*** UPDATE *** Here’s the robocall. It takes a few seconds to start…
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Tina Sfondeles…
Mike Madigan is not taking any chances.
The House speaker is calling in the big guns to help him hold on to his leadership of the state Democratic Party.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin — one of the most popular and powerful Democrats in the state — has recorded robo-calls in support of Madigan holding his party post as state central committeeman. And U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is planning to soon follow suit. […]
“This is Sen. Dick Durbin. We need progressive leaders to fight against Trump’s extreme healthcare cuts. That’s why we need to support Michael Madigan and Silvana Tabares for Democratic state central commitee,” Durbin says in the call. “Madigan and Tabares will stand up to Trump and fight for all of us. A vote for Mike Madigan and Silvana Tabares is a vote to resist the Trump agenda.”
Tabares has an opponent, Madigan does not.
* I was working on getting a copy of the audio because I’d also heard about the calls (he’s doing these in other districts, too). They actually start: “This message is sponsored by Friends of Michael J. Madigan.”
Madigan is not popular with rank and file members of his own party, so putting his name up front isn’t the best idea I’ve ever heard. Give Madigan credit for not forming some “dark money” PAC to help these candidates, but I can see this backfiring with more than a few voters.
…Adding… The Madigan folks say that federal law requires the “paid for” language at the beginning of a robocall if a federally elected official is involved. Interesting.
Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan also did a recent robocall for Madigan-backed candidates, but the “paid for by Friends of Michael J. Madigan” disclaimer was at the end.
As we’ve discussed, Madigan is also doing mail in several districts. Some negative, some positive. Our Revolution Illinois, a Bernie Sanders affiliated group, is running a slate of candidates against Madigan’s people. The group doesn’t have the money on its own to support them, however.
But, man, we’re in truly weird times when Madigan has to go to these lengths to make sure he retains a firm hold on the state party.
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* Every governor does it, and they probably shouldn’t…
Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza joined State Senator Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, State Representative Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, State Representative David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, and State Representative Greg Harris, D-Chicago, Thursday to introduce the “Truth in Hiring” Act to bring all “offshored” employees of the Governor’s office back into the Governor’s budget.
For too long, Illinois governors – Democratic and Republican – have engaged in the deceptive practice of “offshoring.” The expression comes from the practice of rich people hiding their assets in offshore accounts, in tax havens like the Cayman Islands or Panama, to avoid paying taxes on them.
Illinois governors “offshore” their employees’ salaries to other agencies — for example, paying an education advisor $250,000 from the Department of Human Services; or a deputy chief of staff $140,000 from the Illinois State Police’s budget — to mask the true size of the Governor’s budget.
The most recent payroll shows only 44 of Governor Rauner’s staffers are actually paid from the Governor’s budget. MOST of his staff – 58 people – are hidden in other agency payrolls. If the Governor were honestly reporting all the people working in his office, he would have to disclose his office budget is more than $10 million, instead of the $4.9 million that is budgeted for the current fiscal year.
“That’s more than $5 million being secretly taken away from agencies that need it, like the Department of Children and Family Services that investigates child abuse; or the Department of Aging that cares for Illinois’ seniors,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “This ill-advised practice is silently siphoning money from health care, environmental protection, juvenile justice, economic development and public safety.”
The Truth in Hiring Act, (HB5121; SB3233) simply says that if an employee works in the Governor’s office, they will be paid from the Governor’s payroll. Their salary will be counted in the Governor’s budget. Their salary will not be pulled from agencies that are supposed to protect the most vulnerable or put state troopers on the highways.
“Offshoring is wrong. It was wrong when Governor Quinn did it. It was wrong when Governor Blagojevich did it. It was wrong when Governor Ryan did it. And it’s still wrong when Governor Rauner does it,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “This deceptive practice needs to stop.”
“Every time a governor shifts a new, unexpected six-figure salary onto a state agency’s plate, dollars that had been prioritized for important purposes – economic development, senior services and child protection, to name a few – are being diverted to a paycheck instead,” Senator Manar said. “Governors should understand the importance of being transparent about their expenses. Taxpayers who foot the bill for government, and frankly the lawmakers who determine the appropriations for state agencies, deserve that accountability.”
“This practice subverts the appropriations process. It takes money away from state agencies that protect children, the environment and public safety,” Representative Mitchell said. “This governor, and any future governors, should present the true cost of their staff in their office’s budget and make the case for why they need that level of funding.”
To be clear, this initiative is not intended to criticize employees who have found themselves offshored. In many cases they accepted jobs with the governor’s office not knowing their salaries would be offshored to other agencies.
This initiative follows Comptroller Mendoza’s Debt Transparency Act, which passed last year with unanimous or near-unanimous overrides. The state is already seeing the benefits of that reform as legislators on both sides of the aisle have more up-to-date numbers to craft a budget with and regular citizens have a clearer picture of the state’s finances.
* Accompanying graphic…
Hopefully, the governor won’t fight this idea like he did with the comptroller’s last initiative. She thumped him but good in that Debt Transparency Act battle.
