Month: January 2022

Mike Frerichs was for consolidating the Treasurer and Comptroller’s offices, then against, then for, and now we just don’t know

With news this week of an effort to save taxpayer money and eliminate redundancies in state government by consolidating the state Treasurer and Comptroller’s offices, we thought it would be helpful to explore all the different positions Treasurer Mike Frerichs has taken on the issue.

Frerichs confusing consolidation history:

FOR: In 2011, Frerichs voted to consolidate the office as a state senator in the 97th General Assembly. Good job Mike!

AGAINST: In 2014 during his first campaign for Treasurer, he flip-flopped and criticized a plan to consolidate offices. Mike, what happened?

FOR: Immediately following the above referenced flip-flop, Frerichs restated his previous support for office consolidation. The State Journal-Register noted the change saying, “Frerichs again supports combining state’s fiscal offices.” Mike, now it’s time to follow through!

AGAINST?: After finally landing on the right position of support for office consolidation, Frerichs hasn’t lifted a finger to make it happen since being sworn-in as Treasurer in January, 2015. Treasurer Frerichs has not supported any of the legislative efforts to consolidate the offices of Treasurer and Comptroller even though his party has held majorities in the General Assembly his entire time in office. You’ve let us down, Mike.

“The only thing Mike Frerichs stands tall for are tax hikes and the status quo of bloated and wasteful state government,” said ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler. “Frerichs aggressively supported Governor Pritzker’s 2020 tax hike amendment, spoke positively of the possibility of taxing retirement income, and has done nothing to save taxpayer dollars by consolidating offices, despite ample opportunity.”

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After 36 veterans died in LaSalle home at the hands of state government, Pritzker administration forgets to sign veteran protection bill

Governor JB Pritzker reportedly failed to take action on a bill that unanimously passed the Illinois General Assembly aimed at protecting veterans by providing a new avenue for those who served, and their allies, to file complaints about the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The Chicago Tribune reports: “The Democratic governor, whose reelection campaign this year will face tough questions over his administration’s handling of a deadly 2020 coronavirus outbreak at a state-run veterans home in LaSalle, did not sign or veto the proposal within 60 days after it reached his desk, meaning it automatically becomes law.”

Rank incompetence led to the avoidable deaths of dozens of brave veterans trapped at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. Those veterans received inadequate care and were forgotten by our state’s highest government official. Despite tragic mistakes made by the Pritzker administration, which were uncovered and outlined in an explosive and damning IG report, Governor Pritzker once again forgot about the lives of our nation’s heroes this week.

Capitol Fax publisher Rich Miller summed it up best when he said, “the last time I remember this sort of bungle happening was under Rod Blagojevich.”

“Why does JB Pritzker show such blatant disregard for the lives of veterans? After the tragedy at LaSalle, all veterans wanted was a proper way to voice their concerns about a state agency that made deadly mistakes – and JB Pritzker couldn’t even find the time to sign the bill. That’s shameful,” said ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy.

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 Pritzker previously gave $10 million to Madigan funds, said he was “grateful” for Madigan

The Better Government Association today revealed a massive investigation into millions of dollars of infrastructure projects requested by Mike Madigan that were approved and coordinated by Governor JB Pritzker and his key budget staff.

It took the intervention of the Weglarz brothers’ longtime property tax lawyer — then House Speaker Michael J. Madigan — to find a solution. Now Illinois taxpayers are footing the $98 million bill for what would undoubtedly be one of the most expensive brake jobs in history.

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In addition to the $98 million brake job, Madigan delivered another $31 million for a charter school that provided the BGA records detailing only $1.5 million in requests to lawmakers, $9 million for a Chicago high school even though nobody from the Chicago Public Schools sought it and another $6 million for a suburban airport control tower a Madigan political ally wanted for years.

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A BGA examination of public records found at least $144 million went to just four projects backed by Madigan, the longest-serving house speaker in U.S. history. Each of those projects benefitted those to whom the former speaker has personal, professional or political ties.

In addition to the $98 million brake job, Madigan delivered another $31 million for a charter school that provided the BGA records detailing only $1.5 million in requests to lawmakers, $9 million for a Chicago high school even though nobody from the Chicago Public Schools sought it and another $6 million for a suburban airport control tower a Madigan political ally wanted for years.

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The remaining $1.2 billion were identified only as “leadership additions.”

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“I also confirmed that Speaker Madigan has submitted the request to the Governor’s office,” she wrote to Bria Scudder, one of Pritzker’s top deputies. Emails show Scudder quickly forwarded the message to the director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, which plays a critical role in releasing state grant funds.

The Illinois Republican Party calls on JB Pritzker to answer questions about his role in authorizing taxpayer money be spent on secret infrastructure projects at Mike Madigan’s request.

