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Maybe he’s not so holy

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In the last 30 days, Stephen Schuler became Biss’ second largest donor with a $250,000 donation in that period. Schuler is an interesting donor because his company Final Finish Inc. gave $5,000 to Gov. Bruce Rauner on Feb. 6 then gave $25,000 to Biss on Feb. 7. Schuler’s also donated to other Republicans, including the Republican National Committee, Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Given Biss’ positioning as the progressive in the race, we asked: what gives?

Here’s Biss campaign’s explanation, from spokesman Tom Elliott:

“There’s no conspiracy theory. Schuler personally gives to a lot of Dems. His company, Final Finish, is a medical marijuana group so it makes sense that they would give money to the Governor who controls the outcome of their industry in Illinois.”

I don’t really care too much about campaign contributions like that. And I checked around and was told the guy is not hatching some evil plan to back both Rauner and Biss. It was apparently a chance to have dinner with the governor and he took it. So I took a pass on the opportunity.

* But… did that really come out of the mouth of a Daniel Biss person? Hasn’t Biss said time after time that this is supposed to be “an election not an auction”? Yep.

And now his campaign is rationalizing a contribution as no big deal because it’s just Statehouse business as usual? Again, it is probably no big deal and I really hope that Schuler talked to Rauner about med-mar at the dinner because Rauner has been so darned awful on the issue. But this is the holier-than-absolutely-everyone progressive campaign we’re talking about here. SMH.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:08 am

Comments

Biss’s holier than thou attitude is wearing thin. Saying one is a “progressive” doesn’t make it so

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:12 am
I interpreted the quote to mean that Rauner shook down the contribution, but I sorta’ like Biss so maybe I read what I wanted to.

Comment by Not It Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:13 am
“Holier than thou”. Exactly. Since Sen Biss has been in office for a long enough time now, can someone point to any legislation he has worked on that was so progressive in nature? Im not concerned anymore w what he says. What has he done?

Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:14 am
Are we sure Biss “The Pension Thief, didn’t steal the money, and call it a contribution? He tried that with my retirement. He wanted to steal it and call it reform.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:14 am
Glad someone finally noticed. Biss asks, “is this an election or an auction” all the time. But he’s the one taking dozens of checks for $50,000 and more ($250,000 is currently the highest bid). He has every right to and I don’t blame him, but the sanctimony is a bit much.

Comment by Anon0091 Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:16 am
==* But… did that really come out of the mouth of a Daniel Biss person?==

I had to go back and check who was being quoted on this one. Wow, truthful, but wow.

Comment by Swift Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:18 am
This is the danger of positioning yourself as the grassroots/middle class/progressive candidate — campaign contributions that you a)probably need and b)would probably not even be noticed if they were given to other candidates can be used against you. It’s a problem of his own making, for sure.

That said, running from the left was always Biss’s only real shot, so that all comes with the territory.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:19 am
Did Me. Elliott admit that the Gov Office decides this issue and that it is natural that campaign “donations “ are actually payoffs???

I think he did. Great Comms. Director!!

Comment by Anon163 Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:21 am
Biss spokesman Tom Elliott: “His company, Final Finish, is a medical marijuana group so it makes sense that they would give money to the Governor who controls the outcome of their industry in Illinois.”

Sector 7G Organ-bank Homer Simpson: “Wait — did I say that out loud?”

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:22 am
Biss is a hypocrite who thinks the bar he’s set in this race applies to all but him.

Comment by Shytown Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:23 am
It is progressive elitist pietism
He got caught in his own
Perfidy

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:25 am
@low level
https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/101726/daniel-biss#.Wo7tu6jwbIU

From 2017 alone, sponsored and cosponsored –

Feb. 10, 2017 HB 3904 Requires Gender-Responsive Practices in Women’s Prisons, Co-sponsor

Feb. 10, 2017 SB 1933 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration, Sponsor

Feb. 9, 2017 SB 1657 Authorizes State Level Licenses for Gun Dealers Senate, Co-sponsor

Feb. 9, 2017 SB 1761 Prohibits “Gay Panic” Defense Senate, Co-sponsor

Feb. 1, 2017 HB 1785 Authorizes Birth Certificate Changes for Transgender People House Co-sponsor

