Biss/Kennedy joint statement about a “rigged” lottery in 3… 2… /s
*** UPDATE *** Here we go…
In State Board of Elections lottery draw for 8 a.m. Dem AG filings: No 1 spot goes to Pat Quinn, followed by Mariotti, Drury, Rotering and Raoul. For 5 p.m. filers, Goldstein gets last ballot spot, Fairley second to last, Ruiz third to last.
Daniel Biss released the following statement after a scathing investigative report by WBEZ revealed Bruce Rauner’s failure to address deadly outbreaks of the Legionnaires’ disease crisis at the state-run Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.
“This tragedy is the result of decades of disinvestments in the communities that need it most and a reflection of a broken system that fails to provide necessary care for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents. These brave men and women, who once answered the call to service, deserve to live the remainder of their lives with dignity and pride for the sacrifices they made for our country.
“Instead, Bruce Rauner has failed them by neglecting to address the outbreak of a wholly preventable disease in the Illinois Veterans Home. We need an immediate investigation into Rauner’s negligence and we must bring justice for these veterans and their families who are suffering as a result.”
* Pritzker campaign…
Following a tragic new report on Legionnaires’ disease deaths in Illinois Veterans’ homes, JB Pritzker called for an independent investigation into Bruce Rauner’s failure to prevent the deaths of our nation’s heroes.
At a press conference in front of the Thompson Center with Alderman Gilbert Villegas and members of the Chicago City Council’s Veterans Caucus, JB outlined three actions that must be taken immediately to begin to remedy the crisis and protect our Veterans. An independent investigator must be appointed to investigate the Legionnaires’ crisis and audit existing contracts; in consultation with their families, Veterans should be relocated from the Quincy Veterans’ home to keep them safe; and the construction of the new Chicago Veterans’ home that was stalled by Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis should be expedited and opened immediately.
“The obligation we have to these heroes and their families is sacred, and to have that obligation so thoroughly neglected is an unconscionable moral failing,” said JB Pritzker. “They served us, they defended us, they risked their lives for us. For them to come home expecting our support and care, and instead lose their lives to a preventable disease is appalling. These are real lives lost and families destroyed because of failures at the highest levels of our state government. When a governor does not take charge, people die. Bruce Rauner must be held accountable for this tragic failure of leadership.”
Alderman Gilbert Villegas said, “Legionnaires’ disease is totally and completely treatable, and it’s found in places like prisons and third world countries, but here we are talking about a Veterans’ Home in Illinois. Governor Rauner should be ashamed. Right here in Chicago, a Veterans’ Home has been sitting unfinished the entire time Bruce Rauner has been governor. Today, I am calling on Bruce Rauner to step up and do whatever it takes to serve our Veterans just like they have served him and all of us. Never allow another Veteran to die of Legionnaires. Never allow another vital building to go half finished. Governor Rauner, do what is right and serve our Veterans, just like they served us—you’re in charge.”
In support of these efforts, Veteran and Secretary of State Jesse White said, “There needs to be an investigation into the issues surrounding the Legionnaires disease outbreak in Quincy Veterans’ home and I urge the facility to be shut down until the source of the outbreak is known. As a Veteran, I find it especially frustrating that people who served our country should have to deal with this outrageous situation.”
* Press release…
State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is calling for a full legislative audit into the mismanagement of the Quincy Veterans’ Home that has resulted in deaths of Illinois veterans.
“Our veterans have survived combat zones and foreign conflicts – the greatest dangers they now face should not be living their golden years in a state facility,” Cullerton said. “I’m calling on my colleagues on the Legislative Audit Commission to launch a full examination into the Quincy Veterans’ Home to give the General Assembly a clear picture of the problems we have on hand. The sooner we examine this atrocity, the more quickly we can remedy the situation.”
Cullerton will file legislation today to quickly begin the audit. He hopes for cooperation from the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission and sent a letter to Co-Chairmen State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) and Representative Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) to drive the audit. Cullerton serves on the bipartisan commission.
“I’m outraged veterans have died on the governor’s watch,” Cullerton said. “Our nation’s heroes have laid their lives on the line to protect our great nation. I cannot believe Governor Rauner’s administration has been thoughtless and ineffective in the care and services our veterans continue to receive.”
Cullerton describes this as another example from the governor’s administration of mismanagement and ineffective usage of state funds and resources.
“Governor Rauner needs to answer for this ongoing epidemic,” Cullerton said. “Governor Rauner has failed our veterans once again. My hope is this thorough examination will result in our nation’s heroes receiving better services and living conditions. They have given us their very best, now it is our duty to make sure they receive the same from us.”
Cullerton served in the Army from 1990 to 1993 as an infantryman and serves on as the Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee.
He will be calling a hearing soon to address this issue and begin examining the care and services veterans receive at Quincy Veterans Home.
I dunno. Did the governor order a cover-up? The WBEZ story doesn’t seem to show that. It looks like the state agency kept things quiet at first. But, again, I don’t know all the particulars yet.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Governor’s office…
Gov. Bruce Rauner issued the following statement regarding the Quincy Veterans’ Home:
“My administration is deeply concerned about the veterans at the Quincy Veterans’ Home. We are committed to ensuring the residents get the care and treatment they deserve in a safe living environment.
“When the first incidence of Legionella occurred in Quincy, six months into my administration, we quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control and followed their recommendations. The state has implemented a robust and comprehensive water management plan including the construction of a new water management plant and routine testing of the water at the facility.
“The CDC in its most recent report said the remediation is ‘aligned with the best practices identified in CDC’s water management toolkit.’
“Legionella is a virus that is a growing concern in the U.S., not just in Illinois. That it has arisen in a place where our bravest and most cherished defenders reside is a tragedy, and we intend to keep working with the CDC at our side to protect our residents.”
Hmm. I wonder what he means by “six months into my administration, we quickly brought in the Centers for Disease Control.” If it’s the agency, then the decision not to tell the public is on it. If it’s Rauner’s office, then he didn’t inform the public (including family members of the afflicted) for weeks about the outbreak.
…Adding… Also, governor, it’s a bacteria, not a virus.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Rep. Jeanne Ives…
“This report is sickening. As a veteran, and the daughter and granddaughter of soldiers, it goes without saying that I understand the depth and significance of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make. Today, my thoughts are with the families of the 13 people who died in the Illinois Veterans Home.
“Under Governor Rauner, state services have declined to a such degree that the maintenance of clean facilities to prevent outbreaks of bacterial maladies, like Legionnaires, has become grossly inadequate. In November, Rauner said at Hines VA Hospital, ‘One way we can support our veterans — keep a quality of life and achieve the American dream for themselves and their families — is to have high-quality health care services.’ Yet another betrayal at the hand of Benedict Rauner.
“Managing state agencies is one of the critical jobs of the Executive Office. Bruce Rauner promised to turn Illinois around. But on his watch, state services have deteriorated. If he can’t manage a 200-acre veterans home with 250 residents, how can he manage the state? Governor Rauner isn’t in charge, because he never took charge. And 13 veterans, or spouses of veterans, are now dead because of it.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Chris Kennedy…
“Taking care of our veterans should transcend campaign politics. Those who served our nation should receive the best quality care no matter what. Of course, there should be an investigation into the failure to protect these veterans. I am hopeful that Governor Rauner will join the call for an independent audit into why this happened and how we can ensure it will never happen again.”
*** UPDATE 4 *** Sen. Paul Schimpf…
“Our first and foremost priority must be to ensure our veterans receive the best care possible, and that they receive it in a healthy environment. While the state continues to look for the source of this outbreak and enact the recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control, it is my hope that we remain focused on treating our veterans who have been affected. Our veterans deserve better than partisan finger-pointing,” said Schimpf (R-58th District). “As the Minority Spokesman for the Illinois Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, I look forward to hearing from the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs in a public forum on how to best to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
* Multiple members…
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, state Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, and state Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, are demanding a full investigation and legislative hearings into why Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has not taken aggressive action to provide better care for veterans living in state-run veteran homes and to prevent them from dying from avoidable diseases.
“Reading the investigative report about the Quincy Veterans Home and the individuals who died from Legionnaires Disease there due to the inability of the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the outbreak is outrageous and shameful,” Chapa LaVia said. “The highest possible safety standards should exist in our veteran homes.”
Following an investigative report by WBEZ, the Illinois Veterans Home, located in Quincy, was discovered to have experienced three outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease spanning from July 2015 to the fall of this year. The disease led to the death of 13 veterans and infected another 61 other residents. Despite receiving more than $6 million in taxpayer money to update the home’s water supply and other safety standards to prevent this disease from spreading, the location continued to face outbreaks.
“It’s clear that the Rauner administration cannot take care of our most vulnerable Veterans. He should have taken personal responsibility to solve this serious problem back in 2015″ Marine Veteran Kifowit said. “This is another example of failure of the Rauner administration and shows that it is true, he hasn’t been in charge. I support a full investigation of the conditions of all our Veterans homes, and extensive legislative hearings detailing this failure of the administration”.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added that the Quincy facility’s plumbing system still poses risks to the health of residents and staff who live and work there. The CDC has noted that due to the building’s old age that completely eradicating Legionella is “very challenging.”
“As Americans, we owe so much to our veterans, and they deserve better than to fall victim to a preventable disease,” Riley said. “Clearly, the governor is not on top of this terrible situation, and he and the Department of Veterans Affairs need to answer for the lack of attention to this issue and explain to the families of the victims why this was allowed to happen.”
Chapa LaVia, Kifowit, Costello and Riley, all of whom are veterans, are demanding there to be a full investigation and legislative hearings to pass legislation that will demand the Governor to implement higher safety standards in veteran homes across Illinois in order to prevent more service men and women from dying from easily preventable diseases.
“As a veteran of the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm, I am disgusted to find out about the treatment of my fellow service members at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy,” Costello said. “It is time for us to take action and prevent another outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease by modernizing the facility.”
* This robocall from what appears to be a fake group went out this week attacking Operating Engineers Local 150 for supporting Mickey Straub. But there’s some dispute about how many Republican primary voters in Leader Durkin’s district actually received it. A couple of high-level Local 150 officers got it and one of them doesn’t even live in the district…
Hi, this is Sarah. And I’m calling you because of Mickey Straub’s open hostility towards organized labor. Mickey wants to repeal the prevailing wage here in Illinois and strip money from the pockets of working class families, all in the name of a radical anti-union agenda.
He called Scott Walker’s anti-union agenda ‘inspiring.’ It’s a shame the leaders at Local 150 are selling out their own members to play politics and support Mike Madigan’s backed candidate.
Don’t be fooled by Mickey. He’s a rat and no friend of labor.
Except for the Madigan reference, this is most definitely not a standard Republican primary voter pitch. More like a brushback pitch at 150. Full audio is here.
Jim Durkin has been an Illinois Representative for 20 years.
Jim Durkin voted against concealed carry for law-abiding gun owners.
Jim Durkin voted for a de facto state gun registration requirement on law-abiding gun owners.
Jim Durkin voted to provide health care benefits to persons in this country illegally.
Jim Durkin voted for legislation that allows people to change the gender on their birth certificate to the gender with which they identify.
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Illinois State Representative - Republican is a tie. Rep. David Harris…
Rep. David Harris for his pragmatism, compassion and integrity. His departure signifies the potential end of an era. He’s a true Statesman. I wish the General well in his retirement.
Rep. Steve Andersson for many of the reasons already mentioned but also because he is the consummate statesman and gentleman. He refuses to join that element of his party which hates and rails against others. A face-to-face with Steve always restores my faith in the political process.
I think my own personal pick would’ve been Reggie Phillips, a Tea Partier if there ever was one who voted for a tax hike to prevent his district and his state from crashing and burning.
BFC deserves this one for a long career’s worth of service to Illinois. Even as the Speaker’s majority leader, she’s well respected on both sides of the aisle. Her contributions to good public policy are numerous, spanning the fields of human services, healthcare, education, government transparency, and on and on.
