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* He is part of the biz slate…
Tom Demmer launched his campaign for State Treasurer today pledging to be a fiscal watchdog for Illinois taxpayers by opposing tax increases and bringing greater transparency to state spending. Demmer, a State Representative, helped lead the State House investigation into former House Speaker Mike Madigan and has spearheaded initiatives to strengthen ethics laws and bring transparency to the state budget.
“Unfortunately, in Springfield right now, the politicians’ answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending. We know Springfield politicians won’t change overnight, but we can take an important first step by electing a proven fiscal watchdog as state treasurer,” said Demmer. “As Treasurer, I’ll be on the side of Illinois families working to protect their hard-earned dollars and shining a light on how our tax-dollars are spent.”
Demmer has served as State Representative since 2013, rising through the ranks to serve as Deputy Minority Leader and serving as the Republican point-person for state fiscal issues where he took on Democrat maneuvers that hid billions in pork-barrel spending. Demmer has won awards from groups across Illinois for his efforts to innovate and transform Illinois, including the Technet Champion of Innovation Award, the Metropolitan Planning Council “Transform Illinois” Award Winner and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise.
“Growing up, and now raising my family in Illinois, I’ve seen too many friends and neighbors leave for better opportunities and lower taxes in other states. And when Illinois families leave, it’s our communities that pay the price, as corruption and bloated government drain taxpayer dollars away from schools, public safety, and community services,” said Demmer. “Now more than ever, we need a Treasurer who will be a fiscal watchdog for Illinois taxpayers and willing to take on the corrupt Springfield machine.”
Demmer’s Democrat opponent, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, has continually supported income tax increases on Illinois families during his 15-years as a Springfield politician and most recently advocated for Governor Pritzker’s tax hike amendment that Frerichs said could ultimately tax retirement income.
“The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs but he stands tall among the tax and spend Springfield crowd. Throughout his 15 years as a Springfield politician, Mike Frerichs continually voted to raise taxes. And now, he even wants to tax retirement,” said Demmer. “I’m running for State Treasurer because Illinois families deserve someone on their side.”
Tom was the Director of Innovation & Strategy at KSB Hospital, a not-for-profit community hospital with locations in Lee and Ogle Counties. He graduated from the University of Dayton, and was a White House Intern in the Office of the Vice President of the United States. Prior to the General Assembly, Tom served on the Lee County Board. Tom resides in Dixon with his wife Becca, daughter Katie and son John.
* Video…
Bringing up that Frerichs gaffe about taxing retirement income. Some gifts never stop giving. Also, the video clearly shows that they believe Madigan is still a viable issue.
…Adding… Frerichs…
Michael Frerichs today welcomed Rep. Tom Demmer to the race for Illinois State Treasurer – while cautioning that he would unravel years of progress in Illinois and prioritize the interests of Wall Street.
“Tom Demmer opposed every reform I have championed as Treasurer, even when other Republicans were on our side,” said Frerichs, who has held the office since 2015. “He does not have the conviction to fight for Illinois families, and he does not have the backbone to stand up to special interests.”
Demmer’s record on issues surrounding the State Treasurer’s office “proves he will side with Wall Street and big business and against working families,” Frerichs said.
“When I fought life insurance companies that chose not to pay death benefits, Tom Demmer stood with the life insurance special interests and – literally – against widows and orphans,” he said.
Demmer voted four times against Frerichs’ legislation that required life insurance companies to pay death benefits. (HB 4633 in 2016 and HB 302 in 2017.) State Board of Elections records show that Demmer has taken tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from insurance industry PACs.
“When I fought McKesson Corp. and other drug companies and demanded they take responsibility for peddling their deadly opioids in our communities, Tom Demmer was taking tens of thousands of dollars from Big Pharma,” Frerichs added.
Demmer, a hospital executive who serves as a Republican in the Illinois House, announced today that he will challenge Frerichs to be State Treasurer. Demmer has been a State Representative since 2013 and previously served on the Lee County Board.
As State Treasurer, Frerichs has:
• Created one of the best college savings plans in the country, according to independent analyst Morningstar. Doing so has helped increase college savings from $7 billion to $17 billion and saved families more than $100 million in fees.
• Created a retirement savings program that travels with the worker. The result: more than 99,000 workers who previously did not have a retirement plan now have saved $84 million with Secure Choice.