*** UPDATE *** Governor’s office…
Rich,
We’re open to a conversation about changing bookkeeping practices. But, let’s be clear: all state agencies that operate under Governor Rauner are part of the administration and carry out the necessary functions of state government. Unlike previous administrations, we have been transparent and publicly reported employees that work in our office - reflecting that number in our headcount. All salaries are publicly reported. The Rauner administration is spending less on total agency-wide payroll than the previous administration.
Rachel Bold
Press Secretary
Office of Governor Bruce Rauner
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* Hard-hitting Pat Quinn radio ad called “Insisting”…
The spot is running on African-American stations.
* Script…
Politician Kwame Raoul keeps insisting (insisting) that the hundred thousand dollars he took from Big Tobacco won’t play a role in how he handles the state tobacco lawsuit if he’s elected Attorney General. (Pay to play).
Kwame Raoul keeps insisting that the campaign cash he’s raked in from big utilities won’t affect his oversight of utility company rate hikes. (Pay to play).
And Kwame Raoul keeps insisting (insisting) that the thousands in campaign cash he pocketed from the red light camera operators won’t play any role when it comes to protecting citizens from red light camera abuse. (Pay to play).
With all that campaign cash (pay to play)(pay to play), do you think Kwame Raoul is going to stand up for you……. or them?
You don’t fight the big utilities and the red light camera operators when you’re on their payroll.
With all those conflicts of interest Kwame Raoul can’t be trusted to be on our side as Attorney General.
We need a fighter for us, like Pat Quinn (Pat Quinn).
Paid for by Taxpayers for Quinn.
Ouch.
A positive Quinn ad is here.
* Meanwhile, Tribune…
The Southern Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association is endorsing state Sen. Kwame Raoul’s attorney general bid.
The group said it was an attempt to head off former Gov. Pat Quinn’s candidacy in the race.
“It is time for fresh faces in the leadership positions of Illinois and to move beyond the same-old-same-old so we can grow as a party,” said Nancy Mitchell, chair of the White County Democratic Party.
The group represents Democratic organizations from Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson Counties.
* Also from the press release…
3½ years ago former Gov. Pat Quinn failed to carry one southern Illinois county. Meanwhile, Raoul has extensively traveled the state and picked up support from organized labor, elected officials and voters along the way. His campaign enjoys the support of elected officials downstaters trust like Secretary Jesse White, state senators Dave Koehler and Andy Manar along with state representative Jay Hoffman.
*** UPDATE *** From Ron Holmes at the Raoul campaign…
Pat Quinn having to pay black actors just to say something nice about him on black radio is the definition of pay to play.
Voters shouldn’t be surprised though. They know Pat Quinn’s failed tenure as Governor was plagued by scandal and now Illinois is a broken mess thanks to Quinn. Pat talks a big game on campaign finance but in the interest of disclosure let’s take a look at his record on “big tobacco, big utilities, and red-light camera operators.”
Some of his contributions from “Big Tobacco”…
Taxpayers for Quinn Altria Client Services 11/23/2009 $10,000
Taxpayers for Quinn National Tobacco Company, L.P. 6/29/2013 $10,500
Taxpayers for Quinn VMR Products, LLC 6/29/2013 $5,000
Some of his contributions from “big utilities”…
Taxpayers for Quinn BlueStar Energy Services 01/18/2010 $1,000
Taxpayers for Quinn BlueStar Energy Services 06/25/2010 $1,000
Taxpayers for Quinn Walls, Charles (ComEd VP of Customer Revenue Assurance) 08/19/2010 $500
Taxpayers for Quinn NextEra Energy Resources, L.L.C. 01/05/2011 $2,500
And those red-light camera operators?
Quinn received $4,000 in contributions from lobbyist Alfred G. Ronan, whose firm, Ronan Potts LLC, had reportedly retained red-light camera vendor RedSpeed Illinois as a client. In 2009, Ronan was described as, “Red Speed’s chief lobbyist in Springfield.” The Chicago Tribune also ran a piece specifically about lobbyist involvement in pushing red-light camera laws around the state, and it reported that Ronan had lobbied for RedSpeed since 2007. The piece also noted that Ronan lobbied for passage of the 2006 state law that opened the suburban traffic camera market to RedSpeed while working for another client.
Taxpayers for Quinn Ronan, Alfred G. 06/25/2013 $500
Taxpayers for Quinn Ronan, Alfred G. 06/26/2013 $1,500
Taxpayers for Quinn Ronan, Alfred G. 11/03/2014 $1,000
Taxpayers for Quinn Ronan, Alfred G. 12/23/2014 $1,000
In February 2012, Quinn SIGNED THE BILL that allowed Chicago to retrofit red-light cameras with speed sensors at intersections near schools and parks.
“Quinn signs Emanuel speed camera bill into law,” Monique Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 2/6/2012.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a measure into law today that allows Mayor Rahm Emanuel to start using red light cameras to fine speeding drivers as much as $100 for violations.
“I think that you’ve got to understand that if you save even one life, you are saving the whole world,” Quinn said at a morning event at a Chicago school. “I mean, what do you say to a parent that’s been there from the day their son or daughter was born, and they’re killed by a speeding motorist next to their school, or their park?”
