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Pritzker’s $100K Contribution to Blagojevich: “Sounds like pay-to-play to me”

There’s a “trend” in Pritzker’s questionably close relationship to Blagojevich

In an interview with WLS’ John Howell & Ray Stevens, reporter and Connected To Chicago host Bill Cameron said J.B. Pritzker and Rod Blagojevich swapping campaign cash and state grants “sounds like pay-to-play to me”.

Here are some other highlights from Bill Cameron in that interview:

“I’d be surprised if it were not pay-to-play.

“…This is kind of a trend in which you now have [Pritzker] in a relationship with Blagojevich. The first one being having been caught on tape in an FBI wiretap trying to get Blago to line him up to be State Treasurer.

“So being pals with Blago is never a good idea because Blagojevich turned out to be so toxic. Anyone, anything he touched is poisoned.

“And you also have the property tax break after he pulled the toilets out of his Astor Street mansion. These are things that people will remember…“

Cameron is alluding to the bombshell Tribune report where it was revealed that Pritzker and Blagojevich swapped campaign cash and state grants four days apart.

Pritzker and Blagojevich are no strangers to helping each other out.

Since 1996, Pritzker bankrolled Blagojevich’s political interests, and in return, Blagojevich and Chicago ward bosses propped up Pritzker’s failed plans to run for office.

While Blagojevich may have failed to elect Pritzker, Pritzker still held up his end of the bargain. Pritzker and his family contributed over $160,000 to Rod Blagojevich’s campaigns.

And let’s not forget when the Chicago Tribune published their first bombshell report on Pritzker’s close ties to Blagojevich this past May.

FBI wiretaps revealed Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer. In the same call, Blagojevich pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions. Pritzker brushed off the FBI wiretaps by saying his calls with Blagojevich were an attempt at “public service“.

Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office just like he bought influence with Blagojevich.

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Public Records Reveal Pritzker Was Blagojevich’s Fifth Largest Individual Donor

Pritzker “thinks big” when writing campaign checks to Blagojevich

“J.B. Pritzker ‘thinks big’ when it comes to writing big campaign checks to Rod Blagojevich. Pritzker gave so much cash to Blagojevich’s gubernatorial campaigns  – $121,000 in total – he was his fifth largest individual donor. It makes one wonder if Pritzker had state grants and political appointments on his mind when he was writing those big campaign checks to Blagojevich.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

J.B. Pritzker is working hard to hide his close ties to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, but campaign contributions last forever.

Public records reveal Pritzker was Blagojevich’s fifth largest individual campaign donor. Before Blagojevich’s arrest, trial and conviction, Pritzker personally contributed $121,000 to Blagojevich’s gubernatorial campaigns.

There is no doubt that Pritzker’s and Blagojevich’s ties run deep.

Days ago in yet another bombshell Tribune report on J.B. Pritzker’s close ties to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, it was revealed that Pritzker and Blagojevich traded campaign cash for state grants.

And let’s not forget when the Chicago Tribune published their first bombshell report on Pritzker’s close ties to Blagojevich this past May. FBI wiretaps revealed Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer. In the same call, Blagojevich pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions.

Quid pro quo – that’s the name of the game for Blagojevich-loving politicians like Pritzker.

Illinoisans should be worried about what J.B. Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office just like he bought influence with Blagojevich.

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Pritzker Remains Silent

We know Pritzker opposes legislation to repeal Soda Tax, but does he support another pending repeal plan?

For over a month, Cook County residents have been subjected to the absurd soda tax that Chicago Democrats have imposed on them.

J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly avoided taking any position that would benefit residents who have been paying the price for Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Machine’s money grab.

Similar taxes have been viewed as a cautionary tale, resulting in layoffs and reduced sales for small businesses.

When taxes like this have failed elsewhere, why do Toni Preckwinkle and her fellow Democrats continue to support them, especially when confronted with overwhelming disapproval from their constituents?