• Returned a record $1.3 billion in unclaimed property and tripled the number of claims paid per year. Changes in technology, efficiency, and state law streamlined the process to the point that some residents do not even have to file a claim in order to be paid.
“As the product of a small town in Downstate Illinois, I know we can have safe streets, good schools, and local control when we respect each other,” Frerichs said. “Demmer’s record shows he does not respect working families and will not work to bring us together.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Deputy Director Jake Lewis released the following statement regarding the news that State Rep. Tom Demmer is running for Illinois State Treasurer:
“Today, another Republican pawn joined billionaire Ken Griffin’s ongoing fantasy to bring back the Bruce Rauner days: Tom Demmer. Demmer’s radical views make him unfit to serve in statewide office. He has voted against increasing the minimum wage, against increasing education funding, against ending the Rauner budget impasse, against the Equal Rights Amendment, and against holding life insurance companies accountable.
“But Demmer’s extremist record doesn’t seem to bother Ken Griffin, apparently the only Republican whose opinion matters in 2022. Griffin has set out to rig the entire Republican primary for his Rauner Reboot slate and he appears to have found willing puppets in Demmer, Secretary of State candidate John Milhiser, and rumored gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin. Unfortunately for Griffin and his pawns, Illinois voters remember that the original Rauner experiment ended in disaster, and they have no interest in the sequel.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Frerichs accuses Demmer above of voting against HB4633 in 2016, but Demmer actually voted for it. Click here to see for yourself. These campaign mistakes, unfortunately, are not isolated for the treasurer.
…Adding… ILGOP…
After State Treasurer Mike Frerichs emerged from hiding today to tout his “accomplishments,” ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler released the following statement:
“Throughout his 15 years in Springfield, Mike Frerichs has been amazingly consistent in one thing: raising taxes on Illinois families. Frerichs voted to raise taxes on middle class families, seniors, businesses, supported JB Pritzker’s effort to institute the largest tax hike in Illinois history and even wanted to create a new tax on retirement income. After 15 years, Illinois taxpayers simply cannot afford Frerichs anymore.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Treasurer Frerichs himself just called. I’m expecting a written statement soon explaining the issue in more detail, but Frerichs pointed out that while Demmer did vote for the bill once, he voted against the legislation and with the insurance industry four other times. And that’s correct.
*** UPDATE 4 *** From Treasurer Frerichs…
Tom Demmer voted four times against Treasurer Frerichs’ legislation that required life insurance companies to check their records and pay death benefits to widows and orphans. He voted “NO” on: • HB4633 on Apr 13, 2016 • HB302 on Apr 25, 2017 • HB302 concurrence on May 31, 2017 • HB302 veto override on Oct 25, 2017
The only time Tom Demmer voted “YES” was to concur in an amendment to HB4633 that weakened the legislation enough that the life insurance industry removed its opposition (Illinois Life Insurance Council and Illinois Chamber of Commerce removed opposition to HB4633 after the amendment). On all five votes concerning unclaimed life insurance benefits Tom Demmer voted exactly the way the life insurance industry wanted him to vote.
Frerichs did, however, praise the bill when it was finally passed and signed into law. Click here.
…Adding… From comments…
Demmer and the insurance industry won round one. The insurance industry got tough regulations removed from House Bill 4633, and Demmer voted in favor of the amendment that removed them.
The following year however, Frerichs took another stab at it, and Demmer voted three times with the insurance industry … but the bill did pass.
I’d say Frerichs won in the end and that’s what counts, but you do have to give credit where credit is due to Demmer and the insurance industry for forcing widows and orphans to wait another year before getting their money.
Oof.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:33 am
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Mike Frerichs is dangerous to seniors, Frerichs stands tall to a discussion of taxing retirement income.
That’s not wrong.
It’s SoS and Treasurer… that’s how the GOP builds.
If the fair tax taught anything, telling seniors you want to discuss taxing retirement income is a loser
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:40 am
Pretty solid roll out. Hits on key themes and creates a brightline test–one guy wants to tax retirement savings, one guy doesn’t.
Comment by Dirksen Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:42 am
Frerichs spox response: “Treasurer Frerichs is focused at this time teaching a class on message discipline. But he will, in short order, have a response.”