He has done an outstanding job of representing his District. He successfully passed the Cursive Writing Bill, passed the Trust Act, he courageously sued the Comptroller’s office to get the General Assembly paid, and he is currently running unopposed. Rep Welch being unopposed is a reflection of the great job that he’s doing. He listens to his constituents and put us first.
* OK, on to today’s category…
* Best Illinois State Senator - Republican
* Best Illinois State Senator - Democrat
Make sure to explain your nomination or it won’t count. And do your best to nominate legislators in both categories, please. Thanks
Illinois has the highest pension burden among all 50 states, said Fitch Ratings’ 2017 state pension report released Tuesday.
According to the report, Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities amounted to 22.8% of residents’ personal income at the end of fiscal year 2016, compared to a median 3.1% for all states and 1% for Florida, the least burdened state.
The median 3.1% for all states is higher than the approximately 2.9% reported in fiscal year 2015, which Fitch attributed in the report to weak asset performance, reduced discount rates, inadequate employer pension contributions, and “ongoing unfavorable demographic and actuarial trends.”
Douglas Offerman, senior director at Fitch Ratings, noted that a number of states with the highest pension burdens — Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey and Massachusetts — help cover the cost of local teachers’ pensions. Teachers make up one of the largest populations of public-sectors workers, Mr. Offerman said.
Under Fitch’s calculations, Illinois’ net pension liabilities totaled $151.5 billion at the end of fiscal year 2016; New Jersey, $91.8 billion; Massachusetts, $48.9 billion; and Kentucky, $32.8 billion. For this year’s report, Fitch used a 6% discount rate to calculate net pension liabilities, down from 7% last year.
*** UPDATE *** I didn’t write this novella, I’m just posting it, so don’t blame me…
Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published an article, Illinois Drives People Away, that said, “Fitch Ratings reported this week that Illinois’s unfunded pension liabilities equaled 22.8% of residents’ personal income last year, compared to a median of 3.1% across all states and 1% in Florida.” State Representative Jeanne Ives, a Republican Candidate for Governor, issued the following statement:
“In 2014, Governor Rauner ran on a reform agenda that would grow Illinois’ economy. The report in Wall Street Journal, one of the most reputable and well-respected newspapers in the nation, dramatically highlights Benedict Rauner’s betrayals on his fiscal promises.
“During the 2014 C-Span Gubernatorial Debate against Pat Quinn, Governor Rauner, in his closing statement said, ‘We need to grow our economy, which is the single most important thing we can do. And we are failing miserably under Pat Quinn to grow our economy and create jobs… I’ll drive that. I’ve been a business builder my whole career.’
“But, the WSJ reported, ‘The Prairie State lost a record $4.75 billion in adjusted gross income to other states in the 2015 tax year, according to recently IRS data released. That’s up from $3.4 billion in the prior year. Many of the migrants were retirees who often flock to balmier climes. But millennials accounted for more than a third of the net outflow in tax returns.’
‘While Florida with zero income tax was the top destination for Illinois expatriates, the Illinois Policy Institute notes that Illinois lost income and people on net to all of its neighbors—Wisconsin (6,000 people based on claimed exemptions), Indiana (8,200), Iowa (1,900), Missouri (2,000) and Kentucky (1,100).’
+++
“In 2014, Governor Rauner promised roll back the income tax rate to 3 percent over four years.
“Yet, the WSJ reports, ‘Illinois’ corporate tax rate is 9.5 percent, and pass-through business owners pay 6.45 percent.’ Additionally, Illinois’ personal income tax rate is at 4.95 percent, 32 percent higher than when Rauner took office.
+++
“In a 2014 campaign ad, Bruce Rauner blasted Pat Quinn for Illinois’ high property tax rates, which he claimed were the second highest in the nation. The ad said: ‘The second highest property taxes in America, and Pat Quinn wants to make his 67 percent tax increase permanent. Pat Quinn: He just doesn’t get it.’
“The ad debuted about a month after Rauner proposed a freeze on local property taxes with no increase allowed without voter approval.
“Today, according to the Wall Street Journal, ‘Property taxes in Cook County and Chicago’s “collar” counties are the highest in the country outside of California and the Northeast. The average homeowner who moves from Lake County, Illinois, across the border to Kenosha County, Wisconsin would receive an annual $3,200 annual property tax cut.’
+++
“In 2014, Governor Rauner repeatedly said he would replace traditional pensions for public workers with 401(k)-style retirement plans common in the private sector. This was a plan advocated by the Illinois Policy Institute that would have cut the state’s unfunded pension liability in half in 2014 and eliminated the state’s unfunded liability by 2045.
“According to the WSJ report, ‘Taxes may increase as Democrats scrounge for cash to pay for pensions. Fitch Ratings reported this week that Illinois’s unfunded pension liabilities equaled 22.8% of residents’ personal income last year, compared to a median of 3.1% across all states and 1% in Florida.’
+++
“In their 2014 endorsement of Governor Rauner, the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board said, ‘From the get-go, Rauner has campaigned on the urgent need to shatter the self-serving political power structure in state government and promote a dramatically different agenda to get Illinois growing again. He knows that the answer isn’t more tax increases. Unlike the ruling class in Springfield, he doesn’t see employers as enemies useful only to be milked. He wants government to be of a size taxpayers can afford… We believe a Gov. Rauner would explore changes made by governors of other states with balanced budgets, solid retirement systems and lower unemployment rates. He’s obviously competitive. He would strive to do what Quinn cannot: Make Illinois competitive again.’
“Yesterday, the WSJ reported, ‘Illinois’s economy has been stagnant, growing a meager 0.9% on an inflation-adjusted annual basis since 2012—the slowest in the Great Lakes and half as fast as the U.S. overall. This year nearly 100,000 individuals have left the Illinois labor force. The University of Illinois Flash Economic Index, which measures corporate earnings and investment as well as personal income, hit a five-year low in October. (See nearby for the recent labor force trend in Illinois and Wisconsin.)’
Mayor Nancy Rotering announced today that she earned the endorsement of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (Evanston - 9th District) in the race.
“I support Nancy Rotering because she shares our progressive values. She will bring a lifetime of advocacy and a record of producing results to the IL Attorney General’s office. Nancy was the mayor that defeated the NRA and successfully banned assault rifles from her city. She will continue that fight against the NRA and stand up on behalf of working families, immigrants, seniors, the LGBTQ community, and those without a voice,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Nancy is the best candidate to beat the Republican nominee, who has been unwilling to speak out against Donald Trump, Washington Republicans, and Bruce Rauner. Nancy isn’t afraid to fight back and make our voices heard.”
“It is an honor to have Congresswoman Schakowsky’s support. We’ve always counted on her to be our champion and she has delivered. As a leader on progressive causes, both locally and nationally, she has ensured that those she supports have what it takes to get elected and fight for what is right,” stated Mayor Nancy Rotering.
As a two-term Mayor, Rotering shook up City Hall with a major reform of city government that resulted in transparency, accessibility, and ethics accountability. She led the charge to pass one of the nation’s only local assault weapons bans and fought the NRA all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The founder of a legal aid clinic, she has ensured access to justice in the areas of immigration, domestic violence, and housing for hundreds of Illinois residents.
* From Democratic attorney general candidate Sharon Fairley’s Facebook page…
Last night’s momentous victory was very inspiring, but it was also a reminder of a sad fact: our party relies so heavily on Black women for their votes, but very seldom elects them to public office. There have only been three Black women ever elected as state attorney general in our country- including a grand total of zero here in Illinois. We have never had a Black woman elected to any state executive office. We must do more as a party to amplify the voices of the women we so often take for granted.
* Last night, several attorney general candidates attended a candidates forum at NEIU. Maudlyne Ihejirika with the Sun-Times posted video excerpts of some of their closing statements…
* Sharon Fairley (”I became a lawyer to dedicate my life to public service”)
* Pat Quinn (He’s a “people person” who started CUB and had to pick up the pieces after Blagojevich)
* Kwame Raoul (Powerful speech about crime, which ends: “Violence begets violence, we have to invest in our community”)
* Jesse Ruiz (Pro bono legal work and baseball coach for inner city kids, two of whom were shot)
He is talking about his controversial post on Instagram and Facebook last week. It shows someone’s feet in hole-filled socks resting on an L seat. The post describes the feet as “stinky.”
Siegel, who’s running for Illinois state representative against incumbent Kelly Cassidy in the Democratic primary, says he deleted the post after about an hour.
But by then, screen shots were already being shared on social media by people disturbed that someone running for public office would post such a thing.
He indicates the photo was meant to show the reactions of other riders, even though the image is a close-up of the L rider’s feet. […]
Siegel blames his poor judgment on the stress he’s under from challenging Cassidy’s primary petition signatures — and challenges on his own petitions.
To that, [Rep. Kelly Cassidy] responded: “If this process is too stressful, the job is even more so.”
He falsely claims the pic was supposed to be about rider reactions when it was a closeup of the guy’s feet? Then he blames stress from petition challenges for the post? Hilarious.
Not the greatest scandal in the history of the world, of course. The point here is that this guy’s responses under fire show more about his character than he may realize.
To be a leader in financial disclosure for political candidates, Illinois should require the following information to be disclosed in each Statement of Economic Interest:
Names of businesses and investments with financial ties to the candidate
The amount of income a candidate received from reported entities
A list of the candidate’s professional clients, as allowed by law
None of these reforms are unprecedented. At the federal level, and in ten states, including California and New York, candidates are already required to provide a list of assets, sources of income, and the amount received from each source. Many more states have versions of these requirements, where specifics on sources of income, but not value, are disclosed.
Additionally, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 15 states have laws requiring state legislators to disclose the names of individual clients when they receive income from sources beyond their state salaries.
A Chicago Tribune report from December 7th highlighted the importance of transparency in identifying state lawmakers’ potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the State Journal-Register connected the issue of insufficient disclosure to an overall lack of robust recusal procedures for potential conflicts of interest.
Requiring these additional disclosures from candidates would make Illinois a national leader in financial transparency, for both candidates and elected officials. Additionally, detailed disclosure would become a requirement, rather than an expectation, empowering voters to make informed choices in state elections.
.@GovRauner is in East St Louis at the Comprehensive Behaviorial Health Center to sign an opioid related legislation. When he entered the building, he called on the General Assembly “to pass a balanced budget” #twillpic.twitter.com/o6OjQlkzv3
.@LtSanguinetti also is here. She is the chairwoman of Rauner’s opioid task force. She says the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center ‘does God’s work’ pic.twitter.com/TYHf8XdPBU
A measure from Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) to reduce opioid abuse and “doctor shopping” was signed into law today.
Senate Bill 772 requires prescribers of controlled substances to check the Prescription Monitoring Program database to see if a patient has been prescribed a controlled substance by another doctor prior to writing an initial prescription. This would make it harder for individuals to obtain prescriptions from multiple doctors, a practice known as doctor shopping.
“As elected officials, we should be doing everything we can to prevent addiction and reduce opioid abuse,” Bush said. “Requiring doctors to check a patient’s prescription history before prescribing opioids is a simple way to ensure doctors aren’t overprescribing and patients aren’t doctor shopping.”
* Anyway, the place that “does God’s work” was seriously damaged by the impasse. From September of 2015…
Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center in southern Illinois relies on state money to run some of its addiction programs. But because the state still doesn’t have a budget, the East St. Louis organization hasn’t gotten funding.
So recently the center had to lay off staff and shut down two of its residential programs. About fifty people who had been living at the center and getting addiction treatment had to leave.
Amelia Jumper, the executive director of Comprehensive Behavioral Health in East St. Louis, told St. Louis Public Radio she’s not sure how she’s going to make pay this month.
Jumper closed her agency’s inpatient drug treatment center and its halfway house last fall due to lack of funding from the state, but she recently reopened the inpatient center.
“Not because we received any money, but something had to be done,” Jumper said.
On the morning of Aug. 24, Rauner held a rare conference call with staff to explain the departure of his newly installed communications team, saying they were “good people trying to do good work” but ended up not being a “good fit,” according to a source who was on the phone call but was not authorized to speak publicly about it.
During that same call, Rauner said to expect more “rumors” about staff departures but told employees to ignore them, including talk that [chief legal counsel Dennis] Murashko was leaving the administration, the source said. Just hours later, Rauner released a statement saying Murashko was resigning effective at the end of the month “to pursue opportunities in the private sector.”
On Tuesday, Rauner was asked to explain why he told his staff that Murashko would not be leaving, only to announce his departure later the same day. The governor did not directly answer, telling reporters “you guys are trying to spin up something that doesn’t exist.”
During a morning staff conference call, Rauner sought to dispel controversy over the exodus, according to a source with direct knowledge of the call. He called rumblings of the departures of his chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen and chief legal counsel Dennis Murashko “rumors.” And he confirmed the communications staffers’ exits, saying they were not a “good fit.”
And he pointed the finger at “enemies” — everyone from Democrats, media, bloggers and “people who shouldn’t be our enemies, including people who used to work for this administration.” Rauner, too, vowed to go on the offense against attacks on his administration.
The governor told staffers his team would “fight every rumor and innuendo diligently,” calling them “disgusting,” the source said. The governor said his administration would “stand together” and squash rumors in every possible way and said some were coming because he’s trying to challenge the “status quo.”
“We announced some changes in the communications department, and that’s all the changes there are.”
* And then that very evening, his office sent out this…
General Counsel Dennis Murashko will leave the Administration at the end of August to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
The next day, August 25th, Murashko was reportedly escorted out of the building.
* Pritzker campaign…
“The General Counsel to the governor of this state abruptly resigned after producing what should be a standard ethics memo and no one knows why,” said Pritzker campaign communications director Galia Slayen. “Bruce Rauner refuses to tell voters what really happened and it is time for him to come clean and tell us why Dennis Murashko resigned.”
* WBEZ takes this chart and fleshes it out with stories about some of the 13 people who died at the Quincy Veterans Home from Legionnaires Disease and the outrage of those who are left behind…
When the state first made the dire situation at Quincy public in 2015, the story quickly got picked up.
Springfield resident Steve French was in his car when he got a phone call from his brother in Waukegan, who had heard a news report that the illness was spreading at the veterans’ home. Just a month earlier, their parents had become residents there.
Dolores French, a native Chicagoan and lifelong Cubs fan who was 79, had only one health malady: deafness. Otherwise, she was in good health and was allowed to move into the veterans’ home with her husband of 57 years, Richard French Sr., because he was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War.
She was assigned to an independent living unit at the facility, Steve French said, while her husband was placed in another residential building at Quincy because he needed care for his worsening Parkinson’s disease. Typically, French said, his mother would walk to her husband’s room and spend eight hours a day with him.
When the phone call about Legionnaires’ at Quincy arrived, Steve French said he immediately wanted to check on his parents’ well-being and tried calling his mother, who had a device that translates phone calls into text. He got no response. He tried the desk in her building and also got nothing. The next call went to the facility’s administrative offices.
“I said, ‘This is Steve French. I heard the news. I’m just checking on my dad and mom,’” he recalled. “And she just said that they’re OK, that if something happens, we’ll get a call.”
That was Friday, Aug. 28, 2015.
But it wasn’t until the next morning, as French was contemplating making the drive to Quincy from Springfield to check on her, that he was notified by the home that his mother’s neighbors had reported her missing, and staff wanted permission to enter her room, he said.
Within 10 minutes, as the Frenches sat in their basement, another call came from Quincy to report his mother had been found on the floor in her apartment, dead.
As the news began to sink in, yet another call arrived, this time from the Adams County Coroner’s Office. French’s wife, Deann, took the phone.
“He said, ‘We found Mrs. French, and this is going to be difficult for me to tell you, but she has been dead for a significant amount of time,’” Deann French remembered. “So I’m processing that, and I said, ‘Do we know what happened to her? What happened?’ At this point, I’m not thinking Legionnaires’. I just wasn’t. And he said, ‘No, she was found on the floor in front of her recliner, pretty badly decomposed.’”
Within another hour or two, the coroner called back with confirmation that he suspected Legionnaires’, and that state law required an autopsy because an outbreak had been declared at the home. Bewildered, Steve French said he asked that his father not be informed so that he could go tell him face to face the next day.
“You know what he should do?” Deann French said of Gov. Rauner. “He should go back over there and he should drink some of the water. Or maybe he should take a shower. Or maybe he should eat off of one of those plates coming out of that kitchen. Maybe that would make an impact on him.”
Bottom line, Steve French said, someone has to answer for what happened — and is continuing to happen — at the Quincy veterans’ home.
“People are dying. Something’s killing them. Granted, it’s a water-treatment problem. But it’s killing people,” he said. “Shouldn’t somebody be held accountable?”
“Illinois veterans, who bravely served this country overseas are dying in our veterans’ homes and Bruce Rauner is failing to fight for them,” said JB Pritzker. “This is unconscionable negligence that has already taken the lives of 13 of our nation’s heroes. Our veterans should be living in dignity and instead they are losing their lives because of Bruce Rauner’s incompetence and inability to effectively lead our state. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their loved ones to this tragedy. You deserved better and our state deserves a real leader.”
* From the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
A Democratic candidate for governor picking up the endorsement of the Illinois’ teachers’ union highlights the importance of the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME for one state representative.
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker said in a Saturday news release, “I’m so proud to receive the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the 100,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty and staff and public employees they represent.”
State Rep. Grant Wehrli, R-Naperville, said it’s naive to think all 100,000 members support Pritzker.
“I’m sure there are some that support other Democratic candidates and maybe even a few that support Gov. [Bruce] Rauner,” Wehrli said.
“[The endorsement] infers the entire union membership is behind [Pritzker],” Wehrli said. “It silences their own members’ voices that may have a different political viewpoint.”
Wehrli said IFT’s endorsement of Pritzker disregards those forced into the union who don’t agree with the endorsement.
“They somehow defer their rights to free speech to the union bosses who can endorse whomever they want and use their membership as a show of force even if some members don’t agree with that union endorsement,” Wehrli said.
So, to be legit, every group that endorses candidates has to do so unanimously? Odd.
Also, if a worker covered under a union contract doesn’t agree with an endorsement, that person is under zero obligation to vote for the candidate. The person is also free to speak out against that candidate. And none of that person’s fair share fees are used on the campaign side.
* From the IFT’s Aviva Bowen…
“The IPI propaganda arm ‘reporting’ about the IPI litigation arm’s attack on working families is rich. Rauner would make Steve Bannon proud.”
“He rips toilets out a mansion he buys, and he saves himself $230,000, thanks to Berrios,” Rauner said. “They’re totally in bed with each other and it’s wrong.”
But, has Rauner appealed his taxes, as well?
“We have not!” the governor said.
CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley says Rauner did not, but the condo association for his Lakefront high-rise certainly did. Thus, Rauner benefited from the same system he has been known to call “corrupt,” by receiving hefty assessment reductions on his downtown penthouse.
In 2008, his assessment of $244,833 was cut by $94,745; 38 percent
In 2012, his assessment of $300,791 was cut by $22,776; 7.5 percent
In 2015, his assessment of $350,409 was cut by $65,854; an almost 19 percent reduction
Rauner’s reductions didn’t come from Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios; instead, they came from the Cook County Board of Review. […]
Often, taxes can increase even though as assessment is reduced. Therefore, it is hard to determine whether Rauner’s taxes actually went down. The point being — some of the same candidates who are criticizing the property tax system, also took advantage of it when they had the opportunity.
Thoughts?
…Adding… From the video…
Irika: “So the Governor, could he have chosen to opt-out of the property tax break for that condo?”
Derrick: “According to the Board of Review, he did have that ability to opt out of the appeal, but apparently chose not to do that.”
Today, 4th Congressional District Congressman Luis Gutierrez announced his endorsement of Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios re-election bid.
“I’m proud to call Joe Berrios a good friend and brother. I have known him to be an honest public servant, who has dedicated his career to fighting for the interests of working families. He continues to work to fix the broken system he inherited by making it more equitable and fair for Cook County residents and seniors,” said Congressman Gutierrez.
“Like Bruce Rauner, Joe’s opponent Fritz Kaegi is a Wall Street Republican who has dedicated his career to profiting off the backs of working families. As an immigrant rights advocate, I find his firm’s association with the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) extremely troubling. CCA is a private prison operator that lobbied for legislation increasing incarcerations in the U.S. that unfairly target African Americans, Latinos, and undocumented immigrants. They have been at the forefront drafting anti-immigrant legislation such as, Arizona’s racial profiling law that has incarcerated many of our African American and Latino sisters and brothers. Fritz cannot be trusted to advocate for our families.”
“I’m very proud and honored to receive my good friend Congressman Gutierrez’s endorsement, who has been a champion for Latinos and immigrants. Serving as Cook County Assessor has been one of the greatest honors in my career. Owning a home in Humboldt Park was my parent’s dream and I want to make sure that I help every Cook County resident achieve that dream. I look forward to continuing to represent Cook County’s working families to make sure that our property tax appeal system is equitable and transparent for all homeowners,” said Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios.
Assessor Berrios has taken charge and focused on improving the assessment system he inherited by making it fair and equitable for every Cook County resident. He has increased the number of outreach events held across the county, made appeals easier, and successfully pushed for an increase in the homeowners and senior exemptions which will put more money back in the hands of homeowners statewide. The Civic Consulting Alliance is currently reviewing the County’s property assessment system, and Assessor Berrios plans to implement whatever changes and improvements are recommended to make the system even better.
Governor Rauner swatted down questions on Tuesday about the abrupt and unceremonious exit of his longtime legal adviser Dennis Murashko.
Security guards led Murashko out of the James R. Thompson Center just days after he penned a now-leaked memo which contained warnings against mixing politics and official state business. [This article has been updated to clarify that sources who witnessed Murashko’s exit from the Thompson Center initially described it as a security guard escort, but pressed for specifics, later recanted and acknowledged they could have been administration officials.] […]
At least one complaint was filed against Murashko with the Office of the Executive Inspector General, according to sources in the Governor’s office who saw the complaint. However, there is no available evidence to suggest that complaint ever triggered an official investigation. OEIG General Counsel Daniel Hurtado says thousands of complaints are filed with that office every year, but very few of them ever become full blown investigations. As a rule, the OEIG does not disclose any information about ongoing investigations or unresolved complaints. […]
Two sources tell WCIA they shared concerns about Murashko’s behavior in office with senior members of the administration before his departure, but on Tuesday, Rauner denied having any knowledge of personal ethical breaches involving Murashko.
“Not that I know of,” he said, “And you’re asking all kinds of questions based on rumor. Let me be clear. There is a lot of baloney rumors going around. You [reporters] are helping perpetuate them, and that’s wrong. You guys should not do that,” he scolded.
The anonymous complaint to the OEIG that I’ve seen claims Murashko engaged in “retaliation, intimidation, abuse of power and inappropriate office behavior.” As Maxwell notes, there’s no evidence yet that the complaint triggered an actual investigation.
I showed the anonymous complaint to Murashko the other day and he said: “The claims are ridiculous, false, and defamatory. They do not merit a further response. It’s sad that certain individuals turn political agendas into vicious personal attacks to distract from their own shortcomings. This is what discourages good people from serving in state government.”
Be that as it may, the anonymous complaint lists “Governor Bruce Rauner” on its “cc” list. But, of course, that’s not solid proof that the governor actually received it, or saw it or was told about it.
* Meanwhile, the governor confirmed that the Murashko memo I published last week was authentic. I already knew that, but here you go…
Before he stepped down, Murashko penned an internal memo that laid out a series of guidelines about how the governor’s office should separate government work from work being done by Rauner’s campaign team.
On Tuesday, Rauner said that memo was “created at my urging,” calling it a matter of “good management.”
“In my administration, we have the highest expectation, the highest ethical standards. We have zero tolerance for bad behavior, zero tolerance for unethical behavior,” Rauner said.
