Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

*** UPDATED x1 *** If at first you don’t succeed…

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Some powerful trial lawyers have already forced one Illinois Supreme Court Justice to recuse himself from hearing the appeal of a $10.1 billion judgement against Philip Morris, but they haven’t been able to convince Justice Lloyd Karmeier to back away…

Karmeier said no, noting that Tillery and Co. “do not allege I harbor any actual bias for or against” either party. Instead, he said, they contend “various factors have combined to create ‘an objective and reasonable public perception’ that I am biased in favor of” Philip Morris because of the “unprecedented sums” spent in his 2004 election.Karmeier further noted that financial records reveal no donations to his 2004 campaign by Philip Morris, despite Tillery’s claim that it was “bankrolling” it. […]

“The notion that” Philip Morris financed “my run for office 10 years ago is just that, a notion,” he said.

Karmeier said he also “cannot help but notice” Tillery’s motion “bear(s) an unmistakable similarity to materials filed by the plaintiffs” in another big judgment case, involving State Farm Insurance.

“The only difference here is that the respondents here claim that those same contributions should be attributed to (Philip Morris) rather than State Farm,” he wrote.

* As I told subscribers the other day, a new group called Campaign for 2016 dropped well over a half million dollars to try and derail Karmeier’s retention bid…

* From a Karmeier campaign press release this afternoon…

It took less than a day for the shadow group known as “Campaign for 2016″ to emerge from the darkness, according to Retain Karmeier Campaign Manager Ron Deedrick.

“Now there is a public record of the political committee ‘Campaign for 2016,’ and it’s clear that a number of trial attorneys with deep pockets are working in concert to protect their investment in cases they are litigating,” Deedrick said. “A direct line can be drawn from those who seek to defeat the Justice and who have current cases before the courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court.

‘Campaign for 2016’ scored a $300,000 donation on October 16 from Chicago-area attorney George Zelcs. Zelcs is an attorney with the law firm of Korien Tillery, LLC based in St. Louis. Media accounts show that Zelcs is a lead attorney tied into a multi-billion dollar case that is now before the Illinois Supreme Court. The same media accounts also show that the class-action lawsuit could net more than $10 billion for the plaintiffs.

“The timing of this attack is questionable as well. The Justice entered an order back on September 24 that rejected the Tillery group’s efforts to obtain his recusal from the case,” Deedrick said. “This is likely a personal political response to the Justice’s order.”

*** UPDATE *** Another $500K was reported by the Campaign for 2016 this afternoon. An attorney with the above-mentioned Korein Tillery, the Power Rogers & Smith firm and Clifford Law Offices all kicked in.

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Rate Sheila Simon’s new TV ad

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* OK, let’s try this again, shall we? Rate it…

…Adding… ~~Welp, it’s been taken off her YouTube account. It was there yesterday, I swear. I’ll try to get another copy.~~

…Adding More… ~~While I find another copy,~~ you can watch her debate last night with Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka…

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Rauner runs new TV ad touting newspaper endorsements

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From the Rauner campaign…

Bruce Rauner today launched a new Chicago-area TV ad touting his sweep of newspaper endorsements over incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn.

Rauner has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Shaw Media Newspapers, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Peoria Journal Star, the Champaign News-Gazette and the Belleville News-Democrat. In the 30-second spot, titled “Endorsed,” Illinois voters learn why independent news sources agree Bruce Rauner is the clear choice to lead our state back to prosperity:

“The power to revive Illinois” – Chicago Tribune
“Bruce Rauner gives Illinois hope” – Northwest Herald
“Rauner will build consensus that considers all interests” – Daily Herald
“A renewed sense of optimism” – Crain’s Chicago Business
“Get Illinois roaring again for the sake of us all.” – Chicago Sun-Times

The ad…

Thoughts?

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Grimm on 150 - Minimum wage battles in other states - The return of “Matt the Welder” - Rauner on “right to work”

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Mark Brown chatted with Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Chad Grimm about Local 150’s pledge to help his campaign…

“I thought it was genuine, and I don’t see it as being a problem,” Grimm told me late Monday on his way to a meeting where he was hoping to learn more about the extent of the union’s help.

After the meeting, Grimm reported he now expects the union’s additional support to come in the form of an independent expenditure campaign that it will control. Grimm said he’s good with that, too.

Rich Miller from CapitolFax reported this week that Local 150 would be spending “six-figures” on behalf of Grimm in a last-second push that most expect will work to the detriment of Rauner. Miller reported the money will be spent on direct mail and robocalls.

Although the Operating Engineers have traditionally supported both Democrats and Republicans in recognition of the mixed leanings of its members, the union has been campaigning determinedly against Rauner for the past year because of his anti-union rhetoric and policies.

* In other news, Illinois isn’t the only state with a minimum wage hike ballot initiative, reports the AP…

In Alaska, Senate candidate Dan Sullivan opposed a federal minimum wage hike during the GOP primary campaign then came out for the state minimum wage measure in his general election race against Democratic Sen. Mark Begich.

Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor and his Republican opponent, Tom Cotton, have both endorsed the state-level ballot measure in Arkansas, but Cotton had previously said the issue should be left for voters to decide.

Democratic officials in Nebraska hope the wage issue makes a difference in the close race between Democrat Brad Ashford and Republican incumbent Lee Terry in an Omaha-based congressional district.

In South Dakota, where Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson’s retirement created an open seat, Democrat Rick Weiland helped carry signed petitions to the Secretary of State’s office to get the minimum wage issue on the ballot. His GOP opponent, former Gov. Mike Rounds, opposes it.

