Illinois’ 12th District. Neither Mike Bost (R) or Rep. Bill Enyart (D) are lighting the Downstate district on fire, but one of them has to win in November. Democrats have been attacking Bost with ads that include his fiery tirade on the state House floor, but the Republican is still standing and may even be leading in the race. This is a competitive district where Gov. Pat Quinn (D) is going to get crushed by Bruce Rauner (R) at the top of the ticket and Enyart just hasn’t done the work that some of his freshman colleagues have done to put himself in a stronger re-election position. We’re changing our rating from Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic to Pure Toss-Up.
Quinn isn’t gonna get “crushed” in the western end of that district, but I don’t really dispute the rating change.
* State Rep. Dan Brady doesn’t appear all that enthused about IDPH’s proposed new rules to ban smoking in outdoor beer gardens…
The Illinois Department of Public Health is preparing an administrative rule that could shut down tobacco smoking in patios and other outdoor places of public accommodation. These areas, often called “decks” or “beer gardens,” are allowed by the zoning rules of many Illinois municipalities and local governments. They are used by restaurants and taverns to accommodate smokers who are eating or drinking at places where food or alcohol is served. Rules are already in place to enforce the Smoke-Free Illinois Act prohibiting the smoking of tobacco at indoor locations where food or beverages are prepared or served. The proposed new rulemaking would expand this prohibition to cover outdoor ancillary locations also used by an establishment for serving.
The proposed rule change would affect the private property of small businesses throughout Illinois. Several owners of licensed establishments have told their legislators and the press that they had built or modified patios and beer gardens in response to specific assurances, including in at least one case an alleged written assurance, from the Department of Public Health that smoking in a covered outdoor location would be acceptable under State law if the smoking area was accessible to servers but not adjacent to an ingress/egress doorway or window.
* And, speaking of smoking, from Dick Durbin’s office…
Today U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Representatives Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), John D. Dingell (D-MI), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) releasing a new report that found that hundreds of tobacco advertisements and images glorifying smoking and e-cigarettes appear in magazines with large teen readerships.
The report finds that “tobacco companies continue to glamorize smoking in advertisements in magazines with large youth readership” and that “magazines frequently contain alluring images of smokers in their editorial content.”
The report identified hundreds of advertisements, photos, and other images – many featuring alluring images of celebrities glamorizing smoking and e-cigarette use. These advertisements and images appeared most frequently in Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, US Weekly, People, and Time.
Um, Time has a “large teen readership”? I had no idea. Actually, I didn’t think anybody under 60 read that magazine any longer.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday knocked down potential challenger Karen Lewis’ idea to legalize and tax marijuana, saying he doesn’t “think you should balance the budget by promoting recreational smoking of pot.”
OK, who’s talking about “promoting” it? Just get the government the heck outta the way.
“I think it’s important for us to start thinking very differently about revenue sources,” Lewis said. “In Colorado, in the first quarter alone, the state generated $80 million. Come on. Not only that, but having a sensible drug policy stops a lot of other silliness.”
Told that the mayor criticized her idea, Lewis said the casino that Emanuel wants to build in Chicago to boost revenue would be much more damaging to Chicagoans than legalized cannabis.
“I know for a fact that casinos have a devastating effect on families and communities, and people have lost their houses because they have gambling addictions and problems,” Lewis said. “But recreational usage of marijuana is worse? Come on. How do you compare that, to you also promoting casinos, which damage families way, way, way worse?”
* Lewis has a very good point about revenues. In fact, NerdWallet just did a study on this very topic and concluded Illinois could reap annual revenues of $126 million.
* Gov. Quinn took questions from reporters today about Bruce Rauner’s new TV ad that uses some disparaging remarks about Quinn by the late Mayor Harold Washington. He said that his last conversation with the mayor was cordial…
Quinn said he “always did the right thing” as the city’s revenue director. “My conscience is clear,” Quinn said.
The governor said the last time he talked to Washington the mayor said, “ ‘Quinn, You’re my friend. You’ll always be my friend. Some day we’ll have a drink about this.’”
Quinn also said he didn’t get along with some Washington’s staffers.
Quinn also pointed to Mayor Washington’s strong support for increasing the minimum wage and the fact that there are no African-Americans in executive positions at Rauner’s former firm. Have a listen…
* But the Rauner campaign released some more info on the decades-ago spat, which got pretty darned nasty…
After Washington Fired Quinn, Quinn Publicly Attacked Him And Questioned His Honesty. “Former city Revenue Director Patrick Quinn said Monday that he told Mayor Harold Washington on two occasions that an aide tried to influence the timing of a city tax audit hearing but that Washington made no move to stop the practice. In an interview, Quinn, who was ousted last week from the post he held since November, also disputed figures released by city officials to show that a parking-ticket amnesty program he conceived was a failure. The forced resignation of Quinn, a grass-roots reformer, has sparked countercharges by Quinn and the mayor’s chief of staff, Ernest Barefield, who pressed for Quinn’s resignation. But Quinn on Monday, for the first time, disputed Washington’s statements about the incident.” (R Bruce Dold, “Quinn Disputes Mayor On Audit,” Chicago Tribune, 6/30/87)
Quinn Called Press Conferences Accusing The Washington Administration Of Improper, Politically-Motivated Hiring Decisions. “A former official of the Chicago Department of Revenue charged Tuesday he was fired for refusing a city official’s order to block the hiring of a job applicant who had ties to former Revenue Director Patrick Quinn. The surprise allegation, made at a press conference called by Quinn, touched off new questions about whether Washington administration aides have interfered in the scandal-plagued revenue department. City officials denied the charges and retorted that Quinn, the grassroots reformer who was brought in to shake up the department, attempted to circumvent court-ordered hiring guidelines himself to get a job for a friend.” (R Bruce Dold, “City Aide Says Quinn Link Got Him Fired,” Chicago Tribune, 8/12/87)
Quinn Accused The Washington Administration Of Lying About Motor Fuel Tax Collections To “Bamboozle” The City Council Into Approving A Property Tax Increase. “Patrick Quinn, ousted Chicago revenue director, accused the Washington administration Tuesday of deliberately overestimating income from motor fuel taxes to “bamboozle” the city council into approving the record $79.9 million property-tax increase last year. Quinn leveled his latest charges in a heated exchange with Lucille Dobbins, Mayor Harold Washington’s assistant for financial administration, during a radio interview about Quinn’s ouster in June.” (James Strong, “Quinn Says Council Was Tricked Into Passing Property-Tax Hike,” Chicago Tribune, 8/26/87)
Washington Said Quinn’s Charges Were A “Patent Lie.” “Later, Washington branded Quinn’s charges that the administration deliberately exaggerated the fuel taxes as a “patent lie” and said: ‘the estimates are just that. Sometimes you hit and sometime you’re off.’” (James Strong, “Quinn Says Council Was Tricked Into Passing Property-Tax Hike,” Chicago Tribune, 8/26/87)
* I’m not quite sure why I received this e-mail from the Quinn campaign today…
ICYMI: Defense attorneys hit value of lawsuits in Rauner-linked nursing home case
Actually, the article points out something that I had on the blog the other day which backs up Rauner’s claims that nobody was trying to dump assets in the face of huge lawsuit threats…
Defense attorneys for a nursing home chain once owned by Bruce Rauner’s GTCR equity firm sought Wednesday to show a bankruptcy court judge that wrongful death cases involving patients could have been settled for modest sums, aiming to undercut claims that the owners had a motive to hide assets.
Under cross-examination, a former staff attorney for the nursing home chain testified that the plaintiff attorneys offered to settle six neglect and wrongful death lawsuits for a total of $200,000. The offer came as the company was trying to clear lawsuits off its books before filing for receivership in Maryland in 2009, said Kristi Anderson, who was a lawyer for Trans Healthcare of Baltimore at the time.
