Month: September 2017

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Chris Kennedy Boasts Endorsement From Soda Tax Supporter

Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, staunch Preckwinkle ally and supporter of the Soda Tax, endorses Kennedy, tying him to the Chicago Democrat money-grab

“Garcia and Kennedy are a perfect pairing because they are both clearly out of touch with Illinois voters. Garcia’s support of the Soda Tax despite 87% of Cook County residents’ disapproval just goes to show that Chicago Democrats like Garcia and Kennedy are wrong for Illinois.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

On Thursday, Chris Kennedy held an event to highlight his endorsement from Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, Toni Preckwinkle’s loyal floor leader on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Kennedy’s willingness to showcase support from someone who voted for the Soda Tax overwhelmingly opposed by his constituents makes it clear that he does not care about Illinois families and taxpayers.

Instead, Kennedy is spending his time courting more members of the Madigan Machine, trying to curry favor with Chicago insiders.

The people of Illinois are watching. Chris Kennedy should be worried if he continues to choose Chicago insiders over Illinois families and taxpayers.

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ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider Statement on HB40

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider released the following statement after Governor Rauner announced he will be signing House Bill 40 into law:

“I am disappointed in the Governor’s decision to sign HB40 as the Illinois Republican Party opposes taxpayer-funded abortions.

“While I am frustrated and saddened, I also know that Speaker Madigan and the Democrats are trying to use this issue to divide our party and elect a Madigan-backed candidate for governor.

“As Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, I will not let that happen. Our state faces great challenges, and we are focused on the issues that unite us as Republicans and as Illinoisans. There is no daylight between Governor Rauner and the Illinois Republican Party and we will continue working hard to ensure his reelection and finally defeat Mike Madigan once and for all.”

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Susana Mendoza Repays Her Debts to Madigan, Endorses Madigan’s Candidate for Governor

Mendoza’s endorsement of J.B. Pritzker is the latest order she’s taken from Mike Madigan

“Mike Madigan made Susana Mendoza’s political career by backing her campaign and clearing the field of her opponents. Now, she’s repaying those debts by endorsing J.B. Pritzker, Madigan’s favorite candidate for governor. Madigan is steamrolling all opposition to Pritzker, and Susana Mendoza is playing her part as a cog in Madigan’s corrupt Chicago Machine.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

In the latest example of Mike Madigan doing whatever it takes to ensure J.B. Pritzker wins the Democratic nomination for governor, Madigan ally Susana Mendoza endorsed Pritzker’s campaign for governor.

It’s well established that J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s chosen candidate for governor. That is why Mendoza’s endorsement comes as no surprise – she’s been showering Madigan with praise and doing his bidding for years.

Mendoza thinks Madigan is a”brilliant politician, tactician, and public servant and a great man“. Mendoza even said Madigan is her “political mentor“.

Just a day after voting for Madigan’s massive 67% tax hike, Susana Mendoza seconded Madigan’s nomination for Speaker, ensuring yet another disastrous two-years of his reign over Illinois. In her speech, Mendoza said this of Madigan:

“It’s also my sincere honor to second the nomination of Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. I’ve had the privilege to serve under his unparalleled leadership for 10 years now, only a quarter of the time that Illinois has benefited from his almost 40 years of stewardship. Over the last decade, I have witnessed his skills as a leader and a man who time and time again has demonstrated his passion and love for this state and has consistently put Illinois first.”

And in 2015, Madigan pushed Daniel Biss out of the race for comptroller to clear the field for Mendoza, preventing a contested primary and ensuring an easy nomination.

Over her long career in politics, Susana Mendoza has racked up a lot of debts with Mike Madigan. Now, Mendoza is repaying her debts to Madigan by endorsing his favorite candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.

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Soda Tax Backlash Grows as Repeal Vote Approaches

Chicago Democrats continue to turn a blind eye to the overwhelming opposition to Preckwinkle’s folly

Widely seen as a complete disaster, Toni Preckwinkle’s Soda Tax has squandered the confidence her constituents had in her. Citing public health as cover for her tax-and-spend policy, it remains to be seen if the soda tax has any effect on the community besides hurting Cook County families and small businesses. In fact, the tax has had a “disproportionate impact on people of low socioeconomic status.”

Meanwhile, Democrats running for Governor have yet to lift a finger for Cook County’s residents.  They appear to be just as clueless as Preckwinkle about what voters think of the soda tax, who was surprised that 7 in 10 county residents oppose the tax.

Now, with a repeal vote scheduled for next month, questions about the soda tax’s efficacy are rampant.

From the Chicago Tribune:

As political calculations go, this one backfired in a big way.

A botched rollout coupled with a huge public backlash fueled by general tax fatigue and the beverage industry’s well-funded pushback campaign has made the pop tax the biggest issue in county government in nearly a decade.

…While the tax was meant to apply to all sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages, pop drinkers demanded to know why diet beverages were hit. The rules also meant that some restaurants taxed free refills, which diners found particularly irksome.

