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The Sun-Times and (to a far lesser extent) the Tribune both run follow-up stories today about alleged violations of the city’s minority contractor laws by a company apparently controlled by one of the governor’s top fundraisers. From the Sun-times:
Two restaurants at O’Hare Airport have been allowed to rake in millions of dollars, even though the Daley administration learned back in 2002 that the company running them was probably a phony minority “front” for Panda Express and Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a top fund-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich.Crucial Inc. won the O’Hare concessions in part because it was certified as a minority-owned business. Its largest shareholder was listed as Jabir Herbert Muhammad, son of the late Nation of Islam founder, Elijah Muhammad.
The Trib adds a bit of editorial commentary to its story today:
The city’s action sparked speculation that the Daley administration had taken aim at key allies of Blagojevich, who long has had frosty relations with the mayor.
Meanwhile, the Sun-Times reports on another eye-opener about Rezko.
Two companies with links to a top fund-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich were the only firms to get a break on rent for opening restaurants at seven tollway oases.In a deal unlike any of the other 17 oasis agreements, Subway and Panda Express had their rents cut in half for the first 12 months of their 10-year leases, records show. […]
Both Subway and Panda Express have ties to Antoin “Tony” Rezko — a Blagojevich fund-raiser accused this week of being involved with a “front” that used an African-American businessman to land two Panda restaurants at O’Hare.
Rezko is out of the country and couldn’t be reached, both papers report.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 17, 05 @ 8:01 am
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Much more to come on Rezko and Kelly. Stay tuned.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 17, 05 @ 8:12 am
On the radio in Chicago this morning they reported that the deal on the rent was given to make certain that “popular” restaurants would be open at the plazas. In the very next breath, the announcer said that Starbucks did not get a rent deal.
I’m a lot more excited about the Starbucks at the toll oases than a Subways or a Panda Express. Like (I imagine) most users of the tollway, I am driving locally, so I won’t stop to have lunch. But I would stop to get a good coffee and nosh.
I’d say the Tollhighway Authority needs a better excuse for giving the rent break. The Starbucks(es) are far more deserving of a rent break than Subways. (Besides, doesn’t Subways want us to walk there if we follow the Jared diet?)
Comment by the other anonymous Thursday, Mar 17, 05 @ 12:48 pm
Get a life.
The Tollway gave nobody a “rent break.” The rents were not even set by the Tollway. They were negotiated by a private developer who has put $80-$100 million of its own money into fixing up the oasis. (Visited any of the reopened ones–they’re great.) If you think that a real estate developer in a $80-$100 million financial hole wouldn’t try to drive a hard bargain you don’t know much about capitalism.
That said, Rezko and Kelly don’t even have a personal financial stake in the oasis Subways or Pandas.
Where’s the story?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 17, 05 @ 3:25 pm
The tollway is a public entity.
Someone gave that private developer certain rights on public property. That developer turned around and gave Blago $50K. Then, two key oasis contracts went to firms Blago’s two top fundraisers invest in.
If you can’t see it, pal, go to Lenscrafters.
And you are telling me Subway and Panda didn’t find a way to reward Kelly and Rezko?
I bet corporate statements would tell the tale.
I bet they’ve already been examined.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 17, 05 @ 7:56 pm
What about the Obama/Rezko connection. Obama does not need Rezko, people are throwing money at him if He’s smart he would give back the money and sever connections with him.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 7:53 am
Based upon the anonymous post at 3:25 it appears as though someone in HotRod’s office reads this blog– since no one but a paid hack would defend the Tollway’s corrupt Oasis deal.
Tollway’s new slogan:
Reform
Renewal
Reward (your friends and supporters)
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 3:57 pm
Chris Kelly and Tony Retzko both had investments in Panda Express or still have.
Chris Kelly got roofing contracts at Aviation with Jack Hartman. Jack Hartman is now at Toll Authority because of Chris Kelly.
Tony Retzko allegedly has minority front companies.
