Category: News

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In a Nod to Madigan, Longtime Madigan Front Group Expected to Endorse Pritzker

IL Dem County Chairs Assoc. has funneled campaign cash to Madigan’s allies and vulnerable House Democrats for years

“ILDCCA President Doug House is taking orders from Madigan – that’s why tomorrow’s expected endorsement of J.B. Pritzker comes as no surprise. For years, Madigan has used the ILDCCA to funnel campaign cash to his allies and vulnerable House Democrats. Now, Madigan is using the ILDCCA to bestow Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Tomorrow, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association will be conducting a vote to endorse a gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming Democratic primary. In a nod to Speaker Mike Madigan, the ILDCCA is expected to endorse J.B. Pritzker, Madigan’s candidate for governor.

ILDCCA President and Madigan front man Doug House has already stated he will be casting his endorsement vote for J.B. Pritzker. House’s endorsement comes as no surprise – he’s already urged his fellow Democrats to “play nice” and not upset Madigan, as Madigan continues to steer support to Pritzker.

House and his predecessors have long done Madigan’s bidding and used the ILDCCA to funnel campaign cash to Madigan’s allies and vulnerable House Democrats.

After taking big campaign checks from special interest groups associated with Madigan and allies of Madigan in the General Assembly, the ILDCCA turned around and funneled that campaign cash to former House Democrats and Madigan-enablers like Kate Cloonen, John Bradley, and Mike Smiddy.

It’s clear the ILDCCA is one of many Madigan front groups.

Now, Madigan is using the ILDCCA to bestow Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor. The fact that Madigan will do anything to ensure Pritzker wins the nomination should worry Illinois voters, particularly Democrats.

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Preckwinkle Comes Clean: Soda Tax All About The Money

After months of criticism, Chicago Democrats reveal the truth, but Dem gov candidates remain silent

“The worst kept secret in politics is out: Chicago Democrats enacted a tax so they could just keep spending. Toni Preckwinkle finally admits she’s been lying to residents of Cook County, lauding the supposed health benefits of the Soda Tax, when instead it was just another Chicago Democrat money-grab. The taxpayers have known the truth for a long time, yet the Democrat candidates for governor continue to keep quiet and disrespect taxpayers.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

As Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle is set to unveil her budget today, she revealed the truth behind the wildly unpopular Soda tax she enacted.

“‘We chose as a revenue generator a sweetened beverage tax…’ she said. ‘But first and foremost, for the revenue.'” – From the Chicago Sun-Times.

Despite a vocal majority calling for the tax to be repealed, Democrat candidates for governor continue their inaction, choosing to build support within the Chicago Machine rather than stand with the voters and taxpayers who are paying the price. Opposition has gotten so strong that voters are refusing to sign petitions to reelect the Democrat candidates.

With less than a week to go until the Soda Tax repeal hearing, it’s clear that Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss have no interest in standing up for Illinois taxpayers.

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Deafening Silence from Democrat Governor Candidates Before Soda Tax Repeal Hearing

As Madigan and Dem legislators push for repeal, Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss reject taxpayers, maintain silence

“The silence from the Democrat candidates for governor speaks volumes about their respect for taxpayers. Rather than offer relief after backing Madigan’s 32% tax hike, Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss are keeping quiet on the unpopular soda tax in a desperate attempt to curry favor with Chicago Democrat insiders. Taxpayers won’t let the Democrats’ deafening silence drown out their cries for help.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Days before the October 10th hearing of a plan to repeal the hugely unpopular soda tax, the Democrat candidates for governor – Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss – are maintaining their silence in a desperate attempt to curry favor with Chicago Democrat insiders like soda tax-loving Toni Preckwinkle.

Poll after poll after poll has revealed that support for the soda tax will quickly sour relations with voters, but that hasn’t stopped the Democrat governor candidates who are eager to push their tax hike agenda.

Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss will do anything for support from the Chicago Machine, even if it means keeping quiet as beleaguered Cook County taxpayers cry for help after being whacked with massive income, sales, and property tax hikes.

Even as Madigan and vulnerable House Democrats join Republicans in opening up a new front in the war against the soda tax, Pritzker, Kennedy, and Biss are staying the course and staying mum.

The silence from the Democrat candidates for governor speaks volumes about their respect for taxpayers; in that, they have none left.

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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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