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* Hmm…
Speaker Madigan receives nearly $768K from the AFSCME Illinois Council 31 PAC, which had previously only contributed a total of $163K to the Chicago Democrat. #twill https://t.co/Kh2L43T7AL
— ILCampaign (@ILCampaign) September 24, 2018
That is the largest single contribution AFSCME has ever made, according to a search of the State Board of Elections’ website.
I’m so old I remember when AFSCME, the IFT and the IEA were boycotting Madigan’s campaign fund, which forced him to turn to Bruce Rauner and Stand for Children Illinois for fundraising help.
And yet, here we are.
* Speaking of Rauner, here’s Pearson…
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s fundraising has shown a precipitous drop in big-dollar donations this month and in the current quarter compared to four years ago.
In his 2014 initial bid for governor, Rauner reported raising $10.5 million in contributions of $1,000 or more, not counting the $4.5 million he also gave himself, from July 1 to Sept. 21. For the comparable time period this quarter, state campaign finance reports show the GOP governor raising about $1.9 million.
Also this year, Rauner raised six-figure donations each week last month, including in two weeks in which he raised more than $400,000. But by September, the big-dollar checks had fallen to five-figures a week — $39,000 for the first week of September, $44,848 in the second week and $55,789 in the third. In contrast to Rauner’s $139,637 September total, Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker has raised $542,991 — aimed at the Democrats’ “Blue Wave” operation to assist down-ballot contests.
* Rauner’s weekly fundraising totals since the quarter began July 1st…
7/6: $25k
7/13: $72K
7/20: $59K
7/27: $113K
8/3: $412K
8/10: $414K
8/17: $236K
8/24: $287K
8/31: $166K
9/7: $39K
9/14: $45K
9/21: $56K
* By the way, the latest JB Pritzker A-1 was heavy with California contributors, including Phil Hellmuth, a champion poker player and author. Pritzker has a brother out there and the dude’s house has its own Wikipedia page. These Pritzkers don’t mess around when it comes to their homes.
…Adding… Bloomberg politics/data/campaign finance reporter…
As of now (and this will change), @JBPritzker has media buys in place for $2 million between now and election. For @BruceRauner , it's $1.6 million. No outside groups with future buys currently in place.
— John McCormick (@McCormickJohn) September 25, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:16 am
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One of the big selling points that got Pritzker all the union endorsements in the primary was that since he could self-fund, the unions would be able to focus their resources on the General Assembly instead of the Governor’s race.
If Biss or Kennedy were the nominee, that AFSCME money would be going to them because beating Rauner is the top priority
Comment by Grand Avenue Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:19 am
= the latest JB Pritzker A-1 was heavy with California contributors, including Phil Hellmuth =
What interest does Phil Hellmuth have in Illinois’ election? Is he hoping that Pritzker will legalize more gambling in this state?
Comment by cover Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:20 am
And how much of that is Fair Share fees? Oh, wait…nevermind.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:23 am
== I remember when AFSCME, the IFT and the IEA were boycotting Madigan’s campaign fund, which forced him to turn to Bruce Rauner and Stand for Children Illinois for fundraising help. ==
Rauner’s first and arguably biggest political mistake: not cutting a deal with Madigan to split labor between the trades and government unions. He had to have it all — crush labor in its entirety. A short-sighted and stubborn ideologue.
Comment by Roman Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:26 am
===I’m so old I remember when AFSCME, the IFT and the IEA were boycotting Madigan’s campaign fund, which forced him to turn to Bruce Rauner and Stand for Children Illinois for fundraising help.===
Rauner coulda worked in moderation with Madigan against parts of labor.
Rauner chose to try to destroy all of labor.
Labor needed an ally, Madigan obliged.
To “California”…
The real estate out in California, you look around, talk to locals, you have folks making well over 6-figures… living with 3-4 roommates… in areas you might find “sketchy”, but the dollar in real estate is high end.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:28 am
Can anyone outline AFSCME’s expected Return on Investment on the $768K invested with Madigan?
Comment by Occam Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:29 am
Rank and file Afscme members hated Madigan for the longest time. He’s the one that caused the back pay issue 7 yrs ago when he refused to put our raises in an appropriation budget. This is probably pay back to him for finally putting them in this year so we could be paid. 3 YRS AFTER I RETIRED!
Comment by Milkman Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:31 am
Perfidy
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:32 am
So Madigan’s committees have reported raising around $5 million since last week and Rauner raised 56K?
Comment by The Real Captain Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:32 am
AFSCME will probably do very well in the next session.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:35 am
–Can anyone outline AFSCME’s expected Return on Investment on the $768K invested with Madigan?–
No Rauner.
