Category: News

Treasurer Mike Frerichs and candidate for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias are both hiding from their records and are hoping voters won’t notice

Giannoulias’ past is well-known as he attempts his rebrand 12 years after last being rejected by Illinois voters on account of his abysmal record as Treasurer and allegations of his shady past. Under then-Treasurer Giannoulias, Illinois parents lost millions in college savings. According to NBC Chicago from January 6, 2010:

“Bright Start was supposed to be Alexi Giannoulias’ shining achievement. Instead, the beleaguered fund, which lost more than $150 million through risky Oppenheimer investments, is radiating trouble for the Illinois State Treasurer and his Senate campaign.”

Giannoulias’ family bank also gave loans to mob bankers when Giannoulias was Senior Loan Officer, “The family bank of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias loaned a pair of Chicago crime figures about $20 million during a 14-month period when Giannoulias was a senior loan officer,” according to the Chicago Tribune from April 1, 2010. Later, federal regulators seized the Giannoulias family bank.

Meanwhile, his eventual successor Mike Frerichs is attempting to hide his own abysmal record and troublesome policy statements. Under Frerichs, once again the Illinois College Savings Programs have lost millions. When questioned, Frerichs’ office passed the buck onto struggling families, “[I]ndividuals choose their 529 investments based on their own risk tolerance, goals and time horizon”.

Further, a third term of Frerichs could be costly for Illinois retirees. Frerichs has floated potential support for taxing retirement income. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, “Frerichs made a comment at a forum in 2020 in which he said a graduated income tax could allow for a broader conversation about taxing high levels of retirement income.” Additionally, Frerichs was one of the biggest proponents of Governor Pritzker’s failed 2020 tax referendum.

“Treasurer Frerichs and Alexi Giannoulias owe Illinois voters answers. Treasurer Frerichs must defend his record and past statements of potential support for taxing retirement income. Former Treasurer now SOS Candidate Giannoulias must fully explain how voters can trust him to lead Illinois’ largest state office, despite his past fiscal mismanagement of Bright Start and his family bank loans to Chicago crime figures and subsequent bank failure,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy.

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Harmon remains silent on Senator Hastings as Emil Jones III becomes the 4th Illinois Senator to be indicted since 2019

Deputy Majority Leader and Senator Emil Jones III was hit with federal bribery charges this week, alleging that he took a $5,000 bribe from a firm that installed red light cameras, making him the fourth federally indicted Senate Democrat in the last few years. Emil Jones III’s indictment also marks the second high-profile misconduct allegation against a member of Harmon’s leadership team in as many months. 

“These are grave allegations,” Harmon said in the statement regarding Jones III. “Members of the Senate and all public officials need to hold themselves to a high ethical standard for the public to have trust and faith in our work.”

Unfortunately for Illinois taxpayers those ethical standards apparently don’t apply to another member of President Harmon’s leadership team, Senator Michael Hastings who used taxpayer funds to settle a case involving “accusations of racial and gender discrimination” from his former Chief of Staff. In addition to spending $150,000 of taxpayer money to settle his harassment claims, Hastings faces additional grave allegations of domestic abuse from his wife including that he, “battered her, by placing her in a choke hold/neck restraint, and slammed her body into a door multiple times,” according to the police report obtained by the Edgar County Watchdogs.

Harmon has only made one public statement on the matter in two months, accepting his resignation from leadership. “‘Senator Michael E. Hastings has stepped down from his role on Senate Democrat Majority Caucus Whip. I have accepted this resignation and it is effective immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Jake Butcher, Chief of Staff,’ he said in writing to the Secretary of the Senate.”

Not exactly a reproach from President Harmon who has lauded himself a defender of victims of abuse and has no problem accepting praise for his support for domestic violence organizations.

“What is this ‘high ethical standard’ in today’s Democrat-controlled Senate?” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Is everything short of a federal indictment and conviction ok? Senate President Harmon should call on Sen. Hastings and Sen. Jones III to resign.”

