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* Sun-Times…
A letter outlining a series of unauthorized expenses made by Ricardo Munoz — including travel, restaurants and money spent at a suburban lingerie and sex-toy shop — using funds from the City Council’s Progressive Reform Caucus was hand delivered to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office Wednesday.
“I think using the funds the way he did, it’s possible there was criminal wrongdoing there,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd), who replaced Munoz as head of the caucus in January, explaining the decision to inform State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
Munoz (22nd) spent a total of $36,849 on “unauthorized expenditures” drawn from an account held by the caucus’ political action committee, said attorney Ed Mullen, who represents the caucus.
Reached via text, Munoz said, “I’m paying it back.”
The accusation of rogue spending was laid out in amended expense reports along with a letter from Mullen that were filed Monday with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The correspondence and the amended D-2s are here.
The man really needs to get himself some help.
* Illinois News Network…
An Illinois state representative charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and impeding traffic said he fell asleep at a traffic light Friday in Springfield because of exhaustion.
State Rep. Kambium Buckner, D-Chicago, said it was “simply a result of exhaustion.” He said he looks forward to addressing the citation of driving under the influence of alcohol in court.
Secretary of State Police noticed Buckner asleep in a running 2017 Land Rover at 3 a.m. March 29 at a stop light at 2nd and Adams Street in Springfield, just a block north of the Illinois State Capitol building. […]
Buckner, 33, of Chicago “was found by Secretary of State Police asleep in his running vehicle,” according to a police report.
“He slept [through] four cycles” of a traffic light, according to the report. “During contact strong odor of alcoholic beverage on breath. Eyes glassy. Pupils nonreactive to light.”
Buckner either refused to submit to or failed to complete field sobriety testing, the report said. As a result, his driving privileges will be suspended for a minimum of 12 months. He was served immediate notice of summary suspension/revocation of driving privileges, records show.
Buckner was released after paying a $100 cash bond, according to Sangamon County Circuit Court records.
He is next due in court for the DUI charge on at 9 a.m. April 30.
Hopefully, Rep. Buckner learned a valuable lesson here. Glad nobody got hurt. That may not be the case next time, however.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:33 am
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Well since it happens all the time Munoz should get the same deal Smollett got from Foxx
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:41 am
–State Rep. Kambium Buckner, D-Chicago, said it was “simply a result of exhaustion.” –
Boozing til 3 a.m. can wear you out. This really wasn’t the way to get noticed in your first days in Springfield.
Dude, you were passed out at the wheel of a running vehicle on the street. Who do you think you are, Tony LaRussa?
You had the presence of mind not to blow, so you certainly had wits enough to call a cab. You’re lucky, you could have killed somebody.
Props to the SoS coppers for not giving a lawmaker a pass.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:46 am
Rep. Buckner pulled a Tony LaRussa. Ouch…
It doesn’t get much more embarrassing than these two stories.
Comment by So_Ill Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:47 am
“simply a result of exhaustion.”
Closing down a bar is hard work
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:47 am
==Muniz should get the same deal==
Or the same deal Aaron Schock got.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:49 am
===“I think using the funds the way he did, it’s possible there was criminal wrongdoing there,”===
Strong early contender for understatement of the year.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:52 am
I had forgotten about Tony LaRussa, but that was 12 years and I am getting older, so my mind…..
Comment by illini Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:54 am
Maybe this’ll call attention to the fratty booze culture of Springfield. My time there after session days with legislators and lobbyists - on weeknights - involved the heaviest drinking I’d done since freshman year of college.
Comment by PJ Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:57 am
What was the Representative supposed to do?
Run the light and you get arrested. Stop at the light and you get booked.
No wonder no one wants to run for public office.
Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 10:59 am
“sex toys”
At least the taxpayers will be well and properly …..
Comment by Fav human Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:01 am
…using funds from the City Council’s Progressive Reform Caucus
Paddy Bauler had it wrong- Chicago is ready for reform
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:05 am
===Run the light and you get arrested. Stop at the light and you get booked.===
He fell asleep at the red light. It turned green to red four times before the police woke him up. What was he supposed to do? Maybe pull over and sleep it off somewhere safe.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:09 am
Rep. Buckner . . . . . .it is spelled UBER. Download the app. Unlike your current situation the app. is free and you can go anywhere in Springfield for $6.00.
Comment by You Bet Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:09 am
Apparently “Killa Kam” must’ve been asleep when they were covering DUIs at DePaul law school.
At 3am, you have two choices…Uber surge prices or 5K in legal fees.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:13 am
Buckner just earned himself a guaranteed primary. Good luck man, if you can’t hang in the Springfield bar scene you probably shouldn’t be driving.
Comment by Iggy Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:41 am
–What was the Representative supposed to do?–
Call a cab?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:41 am
In a climate where three state troopers have died in traffic accidents recently, he should resign. People who have no regard for the law should not be making it.
Comment by Chad Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 11:54 am
==if you can’t hang in the Springfield bar scene==
The 1980s called, they want their excuse for drunk driving back.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 12:10 pm
===Run the light and you get arrested. Stop at the light and you get booked.===
Obviously 47th ward is outside the humor zone.
Lighten up. You’ll live longer
Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 12:35 pm
If only there was a way on this site to signal if you are joking… /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 12:49 pm
Isn’t this the same thing that JJJ did time for?
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 1:16 pm
Truthteller, please don’t insult our intelligence by pretending you were kidding. There wasn’t an ounce of humor in your defense of the indefensible.
Too many people in Springfield are perfectly happy to defend the alcohol culture. We all know folks who’ve had too much and gotten behind the wheel. And I’m not moralizing about drinking - I’ve spent plenty of time imbibing in Springfield bars. But avoiding trouble is simple: just don’t drink and drive.
Culturally, Springfield (the government types) is about ten years behind the curve on these issues just like it’s been on #metoo issues.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 2:01 pm
As evidenced above the satire impaired do not know who they are…
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Apr 4, 19 @ 3:16 pm