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* Set the Wayback Machine to 2014…
After pulling strings to get his daughter into Walter Payton College Prep, Bruce Rauner, a Republican candidate for governor, became one of the elite Chicago public high school’s biggest benefactors.
The Rauner Family Foundation gave $250,000 to the Payton Prep Initiative for Education on Dec. 14, 2009 — about a year and a half after Rauner called then-Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan to overturn his daughter’s rejection for admission, records examined by the Chicago Sun-Times reveal.
Rauner’s gift was the largest the not-for-profit foundation had received up to that point. It amounts to nearly 30 percent of all the money the group has gotten during its first five years, according to records the Rauner and Payton charities have filed with the state.
Rauner’s gift to the Payton Prep Initiative came two months after his foundation gave $500,000 to the Chicago Public Schools Foundation, run by the school system’s top administrators. His foundation previously had given money to that organization.
* Now…
Former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner made a $250,000 campaign contribution to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week after seniors in the uber-wealthy Florida Keys enclave where Rauner owns a home were among the first in the state to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in January.
Rauner’s connection to the favorable treatment first was reported Wednesday by the Miami Herald, which obtained a memo the management of the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo sent to residents noting that its medical center had vaccinations for residents age 65 and over while most Floridians struggled to access the shots. DeSantis has used the state’s vaccination program to open special distribution sites in select communities while skipping state and local vaccine registration logs, various Florida news outlets have reported.
“Over the course of the last two weeks, the Medical Center has vaccinated over 1,200 homeowners who qualify under the State of Florida’s Governor’s current Order for those individuals who are 65 years of age or older,” the Ocean Reef Club’s message to residents read, according to the Herald. “We are fortunate to have received enough vaccines to ensure both the first and second for those vaccinated. At this time, however, the majority of the State has not received an allocation of first doses of vaccines for this week and beyond, and the timing of any subsequent deliveries remains unclear.”
In its report, the Herald stated that contributions to DeSantis’ political fund surged amid the disbursement of vaccines, noting the only contributions the Florida governor received from Key Largo were from Ocean Reef residents.
* And…
Since DeSantis started using the state’s vaccine initiative to steer special pop-up vaccinations to select communities, his political committee has raised $2.7 million in the month of February alone, more than any other month since he first ran for governor in 2018, records show.
A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to email and telephone messages, but, after the story was published, DeSantis spokesperson Meredith Beatrice said that the governor was not involved in selecting the Ocean Reef Club for the early vaccine distribution. She did not explain how the club obtained so many doses ahead of others. […]
By hand-selecting the communities, DeSantis allows residents to bypass state and local vaccine registration systems and go directly through their community organizations, like the Medical Center at Ocean Reef. […]
The effort has brought scrutiny from DeSantis’ critics as the state’s vaccine distribution appears to be inequitable. By the end of February, only 5.6% of those who’ve been vaccinated in the state are Black, even though Blacks account for 17% of the state’s population, state records show.
He might want to bump up his apparent standard tip. $250,000 in 2014 is equal to $279,568.31 today. /s
…Adding… React…
React from former Gov Rauner on @MiamiHerald report: “ridiculous story”
and adds he’s been supporting FL Repubs because of core issues. Also says “DeSantis doing great work” #CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/YmYvIqNCrj— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) March 4, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:39 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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“Just donatin’ and gettin’ my vaccinatin’ like any other regular guy.”
Comment by Strategy Geek Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:44 am
Bruce being Bruce Florida style…
Comment by NotRich Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:45 am
Those who picked Florida in the “Where will Rauner move to?” pool , please pick up you share of the winnings by end of business hours today…
Comment by Roadiepig Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:45 am
Corrupt to the core
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:45 am
Two types of people in the world: 1) people who stay within the lines and wait their turn and 2) special people, you know, like Bruce Rauner.
For shame.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:46 am
If there is even a lick of DeSantis’ office considering these contributions in its allocation of vaccines, dude is going to federal prison.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:47 am
I’m sure that trading COVID vaccines for campaign contributions from rich, white benefactors will elicit outrage among other GOP governors. Outrage that they didn’t come up with this idea first.
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:48 am
Since I read this coverage I’ve been trying to sort out if $250,000 for a COVID-19 vaccine has a higher net value than the tens of millions he shelled out to rent the IL GOP.
