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* Kristen McQueary on JB Pritzker’s opposition to the private school tax credit program…
Pritzker can avail himself of school choice. So can Gov. Bruce Rauner, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and members of the Chicago City Council, many of whom send their own kids to private school or work the system to gain entry into elite CPS schools.
Pritzker knows this. His family has been deeply involved in the school choice movement involving charters for the same reasons. Not every kid fits in the box of public education. Parents need choices. They’re craving it.
Roughly 60,000 scholarship requests statewide have flowed into the program, which relaunched last month after high demand crashed the computer system the first time around. But private donations so far will cover only a fraction of those kids. Worse, Pritzker’s comments and a bill to eliminate the program have stalled efforts to raise money, organizers say. And for what? To flatter the teachers unions? To position Pritzker as far to the left as possible? […]
Again, let’s give Pritzker the benefit of the doubt. He didn’t know what he was saying. He doesn’t understand the program. It’s the only plausible explanation. Why? Because the other explanation is that a billionaire candidate for governor is willing to impose a lower education standard on poor families that he would never tolerate for his own. [Emphasis added]
Ouch.
As we discussed the other day, donors pledged $36 million on the first day of the program in early January and just $5 million since then.
* Meanwhile, from the Rauner campaign…
On Friday, JB Pritzker appeared on WJBC and criticized the property tax system as “regressive” and “not fair,” despite personally abusing the system to secure a $230,000 tax break. In doing so, Pritzker forced other residents who are unable to afford politically-connected lawyers to pay more in taxes to cover his reduction.
“Lowering the tax burden is the goal. By lowering the tax rate that they might pay on income taxes, and also, very important, lowering local property taxes, which are so regressive. The poorest neighborhoods and in middle class neighborhoods, people are paying higher rates of property taxes than people who live in wealthy neighborhoods, they’re paying lower rates. That’s just not fair.” - JB Pritzker on WJBC
Pritzker is hypocritically criticizing a system he took advantage of himself. This comes after months of Pritzker’s refusals to condemn Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, the man implicated in multiple independent reviews as having directed a corrupt property tax system that benefitted political insiders like Pritzker and Mike Madigan.
It’s “just not fair” that taxpayers are paying the price for JB Pritzker to benefit from a corrupt system while refusing to criticize Joe Berrios.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:06 am
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Facts and stuff really don’t matter to Hurricane Kristen. I guess that’s why she and Rauner are soulmates.
Comment by TominChicago Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:13 am
You can tell how flimsy that accusation is by the fact that Hurricane Kristen can’t put any actual names to it.
It was never a serious program, it was only put in place so that Rauner could save a little face after his ill-advised veto.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:17 am
And really, the fact that Hurricane Kristen believes that public schools, by definition, must be “a lower education standard” shows how out of touch she is.
But whatever. Tronc doesn’t pay her to *not* say whatever fool thing she thinks might help Rauner.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:22 am
Pritzker and the private school voucher donors he controls
Comment by Dee Lay Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:26 am
Oh - @StatehouseChick -, lol
If Pritzker, personally, is such a heavyweight in forcing the voucher fund to not meet its goals, then Pritzker’s sheer will will be enough to defeat Rauner, personally, with a comment or three, so powerful, that no one will be able to overcome them.
@StatehouseChick should just wish for a hurricane to…
Yeah, it’s a one trick joke, but @StatehouseChick is a one trick pony. Not surprisingly, her thought that Pritzker has such sway, such influence, such raw power of the words… @StatehouseChick hasn’t fully recovered from the hurricane, so we get from her the scraps left after, and they’re just… “Simple”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:27 am
Well, I wonder if the Governor, who so proudly touts the program has taken a tax credit and made a donation for scholarships? Has anyone even asked him, Griffin or Uline? Perhaps the short fall is with him and others like him not making donations?
Comment by Ed Equity Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:30 am
==It takes no money — zero — from the public school system==
Kristen might ask some poindexter to see what happens when (1) money diverted to the tax credit doesn’t find it’s way to the state coffers and (2) what happens after the two year hold harmless.
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:30 am
Shockingly, Katrina’s column makes no sense at all as she lamely limps along carrying Rauner’s water against Pritzker.
Why would someone’s comments prevent anyone from contributing to a fund and taking a tax credit this year? How is that connection made?
The tax credit law is on the books and is not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Who cares what anyone says about it? Cowboy up, contribute and take your tax credit.
