Category: News

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ICYMI – Rauner Signs More Criminal Justice Reforms

Proves Bipartisan Cooperation Possible in Illinois

Yesterday Governor Bruce Rauner signed six criminal justice reform bills into law, adding to the Governor’s already impressive record of bipartisan cooperation on criminal justice issues.

Check out the coverage:

KFVS: Rauner signs 6 bills to give second chances
The signed bills will help offenders obtain jobs and safe housing, and as a long term result it help decrease prison population.

Rauner goal is to reduce the prison population by 25 percent by 2025.

WAND: Governor: New laws help ‘broken’ criminal justice system
“One of my most important goals since taking office has been to fix our broken criminal justice system,” Gov. Rauner said. “Our work is far from over, but these bills are a step in the right direction toward reducing recidivism and giving people a second chance at life.”

House Bill 698 allows prisoners to learn business skills while serving prison time. They include computer skills, budgeting, goal setting, public speaking and business plan creation. To be eligible for the five-year pilot program, prisoners must not have major sex offense convictions.

… House Bill 1688 removes licensing barriers that stand in the way of ex-offenders who want to apply for job opportunities.

House Bill 2373 allows for records to be sealed in cases where a charged person is allowed an order of supervision for non-violent and non-sexual crimes. In a similar measure, House Bill 514 allows records to be sealed for charges that lead to acquittal or dismissal.

Senate Bill 1781 waives a $120 fee aimed toward ex-offenders in Cook County as they apply to get records cleared. It applies to people whose charges end up dropped. Finally, House Bill 3817 carries a similar measure, making it easier for minors to have their records erased.

 

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ICYMI: “4 Top Legislative Leaders, Rauner Reach ‘Historic’ School Funding Reform”

Plan Includes School Choice, Proves Bipartisanship Still Possible

Yesterday, Governor Rauner, House and Senate Republicans, and House and Senate Democrats announced a compromise plan to pass historic education funding reform.

It proves that bipartisanship is still possible in Illinois.

And thanks to strong negotiations led by House GOP Leader Jim Durkin and Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady, Illinois is now poised to have a school choice program for the first time – something the Chicago Teachers Union is not happy about.

More coverage on the education plan:
NBC Chicago: 4 Top Legislative Leaders, Rauner Reach ‘Historic’ School Funding Reform
The Illinois Republican House and Senate announced Thursday that the four top legislative leaders and Gov. Bruce Rauner have reached a “historic” school funding reform.

ABC 7 Chicago: Legislative leaders, governor reach ‘agreement in principle’ on school funding reform
The governor’s office released a statement, saying, “Governor Rauner applauds the four leaders in coming to a consensus on historic school funding reform that reflects the work of the School Funding Reform Commission. He thanks them for their leadership and looks forward to the coming days when the legislation is passed by both chambers.”

Daily Herald: State leaders say they’ve got a deal on school funding reform
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that one source said a scholarship program to provide tuition help for parents of children in private schools, through vouchers, was part of the deal. Cardinal Blase Cupich and other religious leaders had lobbied hard for the tax credits — $75 million for donors to the pilot program — long sought by parochial schools.

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Surprise!! Madigan Patronage Chief Endorses Pritzker

Jesse White Endorsement is More Proof Madigan Backs Pritzker

“Jesse White is Mike Madigan’s top patronage chief, using the Secretary of State’s office as a jobs machine for Madigan allies. J.B. Pritzker’s willingness to accept the endorsement of the Speaker’s top patronage chief is just another sign that Mike Madigan is orchestrating Pritzker’s nomination.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

Jesse White is a Madigan ally through and through – and now he’s supporting J.B. Pritzker.

Just this month, Jesse White broke his promise to not run for re-election after Madigan worked to change his mind.

Madigan likes White because he is well known for a “pattern of patronage” in his office. Mike Madigan relies on patronage for his political machine.

J.B. Pritzker’s willingness to accept a Jesse White endorsement is even more proof that he would give the Governor’s office back to Mike Madigan.

 

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Preckwinkle Gives Out Lavish Benefits to Campaign Donor After Soda Tax

Pritzker, Kennedy Still Refuse to Take Position on Tax

It’s now been confirmed – Toni Preckwinkle’s punitive, universally derided soda tax was never about making the public safer or plugging a budget gap.

It was about giving out government benefits to political supporters.

And Democratic candidates for Governor – J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy – refuse to say anything about it.

Just weeks after Preckwinkle’s soda tax went into effect, one of Cook County’s “top unions is bragging about all the good things Preckwinkle is giving its members in a new contract.”

