* Yesterday, Bailey told his Facebook audience that he and his people “weren’t allowed in the room” when Irvin spoke to the Illinois Sheriffs Association in Peoria, even though Bailey had spoken ahead of Irvin…
But can you imagine what the mayor of a sanctuary city, what the mayor of someone who has propped up and praised everything Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot have done, what the mayor of anyone who has indeed, pushed back on his police force, could you imagine what he could have possibly said to the Illinois Sheriffs Association?
Yet there are some sheriffs who have who have signed on to this slate, this slate of people who are running with Mayor Irvin. Friends, get that list. Find out if your people in your community, elected officials are on that list, and go talk to them and ask them what on earth are they thinking? And here’s what they’re going to tell you. They’re going to tell you well, he’s probably going to win because he’s got more money. That’s all they’re going to tell you. And that’s really all they probably care about is the money. Friends I’ve been telling you from day one, money is not going to win this election. Grass roots is going to win this election. We have the grassroots by the grace of God ever since I sued and won against JB Pritzker on July 2nd of 2020, ever since I stood up against the mask mandate, and got kicked out of General Assembly in August of 2020, the grassroots movement has been building because I and others have been standing for you since day one. People understand that. So that’s why we have over 100,000 followers on our Facebook page, continue to share and push out and get people to come along and join our group. That’s why we have over now well over 10,000 active workers throughout the state people out distributing signs, setting up meet and greets, gathering petitions.
— Richard Irvin & Avery Bourne For Illinois (@IrvinBourne4IL) February 17, 2022
* But this was more serious…
The Richard Irvin for Illinois Campaign today is calling on J.B. Pritzker to disclose the actual recommendation he received from the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) in a case where the governor pardoned a convicted arsonist with Democratic political connections, clearing the path for the arsonist to become a fire chief.
“The governor owes an explanation to every firefighter, first responder and family in Illinois as to why he would clear the path for an arsonist to become a fire chief because it defies all logic,” said Irvin Spokesperson Eleni Demertzis. “Given the arsonist’s Democratic political connections, the governor should immediately release the recommendation he received from the Prisoner Review Board.”
Under statute, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board is not allowed to publicly disclose their recommendations to the governor, however, the statute imposes no such restrictions on the governor.
The Governor’s Office had no problem releasing the full PRB file to The Capitol Fax Blog yesterday, so there is no reason the governor cannot release the recommendation of the board.
The PRB recommendations are confidential, and always have been.
31 Comments
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:12 am:
I’m getting low on popcorn, but
=== …clearing the path for the arsonist to become a fire chief ===
Come on. Dude was hired by the locals. Take your complasints up with them.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:21 am:
“But can you imagine what the mayor of a sanctuary city, what the mayor of someone who has propped up and praised everything Governor Pritzker”
Now get a working comms crew and campaign, and get this message out to downstate, as well as quick responses and pouncing in social media.
So an formerly convicted arsonist was pardoned, and then hired. I am more curious about the hiring process. What’s up with that? Who would hire an arsonist, and why? Did the employer perform a background check, and then hire the individual? I do not know the circumstances in any detail (like most laypeople, I imagine). So beyond the spin, Executives have the power of the pardon, and do do all the time. Employers always do the hiring. What gives here?
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:24 am:
It was nice for the Irvin campaign to crack the door open on local taxes.
I look forward to the Irvin campaigns discussion on the FOURTEEN TIF districts in Aurora, and if their impacts on the property tax rates of affected agencies under the TIF have been positive or negative.
How about the Governor’s race be about governing, huh? Hoiw about paying bills, funding education and infrastructure? How about ending corruption and offering opportunity for young people, healthcare for all, a fair tax structure?
That’s all that matters.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:48 am:
= or care about =
Strange, I could have sworn people are constantly complaining about the property taxes in Illinois.
Every dollar from a TIF, comes out of another agency you now have to make up that dollar to from your property taxes.
== I look forward to the Irvin campaigns discussion on the FOURTEEN TIF districts in Aurora, and if their impacts on the property tax rates of affected agencies under the TIF have been positive or negative. ==
Having lived in aurora for over 25 years at this point I don’t think I have heard TIF districts come up once in local political stuff.
