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* ABC 7…
When former state senator Martin Sandoval pleaded guilty to bribery charges, and named the red light camera company Safespeed as the source of the dirty money, he caused aftershocks across the political landscape in Illinois.
ABC 7 confronted House Republican Leader Jim Durkin about the $7,500 he’d received from Safespeed.
“I don’t want that money, it will be sent off to a charity in my area, and we will be doing that very soon,” Durkin said. “But in hindsight you don’t know, you expect that people are going to play within the rules, and acting a lawful manner, but I will not accept that tainted money.”
In January 2018, Safespeed made a $5,000 donation to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
Raoul said on Thursday, “I haven’t decided what charity yet, but it is my intent to donate the contribution to charity.”
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was evasive on her plans for the $7,500 she’s received from Safespeed.
Go read the rest for Preckwinkle’s answer.
Click here to see all campaign contributions from the company, which should probably start laying low.
…Adding… Leader Durkin’s spokesperson said his committee mailed two checks before the State of the State address to Special Olympics Illinois and The Home 2 Home Project.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 9:41 am
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Safespeed sure has a broad interest in supporting good government.
Comment by don the legend Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 9:47 am
How about contributions from Nikki Zollar while she was CEO of SafeSpeed?
Comment by City Zen Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 9:47 am
=”Well the first thing that I want to say is these allegations of public corruption are really disturbing to me,” Preckwinkle said.=
Somebody might want to let Toni know that we’ve gone beyond the allegation stage at this point. This is now admitted corruption. For such a small business SafeSpeed sure writes a lot of checks.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:02 am
“Somebody might want to let Toni know that we’ve gone beyond the allegation stage at this point. This is now admitted corruption. ”
Maybe she shouldn’t be kneecapping her ethics board at the same time…
Comment by Chris Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:06 am
Why not send the $$$ to the State of Illinois?
Comment by JudgeDavidDavis Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:07 am
The more money SafeSpeed spread around, the more folks will be parsing what the monies meant to whom.
This is why I have a real problem with the partisan bend folks want and push on things.
It’s crystal clear, even beyond the plea when you read the transcripts, Sandoval had monies he felt were, and they were, illegal bribes.
A blanket statement that *any* monies are the same or similar is unfair and dishonest to the work by the FBI.
So hopefully we’ll see if the partisan chirping and the partisan splitting of hairs begins. At some point, it’s about bad apples no matter the party, that should be the goal, to find corruption, and let the facts guide the way.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:10 am
Maybe it’s a good time for another LSSI fundraiser. “Turn your tainted SafeSpeed contributions into boosting the safety net for the most vulnerable.” You’ll come up with a better tagline.
Comment by Horseshoe Voter Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:12 am
Pay the outstanding fines from safespeed
Comment by Rabid Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:12 am
I really don’t understand Toni Preckwinkle sometimes. Seems like a no-brainer to me to donate the money somewhere.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:12 am
There’s certainly no reason to believe that all of these contributions were bribes or dirty in any way. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable to infer that that the company is. If you don’t return or otherwise rid yourself of the money you are implicitly saying that SafeSpeed’s operation is above board.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:27 am
Toni Preckwinkle knows what her relationship is with Jeff Tobolski. Maybe she’s wise to keep her mouth shut?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:27 am
Donate it to the the Former Mayors Now Private Citizen Police Protection Fund
Comment by Jose Abreu's Next Homerun Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 10:58 am
Deb Sims high on the list at nearly $20k…there’s a real shocker.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 11:01 am
Keep the cash and dump the cameras.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 11:30 am
All those corrupt business owners should be in jail.
Comment by Corruption in Illinois Friday, Jan 31, 20 @ 11:44 am