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* Way back in December of 2016, Crain’s Chicago Business reported on some JB Pritzker contributions to the Speaker Madigan operation…
According to campaign records highlighted by the Rauner folks, $119,400 came from Stateline, which is listed at the same West Loop address as the Pritzker Group, and J.B. Pritzker listed the firm on a 2006 statement of economic interest.
Another $82,000 came from TNDP. It, too, has the same West Loop address, and its registered agent is Jay Robert Pritzker.
Republicans say that’s proof Pritzker is a secret agent of sorts of the governor’s arch-enemy, House Speaker Mike Madigan.
“After raising money for Rod Blagojevich, it’s no surprise that Pritzker is trying to hide hundreds of thousands in donations meant to help Mike Madigan,” Illinois Republican Party spokesman Steven Yaffe said in a statement. “Pritzker is just proving he is a political insider who will always side with Madigan to protect the status quo.”
I posted the story on my blog at the time.
* This morning, Gov. Rauner’s campaign organization sent out an e-mail entitled “WCIA: Pritzker used LLC to donate to Madigan” and linked to the story, which recycled that same info from the more than year-old Crain’s story…
Running short on time and low on resources, Democrats running against billionaire front runner J.B. Pritzker in the upcoming March primary contest are targeting the wealthy philanthropist with accusations that he bought his way into the good graces of powerful House Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan in a scheme to consolidate party support and deny them the nomination. […]
“That just happens to be where there was money available to give,” Pritzker explained on Wednesday. He and his wife gave another $27,000 in political contributions during that same month under their own names. “As you know, the laws are you either give individually or you give through an organization that is made up of individuals and I am the only individual involved in that organization,” Pritzker said. […]
[Chris Kennedy campaign spokesperson Rebeccca O’Halloran Evans] said, “What’s clear is that Mike Madigan and political insiders are supporting J.B. in exchange for the promise that he’ll protect the status quo. Pritzker has spent more than $40 million in this race to raise his profile and it hasn’t bought him an ounce of courage,” she said in an email. “Pritzker won’t change the system that only works for a wealthy and well-connected few. A system from which he benefits while everyone else suffers.” […]
[Sen. Daniel Biss said] “Whether it’s to hide the liquidation of his offshore assets to avoid taxes, or hiding his donations to Mike Madigan to avoid being seen as Madigan’s chosen candidate, we know J.B. Pritzker is adept at the billionaire game of using shell companies to hide his record from the voters of Illinois.” […]
“J.B. Pritzker secretly bankrolling Mike Madigan only scratches the surface of their close relationship,” ILGOP spokesman Aaron DeGroot said in a statement. “Madigan knows Pritzker is a fellow insider who will protect their corrupt property tax racket and Chicago political machine. Pritzker will never stand up to Madigan, and that’s why Madigan has worked so hard behind the scenes to crown Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 9:44 am
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Previous Post: Politifact awards Gov. Rauner another “Pants on Fire!” rating
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Bruce and Diana Rauner bought and paid for the ILGOP… the brand and its alleged untarnished standing.
The ILGOP now stands for Diana Rauner’s social agenda of taxpayer funded abortions and Illinois’ alleged “sanctuary state” status.
Maybe this is buyer’s remorse?
Pritzker donating to the Dems, whew Bruce and Diana Rauner identify their own social agenda as an uber-left, costal limousine liberal agenda more Democratic than the brand they bought.
So… go after Pritzker for donating to the party the Rauners’ most align?
Rauner faces the voters and Republicans with this odd record, a Raunerite record. The concern for Democrats supporting Democrats has a unique charm, that’s for sure, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 9:55 am
==Bruce and Diana Rauner identify their own social agenda as an uber-left==
If their social agenda is uber left, what are real progressives like JB Pritzker. No the problem is the right has gone so far to the right these days that any concession is considered treason. Rauner is far from actual comprehensive left policies social or otherwise.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:05 am
I’m surprised that both Kennedy and Biss think there’s a path to victory in the Dem primary employing Rauner’s campaign rhetoric.
There sure ain’t room for two on that train.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:11 am
It comes down to the policies you are fighting for. All of this other noise does not add up to much. Pritzker wants a progressive income tax, medicare for all, and legalized cannabis. That is good enough for me.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:17 am
Donations for you good, donations for opposition bad. Got it.
Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:20 am
Oh boy…
===If their social agenda is uber left, what are real progressives like JB Pritzker.===
Having an uber-left, costal limousine liberal agenda isn’t exclusive to any ONE candidate… ever.
===No the problem is the right has gone so far to the right these days that any concession is considered treason.===
LOL… find me another Republican Governor this cycle that signed bills with taxpayer funded abortions, left-thinking criminal justice reform and a bill other Republicans misidentifying as “sanctuary state” legislation.
For the love of Peter, any Dem Governor would love that social record to run on. Pay attention to what is the record.