“There was some demand that came back in the neighborhood of $200,000,” Anderson testified.
When she relayed that to the chief financial officer of her company, his counter offer was $80,000 to settle all the suits. She said the attorney representing estates of the patients never responded, and that was the end of settlement talks.
* Well, here’s a “controversy” I had never heard about until Bruce Rauner’s campaign sent it to me twice today. From an online publication called the Washington Free Beacon…
Illinois Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s ongoing refusal to publicly defend the University of Illinois’ decision not to hire an academic whose anti-Semitic tweets sparked a national controversy is causing concern among local Jewish community leaders who feel that Quinn should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the school.
* The author claims that “Quinn has repeatedly refused to defend the university” without providing much explanation or any links to stories where he specifically “refused” to answer any questions except for relating this incident…
Quinn’s campaign again avoided commenting on the controversy Wednesday when approached by the Washington Free Beacon.
When asked if the governor has made any comments about the matter, a Quinn campaign staffer who answered the phone said, “not that I’m aware of.” A further request for comment was not returned by press time.
“Press time”? I didn’t know online publications had press times. Learn something new every day, I suppose.
Also, I called the main Quinn campaign number this afternoon and a young, low-level employee answered the phone. He didn’t know anything about the issue, obviously, because he’s just a guy who answers the phone.
“There is a line between academic expression and hateful rhetoric that blames Jews for anti-Semitism,” Rauner said in a statement provided to the Free Beacon. “Salaita crossed that line, and I strongly support the decision made by [University of Illinois] Chancellor [Phyllis] Wise and the Board of Trustees.”
Rauner went on to slam Quinn, who sits on the school’s board, for staying silent in the face of clear anti-Semitic bias.
“What shocks me is that Pat Quinn has been silent on this issue—absolutely silent in the face of hate speech at our state’s flagship university—where the governor has a seat on the board. This isn’t the first time he’s been silent—this is a pattern of silence from Pat Quinn on a core issue,” Rauner said, referring to the governor’s past refusal to back a statewide measure to condemn boycotts of Israel.
Not to make light of this controversy, which I’ve avoided myself because university politics tends to bring out the absolute bat-dung crazy in people (and, frankly, the university is free to withdraw a job offer whenever it wants, so it’s basically a non-issue for me), but I’m guessing that Rauner’s statement didn’t come from the person who answers the phone at Rauner HQ. Just sayin…
And while it’s true that Quinn hasn’t been quoted on Sen. Ira Silverstein’s failed proposals to counter the anti U of I boycotts and boycott threats, the governor’s campaign spokesperson, who was his government spokesperson until this summer, told me that nobody has ever asked her or the campaign about the U of I controversy.
I asked her to get me a response from Quinn, who was in an SJ-R editorial board meeting when we texted. So, stay tuned for an update.
The University of Illinois Foundation said Monday that it received $259.5 million in donations during the fiscal year that ended June 30, a 10.5 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
*** UPDATE 1 *** As mentioned above, the governor is traveling today. His campaign spokesperson sent along a quick statement a while ago with the promise of more info when she has a chance to talk more extensively with Gov. Quinn. I figured I’d go ahead and post the initial statement now to get it out of the way in case tinfoil hats start springing up in comments…
Of course the Governor supports the board’s decision
She also pointed out the obvious fact that Quinn appointed the members to the U of I’s board.
*** UPDATE 2 *** A bit more from Brooke, via text…
The Governor certainly supports the board’s decision. He believes they did the right thing and he made that clear to the Chairman of the Board after the decision was made.
*** UPDATE 3 *** I’m trying not to smirk here…
Governor Quinn Statement on Rosh Hashanah
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on Rosh Hashanah:
“I extend my warm wishes for a sweet new year to the Jewish community in Illinois, and throughout the world, as we welcome the beginning of Rosh Hashanah.
“Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, when the Jewish community reflects on the past and renews their commitment to the future. During this time of reflection, we honor and celebrate all faiths as well as their rich contributions to our shared Illinois.
“On behalf of the people of Illinois, I wish all a happy and healthy new year. L’Shanah Tovah!”
* Expect a lot more on this front in the coming days…
A coalition of leaders who worked with, supported and espoused Harold Washington ideals and policies issued the below statement. Leaders who issued the statement are U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-1st), U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-2nd), U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-4th), U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-7th), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, Timuel Black, the Rev. Clay Evans, Jacky Grimshaw and the Rev. Dr. B. Herbert Martin:
“Harold Washington would be rolling over in his grave to see this desperate commercial run by a billionaire who didn’t hire a single African American executive at his own business and who wants to eliminate the minimum wage.
“Those who remember and loved Harold Washington know that he spent his entire career fighting against the Republican, anti-worker, benefit-the-rich policies that Bruce Rauner wholly represents.
“This is another desperate effort by a billionaire trying to change the subject from an ongoing federal trial targeting his company after misdeeds that led to the abuse, neglect and death of many senior citizens under his watch. Bruce Rauner can’t avoid responsibility for his business.”
Nearly five dozen Illinois Department of Transportation employees have been given a temporary reprieve from layoff because of a court agreement by Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration.
Quinn’s lawyers agreed late Monday in Sangamon County Circuit Court to disregard the Sept. 30 dismissal date for 58 so-called “staff assistants” until they have a hearing before a judge, according to Carl Draper, one of the Springfield-based attorneys for the workers.
Eliminating the staff assistant’s position was part of a reform Quinn announced last month after a blistering report about improper hiring at the agency. But the Teamsters union, which represents the workers, filed a lawsuit to block the dismissals.
Draper said a status hearing would be scheduled for late this month. He would not comment further.
* From the increasingly strident Bruce Rauner campaign…
Another Day, Another Pat Quinn Broken Promise
“Pat Quinn said he fired these illegal IDOT hires and now says he won’t. That’s on top of the other 103 illegal hires he’s already refusing to fire. Pat Quinn’s capacity to break his promises to the people of Illinois knows no bounds.” - Rauner spokesperson Mike Schrimpf
Oy. The guy agrees to a court delay and he’s breaking his promise?
These guys are making it almost impossible for themselves to govern should Rauner actually be elected.
* Mayor Rahm Emanuel said two things when he pushed for speed cams. First, the cams would slow down traffic near schools and parks and, therefore, potentially save lives. The second was the cams could generate up to $70 million a year for education programs.
Most figured the push was a cynical move to raise more cash. And they figured the $70 million was a low-ball estimate. Hey, maybe it was just a cash grab. But that’s not how it’s turning out…
The 92 speed cameras installed near 43 schools and parks have generated just $3.7 million in fines, and only $1.5 million of that has been collected. That’s after churning out 758,176 warning notices and 42,568 tickets since the first camera was installed at Gompers Park in August. […]
From the first day of warnings through March 9, the average number of motorists caught speeding each day has dropped at all but four of the 92 cameras locations. The biggest decline — 97 percent — occurred at McKinley Park, 2080 W. Pershing, which went from an average of 861 daily speeders in September to 28 in March.
* Hizzoner was asked about the slowed-down motorists the other day…
He essentially said, “I told you so.”
“The first goal — as I said when we created the child safety zones — was to deter people from speeding near our schools and our parks. And it has been incredibly effective at slowing people down,” he said at an unrelated news conference on street repaving.
Referring to the Sun-Times, Emanuel said, “You said . . . we’re not going to have the financial resources. The Tribune has said this is going to be an unlimited amount of money. . . . Stop the prediction business. We have only one fact: People are slowing down.”
One week after Bruce Rauner said he wouldn’t have signed a bill supporting medical marijuana in Illinois, the Republican gubernatorial candidate on Tuesday said he was “open to the discussion” of decriminalizing small amounts of the substance statewide.
