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* Remember last week when I told you that Sam Zell’s wife Helen had contributed $1 million to IllinoisGO, an ostensibly “Democratic” PAC that many folks believe is really guarding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s left flank?
Well, not to be outdone, Sam Zell himself just contributed $4 million to Gov. Rauner’s Turnaround Illinois committee, which is an independent expenditure PAC.
No collusion, though. For sure.
/Snark
[Hat tip: Tom Kacich.]
…Adding… Speaking of contributions…
A Gov. Bruce Rauner appointee to the Illinois Gaming Board heads a group that has taken money from the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, the state’s most lucrative casino.
In naming Illinois State Police special agent Hector Alejandre last month to the board that regulates the state’s casinos, Rauner said Alejandre “will bring a law enforcement perspective to the position.”
The governor noted that Alejandre is the president of the Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association, or HISLEA, a nonprofit organization of Latino police officers.
The group — which holds safety seminars and provides college scholarships — has taken $5,500 in donations from Rivers since 2012. The money went toward scholarships and programs, according to Juan Valenzuela, a spokesman for the group.
Doesn’t seem like a big deal.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:17 am
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Is that the new style? Republican major funder with an ostensible Dem spouse?
Comment by walker Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:25 am
Zell is well known for his “progressive” Democratic values.
While he was was busy running Tribune Co. into the ground and robbing his workers’ ESOP, he still took the time to scheme with Blago to lay off the liability of maintaining and renovating Wrigley Field on the taxpayers.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:32 am
===Doesn’t seem like a big deal.===
Agreed.
Comment by A guy Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:34 am
It’s amazing the amount of money tossed about by the wealthy in the worst run state in America.
Amazing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:35 am
I see that Joe Mansuto, who gave Rauner $200k during the election, contributed $500k to IllinoisGo.
Can we now remove the word “alleged” from the phrase “alleged Rauner front group”?
Comment by Sam Weinberg Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:46 am
Is that like the racin’ board chairman who worked with his dad at the subprime auto loan hustle that stole about $200 million and ended in 10 year prison sentence
Naw not even close
Comment by Anonin' Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:57 am
an inside look at how the .01% work..is this like the Trilateral Commission???
Comment by Not Rich Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 11:13 am
Zell’s “thank you” to Rauner for only requiring sacrifice from families of autistic children, the tired, the poor, the huddled masses, etc.
People who give money to non-Rauner causes are corrupt of course.
Comment by too obvious Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 11:17 am
Rauner is going around the state insisting that unions contributing to politicians leads to corruption. That is just nothing more than a distraction for the citizens of this state. It’s like creating a distraction at the front door while they sneak in the back door and rob them.
Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 11:34 am
The rich have purchased the government. You can toot that horn.
Comment by Mouthy Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 12:09 pm
Okay, let’s get this straight the Governor appoints an active police officer to the gaming board with no executive experience? No big deal. Okay, He also has no gaming experience??? He is the president of a Hispanic group who receives money from a casino???? Okay. No big deal. Agreed
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 12:34 pm
The gaming board idea was mine.
Comment by Rod Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 12:47 pm
And Zell was the guy bargainin’ for $100 million from Blagoof until the G caught them on the wire tap and Zell & Co. had already run to the G to report right?
Opps no they forgot to report so that makes them an active player in a bribe scheme — yup we are really turnin’ everything around.
Comment by Anonin' Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 1:00 pm
I Would guess the Gaming Board staff is unhappy with this appointment. It does remind me of Blago initial appointments. The organization should return the donations and/or the president should step down. Either way it seems as a conflict of interest.
Comment by Undertheradar Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 1:01 pm
Must agree w/ snark view from Anonymous - this* - the apptmt stinks; no agency has greater need for “no appearance of conflict of interest”
_________________
*
- Anonymous - Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
Okay, let’s get this straight the Governor appoints an active police officer to the gaming board with no executive experience? No big deal. Okay, He also has no gaming experience??? He is the president of a Hispanic group who receives money from a casino???? Okay. No big deal. Agreed
Comment by zonz Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 1:22 pm
This is what Rauner means by being “buy-partisan”!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 1:40 pm
How many retired ISP command are licensed by the IGB?
Comment by In_The_Middle Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:08 pm
Good question. Revolving door problem?
Comment by Middle America Monday, Apr 27, 15 @ 10:26 pm