The University of Illinois Flash Index fell in May, declining to 105.7 compared to 106.0 in April.
The lower index reading does not mean the Illinois economy is contracting because any reading above 100 indicates growth.
“The uncertainty in the state and national economies discussed last month is still unresolved,” said University of Illinois economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the monthly index for the Institute of Government and Public Affairs. “Two contrasting pictures emerge. Unemployment is falling in Illinois to a post-recession low of 4.6% in contrast to 6.6% a year ago. Consumer spending remains strong, job openings are plentiful and tax receipts exceed forecasted levels.”
Giertz said that this suggests a growing economy, however, there is increasing concern about a recession in the next twelve months. This is based on the intention of the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy to deal with the unexpectedly high and persistent inflation along with the gradual reduction of various Federal stimulus programs that grew to unprecedented levels during the Covid crisis.
“The current situation is unlike most recent downturns in that the problem is largely supply induced rather than one of deficient demand. The Covid crisis resulted in supply chain problems and exits from the workforce. This has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.”
Individual income tax receipts were down substantially from the same month last year after adjusting for inflation because of the different filing months in the two years. Corporate and sales tax receipts were little changed. See the full Flash Index archive.
The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income, and retail sales taxes. These are adjusted for inflation before growth rates are calculated. The growth rate for each component is then calculated for the 12-month period using data through May 31, 2022. After more than two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, ad hoc adjustments are still needed because of the timing of the tax receipts resulting from state and Federal changes in payment dates.
The annual Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award is presented to a former or current state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and bipartisanship.
Former Governor Jim Edgar and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute invite you to nominate an Illinois elected official who has displayed this kind of exceptional leadership.
We created the Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award to shine a spotlight on remarkable public service that is taking place in our state and local communities. Please join us as we celebrate the Prairie State’s best traditions. Nominate an Illinois statesperson by June 1.
Today, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker endorsed Democratic candidate for State Senate Mary Edly-Allen.
“I am thrilled to endorse Mary Edly-Allen for State Senate in Illinois’ 31st District,” said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. “Mary has been a fierce advocate for women’s reproductive rights and critical investments in mental health care, childcare, and violence prevention programs that strengthen public safety. She has been an invaluable leader in the legislature, and I look forward to our continued partnership to keep Springfield on the side of working families.”
“I am honored to be endorsed by Governor Pritzer, who has been a life-long advocate for women’s healthcare. In 2019, Governor Pritzker and I worked together to strengthen Roe v. Wade into Illinois law to ensure that reproductive health care will never be in jeopardy in our state,” said Democratic candidate for State Senate Mary Edly-Allen. “Under the Governor’s leadership, I am ready to continue the fight for the health and safety of all Illinois families. Governor Pritzker’s endorsement serves as proof of my commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose, supporting common sense gun reform, and being the hardworking, ethical leader our community deserves.”
Mary Edly-Allen has also been endorsed by State Senator Melinda Bush, AFL-CIO, Brady PAC, Gun Violence Prevention G-PAC, Giffords PAC, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Indo-American Democratic Organization, Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504, LiUNA! Chicago Laborers’ District Council, Personal PAC, and The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.
* Press release from Edly-Allen’s primary opponent, Rep. Sam Yingling…
It is ironic that on the first day of LGBTQ+ PRIDE month Governor Pritzker attacked the only openly LGBTQ+ legislator outside the City of Chicago, State Representative Sam Yingling.
Yingling, who fights every day for the rights of all his constituents, straight and gay, every color and every creed said, “As a gay man, I am used to being bullied. But, I did not expect to be attacked on the first day of PRIDE month by a fellow Democrat.”
Yingling continued, “I was the first Lake County elected official to endorse Governor Pritzker in his contested primary four years ago. I have and will continue to support his legislative agenda. But let’s be clear, this is not about policy or our Democratic values. This is about the Governor making moves to control the Illinois Democratic Party. When I joined with 18 of my colleagues to replace former House Speaker Michael Madigan it was to start a new day where voters decide the outcome of elections.”
Gov. Pritzker has attacked Yingling and sided with Yingling’s opponent in the race for State Senate, Mary Edley Allen, who has voted against working families and the communities of color.
Mary Edly-Allen, who was a chosen candidate of Madigan, has opposed Democratic legislative priorities including: voting against minimum wage which had support from labor and working families. She refused to show up for work after losing her reelection as state representative, missing a series of important votes on budgetary matters, pandemic relief, and the Black Caucus’ historic SAFT-E Act. The Act’s narrow passage succeeded because Representative Yingling stood with the Black Caucus.
