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Pritzker can’t get away from toilet issue during press conference about Quincy

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Pritzker: So, let me be clear about this, we followed the rules.

Question: And the rules are to get a break when you can?

Pritzker: We followed the rules.

Question: What are the rules? What are the rules?

Pritzker: I can’t relay them to you, I’m not a real estate lawyer. What I can tell you is…

Question: There are rules that let you take the toilets out of your home?

Pritzker: We’re in the process of that paying that back. But the fact is, the reason we’re paying it, for the last 34 days of this campaign we should be talking about the real issues. The real issues…

Question: But why are you taking so long?

Pritzker: 14 people died. There are people who are seriously, negligence is causing…

Question: You’re deflecting, the question is about your home.

Pritzker: Negligence is causing, negligence is causing the the deaths of our veterans. That is what were here to talk about.

Question: People want to know, who would also love to have a property tax break, what are those rules?

Pritzker: I’m not a real estate lawyer, I couldn’t elaborate.

Question: You said that this is nothing new, that there was nothing new, and yet the inspector general’s report or presentation of the affidavit, the presentation of the inspector, there were things that were new in that, and there were things in there that alleged that your wife wanted the toilets pulled before the inspector.

Question: And you received a proactive tax break.

Pritzker: There were a lot of mistakes in that report, but let me…

Question: What are they?

Pritzker: We are talking today about a criminal probe…

Question: Talking about one for you as well.

Pritzker: Just like…but there isn’t one.

Pritzker: Bruce Rauner is now under investigation, with his administration, there is a criminal probe into that administration to see what it is that caused the deaths of these family members, truly criminal negligence is what seems to be at stake here.

Question: Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx is also reviewing whether or not laws have been broken in your property tax appeal. So there is also…

Question: A criminal investigation.

Pritzker: I’m pointing out there is a criminal probe into the Rauner administration.

Question: Well their office also says there is a review.

Pritzker: You should focus on the fact that people died here, the criminal probe could lead to, like we talked about in the Flint case, there are people who have been charged, there are people who have been, now even, involuntary manslaughter, this is very serious.

Question: Do you wish that you had not asked for that property tax break?

Pritzker: The veterans in Illinois, the veterans in Illinois, their lives are at stake when you have an administration that has ignored them, that has mistreated them, that does not understand how to care for them.

Question: Why does a billionaire need to rip out toilets to save $330,000?

Pritzker: Well, that was not obviously what happened. We renovated the home, renovated the home, I stopped that renovation, we restarted it, we paid the taxes that were assessed on that property.

Question: You took action to make the house look like it wasn’t worth as much, so you could take a cut, correct?

Pritzker: No. No.

Question: Then what was it? Then explain what it was? [crosstalk]

Pritzker: A renovation project.

Campaign: Final question, last question.

Question: Who rips out 5 toilets?

Pritzker: When you’re renovating, and literally gutting, when you’re renovating a home…look, let me remind all of you that this gradual situation that occurred at the Quincy veterans home…

Question: Wait a second, we’re talking about the house, why are you…

Priztker: Because we’re talking today about the Quincy veterans home and I want to remind you that gradual situation which could have been dealt with all along. Someone should have stood up for those veterans, someone in the Rauner administration. But they didn’t, and people died as a result. That’s the fact, those are the things that happened to the service men and women at the Quincy veterans home that Bruce Rauner should have stood up for and he didn’t and people died. It’s criminal.

Question: You told us last night at the debate that parts of the IG report are not accurate, can you tell us what’s not accurate?

Pritzker: I’ve said all along, I said this last night, that we followed the rules. And I’m telling you now what’s important to recognize is that this was a renovation project that literally didn’t know, and the reason it was halted was because as we said, we didn’t know whether the home would be sold, didn’t know whether the home would be rented out, the project was restarted.

Oof. Full audio is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 3:57 pm

Comments

JB, whoever is advising you on toilet-gate, fire them yesterday.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:07 pm
Brutal

Comment by west wing Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:08 pm
Total campaign malpractice by the Pritzker Crew.

Gross negligence to your own oppo.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:09 pm
As an Illinois Taxpayer, it will be far more expensive to pay out the settlements for the folks that died at Quincy than JB’s property tax refund.

Further, I have a hunch that there are a lot of properties that have similar issues as Pritzker’s and that the success of his petition is an indication of an incompetent administration of the tax.

No one had to approve a request, especially a request where apparently no one actually claimed how long the toilets were out of the home.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:10 pm
To his credit, that interview was 3 & 1/2 minutes longer than Rauner would have allowed in a question about just about anything that brings on those “Deer in headlights” look!