When asked about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and reducing to a misdemeanor the penalty for possession of one gram or less of any controlled substance, Rauner said: “I think we can and should talk about ways we can creatively deal with non-violent offenders. We should have that discussion…We have a massive failure by Pat Quinn to deal with violent criminals.”
Did that mean he could be for it?
“I’m open to the discussion,” he said. “What we’ve got to focus on is the violent crime that’s occurring in our communities. That’s what we’ve got to focus on, we’ve got to prevent it.”
“The fact is that as governor, two of your most important tasks are to try to create an economic environment in your state where jobs can grow and flourish, and second, to try to protect the public safety of your state,” [NJ Gov. Chris Christie] said. “Unfortunately for the people of Illinois, Governor Quinn has failed at both of those tasks.” […]
“Pat Quinn has failed on violent crime,” Rauner said. “He’s created an environment where it can thrive. And then, through his ineptitude, he has released violent criminals early.”
“[Gov. Pat Quinn] ran a secret program releasing violent criminals early and just today it was discussed further in the media (that) a violent criminal was let out early under Pat Quinn (and) murdered a 9-year-old boy. We cannot allow this to continue to occur,” Rauner said.
Allmon was among four reputed gang members charged last week in the Grand Crossing shooting. Allmon had been on parole after being released from prison for possession of a firearm by a gang member.
Shaer later confirmed that Allmon received 17 “tickets” while in prison, including one for a “brief, mutual fight where no one was injured.” Allmon was transferred from a minimum security prison to a medium security facility after verbally threatening a guard. Shaer said that Allmon did not physically harm anyone or pose a significant threat and added that corrections officers have cracked down on minor offenses in recent years to prevent more serious incidents. Allmon was on parole that included home electronic monitoring except for certain times when he was allowed to look for work.
Kadiedra Shontell Speed’s experience in Illinois’ child-welfare system has included being placed with adoptive parents who ended up abusing her, stays in psychiatric hospitals, addresses at four homes in the last five years and several arrests for fighting, according to court records and sources.
Now 20, she’s still a ward of the state after her failed adoption, years earlier. Over Labor Day weekend, she had another run-in with the law — this time with deadly consequences.
After arguing with her 34-year-old roommate, Speed left in a rage and returned hours later, allegedly stabbing the woman to death in their basement apartment in Joliet, Will County prosecutors and neighbors say.
* Back in 2009, another state ward named D’Andre Howard stabbed his fiancee’s sister, father and grandmother to death, prompting an internal investigation…
A report in 2012 by the DCFS inspector general about that case — in which Howard was found guilty and is now serving three life sentences — was supposed to lead to greater oversight of hundreds of older wards, who typically are in “independent living” programs run by social service agencies that DCFS hires. Inspector General Denise Kane revealed Howard had a history of sexual assault arrests and a “long history of violence” that “indicated an urgent need for services.” But she concluded “a lack of communication among involved professionals,” including DCFS’ sexual abuse services coordinator, led to a DCFS contractor inadequately supervising Howard.
Whether child-welfare workers missed warning signs of potential violent behavior by Speed is difficult to assess. There’s no indication the fights she had in high school caused any serious injuries, and her most recent involvement in the court system before her murder arrest involved her winning an order of protection in February against a parolee boyfriend she said beat her up.
* The Quinn campaign claims it has uncovered “seven new wrongful death cases” involving Bruce Rauner’s former nursing home chain and “scores more settlements than previously known.” I’ve added links to supporting documentation…
The extent of negligence and wrongful death settlements from a chain of nursing homes controlled by Bruce Rauner is more extensive than previously was known.
Seven new wrongful death cases, in Ohio and New Mexico, were revealed Wednesday, even as more than $1 billion in judgments resulting from six deaths at Rauner’s Trans Healthcare Inc. (THI) face an ongoing bankruptcy trial in Florida. GTCRauner is a named defendant in the lawsuit.
The new cases add to a disturbing picture of neglect, abuse and substandard care at facilities managed by Rauner’s nursing home company.
See the attached court records for the case files and new information. A summary of the deaths at THI facilities under Rauner’s leadership appears below.
The new revelations were discussed Wednesday on a conference call with reporters by nursing home advocate and medical malpractice attorney Steven M. Levin, senior partner at Levin & Perconti.
“We now know of at least seven more individuals who perished as the result of poor care they received from nursing homes controlled by Bruce Rauner. Rauner calls any discussion of his involvement in his company a ‘distraction.’ I call it a pattern,” said Levin, a leading advocate nationally against nursing home abuse.
Levin noted that the seven new cases did not represent the full record of negligence at THI.
“Bruce Rauner has avoided questions about his conduct and involvement with THI. Given what little we know, it’s easy to see why,” Levin said.
New cases:
Name: Agnes Corbi
THI facility: McCrea Manor Nursing Home, Stark County, Ohio.
Date of death: March 5, 2001
The Story: Admitted Jan. 1, 2001, Corbi was at risk of falls. She was improperly supervised and suffered injuries related to a fall March 1, 2001. She died four days later. The complaint alleged unsafe and unclean conditions contributed.
Date of settlement: July 17, 2002
[Click here for more]
Name: Donna Arviso
THI facility: Albuquerque Care Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date of death: September 1, 2005
The Story: The behavior of her caretakers was described as “willful, wanton and in reckless disregard” for her well-being. This included improper staffing and days of bleeding without proper care, which caused her death.
Date of settlement: July 21, 2010
[Click here for more]
Name: Cuong Koc
THI facility: Valle Norte Caring Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date of death: September 20, 2006
The Story: According to the complaint, as the result of negligence, poor training and understaffing at the facility, Koc suffered injuries which left him in a “near-fetal” position, choking on food, suffering from massive dehydration and ultimately leading to his death.
Date of settlement: October 3, 2007
[Click here for more]
Name: Jeffery Long
THI facility: Autumn Court Nursing Home
Date of death: April 11, 2003
The Story: According to court documents, he suffered severe injuries and the care provided to him was negligent leading to his ultimate death.
Date of settlement: June 26, 2006
[Click here for more]
Name: John Heafey Howard, Jr.
THI facility: Greenbriar Healthcare Center, Boardman, Ohio
Date of death: January 2, 2008
The Story: Howard was an elderly man suffering from early Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, depression and hypothyroidism. He suffered negligent care that led to significant weight loss (from 178 pounds to 132 pounds in two months), pressure ulcers, malnourishment, dehydration and shock. He died as a result.
Date of settlement: November 1, 2010
[Click here for more]
Name: Kimberly Bonnett Carter Hayes
THI facility: Greenbriar Healthcare Center, Boardman, Ohio
Date of death: August 7, 2006
The Story: Hayes went in for long-term care and rehabilitation. Instead, her caretakers withheld medication, failed to treat infections, failed to change her catheter for at least two months, failed to treat her psoriasis and failed to keep her skin clean. Her death certificate lists cause of death as septic shock and renal failure.
Date of settlement: February 21, 2008
[Click here for more]
Name: Mary Ruth Williams
THI facility: Valle Norte Caring Center Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date of death: September 4, 2004
The Story: Despite being a documented fall risk at the time of her admission, she suffered from multiple preventable falls resulting in fractures and eventually death.
Date of settlement: August 17, 2006
[Click here for more]
* Buried deep within this AP feature on the state treasurer’s race is some actual news…
Cross has accused Frerichs of financial mismanagement as county auditor, and highlighted a dispute over unpaid taxes for Frerichs’ legislative office.
Frerichs said the legislative office legally should not have been billed, but later did pay the $1,800 levy. However, on Monday the Illinois Department of Revenue reversed its earlier decision, and granted Frerichs an exemption.
The Illinois Department of Revenue was obviously wrong to claim Frerichs owed taxes when his district office rented space in a government building. That’s just a ridiculous contention. However, Frerichs brought the initial bad press upon himself by refusing to pay the tax debt, instead of just paying it while he was appealing.