We know J.B. Pritzker opposes bipartisan legislation in Springfield to repeal the Soda Tax, he says “local governments should be given deference to make decisions over their own jurisdictions,” but where does Pritzker stand on the pendingCook County Board of Commissioners plan to repeal the soda tax?

So far, he’s been MIA and for good reason. The Cook County Democrats recently endorsed Pritzker, and his tacit approval of their disastrous soda tax is the price of their support.

Clearly, Pritzker and the Cook County Democratic Machine have no intention of standing up for taxpayers, especially when there is money to be made.

5 More days for Pritzker to take action.

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Pritzker Putting Cronies Before Taxpayers with 6 Days Until Soda Tax Repeal Plan

Between Juliana Stratton and Toni Preckwinkle, Pritzker’s Chicago ties to Soda Tax supporters run deep

With 6 more days until the Cook County Board of Commissioners hears a plan to repeal the disastrous Soda Tax, JB Pritzker and his allies continue to ignore the wishes of Cook County voters.

His support of the tax becomes more clear, however, when looking at the ties between his running mate Juliana Stratton and Soda Tax champion Toni Preckwinkle.

In a move that would make Mike Madigan proud, Preckwinkle publicly backed Stratton, her “protege,” to beat fellow Democrat Ken Dunkin to show “any wavering Democrats” that “the kind of prostitution Dunkin engaged with is not going to be rewarded.”

Clearly, having thoughts independent of Madigan and Preckwinkle is grounds to lose your support.

The Soda Tax is just another example of what the ousted Dunkin said of the Madigan Machine: “[Madigan] is the lone wolf out there and the people are suffering.”

Will Pritzker stand up to the Madigan-Preckwinkle alliance, or stay silent while the people suffer?

The clock is ticking.

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Quid Pro Quo: Since 1996, Pritzker and Blagojevich Bankrolled Each Other’s Political Interests

Pritzker: “I know Rod [Blagojevich] is going to be very helpful.”

“Quid pro quo – that’s the name of the game for J.B. Pritzker and Rod Blagojevich. Since 1996, Pritzker bankrolled Blagojevich’s political campaigns. In return, Blagojevich propped up Pritzker’s failed campaigns and gave him insider access to state government. Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office just like he bought influence with Blagojevich.“ – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Yesterday in yet another bombshell Tribune report on J.B. Pritzker’s close ties to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, it was revealed that Pritzker and Blagojevich traded campaign cash for state grants.

But Pritzker and Blagojevich are no strangers to helping each other out.

Since 1996, Pritzker bankrolled Blagojevich’s political interests, and in return, Blagojevich and Chicago ward bosses propped up Pritzker’s failed plans to run for office.

While Blagojevich may have failed to elect Pritzker, Pritzker still held up his end of the bargain. Pritzker and his family contributed over $160,000 to Rod Blagojevich’s campaigns.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

J.B. Pritzker fundraised for Rod Blagojevich’s campaign for the U.S. House, working alongside “North Side political boss” Dick Mell, Blagojevich’s father-in-law. The Chicago Sun-Times reporter visited Blagojevich’s campaign office and reported that J.B. worked there.

“I’m J. B. Pritzker; I help with fund-raising,” said the man in a dark green suit.

(Chicago Sun-Times, In Mell’s World, It’s Politics as Usual, Jorge Oclander, March 23, 1996)

Fresh from installing one junior congressman-son-in-law Rod Blagojevich-Alderman Richard Mell (33rd) apparently has his eye on another: J. B. Pritzker, 32, who wants Rep. Sidney Yates’ lakefront seat. Mr. Mell says any behind-the-scenes role won’t be official until Mr. Pritzker’s ’98 campaign is official. The Pritzker family scion, who aborted a challenge to Mr. Yates, 87, two years ago, raised money for Mr. Blagojevich’s ’96 race. Demurring about Mr. Mell’s future role, Mr. Pritzker, right, says, “I know Rod is going to be very helpful.”
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Sneed hears Pritzker would help fund the gubernatorial race of Mell’s son-in-law, Rep. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.) and Mell, in turn, would throw his weight behind Pritzker for his son-in-law’s North Side congressional seat.
There is no doubt that Pritzker’s and Blagojevich’s ties run deep.