Couple of great choices, we get…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Pritzker’s not gonna get a break as governor. He better get some new deflection skills.

Comment by People Over Parties Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:12 pm
So…

Have ya paid the monies yet… or…

Y’all are spending $207,000 a day… every day…

Not ONE of you thought…

“We should get ahead if this toilet thing, let’s pay the tax and be done with it”

… in March?

April?

May?

June?

… September?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:14 pm
If Rauner weren’t such a horrible person and miserable failure as a governor, I would have a hard time voting for Pritzker. Since he is both of those things, JB it is.

Comment by Ole' Nelson Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:16 pm
Wow is that pathetically bad. He should be assessed a ten percentage point penalty for how bad that was.

Let me help JB, no charge even though you should be charged….

I have spent some time reflecting on the property tax issue and even if what we did was legal it was inappropriate for a person with my means to seek such a reduction. I have already signed a check for the taxes plus interest.

I will do better in the future.”

The far right and Rauner can hit him on that all they want, which he can then turn on them and say I take responsibility for my mistakes. Rauner does not.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:17 pm
–Question: Do you wish that you had not asked for that property tax break?–

Say “yes,” for crying out loud, “it’s been a distraction from the important message we’re trying to get across, and let’s face it, I don’t need the money.”

That would have ended it, right there.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:20 pm
Perhaps release a list of inaccuracies in the IG report and let the IG defend his report. Certainly I saw where the IG could have misinterpreted that one paragraph. However, I doubt the general voting public has the patience to weed through the report. They just read the fraud headline in the papers.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:22 pm
===Say “yes,” for crying out loud, “it’s been a distraction from the important message we’re trying to get across, and let’s face it, I don’t need the money.”

That would have ended it, right there.===

The malpractice continues…

The Pritzker Crew is incredibly gifted at messaging when they can plan and strategize.

The Pritzker Crew is terribly inept at their own oppo and handling hits after ignoring their own oppo.

Again, do y’all want to get ahead if this yet… or no?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:23 pm
Agree with Ole’ Nelson. This would normally sink a candidate a month before an election. But the fact is that this will have little impact, as Rauner has done nothing in 4 years.

Comment by Smalls Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:24 pm
This guy never had to solve a problem or think on his feet.

He just writes checks–and now gets to write another one for a cool 1/3 million bucks

Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:25 pm
–This guy never had to solve a problem or think on his feet.–

LOL, yeah, your guy has proven to be a real champ at both over the years.

He must have gotten that deer-in-the-headlights look from the one he helped over the fence.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:28 pm
In the other posting today in CapFax about the two press conferences, I watched the entire video that preceded the Q&A. Now, if I have to decide between a renovation/remodel and repayment of property taxes against the stop order on construction of the Chicago Veteran’s home and loss of millions of Federal matching dollars, I think JB is a much better choice than Rauner.

From Mark Brown’s Sun-Times column last year: “Records show the total project budget for the Veterans Home is $92.4 million, but I have doubts the agency can still bring it in at that cost.”

https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/brown-illinois-veterans-home-delays-construction-flaws-budget-impasse/

Rauner wants a distraction with the IG’s report. Fine, but the media shouldn’t let that overshadow the other much more serious issues facing the current IL administration.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:29 pm
===This would normally sink a candidate===

Did you just fall off the turnip truck?

Rod Blagojevich’s campaign treasurer was indicted by the feds like a week before election day. He won by 10 points.

Also, anyone remember 2016? Hello? Bueller?

This is standard Illinois. Rauner said Quinn was a crook in 2014, and Quinn was accusing Rauner of killing people in old folks homes.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:30 pm
The debate last night was a true embarrassment on both sides and today is no better.

Comment by Shelby Thomas Weems Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:34 pm
===This would normally sink a candidate===

Rauner is 20+ points under water, trailing between 16-22 points…

You *think* these things topple 18 points leads with an unpopular incumbent?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:36 pm
JB really needs to get better handlers. The Rauner crew would have popped out one more question far earlier.

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:36 pm
After reading him repeatedly get stuck and retreat to his talking points, I had visions of Dana Carvey as George H W Bush in my head… “To sum up. Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent. Persian Gulf.”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:47 pm
The actions of Rauner & Pritzker show why we need third party candidates included in the next debate. The people of IL deserve to hear from candidates that are listed on the ballot. The two major party candidates have failed us. We need change now

Comment by Tmac1991 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:47 pm
When all this is said and done, I would love to know if anyone long ago advised him to just pay up and resolve this issue. Was it bad advice, a stubborn candidate, or both?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:49 pm
–The actions of Rauner & Pritzker show why we need third party candidates included in the next debate. The people of IL deserve to hear from candidates that are listed on the ballot.–

Good point.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:50 pm
“One subject at a time, folks, we’re going to do Q&A on the Veterans’ Disaster first. Your other questions, we’ll take those afterwards”.