Harmon said of Hastings in July of 2021 after Hastings dropped out of the race for Secretary of State, “Though I am saddened the people of Illinois won’t benefit from the leadership and dedication to working families Senator Mike Hastings would bring to the office of Secretary of State, I’m happy that the people of the 19th District and our colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus will continue to have him fighting for Democratic values in the General Assembly.”

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Judge Mary Kay O’Brien’s deep ties to the Madigan Machine are well known. O’Brien was appointed as an Appellate Court Justice during her final year in the Illinois General Assembly after voting with Madigan 93.6% of the time. O’Brien also “Helped Madigan Regain The Speakership,” and received over $200,000 in political contributions from political groups led by Madigan over the course of her career. In addition to her ties to the indicted former party boss, O’Brien’s record on the bench is even more concerning. 

As an Appellate Justice, O’Brien has overturned the convictions of some of Illinois’ most heinous and violent criminals and has a history of coddling criminals while turning her back on local law enforcement.

For example, in 2013, Jesus Zambrano was convicted of murder for his role in the Joliet murder where the “victim was shot in the head inside a third-floor apartment at the Larkin Village apartment complex during an apparent lover’s triangle”. Zambrano was arrested while attempting to flee to Mexico, and would later appeal his conviction on the grounds that he received “ineffective assistance of counsel”. In 2016 O’Brien’s court granted his appeal and ordered a retrial for Zambrano. He was later found not-guilty and released. In 2021, Zambrano was once again arrested, this time for shooting a man in the groin during an altercation.

All told, O’Brien has overturned many serious criminal convictions, including murder convictions and numerous robbery, drug, and sexual assault convictions.

“Madigan Machine Judge Mary K. O’Brien has a history of using the courtroom to coddle criminals. As Illinois grapples with the impending elimination of cash bail on January 1st, 2023, the last thing Illinois families need is a soft-on-crime judge on our state’s highest court. O’Brien might say nice things on television, but she has been a card-carrying member of the Madigan Machine who’s spent her judicial career putting criminals before crime victims and the safety of our communities,” said Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Shaun McCabe.

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Public safety is on the ballot on November 8th 

The New York State Legislature abolished cash bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent offenses in 2019. The Illinois State Legislature followed suit in the dead of night last year, and Governor Pritzker signed the [un]SAFE-T Act into law, abolishing cash bail for most non-violent offenses effective January 1st, 2023. What does this hold for the future of crime in our state?

Since going into effect in January 2020, New York’s bail reform law has led to an unprecedented massive rise in crime, violent reoffenders, and accused criminals skipping trial.

According to the New York Post in February, “Nearly every single city police precinct has seen spikes in crime so far this year — including five in which the rate has doubled.”

Meanwhile, as a direct result of the new bail law, 20.1% of “felony arraignments” were rearrested in 2021, with 16.1% failing to appear at arraignment. These stats could indicate an even more grim future on the horizon for Chicago which has already seen a 38% spike in crime since this time last year and recently passed the grim threshold of 500 homicides so far this year.

Just this Friday, “An accused jilted madman who flew into an ax-wielding rage at a Lower East Side McDonald’s was released without bail at his arraignment,” according to the New York Post. “Michael Palacios, 31, who allegedly grabbed an ax and trashed the Delancey Street fast-food joint in a fit early Friday, was arraigned on fourth-degree criminal-mischief and possession-of-weapons charges hours later and freed, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said. Neither charge is eligible [to be retained in custody] for bail under the state’s lenient criminal-justice reforms.”

“Public safety is on the ballot this November. This election is all about what kind of state we want to be. Do we want to be a state that prioritizes public safety and condemns criminal behavior? Or do we want to continue to be a state that coddles criminals as businesses and families flee for safer pastures? The choice this November could not be more clear,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy.

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Another week has gone by without Governor Pritzker or Senate President Harmon condemning Senator Michael Hastings’ reprehensible behavior. 