And let’s not forget when the Chicago Tribune published their first bombshell report on Pritzker’s close ties to Blagojevich this past May.

FBI wiretaps revealed Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer. In the same call, Blagojevich pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions. Pritzker brushed off the FBI wiretaps by saying his calls with Blagojevich were an attempt at “public service“.

Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office just like he bought influence with Blagojevich.

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Madigan Streamrolling Continues, Top Madigan Lieutenant and Apologist Lou Lang Endorses J.B. Pritzker

Lang endorsement is more evidence Madigan will stop at nothing to ensure Pritzker wins Democrat nomination

“Lou Lang is a top lieutenant and apologist of Mike Madigan and his endorsement of J.B. Pritzker comes as no surprise. Madigan has been steamrolling other Democrats to ensure Pritzker wins the nomination because Pritzker will protect the status quo, defend tax hikes, and expand the power of Madigan’s Chicago Machine.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Yesterday, House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang endorsed J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor.

Lang’s endorsement comes as no surprise. He’s a top lieutenant and apologist of Mike Madigan and it has been reported that Madigan has been “breaking legs behind the scenes to help Pritzker.” Lou Lang’s endorsement is just the latest chapter in Madigan’s mission to elect Pritzker.

But why is Mike Madigan going through all of that trouble to elect Pritzker?

Because J.B. Pritzker will protect Madigan’s broken status quo, defend his tax hikes, and expand the power of his Chicago Machine.

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Voters Still Despise Soda Tax, Yet J.B. Pritzker Still Protects It

New poll shows that Cook County voters vehemently oppose Soda Tax, meanwhile Pritzker opposes legislation to repeal Soda Tax

“Voters are fighting back against the unpopular Cook County Soda Tax, but once again, J.B. Pritzker chose Madigan’s Chicago Machine over the people of Illinois. Pritzker opposes legislation to repeal the soda tax – that’s exactly why the Cook County Democrats endorsed him. Madigan and Preckwinkle need Pritzker to protect their power, and Pritzker has proven he will defend every tax hike they push.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

On September 13th, the Cook County Board of Commissioners is expected to hear a plan to repeal the controversial Soda Tax levied on the county’s residents.

Meanwhile, J.B. Pritzker continues to protect the Cook County Democrats’ wildly unpopular money grab by opposing legislation to repeal the soda tax.

A new poll out in the Chicago Sun-Times shows that despite vast amounts of outside money supporting the Soda Tax, majorities of Cook County voters continue to oppose the tax hike.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

“The survey comes as former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg spends millions on TV ads to support the tax. The beverage industry is also airing its own commercials against the tax. The Cook County Board of Commissioners will meet on Sept. 13, when an anti-tax proposal is expected to be heard.

“For Commissioner Luis Arroyo Jr., D-Chicago, of 684 questioned, 53 percent said they were less likely to re-elect him, the poll found. For Commissioner John Daley, of 700 questioned, nearly 67 percent said they wouldn’t vote to re-elect. For Commissioner Stanley Moore, nearly 65 percent, of 712 questioned said they would not support his re-election. And for Commissioner Deborah Sims, of 718 questioned, 54.5 percent said they were less likely to re-elect.

“…A poll of 902 voters conducted last month found 68 percent of registered Cook County voters disapproved of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s job performance. And 75 percent said they likely would not vote to re-elect Preckwinkle as Board president.”

Will Pritzker continue to defend his political friends?

As the already disastrous Soda Tax continues to be unpopular among Cook County voters, J.B. Pritzker continues to protect it.

Pritzker must still be too enamored with the Cook County Democratic Party endorsement to challenge a tax that 68% of the county’s voters disapproved of from the very beginning.