Comment by Bud's Bar Stool Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:44 am
A Republican hospital executive who used his elected office to influence state medical spending is now running for statewide financial office claiming he’ll clean up Illinois.
Comment by Nefarious Veneer Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:46 am
The BiZ slate is really going to help someone cash in, that much we know.
Comment by Emmerder Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:46 am
Great video, strong release. Demmer a proven commodity through his years in the GA with background in finance. Frerichs has to hate this matchup as much as he loves taxing retirement
Comment by Not Again Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:47 am
Frerichs gaffe, the gift that keeps on giving.
Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:48 am
I am a big Demmer fan, but I think he’s making a mistake.
Since the 1970 Constitutional Convention — which defined the current makeup of statewide elected offices — a down-ballot (i.e. Non-Gubernatorial) elected incumbent has only lost once. In 1976 when Bakalis beat Lindberg to unseat him from the Comptrollers Office.
Two other appointed officeholders — Ty Fahner (AG) lost in 1982, Munger (Comptroller) lost in 2016 Special Election.
The moral of the story? Turnout drives the down ballot races. The best issues and best strategy in the world can’t make the voters feel invested in these down-ballot statewide races.
I fear Demmer is feeding himself into a wood chipper here.
Comment by SpiDem Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:48 am
Tom Demmer is a thoughtful, smart guy that the IL GOP can build around in the future. For the first time in a while I’m seeing some glimmers of hope for the long-term.
Comment by Middle Way Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:50 am
= Bringing up that Frerichs gaffe about taxing retirement income.=
It might be a gaffe, but the republicans seem to be fumbling with it pretty badly.
People are leaving because of taxes and opportunity, but also retirement income isn’t taxed in Illinois.
Which state are these people supposedly moving to with lower than zero taxes on retirement? Which states with better opportunities and higher median incomes also have lower taxes than Illinois? There’s never any specifics on this claim beyond the “Illinois exodus” drumbeat.
= bloated government drain taxpayer dollars away from schools, public safety, and community services =
It would be nice to see Demmer wanting to address head on the rampant abuse in the current TIF laws. I doubt that’s what he’s referring to, but if there has ever been a gift that keeps giving, the constant legislative extensions of TIF districts well beyond their original legally allowed duration in current state law, is just sitting there waiting for any politician with even a small populist leaning to jump all over.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:51 am
Demmer should be favored in this matchup. Frerichs has spent the last 8 years in hiding, poking his head up only to tax retirement.
Comment by 2Long Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:57 am
I have respect for Demmer that weakened over his five-year long silence about Trumpism.
“today pledging to be a fiscal watchdog”
While the schtick of making up duties of the Treasurer’s office didn’t work for Tom Cross…Tom Demmer is no Tom Cross.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:57 am
Demmer has built an excellent reputation in the GA. Frerich’s has virtually no name ID and a tin ear on issues, especially taxes. Frerichs is a nice guy but In 8 years in office I can’t think of a single accomplishment of his. This will definitely be a race to watch.
Comment by Raising Kane Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:58 am
” … the politicians’ answer to every problem is higher taxes and more spending.”
Rep. Demmer, ever heard of the Edgar Pension Ramp?
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 9:59 am
Waiting for Alexi to endorse him.
Comment by Springfieldish Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:00 am
Frerichs stepped on the 3rd rail. Maybe he should retire and let the Democrats run someone else, but who. That gaffe is going to come back on TV ads thousands of times.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:00 am
Why wouldn’t the corruption of Speaker Madigan’s organization be a significant issue for Republicans to highlight?
The trials for Mike Mc Clain, Anna Prammaggiore, John Hooker and Jay Doherty will begin in September, two months before the election.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:02 am
It will be deliciously hilarious when Frerichs decides to discuss his belief in taxing retirement income, but then trying to say he’s not for it… but can’t say he didn’t say it…
Frerichs could “Rutherford” himself one afternoon and end his chances in an ill-runned presser.
But, if Frerichs believes we all should talk about taxing retirement income, Frerichs should run on that. That’ll be fun at senior centers…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:03 am
Great rollout and Frerich’s has to be somewhat nervous at this point.
Demmer is a great candidate that can win this race, Frerichs will have his work cut out for him and has a long history of public life to be used against him.
