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Congressman Bobby Rush’s son and brother are working for Chris Kennedy’s gubernatorial campaign — their paydays coming just weeks after Rush endorsed the Democrat for governor.
Kennedy’s third quarter contribution report, filed on Monday, shows Jeffrey Rush — one of the congressman’s sons — has been paid $11,120.19 from the campaign with his first paycheck dated Aug. 16. His brother Marlon Rush’s first paycheck was on Aug. 4 for $3,000, with his pay now adding up to $11,354.31. […]
Kennedy on Tuesday night said he didn’t see a conflict of interest in having hired relatives of Rush after his endorsement.
“I’m from a large family. He’s from a large family. It never occurred to me,” Kennedy told the Sun-Times after a candidate forum at Aurora University. “Look at the dollars involved and the hours that they’re putting in. It’s fair compensation, and I don’t think there’s any extra going to any..I don’t see it as a conflict.”
Kennedy said the two are working on “everything from meeting planning to event organizing, political outreach, interface with different interfaith organizations.”
“Pretty much soup to nuts in the campaign,” Kennedy said. “And they’ve been very, very helpful and probably surprised by the amount of work they’re being asked to do.”
Um, they’re surprised at how much work they have to do?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:48 am
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Meh. I’m sure Bobby could have placed his sons in whichever organization he endorsed. It’s not like this is quid pro quo. It’s just politics.
Comment by PJ Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:51 am
==Um, they’re surprised at how much work they have to do?==
It’s not like Chris seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting lol.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:52 am
===I’m sure Bobby could have placed his sons in whichever organization he endorsed. It’s not like this is quid pro quo.===
?????
Also, “I’m from a large family” is a 1996 Bob Dole talking point. Waiting for the Cap Fax attack on this blatant rip-off.
Comment by Chris Widger Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 11:58 am
As long as they are working, I don’t see a problem, although wasn’t Jeffrey Rush arrested in 2008 for having sex with inmates while he worked for the DOC?
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:04 pm
===?????===
What do you find confusing? Bobby chose who he wanted to endorse, then got his sons on the campaign as a favor. I’m not saying I love that practice, and Kennedy is my least favorite candidate, but it’s way different from “I’ll endorse you IF you put my sons on your campaign”.
You can’t buy a Congressman’s endorsement that cheaply. Bobby could probably have gotten his sons the same gig on any campaign he wanted to endorse. Politics, like most other fields, gives job opportunities to the children of important people. I don’t like it any more than you, but no reason to clutch your pearls in horror about it.
Comment by PJ Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:06 pm
I enjoy the “it never occurred to me” line from Kennedy. Naive or dishonest, which is it??
Comment by BigDoggie Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Um, Chris? The nepotism and ghost payrolling comes AFTER you win. Heavy /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:21 pm
If he was giving away government jobs for an endorsement. that is one thing, but its his campaign cash. He can hire who he wants. Whether or not that will help him win or lose the election is a different matter.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 12:29 pm
==Bobby could probably have gotten his sons the same gig on any campaign he wanted to endorse.==
And it would have still been pay-to-play if he had.
==but its his campaign cash.==
Technically, most of it was his donors’. To say nothing of, you know, “start as you mean to go on.”
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Q: In 2004, why did Blair Hull hire Bobby Rush’s brother for $10,000 per month?
A: To be Bobby Rush’s brother.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 2:01 pm
As usual, 47th Ward is right on the story!
Comment by The Historian Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Having “worked” with Bobby Rush’s family members on campaigns, there’s a reason why that word is in quotes.
Comment by 312 Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 3:51 pm
“Bobby Rush’s family goes on to work for the man their father endorses…. In other news, water is wet.”
Comment by The Muse Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 4:51 pm
“…and probably surprised by the amount of work they’re being asked to do.”
Naaaaa…. too easy to be snarky.
Comment by We'll See Wednesday, Oct 18, 17 @ 5:50 pm