makes a ton of assumptions and rhetorically connects dots that are not actually connected by facts. No witnesses, no sources, nothing. A whole lot of sizzle in a straight news piece which reads like an opinion column.

I mean, of course Rod would want to dole out a Holocaust Museum grant right before an election. That’s what governors do, particularly that governor.

And that particular governor was also well known for connecting campaign contributions to government and/or political favors. I could definitely see him waiting on Pritzker to help his campaign before releasing the grant money, even if he never told Pritzker any such thing.

* The Pritzker campaign was indignant and made some assumptions of its own…

JB Pritzker Proud of His Work with Survivors to Build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

Baseless Attack by Chicago Tribune is an Affront to an Institution Teaching Illinoisans to Fight Hate

Chicago, IL – In 2009, JB stood with Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and opened the doors to a museum that honors the memory of those killed in the Holocaust and turns powerful lessons of history into positive actions today. It was the culmination of years of work by JB and survivors to make the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center a reality.

Thanks to that hard work, now over 60,000 Illinois kids and teachers come to the museum each year to learn how to fight bigotry and hate. The founding principle of the museum is “Remember the Past, Transform the Future” – an important creed for Americans less than a month after white supremacists descended on Charlottesville.

But in a story out today, the Chicago Tribune tries to reduce the work of JB and Holocaust survivors to a groundless political attack. The story comes as the paper’s pick for governor, Bruce Rauner, has had a horrendous summer and continues to implode. Just yesterday it was reported that Rauner’s former general counsel is the subject of a government ethics complaint.

“JB has nothing but pride for his work with survivors to build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center,” said Pritzker campaign communications director Galia Slayen. “At a time when the phrase ‘Never Forget’ has never felt more relevant, it’s disappointing that the Tribune would try to reduce this museum to be a part of their political agenda.”

One should never connect the editorial stance of a large newspaper to its reporting.

* From the ILGOP…

Pay To Play: Pritzker and Blagojevich Trade $100K Campaign Check for $1 Million State Grant
Tribune report reveals another sad chapter in the extensive Pritzker-Blagojevich relationship

“J.B. Pritzker is just another corrupt insider who tries to buy influence and power. First we learned from FBI wiretap tapes that Pritzker considered buying his way into public office by seeking an appointment to the Treasurer’s office from Rod Blagojevich. Now, we learn Pritzker gave Blagojevich a $100,000 campaign check in return for a $1 million state grant. Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

* And again today…

Quid Pro Quo: Since 1996, Pritzker and Blagojevich Bankrolled Each Other’s Political Interests
Pritzker: “I know Rod [Blagojevich] is going to be very helpful.”

“Quid pro quo - that’s the name of the game for J.B. Pritzker and Rod Blagojevich. Since 1996, Pritzker bankrolled Blagojevich’s political campaigns. In return, Blagojevich propped up Pritzker’s failed campaigns and gave him insider access to state government. Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office just like he bought influence with Blagojevich.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Yesterday in yet another bombshell Tribune report on J.B. Pritzker’s close ties to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, it was revealed that Pritzker and Blagojevich traded campaign cash for state grants.

But Pritzker and Blagojevich are no strangers to helping each other out.

Since 1996, Pritzker bankrolled Blagojevich’s political interests, and in return, Blagojevich and Chicago ward bosses propped up Pritzker’s failed plans to run for office.

While Blagojevich may have failed to elect Pritzker, Pritzker still held up his end of the bargain. Pritzker and his family contributed over $160,000 to Rod Blagojevich’s campaigns.

*** UPDATE ***  From the Tribune story…

Slayen also said the grant was “dated as beginning on Oct. 1, 2006, before any contribution was given.” The agreement, however, does not indicate that Oct. 1 was when the grant began — it states only that the funding applies to costs the museum incurred after Oct. 1. In addition, the grant agreement was not signed until January 2007.

From DCEO’s grant tracker page…

This whole story is really about a gubernatorial announcement, not an award. The grant began October 1st, but the money wasn’t disbursed until January.