Or perhaps it’s his running mate Julianna Stratton, the protégé of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, that is forcing his hand in supporting the money grab tax.

Still, however,  Pritzker says “local governments should be given deference to make decisions over their own jurisdictions.”

Only one thing is for certain: Pritzker is unwilling to stand up for Illinois taxpayers when he and his political cronies stand to benefit.

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Pay To Play: Pritzker and Blagojevich Trade $100K Campaign Check for $1 Million State Grant

Tribune report reveals another sad chapter in the extensive Pritzker-Blagojevich relationship

“J.B. Pritzker is just another corrupt insider who tries to buy influence and power. First we learned from FBI wiretap tapes that Pritzker considered buying his way into public office by seeking an appointment to the Treasurer’s office from Rod Blagojevich. Now, we learn Pritzker gave Blagojevich a $100,000 campaign check in return for a $1 million state grant. Illinoisans should be worried about what Pritzker will do if he’s allowed to buy the governor’s office.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

In another bombshell Chicago Tribune report on J.B. Pritzker’s close ties to disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich, it was revealed that Pritzker was involved in yet another pay to play scandal with Blagojevich.

On October 27, 2006, Pritzker and his wife wrote a $100,000 campaign check to Blagojevich’s reelection campaign, and four days later, Blagojevich announced a $1 million state grant to the Illinois Holocaust Museum, where Pritzker was the chief fundraiser.

As the Tribune says, “In Illinois politics, timing is everything.”

Public records reveal J.B. Pritzker was Rod Blagojevich’s fourth largest donor, and Blagojevich rewarded Pritzker for his generosity. And J.B. Pritzker was very generous – even as many people were distancing themselves from Blagojevich.

From the Tribune report:

“…Part of that record is his relationship with the now-imprisoned Blagojevich, whose name is synonymous with Illinois corruption. Many prominent Democrats took pains to distance themselves from the former governor while he was still in office. Pritzker, though, maintained a lower public profile during those years and stayed in touch with Blagojevich.

“The campaign contribution and release of the state grant money is among the examples from Blagojevich’s tenure as governor that demonstrate the strong ties between the gregarious politician and the heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune…

“…On Oct. 11 — less than a month before the November 2006 election — a federal grand jury indicted Antoin ‘Tony’ Rezko, one of Blagojevich’s closest advisers and top fundraisers. Prosecutors alleged that Rezko used his influence to seek millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business. Then-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called the actions of Rezko and a co-conspirator who was cooperating with prosecutors ‘pay-to-play politics on steroids.’

“It was in that political environment that Blagojevich, who had a voracious appetite for campaign cash, continued to raise money in a flurry. According to state records, Blagojevich collected $2.2 million in October, the final full month of the campaign…

“…Records show that J.B. and Mary Kathryn Pritzker gave Blagojevich two donations, both recorded on Oct. 27 — one in the amount of $60,000 and the other for $40,000.

“Four days later, Blagojevich announced the state grant to the holocaust museum, according to a news release.”

Pritzker-Blago Ties Run Deep:

Pritzker was a member of Blagojevich’s “$25,000 club,” where Blagojevich awarded state appointments and contracts to campaign contributors for writing $25,000 (or greater) campaign checks. Pritzker contributed $30,000 to Blagojevich’s first gubernatorial run. Soon after winning election, Blagojevich appointed Pritzker Chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

This past May, the Chicago Tribune published their first bombshell report on Pritzker’s close ties to Blagojevich.

FBI wiretaps revealed Pritzker schemed with Blagojevich to be appointed Illinois Treasurer. In the same call, Blagojevich pressed Pritzker for campaign contributions. Pritzker brushed off the FBI wiretaps by saying his calls with Blagojevich were an attempt at “public service“.

What will voters learn about Pritzker’s “public service” with Rod Blagojevich next?

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ICYMI: Illinois’ first-ever school choice program offers children “a better choice… a better chance”

“Illinois will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice”

Last week, Governor Rauner signed an historic school funding reform bill into law surrounded by leaders from both parties who came together to forge a compromise that will improve education for all Illinois schoolchildren.