Comment by Perfect Blue Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:05 am
===Mike Mc Clain, Anna Prammaggiore, John Hooker and Jay Doherty===
“Who?”
- Illinois voters, or Ron Sandack, maybe
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:05 am
===The moral of the story? Turnout drives the down ballot races===
Have you looked at the numbers lately? Democrats are the ones heading into a woodchipper unless they make some drastic turns, but they can’t agree which turns to make.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:06 am
Did he drop the “g” off of “running” at the end?
Comment by Eastside Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:08 am
I wonder what Alexi has to say about taxing retirement income. Methinks he probably agrees with Frerichs.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:10 am
===Methinks===
When you actually know, let us all know, Shakespeare
Demmer does have the whole Rauner thing, which I hope he addresses as “wrong”, meaning “no budget was a mistake”, but taxing retirement income, Demmer ain’t wrong in that.
Nope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:13 am
Batinick, Demmer, Morrison, Dan Brady, Keith Sommer, probably Avery Bourne… House Republicans are looking at a serious brain drain this time next year, and that’s not including any incumbents who might lose primaries or generals. Gonna be a lot of new faces one way or another.
Comment by vern Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:15 am
::a down-ballot (i.e. Non-Gubernatorial) elected incumbent has only lost once::
::can’t make the voters feel invested in these down-ballot statewide races::
Wow, interesting factoid. And good point that voters really don’t care about these downballot statewide races (except maaaaybe SOS because they actually have to go to the office every couple years).
Somebody should poll the question: “What does the Illinois treasurer DO?” I bet
Comment by Senator Clay Davis Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:18 am
===serious brain drain===
Sinking ship?
Is that caucus, in the next two cycles close to becoming a majority?
That’s 4 more years in the minority.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:19 am
For some reason my comment got cut off.
I bet less than 10% of voters know what the Treasurer’s job entails
Comment by Senator Clay Davis Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:20 am
” … a down-ballot (i.e. Non-Gubernatorial) elected incumbent has only lost once.”
Didn’t Jerry Cosentino take out James Donnewald in the 1986 Democratic Primary?
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:20 am
I’ve always felt like Demmer was overrated, but there is no bigger empty suit than Frerichs. Will be interesting to watch.
Comment by phenom_Anon Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:23 am
College Savings Program
Retirement Savings Program
Retuning Unclaimed Property Program
Pretty good list of accomplishments for an obscure office and yet it all gets drowned out by a stupid gaffe about taxing retirement income.
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:24 am
Demmer vs the Long Nein. What’s next after taxing retirement income? Turning 529s into 86s?
Looking forward to lots of snarky puns in the Demmer press releases.
Comment by Amber Ale Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:33 am
Frerich’s unclaimed property program is top-notch. I’d happily vote for him based on that one program.
Comment by twowaystreet Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:35 am
===I’d happily vote for him based on that one program.===
Are you a senior, or almost senior, worried that Illinois might want to tax retirement? Frerichs wants that discussed.
A Treasurer wanting a discussion to taxing retirement income might be a big deal, even if that same treasurer found something I lost.
Frerichs couldn’t even have a presser to clarify … now Frerichs will have an opponent highlighting it. Whew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:38 am
“The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Mike Frerichs . . .”
The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Tom Demmer.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:43 am
Just came for the OW comments on Frerichs. Your analysis of Alexi is accurate, but never understood the Frerichs dislike. He ran a poor campaign first time around statewide. and was lucky to win, but he’s done a good job since.
He’s running for a third term I don’t think one gaffe will break him. I’m surprised Demmer pulled the trigger for this race.
He is from Dixon, Illinois the financial mismanagement jokes kind of write themselves…
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:44 am
===never understood the Frerichs dislike. He ran a poor campaign first time around statewide. and was lucky to win, but he’s done a good job since.===
At some point it’s about being less about a “tall caricature” of silly… and what does he do… he decides to wade into retirement income and taxing it?
I’ve said it so very often;
Baseball, politics… can’t stomach either being played poorly.
If Frerichs is still known as the guy “standing tall”, what exactly has Frerichs stood for these 8 years?
Fair?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 10:53 am
@Oswego Willy
===Frerichs could “Rutherford” himself one afternoon and end his chances in an ill-runned presser.===
“”Talk about who’s your daddy!”
Still one of my favorite cringe worthy Rutherford ads.