Jan. 18, 2017 SB 81 Establishes New Minimum Wage Senate Co-sponsor

Jan. 11, 2017 HB 40 Amends Restrictions on Publicly Funded Abortions House Co-sponsor

Jan. 11, 2017 SB 31 Establishes the Illinois TRUST Act. Senate Co-sponsor

Please at least do a cursory google search before making comments like this. Yes, pension reform is a genuinely big deal, but it’s not like the guy has no progressive record.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:26 am
-Actual red Given Biss’s establishment credentials if he were to get elected, he would likely continue to run from the left and back to the arms of his wealthy North ashore base

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:28 am
—Here’s Biss campaign’s explanation, from spokesman Tom Elliott:
“There’s no conspiracy theory. Schuler personally gives to a lot of Dems. His company, Final Finish, is a medical marijuana group so it makes sense that they would give money to the Governor who controls the outcome of their industry in Illinois.”—

Well, Tom… campaign contributions is this reason why Biss supports legalizing cannabis? And has Cannabiss signs? Interesting that Biss recently became a co-sponsor of the cannabis/opioid bil.

Oh, those darn progressive candidates that call for transparency and then deflect when asked a question.

Comment by Sigh Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:29 am
From 2017… when he decided to run for Governor. Got it.

He “alone” sponsored HB 40? Please do us a favor and learn some background before posting comments like this.

Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:30 am
I want Biss to come in 3rd. His transaction tax idea is the worst and would destroy Chicago.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:34 am
And, actually- I do better than Google. I use the GA website. Here are the bills that Biss was primary sponsor of since 2017. Go to IL GA , then Biss, then click on “Bills was primary sponsor”. Not much there in terms of passage.

http://ilga.gov/senate/SenatorBills.asp?MemberID=2404&Primary=True

Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:34 am
**He “alone” sponsored HB 40? Please do us a favor and learn some background before posting comments like this.**

That’t a good point. Maybe someone can point out something similar to JB, who claims credit for passing HB40.

But Biss has passed a lot of very good progressive bills, including:
Ban on conversion therapy
Secure Choice Act
Public workers comp program (got vetoed by Rauner)
Equal Pay (got vetoed by Rauner)
Several good privacy bills
Small donor campaign finance bill
Student loan bill of rights
Carried interest loophole

Etc, etc, etc.

Comment by SaulGoodman Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:38 am
Hey Ron, care to explain why a transaction tax would “destroy” Chicago?

Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:46 am
This is a good illustration of the fundamental frustration of Biss. He’s been a perfectly normal legislator. He plays the game as he needs to, he votes his district, maybe he’s a little more willing to cut things than I’d be, but it’s a neighborhood play.

But he’s running as the guy casting the money-changers out of the temple, and that’s just not his record.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:53 am
For further reading on why a transaction tax is bad policy: https://www.ft.com/content/b9b40fee-9236-11e2-851f-00144feabdc0

Comment by TKMH Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:53 am
“But he’s running as the guy casting the money-changers out of the temple, and that’s just not his record.”

Bingo. This. Exactly.

Comment by Anon0091 Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:00 am
“I want Biss to come in third.” yes. his holier than thou attitude is not new. starting his career in politics his attitude towards some who had been involved long before…volunteers/staffers…was that he knows more. arrogance.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:01 am
Bissness as usual.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:03 am
So we have holier than thou Biss/ record mixed lets say. Pritzker? Donating to Democrats and progressive causes nationwide since before Biss ever thought about running for office. He’s criticized by Biss bros for being wealthy. Indeed he is. He could have sat on it but hasnt.

Anyone remember the Leadership 2000 conference he had in 1993? Or the DL21C group he started that gave young Dems interested in politics a way to get involved? But no.. according to Biss he’s no better than Trump or Rauner. Sorry Dan. Not going to fly.

Comment by low level Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:15 am
Great insight Rich. I nearly choked when I read the Biss’ spokesman’s response. Yikes.

Apparently making campaign donations to gain access to elected officials whose official actions may affect your business “makes sense” to the self-styled reformer candidate.