His administration was like watching an episode of Storage Wars where one of the stars way over bids the garbage that no one else wants.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:49 am
What good is having all that dough if you can’t use it like this? Buying a house or twelve is nice, but buying people is so much better.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:50 am
Talk about trading campaign contributions for (vaccine) appointments.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:52 am
Blago went to jail for less.
Comment by Chuck Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:52 am
I guess it’s his standard tip?
Kid gets in to Payton? $250k
Get a vaccine for a global pandemic? $250k
The worst thing to have on a resume to honesty to governing is IPI, the only thing worse is also having “Rauner Administration” on that same resume.
Honesty, integrity, ethics, morals.
Bruce Rauner lacks all of those.
The phony “Everyman” denied a worthy child a chance at Payton Prep, now using his overarching wealth to skip ahead, of course with that pesky $250k at the ready.
Raunerites own their adding and abetting this small man for the four years of purposeful destruction.
Only… only Peter Breen… only him.. showed remorse, until he took it back.
This story, I’m not surprised, I’m more saddened as those who defended this man called him “honorable”, called him “good”, they even called him a “hero”
You got played. He’s laughing at you while in the Keys, and dropping his $250k to hurdle you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:53 am
All I had to do to get my vaccine, was drive 40 miles. Guess I got off cheap.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:55 am
“Oh yeah, a buffer. The family had a lot of buffers.” — Willy Cicci, The Godfather: Part II (1974)
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:56 am
According to the google machine, Bruce is 64
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 9:58 am
Rauner being Rauner. The guy is as phony as the day is long.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:03 am
I got these vaccines and they’re f’in golden and I’m not just giving them away for f’in nothin.
Comment by Justy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:06 am
“The Rauner Family Foundation gave $250,000 to the Payton Prep Initiative for Education”
Rauner also gave a Pennsylvania governor’s campaign $300,000 for public employee pension business. Dude loves him some “corrupt insider” action and public sector money.
“2) special people, you know, like Bruce Rauner”
3) people who can’t be bought but instead do the buying
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:08 am
it wasn’t too long ago that $25,000 was the going rate to get things done. this was blagos price of admission. the cost has increased ten fold in 2021. covidflation!
Comment by blue line Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:09 am
And some of you had been wondering what costume Bruce has been wearing lately. The answer:
Bruce Rauner - Florida Man.
Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:22 am
OneMan said what I was thinking. Curious. I’ve not seen reporting of Rauner’s actual vaccination status. The presumption is there, but … And, people under 65 can get vaccines if they have certain medical issues.
=== Blago went to jail for less. ===
Blago went to jail for shaking other folks down to get his favors. Rauner uses his own money.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:27 am
Only one thing matters. What costume did Bruce wear to his vaccination?
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:28 am
But I’m sure he’s donated ‘millions’ to COVID relief or something so he’s probably entitled. /s
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:32 am
Odds are… Rauner will skate on this.
The buffers and “money is speech” spiel gives Rauner that phony laugh and grin as he mocks everyone “not him”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:33 am
Florida hit the trifecta…Trump, DiSantis and Rauner.
Comment by illinifan Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:34 am
Quid Pro Quovid
Comment by DS Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:45 am
This is just a friendly reminder how state/federally run healthcare actually works.
Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:52 am
BVR has always been as subtle as a 20 pound sledgehammer.
I wonder what little old lady told Bruce the vaccine would become available in his community?
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:58 am
Bruce Rauner, ever the man of privilege and perfidy
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:58 am
The article reported that Bruce contributed $5k to DeSantis in September. Then, a week after he turned 65, he made the $250k contribution. I am sure it was just a coincidence.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:59 am
===DeSantis doing great work===
Great work of helping rich people like Bruce.
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 10:59 am
If Rauner laughed when Mary Ann asked that question, that’s his tell.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:01 am
== According to the google machine, Bruce is 64==
Eh, you might need to refresh your browser. Mine shows he was born in February 18, 1956. So he just turned 65. He’s clearly playing dirty pool, or at least thinking he needs to, but he might skate on a technicality here.
Comment by fs Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:08 am
I wonder if he put his Carhartt’s on and rode his Harley to the vaccination site, just like he used to do in Illinois when he tried to demonstrate to people who were not multi-millionaires that he was “one of them”.