…Adding… I’m assuming that Tom Cross’ campaign is gonna question the convenient timing of this decision. While I still think this is the right decision - legislative offices are, after all, government offices - the timing is curious.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Statement from Kevin Artl, Campaign Manager for Tom Cross for Treasurer
“In typical Illinois fashion, Senator Mike Frerichs leveraged his clout with Governor Quinn and received an insider deal that allows him to avoid paying property taxes on his legislative office. After consistently claiming Frerichs and other lawmakers owed taxes on their offices, Quinn’s Department of Revenue has reversed that position a mere 40 days before the election.
“The decision allows Frerichs and at least one other lawmaker to avoid paying over $450,000 in unpaid property taxes. While Frerichs’ property taxes on his campaign office also went unpaid, the continued use of clout to secure patronage positions and now to avoid paying property taxes demonstrates why he would be a reckless State Treasurer.”
The Frerichs Case
Illinois Department of Revenue: “…consistently denied leasehold assessment exemptions…”
Crain’s, August 8, 2014
But according to Revenue Department spokeswoman Sue Hofer, the money is owed, which is why the department in June formally rejected Mr. Frerichs’ request for a non-homestead property tax exemption.
“We have consistently denied leasehold assessment exemptions for legislative offices,” Ms. Hofer said, pointing to one “very similar case” a few years ago involving state Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago.
Illinois Department of Revenue: Frerichs’ Exemption Denied Based On Longstanding Policy
Crain’s, August 12, 2014
The Illinois Department of Revenue earlier had rejected Mr. Frerichs’ request for an exemption, citing its ruling in a similar case several years ago involving state Rep. Monique Davis, D-Chicago.
Champaign County Treasurer: Frerichs Offered Excuses, But No Payments
Crain’s, August 8, 2014
According to Amy Foster, senior administrative secretary for the treasurer, he has not paid bills for seven years, starting in 2008, and now owes a combined $1,814.17 in back taxes and interest. That amount is due and outstanding.
Ms. Foster says she spoke repeatedly to Mr. Frerichs and aides through the years and on various times was given different explanations, including that the office was not subject to the leasehold tax and that an official waiver was being sought from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Frerichs Also Did Not Pay Property Tax Bill For Campaign Office-Claims It Was “Misplaced”
Crain’s, August 12, 2014
Mr. Frerichs also did not pay the tax on his political office, which is rented from the transit district, until questions were raised. His campaign said it believes that the bill for that tax inadvertently went to the legislative office, which didn’t pay it because it was believed to be part of the larger tax dispute.
The Monique Davis Case:
Illinois Department of Revenue: Davis Office Not Tax Exempt
Chicago Sun-Times, June 11, 2012
“CPS contended that as a leaseholder of publicly owned property, Davis is responsible for leaseholder taxes dating back at least 20 years and totaling $157,500, plus close to $287,000 in penalties for nonpayment.
The Illinois Department of Revenue ruled back in 1998 that Davis’ use of the building for a district office did not make it tax-exempt.”
Illinois House of Representatives Votes to Change Law On Lease Hold Agreements To Make Them Exempt from Taxes
Chicago Sun-Times, June 11, 2012
By a 60-54 vote, with Davis voting present, the House entered into the legal dispute between the longtime South Side lawmaker and the Chicago Board of Education over her refusal to pay back rent and leaseholder taxes on her district office, which is in a school-owned building.
Note: The Legislation was not approved by the Senate.
Legislation to Exempt Lawmakers from Paying Property Taxes Fails
WTTW, January 29, 2013
In the last legislative session, a bill passed the House that would have exempted Davis and all public officials from leaseholder taxes. It was sponsored by Madigan’s top lieutenant, Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie.
Absent a resolution, the tab for past rent and taxes grows. Sullivan believes that the state of Illinois and Monique Davis now owes well over $1 million.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the Frerichs campaign…
Tom Cross was at the heart of the insider deal with Rod Blagojevich, Tom Cross voted for $10 billion in borrowing that netted Cross ally Bob Kjellander $800,000, money that eventually flowed back to Tony Rezko’s circle of friends and was at the heart of Blagojevich’s corruption trial.
Only after the deal became public did Cross criticize Kjellander. And not for insider dealing, but for making the Republic Party look bad:
“It’s not healthy for us as we rebuild. It’s not healthy for our party,” Cross said. “He needs to make a decision whether to make lots of money or to represent our party. With the climate the way it is and the recent history of our party, he can’t do both.”
The decision marks a major victory for a campaign by environmentalists, union activists and other liberal groups that have pushed companies to drop support for ALEC. Microsoft ended its ties to the group a few weeks ago.
“The consensus within the company was that that was some sort of mistake,” Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said, referring to the initial decision to support ALEC.
“Everyone understands climate change is occurring, and the people who oppose it are really hurting our children and our grandchildren and making the world a much worse place,” Schmidt said in an interview with National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm. “And so we should not be aligned with such people — they’re just, they’re just literally lying.”
“It is unfortunate to learn Google has ended its membership in the American Legislative Exchange Council as a result of public pressure from left-leaning individuals and organizations who intentionally confuse free market policy perspectives for climate change denial,” said ALEC chief executive Lisa Nelson. “ALEC believes in freedom of speech and opinion. Google is an important voice on these and many other issues, and we will miss their perspective in our discussions.”
Google isn’t the first to succumb to such public pressure. Microsoft (MSFT) confirmed last month that it had left ALEC, and the progressive group Common Cause says corporations including Coca-Cola (KO), Bank of America (BAC), and General Motors (GM) have done the same. The Center for Media and Democracy, a foundation-funded progressive nonprofit, says at least 80 corporations have publicly dropped their ALEC affiliations since 2011, when it launched its ALEC Exposed website to track the group’s activities and the name-brand companies that help fund them. Common Cause and CMD were among 55 organizations, mostly labor and liberal groups, that sent a letter to Google earlier this month urging it to dump ALEC.
The success of the push against ALEC illustrates the effectiveness of going after what in labor circles are known as “secondary” targets: people or organizations that provide funding, support, or some kind of cover for an activist group’s primary opponent. Since those secondary targets have their own interests and reputations to protect, it’s often easier to cajole them into cutting ties than it is to get your primary target to change its ways. Peel off enough of the groups that bring their backing or their business to an organization, and you can cause it serious headaches. Unions made such effective use of “secondary boycotts” that Congress, in the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, restricted their ability to use them.
Facebook is set to become the latest tech company to end its support for a controversial rightwing lobby group that works against climate change legislation. […]
Facebook said: “We reevaluate our memberships on an annual basis, and are in that process now. While we have tried to work within ALEC to bring that organization closer to our view on some key issues, it seems unlikely that we will make sufficient progress so we are not likely to renew our membership in 2015.”
* Eric Zorn has a masterful, must-read takedown of Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and her refusal to abide by her 2012 pledge at a Tribune editorial board interview to give up 10 percent of her salary. You really should read the whole thing, but here’s an excerpt…
In short, there’s no evidence that it played even a tiny role in Bustos’ subsequent 53.3-46.7-percent victory over Schilling.
Still. There’s a principle to consider here, and it goes something like this: “Do what you say you’re going to do. Follow through. Exceed expectations. Reputations matter, in politics and in every field. You want to be known as someone who can be trusted to get things done and stick to your word.”
Who put it that way? Rep. Cheri Bustos to MSNBC earlier this year as part of the cable network’s profiles of “30 of the most dynamic women candidates seeking office in 2014.” […]
When I asked for comment, her campaign directed me to a recent Peoria Journal Star article in which Bustos told a reporter, “When I was in Chicago, I said something that I shouldn’t have said, but I never said it on the campaign trail. I never made it as a promise to the people in the 17th Congressional District.”
