SPOTTED: Mendoza’s “LOADED” Taxpayer Funded SUV
Mendoza Used Taxpayer Dollars to Buy $32,000 SUV With Heated Leather Seats, Navigation, Power Trunk
Last month, Comptroller Susana Mendoza drew heat for using taxpayer dollars just weeks into office to buy herself a $32,000 luxury featured SUV, sending her staff with a check to pay for the car in full.
Listing records reveal that Madigan’s comptroller spent taxpayer dollars to get herself a “LOADED” SUV with heated leather seats, navigation, and a power liftgate - luxury features paid for by you, the taxpayer.
New footage shows just how fancy Mendoza’s taxpayer purchase is.
That, and a driver too. Good to be a politician.
Comment by I said it Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:03 am
This repetitive “LOADED” makes me think of:
Baked Potatoes
WWF: Fully Loaded
Comment by MissingG Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:03 am
Could have some real fun coming up with a counter piece, only substituting the suv with a certain deputy governor.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:04 am
The only thing ‘loaded’ is the BS that the GOP is trying to put on Mendoza for this used vehicle purchased.
I suppose they would have gone after her if the seller had noted “low milage, 1 car owner” as well.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:05 am
===Could have some real fun coming up with a counter piece===
First you’d need a functioning state party that concerned itself with more than House races.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:06 am
That press release was written with a breathless passion usually reserved for the cheapest romance novels.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:07 am
Why does she need four cup holders? Does she have a drinking problem. What is Mike Madigan’s Controller trying to pull here?
Comment by Carhartt Representative Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:08 am
No way does Rauner want to find common ground with Democrats, or keep from not being the narrative, campaigning.
This is what Democrat Diana Rauner is helping to play for, congratulations, Diana, you are paying for a tracker on a female Democrat.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:09 am
A power liftgate?
How soon are we expecting the angry peasants to arrive with pitchforks and torches?
Comment by South of Sherman Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:09 am
49 million dollars siphoned off gratis iLGOP
For Rivian EDGE deal
To a company that has yet to produce a single car
THAT’S #LOADED
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:11 am
She bought a used car. Get over it people. They probably needed to replace the last one. Lots of state cars have over 100,000+ miles on them. She didn’t go out and pick out something brand new and fully loaded. She chose a used car. That is saving money.
And while I am at it, what happened to the governors purple van? If he and his people are so worried about how much was spent, send over the purple van because I never see him driving it.
Comment by LibrarianRyan Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:11 am
Is Rauner still riding around in Quinn’s 200k mile crown vics? Or did he end up with those new black Expeditions? Have yet to see the trash can prop outside the JRTC.
Comment by really Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:13 am
I hope Rauner does not plan to stick with this line of attack for her entire 4 year term. By 2022, the purchase will look like a good one.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:14 am
Everytime that Rauner goes after Mendoza, it just reminds me that he refused to listen to voters and employed Munger.
Comment by Redraider Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:15 am
I’m bad at math…so, I thought she got rid of three under-performing vehicles with one new, efficient model…while the Governor - for five times as much (per year) - adds new Deputy Governors to a staff which decidedly under-performs.
Comment by Don Gerard Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:15 am
They could have bought 4 of these SUVs every year if we weren’t paying Munger to do a made up job.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:17 am
I’ll bet this will resonate with the 36% who approve of the job the Governor is doing.
Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:18 am
Rauner’s bizarre fixation on Mendoza is doing him no favors, either operationally or politically.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:21 am
The temperature and lacking of collegial respect, going back to “The Owl”, and the first tracker popping up against GA members, Rauner has poisoned even the thought of bipartisan “détente” is long gone with Rauner.
Rauner has crumbled the premise that “we’re all in this together” with trackers intimidating in hopes of breaking it all… for his personal agenda.
Whoa.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:22 am
Seriously? A tracker on the driveway of the Capitol? That is really uncool.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:23 am
More (and effective) distraction from Rauner’s deliberate destruction of human services and higher education and digging Illinois’ financial hole ever deeper.
Comment by Earnest Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:23 am
Ummm…so she’s not flanked by a bunch of $100K + state police protection folks. So, maybe there is a savings afterall.
Comment by Carhartt Union Negotiating Team Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:23 am
So am I to assume Rauner will be paying the bills for the State Police escorting him to campaign events, and he will be using his personal vehicles?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:26 am
Oh for pete’s sake. What a joke.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:27 am
It’s bigger than the luxury SUV I bought last year, probably equipped similarly, and cost less since it was used. I’d guess they saved $10K-$20K off of a new one.