Thoughts?
This press release, by the way, was sent by the same PR firm which handled media for that mostly bogus hit on Sen. Melinda Bush, who is backing MEA.
Also, too, Yingling had plenty of backing from the Madigan crew over the years. C’mon, man.
Alderman Gilbert Villegas announced the endorsement of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White today in the race for the 3rd Congressional district of Illinois.
White, the only veteran elected a constitutional officer of Illinois, released the following statement:
“I’m proud to endorse fellow veteran Gil Villegas for Congress. I know he will be a tireless advocate for working families and will fight to protect our rights and communities” said Secretary Jesse White.
Villegas responded to the news.
“Jesse White is a man of honor, integrity, and commitment to public service and I’m so proud to receive his endorsement. There are few people in Illinois’ history who have served with such distinction and I will do my very best in Congress to live up to the example he has set for all of us,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin will not march in the Aurora Pride parade because event organizers have forbidden police officers from marching in the June 12 procession while in uniform.
Irvin also withdrew the city’s float from the parade, he said late Tuesday.
And city officials will conduct a gay pride flag-raising ceremony without the Aurora Pride organization, he said.
Irvin, also a Republican candidate for governor, said police officers and commanders disagree with an option to march while in a “soft uniform,” such as a polo shirt with police department insignia. Aurora Pride had suggested that last week after Irvin criticized the group’s decision about not allowing police uniforms and police vehicles in the June 12 parade.
All six Republican candidates for governor of Illinois have agreed to participate in a one-hour debate Thursday hosted by ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. Starting at 7 p.m., ABC 7 news anchor Alan Krashesky will moderate the forum among Darren Bailey, Richard Irvin, Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, Max Solomon and Jesse Sullivan. It will air live on ABC 7 Digital Channel 7.2 and stream on abc7chicago.com and the ABC 7 Chicago News app. ABC 7 will replay the debate on its main channel at 10:35 p.m. Friday. The appearance of all six candidates is a major improvement over the fiasco May 24 when NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 and Nexstar Media WGN-Channel 9 held dual debates on the same night, splitting the field in half. Panelists Thursday will be ABC 7 political reporter Craig Wall and Univision Chicago news anchor Erika Maldonado. The debate also is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois and Univision Chicago.
What’s likely to be the final GOP debate before the June 28 primary will be hosted by Salem Media news/talk WIND 560-AM June 23 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Confirmed participants are Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine and Paul Schimpf. AM 560 news director Mike Scott will moderate the debate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Panelists include AM 560 morning co-host Amy Jacobson and Illinois Radio Network’s Greg Bishop.
* Not unexpected at all…
After two direct questions, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker would not say he supports U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly's bid for a second term running the Democratic Party of Illinois. Control of the state party could be up for grabs as it courts the DNC to come to Chicago in 2024. pic.twitter.com/vtKuDuBL9g
Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today that he wants the state to ensure that transgender and non-binary Illinoisans are able to access gender-neutral markers on their driver’s licenses as soon as possible.
In 2019, Illinois legislators approved a bill, giving residents a gender-neutral option on their identity documents. However, those Illinois residents wanting gender-neutral markers on their driver’s license or state ID card have to wait until 2024 when the state ends its contract with IDEMIA, the vendor that won a state contract to implement REAL IDs.
“The fact that a private company is receiving taxpayer money to administer our state’s REAL ID program and is ‘unable’ to provide a simple identity-designation change that is so important for the safety and security of the transgender and non-binary community is simply unacceptable,” said Giannoulias. “Every Illinois resident should have the right to obtain an official document that reflects and affirms who they are, and they should not have to wait five years after this law was approved to get it.”
The Secretary of State entered into a contract with IDEMIA in 2018 to administer the REAL ID program, lasting through 2024. IDEMIA has claimed that it is unable to add a gender-neutral marker – an “X” instead of “M” or “F” – to REAL IDs administered by the Secretary of State until the end of the current contract in 2024.
For the transgender and non-binary communities, having the proper gender marker on an identification is a matter of safety. In 2015, the National Center for Transgender Equality reported that 34 percent of trans and non-binary Illinoisans reported harassment when their gender identity didn’t match the gender on their identification.
More than 20 states have passed legislation allowing for gender-neutral options on state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses. Last week, New York announced that it would allow residents to choose an “X” as their gender marker on their state-issued IDs, beginning June 24.
