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* From the Illinois Republican Party…
Today, the Illinois Republican Party added J.B. Pritzker to BossMadigan.com as part of the party’s ongoing effort to shed light on the people that empower Mike Madigan.
“J.B. Pritzker’s inherited fortune is the financial muscle behind Mike Madigan’s Chicago political machine. Just this year, Pritzker gave Madigan’s political front group almost one million dollars in an attempt to force a tax hike with no reforms and stop Gov. Rauner’s plans to improve Illinois through term limits, a property tax freeze and economic growth. J.B. Pritzker’s financial disclosures show his true loyalties lie with Mike Madigan.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
J.B. Pritzker and Madigan sit at the top of the Chicago political machine that has nearly bankrupted Illinois. Madigan runs it while Pritzker feeds Madigan his inherited fortune.
Just this year, Pritzker gave Mike Madigan’s political front group, Leading Illinois for Tomorrow, nearly one million dollars in an attempt to force a tax hike with no reforms and stop Gov. Rauner’s plans to improve Illinois through term limits, a property tax freeze and economic growth.
But Pritzker’s record of backing the political machine doesn’t stop with Madigan. Pritzker was a key ally and fundraiser of disgraced and imprisoned Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
J.B. Pritzker cut his political teeth as a fundraiser for Rod Blagojevich. Over the years, Blagojevich supported Pritzker’s political endeavors, and Blagojevich relied on J.B. for campaign cash.
In fact, Pritzker was one of Rod Blagojevich’s largest individual donors, contributing over $120,000 to help elect the most corrupt politician in Illinois history.
J.B. Pritzker was also at the center of Rod Blagojevich’s criminal scheme to sell Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat. Pritzker told Blagojevich he wanted to be appointed to the U.S. Senate, and in exchange Blagojevich wanted Pritzker to personally raise tens of millions of dollars for him.
The Pritzker tape was used to help send Rod Blagojevich to jail.
Predictable.
Before you know it, every Democrat in the state is gonna be on that list. I mean, if they’re gonna put Rep. Elaine Nekritz on the enemies list, they might as well add everyone. Remember this?…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has spent the past couple of weeks trying to put pressure on Democrats to approve his so-called turnaround agenda items by suggesting that many in the opposition party privately support his ideas.
He did it again Monday at a news conference in his Capitol office. “The exciting thing is, Democrats in the General Assembly, in private, many of them — not all — many of them agree with the reforms,” Rauner said.
Asked to name one or two such Democrats, Rauner said most “are unwilling to say much publicly because they don’t want to get retribution.” But the governor did name Northbrook Democrat Elaine Nekritz, who he contends publicly declared support for his ideas months ago.
* But she’s part of the problem, according to the ILGOP…
Elaine Nekritz has voted 7 times to make Mike Madigan the Speaker of the House. In return, she was selected by Madigan to serve on his leadership team. Only the most loyal legislators are named one of Madigan’s top lieutenants, and taxpayers have paid a steep price for Nekritz’s loyalty.
Nekritz voted for Mike Madigan’s reform-free, 67% income tax hike, the largest in state history. She joined Madigan in teaming with Rod Blagojevich on a pension scheme that increased debt by up to $22 billion. And Nekritz even voted for legislation that makes sure she gets paid even if there is no state budget. Now, legislators are using the Nekritz-backed legislation to sue so they get paid before social services receive their funding.
It’s time for Elaine Nekritz to break with Mike Madigan.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:15 am
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I’m still somewhat dismissive of the idea that Team Rauner is uniquely concerned about Pritzker. They have the resources to do this to every Democratic candidate.
But 3 hits in 2 days, with none on any of the other potential candidates (including the guy who insists he’s in and will announce soon) makes me wonder.
…which, by the way, is not to say that Team Rauner is RIGHT to be uniquely concerned, if they are…
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:18 am
“J.B. Pritzker was also at the center of Rod Blagojevich’s criminal scheme to sell Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat” …
This is offensive. Do these people have any shame? At least wait until the guy confirms that he’s running before you start to lie about him.
Comment by MissingG Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:18 am
“Before you know it, every Democrat in the state is gonna be on that list.”
Rich, you beat me to the punch. So true.
Comment by John John Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:18 am
“Before you know it, every Democrat in the state is gonna be on that list.”
Then who are the Dems that Rauner claims stand with him on the “staircase”???
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:19 am
=Before you know it, every Democrat in the state is gonna be on that list.=
I stopped paying attention to this because it just looks silly now. I guess whatever makes you feel like you’re staying busy.
Comment by CLJ Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:19 am
Democrats should just “I am Spartacus” this into irrelevance.
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:20 am
Actually, I’d rather be on the list than off it.
If you’re not on it, then it’ll (soon) be assumed that you’re a Rauner sympathizer — and one of the many (?!) that support Rauner’s union, higher-education, and social service decimation tactics.
So, yeah, put me on that list. Let’s be clear.
Comment by Bobby Catalpa Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:22 am
What ever happened to BIgBrain claims how he been playing patty cake with Ds for all these months.