* Meanwhile, remember this self-made video from the 2010 campaign?…

Well, “Matt the Welder” is back with another self-made ad that he’s posted to Facebook. Click here to see it.

…Adding… I don’t know why I didn’t put this relevant debate snippet in the post. From ABC 7…

Rauner acknowledged his support for “right to work,” or opportunity zones, as he now calls them. And the candidates renewed their now-familiar disagreement on raising the minimum wage.

“We’re going to raise the minimum wage this year, we’re going to get it done,” Quinn said.

“He’s a phony on the minimum wage. He’s playing political football to make it a political issue in the campaign,” countered Rauner.

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A bevy of new congressional TV ads

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The DCCC has an updated version of its “truck ad” on the air in the 10th Congressional District…

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching its latest ad in Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, showing how Bob Dold is just another run-of-the-mill Republican who the Tea Party can rely on – since he has already voted to restrict women’s healthcare choices, limit access to birth control and defund Planned Parenthood, which reduces access to affordable health care for women like cancer screenings. The ad starts today.

The ad…

The script…

[Narrator] Still not sure about the twenty fourteen Bob Dold?

More than just a run-of-the-mill Republican.

We’re talking lockstep, yes-man, tea-party-can-rely-on-me Republican.

With ten party-line votes against women powering his agenda…

Bob Dold would restrict women’s healthcare choices…

And limit access to birth control.

Bob Dold comes standard with votes that let insurance companies charge women more than men.

And would defund Planned Parenthood, driving away affordable healthcare like cancer screenings.

The twenty fourteen Bob Dold. Way out of the mainstream.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.

* Moving right along, the DCCC has a new ad in the 12th as well…

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a new television ad in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District highlighting how Meltdown Mike Bost’s reckless priorities represent everything the people of Illinois hate about Washington. From raising taxes to borrowing millions and underfunding the pension system, it’s clear that Meltdown Mike Bost would be part of the problem in Washington – not on the side of the middle class.

Ad…

Script…

Over twenty years in Springfield, Mike Bost could have helped the middle class.

Instead, Bost became part of the problem.

Voting for Governor Ryan’s reckless budgets.

Raising taxes, borrowing millions, and underfunding the pension system.

Bost even voted for a golf course and skating rink – in suburban Chicago.

Mike Bost would make Washington worse.

* Same district, different party…

“Sending Bill Enyart back to Congress means more government spending paid for by Southern Illinois taxpayers. It’s time to shake up Washington and send Mike Bost to Congress. He’s a true leader focused on making things better for Southern Illinois families.” – Katie Prill, NRCC Spokeswoman

Ad…

Script…

ANNCR: With Bill Enyart in Washington, nothing will change.

Enyart. Pelosi. Obama. They just run up more debt.

17 Trillion and growing.

Enyart supported Obamacare, $2 Trillion in new spending.

With big spenders like Bill Enyart, the middle class pays the price.

It’s time for a shakeup.

Mike Bost will work for balanced budgets.

Fewer burdens on the middle class.

Change Washington. Mike Bost.

* And over in Congressman Rodney Davis’ district comes this from his Democratic opponent…

Former Chief Judge and Congressional challenger Ann Callis today released a new television ad, “You.” In the ad, Callis speaks from the heart directly to voters about the choice they have in this election between a true public servant and a political insider who will do anything to protect his job. Callis slams Congressman Rodney Davis for his desperate attempts to distract voters by continuing misleading attacks on Callis’ family and judicial career.

Ad…

Script…

(CALLIS): As a mom and a judge, in between putting bad guys in jail, I raised good ones. I want the best for them, and for you. That’s why I’ve focused on more jobs for Illinois and ending perks for politicians. But Rodney Davis is a politician who wants to protect his job, so he lied about my career and attacked my family. I’m Ann Callis. I approve this message because I think you deserve better. That’s the difference between us, and the choice in this election.

* From Davis…

No Labels, a national organization dedicated to a new politics of problem solving, has awarded its “Problem Solver Seal of Approval” to Illinois Republican Rodney Davis for his support of the group’s year-long effort to create a National Strategic Agenda, a roadmap for the country based on goals shared by both parties.

“In just his first term in Congress, Representative Davis has shown a firm commitment to problem solving,” said Bill Galston, a co-founder of No Labels. “It is this kind of leadership, coupled with the creation of a National Strategic Agenda, that is going to help us solve some of the big issues we’re facing as a country.”

No Labels is calling for America’s leaders to support a new governing process to build a National Strategic Agenda centered on four goals.

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Quinn tax hike dodge count: 4

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sun-Times debate coverage…

Rauner repeatedly criticized Quinn for raising the income tax in Illinois and warned that even if Quinn were defeated he would raise taxes.

Quinn was grilled on whether he would indeed try again to reinstate the income tax hike even if he wasn’t reelected on Nov. 4.

Quinn said he’s been open about his plan, a budget that he pushed in March that included a $500 property tax rebate but ultimately was unsuccessful.

“The worst tax is the property tax, it’s not based on ability to pay,” Quinn said.

* The Rauner campaign has a highlight video…

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition: Crosstabs, cable TV buys, ads

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

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A grand good morning to you all!

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sometimes, you can just get too deep into the weeds of these crazy campaigns - the meaningless minutiae, the intrinsically harmful weirdness, the outlandish character assassination, the moment by instantaneous moment hyper-partisan negativity. When you feel that happening, you gotta step back, man; take a deep, cleansing breath, blow out all the irony and ask yourself: “Ain’t life grand?” Turn it up for Widespread Panic…

The sun came out the other day
Through those dusty clouds
And in my mind I was a child
And it felt good!

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