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* Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker topped this Minnesota campaign contribution list at $2.25 million…

In Minnesota politics, state-level candidates and political action committees have received $95.9 million in total donations between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 18, 2022. The 10 largest donors gave more than $9.4 million, or 10 percent of all contributions.

* Wall St. Journal …

Some Black Chicagoans Hit by Crime Consider Skipping Midterm Elections

Republicans see disillusioned voters as path to upset in Illinois governor’s race, though many Democrats remain reluctant to switch parties

That’s what this is all about. Drive down turnout. However, the Wall St. Journal isn’t relying on polling data and instead just did what East Coast news outlets excel at doing: They sent a couple of DC-based reporters out on a very brief foray into Black neighborhoods to “get the pulse,” along with reporting on some Republican aspirations. Sloppy. But it is true that the Democrats have to make sure their base turns out.

* Press release…

With polls opening tomorrow for early voting, the Vote No on Amendment 1 ballot committee has launched two digital ads to warn voters about the dangers of Amendment 1, the first item at the top of the ballot.

The new ads link to an Illinois Policy Institute property tax calculator that allows homeowners to see how much more Amendment 1 could cost them on their property tax bills. The ads are paid for by Vote No on Amendment 1.

The first ad, entitled “Amendment 1 threatens my American Dream,” features first-generation American Argie Karafotias, whose business Golden Brunch survived the pandemic but is still getting crushed by high taxes. He says his local business can’t afford another property tax hike.

The second, entitled “Amendment 1 = Higher Illinois property taxes,” showcases Katy Stryker, a mom and small business owner who is worried about future challenges, including higher property taxes from Amendment 1.

Statement from Matt Paprocki, treasurer of Vote No on Amendment 1:

“The last thing Illinois needs is another property tax hike. Our campaign is proud to highlight local Illinois business owners and residents who see the true cost unchecked government union power will have on Illinoisans. Amendment 1 will harm local businesses, foster Illinois’ culture of corruption and raise property taxes statewide. Voters can’t afford it.”

To view the property tax calculator, visit illin.is/taxcalc.

To view the ads against Amendment 1, visit illin.is/ads.

…Adding… Forgot about this one…

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is untruthful again and cannot keep his retirement tax story straight. In an interview that aired on WGN, Frerichs was asked about his June 17, 2020 comments in support of a retirement tax.

“My opponent in that debate supported taxing people’s pension income. He wanted to tax specifically people with higher incomes….That’s something I thought he would like and that was the argument I made.”

He is referring to Todd Maisch, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, who led a coalition against the progressive income tax and has been and continues to be an ardent opponent of new tax increases. Todd Maisch directly responded to Frerichs’ false claims:

“I do not, nor does the Chamber, support a progressive income or retirement tax and have spent my entire career fighting to reduce, not increase taxes in Illinois,” said Maisch, who has been with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for nearly 30 years.

“I was surprised that Treasurer Frerichs brought up taxing retirement as an argument for the progressive tax because it is such an unpopular idea in Illinois.

“It’s par for the course with Treasurer Frerichs who ducks, dodges, and deflects to hide his own failures,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Multiple sources have now confirmed what we all know - Frerichs is untruthful in his comments claiming he never supported a retirement tax.”

In 2020, he ran away from reporters and voters at a press conference he called to address his comments. Last month, his campaign said anyone saying he supports a retirement tax is “lying.” State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is now blaming a fellow forum participant for his comments on why Illinois should consider taxing retirement income.

“While there is no winner in Treasurer Frerichs’ never-ending blame game, there is one clear loser, Illinois voters,” said Chairman Tracy. “Illinois voters must hold Frerichs accountable and elect a true fiscal watchdog in Tom Demmer.”

Frerichs has spent his time as a state legislator championing tax increases. Introducing not one, but five pieces of legislation to create a progressive income tax with SJRCA69, SJRCA92 , SJRCA89 , SJRCA101 and SJRCA17 .

…Adding… Another one…

Today, Illinois NOW (National Organization for Women) PAC announced its endorsement of Judge Elizabeth Rochford in her campaign for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Second District. A non-partisan organization, NOW’s mission is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now - sharing equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination. Illinois NOW is an organization of chapters from every area in Illinois.

“Illinois NOW PAC works tirelessly to protect women and their right to reproductive care and justice, to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and to eliminate racial inequality. As these fights intensify, we need proven and experienced leaders at every level of government, including the Illinois Supreme Court,” says Laura Welch, President of IL NOW. “That’s why we support Judge Elizabeth Rochford in the Second District, whose experience and qualifications are unmatched by her opponent, who not only never served as a judge, but is rated not recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association.”

Rochford has been rated “highly recommended” by the Illinois State Bar Association and “highly qualified” by the Lake County Bar Association, the only candidate in the race for the Second District rated qualified. Rochford has been endorsed by the Lake County Democratic Women, Personal PAC, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Equality Illinois, pro-choice legislative leaders, and other groups who know there is no stronger champion for women in this race. She has also earned the endorsement of a number of organizations, including the Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, GPAC, and Giffords PAC.