Lot’s of those vehicles running around today. So what’s the story supposed to be?
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:30 am
Welp, its about time to deploy a tracker on the Gov.
Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:34 am
The story is why is she spending tax payer money on a SUV? Does she not have her own car to use? Dems and GOP are both guilty of pushing the limits.
Comment by Rocky Rosi Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:35 am
I’ll bet it has air conditioning! And a radio!
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:37 am
Skeptic - of course it has a radio so she can listen to the radio and the stations that Madigan controls.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:41 am
Comptroller Susana Mendoza could buy 4.3 of these cars every year for the $138,000 salary Leslie Munger is being paid in her created-out-of-thin-air political patronage job.
…just sayin’
Comment by PDJT Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:42 am
She’s getting under their skin. Good for her. If they spent as much time working on an actual budget, maybe this state would get somewhere.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:46 am
This governor and the IL-GOP minions he controls only know how to campaign, as evidenced by his compete failure at governing.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:49 am
This is silly. Seems desperate.
Up until today, I’ve always seen the price tag for this “LOADED” vehicle at $17,000.
Comment by Politix Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:50 am
Good luck finding any large SUV, new or used, that isn’t “loaded.”
Yes, Republicans are so concerned with saving taxpayers’ money. That’s why they hire the cheap legal and financial firms for State business.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:57 am
A tracker on a state officer, with no election in site?
From GOP to KGB.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Dear Comptroller, a State party is funded by private donations, not public taxpayer money. You’d think that’d be something a Comptroller would know.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:04 pm
Can Mendoza back up her “facts” that the tracker is being paid out of taxpayer money?
My take on this is simple: She wanted the attention. She wanted the limelight. She shouldn’t complain about the attention.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:09 pm
==A tracker on a state officer, with no election in site?==
There’s no election in sight? Weird, I wonder what all these people who’ve announced campaigns for office recently are running for?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:12 pm
Super creepy video. But that’s Rauner’s style.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Rather rude of the GOP considering that the Comptroller paid that contractor Munger well ahead of much more deserving service provider contractors.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:15 pm
Louis,
She posed it as a question not as fact. Maybe read it again?
Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Anonymous (pick a name) and Louis:
Y’all might want to look up what a question mark is
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:16 pm
===My take on this is simple: She wanted the attention. She wanted the limelight. She shouldn’t complain about the attention.===
Wow, - Louis G Atsaves -
I never thought you’d think a tracker, not during campaign season and on the Capitol grounds is acceptable.
I learned something today, Counselor.
You’re not about the breathing room and respect, but making clear, you want to chide “who is paying for what”, but the tracker, that’s fine.
Wow. Speaks volumes how far you have fallen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Well Louis, since the Comptroller pays all the bills, she may have inside information on who is getting paid what.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:19 pm
==Y’all might want to look up what a question mark is==
Please. That’s as much a question as “I’m Aron Burgandy?” Or Is she so clueless that she doesn’t know and has to ask?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:21 pm
Anonymous,
There’s no election in sight?
No Comptroller election…please keep up. (Hat tip to OW)
Comment by Fool On The Hill Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:21 pm
If you drive a state car. Every state workers notices where and for what business purpose you use the vehicle. Why does the new comptroller think she is any different. Buy a luxury car while other state workers are driving wrecks only gets you more on the radar. And I really thought things would change with different gov. Different comptroller. And up dated staff. Boy was I wrong.
Comment by Hhood Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:21 pm
==not during campaign season ==
LOL
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:22 pm
==No Comptroller election…==
So they’re skipping Comptroller ? No, they’re not. It’s up the same time as Governor.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:25 pm
The perception is kinda creepy stalkerish.
The reality is kinda creepy stalkerish too.
Stop this.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:27 pm
There’s plenty (and I mean plenty) of fertile ground for criticism of Comptroller Mendoza…inside the lines.
Stay there and knock off this stuff. It looks bad because it is bad. Knock it off.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:29 pm
@Willy,
I’m not a big fan of trackers, but I will acknowledge their usage by both political parties. Please don’t be shocked by their existence. I can recall trackers in the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center following around candidates of both political parties. That pseudo-shock is not very becoming of you.
With campaigns and politics getting uglier each year, expect trackers to multiply accordingly.
And as to those ??? in the Comptrollers tweets, they are in the same as President Trump’s in messaging. Stalking????? Public Funds being used????? Puleeze!