Agreed — there’s probably nothing here, and it’s all legal and part of how the system works. But it smacks of “pay-to-play” and crony capitalism. When the system works for Biss, I guess it’s OK. When it helps his opponents, not so much.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:27 am
Ron must be a hedge fund manager to think that s transaction tax would destroy Chicago. God that’s so funny.
The immense gated community privilege
Necessary to say that.
Your world would just come to an end would it?
Bless your golden heart

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:29 am
To expect Biss to reject contributions like this when he’s up against one candidate who has spent $60 million on his campaign and one who regularly contributes a quarter of a million to his own campaign is just absurd. Biss rightly criticizes the campaign finance system and points out his disadvantage under it. But he is trying to win a primary under that system. To turn down that money would be useless martyrdom.

Come on. This is the real world.

Comment by Frankly Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:40 am
==To expect Biss to reject contributions like this when he’s up against one candidate who has spent $60 million on his campaign and one who regularly contributes a quarter of a million to his own campaign is just absurd.==

That would hold up a little better if it hadn’t been for LIFT PAC last year.

Yes, it’s the real world, so maybe Biss should get real.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:45 am
TKMH - Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 10:53 am:
For further reading on why a transaction tax is bad policy: https://www.ft.com/content/b9b

So I have to pay to read one article in a webpaper that I will never read again?

Comment by downstate commissioer Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:47 am
Been saying for a very long time that Dan Biss is playing a role on a stage in the high school play. MGM served his purposes he was great with MJ and I am doesn’t is terrible. he’s a progressive with one group of Moderat with another. Nice to see some of his double play he’s a progressive with one group of moderate with another. He was wealthy growing up and hobnobbing with the elite but now he give up teachin and is a middle-class Joe.

Comment by The wind Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:57 am
–I want Biss to come in 3rd. His transaction tax idea is the worst and would destroy Chicago.–

Curious than that a Wall St./LaSalle St macher like Schuler — who made his fortune in high-frequency trading, literally thousands of trades a second — would drop $250K on Biss.

How many trades a second do you make, Ron? Not counting Pokemon cards?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:58 am
“To turn down that money would be useless martyrdom.”

Nobody is arguing that he should turn down the money. It’s not the money. It’s the sanctimony.

Comment by Anon0091 Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:59 am
==downstate commissioer - Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:47 am==

http://www.businessinsider.com/sweden-explains-why-a-european-financial-transaction-tax-wont-work-2011-9

Here is a link to an article with the same gist that isn’t hidden behind a paywall.

Comment by TKMH Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:02 pm
The exchanges would leave tomorrow with Biss’s transaction tax. Do you understand the number of jobs and $s they bring to Chicago?

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:03 pm
CME leaving is guaranteed with a FTT. I’m not a trader.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:08 pm
- downstate commissioer - Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 11:47 am:

The FInancial Times is literally the best business paper in the world.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Unaccustomed as I am to agreeing with Ron, he’s 100% right on the financial transactions tax. We don’t have pits anymore that you must participate in physically. They are mostly electronic but the jobs are still here largely as a vestige of the past. How long would they stay with this kind of tax. This is another one of those policies that sound great in theory but not so much in the real world.

Comment by Anon0091 Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:12 pm
–I’m not a trader.–

No kidding? You seem so well-informed on the industry.

And if you had followed Illinois politics for ten seconds, you’d know that any trading tax would be as dead as Dillinger the moment it was introduced. Those guys have Exelon/Edison clout.

I’m quite certain Biss knows that, too. So, maybe not so sincere on that proposal…..

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:17 pm
Come on, Rich. The “auction” thing is a dig at the billionaires in the race paying their own freight for the entire campaign. Totally fair. Your logic (and other commenters’) contributes to the notion that candidates in the Wild West that is Illinois campaign finance that your either riding into town with a Gatling gun or a pea shooter and nothing in between. I’m a J.B. supporter, BTW. What’s fair is fair.

Comment by Gimme A Break Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:21 pm
Have to say that I’ve definitely picked up on a pretty significant anti-Biss/pro-Pritzker bias from Rich over the past few weeks. Thought this blog was better than that.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:28 pm
==Curious than that a Wall St./LaSalle St macher like Schuler — who made his fortune in high-frequency trading, literally thousands of trades a second==

How many HF trades today? He’s not in that game anymore.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:31 pm
Anon; There are other blogs, why don’t you go find one. Insulting Mr. Miller is unseemly.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:33 pm
==Do you understand the number of jobs and $s they bring to Chicago?==

Ron, most folks here think the trading industry is just like the Duke’s from Trading Places. They have no idea or appreciation (probably the latter) of the massive IT footprint left by the trading industry. Thousands of well-paid and intelligent analysts, developers, network engineers, etc working in a non-stop innovation cycle and building a well-paid support structure around them. All contributing mightily to the state’s tax base.

