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* UPDATED x3 - Daiber, Kennedy, Biss respond * ILGOP claims Pritzker endorsed by “most crooked organization in IL politics”

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* ILGOP…

MORE Insider Support for Pritzker
Pritzker Gets Endorsement of Most Crooked Organization in IL Politics

No group in Illinois politics reeks of crooked insider dealing more than the Cook County Democratic Party.

Just last month, the Chicago Tribune exposed how Mike Madigan-ally Joe Berrios, the Cook County Assessor and Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, runs what is essentially a property tax racket – giving the wealthy huge tax breaks at the expense of low-income Cook county residents.

J.B. Pritzker was one of them.

The billionaire has gotten nearly a quarter million dollars back in property tax breaks and refunds from Joe Berrios, taking money from Chicago Public Schools and other city services by claiming that a $3.7 million Chicago mansion is “uninhabitable”.

It’s no surprise that Joe Berrios would endorse J.B. Pritzker – they’re two crooked Chicago insiders cut from the same cloth.

After all, billionaire J.B. Pritzker has proven he’s willing to play along with Berrios’ property tax schemes and profit from Cook County’s unjust property tax system.

Whew.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Sen. Daniel Biss…

“Today’s endorsement, while not surprising, was a vote for more of the same. More backroom deals and more closed door coronations to replace one billionaire with another. For far too long, families like mine have felt the pain of a system rigged against us, and we’re ready to choose something new. Today’s vote doesn’t change that.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** Chris Kennedy…

“Today I asked the Cook County Democratic Party for an open primary to bring our state and our Party into the 21st century and let the voters decide the outcome of this election. It turns out the Cook County Democratic Party is more interested in preserving the status quo. So, in the backroom of a restaurant, they anointed their choice for governor.

Democracy only works when everyone can participate in the process. I will never stop fighting until our state government is working for the people. I will run a campaign that will take this decision about Illinois’ future from the backroom to voting booths across our state, and Democratic primary voters in Illinois will send a message that they want radical change.”

His remarks to the party organization are here.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Bob Daiber…

It is still very early in the race for Governor of Illinois and it is one that will require endurance. It is only August 11th. I will continue to work hard everyday and remind the people of this great state that they have a choice. There is a downstate candidate that knows what hard work is and is not afraid of challenges. Cook counties endorsement was not a surprise and we will move forward as planned.

* Related…

* Sun-Times: J.B. Pritzker gets Cook County Democrats’ endorsement for governor

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

Probably not the best time to receive an endorsement from Cook County.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:09 pm
If this release doesn’t have one sentence about a pop tax it’s a fail.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:11 pm
“Diana Rauner praises ‘Crooked Chicago Insider’ for $5 million donation to The Ounce”

Well, that was fun…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:12 pm
While the Dems certainly have themes to run on as well, the GOP needs to beat property taxes and the soda tax like a drum in Cook.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:13 pm
Ron-

If I were the state wide GOP I would be using that as my rational why we can’t let JB turn the entire state into Cook county in 2018.

Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:20 pm
- Anon -

So Rauner has no successes to run on?

With a 63% disapproval, no successes, and the way to win is “We don’t want Cook County”?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:22 pm
There comes a point where political rhetoric becomes an embarrassing farce. ILGOP continues to expose themselves as bumblers with these kinds of drama queen stunts.

If what they claim is true, then ILGOP should have enough evidence to shut this organization down. Their actions in the face of their charges point towards a tiny group of amateur staffers playing politics and calling people names like emotional nine year olds.

Rauner isn’t being listened to when stuff like this becomes the rallying cry of his reelection campaign.

Whigs-the whole lot of them.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:28 pm
Suffered a lot there have you Senator?

Comment by Anonish Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Biss is quickly becoming as irritating as Drury is with his statements/responses. Though I could be incorrect, I doubt you’ve suffered too much “pain” senator. What a silly statement…in my book. It’s time to get behind JB if y’all truly want to beat Rauner.