Of course, when Rauner does this, he then bolts before the reporters can ask the second topic questions. JB can’t show fear here, like Chris Kennedy did. He has to brazen it out. And I think he *could*, if he didn’t let the questioner control the framing of the question and interrupt the narrative.

“The building WAS unusable because of entire floors and stairs that were undergoing a re-build. The definition of if the building is habitable or not includes if it has running water and fixtures. The bathrooms were going to be renovated anyway, and by taking out the toilets, along with the stairs and floors being worked on, we were in compliance with the definition of the property not being usable to live in. When that’s the case, the assessment goes down, because nobody can use the house while it’s in that condition. Not me. Not anybody. We played by the rules, like everybody else, and yes, we saved some money thru that strategy. When the house is fully rehabbed, I imagine the revised assessment is more than going to make up for what I saved during the time when it was un-usable. And that’s fair.”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:52 pm
Anybody really think Rauner is behind 16-22 points?

He won’t win but it won’t be a blowout.

Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:53 pm
===Anybody really think Rauner is behind 16-22 points?===

Polling says otherwise…

But, per usual… with stats, or professionals, or others who are involved…

“You know”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:55 pm
Milkshake on that Willy?

10 or under I win.

Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:58 pm
Who was the reporter at the beginning–good, tough questioning. I wish all reporters would be that tough on Rauner, Trump, other candidates.

Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:00 pm
===Milkshake on that===

Nope.

The issue right now is you don’t believe the polling.

That’s it.

For us here… “This is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, no wagering.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:00 pm
===JB really needs to get better handlers.===

Illinois is a strange place for Democratic politics. One could hire the best for political organizing skills, and JB certainly has some of those, but when you start to examine details you’ll see some of the same familiar faces behind the effort.

Not bad or malicious folks by any means, but folks that got their start with Obama or the OFA and it stunted their growth in terms of how to message or how to respond.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:05 pm
Anybody really think Rauner is behind 16-22 points?

It ought to be more like 60 points.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:06 pm
Love our new plutocracy.

Comment by Evanstonian Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:08 pm
“I can’t believe I’m losin’ to this guy”

- Jon Lovitz as Bruce Rauner

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:14 pm
Rauner claimed a homestead exemption on several of his properties at the same time, clearly against the law which says you can only claim one at a time.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:20 pm
Another day goes by…

If this hasn’t been paid, “with receipts” by now… expect more ambush issues like this.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:21 pm
===Rauner claimed a homestead exemption on several of his properties at the same time, clearly against the law which says you can only claim one at a time.===

That’s nice, but this is better…

“Rauner claimed homeowner exemption in Winnetka, his residence, while having a denied, then clouted daughter attend Chicago’s Payton Prep.

How can you have your homeowner exemption be in Winnetka, then say you are residents in Chicago to clout your denied daughter into Payton Prep?”

The malpractice going on is mind-boggling.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:27 pm
Take the over.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:44 pm
The reporter seems like a one trick pony. Did he have no other questions he could have asked? It was obvious that was topic that wasn’t going to be discussed. So you beat the horse, then you beat the horse, then… I would think that was the last interview to be granted to that reporter.

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:58 pm
===I would think that was the last interview to be granted to that reporter.===

I hope not.

It’s not the reporter’s fault Pritzker isn’t prepared.

We can’t choose to have tough reporters asking tough questions, then have the pols decide who can get access.

Respectfully.

No. Pritzker needs to get this behind him.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:03 pm
Good lord, hasn’t JB ever heard the useful phrase “Mistakes were made.”? The very idea that he (and possibly his staff) thought they could go in and control the subject matter of this “press conference” to only the subject that *he* wanted to discuss is insanity.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:04 pm
His candidacy has been full of sidestepping answers to some of Illinois problems. In this case, it was one of his own.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:04 pm
–When all this is said and done, I would love to know if anyone long ago advised him to just pay up and resolve this issue.–

I imagine his peeps read this blog. That advice has been on here for many months.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:08 pm
While this was indeed brutal, I will give Pritzker credit for sticking around. Rauner would have done his double-time walk away before the first question was halfway done.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:43 pm
=== - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:00 pm:

===Milkshake on that===

Nope. ===

LOL. He remembers how badly he misjudged in 2014. Not even a milkshake?

Comment by Cadillac Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 7:50 pm
===He remembers how badly he misjudged in 2014. Not even a milkshake?===

I thought Quinn would win.

I wrote all about it. Congratulated Z and Company too.

