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Biz types launch new PAC, 501c4 ‘One Future Illinois’ (Updated)

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Business and real estate interests spent millions to tank Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to raise Chicago’s real estate transfer tax on high-end home sales to create a dedicated revenue source to combat homelessness.

They also bankrolled a $2 million independent expenditure committee to help elect moderate City Council members they hoped would be “part of the solution, not lob bombs from the sideline.”

Now, influential business leaders are forming yet another nonprofit group, with an affiliated political action committee, to advance their “long-term, systemic civic priorities” for the city and state.

They’re calling it “One Future Illinois,” and its leadership roster of business heavyweights includes some who have held prominent positions in city and state government.

Among them: investment banker Steve Koch, who served as deputy mayor under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel; Derek Douglas, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club; and Jesse Ruiz, former deputy governor for education in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. Ruiz also served as interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools, chair of the Illinois State Board of Education and board president of the Chicago Park District.

Their PAC’s statement of organization describes its mission as “To advance common sense solutions to meet the most significant challenges and opportunities of the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.” No contributions have yet been reported.

Mike Ruemmler, who was one of Rahm Emanuel’s top go-to people, will run both the c4 and the PAC, Fran reports. Go read the rest.

…Adding… Crain’s…

In a call with Crain’s, the group’s leaders wouldn’t disclose how much they expect to raise, but the money should start flowing soon and is expected to take in at least seven figures.

The group will “be involved” in the mayor’s race and next City Council election, said Michael Ruemmler, a former advisor to both Emanuel and President Barack Obama. He wouldn’t disclose if they’d take on Johnson.

Asked if the PAC will spend money opposing elected school board candidates supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, Ruemmler would only say “we’ll take a look at all the candidates.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:15 am

Comments

“…To advance common sense solutions …”

In other words, do what we tall you, otherwise your life will be miserable.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:29 am
“…To advance common sense solutions …” - because your solutions lack common sense? Clearly not an invitation to dialogue.

Comment by Uptown Progressive Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:38 am
Some very good people associated with this group. Hopefully they can be a good counterweight to this disastrous mayor and council.

Comment by Suburban Mom Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:49 am
Nice. Small drop in the bucket against CTU millions. Covic leadership sorely needed in the vacuum left with BJ’s nonsense.

Comment by 44 Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:53 am
I’m for middle ground. as we see with national politics there is not a middle ground choice. We need smart solutions for problems that are in real need of any solution.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 11:58 am
Beware any time a group claims a monopoly on common sense.

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:17 pm
The answer to solving poverty and many of society’s additional ills is to tax the wealthy. It always has been. But the wealthy never want to contribute to society. They only want to rule over it. I have no idea how to combat that.

Comment by Mike Gascoigne Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:29 pm
If they are willing to spend millions to defeat the tax means that they think it’s worth a lot more.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:35 pm
Power trip is how I would describe Mayor Johnson’s term in office so far. I think other people would agree and are not going to follow blindly this power trip.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 12:47 pm
=== The answer to solving poverty and many of society’s additional ills is to tax the wealthy. ===

More money is the means and not the end. If your goal is to “solve” poverty, you must realize that there is a lot more to achieving that goal than raising taxes on the wealthy. What is going to be done with the additional tax revenues? What metrics will be used to determine whether the programs funded by the additional tax revenues are working? Many would argue that we cannot even fund the programs that already exist let alone new programs to combat poverty. So I think these are some of the questions that need to be answered by progressives. If they continue trying to gobble up more money without a plan to spend it wisely and effectively, then I understand why there would be pushback. I don’t think this group believes that money is being spend wisely in the current landscape.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 1:15 pm
Is Steve Koch one of *those* Kochs?

Comment by Bob Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 2:21 pm
Hannibal Lecter - I always find it funny when people challenge what I’m saying but still acknowledge me as a progressive. I am. The word ‘progress’ is in the title. You’re against that? Okay.

Comment by Mike Gascoigne Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 3:29 pm
Wow I’m surprised that promoting “common sense” is triggering so many folks here. I mean, don’t we need more of this given the current state of things in chicago? The left and ctu affiliates are trying to take this city so far off the tracks that I welcome someone - anyone - to challenge them, their policies and thinking in order to bring more common sense to these public policy conversations.

Comment by Shytown Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 3:41 pm
To Huh. “In other words, do what we tall you, otherwise your life will be miserable.”
How is that any different than the CTU or SEIU pouring tens of thousands of dollars into individual campaigns?

Comment by Just Sayin… Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 3:48 pm
- I’m surprised that promoting “common sense” is triggering so many folks here. -

Don’t be a child, what people consider common sense solutions varies immensely.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Jul 24, 24 @ 5:03 pm