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Proft gets another cash infusion from Uihlein

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Illinois

Liberty Principles PAC, the political committee run by radio host and former candidate for governor Dan Proft, reported a $500,000 contribution from Richard Uihlein, CEO of the packaging supply company Uline. The group works to elect Republican candidates to seats in the Illinois Capitol.

The group is also seen as a possible threat to Republicans who vote for an agreed tax plan.

Proft’s PAC ended 2016 with about $437,000 in the bank and $275,000 in debt, split between his gubernatorial campaign PAC and the Illinois Opportunity Project, a group he founded that spent hundreds of thousands of dollars last year backing Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago).

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 8:51 am

Comments

Gives real meaning to the Uihlein motto “Proft before people.”

Comment by Collinsville Kevin Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 8:55 am
Team Sleep is ready to report for duty as official Liberty Principles PAC “consultant extraordinaire”!

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 8:55 am
Here’s where the Cullerton-Radogno deal starts to unravel. Republicans will only vote for a tax increase if Rauner personally assures them he’ll have their backs.

Once again, Proft undermines a Republican legislative leader.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:12 am
We are supposed to be impressed by someone as wealthy as Uihlein flipping the equivalent of 2 bits, $500k compared to $2 billion, into the account of the IHOP PAC? Must be nice to have that kind of spare change laying around.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:20 am
So Proft and Uihlein might be working against the “Grand Bargain” that will undoubtedly include a tax increase?

That’s fun.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:22 am
Roman - good/great point. I would have a lot more respect for Proft’s efforts if he were able to effectively impact a legislative race. Funds could have been spent so much better in the Benton race. Instead he blew through cash like a kid who got a hold of his dad’s debit card and wasted so much money. I was utterly unimpressed. All of this extra cash will likely be as effective as money on fire on a grill.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:27 am
Does anyone really think Rauner wants the grand bargain? What has he shown that he does? His goal isn’t a budget, it’s the decimation of organized labor and the downfall of Madigan. Those are the ends he is trying to achieve. This dance around a budget is just an attempt to appear interested in the job of governing, and to try to make Madigan look bad - make him wear the jacket for no budget.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:32 am
–Team Sleep is ready to report for duty as official Liberty Principles PAC “consultant extraordinaire”! –

Get your own Sugar Daddy. This one belongs to Proft.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:41 am
Team Sleep, agree with you that Proft’s execution is horrible. Watching his cut-and-paste ads run consecutively on Chicago TV with the same “mom” saying she’s backing multiple candidates was cringeworthy.

But this latest gambit is all about the threat. Proft is like a drunk wildly waving a gun over his head in a crowded bar. He might not pull the trigger and even if he does he’s a lousy shot, but he still scares the hell out of everyone.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:41 am
Don’t dismiss Proft’s ability as a political consultant. Look at the impact all of that spending had on the Dunkin race. Where would Ken be today without that support?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 9:49 am
Rauner’s new club.

Comment by Winnin' Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:11 am
It would be interesting to see how Uline (the Staples of State government owned by Richard Uihlein) is faring in its state agency billings under this administration compared to previous administrations.

Comment by Winnin' Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:14 am
Gov people seem to not be happy with Proft yet this continues. Rauner team needs to get the message to Uihlein quickly to cut off the money to Proft.

Comment by GOP Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:26 am
Roman - thanks. I actually would go one step further and denote that Proft has no execution because that would indicate that he has a plan. He just throws money at the situation. His attacks on McCann were mostly lazy and he listened to NO ONE in the district or area. It was like he got out of his “comfort area” and had to justify his largesse.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:26 am
What are ulines sales to the state yearly?

Comment by Liberty Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:37 am
==The group is also seen as a possible threat to Republicans who vote for an agreed tax plan.==

Doesn’t that depend on Rauner? If Rauner says he’s OK with it, won’t Uihlein/Proft hold their fire?

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:45 am
I hear Proft is real good at contests with no real opponent.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 10:47 am
–Instead he blew through cash like a kid who got a hold of his dad’s debit card and wasted so much money.–

Well, if you don’t spend it, you can’t ask for more.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 11:09 am
Guess this is the rate of off-year allowance.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 12:00 pm
From the IOP, as linked above:

The Illinois Opportunity Project (IOP) announced today that it is making a $500,000 donation to the campaign of State Representative Ken Dunkin, a Chicago Democrat …

We hope Rep. Dunkin’s example of acting in furtherance of his constituents rather than toeing the party line established by Speaker Madigan will be followed by more of his colleagues in the House.

lol

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 12:32 pm
What ever happened to the contribution Uihlein made to Rauner a while back that was supposed to be investigated? I don’t remember hearing how that investigation turned out. Something about an entity doing business with the State can’t contribute money in the manner the money was contributed.

Comment by ANONANON Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 1:06 pm
Anonanon- I wonder how much interest Uline is receiving on the money the state owes them. Seems like a great investment if you can float the up front investment.

Seems like keeping the impass is making them a profit

Hmmmmmmm

Comment by Publius Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 1:18 pm
It sounds as if the IPI isn’t going to change its tune about tax hikes being bad for the economy. If Proft likewise sticks to his anti-tax hike agenda, then how many Republicans will want to jump off the tax hike cliff, even if the Four Tops were to reach an agreement?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 1:24 pm
This guy Proft is a joke.

Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 1:47 pm
–Seems like a great investment if you can float the up front investment.–

Indeed, the juice is sweet if you can wait for the pump to be primed to get paid late on a regular basis.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 2:55 pm
Richard Uihlein obviously has more dollars than sense.

Go to any kindergarten class and I’m sure you could get less childish, and effective, mailers designed for free. Maybe a cookie or 2.

Comment by GOPgal Wednesday, Jan 18, 17 @ 4:36 pm