Tag: Pritzker

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Blagojevich Asks to Get Out of Federal Prison Early as Pritzker Talks Criminal Justice

Does Pritzker support his imprisoned friend’s petition before the U.S. Supreme Court?

 

“J.B. Pritzker’s favorite governor is back in the news. As Pritzker is scheduled to talk criminal justice this afternoon, lawyers representing his imprisoned friend Rod Blagojevich plan to file a petition to the US Supreme Court, asking them to review his conviction on corruption charges. Blagojevich’s petition begs the question – does J.B. Pritzker, Blagojevich’s fifth-largest campaign contributor, support Blagojevich’s request to get out of prison early?” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

Today, lawyers representing imprisoned former governor Rod Blagojevich plan to file a petition for a writ of certiorari before the United States Supreme Court, asking them to review his conviction on corruption charges.

Currently, Blagojevich is five and a half years into his fourteen-year sentence in a Colorado federal prison for orchestrating a “political corruption crime spree” ranging from attempts to sell a U.S. Senate seat appointment to shaking down state vendors for campaign contributions.

Blagojevich’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court is his latest attempt to get out of prison early.

Blagojevich’s most recent request begs the question – does J.B. Pritzker, Blagojevich’s fifth-largest campaign contributor and now Democratic candidate for governor, support Blagojevich’s request to get out of prison early?

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 call.

Upon the release of the wiretaps, news outlets called it a “campaign crisis” for Pritzker. Pritzker was later scrutinized for a $100,000 campaign contribution to Blagojevich that one reporter said “sounds like pay-to-play to me.”

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

So, as Pritzker plans to discuss criminal justice this afternoon, does he support his imprisoned friend Rod Blagojevich’s petition before the U.S. Supreme Court?

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Tick Tock: Two Weeks Since Pritzker Said He’d “Soon” Release Tax Returns

As Pritzker debuts ad about taxes and makes the list of richest Americans, he’s still keeping Illinoisans in the dark on his own taxes

Days ago, Democrat candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker made the list of richest Americans. Forbes rated Pritzker, whose personal wealth totals $3.4 billion, the 219th richest American.

Now, Politico Illinois Playbook is reporting that J.B. Pritzker released a new campaign ad calling for a progressive income tax. In the ad, Pritzker says that increasing taxes on the wealthiest would make our tax system “fair,” but Illinoisans still don’t know how much Pritzker himself pays in taxes.

This past April, Pritzker pledged to release his tax returns, but so far, he has failed to do so. A clock on Daniel Biss’ campaign website says 200 days have elapsed since Pritzker first made that pledge.

Although Pritzker pledged two weeks ago that he’d “soon” let voters know how much he pays in taxes, he still refuses to release his returns.

J.B. Pritzker’s hypocrisy on this issue is stunning – as he continues his calls to make the wealthiest pay more in taxes, Pritzker, one of our nation’s wealthiest individuals, continues to hide his own income taxes from the public, even as he orchestrates schemes to cut his own property tax bill.

Illinoisans should be worried if a politician like Pritzker is able to turn the Governor’s Mansion into “A Nightmare On Astor Street.”

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ILGOP Halloween Feature: “A Nightmare on Astor Street”

Warns of spooky future of insider dealings if Madigan’s man Pritzker wins

On the spookiest day of the year, the ILGOP is warning about the frightening future Illinois has in store if people like Mike Madigan and his pick for Governor, J.B. Pritzker, get the chance to set policy for our state. 

Illinois will see more taxes, more backhanded insider dealings, and zero willingness to reform a system that has failed Illinoisans for decades.

All this while Pritzker, one of the richest men in Illinois, took massive tax breaks on his Chicago Gold Coast mansion. As part of his tax-dodging scheme, Pritzker had the toilets removed from his spare, buffer mansion so it could be declared “uninhabitable” by Pritzker’s good friend Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, providing Pritzker with over $230,000 in breaks.

Read more on the A Nightmare on Astor Street page.

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Pritzker and Kennedy Continue to Dodge on Releasing Their Tax Returns

Tuesday’s forum highlighted growing pressure on Pritzker and Kennedy to honor their word, release tax returns

Tuesday’s Democrat gubernatorial forum at Aurora University raised questions for the two candidates who have yet to release their tax returns, J.B. Pritzker and Chris Kennedy, drawing criticism from fellow Democrats.