In Philadelphia, a soda tax was applied to distributors, meaning it didn’t show up on store receipts. But here, county officials said the Illinois Department of Revenue ruled the pop tax had to be applied at the cash register. And so store owners opted to list the new tax on receipts, a reminder to consumers that the case of soda they’d purchased now cost an additional $2.88.

“From messaging to implementation to rollout, anything that could go wrong with this tax did go wrong,” said Commissioner John Fritchey, a Chicago Democrat and co-sponsor of the repeal ordinance.

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Madigan Opposes Pop Tax, Creates Divide Among Chicago Democrats

Now that it’s clear Mike Madigan opposes the Pop Tax, it remains to be seen if his designated choice for governor, J.B. Pritzker, will take action

While Toni Preckwinkle kicks the can down the road, pushing off a Pop Tax repeal plan until after a committee hearing next month, her political patron Mike Madigan is trying to kill it.

With his opposition, Chicago Democrats find themselves in a bind. If they take action on the Pop Tax now, it’s clear they are Madigan cronies simply following the leader. If they continue to bury their head in the sand, they ignore the 87% of Cook county residents who oppose the bill.

From the Chicago Tribune:

So tell us again, Cook County commissioners, that the beverage tax will make residents healthier. Tell us how adding more than a third to the price of a sugar-free sports drink protects our children. Tell us why that candy bar is OK.

Or tell us the truth, which is that you didn’t set out to reduce obesity, diabetes and heart disease — you set out to make $200 million a year without raising property taxes. That health shtick is a pretense plainly contradicted by that untaxed Reese’s sugar-and-fat bomb. Do you think taxpayers are stupid?

Think again.

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Pritzker Forgot to Include 24 Years of Corrupt Deal-Making in New Ad

If it’s pay-to-play with Blago or a corrupt deal with Madigan and Chicago insiders, Pritzker has “been there”

 

“If it’s pay-to-play with Blagojevich, a corrupt property tax cut from Joe Berrios, or bank-rolling Mike Madigan’s political organizations in exchange for Madigan’s support, then J.B. Pritzker has “been there”. Pritzker is trying to cover up his record as a corrupt insider who uses public service for personal gain and voters should be worried about that.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Today, Capitol Fax reported the Pritzker campaign released a new ad citing events in his life that highlight his “progressive values” between 1992 and 2017.

Unsurprisingly, the ad conveniently left out what Pritzker was up to between 1993 and 2016. Here’s what Pritzker is trying to hide:

  • 1996 – Pritzker, wearing a dark green suit, says he helps Blagojevich with “fund-raising” (Chicago Sun-Times, “In Mell’s World, It’s Politics as Usual,” Jorge Oclander, March 23, 1996)
  • 1997 – Pritzker says “Rod [Blagojevich] is going to be very helpful” in his potential 1998 race for Congress
  • 2001 – The Chicago Sun-Times reports Pritzker would help fund Blagojevich’s first gubernatorial race if Pritzker would receive backing from Blago’s father-in-law, Dick Mell, in a potential 2002 race for Congress
  • 2002 – Pritzker gives $20,000 to Friends of Rod Blagojevich (State Board of Elections)
  • 2003 – Blagojevich appoints Pritzker to the top post of a state government commission (The Associated Press, “Governor Appoints Mikva Head Of State Human Rights Commission,” 7/27/2006)
  • 2006 – Pritzker gives $100,000 to Friends of Rod Blagojevich (State Board of Elections)
  • 2006 – Blagojevich authorizes $1 million state grant to a group where Pritzker serves as the finance chief
  • 2008 – FBI wiretaps reveal Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer, among other state offices. In the same call, Blago also pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions and Pritzker said “I hear ya, I hear ya”
  • 2012-2016 – Pritzker rips out the toilets of a neighboring “uninhabitable” mansion and Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios approves an 83% property tax cut, slashing the property tax bill on his multi-million dollar Chicago mansion by $230,000
  • 2000-2016 – Pritzker’s lawyers who won him the property tax break gave more than $100,000 in campaign contributions to Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and his affiliated political organizations (State Board of Elections)
  • 2016 – Pritzker and his company contribute $900,000 to a Super PAC run that a Democratic political operative referred to as a “Madigan joint”
  • 2017 – Madigan steers unions, interests groups, and politicians to throw their support behind Pritzker’s campaign for governor
  • 2017 – Pritzker selects Madigan-backed running mate as his lieutenant governor candidate

Whether it’s pay-to-play and quid pro quo with Blagojevich, a corrupt deal with Joe Berrios to cut his property tax bill, or bankrolling Mike Madigan’s political organizations in exchange for Madigan’s support, Pritzker has “been there”.

J.B. Pritzker is trying to cover up his record as a corrupt insider who uses public service for personal gain and voters should be worried about that.

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Mike Madigan Sticking Around Until 2020 So He Can Stick It To Voters One Last Time

Madigan focuses on 2020 legislative remap to join forces with Dem gov candidates and consolidate political power

“For Mike Madigan, 46 years in power isn’t enough. Even though he’s in his twilight years, Madigan wants to stick around until the 2020 remap so he can consolidate power and stick it to voters one last time. If given the chance, Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss would all bow to Madigan and sign his rigged legislative maps in a heartbeat.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

This morning, Politico Illinois Playbook reported that sources are saying House Speaker Mike Madigan plans to stick around through the 2020 remap of legislative districts.

