* I reached out to Mickey Straub’s campaign three times last week about this and haven’t heard one word back. As you already know, the Burr Ridge mayor is running as a Republican against House GOP Leader Jim Durkin. Click the pic for a larger image…
Mickey Straub Refuses to Say Why He Used Taxpayer Dollars to Attend Political Fundraisers
“Madigan Mickey” remains silent as he faces questions about his misuse of public funds
“There’s a reason why Mike Madigan’s union allies support Mickey Straub. First we discover that Straub defended a friend who abused his public office. Now we learn that Straub has done the same. Public records reveal that Straub used taxpayer dollars to attend political fundraisers, but refuses to answer questions about his misuse of public funds. ‘Madigan Mickey’ Straub is the worst type of politician - special privileges for him, higher taxes for the rest of us.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
There’s a reason why Mike Madigan’s union allies are revving up the Chicago Machine for “Madigan Mickey” Straub.
Weeks ago, we found out that Straub believes politicians deserve special privileges. In the late 1990s, a friend of Straub’s was accused of abusing his public position to get out of traffic violations. Straub took to the papers to defend his friend’s abuse of power. Straub later said there will always be “favoritism” and “we all do it to friends.”
But it gets worse.
Now we learn that Mickey Straub used taxpayer dollars to attend political fundraisers. Public records reveal that Straub used his position as Mayor to steer public resources to his own political priorities, but Straub refuses to answers questions about his misuse of public funds.
“Madigan Mickey” Straub is the worst type of politician - special privileges for him, higher taxes for the rest of us. What will Illinois voters learn about “Madigan Mickey” next?
* Bailey calls for change in direction as he takes on Reis in District 109: As for all the growing rumors about Durkin now working hand and hand with House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), Bailey said there’s no denying that the majority of Durkin’s leadership team aligned themselves behind the record-setting 32 percent tax hike passed as the recently enacted new state budget… Bailey said his hope is that current Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub will find a way to knock off Durkin in the March primary.
Burr Ridge is in Radogno’s old district. Radogno used to hold a lot of event for the community paid for with political funds instead of state funds. For example, if you want a table at the senior fair, you have to pay for it and the check goes to the political committee not the state. It is possible that the checks to Radogno’s campaign was for something like a table at a community event. That is a public purpose, not a fundraiser.
It says “Christine Radogno reception”. I see what you’re saying, but the language makes it pretty clear that it was for tickets to a political fundraiser. Which is blatantly illegal.
It says “Christine Radogno reception”. I see what you’re saying, but the language makes it pretty clear that it was for tickets to a political fundraiser. Which is blatantly illegal. ==
A “reception” isn’t necessarily a fundraiser. It could be a reception for seniors in the district. Could be a reception for vets in the district. You can’t know from that document. If they were certain it was a fundraiser, why wouldn’t they use the word “fundraiser” instead of “reception”? The didn’t provide the backup showing what actually happened at each event, which is suspicious.
Daphne: “155 dollars, Mr. Durkin! We caught him, red handed!”
Durkin: “Good work kids! Did both Scoobydoo and Scrapydoo, help crack the case against Straub?”
Shaggy, (voice cracking): “Sure did, your Magesty, I mean, your Majorityness, I mean, your Status-Quo-ness!”
Scooby: “Wrut-roh!”
As Straub escapes, he yells back, “…and I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids and your fealty towards boring minority party politics!”
Sheriff: “How did you figure it out, Mrs. Fletcher?”
Jessica Fletcher: “I saw that there was a twenty dollar bill missing from the Cabot Cove Library petty cash box, and I had a hunch that it would lead me to a body and the murder weapon.”
Sheriff: “You’re a nut, Jessica, but you caught Straub, nonetheless.”
Look-look, there she goes…I think she’s picked up a scent, by golly. She’s sensing that there’s a problem…OH there she goes, she’s found a problem…Good.
OK now, stand still and point in the correct position - Damn, she’s pointing away from a solution like the last Spaniels I hunted with…
She’s gonna need a little more work, but she’s got potential, dang-burnit.
===A “reception” isn’t necessarily a fundraiser===
In political parlance it is. Fundraiser is considered crass. You’re right that it’s impossible to know for sure, but “reception” is the verbiage of choice for events where you buy a ticket, get some booze and the proceeds go to the campaign fund.
