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ICYMI: Inside the Joe Berrios and Mike Madigan Property Tax Racket

“Inaccurate assessments also help drive business to political allies who are property tax attorneys, including Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.”

“The corruption from Joe Berrios and Mike Madigan is absolutely disgusting. For years, they have taken money from middle class families and small businesses to help line their own pockets, all the while propping up their political careers. If you want to know why Illinois has serious problems, look no further than Joe Berrios and Mike Madigan and their shameful practices of robbing hard-working Illinoisans to make themselves richer.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Today, the Chicago Tribune published an in-depth story on how Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios and Illinois House Speak Mike Madigan have been gaming the system for years to make millions of dollars for themselves off property tax assessments and appeals. They’ve created a system that has hurt middle-class taxpayers and small businesses, and it has further solidified Berrios’ and Madigan’s political power.

See key highlights below and read the entire story here.
“Berrios failed at one of his most important responsibilities — estimating the value of commercial and industrial properties. What’s more, a separate analysis reveals commercial and industrial property assessments throughout Cook County were so riddled with errors that they created deep inequities, punishing small businesses while cutting a break to owners of high-value properties and helping fuel a cottage industry of politically powerful tax attorneys.”

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“The repetitive process feeds a property tax appeal industry that provides the bulk of Berrios’ campaign contributions. Inaccurate assessments also help drive business to political allies who are property tax attorneys, including Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.”

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“A Berrios ally, Madigan is a founding partner in the six-member firm that has filed appeals on nearly $8.6 billion in assessed value since Berrios took office in December 2010, the most of any firm, according to the appeals analysis. From 2011 to 2016, Madigan & Getzendanner won reductions of 20 percent from the initial values of their clients’ properties, totaling nearly $1.7 billion, the analysis found.”

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J.B. Pritzker’s Campaign Supporters Are Riding To The Rescue Of Pritzker Friend Rod Blagojevich

Does J.B. Pritzker agree with his campaign supporters that the U.S. Supreme Court should hear Rod Blagojevich’s appeal?

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Illinois Democrats, including key allies of J.B. Pritzker, signed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear imprisoned Governor Rod Blagojevich’s most recent appeal to get out of prison early.

Congressmen Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley, and former Congressmen Glenn Poshard all have endorsed Pritzker’s campaign for governor and all have also signed their names onto the brief concerning Blagojevich’s appeal.

Does J.B. Pritzker agree with his campaign supporters that the U.S. Supreme Court should hear Rod Blagojevich’s appeal?

J.B. Pritzker has long been under fire for his extremely close ties to Rod Blagojevich.

In a bombshell investigative report from the Chicago Tribune, it was revealed that Pritzker was recorded on FBI wiretaps conversing with Blagojevich about being appointed State Treasurer, among other offices. Pritzker and Blagojevich also discussed campaign contributions on the same wiretap recordings.

Pritzker was later scrutinized for a $100,000 campaign contribution to Blagojevich where one reporter said “sounds like pay-to-play to me.”

In the late 90s, Pritzker said that Blagojevich would be “very helpful” for Pritzker’s own political plans. Public records also reveal that J.B. Pritzker was Rod Blagojevich’s fifth-largest gubernatorial campaign contributor.

Given J.B. Pritzker’s close ties to imprisoned former governor Rod Blagojevich, surely Pritzker has an opinion on Blagojevich’s latest attempt to get out of prison early.

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J.B. Pritzker Hiding Information On Inherited Family Trusts Because He’s Using Them To Avoid Taxes

“[Pritzker’s] clearly withholding information on huge family trusts” that are designed to protect his inherited wealth from taxes

After over 200 days of delay, J.B. Pritzker released a portion of his income tax returns, but his disclosed tax records raise more questions than answers.

Pritzker’s tax returns revealed that the vast majority of his income comes from inherited family trusts, not from salary income, business investments, or interest. Between 2014 and 2016, Pritzker paid $8.236 million in taxes on $29.6 million of declared personal income.

Those taxes pale in comparison to the income Pritzker derived from his inherited family trusts. During that same time period, Pritzker paid $128.97 million in federal taxes and $24.95 million in Illinois taxes on those trusts.

Unlike his opponent Chris Kennedy, why has Pritzker refused to answer questions on his family trusts?

Years of investigation and inquiry have revealed that the Pritzker family famously utilized trusts to protect their wealth from taxes and IRS scrutiny.

It’s clear – J.B. Pritzker is obfuscating on income derived from his inherited family trusts because he’s trying to hide the fact that he’s been avoiding taxes for years.

J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor is reaching the height of hypocrisy. Pritzker is advocating for yet another income tax hike on middle class families while cutting corrupt deals to slash his property taxes and using trusts to avoid taxes.

