* Heh…

I can't donate $7 million to my own campaign, but I can swing $25. Match my contribution here: https://t.co/DPUK7LxW5f #SelfFunder pic.twitter.com/j7t5Eg2HF2

— Daniel Biss (@danielbiss) April 17, 2017

* From Biss’ fundraising e-mail…

Clearly, I’m having a bit of fun — but there’s a broader, more important truth here about how to build our politics in this state.

I’m of the belief that we are stronger when all of us, from all walks of life, come together to build something collectively — not when we’re dependent on a single person or their vast personal wealth to make change.

Unfortunately, we know all too well here in Illinois what happens when we let one individual have a disproportionate share of power or influence. Whether because of their money or their connection to the machine, what happens is a select few make decisions about us, without us — and the rest of us pay the price.

That’s why we’re doing things differently with this campaign, and building a new kind of politics in Illinois. One powered by action, support, and yes, $25 contributions from thousands of people like you.

If you share this vision for a new politics in Illinois, help us grow this movement. Chip in $25 or more and let’s show that a movement of people is stronger than any self-funder (even me).

* Sun-Times…

Rauner and state Sen. Daniel Biss are the two gubernatorial candidates reporting more than a million dollars of campaign cash on hand, according to the first major campaign report filed Monday with the state’s Board of Elections.

Businessman Chris Kennedy fell just shy of that mark, with $907,427.61 on hand when the reporting period closed at the end of March.

And billionaire venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker beefed up his total with $7 million out of his own pocket after the filing period closed.

* Pritzker was in Champaign yesterday and talked about money…

“This election isn’t about money, it is about values,” said Pritzker. “It is about standing up for progressive values. It’s about standing up and saying that millionaires and billionaires ought to pay a higher rate of tax than people who make 20 and 30 and 50 and $50,000 a year.”

Pritzker referred to a graduated income tax, which he says should be part of any tax increase in Illinois. […]

Pritzker used his own family story to promote the value of entrepreneurship and philanthropy —- touching on the work of his father, Hyatt hotel magnate Jay Pritzker, his own company, and his work to expand Illinois’ school breakfast program and establish the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in the Chicago suburb of Skokie.

“I know I started out lucky in life,” said Pritzker, “but I know I have to work hard every day to earn what I’ve been given. So I’ve spent much of my life building things that would be good for other people.”

* More on that topic…

During his tour Monday, Pritzker told reporters that he favors getting rid of Illinois’ flat income-tax rate.

“When I become governor, the first question we ought to ask is: Who should pay the bulk of whatever it is that we want to pay for? And the answer is that yes, millionaires and billionaires and people who can afford to pay are the ones who should pay more, not people who make 20 and 30 and 40 and $50,000 a year.”

Asked if he supported a graduated income tax or the “millionaires tax” proposed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, Pritzker said he wanted a graduated tax.

“We can call it whatever you like,” the Chicago Democrat said. “I think a fair tax in this state would be to ask people who can afford to pay to pay more. It shouldn’t fall on the middle class or people who are working poor.”

…Adding… A bit of context…

IL-GOV: How Much Will the Democratic Primary Cost
A look at the last four Democratic primaries for Governor.https://t.co/Ls2LZbpMne pic.twitter.com/Wcj8rt6F1K

— IL Election Data (@ILElectionData) April 15, 2017