Specifically, Governor Pritzker should start by:

1. Releasing all communications between the Office of the Speaker of the House and the Governor’s office, the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, and/or the Illinois Department of Transportation;
2. Releasing all communications between the Governor’s Office and both the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation regarding Rebuild Illinois projects; and
3. Release the full list of projects that fall under the category “Leadership Additions.”

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Behind the violent crimes ravaging our state are the faces and names of victims. Instead of standing up for those victims – and working to prevent more people from becoming victims – Pritzker has signed legislation putting criminals first and victims last.

It’s no surprise Pritzker doesn’t care about the victims of crime. This is the same governor that let 36 veterans die of COVID at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in 2020.

Now we learn that Pritzker’s administration has engaged in state-sponsored child abuse at the Department of Children and Family Services. JB Pritzker should be held accountable for what his administration has done.

When did Pritzker find out his agency director was abusing kids and why has he not fired his director?

In case you missed it, as reported by CBS 2 Chicago:

One court order against Smith describes how a 9-year-old girl suffered years of physical and sexual abuse at home. Then after entering DCFS care, she was put into a psychiatric hospital. She was medically ready to be discharged back in June 2021, but she’s still hospitalized.

A judge wrote DCFS disobeyed numerous court orders to get the child out of the hospital in October and November. This is why DCFS Director Smith is being held in contempt.

The girl has been confined in the psychiatric hospital for 221 days since the date she was supposed to be discharged.

The other contempt order was issued after a 13-year-old boy in DCFS care was forced to sleep in a storage room.

“He was sleeping on the floor of a utility room in an office,” said Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert. “Closet of an office.”

That child was then sent to a downstate shelter and has been stuck there for 145 days – the reason for Smith’s other contempt charge.

DCFS had received repeated complaints regarding her dating back several years. At least five men had sexually assaulted her since the age of seven and she suffered other abuse. DCFS failed to put her in protective custody until her final rape case at the Grand Motel in October of 2020. 

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Past birthday wishes for the Governor have gone unfulfilled: Progressive income tax, Senate President Kimberly Lightford, and DPI Chairwoman Michelle Harris

It’s usually sad when birthday wishes don’t come true. But when it comes to Governor JB Pritzker’s unfulfilled wishes – the failures are embarrassing. We hate to be a downer on the Governor’s birthday, but let’s take a look at how JB’s hopes have often go awry:

Birthday Wish #1: Implement a massive tax hike on Illinoisans via the Tax Hike Amendment of 2020.

• Unfortunately for Pritzker, his hopes of higher taxes met the will of the people who soundly rejected his progressive tax proposal at the ballot box in November 2020. This was a high profile defeat for the Governor and cast massive doubt about his future agenda and the effectiveness of his political team. Even so, we know this remains his #1 birthday wish again this year – he’ll never stop trying to raise taxes – which is why we will work overtime to defeat Pritzker in November.

Birthday Wish #2: Elevate Senator Kimberly Lightford to Senate President.

• After the retirement of longtime Senate President John Cullerton, the race was on to see which Democratic senator would take his place. The contest was whittled down to Senators Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford. Pritzker publicly and privately pushed hard to elect Lightford to the position but was rebuffed by a majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus who nominated Don Harmon instead. The defeat was an embarrassing and unexpected one at the hands of supposed legislative allies.

Birthday Wish #3: Elect Chicago Alderwoman Michelle Harris to be Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

• Pritzker tried to impose his wishes again to anoint Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris as Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) after his old ally Mike Madigan had to go away quietly. The new chair was elected by the state central committee of the DPI and again, the Governor found that while his inherited billions will spend, his political capital will not. Instead, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, backed by US Senator Dick Durbin, edged out Harris and was elected DPI Chairwoman. This was another stinging defeat for the Governor that left him wondering if any of the “friends” at his birthday party actually like or respect him.

We wish we could say we hope for the Governor’s dreams to come true in 2022 – but we don’t. The people of Illinois can’t afford Pritzker’s wish list of higher taxes, coddling criminals, and more corruption.

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Susanna Mendoza has been a bought and paid for corrupt politician since getting her start in Illinois politics. Her close ties to Danny Solis, Ed Burke, and Mike Madigan have haunted her as the truth of their transgressions has come to light. 

Mendoza received the biggest donation Solis’ political organization ever made, totaling more than $100,000 from Solis and his associates for her mayoral race alone. Solis, now indicted in the bribery scandal alongside Ed Burke, hired Mendoza on his first campaign for Alderman and has been a champion of hers ever since. 

Mendoza got married at Ed Burke’s home and has spoken adoringly of him, until he was indicted of course. Mendoza said of Burke “Thank you so very much, Alderman Burke, you are a true champion of mine. He is really primarily the reason why I stand before you today.” Funny how a little thing like a federal indictment can make you change your tune on a long term friend.