Crain’s Chicago Business writes that Preckwinkle is giving Teamsters Union Local 700 lavish benefits, including “a new payment for attending roll call, lifting a cap on use of personal time, a raised uniform allowance and expanded shift differentials, a $1,200-per-person signing bonus and, most notably, a zero percent hike in health care premiums at a time when workers all over the country are being asked to pay more.”

Preckwinkle’s spokesman had the gall to call it “a good, responsible deal for everyone, including the taxpayers.”

But as Crain’s notes – Teamsters Union Local 700 is one of Preckwinkle’s largest campaign donors, giving her campaign fund “at least $68,000 since 2014.”

It’s just another example of Cook County Democrats using taxpayer dollars for political benefit.

It’s time for leading Cook County Democrats like J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy to stand up and say where they stand on Preckwinkle’s tax-and-spend scheme.

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Will Pritzker Call on Preckwinkle to Repeal Soda Tax?

Pritzker Could Demonstrate Leadership, Use Cook County Endorsement for Good

Cook County is fed up with politics as usual from Toni Preckwinkle. A shocking poll out today finds that there is overwhelming opposition to Preckwinkle’s signature tax – nearly 7 in 10 registered Cook County voters oppose her soda tax.

But where does J.B. Pritzker stand? So far, all we’ve heard is silence from the normally talkative billionaire.

Could it be that Pritzker’s ties to the Cook County machine prevent him from speaking out?

Could it be that Pritzker is just so thankful for the Cook County Democratic Party’s endorsement that he refuses to take on their reckless members and stand up for taxpayers?

Or maybe running mate Juliana Stratton is stopping Pritzker from doing the right thing – since she’s a “member of Ms. Preckwinkle’s inner circle” and her “protégé”.

Either way, Pritzker’s silence says it all – he’s okay with massive tax hikes that threaten to take millions in federal funding away from those in need.

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Democrats Travel to Springfield to Celebrate “Madigan Day” at the Illinois State Fair

Dem candidates for governor line up to showcase their loyalty to Madigan and kiss his ring

“Illinois Democrats are kidding themselves – today is really Madigan Day at the Illinois State Fair. Democrat candidates for governor have nothing to celebrate about Madigan’s record-setting, disastrous reign of terror over Illinois, but that doesn’t stop them from traveling to Springfield to showcase their loyalty and kiss his ring.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

After Speaker Mike Madigan landed the title of “longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history,” Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair is no longer known as Democrat Day – it’s Madigan Day.

At the helm of the Democratic Party of Illinois since 1998, Madigan has used his Chicago machine to accumulate wealth for himself and his cronies, consolidate political power, hike taxes, and squash reform, all to the detriment of Illinois families and taxpayers.

Now Democrat candidates for governor have made the journey from Chicago to Springfield to showcase their loyalty and kiss Madigan’s ring. With loyalists like these, it’s no surprise Madigan wants an ally in the Governor’s Mansion:

J.B. Pritzker

J.B. Pritzker and Mike Madigan have embraced one another from the start. Madigan and the rest of the Chicago Democratic machine have been “steering unions, interest groups, or politicians” to back Pritzker in exchange for assurances that J.B. falls in line. When his campaign was asked how Pritzker would address the heavy handed tenure of Madigan, they mentioned that Illinois Democrats need to improve, but conveniently left out their good buddy Mike Madigan. Behind closed doors, Pritzker voiced his support for Madigan’s tax hike plan: to raise taxes even higher than Madigan’s recent 32% tax hike.

Chris Kennedy

Chris Kennedy has made no bones about his support for Mike Madigan’s agenda. Kennedy thinks reforms to state government are “bullsh*t” and has backed Madigan’s 32% tax tax hike. When asked if Madigan should be reelected as Speaker, Kennedy was at a loss for words. Madigan loves Chris Kennedy’s loyalty so much, he thinks Kennedy is an “excellent candidate” and “a very good candidate for governor.”

Daniel Biss

Daniel Biss talks a good game about taking on the “money and the machine,” but he has a record of working for both. Biss ran a Super PAC that one Illinois Democrat operative called a “Madigan joint“. That Super PAC took boatloads of cash from Madigan, special interests, and insiders like Pritzker and Kennedy. During his short tenure in the House, Biss made Madigan Speaker for another term and voted for Madigan’s rigged legislative maps. Later in the Senate, Biss voted for Madigan’s wildly unbalanced budget and 32% tax hike.

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Jesse White Does it Again

Decision to Run Again Is Patronage Gift to Madigan Machine

“For a second time, Jesse White is breaking his pledge to voters not to run for re-election. It’s no surprise, coming from a career politician and Madigan patronage chief who consistently breaks his word.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

After a disastrous license plate rollout called “ghastly” and “a mashup of indiscernible clip art” by members of the press,  Secretary of State Jesse White today announced he would run for re-election.