So why would Madigan, who has been in office since 1971 and whose tenure as Speaker has broken national records, choose politics over private life after such a lengthy career in public office? After all, Madigan has been in Springfield so long, he has witnessed or been a part of 4 remapping processes.

For Mike Madigan, 46 years in office isn’t enough. Even though he is at the twilight of his tenure in Springfield, Madigan plans to fight it out for a few more years so he can consolidate political power and stick it to voters one last time.

In 2016, Governor Rauner and a bipartisan group of community leaders like Chris Kennedy finance chief Bill Daley and J.B. Pritzker cousin Tom Pritzker supported the Independent Map Amendment to end the rigged redistricting process, but so far, the Democrat candidates for governor have been silent on what specific independent redistricting plan they would support.

Why the silence from Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss?

Because they know, if given the opportunity, Pritzker, Kennedy, or Biss would join forces with Madigan and sign his rigged legislative maps in a heartbeat.

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Illegal Hiring Making a Comeback: Former U.S. Rep. Phil Hare Endorses Chris Kennedy

Hare thinking Kennedy will dole out government jobs just like Pat Quinn did

“After witnessing Chris Kennedy’s pathetic attempts to court Mike Madigan, Phil Hare must be thinking Kennedy would dole out illegal patronage jobs just like Pat Quinn did. Since he’s failed at running as a political insider, Kennedy is now running as a phony reformer.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Illegal political hiring may be making a comeback after former Congressman Phil Hare endorsed Chris Kennedy’s campaign for governor this past weekend.

After witnessing Kennedy’s pathetic attempts to court Illinois patronage king Mike Madigan (here, here, and here), Hare must be thinking that Kennedy would dole out illegal government jobs for him just like Pat Quinn did.

When Hare lost his congressional campaign in 2010, Pat Quinn took care of him. According to an Office of the Executive Inspector General report on Quinn’s IDOT patronage scandal, IDOT “absorbed” several former staffers from Phil Hare’s Congressional office who were put out of work by Hare’s loss.

News reports said the illegal hirings at IDOT spiked significantly under Quinn and Quinn’s former IDOT secretary even said the “vast majority” of people hired illegally were recommended by Quinn’s office.

It didn’t end there. Quinn’s administration even hired Hare’s son – whose only previous management experience was as assistant manager at a video store – as an assistant warden for the Illinois Department of Corrections. A separate OEIG investigation found that Hare’s son was not qualified for the position.

In Phil Hare’s eyes, Chris Kennedy would run state government like a Chicago political machine.

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Lisa Madigan’s Shocking Exit From Illinois politics is Further Proof that the Madigan Brand is Toxic

Beginning of the end of the Madigan Family’s disastrous reign over Illinois

“Thanks to her father, Lisa Madigan knew her days as Attorney General were numbered. The Madigan brand is toxic for every single Illinois Democrat. This should be the beginning of the end of the Madigan Family’s disastrous reign over Illinois.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

In another shocking development on the toxicity of the Madigan brand, Capitol Fax is reporting that longtime Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the daughter of House Speaker Mike Madigan, will not be seeking re-election.

Lisa Madigan’s announcement comes on the heels of the departure of Mike Madigan’s second-in-command, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie.

In 2013, Lisa Madigan floated her name as a potential candidate for governor, but took her name out of consideration because of looming questions about her closeness to her father and the possibility of so much concentrated political power in one family.

There can only be one conclusion from the departure of Leader Curry and Attorney General Madigan – the Madigan brand is toxic and Illinois Democrats know it.

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Departure of Madigan’s Respected Second-in-Command is a Bad Omen for House Democrats

Democrats know Madigan is toxic, yet they are poised to nominate an equally-toxic, Madigan-sanctioned candidate for governor

“Leader Currie garnered respect from both sides of the aisle throughout her groundbreaking career. As Speaker Madigan’s second-in-command, her departure is a bad omen for House Democrats. Mike Madigan is toxic, yet Democrats continue to embrace his leadership. Now, Democrats are poised to nominate an equally-toxic, Madigan-sanctioned candidate for governor.“ – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Last night, news outlets reported Barbara Flynn Currie, Speaker Madigan’s second-in-command, announced she will not be seeking re-election in 2018.

Leader Currie, who entered the Illinois House of Representatives in 1979, garnered respect from both sides of the aisle throughout her career, but her shocking departure is a bad omen for Democrats.

Currie was thought of as a possible successor to Mike Madigan’s record-breaking Speakership. Everyone, particularly House Democrats, knows Speaker Madigan is toxic. That is why vulnerable members like Sam Yingling refuse to even say his name.

But it seems the Democrats will never learn.

The Democrats are poised to nominate an equally-toxic, Madigan-sanctioned candidate for governor in J.B. Pritzker. Democrat lawmakers and the establishment seem to have no qualms with Madigan as he tears their party apart and steamrolls all opposition for Pritzker.

Will Democrats ever realize Madigan is dragging them down?

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