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An amateur blunder

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Illinois

* Possible Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner has been assuring his bigtime donors that he has already done an opposition research project on himself, so no worries. He knows what’s coming. He can handle it.

Umm…

A suburban venture capitalist who is openly exploring a Republican primary bid for governor improperly claimed three homeowner exemptions for a number of years, a Daily Herald investigation has found.

After being notified of the error Wednesday afternoon, Bruce Rauner on Thursday paid Cook County $1,616 to cover the extra tax savings he received, spokesman Chip Englander said.

Englander described the situation as “an oversight that was corrected immediately.”

County records show Rauner claimed homestead exemptions on a Winnetka home, a Chicago penthouse and a condo on a separate floor but in the same building overlooking Millennium Park. He claimed primary exemptions on the Winnetka property and the Chicago penthouse from 2008 to 2011 and on the second Chicago unit in 2010 and 2011.

By law, Illinois residents can claim the exemption only on the property that is their primary residence, even if married couples are residing in different homes. The exemption reduces the amount of property taxes owed by lowering a property’s assessed value.

Lots of politicians have been dinged on this very issue for the past few years. It’s a mistake made by a ton of people and not terribly horrible.

But what is unforgivable is that this should have been caught months ago, before Rauner ever began “exploring” a gubernatorial bid. It’s an amateur mistake, but Rauner has assured everybody that, despite his lack of experience he plans to run a first rate campaign.

Not yet, he ain’t.

* Related…

* Bernard Schoenburg: Rep. Aaron Schock visits controversial leader in India

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 9:47 am

Comments

shorter campaign theme Rauner=McKenna 4.0

Next

Comment by shore Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 9:51 am
I think it’s time to ask for his income tax returns now that we know he isn’t a stickler for details when it comes to paying taxes.

Yes, this is “not terribly horrible,” but I disagree that it happens to a “ton” of people. Most people I know only own one house, not three. Of those who own lots of houses, yeah, it probably happens a lot. That’s a problem I’d like to have.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 9:53 am
If he is so rich why does he need these rich donors? I have 2 houses and know to claim only one homeowners exemption. This guy wont last long if he gets any kind of scrutiny

Comment by RNUG Fan Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 9:55 am
And so, it begins …

How about those Tax Returns? That will be fun, the “write-offs”, the “tax shelters”…

Seriously, who did Rauner “hire” to check him out, whoever it was, that was money well spent.

Utility Bills, Leins, Any and All Taxes, Student Loans, Grants and any Breaks given for Business, Child Support, Alamony (if it applies), Court Cases, Criminal and Civil Cases …Should I go on?

Rauner is giving the term “amateur” a bad name!

@FakeJasonPlummer - @FakeBruceRauner, did your Dad get you those places to live too? I am sure this is ALL that is out there #TwoTooDilusional

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:00 am
i think this is a common mistake for most people who own a mansion in winnetka, a penthouse in Chicago and other high-end condos. In short, it could happen to anyone…

Comment by Devices Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:00 am
I know a few years back Cook County changed the rule so that Senior Citizens needed to apply for their exemption annually. Maybe politicians should make that a requirement for the Homeowners exemption as well. Especially in Cook County where the so called “7% cap” applies directly to the exemption.

In my opinion, people who falsely claim exemptions (either the Senior Citizen or Homeowner) are tax cheats and should be prosecuted as such. Rauner should be forced to pay a penalty for stealing from the taxpayers.

Comment by Verbal Kint Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:01 am
Been there, done that. When I moved, I notified the country clerk’s office to change voter registration but didn’t realize I had send a seperate notification to change the exemptions. Never have understood why the clerks’ offices didn’t do a name / exemption match run every year to catch that kind of stuff.

Don’t see it as a big deal.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:07 am
How different is Aaron Shock from Carol M-B when visiting foreign “leaders”?

Comment by justbabs Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:09 am
Rauner is not getting good advice on any front.

He is making freshman mistakes all over the place. His tone is bombastic and lacks any attempt to create a connection with his audiences.

His advisors are eager for thier big fat payday but haven’t done anything yet to earn it.

Or perhaps Mr. Rauner is the kind of fellow who doesn’t like to listen to the advice he pays for…

Comment by Send in the Clowns Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:10 am
So either he isn’t bright enough to figure out the homeowner exemption, for many years, or he was a willful tax cheat, for many years.

He appears to be taking the “me so stupid” route.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:10 am
He seems to be channeling Mitt Romney, who, I believe, got dinged for having various expensive homes. John Kerry too.

A rookie mistake. But somebody with this much money should be able to pay someone who is knowledgeable enough to avoid these kinds of mistakes. This kind of vetting has to be routine at this point, based on other recent campaigns.
The babysitter. The housekeeper. The income taxes. The lawn service. The property taxes. The income tax records. C’mon.