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:51 pm
To the update, “the common people are with me” response to party organization endorsements is as old and tested as the “only poll that counts is on Election Day” canard when your poll numbers stink.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:52 pm
If not for the Stratton pick (which did move some fence-sitting black committeemen) would JB have gotten this endorsement?

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:53 pm
Rauner has no success to run on but he has Madigan to run against and I think we don’t want Cook county might be a winning strategy. Steinberg in SunTimes was on to something I was at a function Rep Andersson put on yesterday people not happy. All Madigan and Chicago bailout. Rauner I am afraid will win on that. Schools may close in Republican areas but he will be seen as sticking it to greedy Chicago

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:54 pm
I’m surprised ILGOP didn’t throw in a whack against Party Vice Chair Toni Preckwinkle of pop tax infamy.

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:55 pm
I was born and raised in a mansion in Evanston. way back in the woods I was so ragged folks used to call me BISS. Pappa teased me about it.

Comment by Porgy Tirebiter Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 1:55 pm
Senator Biss is starting to adopt some of his supporters’ irresponsible attacks on fellow Democrats. I had hoped he would nip those in the bud, not start repeating them himself.

He’s getting close to suggesting there is no difference between Rauner and Pritzker, which is both ridiculous and dangerous. This needs to stop.

Comment by Reality Check Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:12 pm
@Anonish - did you see his tax returns? Definitely not a billionaire…or a millionaire.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:31 pm
I am curious if Biss’ very wealthy parents have trust funds established for Biss’ two children.
That is the only way that he could afford to live in his neighborhood in Evanston with what he reported on his tax return with is wife not working. Unless he is not reporting some cash-based income.

Comment by SwingVoter Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:34 pm
@Reality Check: it’s a primary race, not a beauty pageant. That’s hardly a dirty attack of any kind and if Pritzker cannot overcome that then perhaps he’s not the best candidate. Everybody needs to be tested including their weak spots…unless Dems are under an illusion that Rauner’s attack machine is not going to unleash at least 100 times the fury experienced in the primary. I’m assuming Rauner’s team is holding the Blago ads back until they feel the maximum damage can be inflicted.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Also, I kind of got excited about Kennedy’s statement. I think he may have found his voice as the Dems last, best hope to save a corrupt Illinois Dem party.

Comment by SwingVoter Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:38 pm
To prove what a man of the people he is, Biss sent an email this week offering recipients the opportunity to vote on what fried food he should eat at the state fair. And, he’ll really do it. On camera, even. He’s makin’ Rauner look authentic.

Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Had Biss or Kennedy received the endorsement, they would have praised the Cook County Dems for their bold choice and enlightenment. To win elections, you need to get more votes than everybody else so you try to bring people into your campaign. Usually, they’re asked if they’ll support the parties nominee if it’s not them. Was that asked of Biss and Kennedy? What was their answer? None of these guys had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Biss started every new elected position by launching a campaign for a higher position. Kennedy has flirted with running for years. If your in, stop whining and do your best. Make your case and remember that you’ll be running against Rauner. Stay focused.

Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 2:54 pm
Rauner: Man, this guy just got endorsed by the people who brought you an income tax hike, sky high property taxes and a soda tax. There’s no way you can screw this press release up.

ILGOP: Hold my beer…

Comment by Century Club Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 3:57 pm
Being the endorsed candidate is no longer a cinch in the primaries. Cook County is enduring Dorothy Brown because on two occasions the Machine could not deliver for its endorsed candidate for Circuit Court Clerk.

Comment by Ward Heeler Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 4:06 pm
You know you’re respected at the Erie Cafe if they’ll serve you the fried polenta.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 4:08 pm
@Veil, I have. He still makes more than me and many people I know.
He ran for the elected office knowing what the pay would be. I don’t feel sorry for him for doing that.

Comment by Anonish Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 4:35 pm