WCIA has separately learned Deputy Governor Trey Childress was the subject of an investigation filed within the last six months, according to state employees who were called in for interviews with the OEIG. The findings and status of that investigation remain unknown, although at least one witness testified in his defense.
The problem with that investigation, I’m told, is that two people allegedly saw the same thing and then described it very differently to the investigators.
Keep in mind that an investigation doesn’t automatically make somebody guilty.
Gov. Bruce Rauner should look in the mirror before demanding the resignation of Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios for presiding over a corrupt and failing property tax system, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday.
“My basic point to Gov. Rauner [is], you’ve never passed a budget, let alone submitted one, that’s ever been balanced in three years. Don’t be throwing stones. … People in glass houses shouldn’t be throwing stones,” the mayor said while standing in front of a mountain of salt at Grand and Rockwell to highlight the city’s winter preparedness.
“Second, the voters decide whether somebody should stay or go. That’s what elections are about.”
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best State Senate Staffer - Non Political goes to Ashley Jenkins…
Ashley Jenkins, hands down. She is extremely intelligent and managed some pretty big bills this session, including the Civil Asset Forfeiture bill. She’s principled and knows how to get things done
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best State House Staffer - Non Political goes to James Sherwood…
He recently left to become a lobbyist, but deserves recognition for being Leader Durkin’s go-to guy on just about every important issue. A great guy who treats everyone with respect.
Both are extremely deserving.
* OK, on to today’s categories…
* Best Illinois State Representative - Republican
* Best Illinois State Representative - Democrat
Remember to explain your nominations (or they won’t count) and try to nominate in both categories.
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of author, University of Illinois at Chicago professor, and former Chicago Alderman Dick Simpson. The two will host a Facebook Live discussion at 4:00 p.m. today to discuss topics related to good government, fighting corruption, and getting big money out of politics.
I’m proud to endorse Daniel Biss,” said Dick Simpson. “Daniel is a proven progressive and a leader who doesn’t shy away from the tough fights. Whether he’s introducing a small donor matching program to get big money out of politics or a bill to require presidential candidates to release their tax returns to appear on the Illinois ballot, Daniel pursues innovative solutions that will transform our democracy at its core. With an impressive record of taking on the political machine and organizing around long-term reforms, Daniel is the candidate I trust to build a state that works for middle-class families like his.”
It’s an honor to receive Dick Simpson’s endorsement,” said Daniel Biss. “As an alderman, professor, and author, Dick has called attention to the insidious consequences of corruption and machine politics and the urgency of building a more transparent and accountable government. And he’s right—if we want to pass progressive revenue sources and fund our crucial priorities, it starts with setting up our government to listen to the rest of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”
* Columnist at the state’s largest newspaper versus some guy with 42 Twitter followers…
Illinois politics: @JeanneIves hammers Gov Rauner The Chicago Way. CPS boss Forrest Claypool is severed from the mayoral body politic. And @KennedyforIL targets Boss Madigan minion Joe Berrios. #twill My column: https://t.co/1MBsJSvDQZ
Democrats Are Abandoning Joe Berrios, But J.B. Pritzker Is Still Silent
Pritzker’s silence is a desperate attempt to protect the corrupt Pritzker-Madigan-Berrios property tax racket
“J.B. Pritzker refuses to criticize Joe Berrios because without Berrios, Pritzker and Madigan can’t profit from their corrupt property tax racket. Pritzker needs Berrios’ support to secure huge property tax breaks for himself and make it past the upcoming primary. Berrios needs Pritzker to dole out campaign cash and work hand-in-hand with Madigan in Springfield. It’s a racket that would make even the most corrupt politicians blush.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Days ago, the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois released their fourth installment of an investigative series looking into the Cook County property tax system. The bombshell report revealed that Cook County Assessor and Democratic Party boss Joe Berrios, with the support of Mike Madigan, is running what is essentially a property tax racket that shifts property taxes from the rich to the poor.
Unsurprisingly, most Democrats want nothing to do with Berrios and Madigan. Just yesterday, three Democratic members of Congress were the latest Democrats to endorse Berrios’ opponent. Last month, “Chuy” Garcia, Heather Steans, and David Orr all endorsed Berrios’ opponent as well.
But who is one Democrat that “won’t be critical” of Joe Berrios or Mike Madigan? None other than J.B. Pritzker.
And it makes sense - J.B. Pritzker is an integral part of the corrupt Pritzker-Madigan-Berrios property tax racket. Pritzker funnels campaign cash to Madigan and Berrios, Madigan gets rich off of his property tax appeals law firm and uses his political machine to back Berrios and Pritzker, and Berrios doles out huge property tax breaks to billionaire insiders like Pritzker while backing Pritzker’s campaign for governor.
J.B. Pritzker’s silence on Joe Berrios is a desperate attempt to protect his corrupt property tax racket with Madigan and Berrios.
* DGA…
Rauner Failing to Protect Illinois from Donald Trump’s Backwards Environmental Policies
Rauner Refuses to Join Bipartisan Group of Governors Committing States to Paris Climate Goals
Today, while Governor Bruce Rauner celebrates passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act, voters won’t hear Rauner talk about how President Trump’s backwards environmental policies will hurt Illinois. Earlier this year, Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement and pulled back President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and Rauner has been silent.
Rauner has been called on numerous times to either repudiate Trump’s actions or sign Illinois onto a growing movement to adhere to the Paris Climate Agreement. So far, a group of 15 bipartisan governors have committed their states to the goals. WTTW reported that Rauner has repeatedly ignored state lawmakers and activists calls for Rauner to commit Illinois. In June, Rauner was asked directly by a voter to keep Illinois in the pact. He dodged. Groups like Sierra Club Illinois have noticed how Rauner was “silent when the President decided to pull out of Paris” and “on whether Illinois would take the lead on climate change anyway.”
And while Rauner touts his energy record, he doesn’t often mention how his administration is trying to roll back regulations on coal-powered plants. Curious.
“Once again, Bruce Rauner refuses to stand up to President Trump whose policies are moving Illinois backwards,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Under Rauner’s failed leadership, Illinois is missing an opportunity to grow clean energy jobs and ensure clean water and air for children. Instead of fighting to protect Illinois families from Trump’s backwards policies, Rauner has shown he is more worried about his own stalled reelection bid.”
* Emptying my in-box because I gotta go get a haircut soon. From the Jeanne Ives campaign last night…
GOP Rep. McSweeney: “The ‘Fringe Candidate’ Is Bruce Rauner. He Stands For Nothing.”
Calls Rauner “Madigan’s Biggest Ally”
December 11, 2017 – For the past three years, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s biggest ally has been Governor Bruce Rauner according to State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), who called into “Chicago’s Morning Answer” radio show on Monday Morning.
McSweeney was interviewed about the Rauner Administration’s reaction to the release of an internal memo sent by Rauner’s former General Counsel Dennis Murashko.
“I support Jeanne Ives’ call for a full investigation,” McSweeney said. “Even this morning, there was a story in Politico that the administration won’t answer questions… This is business as usual with the Rauner Administration: very secretive, not providing answers.”
McSweeny went on to say that the administration’s clandestine nature is evidence that Governor Rauner is not in charge in Springfield.
He said Ives has the character and intellect to lead conservative policy revolution in Springfield. McSweeney pointed to his personal experiences working with Jeanne Ives “I know Jeanne Ives will be in charge, and that’s why I support her,” he said.
In 2014, McSweeney, like Ives and other Republican legislators, supported Bruce Rauner’s candidacy, but says he now opposes the Governor because he saw how the Governor duped voters. “In a strange way, the biggest Madigan ally is Bruce Rauner,” he added.
“He [Madigan] talked about a tax increase for two years… we ended up with a 32% income tax hike. Bruce Rauner worked hand in hand with Mike Madigan on making Illinois a Sanctuary State. And guess who signed Madigan’s Abortion bill?”
“Bruce Rauner is the kind of guy who loves to go out and criticize, call people names,” McSweeney said. “But when push comes to shove, he’s been Madigan’s biggest ally. And that’s why we need change. That’s why Jeanne Ives would be a good governor.”
McSweeney added that the best-case scenario would be Republicans winning the 9 House seats necessary to oust Madigan as House Speaker.
“But if Madigan is still the Speaker, we need Jeanne Ives in his [Madigan’s] office respectfully, but forcefully advocating for what we believe in, ” he said.
McSweeney disagreed wholeheartedly with Rauner’s characterization of Ives as a “fringe candidate.”
“The ‘fringe candidate’ is Bruce Rauner. He stands for nothing.”
In response, Jeanne Ives said, “David is a strong defender of taxpayers in Springfield and we are happy to have his support of our campaign.”
* From the Pritzker campaign early this morning…
Rauner’s Secret MCO Deal Could “Destabilize” Medicaid, Cause “Significant Care Disruptions”
Health Policy Expert: “It Just Isn’t Going To Work”
Chicago, IL – Bruce Rauner’s secret MCO deal could “destabilize” Medicaid and cause “significant care disruptions” according to health policy expert Joel Menges. Put succinctly, “it just isn’t going to work.”
Between the no-bid contracts that shielded the deal from the public eye to the cost estimates skyrocketing by 57 percent overnight, evidence is piling up that Rauner botched the largest procurement in state history, and Illinoisans will have to pay up to cover his incompetence.
“Bruce Rauner’s stunning incompetence is costing Illinois taxpayers — again,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “After tripling the bill backlog, Rauner now wants to add another $23 billion to the cost of his secret MCO plan, all while cutting off access to healthcare and cowering to Donald Trump.”
* And then came this one…
Damage Done: Illinois Ranked 43rd Worst Run State
Chicago, IL – In a recent ranking of the best run states in America, Illinois ranked near the bottom of the list under Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership, barely beating out states like New Jersey and Alabama.
The ranking is based off key indicators of a state’s economic health, including the unemployment rate and the state’s credit rating. The analysis cites Bruce Rauner’s budget crisis and the state’s lowest-in-the-nation credit rating as key factors for the dismal spot on the list.
“Bruce Rauner manufactured crisis after crisis, dragging the Illinois economy to rock bottom and shattering our state’s credit rating,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “The Worst Republican Governor in America’s damage is done and Illinoisans are left to pick up the pieces.”
* Former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy was on WVON again this morning. He was asked once again about what, exactly he told Mayor Rahm Emanuel after the Laquan McDonald shooting and when, exactly he told Emanuel. There was just a bit of vagueness about the timeline the other day, so I (among others) asked interviewer Charles Thomas to clear it up today if he could.
McCarthy claimed the morning after Laquan McDonald was shot by police that he had his usual morning phone call with Mayor Emanuel at 6 o’clock. McCarthy said he told Emanuel during the call that police had shot and killed a young man the night before. He said he explained to Emanuel that the man “had a knife, was acting erratically and had stabbed some police car tires.” He said he didn’t remember Emanuel’s response. “We didn’t have anything at that point that indicated there was a problem,” McCarthy explained.
Two days after the shooting, McCarthy said he received a briefing about the shooting and watched the police video. “After the briefing, I spoke to the mayor and told him that this officer is going to have a problem articulating what happened. He may be able to do it because there was a knife involved.”
McCarthy was asked specifically if he told this to the mayor two days after the shooting. He said it was.
McCarthy said he doesn’t remember if he told the mayor that McDonald had been shot 16 times. “I may have, but I definitely told him the officer is going to have a problem. I don’t remember his response and I don’t remember exactly what was said, but I do know that I told him there is a video of this and the officer is going to have a problem.”
* To refresh your memory, this is from a December 8, 2015 Paris Schutz interview of Mayor Rahm Emanuel…
PS: When did you first learn that there were discrepancies between the initial reports from officers on the scene that night and the video?
MRE: When we get the information, that it’s public, that’s when I learned it like everybody else.
PS: So former superintendent McCarthy didn’t tell you that there might be a problem between the official reports and what the video shows?
Today, Citizens for Rauner launched a new digital ad featuring the property tax racket run by Joe Berrios, Mike Madigan and J.B. Pritzker.