Giannoulias vowed to closely review the current contract in place with the Secretary of State’s office, including examining what early termination provisions are in place or what contract amendments could be applied.
Giannoulias made the announcement at the beginning of Pride Month, adding that he would continue to fight for equality for members of the LGBTQ+ communities across the state.
Shortly after taking office as State Treasurer in 2007, Giannoulias changed office policy to allow office employees in same-sex domestic partnerships to receive the same health benefits as married employees and their dependents. At the time, the Treasurer’s Office had been the only constitutional office not to give health benefits to same-sex partners of state workers.
In 2010, the Treasurer’s Office became the first state constitutional office in Illinois to establish that LGBTQ+ employees in domestic partnerships would have all the
same rights and benefits as married employees, including unpaid time off to care for a sick partner or relative or for the birth or adoption of a child.
* I had to check twice to make sure that I wasn’t looking at a 2020 web page when I read the Daily Herald editorial board’s question of all state legislative candidates. Here’s an example posed to Democratic House candidate Matt Hanson…
Q: The graduated income tax is designed with the intent to reduce taxes for 97 percent of Illinoisans. Do you believe that will happen? Why or why not? What assurances can you offer voters?
I do not hold an office in Springfield at this time, but I am not aware that a graduated income tax is being discussed. Tax relief for middle class families and workers is my focus. Billionaire insiders and massive corporations paying little to no taxes need to pay their fair share. Incentivize work rather than wealth. This can be done by closing corporate loopholes and offering tax credits for middle class families.
* People’s Fabric has produced yet another big oppo dump. Like the last one, this is about 19th House District Democratic candidate Tina Wallace. Here’s the quick summary…
After the Northwest Side real estate agent was sued over her dog’s unprovoked mauling of a kennel worker, a judge found Wallace’s actions indicated “a wanton disregard for the safety of others.” She later unsuccessfully lobbied Alderman Raymond Lopez to change the city’s dangerous dog ordinance to prohibit kennel workers from suing in the future.
As before, this is a long narrative, but here is an excerpt…
Julia’s attorneys described this as a campaign “tailored for the precise purpose of embarrassment and harassment under the pretext of investigation.” They asked the judge to intervene. The judge agreed and granted a protective order prohibiting Wallace from sending any more letters.
Wallace even subpoenaed individuals not directly related to the case—at one point she attempted to depose Chicago Blackhawks player Bryan Bickell a year after winning the 2013 Stanley Cup. At that time, Julia worked for the Bickell Foundation, which was founded to help combat public misconceptions about pit bulls.
Julia’s lawsuit initially sought reimbursement for her medical bills and lost wages. Julia was uninsured and had racked up medical expenses exceeding $40,000.
After more than two years in court, she asked the court to allow her to also seek punitive damages, citing a “pattern of misrepresentations [that] has continued throughout this litigation, as Wallace represented under oath… that she had no knowledge of any bite, attack or injuries caused by her dog.”
The judge agreed that they met the bar to request punitive damages against Wallace, writing, “[T]he evidence establishes that Tina Wallace and Barriers Against Repeated Cruelty were aware that ‘Sam’ previously bit two other individuals, but failed to disclose this information to Found or [Julia]. The acts of Tina Wallace and [BARC] indicates a wanton disregard for the safety of others.”
After this ruling from the judge, the case was immediately settled. The exact terms of the settlement are unclear, but according to a source with knowledge of the case, who asked to remain anonymous, the first payment from Wallace’s liability insurance was $400,000—roughly ten times the initial damages sought.
More…
Besides the lying & callousness toward the victim, this bit of gaslighting was🤯.
Tina Wallace stopped a rescue from euthanizing a dog—after it's second attack on a human—then when the dog attacked someone again & she was sued, Wallace blamed the org for not euthanizing the dog. https://t.co/6zBqprTv9Rpic.twitter.com/p0TaAwjOTm
— The People's Fabric (@peoplesfabric) June 1, 2022
— Gov. JB Pritzker is endorsing state Senate candidate Mary Edly-Allen, a former state rep, in the 31st District Democratic primary against Sam Yingling, a state rep. “Mary has been a fierce advocate for women’s reproductive rights and critical investments in mental health care, childcare, and violence prevention programs that strengthen public safety.”
— Sam Yingling is out with a digital ad in his race for the state Senate in the 31st District that includes Lake County. The ad, titled, “Report Card,” addresses guns, abortion rights, and being an LGBTQ elected official. […]
— Pat Dowell has been endorsed by Posen Mayor Frank Podbielniak in her bid for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 1st District.