I actually saw and heard him peddle this nonsense in person when he went to Kaskaskia (the first state capital of Illinois) at the 200th anniversary of Illinois in 2028. He told the crowd of maybe 100 people that they were “blessed” to live at Kaskaskia and that it was so beautiful that he got on his Harley two or three times a year and rode down there from Springfield just to look at it. I’ll bet he actually couldn’t have found Kaskaskia (even if he knew what it was) without a map and a passel of aides to read it for him.
Comment by Dutch3001 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:09 am
I meant to say 2008 when I said I saw Rauner at Kaskaskia, I and our former president have trouble with typing things correctly. I am hoping Rauner does not come back in 2028.
Comment by Dutch 3001 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:12 am
The article also reports that DeSantis enjoyed the biggest fundraising month of his political career in February.
And the only contributions he received from Key Largo were from residents of Bruce’s enclave.
A lot of coincidences here . . .
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:12 am
to the update: “Focus, Mary Ann, Focus. Focus.”
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:13 am
Why aren’t the Feds investigating Rauner?
Comment by "A Horse is a Horse" Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:16 am
I meant to say 2018. It is just one of those days.
Comment by Dutch3001 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:17 am
To the react?
Rauner rarely cared what simple folk think, Rauner was willing to be brazen and slick to game things for himself.
Truly a terrible man.
The Raunerite enablers still have yet to own their complicity and the damage they helped Rauner make.
So… all the apologists and enablers, congratulations, you got duped, hustled, and played… and Bruce loves it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:17 am
==He might want to bump up his apparent standard tip.==
Bruce never liked COLAs.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:27 am
MrJM with the Godfather reference. Priceless.
Regarding the $250K standard tip, there appear to be exceptions. He didn’t need to “tip” anyone to facilitate his daughter’s move from Walter Payton Prep to Dartmouth, as that was his Alma Mater. But IIRC, he did establish an endowed professorship. And donated enough to get his name on a dorm. As well as the Rauner Collection at the Dartmouth library, including the papers of “Godfather” author Mario Puzo. Surely a deal they couldn’t refuse.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:36 am
Just a little “where’s mine” in the sunshine state.
Comment by vole Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:38 am
=== He didn’t need to “tip” anyone to facilitate his daughter’s move from Walter Payton Prep to Dartmouth, as that was his Alma Mater.===
LOL…. (deep breath)…. LOL
The dude built a whole “Rauner Library”
C’mon, seriously…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:38 am
===Surely a deal they couldn’t refuse.===
“Rauner didn’t miss a trick. He played it beautifully”
- Tom Hagen, maybe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:43 am
There is a DeSantis clip now where he says a local hospital set up the site, not the State of Florida Department of Public Health. Is that accurate?
Comment by Lello Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 11:45 am
I wonder if dropping ones “Gs” is working for him in Florida?
“I’ve been a-wish’n and a-hopin’ I could git the vaccine down here in Flo-ri-duh and now, bless his heart, the Gubnuh has come though for us po’folk livin’ at the Ocean Reef Club.”
Or somethin’ like that.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:00 pm
=I meant to say 2008 when I said I saw Rauner at Kaskaskia=
Actually you meant 2018. 2008 was the Year of Blago at his worst.
Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Desantis is definitely taking the lead as the Trumpiest. Vaccines for campaign donors is the lower level of ventilators for red states.
Comment by The Way I See It Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:03 pm
He’s just livin’ the life and vaccinatin’.
Comment by Ryan Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:06 pm
=Actually you meant 2018. 2008 was the Year of Blago at his worst.=
2008 was also the year that Blago “celebrated” Illinois’ 190th birthday (albeit 2 days late) by shutting down many state parks and historic sites. Kaskaskia State Capitol was spared but nearby Fort Kaskaskia, Pierre Menard Home, and Fort de Chartres were not. (Plus the old Vandalia state capitol site was closed too). All while Blago bragged about he never visited any state parks or historic sites.
https://capitolfax.com/2008/08/28/carnage/
Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:17 pm
Amusing to see how many heads Uncle Bruce lives in rent-free. And he can afford to pay rent, obviously.
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:46 pm
=== Amusing to see how many heads Uncle Bruce lives in rent-free. And he can afford to pay rent, obviously.===
This only makes sense if you think dropping $250k and the vaccine is “ok” with you.