Last week, the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica published a stunning investigation into Joe Berrios’ abuse of power for political gain. In his role as Cook County Assessor, he could determine the value of properties to raise or lower the tax paid to the county. Meanwhile, Berrios’ political sponsor, Mike Madigan, is a partner at Chicago’s largest property tax reassessment firm, securing over $1.7 billion in tax savings for their clients thanks to Berrios.
Now J.B. Pritzker is getting in the game. He’s already utilized the insider system to secure a $230,000 tax break from Berrios. Now, Madigan and Berrios are lining up Democrat organizations behind Pritzker so he can secure the Governor’s Mansion and the racket can continue.
Jim Dodge ran unsuccessfully for Comptroller in 2010. The Orland Park village trustee offered few specifics, but is campaigning on what he says is a need for change in Illinois politics. He called out House Speaker Mike Madigan and other Democrats. Within his own party, Dodge says he agrees with Bruce Rauner.
“Of the choices, I would rather prefer Governor Rauner versus anybody that’s on the Democrat side, and I think he’s doing all he can in near impossible circumstances to put Illinois on the right track,” he said.
Dodge says Democratic opponent Mike Frerichs is a part of the “Madigan Machine.” Frerichs’s campaign responded by listing accomplishments that include a law he pushed to require life insurance firms do more to track down beneficiaries.
As for garnering support for his campaign, Dodge says it’s a work in progress, but that he’ll be working closely with the Republican nominee for Governor. Jeanne Ives has filed as a Republican primary opponent to Rauner.
Topinka believes the comptroller office should be combined with the state treasurer’s office, which oversees state investments, because they duplicate some duties; such a move would require a voter-approved constitutional amendment.
She estimates merging the offices will save up to $20 million a year, citing salary costs and programs that can be “tightened up.”
Dodge called Topinka’s plan a “campaign ploy.”
Dodge ran a very negative campaign against Topinka and was rewarded by primary voters with a third-place finish and a mere 19 percent. Believe it or not, the dude actually finished behind William Kelly.
* The forum was held over the weekend, but they released the results last night…
NEW Results of straw poll after Democratic Governor Candidates Chicago Women’s Forum: Biss 46% Pritzker 29% Kennedy 23% Hardiman .7%#ILGov18pic.twitter.com/oeBm8vVOVn
Biss spokesman Thomas Elliott says “These results show that Democratic primary voters are looking for a middle-class progressive with government experience to lead our state forward, and Daniel Biss is that candidate.
“And while the Democratic establishment would like to coronate an inexperienced billionaire and ’shut down’ this competitive primary, we’re taking our case directly to the voters. We’re building a grassroots movement of people across the state who want someone they trust to represent them, not the status quo.”
Elliott added that he believes Illinois residents are responding to Biss’s message about building a state government that “works for them, not the wealthy and well-connected.”
The coronation line is probably right, but it doesn’t look like they’re trying to physically shut down Biss’ campaign. Starve it of money, yes. But if I was the Pritzker campaign, I’d want Biss (and everyone else) to stay in the race to split the coronation opposition vote with Kennedy.
Terry Getz did not pass apparent conformity review and has been sent a letter with an opportunity to address the Board. He will not appear on the ballot.
* Biss: Time to think bigger on revenue options: That’s why we need to think bigger than J.B. We can implement a financial transaction tax, which would place a fraction-of-a-penny fee on every transaction on LaSalle Street. We can close the carried interest loophole to prevent the wealthiest Illinoisans from evading taxes. I’ve worked toward both of these policies in the Senate, and will continue fighting for them as governor.
* The two men were allies back in the day. Rauner was a big contributor to Claypool’s bid for county board president, kicking in $175,000. But the fight over Chicago school funding made them bitter enemies…
Gov. Bruce Rauner is calling the resignation of Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool a “very tragic situation,” criticizing what he sees as “unethical behavior and the failure of leadership” at the district.
Claypool announced his resignation on Friday at an unorthodox news conference, days after being accused of orchestrating a “full-blown cover-up” by the district inspector general.
“Very tragic situation, very sad when you look at the behavior and the mistakes and the things he did, very, very tragic,” Rauner said at a campaign event Monday. “I’ve worked with Claypool for years. Very disappointed to see what he’s done. And it’s a tragedy for the schoolchildren of Chicago.”
“I have worked personally for almost 30 years trying to improve the educational opportunities for the children in the city of Chicago,” Rauner added. “And it’s tragic to me to see the unethical behavior and the failure of leadership that we’ve seen in CPS so many times over the years.”
Lynn Sweet: So, let’s look at what is going on here in the Durbin-Duckworth announcement. They gave Chris Kennedy plenty of time to either neutralize them or earn the endorsement. The only thing that Duckworth and Durbin want is a Democratic governor, and the politics of all the major candidates aren’t that different. Now in the long term, so let’s put that in bucket one. Bucket two, JB Pritzker is a generous donor to Democratic Senate candidates, the Democratic Governors Association, so everyone knows that even if he loses, as he has said, he will maintain being a generous activist. So that gave him a running start.
But from what I can tell, he earned it. He has been traveling the state. He has been consulting with the Senators. I know that Sen. Tammy Duckworth is the Democrat who just won a big statewide race, OK, so she knows the most and has the best information and the best insights about what it will take to win. So he has been going and meeting with the people who can help him understand what it takes to win in the state of Illinois, and I think Duckworth and Durbin appreciate it. He’s not just using his money to buy commercial time. He is putting in his time to talk to the people who have done this to find out what it takes.
And I think, you know, Chris Kennedy had a lot of time to earn this, and now that filing is over and people will start focusing on the campaigns, the only thing that surprised me at this stage is I thought they might have waited a little bit, maybe until after the holidays just in case, to give Kennedy a little more time, but maybe they thought he’s had enough time.
In terms of the other candidates, they just haven’t risen beyond their regional base.
Cameron: Yeah.
Sweet: And actually when you look at it, I just looked up at the State Board of Elections. I guess there are seven or eight people who filed and out of it, the only ones who are real contenders here are JB and Chris Kennedy and, uh…
Cameron: Biss.
Sweet: And Biss, is the three major ones here. And it takes a lot to really make it on the statewide basis. So that’s why this endorsement, the two Senators combined has a lot more heft than other things because they have statewide name recognition. They have statewide connections. They travel around the state and they’re known. And that’s why this endorsement is the top standard of what you could seek.
Ray Long: Plus, Durbin is Downstate so he has some Downstate cred, too, which is something a lot of the candidates don’t have.
Sweet: People have heard of him! Biss put out, in all respect, he put out some press release, the most recent one, where he was touting some endorsement and it was somebody who I’d barely heard of. Not to be disrespectful and it’s important, but sometimes you have to weigh endorsements as to what can get attention. With all the things that people have on their minds and what they’re doing and maybe just trying to get their house cleaned for the weekend and get ready for the holidays, it takes a lot to break through. Having Durbin and Duckworth, combined, at least can get your attention.
Greg Hinz: The short version of all of this is that Chris Kennedy so far has run a crashingly disappointing campaign. Duckworth and Durbin see all the good things that Pritzker could do for them, particularly spending money to build a statewide political organization that will continue afterwards. So if Kennedy’s not going to show anything, why wait?
Take some time to read what Sweet said. She’s a DC type, so she may not be up on every little twist and turn in Illinois, but what she says about the Senators is from her own work and she’s right. Durbin and Duckworth wanted the Democratic hopefuls to show them that they were “real” candidates who could put together “real” campaigns before making any endorsements.
Their requirements included spending a lot of time throughout the state meeting with people, opening offices, hiring field staff, putting together a solid messaging team, etc. Pritzker courted them hard. And it worked out in the end.
* Related…
* Pritzker run keeps picking up steam: But it’s Pritzker who has the backing and the clout of the big boys. Fortunately for his opponents, voters will have the last word, and they have shown in the past that they are capable of thinking for themselves.
They’ve been called inhumane, immoral, a private gulag.
But for-profit prisons only meant profit for Fritz Kaegi.
Kaegi personally managed a fund that invested in nearly thirty million in private prisons. Prisons where women refused food to protest abuse of guards. Immigrant children as young as five were held and detainees died suspiciously.
But Kaegi? Only saw profits. Fritzk Kaegi doesn’t share our values.
* Earlier today, the Berrios campaign claimed this…
Fritz claims that during his tenure at Columbia Wagner Asset Management he would not have allowed investments in private prisons because he finds them morally reprehensible. He is clearly misleading voters because as a senior portfolio manager of Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) he designed and executed investment strategies for the fund. Most notable are:
$29 million invested in the Corrections Corporation of America, a private prison operator that lobbied for legislation increasing incarcerations in the U.S. Such policies have been shown to unfairly target African Americans, Latinos, and undocumented immigrants.
The Berrios team’s latest statement about Fritz’s alleged investments in private prisons is replete with blatant lies–hallmarks of Assessor Berrios’ disturbing flagrant perpetuation of economic inequality. This is yet another feeble Berrios attempt to deflect public attention from the Assessor’s own scandal by lying to voters. Their statement this morning calling lifelong progressive Democrat Fritz Kaegi a ‘Wall Street Republican’ would be laughable if the ease with which Berrios’ campaign lies to voters wasn’t so troubling.
…Adding… Berrios campaign…
Hey Rich,
Fritz keeps denying that he worked at Columbia Acorn Fund. Here’s the proof. See attached prospectus and the SEC and form NQ.
The Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) Invested in CoreCivic, Inc. During the Six-Month Period Ending March 31, 2017; Company Reported Its CoreCivic Stock Was Valued at $29,111,038 at the Time. According to a semi-annual N-Q disclosure document filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 26, 2017, ACRNX owned 926,513 shares of CoreCivic, Inc. Those shares were valued at $29,111,038. [N-Q, sec.gov, filed 11/28/17; N-Q, sec.gov, filed 5/26/17; Columbia Semi-Annual Report, columbiamanagement.rightprospectus.com, 12/31/16]
*** UPDATE *** Part of a press release from the Kaegi campaign, which calls the ad “slanderous”…
“The Berrios campaign keeps pointing to Columbia Acorn Fund holdings as of March 31, 2017. But Fritz was not a portfolio manager on the Columbia Acorn Fund at this date. He provided notice of his resignation on February 28, 2017, and stepped down from the funds he managed on March 13, 2017. This SEC filing reports the change.
“There are some companies appearing on the March 31, 2017 holding statement that Fritz’s successors purchased because Fritz was no longer there to block them. CoreCivic is among these. “There is not a single document listing CoreCivic as a holding that also lists Fritz as a portfolio manager, because he never was.
“Why did Fritz block the purchase of these kinds of companies? He has always believed these were bad companies in a bad business which have a devastating impact on communities. CoreCivic, previously known as Corrections Corporation of America, changed its name a number of times to hide the nature of its business. They have opaque accounting and contracting practices. They try to change how the market views them, dressing themselves up as real estate companies.
“Additionally, Fritz understood that these companies were running up against a pronounced change of attitude of the American people, toward our country’s failing policies of mass incarceration. Private prison companies were selling something that the American people and governments increasingly did not want. All of these dynamics made for a hugely risky, unattractive investment prospect. They were morally wrong, and they were bad investments. Every time someone suggested an investment in these sorts of companies, Fritz rejected it. The Acorn Fund never owned shares of these companies while Fritz was managing it.
“Assessor Berrios tells a malicious lie that Fritz Kaegi invested in or profited from these companies. Fritz demands a retraction and personal apology from Joe Berrios for making these slanderous charges.”
The measure failed 70-39 on Tuesday. An earlier try at an override failed 70-42. Supporters needed 71 votes to override Rauner. Democratic Rep. Scott Drury of Highwood, who is running for attorney general, voted for override last time but was absent Tuesday.
He filed the receipt for his Rep in General Assembly economic disclosure with his petitions. Cases go both ways.
From another pal…
My guess is this won’t end quickly because it requires interpreting 2 statutes [Election Code and the IL Governmental Ethics Act] that have to be read together. I bet a hearing officer tosses him; state board reinstates; and a court challenge ensues.