The only taxpayer funds used in that snippet appears to be used for the purchase of a 1 year old “used” Ford Explorer with low mileage and all kinds of fancy bells and whistles. Let me roll up and park next to her luxurious ride my 16 year old Jeep with 373,000 miles on it so we can do a better comparison. (And I bought mine new).
She wanted the limelight. Suddenly she is offended? And you are horrified!
LOL!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:30 pm
The - @MisterJayEm - rule, got me is in full effect on the - Anonymous -
Either respect the dialog, discussion, even the place we’re lucky to comment or don’t expect much.
(Tops cap to - Fool On The Hill - )
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:31 pm
“No taxpayer money was used”
Why should we trust you?
Show the receipt, please.
Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:32 pm
Our state burns while a bunch of overpaid four year olds write dueling tweets
Swell!!
Comment by train111 Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:32 pm
Let’s calm down with the “Luxury” SUV comments, it’s a Ford afterall.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:37 pm
===The only taxpayer funds used in that snippet appears to be used for the purchase of a 1 year old “used” Ford Explorer with low mileage and all kinds of fancy bells and whistles===
This is so overblown. When statewide officials accept state police protection, the auto purchase doesn’t come out of their budgets. Mendoza didn’t opt for protection, so the car is paid for by her office. Rauner does get protection, so his cars are paid for by the cops - but the money still comes from the same source: taxpayers.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:43 pm
And Munger will get paid two months for approximately the same cost as that SUV for doing what exactly?
At least the SUV serves an important state service.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:55 pm
@Louis 12:30…sounding a little jealous there buddy. Really, it’s ok to drive an old Jeep.
Comment by justpeachy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:55 pm
I know, for a fact, that Rauner is being driven around by the ISP Executive Protection Unit in what one would consider luxury vehicles. Not to mention the 100k salaries (plus overtime) of those troopers. Those who live in glass houses…
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:57 pm
If it’s that big of a deal, why doesn’t Captain Carhartt just donate the trash can van to the Comptrollers Office, and ask that the new/used SUV be sold?
Comment by Scooteriffic! Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:58 pm
Oh - Louis G Atsaves -…
===I’m not a big fan of trackers, but…===
Yeah, I’m not “this”, but…
That’s not an argument, that’s an excuse, Counselor. You don’t get the whole “I’m not a fan” when you add the “but”… continuing…
I will acknowledge their usage by both political parties.===
On state property, not during a campaign season? Please cite.
===Please don’t be shocked by their existence. I can recall trackers in the State Capitol Building and the James R. Thompson Center following around candidates…====
Counselor, I’m going to stop you there.
You shift TO candidates but Comptroller Mendoza isn’t a candidate.
How do I know? Councelor, when are petitions due?
Counselor, when did Comptroller say she was a candidate.
Words matter, - Louis G Atsaves -.
===That pseudo-shock is not very becoming of you.===
Actually, when Rauner starred tracking a member of the GA, I felt the same way. Again, no campaign or petitions, or election date in sight.
What is unbecoming, Counselor, is trying to sneakily say “candidate” for your argument, but that’s not what’s at play. And you… you know it.
You’re not a big fan of trackers, as Governor Rauner says “You know what?”… you are, and just just can’t admit it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 12:59 pm
So tired of this schoolyard bickering. Lock them all in a room until they get a budget.
Comment by BBG Watch Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:00 pm
If you’re waiting for petition day to consider it campaign season, you’re losing message and elections. So keep telling your candidates that, OW.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:03 pm
Pick a name or don’t address me.
Thank you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:05 pm
This is what we all think we should be spending our time on? The purchase of an SUV. If this purchase really has anyone’s shorts in a bunch then you’re priorities of what to be worried about are entirely out of whack.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:10 pm
==not during a campaign season?==
Keep telling your candidates that, OW. When your in public office, in a battle of messaging, it’s always campaign season.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:11 pm
@Willy - I totally concur with the @MrJM rule about the Anonymous and never respond - hopefully more will follow this lead and get with the program.
Comment by illini Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:17 pm
Pick a name or don’t address me.
Repeating yourself is being respectful.
I’m done.
Thank you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:18 pm
Just how many miles has Rauner put on the trash can van for official business?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:20 pm
can you say reaching?…
Comment by pskila Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:26 pm
Wow…I used to like and respect Rauner and the ILGOP. Now, I just pity them. Rauner: what a pitiful and little man you have become. No amount of money can give you class. Heartless and classless to boot. Mazel tov.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:28 pm
Call me crazy, but I have a feeling Munger might be running against Mendoza again in 2018.