Comment by Nagidam Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:02 am
===He is from Dixon, Illinois the financial mismanagement jokes kind of write themselves===
Trying to link Demmer to former city treasurer Rita Crundwell would be like trying to link Mike Frerichs to the U of I admissions scandal. “Huh?”
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:05 am
=== Somebody should poll the question: “What does the Illinois treasurer DO?” I bet…===
I’m guessing the polling question most interesting might be;
“Would you support a Treasurer who wants to tax your retirement income?”
Folk might not know *either* Demmer or Frerichs, but I wouldn’t want to have how I’m known going forward as the candidate that supports taxing retirement income, and that Griffin cash is gonna do just that… to Frerichs.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:16 am
Demmer is pretty much the only sane GOP rising star and the expectation was that he was going to run for Secretary of State. The fact that he’s significantly lowering his sights is 100% part of him getting bigfooted by Ken Griffin who is clearly calling the shots in the GOP.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:19 am
Fascinating that in Frerichs response he didn’t even try to walk back the “gaffe” and/or statement of policy regarding taxing retirement income. Sounds like he’s ready to own it. Should set up an interesting debate.
Comment by Dirksen Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:35 am
SDOS
He was on the Lee County board when it happened. Republicans have used less dots to connect candidates to Madigan. I don’t know if it’ll work, but I’m pretty sure your average Illinois voter only knows of Dixon because of the 60 minutes of story and Crudwell.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:37 am
“The vast majority of Illinoisans have not heard of Tom Demmer”
But he hasn’t been a statewide elected official for 8 years. JBT was the only other Treasurer to serve two terms and run for a third so we don’t have a lot to compare Frerichs to but I recall Judy having much more of a presence than Frerichs.
Comment by Raising Kane Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:38 am
Until Treasurer Frerichs deals with the retirement tax, he’s a very soft target for a well-funded GOP campaign. He hasn’t gotten his message out across the state to neutralize that attack. He has a solid record as state treasurer and he’s a solid Democratic Party spokesperson.
Comment by here we go Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:47 am
” I don’t know if it’ll work..”
That’s how we ended up with Governor Blago rather than Topinka.
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:47 am
== Which state are these people supposedly moving to with lower than zero taxes on retirement? ==
The retirees are moving to places with lower fees and lower property taxes in the few other states that don’t tax, or only partially tax, retirement. It’s primarily the property taxes that people are looking at … I say this after 4 friends have moved / are moving to either North or South Carolina.
The employed don’t care about retirement taxes; they’re moving for lower overall rates and lower property taxes.
Property tax is the visible one drawing all the anger. I know the numbers and it’s pretty much an impossible task from where we are at, but Illinois needs to figure out how to lower property taxes by about 80% - 90% (and keep them there) to stop the out migration.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:59 am
Demmers will make a good run and some fireworks, but I predict Frerichs will squeeze out a victory unless he has more tax retirement gaffes. Quiet competence does count with informed voters.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:02 pm
To the two updates;
Good stuff by both Frerichs and DPI, no doubt.
The “bad” votes, the Raunerite ways, those can come back to haunt, and abortion too, that could hurt in an overall…
But, will Frerichs have the cash to define Demmer AND stave off being dangerous to seniors?
The retirement income elephant in the room is real. Can’t ignore it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:08 pm
==Quiet competence does count with informed voters. ==
Yeah, but how many of those are there, really?
Still, gun to my head, I’d say JB drags Frerichs across the finish line.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:13 pm
Standing tall for Illinois, and honestly that’s all I can think of that he’s ever done unless you count being giddy about unclaimed property matters.
Comment by Stark Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:19 pm
Frerichs beat Tom Cross in 2014, and Tom Cross never stopped talking about how Frerichs was a “tax and spend liberal” who, among other things, had voted for a Constitutional amendment for a graduated income tax.
That was with Pat Quinn at the top of the ticket, Tom Cross still lost, and Tom Demmer is no Tom Cross.
Griffin might be willing to spend $500M+ plus on this election, but honestly $500M isn’t going to get you much more than $200M.
Democrats are already making it clear what issues they will run on, but Demmer is also a Trump Republican and I just don’t see that playing well in Illinois.