BTW the highlight of his Facebook Flameout was his bungled explanation of term limits. If someone preserved the audio it should be made available
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:23 am
===Democrats should just “I am Spartacus” this into irrelevance.===
That’s pretty funny.
To the Post,
Rauner is going after y’all.
Understand. This isn’t stopping, this is designed NOT to be helpful, it IS designed to keep the passive destruction of Illinois rolling, and to make y’all fear.
You will either hang together or you will most assuredly hang separately.
Read that, learn it, say it, understand it… know it.
Pritzker?
They want him “in” or they want him “out”.
That’s it. Commit. And if he commits, it’s full bore 24/7/365 on Pritzker, Madigan, et al.
This is all about 2018. Even the governing for Rauner is about 2018.
It’s foolish to try to see this as anything less than promoting destruction and trying to wedge and blame and crush now… so destruction can continue after Rauner’s re-elect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:26 am
Wouldn’t it be easier to just reveal those who have not made Rauner’s Enemies List?
Back of a bar napkin should do.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:27 am
OW nailed it. Rauner wants to be reelected but he has no record of accomplishment to run on so how does he get reelected? He hopes by doing what he is doing now he can keep the electorate distracted for two more years.
Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:31 am
Fortunately for the ILGOP predictable and ineffective are not synonymous
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:31 am
Hilarious if Madigan retires and Rauner is left standing there naked (figuratively), with no one to oppose.
Comment by Blue Bayou Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:31 am
Two things.
1) JB lost his 98 race… badly. Anyone involved in that race saw what an awful candidate he was. You can say he’s much better now, but based on what? His only race was an unmitigated disaster. Do Dems want to nominate someone who finished 3rd and got beat 2 to 1 in a 3 person race that was in his backyard?
Second, the issue for JB isn’t tying him to Blagojecvich. It’s how easy it will be to tie him to Rauner in the Dem primary. I bet they have plenty of business relationships or, at the very least, photos together. Anyone with a few million dollars can beat JB simply by connecting him to Rauner. Did anyone pay attention to the mood of Dem primary voters?
JB would be a disaster. No thank you.
Next…
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:31 am
Pritzker must scare the snot out of team superstars and Illinois GOP.
Could it be they realize Rauner could lose and their sugar daddy’s checkbook dry up leaving them not only out of the Gov’s Mansion, but with a Dem controlled General Assembly and a speaker that would spend the next two years taking the GOP to the woodshed for a daily dose of reality.
hey know full well, No Rauner=No Money. Spin it anyway you like, the fact is the Illinois GOP and the Super Stars see something that is making them worry, a lot.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
ILGOP, keep carpet bombing your “enemies” to distract from the epic, abysmal failure of your beloved Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Oh please! Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
@OW
Absolutely right. It is about making Pritzker commit. That is why, if I were Pritzker at this point in time, I would be funding my own PAC and hammering the governor nonstop for his failures while playing coy about running.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
*Three weeks from now*
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bob, a Janitor at the Thompson Center, added to BossMadigan.com as part of the party’s ongoing effort to shed light on the people that empower Mike Madigan.
This is getting old quickly.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
The benefits of having unlimited cash.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:33 am
Also, it’s cool and fun and kind of reminds me of an advent calendar or the ESPN SportsCentury series from 1999 -who’s going to be next, can’t wait! Is secretariat really a better athlete than Pete Sampras?- but if they’re going to abandon the theme and put Pritzker in they have to change the heading:
MEET THE LEGISLATORS
WHO CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE
Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:35 am
JB if you read this you got my vote I will also donate to your campaign fund . You sure have Rauner and the Republicans scared
Comment by Frank Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:38 am
When they run out of Democrats to add to the list, will they start adding moderate Republicans who are critical of the Governor, like Jim Edgar?
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:43 am
==You can say he’s much better now, but based on what? His only race was an unmitigated disaster. Do Dems want to nominate someone who finished 3rd and got beat 2 to 1 in a 3 person race that was in his backyard?==
This seems a little…tautological?…to me. If Pritzker wins the Democratic Primary for Governor, that’ll be pretty compelling evidence that he’s improved as a candidate since 1998.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:44 am
===This seems a little…tautological?…to me===
Agreed. Good word.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 10:55 am
Arsenal and Rich-
Democrats knew that Hillary Clinton was an awful candidate and chose to look the other way… the result is President Trump. If we learned anything from this cycle, it should be that we need to field a dynamic candidate who can connect with voters. That ain’t JB Pritzker.
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:02 am
=== we need to field a dynamic candidate who can connect with voters===
And your suggestion is? Also, who’s “we”?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:03 am
–No Rauner=No money–
I’ve been kicking this around with some friends lately. Do we really know this to be true? It sure seems Rauner is enjoying the ideological fight. So why would he vanish if he loses reelection? So much of the change he has effected in IL politics, and control he has exerted on the ILGOP, can be accomplished just as well with cash from the sidelines as from the throne, no?