       

40 Comments - Moderate Condor - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:05 am: This is exceptionally lazy and unfair. - iggy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:05 am: ILGOP, Do better. this is not your silver bullet. It just isnt. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:15 am: “After exhaustive investigating by a US Attorney, including trials and convictions of many in the Blagojevich administration and ending with a trial and conviction of Rod Blagojevich, not one time was JB questioned, not one time was JB forced to testify, and not a single time did the United States Attorney in all these trials, testimonies, and convictions did the US Attorney find any wrongdoing by JB, nor did the US Attorney even find a need to look at JB as someone to even talk to about Rod Blagojevich. To even hint any wrongdoing or impropriety by JB after months and even years of investigating Rod Blagojevich and his administration when the multitude of investigators and lawyers found none is disingenuous at best and embarrassingly weak investigative work at its worst. The US Attorney litigated these case. They’re over. JB Pritzker wasn’t part of any aspect that the US Attorney felt compelled to investigate” - Fake statement defending JB Pritzker - Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:16 am: I read this article and came away with some different conclusions. JD and RB seemed a lot tighter than first advertised. Makes you wonder what will emerge with a little more digging. “Asked Tuesday whether there was any connection between the $100,000 campaign contribution and the state grant, Pritzker said he didn’t “recall specifically” either the contribution or the grant.” and: “Records show that J.B. and Mary Kathryn Pritzker gave Blagojevich two donations, both recorded on Oct. 27 — one in the amount of $60,000 and the other for $40,000.” and: “Four days later, Blagojevich announced the state grant to the holocaust museum, according to a news release.” and: “In 2005, Blagojevich pledged $3 million to a wealthy Democratic supporter to build a stadium for a minor league team in southern Illinois; the next year gave $1 million to a politically connected private school in the Loop; and pledged $1 million to rebuild the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Bronzeville after it was heavily damaged in a fire. When Blagojevich found himself criticized for attempting to funnel taxpayer money to the church, Pritzker bolstered the governor’s initiative by pledging to donate up to $500,000 from his family’s foundation.” How tight were JD and RB back then? Time for some answers to that question. - Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:17 am: Oops. I meant JB, not JD. All these cute initials in this campaign are a struggle for me. - Retired Educator - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:19 am: I say we do a complete background check on all the politicos. It would be interesting to see if any would come back 100% squeaky clean. Casting stone is a very dangerous game, the rocks have a tendency to bounce back at you. Lazy stuff, with little real relevance. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:21 am: - Louis G. Atsaves - Are you saying the US Attorney failed to do their job? Heck, Rauner donated to Payton Prep, at a clip of $250,000 after his denied Winnetka-living daughter was clouted into Payton Prep. If we’re going to investigate “oddly times” donations, that seemed oddly timed. - TominChicago - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:23 am: First the Trib let’s it’s op/ed page become a Rauner propaganda organ and now it’s doing the same with the news side. No wonder it’s readership is in free fall. - Crispy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:25 am: LGA @ 10:16: Come on–partisanship doesn’t have to devolve into conspiracy theories and baseless personal attacks. Seriously doubt there’s real dirt to be dug on JB if this is the best you can do. - DuPage - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:26 am: I don’t take the Trib seriously anymore. The story that I thought was important but almost ignored was about having Stuart Levine throwing TRS investments to Rauner’s investment companies while being on Rauner’s payroll. - Real - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:28 am: The Tribune is trying too hard. Why does this so called newspaper seem more like a campaign organ than a newspaper? - Boone's is Back - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:29 am: This is really lazy and ethically questionable by the Trib. They should run a retraction in regards to how that story was framed. - Sue - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:33 am: OW- nice spin. Loads of people who gave contributions and later got stuff also never were charged or asked to testify otherwise Blago would still be on trial. Anyone who spent any time perusing the donation files and subsequent appointment/grant actions know what occurred with JB - Anon0091 - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:36 am: This makes no sense whatsoever for a whole lot of reasons. 