Both Pritzker and Kennedy pledged to release five-year’s worth of tax returns six months ago, though neither has followed through yet. Daniel Biss set up a counter on his campaign website to mark the days since the candidates made the pledge to release their tax returns, as well as lambasting them publicly for avoiding the subject.

The candidates provided no details on a timetable for releasing their taxes other than saying they will be released “soon,” the same answer each has been telling the media for months.

While the Democrats debate who comes from a wealthier family and dodge on releasing their tax returns, they continue to prove that the Democratic gubernatorial primary is a race to the bottom.


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Pritzker Refuses to Oppose Madigan’s Speakership Because He’s Madigan’s Candidate for Governor

At last night’s Dem debate, Pritzker refused to say if it’s time for Madigan to go

Another day, another attempt from J.B. Pritzker to cover up his close ties to Speaker Mike Madigan.

Last night at an Aurora debate with the Democrat candidates for governor, the candidates were presented with a simple question: should Madigan stay in power. Even though Democrats Daniel Biss and Chris Kennedy have their own close ties to Madigan, they took the question as an opportunity to attack him, with both saying he’s been in office too long and wields too much power.

When it came time for Pritzker to answer the same question, he balked, refusing to say whether Speaker Madigan has been around too long or if it’s time for him to leave state government, surprising no one, as Pritzker is running for governor with Madigan’s blessing.

From the Chicago Tribune’s story, Dem gov. debate: Kennedy, Biss bash Madigan; Pritzker won’t say if it’s time for speaker to go:

“The Democratic candidates for governor sought to sell themselves to primary voters at a Tuesday night forum in Aurora, but much of the focus was on a guy who wasn’t on the stage: veteran Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who also heads the Illinois Democratic Party.

“State Sen. Daniel Biss and businessman Chris Kennedy ripped Madigan, saying he’s been in office too long and wields too much power. Meanwhile, entrepreneur and philanthropist J.B. Pritzker, who has received the backing of much of the Democratic establishment, declined to say whether it’s time for Madigan to go.”

Pritzker’s silent support of Madigan’s Speakership comes after he was asked about the same issue at a recent Chicago debate with the Democratic candidates for governor.

When asked about his relationship with Mike Madigan, Pritzker repeatedly dodged the question, fumbling over his inability to change the subject. His discomfort was so plain that after being challenged on the issue by moderator Mary Ann Ahern, Pritzker’s non-answers were met with laughter from the crowd of Democrat activists.

It’s clear – J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor and even other Democrats aren’t buying Pritzker’s spin.

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Democrats Opposed Education Program Benefitting Illinois’ Neediest Kids

The first-ever scholarship tax credit program will help families provide a better education for their children

With the landmark education funding legislation that Governor Rauner signed into law, Illinois has its first-ever scholarship tax credit program to help children receive a better education, in addition to the highest level of public education funding ever.

The scholarship program is specifically designed to help Illinois’ neediest children. Only students whose families earn less than 300% of the poverty level are elligible for the scholarships. Programs such as this have been praised by education advocates as empowering for low-income children.

The Democrats running for governor, however, all opposed the scholarship program. And the candidates spoke out in opposition to the compromise bill that passed the legislature and was signed by Governor Rauner.

J.B. Pritzker promised to do away with this program, taking away school choice from the thousands of low-income children it is designed to help. He continues to tout his opposition as well as his running mate’s ‘no’ vote on the compromise.

Chris Kennedy and Ameya Pawar also oppose providing low-income children with the opportunity to choose what educational opportunities are best for them. According to them, providing Illinois’ neediest families with the ability to choose the best education for their children is “wrong.”

State Sen. Daniel Biss not only voiced his opposition, but cast his vote against the compromise bill. Biss called it “absurd” to include a program that directly benefits needy communities in the state.

Time after time, the Democrat gubernatorial candidates have shown that they do not stand on the side of the people. Their united opposition to historic reform is a clear example that their policies are wrong for our children and wrong for Illinois.

