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Dunkin hit on guns as state’s attorney launches probe of vote buying allegations

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Illinois

* This is about his concealed carry vote, which passed with large bipartisan majorities…

The Father Pfleger quote is pretty powerful, so maybe it’ll work.

* And the AP reports that the state’s attorney is investigating the allegations of Dunkin campaign vote buying…

Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, said Monday that the office’s election unit is “looking into” a complaint against state Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago. The complaint was first lodged by Alderman Pat Dowell, a supporter of Dunkin’s opponent in the Democratic primary who on Sunday released videos that she says were made by “volunteers” who entered a Dunkin campaign office to secretly record the payments. […]

In one video that Dowell released, a man wearing an orange Dunkin hat can be seen handing out cash to people signing papers, while asking at one point if a man had voted. In the other video, a woman outside Dunkin’s office on the city’s South Side tells a person wearing a camera that people at a local library will be paid if they “punch 121.”

Sample ballots for Dunkin’s district show he is listed under 121 in the March 15 primary.

A man can be heard asking, “How much money?” The woman responds, “$50 apiece.”

* Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune editorial board didn’t even comment on the President’s address to the Illinois General Assembly, but did weigh in on Obama’s Dunkin endorsement today…

So thank you, Mr. President, for helping voters sort out this troublesome race. Now, who are your picks for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District?

So clever.

* They also claimed Dunkin’s opponent “chickened out of a face-to-face endorsement session with her opponent.” The other day, however, the Tribune endorsed US Sen. Mark Kirk. But Kirk also “chickened out” of a face-to-face endorsement session with his opponent…

The Chicago Tribune, the state’s largest newspaper, will not be holding an editorial interview for the top statewide race in the Illinois Republican primary. They say they’ve been unable to work out a time for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk to appear before the board, leaving his GOP challenger James Marter without recourse to get his views to their readership.

The board held an interview for the Democrat Party primary February 8, 2016.

“We couldn’t schedule a time with the other candidate, so we probably aren’t going to do [an editorial board review] in this race.” Elizabeth Greiwe, the editorial board coordinator, told the Marter campaign in an email Friday.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:40 am

Comments

To carry Rauner’s water for Dunkin, the Tribbie’s say Stratton “chickened out.”

To carry Rauner’s water for Kirk, the Tribbie’s say they “were unable to work out a time” for Kirk to appear with Marter.

They consistently know who they work for.

The Obama snark is just red meat for the birther and “he’s a Muslim” whack-a-doos who read their edits for some other reason than to make fun of them.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:50 am
===The board held an interview for the Democrat Party primary February 8, 2016.===

Oh that Illinois Review, it’s just pure laziness and dog whistle to keep writing “Democrat” instead of Democratic.

It’s one of many reasons moderates tell me it’s tough to take Republicans seriously.

To the Post,

The Tribune’s Editorial Board’s sole purpose, it seems, is to be the media cover Rauner requires when Rauner needs an alleged credible “outside opinion”.

What’s disappointing is the Editorial Board missing the opportunity to discuss why a sitting President of the United States is wading in a statehouse race, and the history of Obama’s service and interactions as the backstory.

But, that might not leave Dunkin in a good light. So, the Editorial Board must spin, yet again, a narrative that Rauner could approve.

Editorial Boards can have opinions, but they can’t change the historical and institutional knowledge at to the “why” something happened, or why it’s relevant to today.

Marginalizing the President of the United States’ endorsement clearly was done to blunt the rationale of why it happened at all.

Editorial Boards are going to Ediitorial.

Facts are left for those removed from the Trib tower, and actually reporting… from the State House.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:52 am
I get everyone on here is no fan of Dunkin, but am I the only one uncomfortable with a religious leader endorsing a political candidate?

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:54 am
The Trib isn’t much different than the News Gazette in Champaign when it comes to objectivity (or a severe lack thereof). But what can you expect when most of the newspapers in the country are controlled by the 1%? Some, like The Boston Globe, tend to be more center-oriented, although the rabid right is always accusing The Globe of being a liberal rag.

Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:55 am
Younger readers may be surprised to learn that there was a time when the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board could challenge the President of the United States without calling to mind a small child throwing eggs at a passing train.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:55 am
==NIU Grad==

Wouldn’t be the first time, and far from the last. Pfleger is just as much a social and political activist than he is a religious leader.

Comment by wolf Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:57 am
Hey Mr/Ms NIU grad
religious leaders get involved all the time
Jerry Fawell, Pat Robertson, the Grahams, etc. etc. They are always telling people what to do so why not a priest who probably more credibility than anyone else.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:01 am
–I get everyone on here is no fan of Dunkin, but am I the only one uncomfortable with a religious leader endorsing a political candidate?–

LOL, dude, if that’s the case, you’re going to be uncomfortable all the time following politics in the United States of America.

Religious leaders in the public eye across the political spectrum don’t hide their lights under bushels when it comes to making known their candidate choices, either explicitly or implicitly.

Been like that forever.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:01 am
It’s the Tribune. They are unprofessional and unethical. It is how they roll.

Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:05 am
@NIU Grad and @wolf-

There’s a fine line between a personal endorsement and acting as a spokesman for the institution. Tax-exempt religious organizations cannot endorse candidates. Pfleger may be a political activist, but it is troubling when he endorses a candidate using his religious affiliation.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:05 am
Well…if Father Pfleger can endorse Ms. Stratton, then I hope West Side Christian Church’s leaders endorse Bryce Benton since he and his wife are members and since he volunteers his time. After all, turnabout is fair play and Father Pfleger kinda opened up the floodgates on this one. How would the Cap Fax world, SJ-R and Channel 20’s regulars react if West Side’s leadership actually did that?! People would be pretty upset - but given this mailer it would be fair.