Rauner’s greatest accomplishment have been uniting factions within the Democratic Party plus private sector and public sector unions.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:35 am
So much for all of you who routinely refute the money cabal between public unions and Dems. No wonder our taxes are so high here
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:36 am
===Can anyone outline AFSCME’s expected Return on Investment on the $768K invested with Madigan?===
Survival. And maybe a contract too.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:37 am
Bruce Rauner contributions: $112,999,619.00
AFSCME contribution per member: $10.24
Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:40 am
Sue, Rauner dropped 20 million on the House Republicans. That’s 25 times what AFSCME just contributed.
I’ll call your money cabal and raise you a destroyed political party.
Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:42 am
== the latest JB Pritzker A-1 was heavy with California contributors==
Including the Superintendent of LAUSD whose teachers are poised to go on strike.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:42 am
Rich, let’s not forget that Cullerton was pushing a pension reform plan that included “consideration,” and Madigan was of the legal opinion consideration that coerced employees out of their current benefits would not pass muster.
AFSCME wants a Democratic super-majority to create a Democratic map and put a graduated income tax on the ballot. They have no friends left in the GOP, none.
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:46 am
After Rauner did his utmost to “protect”’ my free speech rights that were being “violated”, I reupped my membership in AFSCME PEOPLE (the pac)
My extra $8.00 / check isn’t much to counter Ruiner and his billionaire junk business friends but its the only way to fight back.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:48 am
AFSCME’s contribution will be blood in the water and will cause a feeding frenzy for all the far-right I’ve-got-mine-and-I’m-coming-after-yours groups…but…I guess if the war is on you gotta fight with all you have.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:50 am
===What interest does Phil Hellmuth have in Illinois’ election?===
A wise investment; perhaps he has taken a lot of Pritzker brother’s money at the poker table and wants him to keep coming back.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:52 am
Hope you guys checked out the Pritzker Estate. That place is insane.
Comment by BuckinIrish Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:54 am
–AFSCME’s contribution will be blood in the water and will cause a feeding frenzy for all the far-right I’ve-got-mine-and-I’m-coming-after-yours groups…–
They’re kind of busy turnin’ on Rauner right now.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:54 am
Sue, your hyperpartisanship makes your comments/assertions look silly, as Don the Legend just established. And I’m neither bashing you nor am I “anti-Sue.” At times, I agree with you, while other times I don’t.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:54 am
I guess the Janus decision hasn’t hurt AFSCME financially.
Comment by Nanker Phelge Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:55 am
As they say here in East St Louis
“We ain’t playin’ ”
City Zen, explain how are actions are perfidy
We aim to absolutely destroy
All those who have waged open war on us
Not a bit of perfidy there
Open, naked hatred and malice
Rauner is the one in the name of
Pro business
Reform
Free market
Destroyed the state in order to kill labor
That is perfidy
You wanna dance for a bit today cupcake?
I’m feelin strong
AFSCME Strong
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:56 am
Our not are—sorry
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 10:58 am
==We aim to absolutely destroy
All those who have waged open war on us==
You’re succeeding. From Illinois taxpayers.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:03 am
“The property hosted a political party for Mitt Romney in 2012 and a Cirque de Soleil performance in 2014.”
Comment by JSI Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:08 am
They are certainly getting their money’s worth
No reform for pensions the Speaker admits are unsustainable
No work rule reforms, overtime after 37.5 hours continues
No “reasonable and moderate” reforms for businesses that are growing union jobs faster in our neighboring states than in Illinois
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:10 am
===No reform for pensions the Speaker admits are unsustainable
No work rule reforms, overtime after 37.5 hours continues
No “reasonable and moderate” reforms for businesses that are growing union jobs faster in our neighboring states than in Illinois===
Thanks for listing more Rauner failures.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:14 am
Aren’t these failures more on the coequal, supermajority Democratic legislature that has had a stranglehold on Illinois politics for decades?
Of course not, everything was ship shape until 3 1/2 years ago
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:18 am
I checked out that home on the web
Funniest thing it has no toilets
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:19 am
==No reform for pensions ==
You cannot “reform” them as you would like. I don’t know how much more crystal clear the Supreme Court has to be. Tier II was the reform. They included a modest “reform” in the latest budget.
And you seem to forget that the Speaker pushed through the Tier II reform and AFSCME was none too happy about it so don’t give me this bull story that he is somehow in their pocket when it comes to pensions. The facts don’t line up with your assertions.
==No “reasonable and moderate” reforms for businesses==
You mean like his union busting proposals. Those “reasonable and moderate” proposals.