* More federal bankruptcy testimony about the strange GTCR business deal that left elderly graphic artist Barry Saacks with control of an empty shell nursing home company…
Also Tuesday, more videotaped testimony was played in court from a different lawyer involved in the sale of Trans Healthcare to Saacks. That attorney, Brett Baker, represented New York investors who had partnered with GTCR in the nursing chain.
After the deal closed in 2006, Baker said he sent himself an email to memorialize concerns he had raised about the legitimacy of the “disheveled” elderly man being placed as the sole shareholder buying the company.
In his testimony, Baker also said lawyers for GTCR orchestrated the timing and many of the terms of the Trans Healthcare sale, which involved not only the shell company owned by Saacks but another firm that would take control of still valuable facilities run by the chain.
That second firm, partly owned by Grunstein, continued to operate nursing homes while the Saacks-controlled entity ceased to do anything other than hold liabilities of the old GTCR-owned Trans Health, lawyers for the estates have alleged.
* From the Quinn campaign…
Quinn for Illinois Media Advisory
**Wednesday, September 24, 2014**
CHICAGO – Quinn for Illinois will hold a press call with medical malpractice attorney Steven Levin to discuss new records showing more deaths, abuse and neglect at Bruce Rauner’s deadly nursing homes across the nation.
WHEN: 10 a.m.
* According to Levin’s law firm bio, he obtained a “$2.9 million Cook County record nursing home neglect verdict in a pressure sore case.” More…
Steve was among the first attorneys in the country to handle nursing home cases, and has established a reputation as one of the country’s top litigators in the area of nursing home litigation. He has advocated on behalf of hundreds of nursing home residents who have been victimized by improper care and treatment, achieving record-setting verdicts and settlements in these cases.
More importantly, Steve’s vigilance in representing victims in nursing home negligence lawsuits has brought national attention to this rampant and unacceptable problem, sending a message that mistreatment of one of society’s most vulnerable groups will not go unnoticed.
Steve is a member of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care’s Leadership Council, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of nursing home residents and their families. He is also the former chair of the AAJ’s Nursing Home Litigation Group. Steve’s comments on nursing home litigation have been quoted in national news publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
He apparently knows his stuff, but PI attorneys aren’t usually beloved figures, to say the least.
…Adding… From the Rauner campaign…
His law firm (Levin & Perconti) has given $4k to Quinn this cycle. $36k to the Democratic Party of Illinois since 2004. $100k to Democrats and Trial Lawyer PACS in total.
* This same ad backfired badly on Dan Hynes in the 2010 primary. We’ll have to see what happens with Republican Bruce Rauner’s attempt at using the late mayor’s comments. I’m assuming Quinn will do what he did in ‘10: Try to gin up a furious backlash on African-American radio stations…
New TV and Radio Ads: ‘Biggest Mistake’
“Harold Washington fired Pat Quinn – we should too.”
Ads follow Monday endorsement by key African American pastors
Two days after receiving the endorsement of key leaders in Chicago’s African-American community, Bruce Rauner today released television and radio ads highlighting former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington’s blistering 1987 criticism of Pat Quinn.
“I would never appoint Pat Quinn to do anything,” Mayor Washington said at the time. “Pat Quinn is a totally and completely undisciplined individual who thinks this government is nothing but a large easel on which to do his PR work.”
Mayor Washington had hired Quinn to be the city revenue director but fired him eight months later.
“He was dismissed; he should’ve been dismissed,” Mayor Washington continued at the time. “My only regret is that we hired him and kept him too long.”
In addition to the 30-second TV ad, the Rauner campaign also launched a 60-second radio spot titled “Biggest Mistake.”
“Pat Quinn failed Harold Washington, and Quinn failed our schools, streets and whole community,” the radio ad says. “Now Pat Quinn wants four more years? Harold Washington fired Pat Quinn – we should too.”
* From former Republican Congressman Bob Dold’s campaign..
The Dold for Congress Campaign today announced the debut of two new ads that will begin airing this week throughout Illinois 10th District. The ads will run on broadcast television and digital advertising platforms.
The first of two ads in the series, “Tables,” features Bob Dold addressing the most challenging issues facing 10th District families—from the rising costs of food and fuel to government gridlock and hyper-partisan politicians in Washington and Springfield who simply aren’t listening. Dold also discusses his commitment to restoring honest, effective and bipartisan leadership to the 10th District’s seat in Congress.
The second of the two ads features Dr. Kristie Dold-Bennett, an OBGYN in Buffalo Grove and the youngest of Bob’s three sisters. In “Healthcare Choices,” Dr. Dold-Bennett discusses Bob’s record of commitment to expanding choices in women’s healthcare.
Buoyed by clear momentum and overwhelming support among 10th District voters, the Dold for Congress Campaign also reserved nearly $1 million in Chicago network television in October and November.
“The 10th District wants serious and thoughtful leaders like Bob Dold who have a track record of rolling up their sleeves and getting things done for their constituents, not their party bosses. As has been widely reported, the momentum in this race is clearly behind Bob Dold as voters grow more tired of the divisive political games, partisan politics and ineffective representation that have defined Congressman Brad Schneider’s record in Washington,” said James Slepian, Dold for Congress campaign manger.
* The Schneider campaign provides a “fact check” on that second Dold ad…
Despite his rhetoric, former Congressman Bob Dold voted with Republicans seven times against women, including voting to defund Planned Parenthood and to undermine a woman’s right to choose.
“When Bob Dold had his chance, he joined Republicans instead of protecting women’s health and voted to defund Planned Parenthood and allow hospitals to deny women lifesaving care,” Schneider for Congress spokesperson Staci McCabe said. “Women deserve leaders like Brad Schneider who are 100 percent pro-choice, not a reliable Republican like Bob Dold, who voted repeatedly to undermine women’s rights to make their own health care decisions.”
Dold Claim:
“Washington shouldn’t limit the options women have on their own health care.”
Dold Fact:
Dold voted to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides critical health care services to women. [HR 1, Vote #147, 2/19/11].
Dold voted to allow hospitals to deny lifesaving health care to women and restrict a woman’s ability to use her own private insurance for health care. This legislation is also known as the “Let Women Die” Act. [HR 358, Vote #789, 10/13/11]
Dold voted to undermine a woman’s right to choose. In 2011, Dold voted for a bill that undermined and harmed women’s health by limiting access and funding for abortions. [HR 3, Vote #292, 5/04/11]
Dold Claim:
Family planning is a “personal issue.”
Dold Fact:
Dold refused to take a stand against the Hobby Lobby decision, which allows employers to interfere with a woman’s access to birth control. [Crain’s Chicago Business, 7/9/14] [Daily Herald 7/9/14]
In contrast, Schneider has earned a 100 percent score from Planned Parenthood and has been endorsed by both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro Choice. Schneider stood up against efforts to limit a woman’s right to choose and helped introduce legislation to combat the disastrous Hobby Lobby decision.
* And here’s Schneider’s ad, which is a kinda/sorta revisit of that brilliant “too Repubilcan” ad he ran last time around…
* After over a month off the airwaves, the DGA and union-backed Illinois Freedom PAC is back in the game with a new TV ad. Rate it…
* Script…
Bruce Rauner: “The businesses are leaving and they’re taking Illinois jobs with them”
Narrator: Bruce Rauner should know. His firm made millions outsourcing American jobs.
Narrator: Even worse, Rauner’s firm started an outsourcing company to help other American businesses ship our jobs overseas.
Narrator: When asked why it’s okay to make millions sending our jobs overseas, Rauner said,
Bruce Rauner: “Not every job should be in America”
Narrator: Bruce Rauner. Thousands of our jobs overseas. Millions in Rauner’s pockets.
Subscribers may recall a piece I did the other day about the level of expected DGA involvement from here on out. That would be, at least partially, this ad and others that could follow.
