Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Monday, Sep 18, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

Abortion supporters such as Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove says that even though the state House and Senate passed [House Bill 40] back in May, they will not send it to the governor’s desk unless they know for sure the governor will sign it into law.

Every day that move is delayed leaves less time for a potential GOP primary challenger to organize social conservatives to challenge the Republican governor, which may be why Governor Rauner is ignoring requests to confirm his position on HB 40.

Twenty or so pro-life lawmakers met with the governor earlier this year, saying if he wanted them to support his re-election, he would have to veto HB40.

HB 40 would make all Illinois abortions taxpayer-funded and would attempt to exempt Illinois from federal law if a conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.

At the request of State Rep. David McSweeney, last Monday Illinois Review began asking the governor’s office to confirm the commitment he made in April to veto HB 40. The news source followed up Tuesday, and waited to ask for the third time until the governor returned from his trip to Asia.

* Speaking of McSweeney, Will Stephens at WXAN passed along a couple of tidbits from his recent interview with the legislator…

At the 4:36 mark in reference to Gov. Rauner Rep. McSweeney says…

“I want him to succeed, but he’s failed miserably. Property taxes are higher than ever, we’ve had a 32% increase in the income tax rate, we have a sanctuary state…in the state of Illinois, spending is out of control, we have a number of bills that are terrible that he signed…”

At the 8:44 mark, referencing his push to eliminate the Lt. Gov Office…

“The Governor has opposed me 100%, Sanguetnetti, his Lt. Governor, is allegedly for consolidation, they have done everything to protect their fiefdom and their office, its a waste of taxpayers money. Who cares who the Lt. Governor is in this state? It’s a waste of money. Governor Rauner right now has two deputy Governors that are making a lot of money, why do you need a Lt. Governor on top of it…”

* Meanwhile, from earlier this month…

Disappointed with his state rep’s vote to hike state income taxes by 32%, Effingham businessman Brian Milleville announced Wednesday that he’s challenging 5-term GOP incumbent John Cavaletto for his 107th District House seat.

Pointing to Chicago Democrats and what he called “Surrender” Republicans, Milleville said those in office have walked away from central Illinois taxpayers that just can’t afford more taxes.

* Today…

State Representative John Cavaletto (R-Salem) has announced that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming November 2018 election.

* Also today…

Milleville says the Illinois Opportunity Project has voiced their support for his candidacy, although no specific amount of funding from the group was agreed upon.

That would be Dan Proft’s group.

* An offshoot of the IOP is “Upstream Ideas,” which published a video commentary the other day…

In Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin’s world, capitulation is compromise. Because he believes now what he has always believed: The Democrats are too strong. Mike Madigan is too strong. Unions are too strong.

The truth is, Jim Durkin is weak. He should be held accountable for his weakness in 2018. Otherwise mediocrity will continue to plague us all. Pat Hughes explains in this week’s Two Minute Warning.

…Adding… I forgot about this until a commenter reminded me…

Uline CEO Richard Uihlein has given another $2 million to a political action committee that has focused on electing Republicans to seats in Springfield.

State elections records show the contribution to Liberty Principles PAC was reported Saturday. The PAC is run by conservative radio host and former unsuccessful candidate for governor Dan Proft.

Uihlein has given money to the PAC before, as has Gov. Rauner. It reported spending more than $10 million on races in 2016.

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Foxx won’t run for AG, Drury may

Monday, Sep 18, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Not much of a surprise…

Hi Rich-

Please find below a statement from State’s Attorney Foxx:

“I was elected to reform the criminal justice system in Cook County and remain committed to that endeavor. We have made significant progress during my first 10 months in office and there is much more work to do.”

Meanwhile, there’s word that Rep. Scott Drury is having attorney general petitions printed up as this is being written.

…Adding… Media advisory…

HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS – On September 19, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., Scott Drury will host a press conference to address the growing speculation that he intends to run for Attorney General.

Who: Scott Drury

When: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: One North Franklin, Suite 1200

Chicago, Illinois 60606

26 Comments

*** UPDATED x1 *** More extreme DCFS dysfunction

Monday, Sep 18, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Tribune…

The state agency responsible for protecting the children in Semaj Crosby’s home assigned unmanageable caseloads to investigators in its Joliet field office and allowed supervisors there to intimidate and mistreat workers, the Tribune has found.

As allegations of child abuse poured in from the Joliet Township house where 17-month-old Semaj would be found dead in April, investigators in the Department of Children and Family Services’ local office sometimes handled 30 or more new cases per month — well over nationally recognized standards.

Meanwhile, supervisors often bullied staff members and doled out the easiest assignments to favored workers, according to Tribune interviews with current and former investigators. Some of the most sensitive and complex abuse cases were given to interns — the last DCFS investigator who saw Semaj alive, hours before she was reported missing, was an intern, according to DCFS records.