As Rich Miller said about J.B. Pritzker’s use of family trusts in his weekly column, “This ain’t over.“

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J.B. Pritzker’s Investments Reveal His Deceptions

Despite telling the Sierra Club he is for 100% ‘clean energy,’ Pritzker maintains investments in Big Oil

J.B. Pritzker’s mouth is writing checks even his wallet can’t cash.

In yesterday’s Chicago Sun-Times report, it was revealed that Pritzker continues to hold investments in industries that don’t line up with his own rhetoric.

From the Sun-Times:

“Pritzker’s extensive filing — 10 pages of hundreds of stocks, mutual funds partnership and membership interests — shows a partnership interest in Energy Transfer Partners LP, a pipeline operator that constructed and is a part-owner of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which carries oil underground from North Dakota all the way to an oil tank farm near Patoka, Ill.

” … Pritzker also has a partnership interest in Niagara Casino Group, LP and a stock in A.N.P. Gaming Corporation. The Pritzker family has part ownership of the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. Pritzker, too, invests in big oil, with stocks in Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp.”

But just last month at a Sierra Club Forum, Pritzker repeatedly proclaimed the ‘evils of fossil fuels,’ saying things like:

“We’ve got to stand up to them. Our endeavor must be to say no when they say it’s ok if we pollute the air and make it harder to breath to stand up for the profits of the fossil fuel industry.”

“This idea of profits over people we have to do away with.”

“I believe we need that clean energy technology here in Illinois… in order to get to that 100% clean energy goal.”

Watch HERE.

Pritzker continues to lie to Illinoisans, regardless of their party preference. Pritzker’s incessant hypocrisy is proof that he is the wrong choice for Illinois.

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ICYMI: State Journal-Register Gives A Thumbs Down to Londrigan & EMILY’s List, Calls on Them to Apologize to Rodney Davis

“Londigran and EMILY’s List have detracted from a much-needed conversation [on sexual harassment]… They should apologize to Davis”

Last week, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan’s hometown newspaper, the State Journal-Register, gave her and EMILY’s List a thumbs down for pushing flat out lies against Congressman Davis’ testimony in a House committee hearing on sexual harassment. Here’s what they had to say:

 

Thumbs Down: To a political opponent, and a partisan advocacy group, for grossly mischaracterizing comments made by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis.

Davis, R-Taylorville, said during a Nov. 14 hearing of the House Administration Committee that he had asked his female-led staff their opinions on sexual harassment issues in Congress. They expressed concern that an unintended consequence of the topic being in the limelight is that some offices might not hire women — an approach Davis said was wrong.

…Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, one of four people seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, initially tweeted: “Really? Are you kidding me? Offensive and illegal. … One more reason he has to go.” She made additional comments on her Facebook page.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, an organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women and has endorsed Londrigan, tweeted in part: “Excluding women from Congress is NOT how we should address sexual harassment. Let’s get this buffoon out and elect (Londrigan) instead.”

…Even after those clarifications, Londrigan and EMILY’s List have stuck by their statements. No one likes to admit they are wrong. But that’s not an excuse for using incomplete information to spread falsehoods — even in politics, where we sadly have come to expect half-truths and outright lies during campaign season .

The issue of sexual harassment is finally getting the discussion it deserves. Londigran and EMILY’s List have detracted from a much-needed conversation on Capitol Hill by first not bothering to find out what Davis truly said, and second by refusing to admit they were wrong. They should apologize to Davis.

 

They followed up by calling on EMILY’s List and Londrigan to apologize to Congressman Davis like other female Republican leaders have called on them to do as well.

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Durbin and Duckworth Think Franken Sexual Assault Allegations Are “Unacceptable,” But Are Keeping His Dirty Campaign Cash Anyways

For Durbin and Duckworth, it’s all about the money, regardless of who gets hurt

It’s been nearly two weeks since Democrats “scrambled to contain the fallout” from the sexual assault allegations against Minnesota Democratic Senator Al Franken. The Minnesota Democrat was accused of groping and kissing a reporter without her consent.

In response, some Democratic lawmakers quickly distanced themselves by donating campaign contributions from Al Franken to charity. Senator Claire McCaskill donated her $30,000 in Franken cash to Missouri food banks while Senator Tammy Baldwin donated $20,000 to a group benefiting women veterans in Wisconsin.

But what are Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth doing with their campaign contributions from Al Franken? They’re keeping his dirty money. Both have received $5,000 and $21,000, respectively, but they’ve been silent on whether or not they will return the money or give it away to Illinois charities.

Durbin and Duckworth didn’t hesitate to call Franken’s actions “wrong” and “unacceptable,’ but they stopped short of putting their money where their mouth is. Dick Durbin even dodged questions on whether Al Franken should resign and hasn’t said a word about what he will do with his campaign cash from Franken.

For Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, it’s all about the money, regardless of who gets hurt.