“I am grateful for the support of Illinois NOW, an organization dedicated to establishing access to resources and opportunities for women and other vulnerable members of our communities,” said Judge Elizabeth Rochford. “The best way to realize our vision of equal justice for all, is to have the best qualified, and experienced members of the judiciary serving on our state’s highest court. I am humbled to have earned the Illinois NOW endorsement for the Supreme Court seat in the Second District.”

* More…

* In 6th District race, Democrat Sean Casten and Republican Keith Pekau split on abortion rights: Pekau’s position is the target of a 30-second digital ad the Casten campaign released last week. Pekau criticized the ad in a subsequent news release, saying it misrepresented his views — but it didn’t say how or which views.

* Chung and Preston outline differences in criminal justice and taxes in 91st House debate

* She Runs Illinois 2022! — Sharon Chung, candidate for IL House of Representatives, District 91

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 2:59 pm

Comments

-Pekau hasn’t answered Daily Herald questions about abortion and other issues, and his campaign website makes no mention of his stance on reproductive rights.-

So your views are “misrepresented,” but we’ll just have to take your word for it?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:12 pm
“But it is true that the Democrats have to make sure their base turns out.”

Thankfully for the ILGOP they have the Chicago Board of Elections doing work for them and shutting down precinct voting sites throughout the city.

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:15 pm
The IPI has never coherently explained how they are able to calculate the property tax increase related to Amendment 1. Their calculator is useless because it’s just a made up thing. They utilize a lot of “what ifs” and then claim that their calculations are fact.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:23 pm
Yikes. Sharon Chung’s full throated support for bringing back the fair tax amendment may just be what sinks her in a tight race.

Comment by CubsFan16 Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:24 pm
At some point, it ain’t against Demmer, Frerichs standing up to a discussion to taxing retirement income will haunt.

It’s just not this November.

It’s who Frerichs is.

The oppo that keeps being drug out will follow him, especially if Frerichs thinks he’s a governor or US Senator.

Seniors can’t trust him. Demmer has no chance to make it stick with no cash or opportunity. Timing is everything

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:26 pm
I thought I was up to date on Illinois politics and government, but what exactly does Amendment 1 have to do with property taxes? I know the IPI lies about everything, but in the past they’ve been at least a little coherent.

Comment by Curious citizen Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:27 pm
-Thankfully for the ILGOP they have the Chicago Board of Elections -

The IL GOP sure is powerful in Chicago. It must be Jedi mind tricks.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:28 pm
===may just be what sinks her===

If the HGOPs can afford to put it on TV, then maybe yes.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:30 pm
Anything less than understanding that the Illinois Policy Institute is a phony grifting hub, you are giving them too much credit.

It’s been bore out;

IPI can’t govern when given the chance.

IPI is dishonest to policy discussions.

IPI is something, when seen on a resume, you know right off there’s either a real lacking to the understanding of government, a dishonesty to how they see policy.. or maybe both.

But, gotta admit, as grifting phonies, they are the gold standard of the dishonest discussion for donations

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:34 pm
=== That’s what this is all about. Drive down turnout. ===

Yep. Throw everything at the fan and see what sticks and convince people to check out of the process.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:39 pm
The JB-Minnesota connection shows how the modern day Democratic party has important wealthy individuals behind it.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:46 pm
==The JB-Minnesota connection shows how the modern day Democratic party has important wealthy individuals behind it==

As opposed to the grassroots small donations of Griffin, Uihlein, Koch, Thiel…

Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:55 pm
Rich made note of Sharon Chung a month or two back as someone to watch. Or answer the door. She has knocked on 8,000 doors during this campaign. Pressing the flesh works.

Comment by Padraig Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 3:59 pm
I very rarely post on here but read it every day. I feel compelled to respond to the Illinois Policy Institute and their blatantly false message as it relates to the Workers’ Rights Amendment.
I don’t know when it happened, and perhaps it has always been the case, but to spew total falsehoods about certain topics like the IPI or the Proft papers do is simply embarrassing to their organizations and even more embarrassing to the average citizen who takes the information as fact.

We can blame the 2 minute news cycle, or the constant barrage of social media content, but in the end- the IPI, Proft and others prey on the fact that we have become lazy uninformed readers and critical thinkers.
I can only hope that voters take the time to really understand what they read and look at it through multiple lenses and use various publications to arrive at a conclusion of their own. It has been my experience that the IPI in particular is way off base a majority of the time. To put it mildly.

Comment by Voter Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:04 pm
Pekau has become a expert in labeling opponents as liars. He claims they lie, then his crazy far right followers believe him. When asked to explain the lie he accuses the person asking of being a Democrat or Rhino. Problem is that’s all he does is lie.
1. I’m not taking the $150,000 pay raise my opponent voted for. He did take it.
2. I’ve lowered crime in Orland Park to a 27 year low. They started writing misdemeanor tickets instead of arrests. So he’s lying.
3. 600 new businesses opened up in Orland Park since I became Mayor. He counts the ones that shut down from Covid as new when they reopen. Again he lied.
4. The list goes on and on this guy is a carnival barker

Comment by Old time Independent Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:23 pm
If you can read the very small type in the IPI it appears your taxes are going up anyway based on historical home price increases and tax increases The Workers Rights Amendment does not play a role. IPI does not seem to offer any alternative like we promise to crush your home value AND abolish all government.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Sep 28, 22 @ 4:29 pm