Tony Retzko had a piece of Emerald and Chris Kelly is the informal gambling advisor and has a gambling problem.
Chris Kelly has made millions on GOVERNMENT roofing including at Aviation (Hartman) and Education (Martin).
Tony Retzko and Chris Kelly have NO good government or policy agenda–they are power and influence brokers for their own benefit. They are not issue people they make money off of government.
So Giangreco, or Lon Monk or whoever can get on here or even Carville himself but the truth is obvious for anyone to see and more will come out.
CK1
CK5
And the conservative Republicans are going after Retzko too because of his ties to Kjellander.
Mell has done a good job on Kelly after his embarassment.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 5:09 pm
5:09 is the typical rumor monger. if you would read the newspapers, you would see that the investigation determined that kelly and rezko didnt profit from the tollway deals. its been written in every story (although as a side thought at the end of the story — shame on the press). mell lied becasue its what he does. he has a problem and has sufffered because of it. it took the threat of a lawsuit to make him admit that he lied.
kelly and rezko have done well because they are sharp businessmen. somebody needs to put the roofs on the building and to feel people. youre just bitter because they arent friends of jim ryan because, if they were, you would be playing in the slop you love so much. bitter people. bitter republicans.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 7:44 pm
When the Tollway story broke HotRod said he would ask Rezko and Kelly to file affidavits attesting to their involvement in the restaurants. Anybody ever seen these guys file anything? Don’t hold your breath waiting………..
Rezko “a sharp businessman”? With or without his illegal minority front businesses?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 9:13 pm
What investigation are you talking about?
Blago’s people SAY Kelly and Resko aren’t profiting.
they are trying to pull a George Ryan.
Why are Kelly’s and Resko’s hands on everything?
When they look at the corporate statements, somebody is going to be in big trouble.
Why did DeBartolo get a tollway contract? Good government?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 18, 05 @ 10:04 pm
Kelly and Retzko not profiting from government LOL
HAHAHAHAHAHA
You don’t think the coroporate structure is REJOICING that they got the Tollway contract AND
the better rent than Starbucks
WHAT ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MARTIN AND KELLY AND HARTMAN AND KELLY?
MELL WAS TELLING THE TRUTH
He just didn’t want to get sued and hurt his friends who are at the trough.
How did Chris Kelly’s sister get on?
The infamous Dominic Longo introduced Kelly to Rod.
Kelly has a lot of influence on contracts
You DON’T raise 20 million from reformers
THEY WANT THINGS AND WERE PROMISED THINGS
KELLY MAKES MONEY OFF OF GOVERNMENT
Maybe Kelly’s connection with Vrdolyak brought DeBartolo in
The Tollway is all messed up
higher fees
and more contracts to give to donors
Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Mar 19, 05 @ 7:26 pm
Retzko had the Home Depot land that cost Vilma Colon her election.
Mell also let Retzko crush the concrete and probably saved him $500,000.
RETZKO MAKES MONEY OFF OF GOVERNMENT.
Retzko and Rod are ungrateful users.
Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Mar 20, 05 @ 7:32 pm
Watch for the link between Chris Kelly and the Illinois Teachers Union to come out.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 21, 05 @ 6:57 pm
Terry Teele and his brothers (associate of Tony Retzko) and his privatization of services at O’Hare.
Lots of stuff on Teele and development.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 22, 05 @ 1:21 pm
did anybody read thursdays sun times story about jbt taking money from banks that she deposits our tax dollars in? what a hypocrite! this is just the start. she talks a big game, but lets see how she reacts when the light shines on her. im not saying that she did anything wrong — thats for the voters to decide. im saying that its pathetic to stand in front of the press and say the governor is unethical for raising money form venddors who do business with the state while she is doing just that. even worse, she is just putting that money in those banks — there isnt even an attempt to competatively bid where that money goes. talk about pay to play — she has it made there. its going to get much worse for our beloved treasurer. theres a saying about people who live in glass houses. she should look that one up.
shes in trouble already.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 25, 05 @ 1:04 am