Apparently, a FTT is worth risking all this…for those who do not value risk. If a FTT is to ever really work, it should be implemented at the national level, not local. But then, no one would support it because someone else would get the money.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:43 pm
Ironic that Schuler, who made his money as a high frequency stock trader at Getco, supports Mr. LaSalle Street tax. Anyone who thinks Biss is going to be some sort of ‘change agent’ is lying to themselves - he’s an career politician and an opportunist with a long, long, long list of speaking one way and voting another.

Comment by Anonymously Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 12:55 pm
“Have to say that I’ve definitely picked up on a pretty significant anti-Biss/pro-Pritzker bias from Rich over the past few weeks.”

There’s a striking disconnect between Biss’ campaign and his extensive record in Springfield. Biss has failed to acknowledge the gap between the two, much less to explain it. There is a similar conflict between the posture of Biss’ campaign and some of its actions. These inconsistencies are noteworthy.

And they are not the fault of Rich Miller.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 1:02 pm
–They are mostly electronic but the jobs are still here largely as a vestige of the past.–

There are very few jobs, and more are eliminated every day. Traders stay here for proximity to the pipes.

The thousands of support jobs that made the Board of Trade on LaSalle and the Merc on Wacker jump are long gone. So too, are the many great dive bars, take-out joints and vice-support services that used to serve them.

It was a blast while it lasted. But the loss of jobs had nothing to do with any government policies, but the inevitable march of technology that started when Leo started Globex.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 1:27 pm
–How many HF trades today? He’s not in that game anymore.–

Sorry, I didn’t know you were his business manager with intimate knowledge of all his financial dealings. Good work, is it?

For those who can’t pick up on a point without a two-by-four to the head, I don’t think a guy like Schuler would be into Biss for a quarter million if he thought a trading tax was a serious or viable proposal.

Maybe some of you missed it, but in the depths of the Great Recession the LaSalle Street crew got a one-off massive tax break when the state was bleeding revenue. That’s clout, and they’ve still got it.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 1:38 pm
–“Have to say that I’ve definitely picked up on a pretty significant anti-Biss/pro-Pritzker bias from Rich over the past few weeks.”–

Yeah, it’s been all sunshine and lollipops for Pritzker day after day at the ol’ Cap Fax.

Another victim heard from. Welcome to the NFL, rookie.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 1:49 pm
===sunshine and lollipops===

Hadn’t heard that in a while. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:12 pm
===pretty significant anti-Biss/pro-Pritzker bias===

When your campaign endorses pay to play, expect a call-out.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:13 pm
==From 2017 alone, sponsored and cosponsored== The word “alone” modifies 2017, not sponsored. That said, all but one of those were co-sponsored and it cherry-picks from the period after he declared himself a capital “P” Progressive.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:23 pm
I’m quite certain Biss knows that, too. So, maybe not so sincere on that proposal…..

Which makes Biss even worse.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:34 pm
Can’t wait to see Biss take third.

Comment by Ron Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:36 pm
I think team Biss thinks it’s okay because the money came AFTER they independently took a position on the issue. That being said, it’s a fair criticism and not the best comms response I’ve seen.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 2:40 pm
===sunshine and lollipops===

Hadn’t heard that in a while. lol–

A vagrant memory from a childhood on the farm, when the only media was what you could pick up from the antenna.

You watched and listened to what came in kinda clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQmBXEZEYtg

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 3:00 pm
Is Biss taking a page from Rauners playbook? Nope, Biss aint got no money.

Comment by Generic Drone Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 7:01 pm
Remember that Biss set aside his constituional oath to pursue the anti-worker agenda.

Comment by Faux Populi Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 7:10 pm
Rons not wrong…with the all electronic trading and the number of jobs already lost in the industry, giving the traders a good reason to leave not well thought out. The transaction tax is exactly that. Traders are gamblers and if someone wants to throw down I doubt they’ll be the first to blink.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Feb 23, 18 @ 2:50 am