Perhaps I am wrong, but other than more money, someone please tell me what Demmer’s got that Cross did not.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:42 pm
Bruce Rauners incompetence is the gift that keeps on giving. It will hurt Demmer who is simply another iglop legislator that fell in line with the destruction of the Rauner era.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:45 pm
Count on Illinois to continue to nickel and dime poor and middle income young people and let old rich old people, public employees and legislators with 6 figure tax free pensions off the hook
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:47 pm
At the risk of a Willy fusillade, I think it’s worth remembering what Frerichs actually said.
“One thing a progressive tax would do is make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income,” he said, according to the Daily Herald. “And, I think that’s something that’s worth discussion.”
When asked to clarify his remarks, he said, “I oppose creating a retirement tax in Illinois, along with the General Assembly, and governor,” Frerichs said.
Now obviously we all know that there’s no such thing as nuance in politics, but he never actually said we should tax retirement income. So can he talk his way out of this? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
But as both Frerichs and DPI made clear, Demmer is a target-rich environment on a whole host of issues. And if push comes to shove and he’s cash strapped, I would expect the gov to step in and help. Last think he wants to see is Demmer with a statewide office - even a milquetoast one like Treasurer.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:53 pm
=== I’d say JB drags Frerichs across the finish line. ===
Frerichs outperformed Quinn in 2014.
He also outperformed Pritzker in 2018.
Among incumbents, Pritzker will likely be the lowest performing. If Republicans want to sweep the ticket, they probably need to beat JB by atleast five percentage points.
Their best hope is still Alexi as the Democratic nominee for SOS.
Comment by Numbers Dont Lie Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:54 pm
Strange how the corruption and financial debacle of the Mike Madigan and his minions never wears off on his fellow Democrats who fell in line with him for decades
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 12:56 pm
Not impressed by the commercial, which is choc-a-bloc with tropes and stereotypes. It could have been created by an AI from a template. Will it speak to the common clay base? Probably, but I don’t think that’s going to be enough. I’m jaded and I’ve got to wonder if audiences really buy this kind of ad any more.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 1:21 pm
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 11:05 am:
So the numerous times Tom Demmer has felt fit to offer punditry about the scandal should magically disappear? I don’t think so and that’s only going by Demmer’s own word.
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 1:26 pm
“his Rauner Reboot slate”
Nice.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 1:35 pm
===Mike Madigan and his minions===
(Sigh)
The retirement tax is much more to the discussion.
If Madigan gets indicted then it’s bigger.
The Madigan is already baked.
===When asked to clarify his remarks, he said, “I oppose creating a retirement tax in Illinois, along with the General Assembly, and governor,” Frerichs said.===
… and yet Frerichs canceled a presser, likely because he’d “Rutherford” himself… have a presser saying the truth he says wasn’t truthful about how he feels about it, but he isn’t lying about taxing retirement income either, because then his words are wholly dishonest to even the actual quote.
It would’ve been a disaster. Maybe politically fatal. It could’ve been “that bad”
Doing a nuance “what I meant was” without deciding to go back on what was said..
“How can seniors trust Mike Frerichs”… they can’t.
===… make clear you can have graduated rates when you are taxing retirement income,” he said, according to the Daily Herald. “And, I think that’s something that’s worth discussion.”===
It’s worth discussing taxing retirement income.
It’s worth it. There’s no ambiguity.
Frerichs should run on taxing retirement income.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 1:37 pm
Hmmm….
===Frerichs accuses Demmer above of voting against HB4633 in 2016, but Demmer actually voted for it. Click here to see for yourself. These campaign mistakes, unfortunately, are not isolated for the treasurer.===
If this is ANY indication…
This is exactly why Frerichs didn’t do that presser to “clarify”
Could just as easily “Rutherford” himself, it appears the Frerichs Crew really needs to decide are they up for this or are we going to see mistake after mistake that are easily avoidable as Demmer warns seniors how dangerous Frerichs is to retirement income?
This is not what would be considered a good “response” to what to expect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 1:56 pm
===That’s how we ended up with Governor Blago rather than Topinka.===
We ended up with Blago in 2006: (1) the 5% headwind the GOP faced nationally, it was the 6th year of a GOP presidency; and (2) a credible 3rd candidate on the ballot (not a Ka$h Jackson / Scott Lee Cohen). Head to head, no national headwinds, Topinka would have won.