* Meanwhile, reporters aggressively attempted to get answers out of Bruce Rauner today on the nursing home scandal. They didn’t have much luck…
…Adding… Check out the look on Gov. Chris Christie’s face when Tribune reporter Rick Pearson points out that he is under federal investigation. Priceless. It starts at about the 2:10 mark.
…Adding More… From the Quinn campaign…
With a visibly bewildered Gov. Chris Christie looking on, Republican billionaire Bruce Rauner could not credibly answer a single question regarding his intimate involvement with the deadly nursing home chain that is currently the target of a federal lawsuit in Florida and which GTCRauner is a named defendant.
* As always at this point in the campaign cycle, things are starting to get a bit testy in comments. How about an Oscar the Puppy video to lighten the mood? Oscar loves going for rides…
* Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside) became the first Democrat to sign on to a resolution which demands an immediate halt to any progress on Democratic Sen. Andy Manar’s education funding plan. The language of this press release is pretty harsh and one wonders if it’ll find it’s way into the Senate Republicans’ campaign plan…
Freshmen Democratic State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch has joined the chorus of Illinois House members denouncing Senate Bill 16, a massive education funding reform bill proposed by downstate freshmen Senator Andy Manar of Decatur. On Tuesday, Welch signed on as a co-sponsor of House Resolution HR1276 urging the members of the 98th General Assembly to cease efforts to pass SB16. Welch’s sponsorship of HR1276 gives the bill bi-partisan support. To view the complete text of House Resolution 1276, please visit www.ilga.gov.
According to HR1276, the purpose of SB16 was to propose education funding that provides adequate, equitable, transparent, and accountable distribution of funds to school districts that will prepare students for achievement and success after high school. However, if passed, several schools in the 7th Representative District stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars including Proviso Township High School District 209 and Westchester School District 92.
Prior to becoming State Representative in January 2013, Rep. Welch served on the Proviso School Board from November 2001 to May 2013. He served as Board Chair for a decade, and he lead the district in the creation of the Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA). Newsweek Magazine recently named PMSA one of the best high schools in the nation.
“SB16 is a disaster. If this bill passes in its current form, SB16 would devastate schools all across the 7th District and the State of Illinois,” Welch said Tuesday. “Schools in my district need more funding, not less.”
Rep. Welch, a long term school board member, a school attorney, and a member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys, is scheduled to speak on Thursday in Washington D.C. on how to stop the schools to prison pipeline. A key component of Welch’s presentation is equitable funding for schools.
“I’m not against what Sen. Manar is trying to do in principle. I just think there is a more equitable and reasonable approach to education funding reform,” Welch said Tuesday.
Rep. Chris Welch serves all or most of the following west suburban communities: Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Forest Park, Hillside, LaGrange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, River Forest, Westchester, and Western Springs.
* The biggest news of the day could be that Republican Congressman Rodney Davis is being endorsed this evening by the United Mine Workers union.
* Now, let’s move on to some new TV ads. From Cheri Bustos…
Today, Cheri Bustos for Congress launched a new TV ad that highlights Cheri’s fight to cut wasteful spending so we can protect Social Security and end tax breaks for corporations that ship Illinois jobs overseas. “Basketball” makes clear that Cheri’s priority is to give the “middle class a fair shot.”
* Bustos goes positive while the DCCC goes negative…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching its first television ad in Illinois 17th Congressional District, highlighting how former Congressman Bobby Schilling turned his back on workers who had their jobs outsourced to China.
The ad comes two years after more than 100 jobs at the local Sensata plant were shipped to China by Bain Capital and highlights how Schilling has voted to protect tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs – and even voted to let them keep their government contracts. The ad starts running today.
Former Chief Judge and Congressional challenger Ann Callis today put to rest the dishonest rumors that question her Illinois residency. Ann Callis’ family retained two independent legal professionals from Illinois and one from Missouri – none of whom have contributed to the Callis campaign – to provide legal opinions that conclusively affirm her residency in Illinois and discredit the allegations that she acted incorrectly by signing mortgage documents that listed a Missouri address.
The facts clearly show the allegations levied by Congressman Rodney Davis’ campaign, notably that there was a dishonest pattern of activity and that Judge Callis had signed fraudulent documents, are completely baseless. Similarly, the Davis campaign recently had to retract a radio advertisement after being caught making inaccurate claims, and the Illinois Republican Party previously faced pressure after they were slow to retract disproven claims that Callis had plagiarized sections of her website.
The Callis campaign has copies of the following documents, which are available to media upon request:
Signed PDF copies of full letters from legal professionals
Deed to the house Callis owns in Troy
Callis’ Illinois Drivers License
Callis passports issued in Illinois
Callis’ voting record and registration sent to her Edwardsville residence
News clippings Callis’ son playing football at Triad High School
Report cards for Callis’ son’s from Troy’s Triad High School
Certificate titles of vehicles owned by the Callis family
Statements from Callis’ neighbors
A former high-ranking state public health official was charged by federal prosecutors Monday with bribery, theft and tax evasion as part of a $13 million state grant-fraud case.
But the accusations outlined Monday against Roxanne Jackson of Olympia Fields merely could be the first step in a possible plea deal that is the subject of a federal court hearing in Springfield on Tuesday. […]
Jackson, the former chief human resources official under the state Department of Public Health, is accused of participating in a kickback scheme with the agency’s onetime former chief of staff, Quinshaunta Golden, who is awaiting sentencing, and South Side businessman Leon Dingle Jr.
Golden — once a top aide to former state Public Health Director Eric Whitaker, a personal friend of President Barack Obama — pleaded guilty in April to bribery and accepting kickbacks as part of a broader scheme that steered millions of dollars in state grants and contracts to Dingle and several not-for-profits he ran. Dingle is awaiting trial next month on federal charges of fraud, money-laundering and tax evasion.
* Meanwhile, as you’ll recall, Bruce Rauner unveiled an ethics plan last week. This week, he unveiled some supporters among Chicago’s African-American clergy, one of whom was Stephen Thurston.
A former member of the Illinois panel that conducts hearings on alleged ethics violations has been fined $2,500 for attending a prayer breakfast and fundraiser for a political candidate, according to an ethics commission report released Tuesday.
The Illinois Executive Ethics Commission found Stephen Thurston violated state law by attending a March 25, 2011, prayer breakfast and fundraiser for David Moore, who was running for Chicago City Council. Thurston spoke at the breakfast about “Moore’s Christian character, the need for everyone to get involved in the election process, and that Moore would be a good alderman,” the ethics panel said in its report.
State law prohibits commissioners from contributing to political campaigns or even attending a rally for a candidate for a specific post.
The feds allege that Dingle used “straw grantees” to obtain the grants, then funneled the money to a for-profit company controlled by him.
One of the alleged “straw grantees” is the Broadcast Ministers Alliance, a group of several prominent South Side ministers, including the Rev. Clay Evans, founding pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago; Bishop Lucius Hall, pastor of the First Church of Love and Faith, and the Rev. Stephen John Thurston, pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.
According to the indictment, the Broadcast Ministers Alliance was among the groups that won more than $11 million in grants between 2004 and 2010. About $3.7 million of that money was allegedly transferred to a for-profit business controlled by Dingle.
There’s no claim by the feds that the “straw grantees” were involved in any wrongdoing — including the Broadcast Ministers Alliance.
But anyone who has worked on behalf of a nonprofit knows how difficult it can be to get funding, and these charges won’t make it any easier. [Emphasis added.]
* Right now, getting busted for possessing even less than a gram of cocaine/heroin/morphine/etc. results in a Class 4 felony with a penalty of 1-3 years behind bars…
Mayor Emanuel asks committee of state lawmakers to make weed possession a ticketable offense and make 1g of any drug a misdemeanor.
This is all in the context of lowering some penalties in order to free up prison space so that penalties on violent, armed offenders can be increased.
