Month: March 2018

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J.B. Pritzker Silent As Imprisoned Friend Rod Blagojevich Gets Conference Date From SCOTUS

If his supporters are an indication, Pritzker thinks Blagojevich deserves another day in court (probably)

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court announced that it has scheduled a conference meeting for April 13th to hear whether it will consider Rod Blagojevich’s appeal to get out of prison early.
Noticeably silent following the announcement is friend of Blagojevich J.B. Pritzker, but Pritzker’s allies are doing all of the talking. Congressmen Luis Gutierrez and Mike Quigley and former Congressmen Glenn Poshard all have endorsed Pritzker’s campaign for governor and all have signed their names onto the brief concerning Blagojevich’s appeal.

Does J.B. Pritzker agree with his allies that Rod Blagojevich deserves another day in court?

J.B. Pritzker has long been under fire for his extremely close ties to Rod Blagojevich.

In bombshell investigative reports from the Chicago Tribune, it was revealed that Pritzker was recorded on FBI wiretaps conversing with Blagojevich about political appointments while making insensitive remarks concerning top Black elected officials.

Pritzker was later scrutinized for a $100,000 campaign contribution to Blagojevich where one reporter said “sounds like pay-to-play to me,” but those close ties only scratch the surface.

Given J.B. Pritzker’s long and sordid history with imprisoned former governor Rod Blagojevich, surely Pritzker has an opinion on Blagojevich’s attempt to get out of prison early.

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As Hampton v. Madigan Lawsuit Emerges, J.B. Pritzker Still Silent on Madigan’s Continued Leadership

After sexual harassment allegations in Madigan’s political organization, many Democrats called on Madigan to step aside, but not Pritzker

Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune reported that former Madigan campaign worker Alaina Hampton filed a federal lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Illinois and Friends of Michael J. Madigan, political committees chaired by House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Hampton is suing for damages because she was prevented from doing future political work for Madigan after she blew the whistle on sexual harassment within Madigan’s political organizations.

J.B. Pritzker, Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor, has said he “believes” women when it comes to telling their stories on being victims of sexual harassment and abuse, but he doesn’t really mean it.

Now that Hampton has filed suit against Madigan, Pritzker faces yet another stark choice between his political patron and the people of Illinois. Will Pritzker side with the plaintiff, Alaina Hampton, or the defendant, Mike Madigan.

Make no mistake – J.B. Pritzker is part and parcel of Mike Madigan’s political machine, and his continued silence makes him complicit in Madigan’s corruption. Pritzker has already made his position known.

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Pritzker Has Yet To Take Questions On “Misleading” Statement About His Offshore Shell Companies

With just one day to go before the Illinois primary, will J.B. Pritzker respond to allegations that he’s offering misleading statements to reporters about his offshore Bahamas shell companies?

On Saturday, J.B. Pritzker reportedly stated: “I haven’t moved any money off shore and I don’t invest offshore it’s not apart of what I do.” Pritzker was called out by NBC Chicago Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern, who tweeted, “How can @JBPritzker say this now?” Ahern also called Pritzker’s statement “misleading.”

The Chicago Tribune specifically “found several offshore shell companies created between 2008 and 2011…that are either wholly owned by J.B. Pritzker, his brother and business partner Anthony Pritzker, or list other close associates as controlling executives.”

J.B. Pritzker needs to come clean, because it appears as if Pritzker is intentionally lying to voters just hours before the polls open.

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In Final Debate, J.B. Pritzker Called “Liar” and “Fraud” By Chris Kennedy, Daniel Biss

Pritzker uses offshore shell company to dodge taxes while advocating for tax hikes on Illinois families

Last night, J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss squared off in what was their final debate before the March 20th Primary Election, and Pritzker played defense against Kennedy’s and Biss’ attacks.

Yesterday morning, the Chicago Tribune published yet another bombshell report detailing J.B. Pritzker’s use of offshore shell companies to avoid taxes on a for-profit business venture Pritzker owns in Illinois. Pritzker doubled down on previous false claims that all profits from any offshore entities he owns go directly to charity.

Unsurprisingly, that report became the focus of the debate and it dominated news coverage everywhere.

Chicago Tribune: Pritzker called ‘liar,’ ‘fraud’ during final Democratic governor debate

Leading Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker was called a “liar” and a “fraud” by two rivals as the billionaire businessman’s ties to secret offshore shell companies became the focus of the final forum of the campaign Wednesday night.

For his part, Pritzker avoided getting into specifics of his financial holdings, and claimed the offshore companies were investment instruments of family trusts established long ago and that charity was the beneficiary, not himself.