1) The museum previously got a $5 million grant from the State under George Ryan. A follow-on grant is not remotely unusual. 2) Even the GOP admitted the grant was IN PROCESS long before the campaign contribution. 3) Pritzker gave $12 million to the museum. Does anyone think he couldn’t have given $13? 4) What evidence does the Trib have that Pritzker was even involved in soliciting the state for the grant? Zero. Nada. 5) You’re attacking Pritzker for the Holocaust Museum? Really? And with respect to no connection between editorial page and news side, I would normally agree, but this is Mike Ferro’s Tribune. And as you know Rich, strict church/state boundaries are not exactly the hallmark of his leadership style. This was nothing but a silly hit job designed to put Pritzker’s name in the same headline with Rod and to put every corrupt slimeball possible into the story. Tony Rezko? Really? Finally, Willy, great fake statement. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:39 am: ===Anyone who spent any time perusing the donation files and subsequent appointment/grant actions know what occurred=== Tell that to the children that were denied entry into Payton Prep then. As Gov. Rauner shows concern for “all the children” - Sue -, you’re telling me Rauner’s $250,000 for Payton Prep after the clouting is something “more”? ===Loads of people who gave contributions and later got stuff also never were charged or asked to testify otherwise Blago would still be on trial.=== Your beef is with the US Attorney. If you want to say the US Attorney was incompetent in looking into Pritzker after years of investigating into so many, and the trials of so many, and by total “negligence”, the scores of litigators and investigators just plum missed JB… that’s on you I guess. - Anon0091 - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:39 am: “- Sue - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:33 am: “Anyone who spent any time perusing the donation files and subsequent appointment/grant actions know what occurred with JB” What occurred? Enlighten us please. JB got a cultural institution that has been praised world wide built in Illinois. Oh the horrrors. And again, the state previously gave a $5 million grant under Ryan. Ryan got zero contributions. So where was the pay to play then? - Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:39 am: It took 3 Trbibies to try to make this into a non story? Wow little wonder no one pays much attention. Now let’s play a different game. Pull GovJunk ethics statement….looks at the 60+ admitted investments. Pick one and check it out. Say 2UInc. (line1 on Question 6) 2U runs MBA@Syracuse. MBA Syracus does biz in IL. Hmmm. Wondering if GovJUnk interest in wriecking higher ed in IL helps 2u and the GovJunk pocket book? A possible real conflict. BTW still waiting for the Stu Levine interview. - Rosey - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:40 am: Yawwwwwwn. I don’t really care about some allegations that are 10 and 20 years old. GOP and Trib, do better if you want to sway people. - Generic Drone - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:40 am: There is no non biased news organizations anymore. They all have an agenda. That includes the Tribune - Almost the weekend - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:41 am: How can they ignore Rauner getting his daughter into WPP when she lived in Winnetka and make this accusation? This reads like a GOP press release. Rauner gets to use this on a commercial now. Unbelievable - Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:50 am: ===Are you saying the US Attorney failed to do their job?=== Nope. They put together a fine prosecution that convicted and jailed a corrupt Governor on the strongest charges they chose to proceed with. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:57 am: ===…on the strongest charges they chose to proceed with=== Counselor, Are you saying the US Attorney chose to ignore other charges? What charges did they ignore? “…on the strongest charges they chose to proceed with” Please elaborate. - Anon0091 - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:59 am: Willy, I seem to recall Pritzker saying no to Rod on the tapes when Rod asked for $$. Am I recalling that correctly? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:04 am: - Anon0091 - As to the tapes, I’ll let them speak for themselves. Difficult to think had there been a “yes”, or any indication of a “yes”, the US Attorney would have not at the barest of minimums discussed this with JB. I’ll leave that there. - ste_with_a_v_en - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:15 am: So J.B. knows this..and clearly has a friendly relationship with the Blago, who was already under a dark cloud at that point…non news story. Rauner talking about grandparents…question every statement ever made - whatthewhat - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:16 am: Of course there are connections between Blago and Pritzker - one was the governor, the other a big donor and wanna-be politician. Why is that necessarily a problem? Rauner’s biggest issue is he doesn’t actually understand government and doesn’t seem interested in learning about it. Pritzker lived through the Blago drama, saw first hand how the need for money and power can corrupt, and seems to have some understanding of how government functions. He has no need for the paycheck and every motivation to do the opposite of both Blago and Rauner. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:17 am: ===…question every statement ever made=== LOL… Where have you been since 2013? Rauner’s honesty has been in question “for years”, lol - Precinct Captain - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:22 am: Rauner & Company really trying hard to lock down the anti-semitic vote. - Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:25 am: ===Are you saying the US Attorney chose to ignore other charges?=== Nope. Never said this. A charge is part of a formal complaint. Try to keep up. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:29 am: No - Louis G Atsaves - Counselor, you stated… ===…on the strongest charges they chose to proceed with=== You also wanted “more digging” to the connections to Blago “… they chose to… ” Interesting choice of words, Counselor, while advocating “more digging”… If you feel the US Attorney chose not to dig and chose to ignore other things, just say so, don’t parse your words. - Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 11:53 am: Lots of people give to candidates in the final weeks before election day. And as Rich says, lots of pols reach for free earned media in the final weeks before an electio. Maybe there’s a whiff of smoke hete, but the reporter should have done more digging to see whete it was coming from. So far, it’s two things happening within a couple of weeks of each other. Could be that somebody got snowed by weak oppo. The Trib should answer that. - Soccermom - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 12:44 pm: DuPage - Gosh, I had forgotten about the Rauner-Levine connection. I am surprised that there has not been more media attention to this. Seems like something the BGA would be interested in. - Sue - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:57 pm: The Blago administration was in a word- transactional- if you wanted something- an appointment or a grant- the administration expected a campaign contribution- they were very upfront about it - Publius - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 1:58 pm: To the ILGOP Funny don’t remember you being upset when governor Rauner wrote checks to campaign funds of legislatures to make sure they voted how he wanted them to. Vote my way here’s your check. And the public benefited how from those checks? - wordslinger - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:29 pm: Please, ILGOP, tell us more about the corrupt multi-billionaire Jew made and his “pay-to-play” deal on the Holocaust Memorial. You and Lake Forest Louis obviously know how those North Shore types roll, with their corrupt schemes to advance remembereance and education on the Holocaust. Be sure to supply Bruce and Diana talking points on this sinister plot for the weekend North Shore cocktail parties. Winnetka and Highland Park will be all ears. The “pay-to-play” charge is ludicrous. Prtizker didn’t get a state grant, as the ILGOP claims (he really doesnt need the money), the Holocaust museum did. Pritzker could cover that million with seat-cushion change. The charge is so ludicrous and so charged that it makes you wonder if the ILGOP is throwing some red meat to some rabid groups active today. I think you know who I mean. I hear some of them are “good people.” - Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:32 pm: ===If you feel the US Attorney chose not to dig and chose to ignore other things, just say so, don’t parse your words.=== Nope. Never said that. Try arguing the point I’m making without misrepresenting what I am saying. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:33 pm: Louis, stop. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:37 pm: ===Try arguing the point I’m making without misrepresenting what I am saying.=== LOL, oh - Louis G Atsaves - I asked you “don’t parse your words”, what are you saying. Here’s what you typed… ===…on the strongest charges they chose to proceed with=== I asked you… ===Are you saying the US Attorney chose to ignore other charges?=== I started my questions with… ===Are you saying the US Attorney failed to do their job? Heck, Rauner donated to Payton Prep, at a clip of $250,000 after his denied Winnetka-living daughter was clouted into Payton Prep. If we’re going to investigate “oddly times” donations, that seemed oddly timed.=== So, have at it, what are you really saying? lol (Tips cap to - Anon0091 -) - Rocky Rosi - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 2:50 pm: The “Chicago Way” - walker - Thursday, Sep 7, 17 @ 10:04 pm: “”Louis, stop”" OW, you too. Let’s get on to something more real than bickering over the implications of a US Attorney’s choices. ILGOP: You can’t really believe support for a Holocaust Museum will play well as the basis for a political attack, can you? Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.