===Rauner is far from actual comprehensive left policies social or otherwise.===
lol… “… signed bills with taxpayer funded abortions, left-thinking criminal justice reform and a bill other Republicans misidentifying as “sanctuary state” legislation.“
What would call this?
Geez, Louise…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:25 am
Biss already tried to cheat retirees before the State Supreme court stopped him. He admits he’s open to taxing retirement income. Kennedy bravely refuses to state his position on taxing retirement income. Pritzker says he’s against taxing retirement income. he’s a rich guy and an Illinois politician so there’s a big probability that he’s lying but I so no other course for myself. I’m taking a chance on Pritzker. Kennedy seems to have no policy except “I hate Pritzker” and I’d rather vote for RAUNER than Biss!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:28 am
Oswego Willy - Like I said, the right is now far, far right. Gerrymandering by the GOP in places like North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania have ensured that there will be no middle ground candidates anymore. Thankfully here in Illinois we still have a strong Democratic foothold that will not tolerate it.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:46 am
===left-thinking criminal justice reform===
So the GOP’s answer for drugs is to just keep locking people up instead of treating it like a health issue for people that have issues. That has worked so well to solve the problem. The US has 5% of the worlds population and 20% of the worlds prisoners. Maybe we are doing something wrong?
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:52 am
===Like I said, the right is now far, far right.===
So? Rauner is an uber-left, coastal limousine liberal, by any measure. You have no point here.
===Gerrymandering by the GOP in places like North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Pennsylvania have ensured that there will be no middle ground candidates anymore.===
That has nothing, zero, to do with Illinois or Rauner’s record as a liberal, uber-liberal actually, on social issues. You have no point here.
===Thankfully here in Illinois we still have a strong Democratic foothold that will not tolerate it.===
Huh? What is your point, exactly?
Tolerate what? Gerrymandering? Are you new to Illinois?
Rauner, on social agenda issues is a liberal. It’s not up for discussion or debate.
What is your point?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:52 am
===Rauner, on social agenda issues is a liberal. It’s not up for discussion or debate.===
Has Rauner endorsed legalized cannabis? Has Rauner endorsed medicare for all? Has Rauner endorsed a progressive income tax?
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:55 am
===So the GOP’s answer for drugs is to just keep locking people up instead of treating it like a health issue for people that have issues.===
Have. You. Been. Paying. Attention?
Why has Rauner been lauded for his stance here, mostly by Dems?
It’s not the norm for a Republican to take the criminal justice stances Rauner has taken. Not. Not the norm.
===That has worked so well to solve the problem. The US has 5% of the worlds population and 20% of the worlds prisoners. Maybe we are doing something wrong?===
Oh boy… this isn’t a policy debate, it’s a discussion on the political spectrum the Rauner response to issues are.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:55 am
===Has Rauner endorsed legalized cannabis? Has Rauner endorsed medicare for all? Has Rauner endorsed a progressive income tax?===
Would you call this a conservative agenda?
“… signed bills with taxpayer funded abortions, left-thinking criminal justice reform and a bill other Republicans misidentifying as “sanctuary state” legislation.“
Democratic governors would give ANYTHING for this record of signed bills… to appease the Left.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 10:58 am
===Have. You. Been. Paying. Attention? It’s not the norm for a Republican to take the criminal justice stances Rauner has taken.===
Yes, I have been paying attention. Rauner has not been a good advocate for medical cannabis. He vetoed the first cannabis decrim bill. He has given a few crumbs to the democrats. Big deal. Like I said, the right now is far, far right.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:00 am
–It’s not the norm for a Republican to take the criminal justice stances Rauner has taken. Not. Not the norm.–
Simply not true. Criminal justice reform is actually an issue that Dems and Republicans are coming together on across the country, outside of the Jeff Sessions ilk.
Google “Republicans criminal justice reform” and you’ll see.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:00 am
===Would you call this a conservative agenda?===
I thought you said Rauner is left on social policies?
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:02 am
===Criminal justice reform is actually an issue that Dems and Republicans are coming together on across the country, outside of the Jeff Sessions ilk.===
Point taken.
As Rauner is being targeted for his stances not in line with alleged conservatives (like the Sessions ilk) the premise with Rauner signing HB40 and the misinformation on the TRUST Act, the criminal justice reform Rauner, which I said was good on him, and congratulated him too, the reform Rauner signed to some (Sessions types) is left.
If the criminal justice reform is celebrated, Rauner should tout it more to Session type Republicans.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:07 am
“… signed bills with taxpayer funded abortions, left-thinking criminal justice reform and a bill other Republicans misidentifying as “sanctuary state” legislation.“
Would you call this left on social policies?
If not, why?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 11:09 am
Mercy. Can we please stop the dancing on and around political labels?
Let’s focus on what is and isn’t being accomplished. And why.
Comment by walker Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:15 pm
Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn’t characterize anything short of Fully Automated Luxury Gay Space Communism as über-liberal.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:20 pm
===Call me old fashioned===
You are ever the traditionalist, - @misterjsyem -
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 2, 18 @ 12:40 pm