— Progressive or not: State House rep candidate Kevin Olickal says he’ll join the Illinois House Progressive Caucus if elected to represent the 16th District. His point: Incumbent state Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback didn’t join the caucus after tweeting that she would.
* CD17…
Former state representative and 17th District Democratic Congressional Candidate Litesa Wallace on Tuesday called on Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance to resist pressure from a right-wing Republican advocacy group and restore its support for the GenderCool Project, an educational group that supports transgender children.
Consumers’ Research, a right-wing Republican outfit opposed to LGBTQ rights and other Civil Rights, targeted State Farm and its support for the youth-led program which, among other things, provides books and other materials to promote understanding of transgender youth.
“State Farm is a valued employer and partner in Illinois. Consumers’ Research is a fake “research” group designed to grind Republican axes, which takes money from the tobacco industry and which is known for its vastly misleading propaganda reports. The GenderCool Project, meanwhile, provides some kindness and understanding to gender neutral, nonbinary and trans kids trying to make their way in a world of cruelty that we see getting crueler by the day. I urge State Farm to revisit their decision to appease this right-wing advocacy group. This is caving to the kind of bigotry that makes life so cruel for so many of our children.”
— The People's Fabric (@peoplesfabric) June 1, 2022
Yep.
* From the Daily Herald endorsements of Alexi Giannoulias and Rep. Dan Brady is this little gem…
Milhiser is the only member of billionaire Ken Griffin’s well-funded slate that Republican House Leader Jim Durkin has not endorsed.
Milhiser stresses time and again that as a career prosecutor, he knows how to root out corruption.
As Brady points out, Milhiser probably should be running for attorney general then. We agree.
Um, Leader Durkin isn’t endorsing Milhiser because Brady is a top member of Durkin’s leadership team.
* CD13…
Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced his endorsement of Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional district. Since being elected as the 43rd Governor of Illinois, Governor Pritzker has raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour, protected reproductive freedom, got the state’s fiscal house in order, and made education more accessible and affordable for all.
Governor Pritzker made the following statement: “I am proud to endorse Nikki Budzinski for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Nikki has dedicated her life to fighting for workers and working families and has a unique ability to bring people together from all walks of life to get big things done. Nikki was invaluable in our fight to raise the minimum wage to a living wage, and played a major role in expanding reliable, high-speed broadband to every corner of Illinois. With Republicans hellbent on taking us backward, it is more important than ever that we send strong Democrats like Nikki to Washington to fight the tide of rising right-wing extremism.”
Nikki Budzinski made the following statement: “When JB was running for Governor, he made a commitment to put Springfield back on the side of working people and in his first term, he delivered on that promise. Governor Pritzker shares my commitment to organized labor and working people. That’s why I was proud to work with him to increase Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour. I look forward to building on that work in Congress as an advocate for working families.”
…Adding… Darnit. I promised Sen. Wilcox I would post this and then I forgot. Sorry about that…
McHenry Township Republicans will be hosting a candidates’ forum on Saturday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Rd, Spring Grove, IL.
These forums will be scheduled throughout the day at one of four stages located at Richardson Farm. Some of the forums including Republican Candidates for the United States Senate, McHenry County Board, Illinois Comptroller, Illinois Treasurer, Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Attorney General, various United States Congressional districts, Illinois Supreme Court, McHenry County Clerk, McHenry County Treasurer, McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools, various Illinois General Assembly districts, and Illinois Governor.
Gubernatorial Candidates scheduled to be at the forum include Darren Bailey, Gary Rabine, Paul Schimpf, and Max Solomon. This portion of the forum begins at 6 p.m. at the Amphitheatre and will be the concluding event of the day.
In addition to hearing the candidates speak there will be food trucks, concessions, and a beer tent at the event. Grab your lawn chair and plan to spend the day at the Grand Old Party at the Farm!
For more information about the event please visit mchenrytownshipgop.com.
Just about everyone is going to be there, except Richard Irvin.
* More…
* Daily Herald endorsement: Giannoulias and Brady for Secretary of State: Anna Valencia has similar views. But she is handicapped by the fact she failed to disclose her husband’s lobbying activities on her ethics forms. She waved it off as an oversight, but she’s running for a position that has oversight of the registration and activities of lobbyists. That’s a difficult flaw to overcome.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker met with pro-choice advocates and service members from Illinois and Missouri to discuss the importance of protecting abortion rights and to reaffirm his commitment to safe, accessible reproductive health care for women everywhere. As radical Republican-controlled states surrounding Illinois implement harsh bans on women’s bodies, Illinois remains an island for reproductive freedom thanks to Governor Pritzker’s leadership.
