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IllinoisGO claims $5.5 million in cash

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Illinois

* This is the “Democratic” group I’ve told you about before. Lots of Statehouse folks consider it to be a Rauner front, although that’s been kinda sorta denied. From a press release…

Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity Announces Additional $1.5 Million in Contributions

Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity (IllinoisGO) today announced the organization has collected an additional $1.5 million in contributions - $1 million for its 501c(4) organization and $500,000 for independent expenditure efforts to encourage legislative leaders and lawmakers to make the tough, but necessary, decisions to resolve Illinois’ financial crisis.

“More and more frustrated Illinoisans are joining our cause to break the hold that special interests have over legislative majorities in Springfield. Together, we will hold state leaders accountable to address our financial crisis and maintain key progressive priorities in our state,” said IllinoisGO Chairman Anthony K. Anderson.

Just one week ago, IllinoisGO announced initial receipts of $4 million. The organization will continue to make regular announcements and all required disclosures as funds are collected. An additional $1 million was collected to support issue advocacy efforts and an additional $500,000 was contributed in support of the independent expenditure committee. With the new contributions, issue advocacy and public education efforts now have received a total of $4 million, and the IllinoisGO independent expenditure committee, that will support political activity, now has a balance of $1.5 million.

“IllinoisGO continues to build strong support to educate the public and lawmakers on the huge challenges we face and support the lawmakers who make the tough, but necessary, decisions to get our state back on track,” noted IllinoisGO executive director, Greg Goldner.

I told subscribers last week about that initial $1 million contribution to its IE committee from Helen Zell, the philanthropic wife of Sam Zell. The new IE PAC contributor’s name hasn’t yet been disclosed.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:13 am

Comments

So what exactly are the “key progressive priorities” of this Rauner front?

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:27 am
This is just obscene!

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:32 am
This feels like the calm before a civil war battle. Both sides can see each other. We hear (financial) cannons being rolled into position. And the clock keeps ticking down to the first salvo.

Are more DCEO - ALPM deals imminent, w madigan or cullerton? Would any similar deal forestall carnage, or was that deal relatively benign? I think benign

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:38 am
Is one person considered a “special interest” or just “special”…

Comment by Under Influenced Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:39 am
The “key progressive priorities” will be those social issues that Rauner is not interested in, and are therefore functionally irrelevant when it comes to Illinois politics circa 2015 — think abortion, gay rights, etc.

That said, they serve as outstanding “sheep’s clothing” for any wolves that may want to come after labor.

Comment by Sam Weinberg Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:45 am
Under - I think it depends on whether that person is ’supportin’ or ‘opposin’ the agenda!

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:47 am
Educate the voters don’t say much for the people who voted.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 9:51 am
Rauner may be fair game, but at least he’s trying to jump start this pitiful state that mostly Dems ran into the ground. Rich, why dont you start going after the people who are responsible for this mess rather than those who are out there trying to fix it. Start with MJM, and then all the way down. There are some rooms up in Oxford Wisconsin waiting for them.

Comment by warhed Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 10:15 am
Sam Zell?

Well, as long as caring citizens like “The Grave Dancer” are looking out for Illinois’ best interests, we’ve got nothing to worry about.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 10:21 am
=== … although that’s been kinda sorta denied ===

“We’re not a Rauner front group.” (Said with fingers crossed behind his back.)

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 10:21 am
Great, Sam Zell is back.

The man who may have (it was never proven, as with these guys it usually isn’t) flirted with Rod Blagojevich to help Trib Co. sell Wrigley Field, in return for Zell showing some of the anti-Blago Trib editorialists the door.

Glad to see the reign of special interests over IL politics is coming to an end.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 10:22 am
What are the “tough” votes? A constitutional amendment to provide for a graduated income tax? Voting for an elected school board in Chicago? Cracking down on poor performing charter schools?

Or is a “tough” vote any vote which pleases the plutocrats, to be rewarded with wads of money to help ward off angry constituents?

Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 10:26 am
==are joining our cause to break the hold that special interests have over legislative majorities in Springfield==

Umm, aren’t you a special interest too?

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 11:19 am
=Rauner may be fair game, but at least he’s trying to jump start this pitiful state that mostly Dems ran into the ground. Rich, why dont you start going after the people who are responsible for this mess rather than those who are out there trying to fix it. Start with MJM, and then all the way down. There are some rooms up in Oxford Wisconsin waiting for them.=

New to the blog? Or just having a tough day and venting?

That ground has been well tilled here, Rauner and is new version of the old song are making it awfully easy.

Please identify a state that has been jump started in a way that benefits the majority of the population by reducing the wages of the middle class. If there was even a single legit example I could get on board.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 11:41 am
JS MILL
In case you haven’t noticed, middle class wages have been going down under Democratic rule so please try a different argument.

Comment by Kendrick Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 11:49 am
Kendrick

Rauner’s goal is to reduce wages. What’s wrong with pointing that out?

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 11:54 am
“Rich, why dont you start going after the people who are responsible for this mess rather than those who are out there trying to fix it.”

He is. For example, the guy who asked the legislature not to extend the 5% tax rate.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 12:36 pm
=== under Democratic rule ===

Since 2001, average weekly wages in Cook County, Illinois have risen from $916 to $1071.

In the Republican bastion of Iroquois County, Illinois, they went from $439 to $581.

Oh, and in that Valhalla known as Indianapolis - Mation County - they went from $772 to $939…just barely reaching where Cook County was back when Destiny’s Child was atop the charts with that unforgettable hit, “Independent Women Part I”.

Next. Talking point. Please.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 4:39 pm
P.S.: Those are PRIVATE SECTOR wages, all government jobs excluded.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 4:39 pm
- Kendrick -,

Rauner wants lower wages.

Please learn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 4:58 pm