* The dude definitely ain’t playing around…
* Earlier today…
That committee is controlled by House Speaker Michael Madigan.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Comments are now open. Here’s the Sun-Times…
Pritzker and Rauner spent $132 million on their hard-fought primaries. Rauner spent more than $63 million and Pritzker spent $68 million between December 2016 and the end of March, records have shown.
This year’s race for governor could end up breaking the national record set by California’s 2010 race in which Democrat Jerry Brown and Silicon Valley executive Meg Whitman spent a combined $280 million.
* Tribune…
Pritzker’s $25 million contribution was dated the last day of May, bringing his total for the month to $30 million. More than $2 million was sent to various Democratic campaign groups aimed at helping lower-ballot candidates, similar to the way that Rauner has used his personal wealth to rebuild Republican campaigns. Pritzker’s campaign also moved $1 million to House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democratic Majority campaign fund last week.
While sizable, Pritzker’s $25 million was not a record for a single donation. Rauner put $50 million into his campaign account in December of 2016 — an amount campaign aides said represented a down payment for this year’s general election.
* Politico…
WHY NOW? We got answers that ranged from Pritzker wanting to show he’s “all in,” to his demonstrating he isn’t taking anything for granted, to a far more simple explanation that he’s readying for a probable, post-legislative session, TV ad assault from Rauner. Each time Pritzker has been hit in ads in the past, he’s been up immediately with a response.
*** UPDATE 2 *** ILGOP…
The Illinois Republican Party issued the following statement after J.B. Pritzker gave a $1 million contribution to Democratic Majority, a political committee chaired by House Speaker Mike Madigan:
“Before the primary, J.B. Pritzker secretly funneled money to Mike Madigan through Super PACs and corporations. Now, Pritzker is bankrolling Madigan’s political organization so they can work hand-in-hand to raise taxes, increase spending and drown our state in debt. Hardworking Illinois taxpayers can’t afford the Pritzker-Madigan ticket.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:08 am:
To the Post,
Madigan getting a cool million from Pritzker probably gets more play, in the politico circles, than the $25 mil Pritzker parked in total. If MJM and Dems were “super-smart” they’d use that cash now to do a full press media blitz on Dem priorities and accomplishments.
And by that, just super positive, “feel good we’re Dems” stuff. Almost so positive it feels like a trolling of Rauner and Raunerites, but in reality it’s laying a marker, positively, “we’re here, we’re all here together”
Go $200K for 4 1/2 weeks (less expenses of the ads) and sprinkle the positive. There has to be some blowback to “because Madigan”… ask “Brewskis for Bruce” if you’re confused why Pritzker, who is also under water, and Dems, who need a positive feel to gin up turnout.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:10 am:
Compaitively, that is like $900 for the average person.
- @misterjayem - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:12 am:
– MrJM
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:19 am:
“We’re Democrats supporting JB Pritzker and other struggling Illinoisans worth only a few billion dollars and too poor to keep toilets in one of our mansions.”
“It’s time to put a common billionaire in office.”
- OneMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:25 am:
Hey, we told you that electing a rich guy with no government experience was a bad idea and we thought that until we found our own rich guy with no government experience.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:40 am:
When Pritzker cries, his tears are dimonds.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:43 am:
Pritzker didn’t tear out his toilets, he upgraded them to use Dom Perignon when they flush.
- Huh? - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:47 am:
So pritzker flips his campaign another 2 bits. I don’t think he is hurting for cash.
- City Zen - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 9:50 am:
In JB’s defense, the bank charges a flat transaction fee. One 8-figure withdrawal will save JB tens of dollars.
- DarkHorse - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 10:11 am:
at some point, does Rauner in fact hold back on his own spending when he realizes he can’t match Pritzker, so why waste the money he’ll need for his eventual move to Italy?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 10:12 am:
===so why waste the money he’ll need===
He’s got more money than he’ll ever possibly need.
C’mon.
- Illinois Resident - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 10:13 am:
Glad he has the money to go against Rauner and his bad policies. It is ok to have a bunch of money if you have progressive policies.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 10:19 am:
Pritzker was told to look independent from Madigan, and that’s why JB only gave MJM a million dollars - JB thinks of it as an insult.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 1:25 pm:
===Now, Pritzker is bankrolling Madigan’s political organization so they can work hand-in-hand to raise taxes===
LOL
Bruce Rauner certified and made true the 32% income tax hike… under his own signature.
Ya sure you want a discussion on taxes.
Rauner’s first fiscal year signed budget used every dime of that 32% tax increase… with no reforms.
Pathetic.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 1:31 pm:
===Hardworking Illinois taxpayers can’t afford the Pritzker-Madigan ticket.===
… and yet, it’s Rauner himself that justifies and certifies the 32% tax increase.
Bruce Rauner, liberal social agenda, signs budgets with a 32% tax increase… appeasing Democrats… who is Rauner’s constuency?
lol
- Whatever - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 1:36 pm:
==Before the primary, J.B. Pritzker secretly funneled money to Mike Madigan through Super PACs and corporations. ==
Not much of a secret if the ILGOP could find it.
- don the legend - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 2:53 pm:
Someone should remind Aaron DeGroot who is bankrolling (or better yet buying) his employer.
- Steve Polite - Monday, Jun 4, 18 @ 6:24 pm:
===Hardworking Illinois taxpayers can’t afford the Pritzker-Madigan ticket.===
I didn’t know Madigan was running for Lt. Governor.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Jun 5, 18 @ 4:05 am:
IGOP has a million reasons to fear madigan