- FHRS - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
Burr Ridge is in Radogno’s old district. Radogno used to hold a lot of event for the community paid for with political funds instead of state funds. For example, if you want a table at the senior fair, you have to pay for it and the check goes to the political committee not the state. It is possible that the checks to Radogno’s campaign was for something like a table at a community event. That is a public purpose, not a fundraiser.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
Clearly when Straub said that elected officials should get special privileges he meant it. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-jb-pritzker-tax-returns-20171115-story.html
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:05 pm:
Can fake news groups be used to complain about fake groups?
Asking for a friend… of Uihlein.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
LOL
$155
Durkin-you’re killing me - LOL
Stop the presses
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
==* (fake newspaper) accuses Durkin of creating fake groups and using GOP to spread lies==
There’s a word for this strange happening
- PJ - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
===That is a public purpose, not a fundraiser.===
It says “Christine Radogno reception”. I see what you’re saying, but the language makes it pretty clear that it was for tickets to a political fundraiser. Which is blatantly illegal.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
==LOL
$155
Durkin-you’re killing me - LOL
Stop the presses==
What’s the acceptable level for misuse of public funds?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
==LOL
$155
Durkin-you’re killing me - LOL
Stop the presses==
“Your honor, what my client did was only a little illegal”
Brilliant retort.
- FHRS - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
==- PJ - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
It says “Christine Radogno reception”. I see what you’re saying, but the language makes it pretty clear that it was for tickets to a political fundraiser. Which is blatantly illegal. ==
A “reception” isn’t necessarily a fundraiser. It could be a reception for seniors in the district. Could be a reception for vets in the district. You can’t know from that document. If they were certain it was a fundraiser, why wouldn’t they use the word “fundraiser” instead of “reception”? The didn’t provide the backup showing what actually happened at each event, which is suspicious.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
In a Federal Court? Very little.
At an Illinois ballot box? A lot more than this.
– MrJM
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
Daphne: “155 dollars, Mr. Durkin! We caught him, red handed!”
Durkin: “Good work kids! Did both Scoobydoo and Scrapydoo, help crack the case against Straub?”
Shaggy, (voice cracking): “Sure did, your Magesty, I mean, your Majorityness, I mean, your Status-Quo-ness!”
Scooby: “Wrut-roh!”
As Straub escapes, he yells back, “…and I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for you meddling kids and your fealty towards boring minority party politics!”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
Sheriff: “How did you figure it out, Mrs. Fletcher?”
Jessica Fletcher: “I saw that there was a twenty dollar bill missing from the Cabot Cove Library petty cash box, and I had a hunch that it would lead me to a body and the murder weapon.”
Sheriff: “You’re a nut, Jessica, but you caught Straub, nonetheless.”
- Saluki - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
I second VanillaMan. $155.00? A real scandal. laughable.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
Look-look, there she goes…I think she’s picked up a scent, by golly. She’s sensing that there’s a problem…OH there she goes, she’s found a problem…Good.
OK now, stand still and point in the correct position - Damn, she’s pointing away from a solution like the last Spaniels I hunted with…
She’s gonna need a little more work, but she’s got potential, dang-burnit.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
I love Madigurkins. My grandma used to put those in her relish tray every Thanksgiving.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Madigurkin… really??? When you read that title, only am image of a pickle comes to mind, not a critter with bolts in his neck.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
The story ends when “Madigurkin” doesn’t get picked up as a sitcom by either Bravo or ESPN8 - the Ocho.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
47 took a dill pill today. Very good.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
Fife: “I got ‘em Andy. Gomer and I caught the big bank robber.”
Sheriff Taylor:”Mayor Straub?”
Straub: “Andy, I want Barney fired immediately…”
Gomer:”Citizen’s arrayest - citizen’s arrayest Barn and me caught him with $155 dollars…”
Sherff Taylor:”Barney, don’t that beat all?”
Fife:”All right Mr. Mayor - welcome to what we call around these parts - the big house.”
- AndyTaylorville - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
Is that a pickle commercial?
- PJ - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 3:51 pm:
===A “reception” isn’t necessarily a fundraiser===
In political parlance it is. Fundraiser is considered crass. You’re right that it’s impossible to know for sure, but “reception” is the verbiage of choice for events where you buy a ticket, get some booze and the proceeds go to the campaign fund.
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 4:12 pm:
Vanilla Man wins the day.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
A single message, repeated enough, is quite effective. Video is a C- though.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 5:47 pm:
I think Madigurkin came from the brain of Abby Normal.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Dec 19, 17 @ 9:10 pm:
Just wondering how much Rauner spent on his last overseas trip.