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:02 pm
==a credible 3rd candidate on the ballot (not a Ka$h Jackson / Scott Lee Cohen). ==
Rich Whitney (Green Party). We would have been better off with Whitney as Governor than two more years of Blago, plus Quinn and Rauner.
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:09 pm
Illinois should tax retirement income over $200,000. That would be an easy sell if the Dems knew how to message effectively. Which they don’t.
Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:10 pm
Madigan is already baked?
Wishful thinking in the top of the first inning in the first game of the year.
Do you thinks they will spill the beans if there are convictions?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:11 pm
The Ken Griffin money myth continues. The Griffin story the biggest fairy tale ever told.
Comment by watchful eye Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:31 pm
===The Ken Griffin money myth continues. The Griffin story the biggest fairy tale ever told.===
The money is real, or is that a myth?
If it’s a myth I’ll make like “Lord of the Rings” and quest to find those multiple tens of millions…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:32 pm
I would have thought that after 2014 Frerichs would triple check everything his camp put out. And I obviously thought wrong….
Comment by Dirksen Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:43 pm
Frerichs biggest anchor will be Alexi
Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 2:45 pm
To update 4:
So….
…
Quibbling over one piece of legislation is smart, but being unable to grasp the idea he (Frerichs) is for taxing retirement income and can’t “clear that up”?
Oh boy. It’s gonna be a long season for Frerichs.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 3:11 pm
That update from Frerichs is odd because when the bill was passed he said this: Families will no longer be victimized by life insurance companies that refuse to pay death benefits, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.
https://www.x95radio.com/2016/06/01/frerichs-fights-insurance-companies-that-do-not-pay-death-benefits/
Comment by Dirksen Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 3:12 pm
===…when the bill was passed he said this: Families will no longer be victimized by life insurance companies that refuse to pay death benefits, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.===
I mean… Frerichs called to say this was coming to “clarify”
So a bill Frerichs supported the passage of, and Demmer was Green…
Maybe sit a few plays out, start over tomorrow?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 3:15 pm
Hard to hide Frerichs on the stage, maybe he can hide behind the Gov but the rest of the ticket will keep a 6 ft arms length away from him if they are paying attention. Demmer might be the first GOP camel with a chance to get them back into the statewide tent.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 3:24 pm
So the Frerichs defense here is that Demmer and/or the industry actually out-negotiated Frerichs on his own initiative?
And he’s highlighting that Demmer (and/or the industry) beat him as a plus for why he’s better at politics than Demmer?
…okay then….
Comment by Chambananon Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 3:31 pm
==Count on Illinois to continue to nickel and dime poor and middle income young people and let old rich old people, public employees and legislators with 6 figure tax free pensions off the hook== Is it just me or is LP starting to talk like Mike Frerichs?
Comment by SAP Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 4:01 pm
Alexi and Mike ? Not exactly a dream team for the ticket. Yikes
Comment by CICOM Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 4:31 pm
@ChambanAnon -
You basically got it.
Demmer and the insurance industry won round one. The insurance industry got tough regulations removed from House Bill 4633, and Demmer voted in favor of the amendment that removed them.
The following year however, Frerichs took another stab at it, and Demmer voted three times with the insurance industry and against Illinois families, but the bill did pass.
I’d say Frerichs won in the end and that’s what counts, but you do have to give credit where credit is due to Demmer and the insurance industry for forcing widows and orphans to wait another year before getting their money.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 4:37 pm
I know this is too late, but I wish Rep Demmer would stay in the House.
Comment by Dan Johnson Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 4:42 pm
@Juvenal
Appreciate the clarification on the chronology there; certainly makes it more of a win for Frerichs than it seemed at first blush from his defense (probably my own failing for not paying closer attention to the bill number there, in hindsight).
And yes, I’m with you on credit it where it’s due, although in this case it might be more appropriately called a “discredit” (at least to his constituents, anyway).
Comment by Chambananon Tuesday, Jan 11, 22 @ 7:24 pm
=== Madigan is already baked?
Wishful thinking===
LOL, if it wasn’t already baked, then the ILGOP wouldn’t keep using it as the base of attacks.
Geez, you aren’t even trying anymore
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 6:33 am
Mike needs to come clean, we all make mistakes. You will be hammered. It worked with fair tax your next
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jan 12, 22 @ 9:41 am