“Whether you’re an active duty soldier, a single mom, a working woman, or just a woman who wants to have control over your future––we are with you.” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In Illinois, we trust women and so long as I am governor that will always be the case.”
“Illinois is a critical access point now and in a post-Roe future,” said Chief Medical Officer at Reproductive Health Services at Planned Parenthood of the St Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. “We have an opportunity to rebuild a broken system, a system that has never been equitable or accessible for everyone who needs it.”
Governor Pritzker stands with women in every corner of the state and nation in the fight for equal rights, including women faced with existing barriers to access like active duty and retired service members. While every single GOP candidate running for governor cheers on the Supreme Court’s imminent and disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Governor Pritzker recognizes that women’s bodily autonomy is on the ballot and remains resolute in his belief that all people deserve the right to make their own health care decisions and live a life by their own design.
A recorded copy of the event can be found at JBPritzker.com/live
* Richard Irvin was asked about the governor’s comments on the Republican gubernatorial candidates at his press conference today…
You know, it’s a shame that JB Pritzker is using something that is such an important issue for us to be talking about as political fodder. He does not have anything other to talk about then trying to make something like that about politics. He doesn’t want to talk about his failures in the state. He doesn’t want to talk about the fact that crime is spinning out of control in the state of Illinois. Taxes and wasteful spending is spinning out of control. He doesn’t want to talk about the corruption that has prevented us from going forward and progressing as a state. He wants to talk about things that are already determined to be codified law in the state of Illinois. He is using that as politics.
OK, on the “codified law” bit, but then Irvin was told that the state’s parental notification law ends today and was asked: “When you become governor will you reinstate it?” “Absolutely,” Irvin said, and then the press conference ended.
Seems like a contradiction, but maybe you disagree.
* Speaking of the PNA repeal, here’s the ACLU of Illinois…
Abortion access in Illinois expanded today with the end of the Parental Notice of Abortion (PNA) law. This measure required a minor seeking abortion care to notify a designated family member, often putting young people in unsafe and harmful family situations in further danger when they sought to access this health care.
“Prior to today, pregnant young people could make any medical decision without barriers except abortion. Now thankfully they have the same right to make a confidential decision about their health care as everyone else” said Emily Werth, staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois. “Today abortion is treated just like all other forms of health care in this state.”
This end of the parental notification law comes at a pivotal moment in the fight for abortion rights. A draft opinion leaked from the Supreme Court early this month suggests a majority of Justices are poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, eliminating access to abortion in much of the country. A number of states are rushing to pass – or preparing to enforce previously adopted – bans on abortion if Roe falls.
The Parental Notice of Abortion Act has been enforced in Illinois since 2013. During that time the ACLU of Illinois has run the Judicial Bypass Coordination Project which ensured that those effected by the law were still able to access abortion care in this state. Volunteers helped operate a hotline to answer questions on the law and provide resources, and pro bono attorneys and ACLU staff represented minors who needed to get a waiver from a court in order to have an abortion without forced family involvement.
“During the nearly nine years the harmful law was in effect we helped more than 625 young people get the court approval they unfortunately needed to have an abortion. Only one of our client’s judicial bypass waiver requests was ever denied by a judge. All people, regardless of their age, know what decision is best for them. And everyone should have the right to decide for themselves,” Werth added.
The measure taking effect today is HB370 – the Youth Health and Safety Act. The bill which repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act was sponsored by Senator Elgie Sims and Representative Anna Moeller, and was approved by the General Assembly in October of 2021, and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in December 2021.
It's May 31st and I spent the holiday weekend in Chicago and have dinner plans tonight at 6:30. Feels weird to not be in a suit and tie and working at the Statehouse all weekend and tonight. Not bad, mind you. Not bad at all. Just… really weird
* Both use a focus group theme. Click here and here for the background on the first one…
* And I don’t believe there’s any need to supply any background for this one…
The only thing I would say about these ads is that, taken together, the word “Bailey” is either spoken or flashed on the screen a total of nine times, while the word “Irvin” is said once and then flashed on the screen in the paid-for slots at the end of the spots.
Two years ago, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin quietly co-founded a consulting firm with a top city aide, who’s also a lifelong friend, and two men from Virginia.
