Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Tollway chairman forms new committee after Senate hearings
Posted in:
* Tina Sfondeles on the ongoing Bruce Rauner/Willie Wilson flap…
But even as the Republican governor moved to distance himself from the nonpartisan mayoral challenger — to whom Rauner has given $200,000 in the last year alone — a common political link surfaced. Rauner and Wilson both employ the same man to help with black voter outreach efforts, according to their campaigns and expenditure reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. […]
Rauner and Wilson have described themselves as friends. And both the Rauner and Wilson campaigns are paying the same man for outreach efforts. It’s not uncommon for consultants to be paid to work for several campaigns. Chauncey Colquitt is working outreach for both campaigns.
Citizens for Rauner paid Colquitt $12,000 in two payments for consulting in late June, with the campaign also paying Colquitt’s The Crescent Group $30,000 for legal services, expenditure reports show. Wilson’s campaign also paid The Crescent Group $9,500 in two payments in late June. Colquitt is the listed agent for the group […]
The Rauner campaign did not elaborate on Colquitt’s role, only saying Colquitt is “not the outreach director for Wilson’s campaign.”
Wilson campaign manager Scott Winslow said Colquitt is a paid consultant focusing on “African-American messaging, what’s going to resonate with different populations.”
* But, wait, there’s more! Colquitt also worked for then-Rep. Ken Dunkin in 2016 (click here). Dunkin, of course, was/is a Rauner ally who lost his 2016 Democratic primary to Juliana Stratton and then failed in a comeback bid last March.
* And that’s not all!…
Colquitt’s other job (separate from the campaign) is to help secure guests for WVON talk show host Maze Jackson. Rauner appeared on Jackson’s show June 19 declaring he has done more for the black community than any governor before him. The comment raised eyebrows but it isn’t inaccurate—Rauner has established programs to make sure blacks get a share of state business.
Two days after that radio appearance, Rauner paid $30,000 to Colquitt’s Crescent Group business and $12,000 to him directly, according to campaign expenditure reports. I’m told those payments are for work done since Colquitt was hired in May.
Connecting the dots on Maze Jackson: He supported Ken Dunkin, the controversial lawmaker appointed to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Jackson and Dunkin got to know each other when Jackson was a statehouse lobbyist and later when he was executive director of the Black Caucus Foundation. Jackson’s wife is Kari Steele, also a Water Reclamation District commissioner. Jackson’s good friend is Vince Bass, the director of public engagement and civic affairs for the governor’s office. Before that, Bass worked for former state comptroller Leslie Munger. She’s now the deputy governor. Jackson also owns a marketing company called The Intelligence Group, which was paid $91,000 by Munger for campaign work.
* This oppo package is huge! Take a look at this video of Gov. Rauner from a month ago attending a Maze Jackson “What’s In It For The Black People?” cookout…
WIIFTBP cookout!
Posted by Maze Jackson on Saturday, June 23, 2018
In the video, the governor tells an attendee that “Madigan wanted that impasse and now we have more money for child care.” Aside from the “AFSCME bill,” one of the votes that Rauner convinced Dunkin to skip in 2015 would have restored cuts Gov. Rauner made to child care programs.
Colquitt is present while Maze narrates. Later, Jackson takes the microphone and says, “We’ve got an election in November. Who came to see you? Hey, gov, you want to say a couple of words real quick?” Maze then expresses disappointment that no state legislators showed up.
Rauner, wearing his biker vest, touts his expansion of child care, among other things.
“Remember the people who came to see you and took your vote importantly,” Jackson says when Rauner finishes speaking.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:32 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Tollway chairman forms new committee after Senate hearings
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
…Colquitt is a paid consultant focusing on “African-American messaging, what’s going to resonate with different populations.”
I thought it was just those nasty liberals that practiced identity politics.
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:43 am
—Colquitt’s other job (separate from the campaign) is to help secure guests for WVON talk show host Maze Jackson…. Two days after that radio appearance, Rauner paid $30,000 to Colquitt’s Crescent Group business and $12,000 to him directly, according to campaign expenditure reports.–
Good work, if you can get it.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:43 am
Pay me 12K and I’ll work on messaging for the Irish American community.
Comment by Because I said so.... Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:56 am
==The Rauner campaign did not elaborate on Colquitt’s role, only saying Colquitt is “not the outreach director for Wilson’s campaign.”==
So the Rauner campaign won’t talk about Colquitt’s role with their campaign, but they will talk about his role with Wilson’s campaign? How are they so aware of his specific role with Wilson’s campaign?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:57 am
It is nice to know that the Governor is surrounding himself with such high quality people. Seems like a lot of money being thrown around. In bygone days they called this payola. Now they call it consultant fees.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 9:58 am
Raunerites…
You own Maze, you already know you own Ken Dunkin.
Congratulations.
I think what’s most disappointing, when you look at the layers of Raunerism disappointments, is that those like Maxe and Dunkin are “the ones” Rauner could work with, when a governor willing to compromise and find common ground could have had many a Dem partner, and many a chance for successes.