* The Question: Do you agree with Mayor Emanuel’s idea to make possession of less than a gram of drugs like cocaine a misdemeanor? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
* Almost exactly four years ago, Bill Brady’s campaign began running this TV ad against Gov. Pat Quinn about the administration’s botched early release program…
Quinn’s new response ad is nearly identical to his 2010 response, including the closing photo. Watch…
* Meanwhile, the Quinn campaign wants you to know about this press release that I didn’t post over the weekend…
A coalition of legislators and leading criminal justice reform advocates issued the below statement regarding Republican billionaire Bruce Rauner’s new desperate campaign television ad, which misleadingly attacks a program that was shut down by the Governor more than four years ago:
“Bruce Rauner’s latest television attack is disgraceful. The truth is the 2009 early release program was shut down by Governor Quinn more than four years ago.
“We worked with Governor Quinn, along with judges, experts and many legislators in both parties to pass one of the strongest criminal justice reforms in the nation and protect public safety.
“The Governor’s leadership led to landmark sentencing reforms and a new program, Illinois’ Supplemental Sentence Credit program, which is a national model in guarding public safety and providing incentives for non-violent inmates to engage in positive behavior and rehabilitation.
“Fundamentally dishonest attacks such as this Rauner attack ad cheapen the public dialogue on prison reform and distract from real steps needed to make our communities safer.
“The fact that Bruce Rauner is digging up an old, failed attack signifies his increasingly desperate campaign and insults the people of Illinois who deserve a debate on the real issues.”
The very long list of those who signed the letter is here.
*** UPDATE *** The Rauner campaign sent along this October 13, 2010 AP “fact check” on the Brady and Quinn ads…
QUINN’S CLAIM: “What are the facts about prisoners being released 60 days early?”
FACTS: The inmates were not released 60 days early. The average was four months, and in some cases it was six months early. The 60-day reference is to the old policy that inmates had to serve 60 days before being eligible to collect any time off for good behavior. Ending that policy meant some inmates were getting time off and being released almost as soon as they walked into prison.
QUINN’S CLAIM: “The very day Gov. Pat Quinn found out about it, he took control, took action, and shut it down. He issued an order and stopped it cold.”
FACTS: Quinn halted MGT Push on Dec. 13, the day of an AP story reporting its existence. But the week before, when asked about it, Quinn’s spokesman denied anyone was getting out early.
Two days after the AP article, Quinn said he had known about the program ahead of time and claimed it had been well-publicized but wouldn’t say why he was halting it at that time. The next day, he said then-Corrections Director Michael Randle had not followed specific instructions to bar violent offenders from early release.
QUINN’S CLAIM: “Pat Quinn took responsibility. He didn’t duck it; he took action.”
FACTS: He took action, but he didn’t take responsibility. Quinn blamed Randle, who resigned in September. “I take accountability for the mistakes. The director who made the mistakes takes responsibility for them,” Quinn said.
Since Quinn’s new ad is nearly identical to the old one, it’s pretty easy to fact check it.
Does Rauner have a positive spot highlighting his business record?
We’ve had Farmer Bruce, Regular Guy Bruce, Shake ‘Em Up Bruce, Philanthropist Bruce…. where’s Job Creator Bruce, Save the Company Bruce?
The cheez-whiz kids have been at it for a year. Do they not have a positive business story they want to tell?
Spend your whole life as a successful businessman but there’s no good story? The silence is deafening.
If they don’t have one, they’d better find one, pronto. Because his business record is getting pounded. That Medicaid Fraud spot burns.
Not only that, but where’s any ad on the economy? He’s driving an old van, whacking Quinn on early release, but nothing on the economy? I don’t quite get this.
* The Tribune has dispatched a reporter to cover the federal bankruptcy trial of a nursing home company once owned by Bruce Rauner’s firm. This part of the story is really disturbing…
At the trial in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, plaintiff attorneys played videotaped deposition testimony from an elderly graphic artist with no nursing home experience who expressed bewilderment over how he came to be listed as the sole shareholder of a company that bought nursing home chain Trans Healthcare Inc. as it was in financial freefall in 2006.
“I don’t know that company,” Barry Saacks testified when asked if he remembered signing papers to buy Trans Healthcare. “Somebody must believe me.” […]
On the taped interviews, recorded in 2012 and 2014, Saacks often sounded disoriented and confused about many questions posed to him by lawyers, sometimes flashing a sense of humor about his level of ignorance of a company he purportedly owned. In the latter of the interviews, Saacks was seated in a wheelchair and wearing a hospital gown.
Heavyset and wearing a white beard that flowed to the middle of his torso, Saacks recalled having a few discussions about buying computer equipment with a lawyer he knew socially. That lawyer, Leonard Grunstein, is a business associate of New York real estate investor Rubin Schron who was a partner with GTCR in the nursing home chain. […]
Saacks said as far as he knew the deal for him to buy computers never went through. He said he never received any computers and he’s never seen any money from the business. However, Brett Baker, a lawyer for the firm that handled the stock sale to Saacks, has testified in a deposition that Saacks was paid cash to sign closing documents, something Baker said he raised concerns about at the time with his superiors because it was so unusual.
* Former AFSCME honcho Henry Bayer sent this snarky note to the folks on his e-mail list today…
I understand that Rauner’s secret plan to deal with Illinois’s $100 billion pension liability is to sign it over to Barry Saacks, the same guy he unloaded the nursing home liabilities on.
Those cynical folks who think Rauner’s just being cagey and has no plan to fix the pension mess don’t understand how business works and don’t know how to apply its “principles” to a stodgy, uncreative government .
Barry, hold on to your wallet if you still have one with anything left in it.
I’ve been telling Henry for months that he ought to start his own blog.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Quinn campaign…
Bruce Rauner Called to Explain Nursing Home Deceptions
Billionaire’s Lack of Truthfulness in Wrongful Death Suits Exposed By Press
CHICAGO - Republican billionaire Bruce Rauner was called on Tuesday to explain the outright deception he used to avoid responsibility for wrongful deaths at a chain of nursing homes he owned and controlled.
The Chicago Tribune reported Monday that Rauner was not being truthful when he claimed to have a distant relationship to Trans Healthcare Inc. (THI). In fact, the Tribune reported for the first time, Rauner was not only seeking to profit from the nursing homes but actually part of the group “calling the shots,” and deeply involved in day-to-day operations. He personally signed off on decisions there.
Equally disturbing, Rauner’s firm may have exploited an elderly, nursing home-bound man to be the fall guy in avoiding $1 billion in settlements for the horrific conditions that led to six deaths in Florida alone.
Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor Paul Vallas joined legislators and senior advocates Tuesday at a Chicago senior housing complex calling for answers.
“Bruce Rauner was in the driver’s seat at THI and he did not tell the truth. He did not tell the media the truth. He is not telling the people of Illinois the truth now. Why the deception? What more is he hiding?” Vallas asked.
“Bruce Rauner has a responsibility to tell us why he deceived the public about his control of this nursing home chain. He should be called to account for the deplorable conditions there under his watch and as a direct result of business decisions he made. And he should explain just why someone who so frequently dodges accountability should be placed in charge of agencies that serve our most vulnerable citizens in Illinois.”