And then there’s Mike Madigan. Mendoza nominated Madigan for Speaker during her time in the General Assembly. Madigan helped clear the field for her as her career advanced under his tutelage. She has called him a “brilliant politician, tactician, and public servant and a great man“ and her “political mentor.” We’ll see if she stands by her mentor as his investigation process continues and an indictment looms.
Susanna Mendoza is a product of the corrupt Madigan Machine that has permeated the Democrats in Illinois after decades of cultivation. 

ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler:

“Susanna Mendoza has never been qualified to be comptroller, just to be another corrupt insider politician capitalizing on her relationships with the Machine to advance herself at the expense of Illinois families. Mendoza received huge contributions from Danny Solis (indicted), got married at the home of Ed Burke (indicted), and has been repaid her debts to Mike Madigan (resigned in disgrace, indictment looming) for advancing her career by endorsing JB Pritzker. Mendoza is just another part of the corrupt circle of politicians Illinois Democrats have elevated to state office, and exactly why we need a competent, qualified comptroller to take her place”

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Facts are facts: on Kwame Raoul’s watch, Chicago had more murders than any other city in America. On his watch, rioters destroyed businesses and hurt our state’s ability to bring in new business.

The state’s top law enforcement officer has been asleep at the wheel, hiding behind his corrupt political connections rather than taking a stand for the people of Illinois.

He may not have to call on Mike Madigan’s (resigned in disgrace, under federal investigation) buddies to scare primary opponents off the ballot this time, but he will certainly have some explaining to do to the voters on why Illinois is known around the globe for crime and corruption on his watch.

ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler released the following statement: 

“Chicago just had its deadliest year since 1996. The Illinois crime rate continues to outpace the national average. The dirty corrupt secrets of politicians across the state are coming to light in multiple federal investigations. And what is Kwame Raoul doing as the state’s top law enforcement officer? Failing and keeping quiet.” 

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Mike Frerichs has had some very bad weeks as a candidate, usually self-inflicted by the gaffe-prone career politician. But this week’s trifecta of blunders represents a new level of incompetence. Here is the rundown:

1. Illinois taxpayers were reminded of Frerichs’ support of Governor Pritzker’s tax-hike amendment and advocacy of a tax on retirement income. 
2. Frerichs’ falsely claimed State Rep. Tom Demmer, Republican candidate for State Treasurer, opposed a bill that Demmer had actually supported – a 2016 law requiring life insurance companies to pay death benefits. After conceding that Demmer had in fact supported the final bill, Frerichs tried to save face by claiming the negotiated legislation was weak. Too bad he touted the final bill – supported by Demmer – as a win that closed loopholes and “helps our families.” (HB 4633, Passed 118-0, 5/31/16, Demmer Voted Yea)
3. Frerichs was forced to cancel a fundraiser this week because it violated the state’s ethics law. 

“To recap Frerichs’ week:  ethics challenges, false accusations about his opponent’s record, and his own record of tax hikes. Frerichs is so desperate to distract from his failures as Treasurer that he ran the entire playbook of the corrupt Springfield machine—in just one week,” said ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler.

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This week the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) – a political arm of the Democratic party – voted to refuse to show up for in-person work until their “conditions”are met, leaving Chicago students locked out of school to fend for themselves. 

Despite Chicago Public Schools receiving (and spending) more than $100 million in federal aid specifically for school re-opening, the CTU has once again put their agenda ahead of students. ILGOP Chairman Don Tracy has released the following statement calling on Governor JB Pritzker to stand up to his political friends:

“When it comes to standing up to political allies, the Governor conveniently forgets that he is the leader of this state with influence and power. Previously, the Governor actively funded the Madigan machine and then later stood by silently while the former Speaker was under investigation. Now those being directly harmed by the Governor’s silence are the children of Chicago Public Schools who desperately need in-person instruction so they don’t continue falling further and further behind. It’s time for Pritzker to finally be a leader and stop favoring teacher union bosses over school children.”

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Ignores disastrous crime bill, push for massive tax hike, a federal bailout all while carrying on Madigan corruption in Springfield

As crime and COVID-19 surge across Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker’s focus is on politics, launching a new political ad that laughably tries to convince Illinois families “we’re on the right track.” 

The new ad conveniently ignores three years of Pritzker/Madigan corruption and policies that are driving people out of Illinois in droves including: 

• Claiming credit for paying bills while ignoring the massive federal bailout that rescued the state from years of Democratic mismanagement.      
• Signing a disastrous crime bill that puts criminals onto the streets while tying the hands of law enforcement.
• Attempting to pass the largest tax hike in Illinois history, while committing to do it again.
• Breaking promises and partnering with Mike Madigan to keep insiders in control of Springfield.  

 “Not even a week into 2022, and JB Pritzker is already attempting to rewrite history hoping voters forget he signed a disastrous crime bill that lets criminals onto our streets, pushed for the largest tax hike in Illinois history and partnered with Mike Madigan to keep Springfield insiders in power,” said ILGOP Spokesperson Joe Hackler. 

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