You are really a horrible advisor. You’re the one that I believe advised the Governor to keep doing what he is doing. How’s that worked out for 4 years? I think you just like to whine and aren’t interested in the actual job of governing.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:29 am
Lucky, allow me to respectfully submit that pension reform…Tier II…has happened; Tier II represents a significant reduction in benefits.
The pension problem resulted from years of kicking the can down the road by the GA….they simply did not pay into the pension the way they agreed to, while the employees, indeed, did pay into it as they agreed.
The IL Supreme Court has, in effect, established that this problem needs to be rectified by the State, rather than the workers who did not cause the problem.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:32 am
==refute the money cabal between public unions and Dems. No wonder our taxes are so high here==
lol. As if the business community isn’t aligned with Republicans. Organizations support who support their interests. But your hyperpartisan self doesn’t understand that.
And to suggest he unions are the reason for high taxes is absolute nonsense. That’s just your rabid anti-public employee garbage.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:32 am
==You wanna dance for a bit today cupcake?==
Sure. May I remove your straitjacket first?
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:33 am
==No reforms for pensions the speaker admits are unsustainable==
Lucky Pierre, see the Tier 2 pension system, and the SCOIL ruling concerning pensions.
I’m not a fan of Michael Madigan, but as a member of AFSCME, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Without regard to how much it will cost taxpayers, Rauner declared war on my union. He hasn’t given a flip about state spending, he just doesn’t want to pay for it. We’ve been in court with the state Rauner’s entire term, and he’s lost virtually every battle, that is again at taxpayer expense. When Quinn was governor, Madigan was no friend of ours. But right now, as I said before, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Comment by Hottot Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:34 am
Anonymous 11:03
Afscme’s are taxpayers
We are waging war on
Republicans who abandoned labor
To get in bed with Rauner
How’s that working out now
We are waging war on the
Captains of corporate welfare
Who Have purchased the Republican Party
And deceived working folk with perfidy
How’s that working for you now?
Afscme PEOPLE
Public
Employees
Organized to
Promote
Legislative
Equality
Thousands of frontline afscme’s
Regular folk
Giving $4.20 cents out of each paycheck
To stop Rauner
To stop Raunerites
To stop Republicans who sold their souls
To a free market sociopa–
Conservatives, true conservatives
Should repent
And restore their once proud house
Afscme endorsed Several Republicans in the primary
We didn’t reject them
Most republicans rejected labor
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:35 am
No reform for pensions the Speaker admits are unsustainable.
Try telling that to an Illinois teacher hired after 2011, Lucky. Tier II has reformed teachers pensions into a system that is possibly less generous than social security and sctually saves the state money. Your repeated talking points are worn out. Will you be accompanying the Rauner’s to Italy after the election?
Comment by Ole' Nelson Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:42 am
Straitjacket- that’s good
Yes, crazy for labor
Yes, I’m crazy for the working person
I fight like a crazed berserker for regular folk
You fight for the privileged
You fight for the moneyed
You fight for the individually powerful
We combine $4.20 cent contributions
To put forth 768k
Yeah, I’m crazy about that
We get thousands of volunteers
To knock on doors to canvas
Yeah, I’m crazy about that
Truth is
I’m so on fire with rage and purpose
You’re gonna need more than
A straitjacket
To restrain me
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:44 am
Is Senator Cullerton’s pension reform that passed the supermajority Democratic Senate in May of 2017 and has not been voted on in the House a “Raunerite bill”?
Of course not and the Supreme Court does not offer opinions on the constitutionally of bills that have not become law.
How can all reforms for business be “union busting”?
Wisconsin is growing union jobs much faster than Illinois is.
I am not an “advisor” to anyone. Who is the genius who has been advising Democrats on fiscal issues for the the past 40 years?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 11:44 am
Honeybear, are you comfortable with people posting your opinions and verbatim comments on social media as a representative of labor?
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Is Senator Cullerton’s pension reform that passed the supermajority Democratic Senate in May of 2017 and has not been voted on in the House a “Raunerite bill”?
That is not pension reform, that is pension theft. But then again, I think that is what you are really after.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:18 pm
===Is Senator Cullerton’s pension reform that passed the supermajority Democratic Senate in May of 2017 and has not been voted on in the House a “Raunerite bill”?===
For the 9,784th time.
There aren’t 71 votes, there aren’t 60 votes in the House.
Rauner could’ve embarrassed Madigan with the votes “on the stairs”, Rauner in front of them, with podium and microphones at the ready.
Why didn’t Rauner do that?