This morning an objection was filed against Neli Rowland in the Democratic primary in #IL04. This afternoon she officially withdrew, Sol Flores is the only remaining female candidate.https://t.co/3NguqCRDYL
That could prove crucial in a crowded race. If you have some time, take a listen to the new podcast from Mike Noonan and Victor Reyes. They talk about this primary in some detail…
* In other news…
Five candidates filed for the Democratic primary in the 8th Senate district. Every one of them, including incumbent Ira Silverstein, has had an objection filed against them.https://t.co/1YYBI4bP4T
A complete list of objections is here. A list of those who’ve withdrawn so far is here.
…Adding… Hilarious. The guy has no running mate and filed zero signatures…
None of the gubernatorial candidates had objections filed against them, all will appear on the ballot unless they withdraw. That includes Terry Getz, whose filing was clearly deficient, but no one objected.https://t.co/LXBFlvqWdn
* One week after filing, candidate drops out of 57th state Senate race: St. Clair Township Supervisor Dave Barnes has dropped out of the race for the 57th State Senate District, one week after filing to run. Barnes, who sought the Republican nomination in the March 2018 primary, declined to comment or give a reason for ending his campaign. Remaining in the race for the Republican nomination is Air Force Reservist Tanya Hildenbrand and local radio shock jock Bob Romanik.
* Joe Berrios is the Cook County Assessor. His office controls property tax assessments. It does not control the actual property tax levy…
Rauner held news conference in Wheeling at the home of Michael and Marianne Murphy. The governor accused Berrios of running a rigged system that benefits tax attorneys like the governor’s political nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and wealthy property owners such as his potential opponent for governor, billionaire J.B. Pritzker. […]
Mrs. Murphy tells ABC7 that several years ago they personally appealed the property taxes and were able to get them reduced by $100. She said she does not know enough about the way the assessor’s office operates to comment on whether Berrrios should resign.
“So in the last 10 years, our property value, our assessed value has gone down 25 percent and in the last 10 years our property taxes have increased 50 percent,” Marianne Murphy said.
So… you’re saying… Berrios… did his job?
One reason this property tax issue is so great for populist politicians is that not many people really understand it.
* As the Sun-Times noted earlier today, Gov. Rauner appointed Ms. Murphy to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board late last year…
The Rauner campaign said her appointment was to an unpaid, volunteer board, which was approved by the Illinois Senate.
Pritzker campaign…
Today, Bruce Rauner held a campaign press conference at the home of one of his government appointees, Marianne Murphy, calling into question what his exiled general counsel, Dennis Murashko, would say about his overlap of government and political work.
Rauner appointed Murphy to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board in December 2016. Murashko penned an eight-page memo — which reportedly did not sit well with Rauner — detailing ethical guidelines between Rauner’s government and political operations. The question is, would Murashko find this campaign stunt unethical?
“If Bruce Rauner hadn’t already gotten rid of Dennis Murashko, then surely the general counsel would have objected to today’s campaign stunt at the home of a government employee,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Until we know why Murashko resigned, questions will continue to swirl about this failed governor and his ethical boundaries.”
She’s not really an “employee.” She’s an unpaid board member. There’s more than a little difference here.
…Adding… DGA…
“Bruce Rauner has no shame,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Rauner has consistently blurred the line between political and public events, and is actively trying to hide a memo from his own lawyer advising to be careful about mixing events. Now he’s using state board members he appointed to delivery his campaign message. Rauner’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.”
“Here in Cook County, we have a corrupt, abusive property tax system that is rigged to benefit political insiders. It is orchestrated by Boss Mike Madigan. He has his puppet Joe Berrios do his bidding on property tax assessments, and it’s all to benefit insiders like Pritzker who save themselves hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars through a rigged system, all of which hurts the middle class in the state of Illinois and here in Cook County.”
“Joe Berrios, Mike Madigan, and J.B. Pritzker are the unholy trinity of collusion, corruption, conflicts of interest in our property tax system. It’s given us the highest property taxes in America here, and it’s benefitting political insiders and the wealthy who get special deals from Madigan and Berrios while the middle class suffers from brutally high property taxes.”
“Every dollar that Madigan and Berrios take in savings for wealthy, connected downtown building owners is a dollar that your average working family in the state has to put in more into the system to properly fund the schools. It’s rigged, it’s corrupt, it’s wrong, and it has to change.”
Essentially what the governor and others are arguing for are higher assessments on downtown commercial properties to help out everyone else in the city and the county. It’s really hard to argue against that, unless, of course, you own commercial properties in the currently booming downtown area, or you have a business that can’t afford to pay even higher downtown rents.
You could even argue that forcing downtown properties to pay significantly higher taxes could damage downtown’s prosperity. And that area (along with O’Hare) is one of the biggest economic engines in the entire Midwest. Lots of regular folks depend on a robust, thriving downtown.
I’m just saying here that Republicans tend to use those sorts of arguments in favor of giving breaks to businesses.
* In other news…
Lottery drawing put Berrios on ballot first Kaegi second #ILMarchPrimary
A third Democratic candidate, Andrea Raila, filed on the last day and will have the third spot on the ballot. Kaegi will probably need to persuade her to get off the ticket to enhance his chances.
On Sunday, the Chicago Tribune published Jason Grotto’s fourth feature article about the mismanaged and corrupt property tax assessment system in Cook County. The headline, “Assessor’s Estimates Defy Logic, Benefit Lawyers” is stunning, yet entirely accurate. The paper’s editorial page followed up with a scathing opinion piece stating Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios is “bad at his job.” In response to the recent calls for Berrios to step down and the report itself, Republican candidate for Governor and State Representative Jeanne Ives issued the following statement:
“Governor Rauner is late to the game. His call for Berrios to step down is little more than political convenience. He is, once again, trying to hide from his record, while I stand on mine. In February, I filed legislation for a property tax task force that would evaluate our system statewide worked to expose and remedy many of the issues we are discussing today. When the Democrat leadership blocked my legislation, I approached the Rauner administration to run the task force through his executive order authority. My request was ignored. Despite his promises of property tax reform, Governor Rauner refused to take charge when he had the chance. He refused to lead on this important issue.
“I filed this legislation because I and my colleagues, including townships assessors, know how inaccurate assessments unfairly affect the school funding formula and unfairly shift the tax burden between different property owners. The fact that this is a statewide problem was revealed during a legislative committee hearing on school funding when I questioned superintendents about their property tax evaluations, one superintendent revealed that his county had not undergone a reassessment in 35 years.”
Governor Rauner looked the other way when he had a chance to effect the change Illinois homeowners desperately need. He could have taken charge in February. He didn’t.
“Today, I join Chris Kennedy in calling for Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios to step down from his position. Under his leadership the Cook County Assessor’s office has an accuracy rating three times worse than the normal range. His office has the highest appeal rate to the state property tax appeal board and the highest rate of those appeals being affirmed in favor of the property owner. His corrupt system failed to use best practices in assessing property, update their computer assisted modeling of assessments, and failed to respond to requests for transparency.
“Governor Rauner will try to tell you our Property Tax System is a ‘broken system.’ That is incorrect. Our property tax system is working exactly as intended by the Chicago Democrats who designed it. It benefits the politically connected at the expense of those in this state without their wealth and clout.
* Meanwhile, earlier today, the Berrios campaign claimed this…
Wall Street Republicans like Bruce Rauner and Fritz Kaegi have been reckless for the role they played in the financial collapse of our economy while profiting off the backs of working families.
From Rebecca Reynolds, campaign manager for the Fritz Kaegi campaign…
“The Berrios campaign has once again issued another obviously false statement. Fritz Kaegi is a lifelong progressive Democrat, and he has been endorsed by Congressional Democrats Robin Kelly, Danny K. Davis and Bill Foster, County Clerk David Orr, Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and many other progressive democratic organizations and local leaders. Suggesting otherwise demonstrates a disregard for the truth, disrespect for the voters of Cook County, and the same lack of honesty and transparency that has plagued Mr. Berrios’ office for many years.”
“No one has made life worse for taxpayers in Illinois than Bruce Rauner, and no one has done more to worsen economic inequality. They have both done lasting damage to the economic futures of low-income communities and communities of color. They should both be relieved of their posts in the 2018 election, or sooner.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Berrios campaign…
Fritz Kaegi denies that he is a Wall Street Republican but the donations to his campaign tell a different story. He has accepted tens of thousands of dollars from Republican donors, who have directly contributed to Trump and Rauner.
Fritz claims that during his tenure at Columbia Wagner Asset Management he would not have allowed investments in private prisons because he finds them morally reprehensible. He is clearly misleading voters because as a senior portfolio manager of Columbia Acorn Fund (ACRNX) he designed and executed investment strategies for the fund. Most notable are:
$29 million invested in the Corrections Corporation of America, a private prison operator that lobbied for legislation increasing incarcerations in the U.S. Such policies have been shown to unfairly target African Americans, Latinos, and undocumented immigrants.
$44 million invested in DeVry University, which was sued for false advertisements that target lower-income communities
$41 million invested in Celanese Corp, which was Accused of contaminating water with cancer-causing chemicals in 2014
$21 million invested in Centene Corp, Health insurer criticized for refusing to cover surgery for infant with brain tumor
$19 million invested in Navigant Consulting, a consulting firm accused of charging Long Island Port Authority exorbitant fees while assisting with response to Hurricane Sandy
$196 million invested in MB Financial, bailed out by federal government
$52 million invested in TransUnion, Credit tracking agency that settled claims from New York Attorney General that it failed to properly respond to consumer complaints about mistakes in credit reports
Fritz is a Wall Street Republican running as a progressive Democrat with strong ties to the people responsible for crushing our economy to the brink of a depression and causing the housing crisis that we are still recovering from. He will not be a good steward for Cook County residents’ hard earned savings.
We call on Fritz to return the millions of dollars he profited from the incarceration and defrauding of African Americans, Latinos and the undocumented community.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Kaegi campaign…
“The Berrios team’s latest statement about Fritz’s alleged investments in private prisons is replete with blatant lies–hallmarks of Assessor Berrios’ disturbing flagrant perpetuation of economic inequality. This is yet another feeble Berrios attempt to deflect public attention from the Assessor’s own scandal by lying to voters. Their statement this morning calling lifelong progressive Democrat Fritz Kaegi a ‘Wall Street Republican’ would be laughable if the ease with which Berrios’ campaign lies to voters wasn’t so troubling.
“Fritz’s commitment to progressive Democratic issues and his responsible and ethical investment record are all a part of the public record and can easily be found with little effort. However, the current Assessor has shown a shameless disregard for getting the facts right for the taxpayers of Cook County–so it should come as no surprise they didn’t get the facts right in their campaign attacks either.
“We understand that this has been a tough time for Mr. Berrios. Just last week, the ProPublica Illinois-Chicago Tribune analysis of tens of thousands of property records demonstrated conclusively that politically connected law firms got billions of dollars in property tax breaks from Joe Berrios on commercial real estate deals–and that Berrios, in turn, put that tax obligation directly on the backs of Cook County residents.
“Especially in this political climate, voters expect and deserve the truth. We call on Mr. Berrios and his staff to at least try to make their case honestly and treat the voters with respect.”
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Senate Secretary/Admin. Assistant goes to Mindy Weir, who works for Sen. Manar…
School funding, automatic voter registration, a sprawling district that includes the Capitol … that’s a lot to stay on top of. Not only does she manage it, she manages it while always staying calm, polite and professional.
* The 2017 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Secretary/Admin. Assistant goes to the late Glori Ann “Glo” Cole Byrd, who worked for Rep. Bellock…
She was very diligent, always upbeat (even in her hard times), and knew how to make folks smile.
Over 40 groups associated with the Chicago Women Take Action Alliance on Saturday asked the [gubernatorial] candidates about how they’d address sexual harassment in the statehouse, as well as the economic and social barriers many face. The candidates largely said the answers to women’s issues, as well as curbing sexual harassment, is employing more women and protecting their rights.