Sometimes special zoning has (a big chunk of the DuPage part of Aurora is in a special zoning thing that was created when it was annexed, but that happened about the same time Richard was born).
A simple google search tells me there will be firing back by Bailey. How many taxes, fees, levies have been increased since Irvin has been mayor/alderman? It looks ripe for picking.
I don’t know when arsonist was convict but since 2005 arsonist have to register for ten years just like a sex offender has to register. It is published and in internet. I do not know what would happen if you were pardoned if you would still need to register during that time period. Anyway would not be hard to find so fire department probably didn’t care.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:54 am:
The Pritzker “Arsonist” comment was a classic “foot in mouth” campaign moment, but not sure it moves the dial.
The hit on Bailey and tax increases is fair.
Yep. But that Uihlein money buys a lot of team. You know, or it gets slushed to the other blockheads. I guess we’ll see if Bailey is actually serious about running for governor.
Bailey is hoping his “Facebook Folk” stick with him and his “Divine” truths, and fight the “Devil”…
Asking if Bailey has a Crew is like asking a Televangelist where exactly is your congregation… “it’s everywhere and everyone I touch, but it’s not seen but to… “
Darren Bailey yelling onto Facebook to respond to a statewide text campaign by Irvin sort of sums up this GOP primary. Irvin is reaching the masses, and Bailey is responding into his echo chamber.
Unless Dick Uhlein has about 30 more of those million dollar checks, this is just the beginning.
Bailey - don’t raise taxes, but regularly voting to do just that
Irvin - get tough on crime, but building a career defending those committing some really serious violent crimes…
If this was on TV, it would have to be a comedy. No one would believe it could be serious drama.
It’s a little weird to me that Irvin’s camp keeps attacking people where they are also vulnerable. Are they just hoping the press doesn’t check? They might be right, because it doesn’t seem like the press is willing to give this guy equal scrutiny.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:22 am:
===The PRB recommendations are confidential, and always have been.===
I am curious about this. Is there fear that the PRB might get backlash from victims, families, or organized crime that would influence the way they vote? I imagine there is a reason for the confidentiality, but that reasoning should be better communicated.
===The Governor’s Office had no problem releasing the full PRB file to The Capitol Fax Blog yesterday===
Sometimes I wonder if these folks understand how journalism is supposed to work. “Governor releases public record to journalist” is not something odd or unusual.
The GOP Daddy has made sure Irvin has enough campaign funds available that they can FOIA the board recommendations and then fight over whether it should be public in court. The Irvin campaign keeps signaling that they either have no idea how our government functions or they don’t care about any of the rules or processes.
What I’ve noticed about the Sullivan and Irvin ads aired in Cook County is how remarkably ignorant they appear to be when it comes to their audience.
If Republicans think they can syphon off some of the black vote in Cook County by nominating Irvin, why have him blast the airwaves with “All Lives Matter”?
If Sullivan thinks a square jawline and weak voice will catapult him to the Governor’s mansion, why is he, in the land of Laquan McDonald, letting folks know he is going to take “the handcuffs off cops”?
Either I don’t see their plan, or it’s as dumb as I think it is.
- Tomorrow is yesterday - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:10 pm:
Same playbook as 18 primary - Madigan’s favorite Republican Jeanne Ives
They’re going to inundate the airwaves downstate saying JB and Darren are cut from the same cloth. He won’t have the cash to respond.
==What I’ve noticed about the Sullivan and Irvin ads aired in Cook County is how remarkably ignorant they appear to be when it comes to their audience. ==
They gotta put the ads on Chicago TV to reach Will, DuPage, etc.
=Every dollar from a TIF, comes out of another agency you now have to make up that dollar to from your property taxes.=
LOL, but taxes. Amirite?
The same people that are most vocal on this blog about taxes don’t think people care about taxes.
The real issue is that local governments that create TIF districts and the salesman that help them (a whole issue unto itself) don’t want the creation of TIF’s to be noticed. They count on it because there are a lot of moving pieces and the bottom line is that TIF’s ultimately rob other taxing bodies of revenue which they have to make up for somehow. When that comes to light, TIF’s get defeated. And small towns in Illinois have TIF’s all over the place, those voters may be the most knowledgeable on the issue.
