* Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker topped this Minnesota campaign contribution list at $2.25 million…

In Minnesota politics, state-level candidates and political action committees have received $95.9 million in total donations between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 18, 2022. The 10 largest donors gave more than $9.4 million, or 10 percent of all contributions.

* Wall St. Journal …

Some Black Chicagoans Hit by Crime Consider Skipping Midterm Elections

Republicans see disillusioned voters as path to upset in Illinois governor’s race, though many Democrats remain reluctant to switch parties

That’s what this is all about. Drive down turnout. However, the Wall St. Journal isn’t relying on polling data and instead just did what East Coast news outlets excel at doing: They sent a couple of DC-based reporters out on a very brief foray into Black neighborhoods to “get the pulse,” along with reporting on some Republican aspirations. Sloppy. But it is true that the Democrats have to make sure their base turns out.

* Press release…

With polls opening tomorrow for early voting, the Vote No on Amendment 1 ballot committee has launched two digital ads to warn voters about the dangers of Amendment 1, the first item at the top of the ballot.

The new ads link to an Illinois Policy Institute property tax calculator that allows homeowners to see how much more Amendment 1 could cost them on their property tax bills. The ads are paid for by Vote No on Amendment 1.

The first ad, entitled “Amendment 1 threatens my American Dream,” features first-generation American Argie Karafotias, whose business Golden Brunch survived the pandemic but is still getting crushed by high taxes. He says his local business can’t afford another property tax hike.

The second, entitled “Amendment 1 = Higher Illinois property taxes,” showcases Katy Stryker, a mom and small business owner who is worried about future challenges, including higher property taxes from Amendment 1.

Statement from Matt Paprocki, treasurer of Vote No on Amendment 1:

“The last thing Illinois needs is another property tax hike. Our campaign is proud to highlight local Illinois business owners and residents who see the true cost unchecked government union power will have on Illinoisans. Amendment 1 will harm local businesses, foster Illinois’ culture of corruption and raise property taxes statewide. Voters can’t afford it.”

To view the property tax calculator, visit illin.is/taxcalc.

To view the ads against Amendment 1, visit illin.is/ads.

…Adding… Forgot about this one…

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is untruthful again and cannot keep his retirement tax story straight. In an interview that aired on WGN, Frerichs was asked about his June 17, 2020 comments in support of a retirement tax.

“My opponent in that debate supported taxing people’s pension income. He wanted to tax specifically people with higher incomes….That’s something I thought he would like and that was the argument I made.”

He is referring to Todd Maisch, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, who led a coalition against the progressive income tax and has been and continues to be an ardent opponent of new tax increases. Todd Maisch directly responded to Frerichs’ false claims:

“I do not, nor does the Chamber, support a progressive income or retirement tax and have spent my entire career fighting to reduce, not increase taxes in Illinois,” said Maisch, who has been with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for nearly 30 years.

“I was surprised that Treasurer Frerichs brought up taxing retirement as an argument for the progressive tax because it is such an unpopular idea in Illinois.

“It’s par for the course with Treasurer Frerichs who ducks, dodges, and deflects to hide his own failures,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Multiple sources have now confirmed what we all know - Frerichs is untruthful in his comments claiming he never supported a retirement tax.”

In 2020, he ran away from reporters and voters at a press conference he called to address his comments. Last month, his campaign said anyone saying he supports a retirement tax is “lying.” State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is now blaming a fellow forum participant for his comments on why Illinois should consider taxing retirement income.

“While there is no winner in Treasurer Frerichs’ never-ending blame game, there is one clear loser, Illinois voters,” said Chairman Tracy. “Illinois voters must hold Frerichs accountable and elect a true fiscal watchdog in Tom Demmer.”

Frerichs has spent his time as a state legislator championing tax increases. Introducing not one, but five pieces of legislation to create a progressive income tax with SJRCA69, SJRCA92 , SJRCA89 , SJRCA101 and SJRCA17 .

…Adding… Another one…

Today, Illinois NOW (National Organization for Women) PAC announced its endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Second District. A non-partisan organization, NOW’s mission is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now - sharing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination. Illinois NOW is an organization of chapters from every area in Illinois.

“Illinois NOW PAC works tirelessly to protect women and their right to reproductive care and justice, to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and to eliminate racial inequality. As these fights intensify, we need proven and experienced leaders at every level of government, including the Illinois Supreme Court,” says Laura Welch, President of IL NOW. “That’s why we support Judge Elizabeth Rochford in the Second District, whose experience and qualifications are unmatched by her opponent, who not only never served as a judge, but is rated not recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association.”

Rochford has been rated “highly recommended” by the Illinois State Bar Association and “highly qualified” by the Lake County Bar Association, the only candidate in the race for the Second District rated qualified. Rochford has been endorsed by the Lake County Democratic Women, Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Equality Illinois, pro-choice legislative leaders, and other groups who know there is no stronger champion for women in this race. She has also earned the endorsement of a number of organizations, including the Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, GPAC, and Giffords PAC.

“I am grateful for the support of Illinois NOW, an organization dedicated to establishing access to resources and opportunities for women and other vulnerable members of our communities,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “The best way to realize our vision of equal justice for all, is to have the best qualified, and experienced members of the judiciary serving on our state’s highest court. I am humbled to have earned the Illinois NOW endorsement for the Supreme Court seat in the Second District.”

* More…

* In 6th District race, Democrat Sean Casten and Republican Keith Pekau split on abortion rights: Pekau’s position is the target of a 30-second digital ad the Casten campaign released last week. Pekau criticized the ad in a subsequent news release, saying it misrepresented his views — but it didn’t say how or which views.

* Chung and Preston outline differences in criminal justice and taxes in 91st House debate

* She Runs Illinois 2022! — Sharon Chung, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 91