It’s been 43 days since a police report obtained by the Edgar County Watchdogs earlier this year, revealed allegations by Hastings’ now ex-wife of domestic violence. According to the report, “Hastings treated his wife poorly for the past 8 months being emotionally and verbally abusive” and “That he battered her, by placing her in a choke hold/neck restraint, and slammed her body into a door multiple times”.

Meanwhile, Hastings has been using taxpayer money to settle additional harassment allegations. “For more than two years, lawyers for the state of Illinois fought against a lawsuit filed by the former chief of staff to powerful Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort. But the state paid $100,000 earlier this year to the ex-chief of staff to Hastings and her lawyer to settle the case, which included accusations of racial and gender discrimination against the Democratic lawmaker,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Since these scandals broke, there has been nothing but crickets from the Governor and Senate President regarding the serious harassment and domestic abuse allegations against a prominent member of their party’s caucus. 

“Governor Pritzker and Senate President Harmon’s silence on the reprehensible allegations against Senator Michael Hastings is deafening. Do they feel these allegations are unserious and not worthy of response? Or is their silence politically calculated? Either way, voters of Illinois deserve to know – and know now –  where the Governor and Senate President stand on inexcusable behavior by one of the most prominent members of their caucus,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy.

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Under Governor JB Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has become one of the most pro-criminal, anti-police states in the nation. So, it’s no surprise that almost all Illinois state’s attorneys and sheriffs – the top prosecutors and law enforcement officials in each of their respective counties – are opposed to Pritzker’s new criminal justice “reform” of eliminating cash bail.

On Friday, Kankakee County’s State’s Attorney Jim Rowe, a Democrat, and Sheriff Mike Downey, a Republican, teamed up to sue Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Their lawsuit “seeks injunctive relief based upon the Act violating the Illinois Constitution; violating the single-subject law; violating separation of powers; being unconstitutionally vague; and violating the three-readings requirement.”

“According to Governor Pritzker, any opposition to the [un]SAFE-T Act is just ‘right wing propaganda’. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and today’s lawsuit – brought by both a Democrat and a Republican – further highlights the serious issues with this anti-police, pro-criminal legislation,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Governor Pritzker and the 92 Democrat legislators who voted in favor of this terrible bill should repeal this radical left-wing bill before it goes into effect on January 1, 2023.”

It couldn’t be more clear: public safety is on the ballot this November, and this awful bill shows why four more years of Governor Pritzker will be dangerous for Illinois families. Kankakee County State’s Attorney Rowe joins Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow as the latest Democrats who are calling out Pritzker, his [un]SAFE-T Act, and its likely potential harm to communities across our state.

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“Vice President Harris’ visit comes on the heels of another round of record inflation numbers this week caused by the failed policies of the Biden Administration. Meanwhile, Chicago crossed the grim milestone of 500 homicides this week. Instead of ducking and deflecting, the Vice President needs to answer questions regarding the Biden Administration’s role in fueling the inflation crisis, and where she stands on Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot’s failure to keep our communities safe.”

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Nice language can’t disguise trojan horse tax increases & unnecessary mandates

Two years after Governor Pritzker’s failed tax referendum, there’s a new proposed amendment to the Illinois constitution on the ballot this November – the “Workers’ Rights Amendment,” or “Amendment 1”. While Amendment 1 is worded simply enough, make no mistake, it is a trojan horse paving the way for tax-increases and unnecessary big government mandates that will harm Illinois businesses.

“As Illinois Republicans, we believe in hard work and personal responsibility. We are pro-growth, pro-business, and pro-worker. As a direct result of the important right to organize and collectively bargain, unions have benefited our brothers and sisters in the trades, business, and public safety. While Amendment 1 is being promoted as a workers’ rights initiative, in reality, it is a disguised tax referendum, a Trojan horse that, if passed, is projected to cost a typical family over $2,100 in additional property taxes within the next four years,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. 