It is up to the Pritzker shop to help folks understand Irvin’s hypocrisy on this issue.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:00 pm:
Thought Bailey’s running mate would be a firecracker, out there slinging mud at opponents. But haven’t seen much of her. Where is the pro-Trump fervor, blazing from the eyes and lips? He is currently endorsing candidates and says his endorsement will be stronger than in 2020. Good thing they don’t charge admission for this show.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:12 am:
I’m getting low on popcorn, but
=== …clearing the path for the arsonist to become a fire chief ===
Come on. Dude was hired by the locals. Take your complasints up with them.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:21 am:
“But can you imagine what the mayor of a sanctuary city, what the mayor of someone who has propped up and praised everything Governor Pritzker”
Now get a working comms crew and campaign, and get this message out to downstate, as well as quick responses and pouncing in social media.
- Rabid - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:22 am:
JB a little help put you and Irvin on TV. Bailey is too conservative
- H-W - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:23 am:
So an formerly convicted arsonist was pardoned, and then hired. I am more curious about the hiring process. What’s up with that? Who would hire an arsonist, and why? Did the employer perform a background check, and then hire the individual? I do not know the circumstances in any detail (like most laypeople, I imagine). So beyond the spin, Executives have the power of the pardon, and do do all the time. Employers always do the hiring. What gives here?
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:24 am:
It was nice for the Irvin campaign to crack the door open on local taxes.
I look forward to the Irvin campaigns discussion on the FOURTEEN TIF districts in Aurora, and if their impacts on the property tax rates of affected agencies under the TIF have been positive or negative.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:30 am:
==Irvin campaigns discussion on the FOURTEEN TIF districts in Aurora==
If there is one thing voters don’t understand or care about it is TIF’s.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:30 am:
Excellent ad. Two birds with one stone. Or Birds of a feather..
- Blue Bayou - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:36 am:
Everything is a friggin sideshow in this state.
How about the Governor’s race be about governing, huh? Hoiw about paying bills, funding education and infrastructure? How about ending corruption and offering opportunity for young people, healthcare for all, a fair tax structure?
That’s all that matters.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:48 am:
= or care about =
Strange, I could have sworn people are constantly complaining about the property taxes in Illinois.
Every dollar from a TIF, comes out of another agency you now have to make up that dollar to from your property taxes.
- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:50 am:
== I look forward to the Irvin campaigns discussion on the FOURTEEN TIF districts in Aurora, and if their impacts on the property tax rates of affected agencies under the TIF have been positive or negative. ==
Having lived in aurora for over 25 years at this point I don’t think I have heard TIF districts come up once in local political stuff.
Sometimes special zoning has (a big chunk of the DuPage part of Aurora is in a special zoning thing that was created when it was annexed, but that happened about the same time Richard was born).
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:52 am:
A simple google search tells me there will be firing back by Bailey. How many taxes, fees, levies have been increased since Irvin has been mayor/alderman? It looks ripe for picking.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:52 am:
I don’t know when arsonist was convict but since 2005 arsonist have to register for ten years just like a sex offender has to register. It is published and in internet. I do not know what would happen if you were pardoned if you would still need to register during that time period. Anyway would not be hard to find so fire department probably didn’t care.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:54 am:
The Pritzker “Arsonist” comment was a classic “foot in mouth” campaign moment, but not sure it moves the dial.
The hit on Bailey and tax increases is fair.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:55 am:
==A simple google search tells me there will be firing back by Bailey. ==
My only reason to doubt that is that Bailey’s rapid response team has, so far, been missing both responses and a sense of rapidness.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:56 am:
@OneMan
That’s a fair point. However, until now there have been no discussions on Bailey and the taxing bodies he controlled either.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 10:58 am:
=== Bailey’s rapid response team has, so far, been missing both responses and a sense of rapidness===
And, you know, an actual team.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:00 am:
“And, you know, an actual team.”
Yep. But that Uihlein money buys a lot of team. You know, or it gets slushed to the other blockheads. I guess we’ll see if Bailey is actually serious about running for governor.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:01 am:
Bailey is hoping his “Facebook Folk” stick with him and his “Divine” truths, and fight the “Devil”…
Asking if Bailey has a Crew is like asking a Televangelist where exactly is your congregation… “it’s everywhere and everyone I touch, but it’s not seen but to… “
So there is no …
- CubsFan16 - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:02 am:
Darren Bailey yelling onto Facebook to respond to a statewide text campaign by Irvin sort of sums up this GOP primary. Irvin is reaching the masses, and Bailey is responding into his echo chamber.