An intern? Seriously?

Go read the whole thing.

*** UPDATE *** Pritzker campaign…

Damage Done: Rauner’s Understaffed DCFS Office Failed Illinois Children

Interns Handled Child Abuse Cases at “Toxic” Children and Family Services Agency

Chicago, IL – Controversy continues to surround Bruce Rauner’s Department of Children and Family Services with a new report detailing the extent of the agency’s mismanagement.

The Chicago Tribune report shed light on the “toxic” culture at the understaffed Joliet DCFS field office after 17-month-old Semaj Crosby was found dead due to asphyxiation inside her home. The allegations detail an office where interns were assigned “some of the most sensitive and complex abuses cases” and caseworkers sometimes handled more than 30 new cases per month — well over nationally recognized standards.

“This is what happens when a governor cares more about numbers and spreadsheets than the tragedy and pain he is inflicting on the lives of Illinois families,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “Bruce Rauner’s damage is done to our state’s social services agencies and the families they serve are still reeling from his failed leadership.”

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Pritzker has new online ad about Trump

Monday, Sep 18, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Pritzker campaign…

Today, the JB for Governor campaign released a new digital ad, “Been There,” highlighting JB’s lifelong commitment to standing up for progressive values and his resistance to Donald Trump.

The digital ad shows JB at the March for Women’s Lives in 1992 and the Chicago Pride Parade in 1993. It also highlights his recent resistance to Donald Trump, including protesting Trump’s efforts to strip healthcare from millions, standing up for DREAMers, and marching in the Women’s March on Springfield.

“Donald Trump is unfit to be president, and Illinois needs a governor who will stand up to his bigoted and hateful agenda,” said JB Pritzker. “I’ve spent my life standing up for progressive, Democratic values and no other candidate for governor has worked harder to resist Donald Trump in Illinois. Now more than ever, it’s time for our state to unite and make sure we’re a firewall against this president’s reckless agenda.”

* Rate it…

*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…

“If it’s pay-to-play with Blagojevich, a corrupt property tax cut from Joe Berrios, or bank-rolling Mike Madigan’s political organizations in exchange for Madigan’s support, then J.B. Pritzker has “been there”. Pritzker is trying to cover up his record as a corrupt insider who uses public service for personal gain and voters should be worried about that.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Today, Capitol Fax reported the Pritzker campaign released a new ad citing events in his life that highlight his “progressive values” between 1992 and 2017.

Unsurprisingly, the ad conveniently left out what Pritzker was up to between 1993 and 2016. Here’s what Pritzker is trying to hide:

1996 - Pritzker, wearing a dark green suit, says he helps Blagojevich with “fund-raising” (Chicago Sun-Times, “In Mell’s World, It’s Politics as Usual,” Jorge Oclander, March 23, 1996)

1997 - Pritzker says “Rod [Blagojevich] is going to be very helpful” in his potential 1998 race for Congress

2001 - The Chicago Sun-Times reports Pritzker would help fund Blagojevich’s first gubernatorial race if Pritzker would receive backing from Blago’s father-in-law, Dick Mell, in a potential 2002 race for Congress

2002 - Pritzker gives $20,000 to Friends of Rod Blagojevich (State Board of Elections)

2003 - Blagojevich appoints Pritzker to the top post of a state government commission (The Associated Press, “Governor Appoints Mikva Head Of State Human Rights Commission,” 7/27/2006)

2006 - Pritzker gives $100,000 to Friends of Rod Blagojevich (State Board of Elections)

2006 - Blagojevich authorizes $1 million state grant to a group where Pritzker serves as the finance chief

2008 - FBI wiretaps reveal Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer, among other state offices. In the same call, Blago also pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions and Pritzker said “I hear ya, I hear ya”

2012-2016 - Pritzker rips out the toilets of a neighboring “uninhabitable” mansion and Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios approves an 83% property tax cut, slashing the property tax bill on his multi-million dollar Chicago mansion by $230,000

2000-2016 - Pritzker’s lawyers who won him the property tax break gave more than $100,000 in campaign contributions to Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and his affiliated political organizations (State Board of Elections)

2016 - Pritzker and his company contribute $900,000 to a Super PAC run that a Democratic political operative referred to as a “Madigan joint”

2017 - Madigan steers unions, interests groups, and politicians to throw their support behind Pritzker’s campaign for governor

2017 - Pritzker selects Madigan-backed running mate as his lieutenant governor canidate
Whether it’s pay-to-play and quid pro quo with Blagojevich, a corrupt deal with Joe Berrios to cut his property tax bill, or bankrolling Mike Madigan’s political organizations in exchange for Madigan’s support, Pritzker has “been there”.

J.B. Pritzker is trying to cover up his record as a corrupt insider who uses public service for personal gain and voters should be worried about that.

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