Long comment too.

Rich asked for predictions. I made one. I was wrong.

I don’t remember gambling… with anyone, why start with - Pick A Name -?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 7:55 pm
We are eagerly awaiting your prediction…. for funsies. Won’t hold you to a milkshake.

Comment by Cadillac Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:00 pm
- Cadillac -

I went back to find my own … mea culpa…

Wow. Lots there. Whew. What a difference 4 years make. Lots of water under the bridge…

===- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 12:41 am

Dear Rauner Crew,

I was wrong.

With a great deal of humility, and with no reservation or conditions, your deft skill at understanding what you were trying to accomplish and to do that, with technology, shoe leather, and a strong understanding of how Illinois as a battleground would react to your exceptional… exceptional… ground game tactics and dedication, you proved me wrong, embarrassingly wrong, and made the point loud and clear that your cake can bake, it was delicious for your Principle, and for me, it is baked with a double helping of crow, unconditionally.

Governor-Elect Rauner,

Congratulations on being elected the 42nd governor of our state. I wish you the sincere best wishes as you take the oath in January to lead Illinois for the next four years.

The challenges will be many, and I know your heart and love for this state will guide you in your job as our Executive in government.

Had your opponent won, I would have written this next paragraph the same as I write to you;

I did not vote for you, and I didn’t vote for your opponent either. I left it up to you to convince others as your road to victory. While you didn’t earn my vote, you earned my respect as our elected governor, and while there will be times I disagree, I look forward to the times I can follow your lead to make a better Illinois for us all.

Campaigning is hard, but governing is difficult. Many things will not be easy. Leaders I respect most are the ones I disagree with, but I know that the place they come from in the decisions they make for us all have our best interests at heart, even if getting where you lead may not be my first choice.

As you prepare your new administration, keep close to your heart your words you ran on, and if you keep Illinois as your constant concern, you will not fail, but succeed in leading from your leadership, not the title that allows it.

Congratulations, and congratulations to you and your campaign Crew and the thousands of volunteers that made your win possible.

It was a huge effort, led by you Governor-Elect Rauner, with leadership and teamwork.

Governing has the attributes too, and I look forward to that success story too.

With respect,

OW===

Wow.

Looking back…

I feel bad for you - Cadillac -… you always learn more being wrong. I know I do. I learn by failing and being critiqued all the time. So… for funsies… maybe I’ll learn again in November.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:10 pm
Toilets? Pritzker is so rich, he uses disposable toilets. On he uses them, he just tosses them out.

Comment by Generic Drone Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:35 pm
Well that was painful to listen to. I almost felt sorry for JB, but that passed pretty quickly.

Those two asking the questions were like dogs on a bone. They smelled JB’s blood and they wanted it bad. He sounded flustered.

It changes nothing in terms of the election, but JB better get it together. When he takes office there won’t be any relief. The scheme to defraud will be hanging around his neck now. There really isn’t an answer to make it go away. When you go on record saying the wealthy need to pay their fair share, you can’t scheme to defraud on your own taxes.

And please, Rauner isn’t my guy. I didn’t vote for him and I’ve said he didn’t earn a second term.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:22 pm
JB is far behind the curve. Common sense should have told him to just pay and move on months ago. Instead it is left to hang over him. Rauner kept digging a hole after Quincy, and tried to say the hole wasn’t a hole and that everything was fine.

JBs performance on his toilet issue leads me to believe he is as incompetent as Rauner. Except JBs toilets didn’t kill people. But will his actions kill people as Governor when faced with decisions after the next calamity strikes our State?

Anyone running not incompetent?

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:14 pm
There was a time when scandals were scandals.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-09-23-9609230190-story,amp.html

Comment by Mike K Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 5:15 am
The governor will cost the Illinois 7 billion in interest, millions in malpractice wins, a poor kid lost a spot in a public school - the loss then priceless, the cost of turnover in the state agencies because of his dislike of the workers/unipns in the millions, the cost of unless legal battles when the decisions was/were decided over and over again millions. Ask how the taxpayers feel about these?

Comment by Annoyance Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 7:56 am
This is all Rauner has? What a joke. How about progressive policies that help people in our state? Republicans need to get a clue.

Comment by Illinois Rauner Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 8:31 am
==Question: Who rips out 5 toilets?==

“Rips”

I find it odd that this verb is used to describe removing a toilet. As anyone who has ever removed a toilet knows you crouch underneath the toilet and remove the nuts off the bolts. There is nothing about removing toilets that involves ripping. When did this verb first occur, in a Rauner ad? My 4 year old will mimic phrases, which is appropriate for her age. It’s weird when adults do it.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:49 pm