Apparently, the market for a 75 cents tax credit per dollar contributed is saturated at $41 million.
Here’s a more relevant question: where are all the bigfoot supporters of parochial schools? Here’s your big chance; can’t find your wallets or something?
Not surprising.
Last year, Catholic Charities had revenues of $177.3 million.
Of that, $9.4 million came from charitable contributions. That’s 5.3%.
Government fees and grants provided $147.7 million. That’s 83.3%.
Many talk the talk, fewer walk the walk.
https://www.catholiccharities.net/Portals/0/Media/Publications/Annual%20Report/CC_2017AnnualReport.pdf?ver=2017-10-24-151743-883
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:32 am
==Kristen might ask some poindexter to see what happens when (1) money diverted to the tax credit doesn’t find it’s way to the state coffers and (2) what happens after the two year hold harmless.==
A: “A hurricane comes and fixes everything.”
Right?
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:33 am
On the property tax issue–don’t fall for any distraction which ignores that fact that 70% of property tax levies go to the local school district.
Understand that this is because the state does not make any attempt to respect the IL Constitution’s stated goal, “The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.” (Article 10)
I’m ready for the tax swap discussion, again. Maybe this time…
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:34 am
Try to follow the “logic” at work here:
In the first week of January, $36 million in contributions for tax credits were made. Since then, only $5 million.
Pritzker made his comments on the program last week.
How could Pritzker’s comments last week cause the lack of contribution in most of January and all of February and March?
The troncs don’t have a problem being dishonest or partisan. They’re just not very good at it.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:49 am
This is where your post fell off the rails…
=Try to follow the “logic” at work here:=
Hurricane McQueary does not function on logic. If she did, she would never write anything.
Of course your timeline is perfect, and your logic is spot on.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:57 am
@- cdog - Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 11:34 am:
On the property tax issue–don’t fall for any distraction which ignores that fact that 70% of property tax levies go to the local school district.
Understand that this is because the state does not make any attempt to respect the IL Constitution’s stated goal, “The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.” (Article 10)
I’m ready for the tax swap discussion, again. Maybe this time…
What is the percentage the state pays if the TRS money the state pays is counted in?
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:03 pm
“Because Pritzker” eh, Kristen??? Where’s Team Rauner??? Shouldn’t they be beatin’ the donation drum to finish fillin’ up the rest of the 75 mil??? I guess it’s just easier to be a victim than to actually govern. Rauner wanted this tax credit. He got it. So, is it only a political tool to use against Pritzker now? Seems like it was easy peasy to raise the 15 mil for the Mansion, but when it comes to other “fundraisers” like the State Fair Foundation or this program, once it’s passed and signed, that’s it. But I forget- focus, people, focus. /S
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:17 pm
How do the Tribbies explain to subscribers and advertisers the never ending purges of quality writers and the continued survival of Katrina?
Boggles the mind
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:26 pm
I don’t understand. How could it be Pritzker’s fault? I thought everything was Madigan’s fault.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:39 pm
Most of the premises in the Tribune article are correct. The political class does have the means to send their kids to private school, but those on the far left “carry water” to win favor with the union voting block, and would be happy to shut down the program.
Dupage, good question.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:42 pm
I get that this “school choice” program doesn’t directly take money away from public schools, but it does take money out of the pool where public school money comes from (I mean taxes here, not appropriations), so personally if it dies I would shed no tears. I think trying to improve public schools is a much better strategy than abandoning them and funneling even more public money to private companies. Getting back on topic, I personally really doubt that JB’s comments are the reason they haven’t maxed out on donations.
Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 12:50 pm
This cold and miserable Spring? Yep, that’s Pritzker’s fault too.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 1:07 pm
Maybe JB can put a stop to that silly park across from the Governor’s Mansion next. JB is already governing more than Rauner and he hasn’t even been elected yet.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 1:19 pm
Dear Ms. McQueary:
Please explain how Mr. Pritzker’s comments in April caused fundraising to stall in January.
The average scholarship awarded in Indiana was only $2000. How many “low-income” families does that sound like it will enable to attend private school?
We can’t wait for you to respond.
Who watches the watchmen?
Juvenal
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 1:40 pm
–Most of the premises in the Tribune article are correct. –
That comments made in April stopped people from applying for tax credits in January, February and March?
Why would comments from anyone keep you from applying for tax credits that are on the books in any case? Who cares? The money’s there — today — if you want it.
A case of great minds here.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 10, 18 @ 6:22 pm