Bottom line: Pat Quinn will say or pay someone anything to get elected. He can’t be trusted.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Sharon Fairley…
In the final months of the Democratic primary for Illinois attorney general, the majority of candidates have put their ethics on hold to accept tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from corporations, utility companies, tax attorneys, and alleged domestic abusers.
Scott Drury - who at a recent forum attacked Speaker Madigan on the issue of sexual harassment and misconduct - was not above taking a $10,000 contribution just two days ago from businessman Blair Hull, who was arrested for abusing his ex-wife.
Pat Quinn, who has repeatedly criticized the broken Cook County property tax assessment system on the campaign trail, pocketed a check for $200,000 on March 1, 2018 from a property tax appeal attorney.
Kwame Raoul’s many questionable campaign contributions are well documented. He has taken money from tobacco billionaires, political leaders, utility companies and red light camera operators. He continues to stand with Senate President John Cullerton, one of his biggest funders and a staunch supporter of disgraced state Senator Ira Silverstein.
Jesse Ruiz and Nancy Rotering have taken tens of thousands of dollars from big utilities as well. Rotering often brags about how she stood up to ComEd as mayor of Highland Park, but she also has no problem taking a check for $11,100 from them.
“We need an independent, experienced and qualified attorney general who is accountable only to the voters of Illinois,” said Sharon Fairley. “I’m not taking money from utility companies, corporations and other donors with conflicts in the office. You wouldn’t hire an attorney who receives thousands of dollars from someone who is suing you. You shouldn’t vote for one either.”
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* Tribune front page today…
Fifteen years ago, a jury acquitted state Rep. Robert Rita after a woman he had dated accused him of barging into her house in Evergreen Park, pulling her to the floor and threatening to rape her.
Now the case is resurfacing as the Democratic state lawmaker from south suburban Blue Island runs for re-election in a new political climate shaped by a sexual harassment scandal in Springfield as well as the nationwide #MeToo movement.
Emboldened by a belief that her story carries more resonance today, Rita’s former girlfriend is speaking out and siding with a female challenger, Mary Carvlin, in the March 20 primary. Carvlin also has raised the issue in her campaign, calling a news conference to highlight the case and questioning Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan’s continued support for Rita.
“It’s almost like a second chance,” Liz Hogan, Rita’s accuser, told the Tribune.
Rita, who was found not guilty in 2003 on misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and criminal trespass, declined requests for a Tribune interview, though his representatives dismiss the issue as an old charge that ended in acquittal.
* Media advisory from Lorna Brett…
LIZ HOGAN ON HER ABUSER REP BOB RITA & MORE ABOUT SPEAKER MICHEAL MADIGAN’S ROLE
Time’s Up Bob…and Mike
WHAT: Liz Hogan has much more to say about Mike Madigan’s role in protecting her abuser Bob Rita. Hogan to endorse Mary Carvlin.
WHEN: 1:30 PM
WHERE: [Redacted]
WHO: Liz Hogan / Mary Carvlin, candidate for State Representative 28th District
WHY: Men like Bob Rita, Kevin Quinn, Shaw Decreamer, Ira Silverstein can’t keep getting protected / advanced by kingmaker like Mike Madigan.
Carvlin is challenging Rep. Rita in the Democratic primary.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Liz Hogan, the woman who brought domestic battery charges against then candidate for state representative Bob Rita, came forward today after over a decade of silence. Miller endorsed Mary Carvlin for State Representative of the 28th District and spoke about Speaker Madigan’s support of abusers.
Hogan called candidate Mary Carvlin after reading a Chicago Tribune column detailing the events that left her battered by Rita. The two met for a three-hour breakfast.
“I had not thought about Bob Rita and what happened for years. It was too painful,” said Liz Hogan. “When I read that column it all came back to me. I felt I needed to tell my story so I called Mary and we had a three-hour breakfast. It felt good to get it all off my chest,” said Hogan.
Hogan was a Cook County sheriff when she dated Rita. Her father Andy McGann was a state representative for ten years and loyal to Speaker Madigan. McGann went to Madigan when his daughter began having troubles with Rita and asked for his help to protect his daughter. Madigan allegedly said he would not get involved. Madigan attended McGann’s funeral with his wife a few years later.
Carvlin wants to be a fresh voice in Springfield and if elected pledges not to vote for Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Carvlin, a longtime Blue Island resident and veteran Spanish teacher, is running against incumbent Bob Rita. “Voting for Bob Rita is voting for Speaker Michael Madigan. This is a man whose organization has rampant sexual harassment and history of protecting the abuser not the abused.”
“Time’s up for State Representative Bob Rita and Speaker Michael Madigan. They need to step down,” said Mary Carvlin.
Lorna Brett, Hogan’s pro bono advisor and women’s activist said, “It seems Speaker Madigan has finally found religion when it comes to who he sides with in matters of abuse — the abuser or the victim. It’s too little, too late and he should step down as Speaker and as leader of the Democratic Party of Illinois. And, the Democratic women in leadership need to step up and demand this. It’s enough.”
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