Comment by Threepwood Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:05 am
RMF - don’t forget that President Obama lost to Congressman Rush by 30+ points in 2000. Four years later he decisively won the U.S. Senate primary and general elections with ease.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:07 am
ILGOP complains about “bankrolling” with a one million dollar contribution after taking his much from Rauner? Didn’t bother reading it after that. Hypocritical as usual.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:28 am
==If we learned anything from this cycle, it should be that we need to field a dynamic candidate who can connect with voters. That ain’t JB Pritzker.==
That’s the conclusion you’ve drawn from him losing a primary in 1998. That’s a fair conclusion! But if he wins this primary, that’s compelling evidence to the contrary, because he’s only going to win the primary by connecting with the voters.
And, I mean, Pritzker is hardly my first choice in the Democratic Primary. But if he wins it, he’s got a pretty good shot to win the whole thing. That’s how major party nominations work.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:30 am
Maybe Republicans ought to use this, “We’ve got a billionaire in the White House and a billionaire at the Statehouse. Do we need one more?
Ooops. Foot in mouth!
Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:37 am
“J.B. Pritzker’s inherited fortune…”
Not so subtle jab there.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:41 am
My observations:
1). This is less about politics and more about creating further gridlock. Ramping up the partisan rhetoric makes it increasingly impossible to achieve bipartisan action. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. Don’t believe me? Intentionally foul your boss during the next intra-office basketball game and let me know how the next day at work turns out.
2) Madigan must be secretly giddy, because the clear message to Democrats is that it isn’t possible to put enough daylight between yourself and Madigan. There is no middle ground. You are either on the Ken Dunkin List or the Enemies List. Unless you are willing to kowtow to Goldberg, you might as well stick with Madigan.
3. JB’s loss was a result of underestimating Schakowsky. She ran an incredible campaign that nobody thought she could win.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:45 am
A Jack -
I was thinking they’d add retired and deceased Democrats, such as Emil Jones and Dick Mautino …
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:51 am
Rich-
“We” is a Democrats. I’m a Democrat concerned about winning in 2 years.
And I’ve seen every potential candidate speak several times. I’ve seen Kennedy bring people to their feet numerous times. Sen. Manar also connects really well and is engaging. Robin Kelly and Cheri Bustos are also good. JB is by far the least inspiring.
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:53 am
==JB is by far the least inspiring.==
Then he probably won’t win the primary!
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 11:55 am
RMF, only one person has ever gotten more votes than Hillary Clinton did for President. And if she was such an awful candidate, what does it say about Bernie and Marty that they couldn’t beat her?
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 12:32 pm
At this rate, wouldn’t be easier to simply list those who are NOT on the “Boss Madigan list”?
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:49 pm
“Q: How many miles until this becomes a joke?” (From yesterday).
“A: Fewer than have already been travelled.”
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:53 pm
One of the things that is often overlooked in the Boss Madigan narrative is how poorly he has fared with gubernatorial candidates. I will grant that he was not the Democratic State Party Chairman for the entirety of his tenure as Speaker, but Madigan always was an influential leader who had input on slating gubernatorial candidates. To date, his record as to gubernatorial endorsements is quite poor. Stevenson (2x), Hartigan, Netsch, Poshard, and Quinn (reelect campaign) all missed the mark.
The two winning candidates: Blagojevich (2x) and Quinn (barely).
J. B. Pritzker could self-fund, but he could be a difficult sell.
I think that many would agree that Madigan probably preferred wheeler dealer Ryan to his own nominee in 1998.
Comment by W Flag Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Funny–Boss Hog trying to create Boss Madigan…
Comment by d.p.gumby Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:26 pm
==I think that many would agree that Madigan probably preferred wheeler dealer Ryan to his own nominee in 1998.==
There’s that, and there’s also the fact that the Speaker’s endorsement is only words. His actions to help all of those people actually win were…varied.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 2:34 pm
I hereby declare that I am adding myself (”Jerry 101″) to the Boss Madigan list.
I have voted for people who voted for Mike Madigan to be speaker. I also voted for people who didn’t win their elections, but if they had won, would have voted for Mike Madigan to be Speaker.
In addition, I have contributed time and money to people who voted for or, had they won a seat in the Illinois House (a seat for which they may or may not have been running at the time), would have voted for Mike Madigan.
While I no longer live or vote in Illinois, I still vote for people who, were they running for office in Illinois, and had they won in Illinois, would likely have voted for Mike Madigan as Speaker.
Therefore, it is clear that I belong on the Boss Madigan list.
Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:27 pm
Where do I get my ” I’m Madigan” bumber sticker?
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 4:33 pm
Madigan has had notable successes in slating other candidates for statewide offices, but his record in gubernatorial races is spotty. It is like talented team of pro athletes that routinely loses games to a cellar dwelling team for no apparent reason.
Comment by W Flag Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 6:45 pm
“J.B. Pritzker’s inherited fortune”
Pardon the expression — but coming from the GOP (home of Bruce Rauner, Rich Uehlein, Ken Griffin) that’s rich!
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 8:46 pm