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* The AP matched up Treasurer Dan Rutherford’s Tweets to his official public schedule and his state travel invoices…
“Just arriving to the DuPage Township Republicans Sunday Brunch fundraiser where I will be the guest speaker,” Rutherford tweeted one Sunday last fall. Hours later, he posted that he was speaking at a Joe Neal for Illinois Senate event and at a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling.
Those fundraisers came during his stay in the Chicago suburbs to promote the I-Cash program, which reconnects Illinois residents with financial property they misplaced. While the costs were hardly exorbitant — he stayed at a Red Roof Inn for $70 a night — the reports that Rutherford filed with the state don’t mention the political events but justify the expenses for “performing duties as state treasurer.” […]
The AP found more than 20 such mixed purpose trips by Rutherford over an 18-month period through a review of his social media posts, expense reports and official schedule. Half a dozen were in Chicago, where the treasurer has an office, but the others were in smaller towns across the state tied to the unclaimed property events. […]
Rutherford, of Chenoa, said his office’s I-Cash events are the important “anchor” his political schedule is based around while traveling. He said he doesn’t claim per diems, and he regularly turns down a security detail. And he said his campaign committee and other party funds pay for lodging, including when he was Illinois chairman for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign in 2012.
This is a common practice. You schedule campaign business around state business. Fly down south to cut a ribbon, then stick around for a fundraiser. However, neither of his two predecessors used the I-Cash program to justify extensive political travel.
What makes this story interesting is that Rutherford has made it so easy to track his movements.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:24 pm
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A lot of people will mix business with non-business for business trips.
A round of golf, a good meal, heck I once tried to work a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame into a business trip.
As long as he pays for the personal/political part, it is a non-story.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:36 pm
@FakeRutherfordDan - Ut Oh #TwitterFunNowDannyBoy
@FakePongee - Someone dropped the dime on My Treasuerer, or the gas cap #LeaveTheOilFilterTakeTheCannoli
@FakeRutherfordDan - I am not hard to track, usually I am watching a movie on my treadmill till its time to campaign #OopsDidThatGetTweeted
@FakeRutherfordDan - I would blame @FakePongee, but I cut off internet access into the garage #YepStillPretendingPongeeIsREalJusNotAround
To the Post,
Well, well, well.
Mr. “Social Media” is now no better and a child you warn about tweeting vacation plans as the house gets robbed.
I have begged, pleaded, screamed, mocked, and ripped … and still the Tweets conmtinue. It’s either the coffee was great “here”, (no government business), or the WiFi stinks “there” (Government business, but is it, who knows) but I am the one getting ripped, right?
“Oh OW, you don’t understand, the people …the people get it, and you don’t”
I was never about the connection, use the “search” key. It is all about the “Tracking” and “Cataloging” of where Dan is, what Dan is doing, and why Dan is not at the office as SuperDan poses with the real Man of Steel, or “Clowning around” … with Bozo, looking so Dopey, but time stamping WHERE Dan was, WHAT Dan was doing.
Every Treadmill, every movie, every laundry … time stamped …every stop, governmental, political, who was there to “thank”, the “next stop” planned (is it governmental or political).
Just stop. Shut it down. get over yourself @RutherfordDan … or it might be too late.
I tols those running against you to catalog every tweet, catalog every oicture, every facebook … time, where, who …
I also dod that so you know even a DOPE like me knows to check on you.
This is quite the embarrassment. Or maybe this is …
@FakeRutherfordDan - I guess people do follow me … and not just on the Twitter for fun. #IgnoranceHowHurtingYourselfStillHurts
I look real dumb now, hammering on those tweets…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:40 pm
To Oswego’s point –
The problem with Rutherford’s tweets is not they they reveal any scandal.
The problem is that they are boring.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:44 pm
The only “scandal” is that Dan Rutherford does not take his job seriously, would rather tweet locations, events, and activities, and does not expect to be “called out” on the utter ignorance of putting himself, and the Office of the Treasurer on notice that things done, and things tweeted, are now going to be something that might lead to things needing answers …for no good reason except for utter Dopiness.
@FakeRutherfordDan - No harm no foul. Heck, I doubt my opponents were tacking me, the AP was just bored. #TweetsAreReleventNow
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:53 pm
Transparency has its drawbacks!
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:56 pm
Surprised the BGA got scooped on this.
#ColorMe&OWSurprised
Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:58 pm
@OW:
You don’t appreciate his transparency? LOL
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Meh, he should get around the state.
I-Cash is kind of a weak anchor — unless the state treasurer is Wink Martindale or some other game show host.
I’m more interested in targeted deposit programs leveraging state deposits for small business/ag loans.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:58 pm
Oswego,
You’ve never taken advantage of the fact that you were traveling to a nice city to grab a good meal?
Heck, when I spoke at a convention in Las Vegas, I sure as heck did not hide the fact that I took time out for some great meals.
Except for the ones with clients, I picked up my own tab of course. This happens.
I just see nothing wrong with this at all.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:59 pm
Aren’t we always asking for transparency in government. IMHO, Rutherford is too transparent. I’d just as soon not see all his silly tweets and Facebook postings.
No big deal here.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 3:59 pm
Ok, Dan, I am here to help.
Stop tweeting before something happens, or in “real time” tweets like “Boy this moivie is great, making the run go faster”
Stop. those days are over. So no, “Be at ‘X’ this evening, hope to see you there”
Try - “attending ‘X’ this week. Check with the Campaign for info.” or “attended ‘X’ this past week, thanks to all attending”
See, you get to be all 21st Century, without the timetable….
There is an apetizer …
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:01 pm
Welcome to the connected world of TMI …
Comment by RNUG Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:06 pm
- targeted deposit programs -
Frerichs has been talking about these. And Treasurer Pat Quinn had some success with them.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:06 pm
It really doesn’t matter. His I-Cash appearances are so “over-communicated” and over-exposed that many seem to be wondering how long it takes to roll out such a program, why he’s the only one on his staff capable of doing the work (and what the heck else he himself actually does besides I-cash and campaign). Then, of course, the next logical thought for most is how “commingled” it might be with his campaign efforts.
Legal, illegal, ethical, unethical…it doesn’t seem to matter much anymore. There’s a point where you just stop asking the questions and you make a decision whether to trust a pol or not. And, once the trust is gone, yada yada….
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:09 pm
OW,
I couldn’t agree more. His tweets and FB posts are so often inane bordering on idiotic. Clearly boring as all get out. And what the heck is it with his “I made this birthday video for you” things he does on FB. I’m of the other party, but if I were advising him, I would tell him exactly what you’re saying. ENOUGH!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:17 pm
On a personal note: I began watching “The Governor’s Wife” and am finding that I enjoy it though I have never watched reality TV before. I actually finding it much more wholesome than Illinois politics. They’re at least honest about what they’re doing, although that, too, is staged.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:20 pm
- wordslinger -,
I am with you, the Statewides need to be everywhere.
But, why make it so easy, and trivial, …and there only needs to be ONE Travel Voucher that has mileage or something wrong, an honest mistake, and easily, it is found to be paid by the State, and all the credibility is thrown out the window, needlessly.
A dumb mistake highlighted by … a tweet.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 4:30 pm
If Rutherford is only spending $70 a night in the suburbs, his campaign can afford to pay. Not sure how high they could go, but hey, just keep things separate.
His justification may be “standard practice”, but it’s still baloney. He’s traveling to do the political event and scheduling his own event for cover.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Nov 1, 13 @ 5:43 pm