Chicago Sun-Times: In final gov debate, Dems haggle over Madigan, Berrios, taxes and integrity

…Pritzker was forced to defend himself against a Chicago Tribune report that claimed Pritzker and his brother control several offshore companies created between 2008 and 2011 — suggesting that Pritzker may be avoiding paying taxes. The story claims one of Pritzker’s offshore companies is part of a venture that plans to buy land along the Chicago River to launch boat tours downtown.

CBS 2 Chicago: Pritzker, Biss, Kennedy Face Off In Final Democratic Debate

For the final time before next Tuesday’s primary, the three leading Democrats running for governor met Wednesday evening in a televised debate.

And the major topic was whether billionaire J.B. Pritzker has stashed much of his wealth offshore to avoid taxes.

For this entire campaign, Pritzker has maintained overseas trusts were established long ago by his family and any proceeds go straight to charity. But, he was on the defense about whether some of the companies were set up more recently, and whether he’s benefiting.

NBC 5 Chicago: Final Dem Debate For Illinois Governor Gets Heated

…JB Pritzker seemed uncomfortable while Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss were ready to strike on the WTTW-hosted gubernatorial forum.

Kennedy was critical of Pritzker’s explanation after a new Chicago Tribune report disclosed Pritzker’s off-shore companies, investments kept secret and untaxed.

ABC 7 Chicago: Top 3 Democratic candidates for governor square off in final debate

…Pritzker found himself repeatedly on the defensive over a Chicago Tribune report suggesting he was being dishonest about his offshore holdings and trusts that provide tax shelters.

“Remember, those trusts are focused on charitable donations so any distributions that are made go entirely to charity,” he said.

“We just heard this unbelievable mess of word salad in an effort to distract us from what we learned from the Trib this morning,” Biss replied.

“If they’ll lie to you to get the job, they’ll lie to you to keep the job and you do not want a liar as the governor of the state of Illinois,” Kennedy said.

WGN 9 Chicago: Pritzker defends finances; Top 3 Democrats running for governor face off in debate

…The debate started with questions about Pritzker’s offshore trusts and companies.

A new report claimed that Pritzker had a secret offshore bank account to avoid taxes. The Chicago Tribune reported the existence of offshore shell companies created over the last decade wholly owned by J.B. Pritzker, his brother and his business partner or other close associates.

WTTW: Pritzker’s Offshore Holdings Under Fire in Final Governor’s Race Forum

Pritzker has maintained throughout his campaign that all offshore holdings tied to his name were created by his grandfather and used for charitable disbursements. But a Chicago Tribune investigation published Wednesday revealed several shell companies created in the last 10 years owned by Pritzker and funded through offshore accounts. Pritzker insisted during Wednesday’s forum that he had no control over those accounts, but dodged a question about their ownership and claimed they pose no conflicts of interest.

Chicago Tribune Column: J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire with offshore accounts, really isn’t like us

…According to a Chicago Tribune investigation, several offshore shell companies created between 2008 and 2011 — decades after Pritzker’s grandfather died — are either wholly owned by Pritzker or his brother and business partner Anthony Pritzker, or they list other close associates as controlling executives.

Pritzker explained in December that the only money he took out of the offshore trusts went to charitable organizations. He certainly isn’t the only rich politician to keep money offshore, but he’s the only one so far to claim that it helped him become a modern-day Robin Hood. It’s insulting that he would think Illinoisans are stupid enough to believe he has offshore holdings so that he can help the less fortunate.

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In 1998, Rod Blagojevich Compared J.B. Pritzker To President Abraham Lincoln

Pritzker’s close ties to Blagojevich go back over two decades

It is undeniable that J.B. Pritzker and disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich have been “bosom buddies” for decades.

Pritzker fundraised for Blagojevich’s run for Congress in 1996 and Blagojevich helped Pritzker in his failed run in 1998. Pritzker joined Blagojevich’s $25,000 Club with a large campaign check, and Blagojevich later appointed Pritzker to head Illinois’ Human Rights Commission. Then there’s the infamous FBI wiretaps between Pritzker and Blagojevich published by the Chicago Tribune, and that only scratches the surface.

Blagojevich and Pritzker were so close, Blagojevich swooned over Pritzker as early as 1998, talking of his “tremendous future” in politics and comparing him to President Abraham Lincoln.

From yesterday’s profile in the Chicago Tribune:

…He finished third with 20 percent of the vote in a 1998 primary won by Jan Schakowsky, who still holds the seat. Pritzker got campaign help from workers allied with former 33rd Ward Ald. Richard Mell, the father-in-law of future Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Two years earlier, Pritzker had helped Blagojevich win his congressional seat.