===How can all reforms for business be “union busting”?===
All reforms Madigan passed that Rauner wanted, less the labor hurts, were called “sham votes”… but you already know that, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:21 pm
LP, false on Wisconsin having more union jobs. U of I study shows there are 165,000 fewer union jobs in Wisconsin now from a decade ago. Next?
Comment by Fixer Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:28 pm
==the Supreme Court does not offer opinions on the constitutionally of bills that have not become law.==
They provided clear guidance in their ruling. Some of you have reading comprehension difficulties however. I’m not going to try and explain it here again as it has been explained multiple times. You choose to remain tone deaf.
==I am not an “advisor” to anyone==
I was speaking about a post several days ago that asked what advice we would give the Governor. You’re advice appeared to be keep doing what you’re doing Governor. Great advice.
You have got to either be: a paid propagandist or a computer program. No other explanation explains your ridiculousness
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:36 pm
That Pritzker Estate tho. The GUEST HOUSE is 3300 square feet. Not shabby.
Comment by Tony Kendall Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:39 pm
Madigan and AFSCME were estranged for many years.
Rauner brought them back together.
Perhaps Bruce should start a career in couples’s counseling after he gets drubbed in November.
Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 12:56 pm
Responses- very proper of you to ask. Folks will post whatever they will. I have no control over it. But I am no representative of Labor in the leadership sense. I hold no title other than member and Steward. I am not leadership. I am Labor itself, the frontline worker. That’s who I fight for and advocate for.
The greatest compliment I’ve ever gotten was from OW
“People, first, last and always”
But thanks for asking.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 1:00 pm
Madigan helped stop Rauner’s anti-union agenda and stepped up for the union arbitration bills. He said it correctly, that Rauner’s operating in the extreme. In these respects, and at this time, Madigan is a good union ally.
The irony with Madigan is that Rauner likely caused more per-capita debt and damage than any one politician in state history. Where do Rauner supporters get off criticizing Madigan when their guy is terrible like this? If Republicans didn’t help stop the impasse and pass new revenue with veto overrides, the state would likely be in junk status. Rauner would not have stopped the impasse, if the AFSCME contract dispute is any indicator.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 1:36 pm
AFSCME just protecting turf. Dem’s feed the big government machine with tax payments…dues flow to union. AFSCME then returns the favor with campaign cash and foot soldiers to MJM. Of course it comes out of the PAC not general fund so there is that.
Comment by Texas Red Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Madigan has been one of the main reasons Rauner’s turnaround agenda and anti-union agenda did not go anywhere. It makes sense for unions to support Madigan. No real news there.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 1:47 pm
I hope everyone understands that JB should and will negotiate state union contracts in a manner fitting the private sector. I have learned that sometimes these folks are tougher than those you might think are on the other side. Time will tell, but I think JB is going to be a bear.
Comment by blue dog dem Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 1:58 pm
Looks like we can count on JB lifting Rauner’s step freeze if it was ever in doubt.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 2:21 pm
I hope everyone understands that JB should and will negotiate state union contracts in a manner fitting the private sector.
JB’s platform is clear, he will be extremely generous with taxpayer money to Democratic special interest groups
JB’s business record is also crystal clear. He is stingy with his own money and the companies he owns have had frequent labor disputes.
How do you think he got to be so rich?
Certainly not by having generous profit sharing with his employees
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 2:42 pm
LP you’re correct. JB will be tough to negotiate with.
I’m cool with that.
Negotiating in good faith should be tough
But Rauner refused to negotiate
Declaring impasse
We are not at impasse
To quote the late judge Lachien
“You are (Rauner) 180 degrees from good faith bargaining”
We just want management to wrestle fairly
Not working tirelessly for our utter destruction
I welcome good faith negotiation
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 2:51 pm
Ummm Texas Red, tax payments and union dues are two totally different things. Aren’t union dues free speech now? You wouldn’t restrict my free speech right? But all joking aside
Apples and orange fighter jets
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 2:57 pm
There’s no reason whatsoever for state workers to agree to Rauner’s big cuts when he makes tens to hundreds of millions of dollars a year, is taxed at 4.95% and fights like heck to not pay a progressive income tax. None, as in zero.
Rauner thought state workers were masochistic saps, willing to stick their heads out and be whacked by multimillionaires, billionaires and the IPI, as if it was their duty before monarchs. I can see why he wears costumes.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Sep 25, 18 @ 4:43 pm
If they have that much of their members money to waste on a political contribution to anyone they don’t need a raise, they need a pay cut.
Comment by Casey Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 7:07 am
Money well spent to rid this state of Rauner and his ilk.
Comment by Guess again Wednesday, Sep 26, 18 @ 4:35 pm