According to research from the Illinois Policy Institute:

The change would prevent commonsense reforms to reduce homeowners’ tax burdens while giving government union leaders virtually limitless new ways to demand higher costs from taxpayers…Amendment 1 would guarantee that family pays at least $2,149 in higher property tax bills over the next four years, no matter which politicians win this November or how well they try to follow through on their promises.

This amendment is tantamount to a power grab, driven by big government union bosses, attempting to usurp potential legislative action, and effectively create a union mandate. This change – that could not be undone by legislative action – would make it even harder to do business in Illinois, at a time when businesses are already leaving in droves.

“Should Amendment 1 pass, it could only be changed or repealed via additional constitutional referendum, effectively usurping the power of the State Legislature to make needed changes in the future. While we support workers and their right to organize, the Illinois Republican Party opposes the passage of Amendment 1,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy.

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Former Treasurer’s scandals prove him unfit for a third chance

Alexi Giannoulias is no stranger to political scandals and mismanagement of his office. 12 years after last being rejected by Illinois voters, Giannoulias is continuing his rehabilitation tour hoping that voters will have forgotten about his shady past.

As State Treasurer, Giannoulias was responsible for safeguarding families’ hard-earned college savings funds, Bright Start. He let them down, and the fund lost millions. According to NBC Chicago from January 6, 2010:

Bright Start was supposed to be Alexi Giannoulias’ shining achievement. Instead, the beleaguered fund, which lost more than $150 million through risky Oppenheimer investments, is radiating trouble for the Illinois State Treasurer and his Senate campaign.

Later Giannoulias tried falling upward by running for Senate. During his 2010 race, it came to light that his family bank loaned money to mobsters while Giannoulias was Senior Loan Officer. According to the Chicago Tribune from April 1, 2010:

The family bank of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias loaned a pair of Chicago crime figures about $20 million during a 14-month period when Giannoulias was a senior loan officer, according to a Tribune examination that provides new details about the bank’s relationship with the convicted felons. Broadway Bank had already lent millions to Michael Giorango when he and a new business partner, Demitri Stavropoulos, came to the bank in mid-2004. Although both men were preparing to serve federal prison terms, the bank embarked on a series of loans to them.

Next, federal regulators seized Giannoulias’ family bank. According to Reuters from April 23, 2010:

Regulators on Friday seized a Chicago bank owned by the family of the Democratic nominee running for the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Broadway Bank was among seven Illinois banks whose failure was announced on Friday. U.S. regulators have seized 15 banks in the past two weeks, as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp ratchets up efforts to clean up the banking industry.

“Try as he might to sweep it under the rug, Alexi Giannoulias’ past is littered with scandals, fiscal management, and shady behavior unbefitting of the Secretary of State’s office,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Illinois voters can’t afford to put Alexi and his shady past in charge of Illinois’ largest government office. It’s a recipe for disaster.” 

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With the end of cash-bail on the horizon, Chicago’s streets could get even more dangerous

This past weekend, Chicago reached another sad milestone: we’ve now officially seen 36  people accused of killing or shooting – or attempting to kill or shoot – someone in Chicago while awaiting trial for a felony this year. With the elimination of cash bail, sadly, that number will likely continue to grow next year.

What does the future have in store for Illinois once cash bail is eliminated? The State of New York abolished cash bail for most nonviolent offenses in 2020. Since then, New York City has seen a massive spike in crime, while 20.1% of “felony arraignments” are rearrested, with 16.1% failing to appear at arraignment. This doesn’t bode well for Chicago which has already seen a 38% spike in crime since this time last year.

“Governor Pritzker’s signature legislation – the un-SAFE-T Act – has been an abhorrent tragedy for Illinois residents. We’ve already seen an unprecedented rise in violent crime, which will only be exacerbated by the end of cash bail next year. Public Safety is on the ballot this November. We must elect a Governor, and legislators who will prioritize public safety and fix this ticking time bomb,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy.

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