Comment by cassandra Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:11 am
I’m more interested in the fact that he has three high end abodes as opposed to a $1,600 mistake on what I’m assuming are very large dollar amounts. Says a lot about a guy who wants to stick it to the “common man” while he’s living high on the hog. I have no respect for people like that. Apparently what’s good for the goose (money) isn’t good for the gander.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:12 am
Remind me to never, ever read the comments in the SJ-R again.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:14 am
And so, it begins … Sadly, I agree.
When can we expect the “kill the puppies” order?
or “I will close Illinois borders to illegals” or “I will make abortion illegal in Illinois”
This is the best the GOP has to offer?
Quinn in a rout

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:15 am
@ Verbal Kint: “in Cook County where the so called “7% cap””

has expired. No longer applies for the current tax year, unless Springfield acts.

@ Anonymous @ 10:15 am: “Quinn in a rout”

Um, PQ has to get thru a primary first, which will be a challenge. But if the GOP can’t offer a reasonable alternative, the D primary will be the real election.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:20 am
There is a difference between doing opposition research on oneself and knowing what said opposition research actually means.

Comment by Knome Sane Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:23 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I just can’t imagine how Schock isn’t licking his chops to get this guy in a debate.

Comment by Tom B. Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:27 am
“I’m Listening.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6pCNdYqHNM

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:28 am
schock is 4 years into his run in dc and is still more defined by his abs. Looks a lot like a kid from peoria enjoying the high life in dc more than a serious legislator. I think duckworth made the same mistake.

why do rich people need donors?-because self funding looks bad-especially in this economy and especially for a republican coming off the 47% debacle last year.

Comment by Shore Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:34 am
Watching his campaign is like sitting next to somebody in a bar who, after a few drinks too many, mulls a campaign. We very publicly get to see all the bad ideas that float out.

This is a major blow to the campaign. His whole was claim was to bring an outsider in with business sense who can run an operation.

He started way too early. He should have had his campaign operation in place, been prepared on issues, and then slowly rolled things out.

Instead, he looks like a blundering amateur.

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:43 am
If you think about it, a total self fund (very costly) could be an interesting strategy…

Not beholden to any donors, sort of the anti-Rod.

Curious how many years he corrected….

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:44 am
Hey, “blundering amateur.” Where did I get that label? Looks like I need another cup of coffee. Need to remember that there is a difference between “commenting” and “repeating.”

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:45 am
==so that Senior Citizens needed to apply for their exemption annually.==

In part, that is to make sure they are still alive. When I was a township assessor, I would have to make house visits/do follow-ups on those who hadn’t mailed back their annual Senior exemption application. And most of the time, they hadn’t mailed it back because they were deceased. Just as sad, other times they were too incapacitated to take care of the business of still living in their house.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:49 am
Maybe Rauner should have hired Mike Madigan or Ed Burke to help him with his property taxes.

Comment by Meanderthal Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:09 am
Been out of state but wanted to comment on the Boeing Pension story in SJR. Bob Williams is NOT a non-partisan player or commentator! SJR do your homework. Bob and I go way back. He is a Republican Heritage Foundation Hack from Washongton State. To have him comment on Boeing is laughable if you know his history in Wahington State! Shades of Illinois Policy Institute…..

Comment by Old and in the Way Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:19 am
Old ,I did a google on the outfit he was with and lots of ALEC and Koch brothers popped up. Its Rauners best hope that the media or voters don’t google him

Comment by RNUG Fan Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:39 am
Non-partisan? SJR seems to be unable or unwilling to do just a basic credential check! This guy is a hack! They virtually ran him out of Eashington state! Just sayin’

Comment by Old and in the Way Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:46 am
Sorry, phone buttons are too small….Washington state….

Comment by Old and in the Way Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:47 am
He was only saving $1,600 in real estate taxes for three presumably high value parcels? Wow. You guys in Cook County must have cheap real estate taxes.

Comment by Cheswick Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:49 am
The comments to the linked Daily Harald story are hilarious!

They point out that liberal icon Tammy Duckworth also got busted for this very same thing last August—claimed two exemptions on Illinois property while living in Virginia.

Then there was this:

“Isn’t[it] a prerequisite that you commit a crime to become governor in Illinois?”

The story says it is estimated that Cook Co. is stiffed by $65M by people taking exemptions to which they are not entitled.

Looks like this problem isn’t just with GOP millionaires and billionaires. lol

Comment by qcexaminer Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 12:01 pm
“schock is 4 years into his run in dc and is still more defined by his abs. Looks a lot like a kid from peoria enjoying the high life in dc more than a serious legislator.”

On the mark Shore. He has the same skill sets - and depth of thought - as Blagojevich.

Comment by Calhoun Native Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 12:14 pm
===The story says it is estimated that Cook Co. is stiffed by $65M by people taking exemptions to which they are not entitled.===

Thats a big number, wish Cook county would/could do something to address that.

Comment by Verbal Kint Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 1:47 pm
==He can handle it==

I hate to react to the obvious but all I can reply is “lol!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 4:22 pm
Why hire tax lawyers whenyou just lie and cheat….until caught
Opps
Fire, aim ready

Comment by circularfiringsquad Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 5:38 pm
Almost have to agree with CFS here.

Anyway you cut it, the guy comes across as a cheat or a boob.

Being loaded, the average Joe is not going to think “Boob.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 6:39 pm