Biss says that Rauner is turning everything into a personal fight between himself and House Speaker Madigan. Also said Pritzker is Madigan's candidate (to boos). Pritzker says Biss voted for Madigan to be speaker. Doesn't matter who speaker is, he's going to fight for his agenda
BISS: “First of all, what is Bruce Rauner even talking about? Why is he running for re-election, honestly, can someone explain this to me? It’s embarrassing, he’s genuinely just out there and embarrassing himself. But listen, let’s talk about Mike Madigan. He’s been there too long, he’s too powerful. I’ve said that for a long time. I’ve been fighting to limit how long someone can serve as speaker. This is fundamental, it’s important. Let’s just be really direct about what’s going on here. Bruce Rauner has chosen to be governor in the way of just turning everything into a personal fight with Mike Madigan. That’s terrible for the state of Illinois. JB Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor. I don’t think that’s the right way forward for the Democratic party. [Audience boos] I think we ought a have a new generation of real independence from the Speaker because I think his leadership which has gone on for a very long time, and has amassed an extraordinary amount of power that’s held the state back that’s held the Democratic party back and I think the right way forward is someone who will work with everyone, who has a record of accomplishment in the legislator, but is genuinely independent.” [Applause]
AHERN: “JB would you like to respond?”
PRITZKER: “I would like to respond. First of all, who here on this stage voted for Mike Madigan for Speaker? The guy at the end of the table. [Applause] Daniel Biss voted for Mike Madigan for Speaker, and voted for his rules, so it’s hypocrisy. Let me say that I have fought my entire life to change peoples’ lives across the state of Illinois to make their lives better. When I become governor I’m going to take that same record and go fight hard to put working families back in charge. It doesn’t matter who the Speaker of the House is, or who the President of the Senate is. It’s the agenda that I carry with me that I’m going to fight for.” [Applause]
…Adding… Biss’ retort…
“First of all, in my opinion it does matter who the Speaker of House and the Senate President are. I think it certainly matters. But I will say, yes I did vote for Mike Madigan for Speaker. He was the Democratic candidate for Speaker and I’m a proud Democrat. And I’m going to work with everyone in the legislature, including [Madigan]. I’ll work with him to elect the Democratic nominee for governor whoever that person is. You can be a loyal Democrat and be independent as well. That’s who I am.”
He’s a “proud Democrat” who spends much of his time bashing a guy he voted for and ran a super PAC with last year. It’s a free country, but I’m just sayin…
Mayor Nancy Rotering announced today that she earned the endorsement of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (Rock Island - 17th District) in the race.
“Illinois needs a fighter like Nancy Rotering for our next Attorney General. Nancy is a working mom and skilled attorney who has the courage, principled leadership, and drive to make a difference for all of us in Illinois,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “Hardworking families are under attack from Washington Republicans and Bruce Rauner, and I trust Nancy to stand up to them and protect our rights. Nancy has a proven track record of fighting hard and getting real results which is why I’m going to work to help her win this race.”
“I am humbled by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ support. She is a role model and proven champion for the the middle-class. We share the belief that protecting working families from the radical right’s anti-union agenda is a priority. Whether it’s fighting against Rauner in Illinois, or Trump in DC, we share the same values and will always stand up for what is right and fight back against special interests,” stated Mayor Nancy Rotering.
As a two-term Mayor, Rotering shook up City Hall with a major reform of city government that resulted in transparency, accessibility, and ethics accountability. The founder of a legal aid clinic, she has ensured access to justice in the areas of immigration, domestic violence, and housing for hundreds of Illinois residents.
* Meanwhile…
Join Northeastern Illinois University’s (NEIU) Inner City Studies faculty and students, along with the Cook County Bar Association, NEIU’s Pre-Law Society, the New Black Leadership Coalition and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Sigma Eta Chapter, is hosting an Attorney General Candidates’ forum on Tuesday, December 12 2017 at 6:30PM at NEIU’s Bronzeville campus (700 East Oakwood Boulevard) Chicago, Illinois 60653. Special Co- Moderators
Chicago Sun times Columnist Maudlyne Ihejirika & WVON 1690 Talk Show Host Cliff Kelley.
We are proud that, this year 2017, the Inner City Studies Program at NEIU is ranked first in the nation by Issues in Higher Education as a degree producer for African Americans in the master’s category for Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender and Group Studies. We have been an esteemed academic program on Chicago’s Southside for over 50 years. We believe this election is very important for our students and faculty at NEIU’s Bronzeville campus and Chicago residents at large who need to hear the candidates discuss issues critical to the African American community in Chicago.
Confirmed Candidates; Scott Drury, Sharon Fairley, Aaron Goldstein, Renato Mariotti, Pat Quinn, Kwame Raoul, Nancy Rotering, Jesse Ruiz
* Related…
* AG candidate Mariotti emphasizes ‘economic justice’: “It’s one thing to write an op-ed about problems or write on social media — it’s another thing to go out there and do something about it,” Mariotti said. “We go to court and fight for people, and that’s what I can do as attorney general.”
* Attorney General candidate stops in Galesburg: “I care enough to go around this entire state. This is the 19th town that I’ve visited,” says Mariotti, “actually meeting people in your town and elsewhere who are going through problems, because I want to learn and figure out what the problems are that everybody is facing. I want to be the Attorney General for everyone around the state.”
Holy cow, that's old. 1926. George F. Harding. Alderman, treasurer, friend of Big Bill Thompson, founder of Harding Museum in Hyde Park (his armor collection now at AIC)
Harmon made so much bread running his ballrooms and other events that he founded Chicago Stadium & was able to finance ~30% of its construction on his own.
Harding followed his father in becoming an important Chicago businessman. From 1905 onward, he served as president of the Chicago Real Estate Loan and Trust Company, and, at the time of his death, was one of the largest landowners in the city and chairman of the board of the Consumers Company. In politics, too, Harding was a figure to be reckoned with. He became a major power broker as alderman of the Second Ward (1903–13), state senator for the First District (1912), city controller (1919–23), and Cook County treasurer (1926–30). His political importance even extended to the national level; he was named Illinois’ representative to the Republican National Committee in 1936.
At a meeting of Sangamon County Democrats last week, BILL HOULIHAN, who is an elected member of the Democratic State Central Committee, said he wanted gubernatorial candidate DANIEL BISS of Evanston to quit giving fodder to Republicans as he criticizes a rival.
“Dan Biss has been sending out some emails that I think are hurtful to the Democratic Party and J.B. PRITZKER, and I think we need to shut that down as soon as possible,” Houlihan said. […]
The day Houlihan spoke, Biss had tweeted about Pritzker, asking what was the billionaire’s “favorite offshore trust fund.” It was retweeted by WILLIAM ALLISON, the Rauner campaign communications director.
Houlihan also said that he contacted Biss weeks earlier, when Biss criticized Pritzker for taking a charter flight to Mount Vernon to attend the NAACP state convention after leaving a Sierra Club event in Chicago.
Houlihan said it’s a big state, and a candidate for governor shouldn’t be criticized for campaigning downstate.
“If he wants to charter a plane to come to Springfield two or three days a week, I want J.B. Pritzker in this town helping Democrats,” Houlihan said, encouraging other Democrats to tell Biss to “take that BS down.”
Durbin who has received $25,000 in contributions from Pritzker addressed concerns that the candidate’s support in the past had influenced his decision to endorse him.
“I value every donation, but we raise a lot of money to run for public office, and any individual isn’t buying my endorsement,” he said.
Durbin isn’t gonna be bought and bring his fellow US Senator along for the ride over a measly $25K. Any Democrat who tries to press that case is gonna look like a fool.
The two Senators are pretty darned popular in the Democratic Party, so attacking them for backing Pritzker will be nearly impossible for Kennedy and Biss. The endorsements also give everybody else who has already endorsed Pritzker some political cover.
“I think people made commitments early because they were told to, not because they chose to. That’s all the difference right there,” Kennedy told POLITICO after a recent campaign event. “I think there is an attempt to cram down democracy, where the head of the party is choosing the next governor. I think that’s the great parallel of what happened in the last [presidential] election, and it’s bad for the state. I don’t think the primary voter is going to put up with that.”
He can’t credibly say that about Durbin and Duckworth. And, frankly, it would hurt him politically if he tried to do it. Same for Biss.
More importantly, though, Houlihan’s speech suggests that Durbin himself might soon step up to say the same sort of thing to Kennedy and Biss.
“It’s laughable that Bruce Rauner is complaining about my taxes,” Pritzker said after a Democratic gubernatorial candidates’ forum at the historic Second Presbyterian Church on the South Side. “I released way more information than Bruce Rauner has, and it’s important to recognize that unlike Bruce Rauner, who, yeah, he paid taxes, but you know how he made his money? By cutting jobs. By buying companies and firing people.”
Rauner, a wealthy private equity investor, has made a practice of releasing 1040 tax forms that give just a hazy outline of his annual earnings and taxes paid. He released three years of tax returns — for 2010, 2011 and 2012 — when he first filed to run for governor in 2013 and has continued to release his 1040s every year since then. […]
The more telling information is contained in what are likely dozens or hundreds of pages of schedules, forms and supporting documents attached to 1040s that detail how investment and capital gains income was derived, business losses or gains, and deductions for charitable donations. […]
Rauner has never released those supporting materials, nor did Pritzker or Kennedy when they disclosed the contents of recent 1040s in late November. […]
When we asked what constituted “way more” on Pritzker’s returns, the Pritzker campaign pointed to a statement he also released about taxes paid by trusts of which he is a beneficiary.
Pritzker is descended from a family of wealthy entrepreneurs who launched the Hyatt Hotel chain, and his fortune is derived in part from inheritances passed down through trusts. Pritzker did not release the trust tax forms themselves, however, so there is no way to independently verify the accuracy of that disclosure.
That said, holding out the trust numbers as the evidence for more fulsome disclosure than Rauner is a curious tactic. As Rauner often points out, his fortune was self-made, he inherited no money and receives no income from trusts. In short, Rauner has made no trust disclosures because he says he has no trusts.
Needless bureaucratic hurdles are slowing ethics investigations and need to be removed, state Senator Cristina Castro said in filing legislation to streamline the process.
“We have a skilled investigator on the job. We need to empower her to do that job and deliver results quickly,” said Castro, an Elgin Democrat and the newest member of the Legislative Ethics Commission.
Here’s the problem with the current system.
When an ethics complaint is filed regarding lawmakers or legislative employees, the Legislative Inspector General cannot review the complaint until it first goes to the Ethics Commission and is approved for an investigation. This bureaucratic step can delay the start of investigation by weeks if not months.
Castro’s proposal simply removes the hurdle and gives the inspector general the authority to begin reviewing cases as they are filed.
“This unnecessary step is only delaying the inspector general from doing her job,” said Castro. “Getting rid of it will speed up the process and deliver faster results, which is what the public wants and expects. It is important that we make it as easy as possible for the inspector General to get to work as soon as possible on these time-sensitive issues.”
Not a bad idea. After all, the governor can’t nix an ethics investigation before it can proceed.
Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker picked up two huge endorsements on Friday, as Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both added their support to his campaign.
“I will be in charge,” Pritzker said at the campaign event. “I won’t stand by mealy-mouthed.”
“That is an outrageous statement for a governor to make,” Ives said. “It’s just outrageous. It’s a total lack of leadership. You’re on the battlefield and the general says, ‘Well, I’m not in charge here.’ OK, then you know what? Put yourself in the rear, get behind me, cause I’m going to lead the charge. If you’re not going to be in charge, then let me lead it.”
It’s time for the governor step up, recognize the realities and responsibilities of being governor and offer a serious, balanced budget for the state that elected him.
Gov. Bruce Rauner made a startling statement last week — that he is “not in charge” of the state. The question for him now is whether he’s going to let the truth behind his words impede him trying to implement the changes Illinois desperately needs. […]
The governor can’t waste a year complaining — he should focus on the state resources and agencies he does control, and spend it trying to make progress on key issues, such as economic development.