If that’s true, it says more about your character than anyone living rent free anywhere.
So, there’s that… obviously.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:49 pm
He should have done an RFP - I would have scheduled an appointment for him at HyVee for $100k /s
Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 12:58 pm
“Florida Man costume”
Is that the one with an buttoned Hawaiian shirt over a white tee-shirt, Bermuda shorts, sandals with black socks, topped off with porkpie hat?
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 1:00 pm
===how many heads Uncle Bruce lives in rent-free===
Most of us paid dearly for that, duder.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 1:17 pm
=Amusing to see how many heads Uncle Bruce lives in rent-free. And he can afford to pay rent, obviously.=
Based on this comment alone, I believe you actually are Bruce’s nephew.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 1:28 pm
Wow.
It’s PTRSS — Post Traumatic Rauner Stress Syndrome.
I see Raunner doin’ Rauner — and, of course, calling all the hoopla ‘ridiculous’ — and I get a twinge of a stress. Well, more than a twinge. A sharp pang.
Still, I have vivid memories of walking back from work at 5pm, checking CapFax on my phone, and reading about all the Rauner stories that happened during the afternoon.
Closing X, blocking funding for Y, shutting down meetings with Madigan and Cullerton, etc. etc.
Those were the pre-Covid days. Days when you’d ride Metra, actually see people, and wonder what the next day at work was gonna be like.
Memories.
Comment by Mr K Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 1:31 pm
Is anyone surprised? What are the chances Ken Griffen got the vaccine already? I’m guessing pretty good. What are the chances that Gold Coast, Winnetka and Oak Brook has found “work arounds” to get theirs? It’s what the 1% does and how things work, they pay big money and get theirs. How many were taking luxury vacations early on to “escape”?
Comment by Frank talks Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 2:00 pm
Given that Gov. Ruiner turned 65 recently, I am betting he received his jab.
Comment by Ares Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 2:24 pm
Florida guy pays off governor, is how I read this.
Comment by Gohawks123 Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 2:28 pm
Collective Bargainin’ the Rauner way
Comment by Third Reading Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 2:33 pm
I guess pay to play is ok when you are the one getting to play.
Rauner and DeSantis deserve each other.
Comment by Nobody Sent Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:00 pm
And yet we have 400 Cook County residents and 200 DuPage residents traveling to Springfield to get vaccine’s in a SJR story last week. Seem fair? Using tech savvy people to jump the line? And yet we still worry what Rauner is doing in Florida? Please check our own backyard all you “holier than thou” people before convicting our ex-governor in Florida.
Comment by LkBrightSideofLlife Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:27 pm
===Seem fair? ===
Yep.
You don’t live on an island, dummy.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:33 pm
@Norseman - I wasn’t comparing Rauner to Blago, I was comparing DeSantis.
Comment by Chuck Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:35 pm
Poster boy for the WORM society. Looking more and more like Mr. Burns each day. What a disgrace, his stain on Illinois is going to stick around for some time.
Comment by BluegrassBoy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:38 pm
“This is just a friendly reminder how state/federally run healthcare actually works.”
This is literally how GOP run government works.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:46 pm
a Bruce Rauner supporter reminds me of this Malcom X line from the movie Malcom X:
“Oh, I say and I say it again. You’ve been had! Ya been took! Ya been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray! Run amok! This is what he does!”
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 3:46 pm
Chuck, as far as I’m concerned all three were/are terrible governors.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 4:35 pm
=== Please check our own backyard all you “holier than thou” people before convicting our ex-governor in Florida.===
LOL, the guy dropped $250K for the privilege.
I mean, defending a seemingly seedy transaction is quite… comical.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 5:12 pm
=@Norseman - I wasn’t comparing Rauner to Blago, I was comparing DeSantis.=
Heaven forbid we would have had a COVID-esque outbreak during the Rauner and Blago administrations. In my opinion they would have taken the vaccines for themselves (although in the case of Rauner, many of his followers would have been the ones rejecting the vaccines). Then they would have likely drawn up an executive order Banning State Employees from even receiving the Vaccine. And/or if they would have resorted to stay-at-home orders, they would have ordered everyone else to stay home except state employees (and if the unions complained, they would crush them).
Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Mar 4, 21 @ 8:00 pm