“I’ve spent my career working to protect the most vulnerable, and these issues are close to my heart,” State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago) said. “How you treat our most vulnerable is a good indication of your values. First we learned that Bruce Rauner’s business record includes abuse and neglect that led to tragic deaths at his nursing homes in Florida. Now we are learning more about how Mr. Rauner handled this matter — he ducked responsibility and he didn’t tell the truth.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Fact check from the Rauner campaign…
The Plaintiffs’ Charges Against GTCR With Regard To Barry Saacks And The “Sham” Company Were DISMISSED By The Federal Judge In March. “The complaint does plausibly allege that the Debtor was essentially created as a sham corporation. According to the complaint, the Debtor was formed for the sole purpose of receiving THMI’s liabilities, while its assets were secreted away to FLTCH. But there is no allegation that the GTCR Group had any actual involvement in the Debtor’s creation or that GTCR had any control over the Debtor.” (Memorandum Opinion On Motions To Dismiss, In Re: Fundamental Long Term Care Inc., United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Florida, Case No. 8:11-bk-22258-MGW, 3/14/14, p. 20)
GTCR Maintains That The Firm Had No Knowledge That Barry Saacks Was Involved In The Sale Of THMI. “Defendants expect Plaintiffs to make much ado about the role Barry Saacks played in the transaction. But neither Jannotta, Holdings, nor the GTCR Entities had any interaction with Saacks, much less knowledge that Saacks owned FLTCI. In a January 17, 2006 memo to GTCR’s Investment Committee, Jannotta stated that ‘Holdings has preliminarily agreed to sell Baltimore and THI of Nevada II, Inc. to Fundamental, which appears to be affiliated with ABE Briarwood Corp., and [THI] has preliminarily agreed to sell Management, Inc., to Fundamental (or an affiliate).’ Again, Defendants understood the buyers were affiliated Fundamental entities.” (OPENING STATEMENT OF DEFENDANTS GTCR GOLDER RAUNER, LLC et. al, In re: FUNDAMENTAL LONG TERM CARE, INC, United States Bankruptcy Court Middle District Of Florida, Case No. 8:11-bk-22258-MGW, 9/18/14, p. 7)
GTCR’s Contemporaneous Investment Committee Memos Show That GTCR Believed That Fundamental Long Term Care Holdings (FLTCH) And Fundamental Long Term Care Inc (FLTCI) Were One And The Same. “Holdings has preliminarily agreed to sell Baltimore and THI of Nevada II, Inc. to Fundamental, which appears to be affiliated with ABE Briarwood Corp., and [THI] has preliminarily agreed to sell Management, Inc., to Fundamental (or an affiliate).” (GTCR Investment Committee Memo, 1/17/06, p. 14)
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Department of Corrections’ spokesman just called to say state statutes are the reason why alleged child murderer Derrick Allmon was released from prison. This has, the spokesman said, “Nothing to do” with early release. More in a bit.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From IDOC…
· The only reason Allmon was out of prison is because State law required Allmon to serve 50% of his sentence, with good behavior-which he did. Again, State law, not IDOC’s discretion or any policy of any one individual.
· [Allmon served 21 months of a 42-month (3 ½ years) sentence, not “18 months,” as Superintendent McCarthy stated]
· IDOC and no authority could keep him in prison. Not legally permitted after he served 50% of sentence.
· Allmon received no early-release program time credit
· Allmon was not even eligible for IDOC program time-credit under the strict guidelines of the program
· Based on the sentence given to him by the courts, he was paroled when we were legally required to release him
· Allmon was convicted of a Class 2 felony. Class 2 felonies, by law, require that the incarceration period be 50% of the sentence, if the inmate practiced good behavior, which Allmon did while in IDOC.
· The parole board (Prisoner Review Board, PRB) is separate from IDOC and uses no early-release program. It is required by law to consider Class 2 felonies for parole after 50% of sentence is served with good behavior.
· PRB thus paroled Allmon, with restructions, which IDOC Parole Division enforced.
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
* From the Bruce Rauner campaign…
Governor, why was Antonio Smith’s killer on the street? Pat Quinn needs to answer for his violent criminal parole policies
This morning, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell poses a simple question: why was the man accused of killing 9-year-old Antonio Smith on the street?
I don’t get why the man accused of killing 9-year-old Antonio Smith was on the street.
Derrick Allmon, 19, had already been convicted for “aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member” and was on parole.
He served 21 months of a three-year sentence and was released on electronic monitoring in August. […]
(T)wo other suspects are accused of committing a new crime while on electronic monitoring.
David Jordan, one of the men accused in the 20-hour hostage standoff in Harvey last month, also was on parole from IDOC and on electronic monitoring.
And Aaron Parks, the 17-year-old recently accused of sexually assaulting a Roseland college student, was on electronic monitoring awaiting sentencing for another violent crime.
In Parks’ case, a juvenile probation officer was suspended after it was discovered that “procedures were not followed.”
* Back to the Rauner campaign…
It’s the same question Chicago Police Superintendent Gerry McCarthy alluded to during a press conference last Friday – a question that Pat Quinn doesn’t want being asked:
At the Friday news conference, McCarthy said Allmon shouldn’t have been on the streets at all.
“The real kicker to this entire case is that it didn’t have to happen,” McCarthy said.
Allmon, who police say has the word “Blessed” tattooed across his chest, had just been paroled from state prison in early August after serving about 1½ years of a 3½-year sentence on a weapons conviction, according to McCarthy.
* Rauner campaign…
We have many questions about this case – and other cases too. But today, let’s hear Pat Quinn’s answer to the most basic question everyone is asking: why was Antonio Smith’s killer back on the street?
* Meanwhile, Gov. Quinn’s campaign is attempting to raise money off of Rauner’s new TV ad that bashes Quinn for his administration’s botched 2009 early release program…
This is the worst one yet.
Bruce Rauner has a new attack ad up that falsely accuses the Governor of “secretly” releasing prisoners early, and tries to link the Governor to sexual assault and murder.
We can’t just sit back and let Rauner spread this crap.
Chip in $5 or more today to fight back against this disgusting attack.
We saw this same attack from Republicans more than four years ago. It wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now.
Governor Quinn didn’t authorize a single early release — in fact, the very day he found out about the program, he shut it down.
If we don’t respond now, you can bet Rauner’s attacks will get even worse. We’ve got to punch back, right now.
* The Rauner campaign responds with a “fact check”…
When The Associated Press First Asked About Quinn’s Early Release Program (MGT Push), His Office Defended The Program. “When The Associated Press first disclosed MGT Push, Quinn’s office defended it. Then Quinn halted the program. Later, he said he had known about it but ordered the department not to include violent offenders. On Wednesday, he said he didn’t know about it until reading the AP story. (John O’Connor, “Analysis: Questions Remain About Inmate Release,” The Associated Press, 1/2/10)
On December 16, 2009, Quinn Told The Associated Press That He Knew About MGT Push Before It Went Into Effect In September. “Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he knew ahead of time that his Corrections Department planned to begin releasing some prisoners after just a few days behind bars. But Quinn wouldn’t explain Wednesday why he halted the practice after The Associated Press reported the release of hundreds of inmates including some convicted of violent crimes.” (”Quinn Says He Knew About Prison Release Program,” The Associated Press, 12/16/09)
On December 30, 2009, Quinn Claimed He Didn’t Learn About MGT Push Until Reading About It In The Newspapers. “Quinn maintained Wednesday that he didn’t know about the MGT Push program until reading the Associated Press story about it. That contradicts a statement Dec. 16 that he did know about it. Either way, it does not explain why his office defended the policy change when the AP initially asked about it.” (John O’Connor, “Quinn: Ill. Early Secret Prison Release A Mistake,” The Associated Press, 12/31/09)
I’m hearing that the Quinn campaign has a response ad up on this issue, but I don’t yet have it. I’ll post it when I get it.
The warden of Dixon Correctional Center is on paid administrative leave during an investigation into something the Illinois Department of Corrections was made aware of Friday, an IDOC spokesman confirmed Monday.
Nedra Chandler was escorted off prison grounds Friday and given a ride home after surrendering her state-issued car, which is standard IDOC procedure, department spokesman Tom Shaer said.
* I’ve decided that what this campaign season needs is more music. Lots more music. So, that’s what we’re gonna have. Let’s start today with Jackie Greene covering The Beatles. Turn it all the way up and blow that sleep outta your eyes…