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ILGOP Releases Digital Ad: Tax Hike

Pritzker’s recent interviews have made his commitment to more tax hikes clearer than ever before

Today, the Illinois Republican Party released a new digital ad, Tax Hike. The ad highlights the undeniable link between J.B. Pritzker and Mike Madigan and their support for even more tax hikes in Illinois.

In a recent interview, Pritzker made his view on taxes clear: “Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about. That was the fiscal bottom line from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker…”

Pritzker and Madigan have long been advocates for increased taxes. When asked by a reporter if his plan is “just for tax increases,” Madigan laughs and dodges the question, while J.B. Pritzker refuses to admit that people are leaving Illinois because of Madigan’s track record of tax hikes.

Despite a 32% tax hike earlier this year with no reforms to state government, Pritzker and Madigan continue to push for higher taxes on Illinois families. Our state cannot afford more taxes on our citizens.

Now is the time to stop Pritzker and Madigan. No more tax hikes.

Watch the ad HERE.

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Following Madigan’s Lead, J.B. Pritzker Supports Another Income Tax Hike on Every Illinoisan

In latest interview, Pritzker states his support for yet another tax increase

“Illinois may need another tax hike to balance the books and pay for needed public investments, even if the progressive income tax eventually comes about.

“That was the fiscal bottom line from Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J.B. Pritzker today as the Chicago entrepreneur and investor, who’s moved ahead in some recent polls, met with Crain’s Editorial Board for a wide-ranging interview.”

That is how Greg Hinz’s Monday column on J.B. Pritzker column begins. Pritzker continues to mirror his patron Mike Madigan when it comes to taxes, promoting even higher taxes despite Madigan’s 32% tax hike on Illinois families earlier this year.

Madigan muscled through the increase this summer, and if he has his way, will continue to raise taxes.

This comes as no surprise, as Madigan has stated a tax increase to 5% is a “good place to begin.”

This all while Pritzker continues to dodge releasing his own tax returns. It has been 221 days since Pritzker pledged to release his taxes, but he continues to hide behind empty promises of ‘soon.’

When it comes to raising taxes, Pritzker is lock step with Madigan: more taxes, no reform.

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Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth Still Mum On Returning Campaign Cash from Al Franken

Since sexual assault allegations against Franken broke late last week, big name Democrats who have received donations from his PAC have returned the money

Following the sexual assault allegations against Minnesota Senator Al Franken, many Democrats who have received money from Franken’s PAC, Midwest Values, have donated the money to charity.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, who has received $30,000 in donations from Franken since 2006, has given that money to Missouri Food banks.

Sen. Jon Tester donated his $25,000 of Franken money to a Montana organization against sexual violence and harassment.

Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaign has vowed to donate the $28,100 received from Franken to various charities.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who received $20,000 from Franken, is donating it to a group for women veterans in Wisconsin.

Congressional candidate and State Rep. Abby Finkenauer has vowed to return the $1,500 she received from the Franken PAC.

Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have both received $21,000 and $5,000, respectively, from the Franken PAC, yet neither of them have returned the money or announced any plans to.

Why are Durbin and Duckworth keeping Franken’s dirty money? Both should put their money where their mouth is and either return or donate all campaign cash received from Franken. Actions speak louder than words.

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Pritzker Still Silent on His Support for Joe Berrios as Democrats Oppose Berrios’ Re-Election

Pritzker’s silence is the price of support from Madigan’s Chicago Machine

“J.B. Pritzker’s silence on Joe Berrios is stunning, but not surprising. The Berrios-led Cook County Democrats were one of Pritzker’s early backers. Even worse, Pritzker received a $230,000 property tax break from Berrios on his Chicago mansion after ripping out the toilets. It’s clear – J.B. Pritzker will do anything to line his pockets and win an election, even if it means supporting corrupt politicians like Joe Berrios.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is the latest Cook County Democrat to oppose Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios’ re-election.

Berrios has been under fire for running what is essentially a property tax racket and Democrats like “Chuy” Garcia, Heather Steans, David Orr, and Chris Kennedy want nothing to do with him.

But there’s been one notable Democrat who has been silent on Joe Berrios – J.B. Pritzker – and it’s no surprise. Pritzker owes a lot to Berrios.

The Cook County Democratic Party, an organization chaired by Berrios, endorsed J.B. Pritzker’s campaign for governor in what some Democrats called a” backroom deal“.

Even worse, Pritzker was embroiled in a property tax scandal of his own where he ripped the toilets out of his multi-million dollar Chicago mansion to get a $230,000 property tax break from Berrios. Pritzker’s property tax appeals attorneys have given over $100,000 in campaign cash to Joe Berrios’ various political organizations.

J.B. Pritzker will do anything to line his pockets and win the Democratic nomination for governor, even if it means getting in bed with Madigan’s Chicago Machine and turning a blind eye to corrupt politicians like Joe Berrios.

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