The new school funding law includes Illinois’ first-ever Scholarship Tax Credit Program to offer true school choice to underprivileged schoolchildren. One outlet has said Illinois “will likely become the largest blue state to offer private school choice.”

From the Chicago Tribune’s Editorial Board:

Great news: Thousands of Illinois children trapped in dismally performing classrooms soon will have places other than charter schools to break free and learn.

These schoolchildren will receive tuition scholarships for private schools, thanks to a $100 million program starting in the 2018-19 school year.

This five-year program — which we hope becomes permanent — is part of a sweeping Illinois school funding overhaul. It will use money from donors to educate low- and moderate-income students.

Students get a chance for a better education. Donors get a 75-cent tax credit for every dollar. And Illinois joins many other states in dramatically expanding school choice beyond charter schools. Win-win-win.

…In many homes across Illinois, a new school year brings mingled emotions among students and their parents — anticipation, anxiety, hope. But in too many homes there’s only one reaction: Dread, because parents are forced to send their children to dangerous or dead-end schools. They don’t have, or can’t afford, a better choice. A better chance.

That changes now, if only for a limited number of Illinois children. Watch the long line of students and their parents who’ll apply for these scholarships. Jensen estimates that 15,000 to 20,000 youngsters will gain scholarships annually once the program ramps up.

Think of them as the fortunate vanguard in a new era of Illinois school choice. May it succeed and grow.

From the Associated Press:

Democratic-leaning Illinois is the latest state to direct taxpayer money to private schools.

…Rauner says the credit is a way for lower-income parents to be able to send their kids to their school of choice.

…Nearly 20 states have tax credit scholarship programs. Most are Republican-led states, including Florida, Arizona and Indiana.

From Chicago Tribune Columnist Kristen McQueary:

The only way to explain headstrong resistance to Illinois’ new school choice program is this: Most people who oppose it don’t understand it.

They haven’t done the research on scholarship tax credits, or only selectively. They haven’t studied successful choice models. They are oddly suspicious of faith-based education. They haven’t talked to families fortunate enough to escape failing public schools. They haven’t talked to students on school waiting lists. They haven’t spent time inside chronically underperforming public schools.

They haven’t talked to parents desperate to find safer learning environments for their children.

To those moms and dads they say: Wait for public schools to improve. Just wait. Your child has forever, right? What’s the rush?

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law Thursday a bill that overhauls the way the state of Illinois pays for education, channeling more resources to property-poor areas of the state. The bill includes a five-year pilot program for tax credit scholarships, which encourage citizens and companies to charitably donate toward tuition programs for low- and middle-income school kids in exchange for a generous income tax break from the state.

…Why would legislators, many of whom describe themselves as progressive Democrats, want to continue protecting institutional failure instead of dropping a lifeline to at least some of the kids who remain at those schools?

There is nothing progressive, or liberal, or inclusive, or equitable about denying low-income families the same opportunities legislators themselves have. That’s called elitism.

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ICYMI: Rauner: Historic school-funding reform is right balance for Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner comments on the school funding bill that benefits every child in Illinois

From Governor Rauner’s guest column in the Daily Herald:

Illinois now has a more equitable funding structure that provides all children with the opportunity for quality education, regardless of their family’s income.

…Our administration came into office with an ambitious agenda for education, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. State funding of public schools has increased by over $1 billion under our administration. We have increased funding for early childhood education to its highest levels ever. Through the Every Student Succeeds Act, Illinois now has one of the most rigorous student accountability plans in the country.

…The new evidence-based school funding formula acknowledges that it takes more money to educate children who live in under-resourced communities and guarantees that new state dollars are distributed equitably. At the same time, it holds all 852 school districts harmless from cuts in state support and presents avenues for property tax relief for homeowners. After years of being 49th among states for state support of education, Illinois is now poised to fulfill our obligations to our children regardless of race, income or geography.

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