Also - this:

https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/The-Restriction-of-Political-Campaign-Intervention-by-Section-501(c)(3)-Tax-Exempt-Organizations

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:06 am
Joan - my brother is a man of the cloth. He is taught that when he takes a public stand it is representative of the church or religious entity that employs him. In previous stops, he has been asked to withhold his public commentary on several issues. And he has never been more than an associate pastor or intern. Imagine the “rules” his governing body would impose if he were actually running a small or large church.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:08 am
–Tax-exempt religious organizations cannot endorse candidates.–

Certainly your life experience must tell you otherwise.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:11 am
The concealed carry act was necessary in light of Heller and the Moore v Madigan decision. The alternative was no regulation of concealed carry in Illinois. Kind of misleading to pin that on Dunkin.

Comment by chicagonk Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:11 am
Powerful stuff. I hope there is time for another round of powerful anti-Dunkin TV commercials–time enough for them to work if they come out. I’ve heard some buzz from the earlier commercial with the women and kids, and now the Obama endorsement commercial.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:14 am
@Team Sleep -

That’s why I say it’s a “fine line”. I don’t know if the Catholic Church has the same policy as your brother’s church, but I do agree that a priest/minister/rabbi/imam/whatever taking a public stand will inevitably be seen as speaking for the institution, whether they intend that or not.

Not that Pfleger would listen if Archbishop Cupich told him to cool it . . .

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:15 am
@team sleep what church would that be? The church of the failed model karaoke dancer candidate? Rauner had a bunch of “pastors” support his campaign apparently in exchange for $$$ appointments.

Comment by said so Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:16 am
===Tax-exempt religious organizations cannot endorse candidates===

Correct. However there is this little thing called the 1st Amendment. Individuals can say what they want.

Take a breath already.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:16 am
==NIU Grad==

There is a long tradition of religious leaders supporting various causes and even specific candidates. It’s more overt and blatant in some denominations than others, but it’s a fact of life. A good preacher can draw a picture without having to say the name.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:16 am
Said So - your drive-by comments are unbecoming of this site. Please don’t insult West Side - which I clearly mentioned in my comment. It’s a pretty good church that does a lot of good work locally and abroad.

And for the record - I don’t like it when anyone who represents a tax-exempt organization endorses or pushes a candidate. I have no problem when a candidate visits a church, but that’s it.

Joan - that’s my point exactly and it looks like we’re on the same page. It’s funny because Bishop Paprocki gets mocked - and rightfully so - for some of his ridiculous stances/statements. You gotta wonder what the Archbishop thinks of Paprocki’s antics. But if Pfleger or the church leaders in St. Louis are given some free reign, then they’ve opened up a massive can of worms.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:23 am
==JoanP==

Yeah, sorry, but that argument doesn’t hold water. The Catholic church isn’t endorsing Stratton, Pfleger is.

Comment by wolf Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:24 am
==JoanP==

And if you think that’s a distinction without a difference, I promise it’s not.

Comment by wolf Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:26 am
NIU Grad,
You are far from the only one. As a man of the cloth, and an intelligent person, he should know there is a difference between social activism and blatant political endorsements.

One is good. The other crosses the line.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:33 am
Anyone remember Rev. Meeks?

Comment by Pawn Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:36 am
Nice that Alvarez is looking into Dowell’s complaint. Does that mean the vote-buying…or the eavesdropping by the whistleblowers? /s

Comment by Independent retired lawyer, journalist Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:37 am
To the investigation,

It will be important these last 7 days to keep front and center the investigation of vote buying bu Ken Dunkin’s campaign.

Video is pretty powerful these days…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:42 am
So if Rauner funds were uses in the vote buying scheme he is pretty much guaranteed a one termer right?

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:48 am
Dunkin’s Going Down! What job might the Governor offer him after his loss to Stratton?

Comment by Union Man Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:49 am
The IRS prohibition on churches engaging in political campaigning is, for all practical purposes, merely notional, e.g. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tax-churches-irs-idUSBRE85K1EP20120621

The primary factor that keeps churches from openly endorsing political candidates isn’t the IRS; it’s that very many parishioners find the idea revoltingly inappropriate.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 10:53 am
Well I hope the West Side does endorse Benton considering they couldn’t even call the Super Bowl correctly.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 11:06 am
I don’t know how Rep. Dunkin votes on gun issues, but the Black Caucus did the NRA’s job on Rep. Brandon Phelps concealed carry bill.

Reps. Chris Welch, LaShawn Ford and Will Davis were the only ones who went on the record in committee or on the floor opposing Duty to Inform, which is basically Stop and Frisk for the black population in Chicago. NRA & ISRA members should thank them for their defense of the Constitution.

Comment by Payback Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 11:08 am
Back in the 2012 election, Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria ordered all priests in his diocese to read an anti-Obama letter to their congregations. That seemed more than just voicing one’s personal views. But, as far as I know he was not reprimanded for it by the Catholic Church or any government body.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 11:45 am
Know what I find disturbing, Rev. James Meeks gets appointed head of ISBE by Rauner after actively campaigning for him and Rev. Corey Brooks,http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/south-side-pastor-corey-brooks-who-backed-rauner-lands-tollway-post/ That is disturbing. I can assure you Pfleger isn’t doing it for a job.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 11:56 am
Might father Mike be messing with the 501-C designation if anyone cared to looked into that?

Comment by Northside no more Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 12:04 pm
Yeah I don’t remember any of you guys complaining when Corey Brooks was out stumping for Rauner.

Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 1:48 pm
**Might father Mike be messing with the 501-C designation if anyone cared to looked into that?**

No. Good try though.

Comment by AlabamaShake Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:28 pm