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* I didn’t notice this earlier, but Mark Brown also wrote about that new “Democratic” group which claims to have raised $20 million for state legislative races. Brown interviewed all three of the group’s publicly identified board members...

When I asked Samuel C. Scott III, one of the group’s three named board members, about whether the purpose of the organization was to back Rauner’s moves in Springfield, he said:

“It’s to give him support, yes. It’s to try to make clear some of the things he’s doing.”

I asked Scott, retired chairman of Corn Products Intl., if he had spoken to Rauner personally about this. He said he hadn’t, but added: “I know he’s talked to Tony Anderson.”

Scott was referring to Anthony K. Anderson, a retired vice chair at Ernst & Young who was identified as chairman of the group.

Anderson didn’t agree with Scott’s characterization.

“I’m not sure the governor is going to like what we do,” said Anderson, arguing that his goal is to “give Democrats cover” to take tough votes that might put them at political risk.

“We’ve talked to everybody, including the governor, about this,” he said.

A third member of the group’s board of directors, Patricia Pulido-Sanchez, who operates her own communications and marketing company, was clear about her political allegiances.

“I am a Rauner supporter. I think he’s the best governor we’ve had in a long time,” said Pulido, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering that her husband, attorney Manny Sanchez, has also been a prominent supporter of Rauner’s.

…Adding… ILGO defended itself in a Sun-Times letter headlined “New political fund isn’t ‘dark money’”…

Illinois GO is designed to help lawmakers make better decisions through research, education campaigns, and public engagement. Illinois GO is not designed to push Gov. Bruce Rauner’s, or any other individual’s, agenda, as Mark Brown assumes in his column.

As for Mr. Brown’s “dark money” allegations, 510(c)4 structures, under which donors are not publicly disclosed, is the very same design used by hundreds of chambers of commerce and trade and labor groups across the country. Is the Sun-Times asserting that local chambers of commerce or AARP or the Sierra Club need to disclose the details of their members’ dues every time the group takes a position on a piece of legislation? Further, direct contributions to independent expenditure campaigns are always disclosed, and transfers from 510(c)4 are allowed.

If they transfer the dark money to the IE account, it’s still dark money. Sheesh.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:50 am

Comments

So now there is $20M more to help push the Governor’s agenda? I love change! I honestly have no problem with money in politics, but I do have a problem with the poor attempt to keep it a bit quiet. Just shoot straight!

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:54 am
It’s a front to do exactly what Rauner wants.

Rauner ain’t gonna let no group get $20 million ‘togetter’ to derail nuttin’.

===“I’m not sure the governor is going to like what we do,” said Anderson, arguing that his goal is to “give Democrats cover” to take tough votes that might put them at political risk.===

Yeah, you’re a Dope if you think that’s true, or a Dope if you think those paying attention believe that to be true.

It’s a Rauner operation, from jump street. Saying anything less, at this point, proves how shady it is too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:55 am
Trolling for democrats come to the dark side we have your back.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:58 am
With my best Gomer Pyle imitation in mind: SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:59 am
“I’m not sure the governor is going to like what we do,” said Anderson, “For instance, we might bungle our flimsy “Democratic” cover-story right out of the gate.”

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:59 am
It takes a whole heck of a lot of money to cover up any votes to kill kids on ventilators. I can see why Rauner’s allies saw his own $20 million as just a down payment on turning back the clock to Robber Barons era.

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:00 pm
lol …at all the cut protesters,, give me a break…
Chicago Park District increases taxes every year yet,can’t make do without the money Rauner froze for Chicago Parks.. CTA can’t make do without more state money,free daycare..free , free and on and on
Face it folks …Illinois is broke and without State money, many cities are broke

Comment by better days Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:00 pm
One way to reduce your frets is to hedge your bets… Wear a badge of simple folk, but pack your punch with cash from Koch.

Comment by Doc Geisel Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:00 pm
Rauner’s got this gold and it’s golden, and, uh, uh, he’s just not giving it up for nothin’. He’s not gonna do it.

Comment by AC Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:03 pm
==I think he’s the best governor we’ve had in a long time==

What’s your basis for comparison? The fact he hasn’t offered workable solutions or accomplished anything since he took office?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Can groups that raise money secretly coordinate political efforts? Isn’t this exactly what has landed Scott Walker in trouble with the law in Wisconsin?

Comment by Lord Frankenfurter Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:07 pm
So the money’s going to Democratic legislative candidates? Exactly what votes are needed to be taken to get on this gravy train and be protected?

Are we going to have some Democratic office holders attacked from their right in Primaries? Are they going to recruit newly made “Democrats” just to do that?

The mind whirls.

As a pro-business, fiscally conservative, tough vote-taking, anti-Rauner Dem. Could I join?

