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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