He’s already wasted close to three years, so, yeah.
Rauner might want to retool that woe-is-me-and-I’m-helpless-until-Madigan-is-gone theme. But given the mileage his opponents continue to get out of it, it might already be too late.
This morning, Governor Bruce Rauner will hold a press conference to call for Joe Berrios’ resignation as Cook County Assessor. This is following a report by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois that revealed he and State House Speaker Mike Madigan have abused their power to enrich themselves and provide tax benefits for connected allies at the expense of the middle class and small businesses.
Governor Rauner will hold the press conference at the house of Michael Murphy, a homeowner in Cook County who is facing high property taxes.
* From yesterday…
Fritz Kaegi, a progressive Democrat running for the Cook County Assessor’s Office, earned the endorsement of Congressmen Danny K. Davis (D-7), Bill Foster (D-11) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-2) on Sunday, adding momentum to Kaegi’s campaign to unseat embattled incumbent Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios.
During the press conference, Foster endorsed Kaegi, saying, “I am honored to endorse Fritz Kaegi to serve as our next Cook County Assessor. When elected officials fail to do their jobs fairly and honestly, or misbehave in their official capacities, it is essential that we use our democracy’s inherent capability to repair those wounds. Recent investigations by ProPublica/Chicago Tribune, the Economist Magazine, and others, have brought the failings of the Cook County Assessor’s Office into harsh light.”
Rep. Kelly said, “It’s truly an honor for me to be here to endorse Fritz in his candidacy to be the Cook County Assessor. I am very confident that Fritz will bring fresh ideas, direction and leadership to the office and that he will make a positive difference, not only in the office but also across Cook County. I represent an area that has been largely impacted by the assessment process. It’s very important that we elect someone who is going to change that process, so that taxpayers across Cook County have confidence that the Assessor is acting in their best interest.”
Rep. Davis added, “I am delighted to be here with two of colleagues as well as a number of community activists and individuals who are interested in the public interest. We are here for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to endorse, support and convey to general public that we are supporting Fritz Kaegi for Cook County Assessor. And we’re doing so because we believe that he is going to do a better job of generating the fairness that is needed in our County and in the assessment of our taxes.”
Kaegi, whose candidacy has already received endorsements from Cook County Clerk David Orr, Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia, and grassroots progressive group Our Revolution Illinois among others, enthusiastically accepted the endorsements by stating, “It a tremendous honor to receive the endorsements of these great U.S. Congressional leaders today. Each of them represents communities that have been severely impacted by the rampant corruption and pay-to-play tactics that we see in the Assessor’s office.”
Kaegi continued, “As the latest Tribune/ProPublica series has uncovered, the working families of Cook County are disproportionately penalized by the willful negligence of Joe Berrios. Annually, billions of dollars shift from the pockets of Cook County residents into the hands of large, wealthy property owners like Donald Trump, creating huge tax increases for the residents of Cook County. Together, we can end the pay-to-play politics, nepotism and corruption in the office. As Assessor, I will bring honesty, integrity and fairness to the office and the residents of Cook County.”
Foster concluded, “The current property tax assessment system is clouded by corruption, pay-to-play politics and nepotism. It’s imperative to elect a new leader who will regain the trust of our residents, and our business community. Fritz has a proven track record that demonstrates his qualifications for the job, and his commitment to ethics, accountability and transparency. I am proud to support Fritz Kaegi because he brings a vision to restore fairness, integrity and honesty to the Assessor’s office.”
* Food for thought…
This chart helps show how Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios failed at one of his most important job responsibilities — valuing property every three years Full story: https://t.co/oIdMuQnWVypic.twitter.com/AEMxymMJG5
Joseph Berrios for Assessor’s Campaign Manager Mario Lopez’s Statement on Bruce Rauner’s blatant political stunt
This attack is coming from a governor who just last week complained about being “not in charge” of the state. Like Donald Trump, Bruce Rauner relies on blatant political stunts in a bid to save his failing administration and re-election bid.
Wall Street Republicans like Bruce Rauner and Fritz Kaegi have been reckless for the role they played in the financial collapse of our economy while profiting off the backs of working families. Bruce Rauner has single-handled dedicated his tenure to attacking working families, women, and children. He has hijacked our state by preventing working families and children from receiving critical services, among other “accomplishments.”
On the other hand, Assessor Berrios has taken charge and focused on improving the assessment system he inherited by making it fair and equitable for every Cook County resident. He has increased the number of outreach events held across the county, made appeals easier, and successfully pushed for an increase in the homeowners and senior exemptions which will put more money back in the hands of homeowners statewide. The Civic Consulting Alliance is currently reviewing the County’s property assessment system, and Assessor Berrios plans to implement whatever changes and improvements are recommended to make the system even better.
It’s time for Bruce Rauner to “Shake up Springfield” by doing the people of Illinois a favor — he should admit that he has failed as governor and resign.
Calling Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan the “unholy trifecta of collusion,” Gov. Bruce Rauner stood in a suburban backyard on Monday morning in a campaign stop to call for the resignation of the longtime assessor. […]
Rauner’s example of a high property tax home, however, was a little unusual. The Wheeling home, where he held Monday’s news conference, is owned by Marianne Murphy — a Rauner appointee to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Murphy was appointed in December 2016 and her term expires in July 2019.
Murphy is also on ALEC’s Private Enterprise Advisory Council, serving as its first vice chair, according to her bio. The American Legislative Exchange Council is an ultra-conservative group crated to influence state lawmakers. Goals of the group include privatizing public education, cutting taxes and cutting public employee compensation. The group also opposes Obamacare.
Notice that Ms. Murphy’s first name wasn’t on the media advisory, even though the house is listed as being in her name. Instead, the campaign only mentioned her husband’s name. Heh.
If you were worried that House Republican Leader Jim Durkin wasn’t taking his primary race seriously enough, think again.
As you already may know, Leader Durkin is being challenged by Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub, who has backing from conservative activist Dan Proft and Operating Engineers Union Local 150. It’s a bizarre duo teaming up in an unprecedented attempt to take out a Republican legislative leader. Durkin is the favorite, but one doesn’t want to take any chances in these trying times.
So, Durkin has brought in the highly capable Mike Zolnierowicz to handle things on his campaign. Mike Z, as he’s known in political circles, was Gov. Bruce Rauner’s deputy campaign manager, then his first chief of staff, then ran Rauner’s massive campaign apparatus until this past July. Zolnierowicz resigned during Rauner’s Great Summer Staff Purge (and eventual re-purge) of 2017 and joined Xpress Professional Services as its political director.
Z simply could not stay around after Rauner pushed out most of the people he had brought in (including his replacement as chief of staff, Richard Goldberg) and replaced them with what turned out to be incompetent ideologues.
After allowing Proft the field to himself for the past several weeks, Durkin’s campaign is now running two new cable TV ads. One is a positive spot that appears designed to address questions about his record raised by Proft’s group.
“Jim Durkin’s record?” the ad begins, “Durkin stood up to [House Speaker Michael Madigan’s] machine, his tax increase, his unbalanced budgets. Now Jim’s pushing property tax cuts. He knows we need relief. Jim Durkin, fighting for families against Madigan’s tax hikes.”
Z didn’t pioneer the use of anti-Madigan themes. That’s been around for decades. But he’s the one who made those attacks ubiquitous with Rauner’s money in the 2014 campaign and all the way through the 2016 election, when the Republicans impressively took away four seats from the House Democrats in a presidential cycle. And Z was planning to do it again until he decided to leave Team Rauner.
The second, negative TV spot against Straub also brings in Madigan, and uses Local 150’s support for Straub against the candidate.
“Ever met Mickey Straub? Don’t bother. You already know the man behind ‘Madigan Mickey,’” the narrator says as a black-and-white photo of Speaker Madigan is shown on screen.
“That’s why Madigan and his union allies are revving up the Chicago machine to grease the skids for Mickey Straub,” the narrator then says, as a reference to my syndicated column in the Sun-Times about Local 150’s support for Straub is displayed. “Say No to Madigan Mickey.”
There’s also a mailer designed to warn voters that a “Million dollar Madigan front group is backing Mickey Straub.” And the Durkin folks have started a new website, MadiganMickey.com. “Straub’s campaign is being supported by a Chicago special interest group that’s funneled more than $1 million to Mike Madigan and wants to raise your taxes even higher,” a message on the front page says.
“And it’s no surprise they want to hike Illinois’ Gas Tax by 15 cents per gallon. They even suggested that Illinois drivers should be taxed for every mile they drive…as much as $65 per month for the average family.”
I don’t know about the cost estimate, but the union has been advocating for just such a pay-by-the-mile plan during the last year or so. Ironically enough, Z worked with a coalition of road builders and Local 150 on a constitutional amendment question last year.
The website also previews some other likely attacks against Straub, including campaign fines that he allegedly didn’t pay until he decided to run for the House, and four unbalanced Burr Ridge budgets.
So, considering that Gov. Rauner funds most of Durkin’s political operation, does Z’s hiring signal that the GOP establishment in this state is finally starting to patch things up after that huge July crackup?
I wouldn’t go that far. But with Rauner’s Republican primary opponent Rep. Jeanne Ives already giving Rauner fits (just look at his bizarre “I am not in charge” press conference last week if you need proof) and Proft looking to pick off House Republican incumbents who voted for the tax hike as well as win some vacant seats, they gotta start somewhere, and Durkin’s race is a good place to do so.
But Proft isn’t backing off. His Liberty Principles PAC has been spending about $70,000 a week on cable TV ads. His latest spots feature former Chicago Bears football player Dan Hampton.
Z and Durkin’s top campaign guy Joe Woodward have had a pretty strong relationship over the years, so they ought to work together well in the coming months.
WESTMONT – By a vote of its Executive Board today, the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) endorsed JB Pritzker for Governor in the Democratic primary election.
Elected leaders of the 100,000-member organization supported Pritzker for his commitment to strengthening public education and services, respect for workers’ rights, support for a progressive tax system, and ability to undo the damage done by Governor Bruce Rauner.
“On behalf of our Executive Board and 100,000 members across Illinois, we are proud to endorse JB Pritzker for Governor,” said Dan Montgomery, IFT President and a high school English teacher.
“For two decades, JB has been working to advance early childhood education, expand school breakfast programs, and fight back against bigotry and hatred. As Governor, we know he will continue standing up for our students from their first day of school through college graduation.
“Unlike Bruce Rauner, JB respects workers and wants to work together to find solutions to our state’s problems. While Rauner made deep cuts and caused a crisis, JB believes that to increase funding for our schools and services fairly, Illinois needs a progressive income tax where the wealthy pay at a higher rate than those who can least afford it.
We’re confident that JB, along with his running mate Juliana Stratton, will put working families first and put Illinois back on track.”
The IFT’s endorsement comes after months of extensively vetting candidates and gathering member input. Candidates submitted questionnaires, participated in interviews with elected leaders, and attended meetings with locals across Illinois. The statewide union and several local affiliates also surveyed members to better understand the issues that mattered most to them heading into Election 2018.
“I’m so proud to receive the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the 100,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty and staff and public employees they represent,” said JB Pritzker. “Every single child in Illinois deserves a quality public education no matter their zip code. It’s time for a governor who works hard for our students, listens to and respects our teachers and makes fully funding public schools a priority. Unfortunately, Bruce Rauner has decimated public education in our state, forcing five public universities to downgrade to junk status and it’s time for new leadership in Springfield. I look forward to working with IFT members to strengthen public education and services in Illinois and ensure strong neighborhood public schools in all of our communities. I’m proud to support the labor movement and the rights of IFT members to collectively bargain and retire in dignity.”
Endorsements for other statewide offices and legislative races will be forthcoming in early 2018.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) is made up of more than 100,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in PreK-12 school districts throughout Illinois, faculty and staff at community colleges and universities, public employees under every statewide elected constitutional officer, and retirees. The Executive Board represents all constituencies and includes officers and 40 vice presidents elected from nearly 400 locals and councils throughout Illinois.