“This was a good first start and I think J.B. has a tremendous future,” Blagojevich said in a May 1998 Tribune profile of Pritzker. “Remember, Abraham Lincoln didn’t win his first election, and Mario Cuomo lost several races before he got elected. For J.B., this is only the beginning.”

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After Allegations of Abuse and Criminal Trespass Resurface, Does J.B. Pritzker Still Support Bob Rita?

Pritzker used LLC to secretly funnel $5,400 to Bob Rita in 2016

“Mike Madigan and J.B. Pritzker are bankrolling a Democrat accused of beating a woman and trespassing on her property. When Pritzker says ‘we believe you’ and Madigan says he will ‘personally’ intervene in harassment and abuse cases, they don’t really mean it. J.B. Pritzker will support Mike Madigan at all costs, regardless of how many women Madigan’s corruption hurts.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

First, it was Kevin Quinn. Then, it was Shaw Decremer. Now, it’s State Rep. Bob Rita.

Yesterday, on International Women’s Day, yet another brave woman stepped forward to tell her story of abuse at the hands of a close ally of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Bob Rita.

Rita’s accuser revealed that in 2002, her father, a former legislator, pleaded with Mike Madigan to personally intervene with Rita to keep her safe from his violent attacks. Madigan said he couldn’t get involved and kept the money flowing to Rita’s campaign. Now, Madigan says he can’t recall if such a meeting ever occurred. Rita went on to win his campaign and be a rubber stamp for Madigan’s agenda.

Fast forward to 2016.

J.B. Pritzker used an LLC to secretly funnel $5,400 in campaign cash to Bob Rita, Mike Madigan, and other Madigan-backed Democrats.

Now that domestic battery and criminal trespass allegations against Rita have resurfaced, does J.B. Pritzker still support Bob Rita’s candidacy for the Illinois House?

Additionally, does J.B. Pritzker believe Bob Rita’s accuser or does he believe Mike Madigan?

Whenever J.B. Pritzker says “we believe you” or Mike Madigan says he will “personally” intervene in harassment or abuse cases, they don’t really mean it. Madigan and Pritzker will do anything for power, no matter how many women get hurt.

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Madigan, Pritzker Silent As Democrat Danny Davis Defends Louis Farrakhan, Talks About The “Jewish Question”

Davis says Farrakhan is an “outstanding human being” while brushing aside his anti-Semitism

Last month, Democratic U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois’ 7th Congressional District called Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan an “outstanding human being.” Farrakhan has a sad history of racially insensitive comments, from blaming Jews for the September 11th terrorist attacks to calling Adolf Hitler a “very great man” and much worse.

When asked about his close relationship with Farrakhan, Davis laughed, saying, “The world is so much bigger than Farrakhan and the Jewish question and his position on that and so forth. For those heavy into it, that’s their thing, but it ain’t my thing.”

What, exactly, did Danny Davis mean by “the Jewish question”?

Chicago Alderman and progressive Democrat activist Ameya Pawar swiftly condemned Farrakhan, but Democratic Party of Illinois Chairman Mike Madigan and his hand-picked candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker, have been silent.

When will Madigan and Pritzker condemn Farrakhan’s hatred and bigotry?

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J.B. Pritzker Still Won’t Call on Mike Madigan to Step Down as Democratic Party Chairman

During tonight’s Democratic Governor debate on ABC 7, J.B. Pritzker again refused to call on Mike Madigan to step down as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois in light of sexual harassment scandals in his political organization. This despite calls for Madigan to go from fellow candidates Chris Kennedy and Daniel Biss.

Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot issued the following response:

“J.B. Pritzker said he’d stand up for Alaina Hampton and other victims. But he won’t stand up to Mike Madigan. He knows Madigan is his only hope of winning the primary and he’s not brave enough to upset the apple cart. Instead, Pritzker has questioned the facts surrounding Hampton’s case and is seemingly content with Madigan and his operatives maintaining their status quo. You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Pritzker: either you believe Alaina Hampton or you are protecting Madigan, the man she accuses of covering up her harassment.”

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J.B. Pritzker’s Faux Leadership on Sexual Harassment

After two weeks of bipartisan criticism from lawmakers and the media, J.B. Pritzker was finally shamed into mentioning Mike Madigan’s name tonight during the Democratic debate but refused to say he should step down as head of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot issued the following response:

“It’s been two weeks since sexual harassment allegations were revealed in Mike Madigan’s office, but it took until tonight for J.B. Pritzker to say Madigan’s name. That’s not leadership. That’s being shamed into saying something – anything – to get everyone to leave him alone. But Pritzker is still the only Democrat who won’t call on Madigan to step down as Chairman because he knows Madigan’s machine is his only hope for making it through the primary.”

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