The announcement comes after White repeatedly promised he would not run for re-election.

In 2009, White told the Southern that “if re-elected to a fourth term in 2010, he will retire in 2014 and pursue only volunteer work.”

White broke that promise in 2014, running for re-election.

“This will be it,” he told the Daily Herald.

In 2015, White doubled down, saying “I’m not running in this next election.”

And in 2016, White said “You can take it to the bank. This is it. This is my last tour of duty.”

The Chicago Sun-Times then reported that Madigan wanted to change White’s mind. Now Jesse White has obliged.

White’s decision to break his promise is a gift to Madigan. Jesse White is well known for a “pattern of patronage” in his office. Mike Madigan relies on this patronage for his political machine.

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ICYMI: GOP Rallies for Reform

– Will Hold Madigan Machine Accountable in November 2018 – 

Governor Bruce Rauner and Republicans across Illinois rallied in support of the Governor’s reform agenda and made clear they will hold Mike Madigan’s machine politicians accountable for the damage they’ve inflicted upon taxpayers.

Check out some of the news coverage from the fair:

WCIA: Governor’s day takes aim at Speaker
Hundreds of supporters showed up, but the overall theme was gearing up for the 2018 election and winning seats to flip the majority. Governor Rauner kicked off the event rallying the crowd with high hopes.
… The event was filled with Madigan shirts and buttons which negatively portrayed the Speaker.
“You know why we’re going to pick up at least nine seats maybe a dozen because Democrats just as much as Republicans are angry. They know the system is broken, they know Mike Madigan has set up a machine that makes him rich.”

WGN: Governor’s Day, school funding at center stage in Springfield
It’s Governor Day at the Illinois State Fair and Governor Bruce Rauner is rallying the troops ahead of next year’s election.
“This is an exciting election. We’re going to win on to victory in 2018. Let’s restore Democracy in the State of Illinois,” said Rauner.

NPR Illinois: Rauner Outlines 2018 Campaign Themes: Madigan, Madigan, Madigan
Illinois Republicans are gearing up for Gov. Bruce Rauner’s re-election fight. At a state fair rally Wednesday, they made clear their campaign will focus on one man.
… “We cannot give into Madigan and his Chicago agenda any longer,” said Tim Schneider, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.
“Our goal is to win the House back, and make Leader Durkin Speaker Durkin in 2018,” he said, referring to House Minority Leader Jim Durkin.

Chicago Sun-Times: Rauner releases two TV ads ahead of Illinois House school funding vote
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Governor’s Day released two television ads, paid for by his campaign, in his push to try to squash a veto override in the Illinois House.
The two 30-second spots will be aired statewide, alongside digital ads and phone calls, according to Rauner’s campaign committee Citizens for Rauner.
… “Tell Speaker Madigan we’ve had enough,” one of the ads says.

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ILGOP Releases Snapchat Ads During State Fair

Highlights Democrats’ Marriage to Tax-Hike Agenda

During this year’s state fair, Governor Bruce Rauner will rally for major reforms and highlight how Democrats led by Speaker Mike Madigan refuse to do anything but raise taxes and use government to benefit their friends in Chicago.

Today the Illinois Republican Party is launching a digital ad campaign to amplify the Governor’s message and hold Democrats – including their Madigan-backed candidates for Governor – accountable.

The digital campaign will feature snapchat filters on both Governor’s Day and Democrat’s day.

Check out some of the ads below:

Wednesday

Thursday

 

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ICYMI: “House has final chance to treat schools equally”

Madigan’s Democrats “threw the idea of equity out of kilter and sent millions of dollars more to Chicago”

From the Journal Courier Editorial Board:

There’s still a chance for legislators to get it right for the majority of school children in Illinois.

We hope they demand fairness and fix a broken system that for too long has left many downstate scrambling for scraps.

Realists recognize, though, that school funding has dangled for such a long time on the rope of party politics that change is a long-shot.

There was an admirable effort made to right past wrongs when state Sen. Andy Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat, presented a sound plan that moved the state light years toward equity.

Had that plan survived unadulterated, it would have been a great step. But a last-minute revision inserted provisions designed to absolve Chicago Public Schools of the financial mess allowed to fester over unfunded pensions. That change once again threw the idea of equity out of kilter and sent millions of dollars more to Chicago at the expense of almost every other school district in the state.

The architects of that revision know what they were doing. They also knew how outrageous the idea really was, sitting on it for two months before sending it to the governor’s desk.

…An independent — that’s an important word here — review by the State Board of Education of what would happen without the pension bailout clogging up the funding shows 97.5 percent of all schools in Illinois would receive more funding if the amended funding reform plan was allowed to stand.

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