Comment by Grand Avenue Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 1:54 pm
Can someone answer me this? If the Comptroller used her own car instead, would she be reimbursed mileage? Could that cost more than the purchase of the used vehicle? Are other state officials, like the heads of agencies and commissions reimbursed mileage? How much does that cost the State?
Comment by The Real Just Me Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 2:09 pm
Guv, we are not in High School anymore, grow up! $32,000 is minimal compared to what you have done to our state.
Question: As far as paying the legislators, besides it being a court order, did the ruling give Mendoza a time frame when they had to be paid?
Comment by Sasquatch Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 2:10 pm
===Could have some real fun coming up with a counter piece===
===First you’d need a functioning state party that concerned itself with more than House races.===
Not necessarily Rich. There are plenty of witty commenters here providing free material on a daily basis. All it would take is an intern to pull it together and disseminate. Easy peasy
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 2:18 pm
What’s next? Are we going to find out she’s using taxpayer dollars to pay for electricty to her office instead of relying on oil lamps and candles? Nice expose’ IRP. Top notch work.
Comment by Han's Solo Cup Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 2:29 pm
==Are other state officials, like the heads of agencies and commissions reimbursed mileage?==
Most, if not all, of those people have state vehicles.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:02 pm
==Dear Comptroller, a State party is funded by private donations, not public taxpayer money. You’d think that’d be something a Comptroller would know. ==
Yeah, especially since he/she was wearing an “I work for the Illinois Republican Party” badge and had the party name, email and phone number on the doors of the car. /s
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:07 pm
@Just Me. Yes, if she used her own car, she could request mileage. Doesn’t have to request it, but she could. Current state mileage rate is 53 1/2 per mile. Chicago to Springfield and back is about 425 miles. So, about $227 for one trip. That’ll add up fast.
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:14 pm
Does Deputy Governor Munger have use of a state vehicle or get reimbursed for mileage?
Comment by The Real Just Me Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:21 pm
=== On state property, not during a campaign season?===
Last I’m seeing the campaign “season” never ends. Perpetual campaigning by everyone. Do I like it? No. Do I acknowledge that reality? Yes.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:39 pm
===Last I’m seeing the campaign “season” never ends. Perpetual campaigning by everyone===
No, not “everyone”
Just Bruce Rauner, rubbing ads I mean, at a million dollars right now.
Mendoza isn’t “everyone”, has she announced she’s running for… anything?
I must’ve missed her announcement.
You can’t excuse this… it’s wrong. Not everyone is doing this, like this, in this time frame.
Cite if you’d like. “I’ll wait”
Rich had a whole Post on Rauner using a tracker on a member of the GA, on the Capitol Grounds.
Can’t remember a similar episode, and I’ll bring you the Post if you’d like with similar inquiries.
This speaks, directly, how far you have fallen. You’re better than this.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 3:50 pm
That anyone would defend this nonsense is demonstrative of partisanship and nothing else. This is childish, useless, wasteful, and counterproductive. Full stop. And it would be the same if trackers sprung out and asked Munger what she was doing to earn her salary.
Be better.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 4:08 pm
==but I have a feeling Munger might be running against Mendoza again in 2018.==
I can’t imagine she doesn’t get *some* strong challenge, but Munger is extraordinarily poorly positioned for it.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 5:07 pm
The price of that “extravagant” vehicle and $8000 more will get you 1 ticket to Rauner’s fundraiser tonight.
Comment by Seymourkid Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 7:00 pm
& Rauner hired Munger at $138,000 a year… Why?
& Rauner’s wife had a secretary paid $100,000 a year…Why?
& Rauner purchased two, not one but two new suv’s for his office….@ nearly $60,000 each? Why?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 7:43 pm
has anybody checked on how much the State paid for motorcycles for Rauners security detail so that he could go out for his rides?
Comment by reasonable Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 8:10 pm
Leslie on paid lunch hour filming her old spot?
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 8:34 pm
Put a tracker on the “Trash Can Van” Rauner vowed/campaigned to use if elected, among all the other snake oil the people who voted for him bought. The Dems need to start messaging big time! Oh by the way does Munger have a state vehicle?
Comment by XDNR Thursday, Mar 30, 17 @ 11:15 pm
There is no need to either defend or condone this. The ILGOP thinks this might resonate with the electorate. The Dems are free to pursue their own interests as well.
Comment by Lech W Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 9:58 am
With Rauners facination with Mendoza, it seems he has a crush on her.
Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 9:58 am