* Gov. JB Pritzker contributed $500,000 to the Democratic Party of Illinois earlier today. I’ve asked both DPI and the governor’s campaign for a response, but haven’t yet heard back. Pritzker is currently backing candidates who are expected to vote for a new DPI chair and he refused to be pinned down on whether he supported the current chair earlier this week, so that’s why this is noteworthy.
…Adding… “The party is supportive of all Democrats and we’re going to do what we need to do to win and that includes supporting the governor,” said DPI spokesperson Jake Lewis.
…Adding… “The governor is proud to support Democrats up and down the ticket and will continue to work with pro-choice, pro-worker candidates at every level of government to defend against Republican extremism,” said Natalie Edelstein of the Pritzker campaign.
* During last night’s debate, Richard Irvin said…
We’ve got to focus on making sure we support our men and women who wear that badge who keep us safe every day. Matter of fact, I’m endorsed by the FOP, state FOP here in the state…
In response, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police issued a press release early this afternoon…
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge, a fraternal organization that proudly represents more than 34,000 active duty and retired police officers, has made no endorsement in the primary races for Illinois Governor. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge has made no such endorsement in the Governor’s race in past primary elections and has continued that non-endorsement practice for the June 28 Illinois primary election.
“Other FOP organizations in Illinois may have made such endorsements this year, but not the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge,” said Illinois FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood. “We encourage any gubernatorial candidate who has received an endorsement to clearly specify the organization in order to avoid confusion among the voters of Illinois, including our members.”
Irvin was endorsed by the FOP Labor Council, which is a different group.
* Irvin, by the way, has a new version of his “focus group” TV ads. Click here to watch a bunch of white folks talking about how the “brave” Irvin has the “core inner strength” to utter the phrase “All lives matter.”
* What sort of staff does Jonathan Jackson have?…
Jonathan Jackson, a frontrunner in the crowded House Democratic primary to replace Rep. Bobby Rush, failed to file a required financial disclosure report though all his leading rivals followed the law.
“That’s an oversight and a mistake that I did not file,” Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday.
Asked how he did not know he had to file a personal financial disclosure document, Jackson said, “I was not informed by the people that I’m working with.”
From fellow CD1 candidate and state Senator Jacqui Collins…
I’m disappointed Mr. Jackson failed to file his financial disclosure report – something fundamental to running a campaign and required by law. Transparency and ethics are vital components of our democracy. As someone who has served in the General Assembly and fought for ethics reform, I understand how desperately it’s needed. If Jonathan Jackson can’t show us a commitment to ethics now, how can voters trust him in Congress?
* Back to the governor’s race…
Pritzker was asked at a news conference about Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s decision to withdraw from that city’s Pride Parade after organizers decided uniformed police officers may not take part. Irvin is running in the Republican gubernatorial primary in hopes of going on to challenge Pritzker.
“I don’t think we need to be making choices one way or the other. I stand up for our police – for our LGBTQ police officers – and for the LGBTQ community more broadly,” Pritzker said. “I think that’s what we ought to be doing.”
* Jesse Sullivan again pledged last night to cut the state budget by $10 billion. How?…
By doing pension reform, by actually consolidating more units of government than any state in the nation, more per capita government workers than any state in the nation. We need a hiring freeze and we need a corruption and patronage audit that I will do from my office. And we are going to lower the taxes on the people of Illinois look more like Texas and Florida, not New York and California and Mr. Bailey, how
He’d have to basically eliminate all state pension payments to meet that goal. Also, Illinois has one of the lowest per capita rates of state government workers. C’mon, man.
…Adding… More from the debate via the DGA…
* Politico…
The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity Action is endorsing Richard Irvin in his bid to head the Republican ticket for governor. In a statement, AFP Action senior adviser Jason Heffley cited Irvin’s “exemplary record” as mayor of Aurora. “We need a governor like Richard Irvin who has the experience and courage to pass balanced budgets while cutting taxes.”
— Billionaire Dick Uihlein just gave another $3 million to Republican Darren Bailey’s campaign for governor.
Heffley was a member of the Rauner administration and ran Erika Harold’s 2014 campaign, and Bailey got that money two days ago.
* More…
* Tribune endorses Alexi Giannoulias and Dan Brady for secretary of state: But even if his ambitions might eventually land elsewhere, Giannoulias has the edge here. He has a thick binder of achievements as state treasurer, useful experience for the office he now seeks. And he’s clearly thought through the technological challenges of the potential new job, suggesting the creation of a phone app where Illinoisans could digitally manage their driver’s license, vehicle title and yearly registration chores. He also argued that the long lines at the DMV could be done away with if a digital appointment service was put in place and he rightly pointed out that the private sector (not to mention several other states) already has put in place much of the technology Illinois needs.
* Field of 21 running to succeed Bobby Rush in First Congressional District: With so little difference on the issues, the Democrats stress their credentials.
* Daily Herald endorsement: Villegas for the 3rd Congressional District: And while candidates often talk about the need for bipartisanship, Villegas says he would be pragmatic in his approach. It would make it easier for him to work across the aisle and get things done.
* What candidates for governor say about state funding help for Bears’ move to Arlington Hts.
* Mark Carroll Financial Disclosure Report Reveals IRS Installment Plan to Pay Back Business Income Taxes Debt:
