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* Greg Hinz…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has put a hold on appearances by state officials at the City Club of Chicago, directing subordinates and agencies that report to him them not to participate in panels sponsored by the prominent public affairs group.
The order went out in recent days after news broke that federal agents last May had seized computer and paper records at the club’s downtown headquarters, including records of club President Jay Doherty, a lobbyist whose clients include Commonwealth Edison. The U.S. attorney’s office has issued two subpoenas to ComEd in actions linked to a federal probe of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Cicero, as well as other individuals close to House Speaker Michael Madigan. Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd CEO and most recently head of all utility operations for ComEd parent Exelon, retired suddenly earlier this month without explanation.
The first hint that Pritzker wanted to freeze relations with the club—a bipartisan group whose luncheon forums have included presidents, governors, mayors and other dignitaries—came earlier this week, when an appearance by Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jose Alvarez was abruptly cancelled.
The tollway declined to explain the move, but since then, a series of other state officials also have scrubbed upcoming appearances, including leaders of the Illinois State Police, Department of Transportation and Illinois State Board of Education and a top tech adviser to Pritzker.
There’s lots more, so go read the rest.
*** UPDATE *** Treasurer Michael Frerichs is scheduled to speak at the City Club next month. His spokesperson told me this afternoon that he plans to keep the engagement.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:06 pm
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If one of the legislative leaders gets hit with a search warrant (or already has), will Pritzker’s team stop meeting with them too?
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:18 pm
A lot of that going ’round these days.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:24 pm
This made me gasp. It’s the right thing, and I’m proud of him.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:25 pm
–“We think it’s probably our president” who is of interest.–
Well that seems like something they are able to fix. Like right now.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:36 pm
“Well that seems like something they are able to fix. Like right now.”
Exactly. Jay should step down ASAP. No reason to pull the City Club down with him.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:56 pm
- Three Dimensional Checkers -
We only know what’s being reported in the media. If JB knows more than what’s in the press reports , he operating with more facts than we are.
Comment by Steve Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:57 pm
I think this is the wrong thing to do. The City Club is a valuable civic organization. The State and the public benefit by having State leadership present and answer questions at the events. The events are recorded and available on the Internet so everyone in the state has access. As noted the organization is not being investigated, it is one member of its leadership team. And that member has not been charged with any wrong doing at this time. I find the administration’s actions to be pre-mature and overblown, with the potential of hurting a valuable civic organization.
Comment by City Guy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 12:59 pm
It’s the prudent move until some things are clear.
The question remains if things remain the same, today, will the City Club still exist?
They “seem” to be “fine” with how it’s rolling right now?
Haven’t heard of any changes or…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:00 pm
“Exactly. Jay should step down ASAP. No reason to pull the City Club down with him.”
The day after the story ran Jay showed up at CityClub as if it was business as usual. And ComEd had their usual table right up front - right next to Jay’s - with Marlow and the gang right there. Not sure he’s got much in the way of sensitivity to appearances.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:01 pm
If he won’t step down he should be removed, temporarily or permanently. They are supposed to have a board acting in the best interest of the organization, right? Well its existence is on the line, so…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:06 pm
I also think, because we have NO idea the scope and nature of why things are “going down” as they are, speculating how limited or guessing how broad this part of any investigation…
… it’s prudent to show distance.
I mean, how forthcoming as the City Club been?
Like… how did the public find out for one thing.
That’s a reason for pause alone.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:09 pm
“The City Club is a valuable civic organization.”
Was? Sure.
Is? We’ll see.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:10 pm
=== Treasurer Michael Frerichs is scheduled to speak at the City Club next month. His spokesperson told me this afternoon that he plans to keep the engagement.===
In typical Frerichs Fashion, it’s about Mike Frerichs and not about the big picture.
For a guy so tall, Mike Frerichs thinks small.
Oh… before it’s “What about Raoul?”…
Yeah, great visual, swooping in and sneaking out, no press questions about the event while there.
The only person more pleased than Frerichs that Frerichs is gonna speak is Raoul.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:27 pm
The Civic Club may be a Civic Organization but they are playing in a political world. The Governor did the right thing until more is known. Treasurer Frerichs should know better. Why deal with the questions as to why he decided to speak at a luncheon when a search warrant has been issued to the Club. We have no idea where this FBI deal will go or end.
Comment by Nagidam Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:27 pm
Also, Rich, I think I change my vote on your speech to No given the ham-handed way they are handling this.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:27 pm
Steve, it’s not about what Governor Pritzker knows. It’s about is he going to apply this logic to everyone who gets a search warrant. And, yeah, there could be a lot more search warrants coming.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:41 pm
Ed Mazur=doofus. Hinz obviously took advantage of a friendship to get these silly quotes.
Comment by Terry Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:42 pm
It is sad that JB cuts people out before there is any proof of wrongdoing. It is also hypocritical because he is currently under federal investigation himself and many people stuck with him.
Comment by Hypocrisy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 1:55 pm
JB’s looking at those poll numbers and not taking any chances. I dont know if it’s smart but it’s blatant.
Comment by Randomly Selected Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 2:00 pm
Why is the city club closed doors and only available to the power elite? Where is the regular guy in city club events?
Comment by Real Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 2:09 pm
===Why is the city club closed doors and only available to the power elite?===
LOL
Lots of retirees attend for a little lunch and some live entertainment. And it’s open to the public https://www.cityclub-chicago.org/membership
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 2:14 pm
Real - anyone can be a member of City Club for a lousy 50 bucks a year, and even non-members can attend events. It’s first come, first serve. Moreover, all City Club events are live streamed on their website.
Not everything is a conspiracy (except for the well-known and well-documented plan to raise taxes so much we all move to another state, which we all know is the ultimate goal of all Democratic politicians).
Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 2:35 pm
“It is also hypocritical because he is currently under federal investigation himself and many people stuck with him.”
He’s not.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 3:51 pm
Pension Holiday - Cite please? Show your work.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 4:08 pm
- Pension Holiday -
Promise me you won’t operate a motorized vehicle until you come down from the Mary Jane… for all our sakes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 25, 19 @ 4:32 pm