The arrangement has raised several potential conflict of interest issues for Irvin: There’s a mayor going into business with a city employee who is so close to Irvin that the mayor calls him a stepbrother. There’s the employee skirting through a process requiring city approval for side jobs. And there’s the two Virginia men, who went on to get a $15,000 city contract without their ties to Irvin being disclosed. […]
That scrutiny now includes questions about the consulting firm Aurora Dynamic Solutions, based two blocks from City Hall. Irvin owns it with Michael Pegues, who Irvin hired right after being elected mayor in 2017 to be Aurora’s chief information officer. While the two are not related by blood, Irvin considers Pegues a stepbrother because Irvin’s biological father — who did not raise Irvin — at times raised Pegues, and Irvin has said he and Pegues have been close since childhood.
Irvin never announced his ownership in Aurora Dynamic Solutions, and it isn’t disclosed on the state ethics form he filed when he ran for governor. As of Tuesday, the consulting firm had a half-finished website that’s designed to be hard to Google but — if someone could find it — advertised a wide swath of services, including government consulting.
Go read the whole thing. The Irvin campaign makes a valid point that their guy has lost money on this company. But he’s also keeping the company alive, including paying for office space, until he leaves politics.
GOP candidate for governor Richard Irvin may portray himself as a political outsider ready to clean up corruption, but his past tells quite a different story.
Two years ago, Irvin co-founded a consulting firm with a top city aide and two men from Virginia, the Chicago Tribune reported. The firm’s conflicts of interest are endless, from the mayor of the second-largest city in the state going into business with a city employee so close that he calls him a stepbrother, to said city employee dodging the formal reporting process for side jobs, to the Virginia men scoring a $15,000 city contract without disclosing their ties to Irvin.
And to make matters worse, Irvin never reported his ownership in the firm, and it isn’t disclosed on the state ethics form he filed at the start of his gubernatorial campaign. The business isn’t even in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
This is just the latest example in a long string of corruption and pay to play scandals. There’s Scientel, which donated over $100,000 to Irvin’s campaign and committees connected to him, and in return, received millions in city contracts and permission to build a high frequency trading tower that sparked concern it would interfere with fair access.
There’s the time Mayor Irvin arrived at the scene of an arrest of his then-girlfriend, accused of hitting a security guard at a marijuana store — promising the charges against her “would be taken care of.”
And now, there’s apparently a sham consulting firm he founded with a city aide and two Virginia men that scored city contracts during Irvin’s mayoral term.
“While Richard Irvin parades around as an anti-corruption political outsider, the exact opposite is true,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Time and time again, we’ve seen Irvin bend the rules to enrich himself, his friends, and his donors. That’s how he behaved as mayor of Aurora, and that’s exactly how he’ll behave as Governor. Illinoisans deserve better.”
Lightfoot, in a statement from her campaign via supporter Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32d, “welcomed” Vallas to the race:
“Paul Vallas running and losing has become a stunt. Chicago doesn’t want his failed experiments that closed schools, hurt already struggling neighborhoods and ignored police misconduct that cost the City millions. He hasn’t been taken seriously by voters because his outdated and destructive ideas would only make the most challenging issues facing the city worse.”
* American Jobs and Growth Fund was formed in Delaware in mid-April. It apparently hasn’t yet filed for 501(c)(4) status with the IRS. It’s impossible to tell who is behind this, but have a look and maybe ask yourself who would have a lot of money to burn on a hit that they do not in any way want to be connected with…
Mayor Richard Irvin promised to reduce violent crime in Aurora. But as mayor, homicides have nearly doubled. Rapes have increased. Aggravated assault increased. Even arson. And while activists burned Illinois cities, Richard Irvin told voters ‘I support Black Lives Matter strongly and passionately.’ He also said, ‘I believe this past summer was a wake-up call to America.’ It’s time Mayor Irvin had a wake-up call. Tell Mayor Irvin to do something about rising crime.
…Adding… From Natalie Edelstein at the Pritzker campaign…
We are absolutely in no way involved with that org or that ad and I am happy to unequivocally say that on the record.
*** UPDATE *** If you click here, you’ll see that the advertisement agreement form is signed by Eva Mah, who’s with Axiom Strategies. As we’ve already discussed, that firm does work for Jesse Sullivan’s campaign and earlier this year it created an independent expenditure committee in Illinois to oppose Richard Irvin. The firm has a history of consulting for both candidates and their allied super PACs.
So, why would Sullivan want to hide his involvement? Well, Sullivan has pledged to run a “positive-focused campaign.” This way, he can kinda sorta keep that promise and still benefit from a negative hit.