Raunerism. Here it is. Naked to the world, brazen to the politics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:04 am
What I don’t get is why Willie Wilson thinks its advantageous for him to publicly associate himself with Bruce Rauner.
I get Rauner’s game because if he gets 15% of the Chicago black vote that’s a grand slam. Bit Willie needs to get a majority in a runoff election to win and tying himself to Rauner kills the small chance he had of that.
Comment by Fax Machine Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:04 am
==What I don’t get is why Willie Wilson thinks its advantageous for him to publicly associate himself with Bruce Rauner.==
It makes sense when you realize that Wilson’s goal isn’t to become Mayor.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:05 am
–So the Rauner campaign won’t talk about Colquitt’s role with their campaign, but they will talk about his role with Wilson’s campaign?–
BTIA(TM) in all it’s glory on this one. Much mumblin’, stumblin’, bumblin’, knockin’ over furniture, for days now. Like an old-timey Jerry Lewis movie.
Did they really think Rauner givin’ $200K to Wilson to pass out in churches was some sort of elaborate, foolproof money-launderin’ scheme?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:07 am
I don’t think Willie wants to be Mayor at all. His bid is only to help GovJunk get more black votes. Ken Dunkin, Maze Jackson, and Wilson are complete sellouts. They are only in it for the money. They could care less about the people or who suffers.
Comment by Real Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:11 am
Insider corruption at it’s best. Rauner didn’t shake anything up. He may telll you it isn’t raining, but trust the water falling from the sky not his words.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:12 am
===Two days after that radio appearance, Rauner paid $30,000 to Colquitt’s Crescent Group business and $12,000 to him directly, according to campaign expenditure reports.===
Property tax relief? Lol.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:14 am
Willie needs to stop throwing good money after bad. Rickey Hendon is blowing smome up his backside if he’s telling him he has a shot to win.
Comment by Fax Machine Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:14 am
Maze Jackson is a paid Republican who acts like he is fighting for social justice. The only thing he is doing is hustling for Rauner money.
Comment by Brutus Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:14 am
Simple
Willie Wilson and Bruce Rauner see high property taxes as a huge problem and have plans to freeze or lower them
JB and Mike Madigan are completely tone deaf and do not, because such plans would aggravate their special interest base of unions
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:29 am
Lucky Pierre - and their solution is to buy votes. Got it. /s
Comment by Ike Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:40 am
Lucky Pierre
Is that all you got from this expose? Or is your luckybot programming just working as Rauner intended?
Comment by Real Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:41 am
Governor Rauner, I would be happy to talk with you about outreach to Democratic-Americans. I can tell you all about my people and what they think about you. Rates upon request.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:48 am
===Willie Wilson and Bruce Rauner see high property taxes as a huge problem and have plans to freeze or lower them===
A bill to freeze property taxes got zero republican votes. Why? Rauner told them to vote against it. So this is obviously just for politics, not policy.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:48 am
Are Rauner and Maze going to take the “What’s In It For The Black People?” show out on the road, across the state?
Not much of a news story in the Chicago market, but I imagine it would get extensive media coverage in the smaller markets Downstate if they did.
Can’t buy that kind of publicity.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:50 am
Chicago Tonight’s coverage of this issue last night was a complete and utter joke. They took the statement from the Gov throwing Wilson under the bus at face value and did not even mention the fact that he attended the event. Kind of expected more from them.
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:50 am
LP, your inability to engage with reality is, as always, impressive.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:54 am
===JB and Mike Madigan are completely tone deaf and do not, because such plans would aggravate their special interest base of unions===
Meh.
Rauner was given property tax relief, less the damage to prevailing wage and collective bargaining.
Raunerites voted no on this, because hurting unions was most important.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:55 am
More evidence that some people have too much money. Sure Willie have $200,000. Lots more where that came from. “Hey Bruce, Oprah didn’t give me a car. Will you pay off the rest of my student loans if I stop disliking you?”
Comment by James Knell Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 10:57 am
Politico’s dot connecting is reminiscent of Glenn Becks wild chalk boarding.
https://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/glenn-beck-dives-conspiracist-deep-e
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:00 am
Chicago Tonight’s coverage of this issue last night was a complete and utter joke. They took the statement from the Gov throwing Wilson under the bus at face value and did not even mention the fact that he attended the event. Kind of expected more from them
-Rauner’s paid messaging outreach extends far out from just Maze Jackson. He has them promoting him throwing Wilson under the bus, but they aren’t mentioning everything else about Rauner’s knowledge of passing out money to buy votes. Rauner has paid a lot of media personalities off. He is at the height of corruption.
Comment by Real Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:03 am
What is the reality I refuse to engage in?
Willie Wilson holds an event where he hands out cash to people struggling to pay sky high property taxes.
JB says publicly no one leaves Illinois because of high taxes, yet as one of the 14 billionaires in this state goes to extraordinary means to minimize his property taxes
Speaker Madigan makes a 7 figure income from the property tax appeal system that favors the wealthy
There were zero measures in the property tax freeze legislation to actually freeze local expenditures
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:21 am
===that favors the wealthy ===
And yet you oppose a graduated income tax. Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:41 am
===There were zero measures in the property tax freeze legislation to actually freeze local expenditures===
So, again, it’s really about going after prevailing wage and collective bargaining… that’s most important, hurting labor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 11:45 am
How does a property tax freeze work if there is no mechanism to freeze or lower spending?