Unless Dick Uhlein has about 30 more of those million dollar checks, this is just the beginning.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:08 am:
===But that Uihlein money buys a lot of team===
Maybe, but last quarter, you may recall, he gave more money away to legislators than he raised.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:17 am:
Bailey - don’t raise taxes, but regularly voting to do just that
Irvin - get tough on crime, but building a career defending those committing some really serious violent crimes…
If this was on TV, it would have to be a comedy. No one would believe it could be serious drama.
- Long year - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:20 am:
It’s a little weird to me that Irvin’s camp keeps attacking people where they are also vulnerable. Are they just hoping the press doesn’t check? They might be right, because it doesn’t seem like the press is willing to give this guy equal scrutiny.
- thechampaignlife - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:22 am:
===The PRB recommendations are confidential, and always have been.===
I am curious about this. Is there fear that the PRB might get backlash from victims, families, or organized crime that would influence the way they vote? I imagine there is a reason for the confidentiality, but that reasoning should be better communicated.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 11:57 am:
===The Governor’s Office had no problem releasing the full PRB file to The Capitol Fax Blog yesterday===
Sometimes I wonder if these folks understand how journalism is supposed to work. “Governor releases public record to journalist” is not something odd or unusual.
The GOP Daddy has made sure Irvin has enough campaign funds available that they can FOIA the board recommendations and then fight over whether it should be public in court. The Irvin campaign keeps signaling that they either have no idea how our government functions or they don’t care about any of the rules or processes.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:04 pm:
What I’ve noticed about the Sullivan and Irvin ads aired in Cook County is how remarkably ignorant they appear to be when it comes to their audience.
If Republicans think they can syphon off some of the black vote in Cook County by nominating Irvin, why have him blast the airwaves with “All Lives Matter”?
If Sullivan thinks a square jawline and weak voice will catapult him to the Governor’s mansion, why is he, in the land of Laquan McDonald, letting folks know he is going to take “the handcuffs off cops”?
Either I don’t see their plan, or it’s as dumb as I think it is.
- Tomorrow is yesterday - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:10 pm:
Same playbook as 18 primary - Madigan’s favorite Republican Jeanne Ives
They’re going to inundate the airwaves downstate saying JB and Darren are cut from the same cloth. He won’t have the cash to respond.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:11 pm:
==It’s a little weird to me that Irvin’s camp keeps attacking people where they are also vulnerable. Are they just hoping the press doesn’t check?==
They had a certain campaign they wanted to run, and the candidate himself was almost incidental to it.
Plus, they probably correctly saw that none of their primary opponents had the juice to call him on anything.
- low level - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:21 pm:
== If there is one thing voters don’t understand or care about it is TIF’s.==.
Not just voters but also many elected officials. Also journalists, especially the ones at the Chicago Reader.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:32 pm:
==What I’ve noticed about the Sullivan and Irvin ads aired in Cook County is how remarkably ignorant they appear to be when it comes to their audience. ==
They gotta put the ads on Chicago TV to reach Will, DuPage, etc.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 12:53 pm:
=Every dollar from a TIF, comes out of another agency you now have to make up that dollar to from your property taxes.=
LOL, but taxes. Amirite?
The same people that are most vocal on this blog about taxes don’t think people care about taxes.
The real issue is that local governments that create TIF districts and the salesman that help them (a whole issue unto itself) don’t want the creation of TIF’s to be noticed. They count on it because there are a lot of moving pieces and the bottom line is that TIF’s ultimately rob other taxing bodies of revenue which they have to make up for somehow. When that comes to light, TIF’s get defeated. And small towns in Illinois have TIF’s all over the place, those voters may be the most knowledgeable on the issue.
It is up to the Pritzker shop to help folks understand Irvin’s hypocrisy on this issue.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 17, 22 @ 1:00 pm:
Thought Bailey’s running mate would be a firecracker, out there slinging mud at opponents. But haven’t seen much of her. Where is the pro-Trump fervor, blazing from the eyes and lips? He is currently endorsing candidates and says his endorsement will be stronger than in 2020. Good thing they don’t charge admission for this show.