Comment by walker Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:08 pm
I wonder what dems will be getting money from this pot..

Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Paleontologists at Chicago’s Field Museum have announced that they have confirmed sightings of several DINOS which had been, until today, thought to have been extinct in Illinois for a generation.

After journalists discovered traces of DINO activities, large caches of seeded money, faux Party credentials, and extensive fecal matter scattered around in press releases, the confirmation does not come as a surprise.

Dr. Rich Miller, explained in a presentation yesterday that although the DINO was thought to be extinct, political conditions could, through the impact of global warming, be created so that long dormant DINO eggs thought dead, could awaken, giving these strange political creatures a rebirth in Illinois.

“Since January, with the beginning of the Rauner Event, we have been seeing conditions ripe for these extinct creatures to return to part of the Prairie State”, Miller explained, “the fetid stink of non-stop campaigning, which normally ends after an inauguration, has during these strange times, continued”. “This”, Dr. Miller noted, “is a rare sighting and a rare event indeed!”

Rumors of DINO sightings are much rarer than rumors of RINO sightings in Illinois, as the flat level political geology of the state causes far more mutations within the ILGOP line of succession.

“RINOS?”, says former gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady, “I see them daily!”

“But show me a DINO and I would be impressed!”

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:10 pm
“I think he’s the best governor we’ve had in a long time” Well, the bar is pretty low. I think I’ll reserve judgement for a bit.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Just think how many free motorcycle lessons that $40 million could provide.

Comment by Jorge Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:11 pm
So Rauner has $20 million to reward or punish the GOP and now has another $20 million to reward or punish the Democrats.

Comment by G'Kar Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:13 pm
I don’t understand why these folks talked to the press!? Or, why they were not better prepared.

Comment by dixiechick Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:17 pm
This should show everyone what he thinks of legislators (not that it’s been a secret). He honestly thinks all these democrats vote on the side of the union because they’re afraid to lose out on donations, so he’s come up with another $20m in hopes that these union supporting dems will vote for his agenda. The governor just cannot fathom that someone could have that view based on their conscience and for financial reason.

Comment by Get a Job! Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:22 pm
That should’ve said “and not for financial reasons”

Comment by Get a Job! Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:23 pm
Democrats who in their heart are not distributionists need support to explain their votes to be fiscally responsible and foster job creation and entrepreneurship. Doing more of the same means that jobs will keep leaving Illinois and economic and wage growth will be limited. Private businesses are electing to move to Indiana and Iowa and allow others to pay for the socialist utopia in Illinois. Democrats who help put an end to Illinois-style socialism need support to explain their decision.

Comment by Muscular Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:29 pm
“Democrats who in their heart are not distributionists need support to explain their votes to be fiscally responsible and foster job creation and entrepreneurship. ”

If their votes are that self-evidently good, then no, you don’t need $$$ to sell them.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:35 pm
“distributionists”, “socialist utopia”, “Illinois-style socialism”

Words of the “makers” who take from the commons, the common good, and the labor of the commoners and attempt to create a common enemy of government as a means of masking the nefarious deeds of the oligarchy. Its the same old trickle down which has been failing the country since Reagan.

Comment by vole Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:45 pm
“Private businesses are electing to move to Indiana and Iowa and allow others to pay for the socialist utopia in Illinois.”

And one of Rauner’s closest allies is sending Caterpillar jobs to Mexico, http://wgntv.com/2015/03/20/caterpillar-moving-2-joliet-lines-to-mexico-230-workers-to-lose-jobs/

You free-market fundamentalists won’t be satisfied until Illinois’ “job creation and entrepreneurship” mirrors the worst work environments on the planet.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:47 pm
“distributionists”, “socialist utopia”, “Illinois-style socialism”

Ayn Rand libertarian get the government out of anything I don’t like or want to pay for today bunk.

Comment by Lord Frankenfurter Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 1:04 pm
How can anyone take Mrs. Sanchez serious with that statement?
Really? The best governor we’ve had in long time? What has he done? Other than turning citizens against each other and vilifying unions and state employees.

Sheesh..

Comment by union leader Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 1:27 pm
I’ve seen Scooby-Doo mask reveals that were more suspenseful and shocking than this one.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 1:37 pm
I’m glad someone said it. Liberal groups that are 501c4 are never referred to by reporters as possessing dark money. Of course, reporters will not report this fact.

Comment by The obvious Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 1:43 pm
As they say in Vegas (and at some hedge funds), don’t frown, double down!

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 2:21 pm
What MrJM said.

Did they call these beards the morning of the press conference? Wake them up?

Brownie, with just simple, straightforward questions, exposed them as so discombombulated as to tneir purpose all they could do was fall back as to what a swell guy Rauner is.

Tell us, “progressive Democrats,” where would you say that $20 million is coming from?

What a Clown Car.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 3:16 pm