It doesn’t which is what Democrats want
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:04 pm
==What is the reality I refuse to engage in?==
The one we all live in.
Rauner’s out there at events where his political ally is buying votes and you think the story is property taxes.
I mean, I get it. Rauner’s talked a blue streak about corruption, and now we know that his big problem was just over which palms were getting greased. If it were my guy, I’d try to change the subject to.
But it doesn’t change the fact that Rauner’s at events where his political ally is trying to buy votes.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:05 pm
So really its “whats in it for Maze?”
Comment by low level Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:06 pm
==JB says publicly no one leaves Illinois because of high taxes==
Because when we cut taxes in ‘15, our population just kept dropping. Now, that’s a fact that you’ve ignored before, and I know why- it pretty much demolishes your “Only Rauner’s tax cuts can save us!” position. We tried Rauner’s tax cuts. They failed. You gotta learn that.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:09 pm
==What is the reality I refuse to engage in?==
I don’t think we have enough time for that discussion.
You’re a propaganda machine. Nothing more.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:09 pm
“not inaccurate” when Rauner says he’s done more for black people!? Cmon Politico, that’s nonsense. As wrong as Rauner’s statement that he “expanded” child care–he cut it from day one, and the program still remains smaller today, despite the Dems effort to maintain it.
Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:40 pm
Maze is to Rev. Jackson what Kass is to Royko. Both are one-trick pretenders to the throne who simply do it for the paycheck. And not well at that.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 12:48 pm
=== Willie Wilson holds an event where he hands out cash to people struggling to pay sky high property taxes. ===
Stop right there, Pete.
It was a Rauner campaign event, as evidenced by the fact it was hosted by a minister who endorsed Rauner in 2014, the involvement of Rauner campaign staff, and the fact it was not on the governor’s public event schedule.
It was not property tax relief. No effort was made to identify individuals as even being homeowners, let alone struggling to pay property taxes.
Also important to acknoweldge it was not Wilson’s money, but a tax-exempt foundation’s money. A foundation created by Wilson as he was planning his bid for mayor, and into which Governor Rauner funneled $200,000 as well.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:29 pm
==touts his expansion of child care==
“Expansion,” as in, slashing day care to ribbons and then being forced to rescind the cuts. “Expansion.”
Comment by Linus Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 1:43 pm
Arsenal,
When did we cut property taxes that do not take into account someone’s ability to pay?
We lead the nation in property tax burden but go ahead and spin that no one leaves Illinois because they can’t afford to pay them.
Demoaralized, I guess a dissenting opinion from liberal democratic conventional wisdom is propaganda. Got it
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:21 pm
It was not property tax relief. No effort was made to identify individuals as even being homeowners, let alone struggling to pay property taxes.
“Gov. Bruce Rauner won’t give any more money to mayoral candidate Willie Wilson’s charitable foundation, Rauner’s campaign said Wednesday, three days after the Republican governor said he was “happy “ to attend an event in which Wilson doled out cash and checks at a South Side church.
“We’re honored to help you pay your property taxes,” Rauner told recipients on Sunday. “Happy to do it.”
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/rauner-ends-money-flow-wilson-church-cash-handout-flap/
More propaganda I guess just quoting what happened at the event
Some bubble you guys live in
Jeesh
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:29 pm
== I guess a dissenting opinion ==
Forever the victim.
This isn’t about dissenting opinion. It’s about your bot-like, regurgitated talking point response to everything. It’s a formula response and you just insert the topic at hand.
You don’t offer an opinion. You spout off campaign press releases.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:50 pm
== liberal democratic conventional wisdom==
And for the 10,000th time opposing the Governor does not make one a “liberal Democrat.”
Contrary to your victim beliefs its not an either or proposition.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:52 pm
== How does a property tax freeze work if there is no mechanism to freeze or lower spending? ==
With about 70% - 80% of most property tax going to schools, the only ways to significantly lower property taxes is
to either cut school spending or increase the Stste’s portion of school support.
People don’t want their local schools cut; in fact, they want better local schools. So that means more State support, which means more State level revenue which means increased or expanded State level taxes.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 3:57 pm
People don’t want their local schools cut?
Typical response that cuts are always impossible and raising taxes is the only way to solve the problem..
Can you cite a source that says a majority want to continue to pick up the employee portion of the teacher’s pension payment vs. pay more in property tax?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 4:08 pm
C’mon you guys, cut Lucky some slack. You’d have a hard time locating reality too if you were 6 months from losing your cushy governors office job. This board is missing the trademark compassion and understanding usually associated with Capfax commenters.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 4:19 pm
This is just Small Potatoes compared to the Madigan-Pritzker Democrat cabal.
Comment by ralph Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 5:50 pm
–What is the reality I refuse to engage in?–
That Rauner proposed dumpin’ the full nine yards of the suburban and Downstate teacher pension liability on the locals over four years?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 6:16 pm
Really shakin’ things up.
Comment by A non Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 7:38 pm