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Democrat Audience Laughs At Pritzker’s Claim of ‘Independence’ from Madigan

As Pritzker tries to distance himself from Madigan, the Democrat audience responds with laughter and groans

“On Sunday, the Democrats running for governor were abundantly clear: Mike Madigan is for J.B. Pritzker. It makes sense, since Pritzker and Madigan both share a history of corrupt deal-making and gaming the system for their own personal gain. Pritzker’s attempts to distance himself from Madigan were literally laughable – so laughable that an audience of Democrats and progressives wren’t buying the malarkey he was peddling.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

On Sunday, the Democratic candidates for governor held a forum at the Chicago Teacher’s Union headquarters, and though they may disagree on exactly how high they will raise taxes, they all came together on one topic: Mike Madigan’s support for J.B. Pritzker.

When asked about his relationship with Mike Madigan, Pritzker repeatedly dodged the question, fumbling over his inability to change the subject. His discomfort was so plain that after being challenged on the issue by moderator Mary Ann Ahern, Pritzker’s non-answers were met with laughter from the crowd of Democrat activists.

Not only do Pritzker’s fellow Democrats discuss his support from Madigan, they also point out Pritzker’s Chicago mansion property tax scam.

Though Pritzker claims purposefully removing plumbing from a mansion for a huge tax break is simply a “renovation project,” others point out that they had “never even heard” of having a house reclassified as uninhabitable to game the reassessment system, making Chicago homeowners pay more while Pritzker pays less.

All the while, Pritzker decries the assessment system as unfair and broken, but he refuses to call for the removal of Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, the man who made Pritzker’s ‘renovation project’ work.

The Democrats may not always agree on how big government should be, but they all came together on one topic: J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor.

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ICYMI: Pritzker Endorsed by Madigan Front Group Then Dodges Questions About Close Ties To Madigan

Even as other Dems attack, Pritzker stays mum on Madigan, proving he’s Madigan’s candidate for governor

On Saturday, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association voted to endorse Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.

The endorsement was yet another example of the Madigan Machine working to clear the field and install a loyal Madigan ally like Pritzker in the Governor’s Mansion, but it’s unsurprising – the IDCCA has long been a front group for Mike Madigan.

IDCCA President Doug House and his predecessors have done Madigan’s bidding for years, using the IDCCA to funnel campaign cash to Madigan’s allies and vulnerable House Democrats.

Then on Sunday, the Democratic candidates for governor held a debate to discuss their plans to increase taxes and spending without real reform.

The candidates may not have agreed on everything, but they all came together behind one clear fact – J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor.

Pritzker was asked point blank about his relationship with Madigan, and he completely dodged the question, refusing to criticize Madigan. Other candidates like Chris Kennedy took the Madigan question as an opportunity to highlight Madigan’s stunning conflict of interest and Daniel Biss even said Madigan is too powerful.

Pritzker, on the other hand, refused to answer whether or not Madigan supports his candidacy.

It’s clear – J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor.

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Democrats Agree: Pritzker is Madigan’s Candidate For Governor

While other Dem gov candidates go on the attack against Madigan, Pritzker dodges and maintains his silence on Madigan

“While the Democrats running for governor all touted their same old tax-and-spend policies at Sunday’s forum, they all came together and agreed that J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor. Pritzker all but admitted it while dodging questions concerning his close relationship with Madigan, even as his Democrat opponents attacked Madigan for overstaying his welcome and conflicts of interest.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

On Sunday, the Democratic candidates for governor came together at the Chicago Teacher’s Union headquarters to discuss their plans to increase taxes and spend more without real reform – the same strategy Illinois Democrats have used for decades.

The candidates may not have agreed on everything, but they all came together behind one clear fact – J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor.

Pritzker was asked point blank about his relationship with Madigan, and he completely dodged the question, refusing to criticize Madigan. Other candidates like Chris Kennedy took the Madigan question as an opportunity to highlight Madigan’s stunning conflict of interest – serving simultaneously as a property tax appeals attorney and state representative who influences property tax law.

Meanwhile, Pritzker said nothing on Madigan, opting to keep quiet rather than attack his political patron.

The Democrats may disagree on how high to raise taxes or who is more beholden to special interests, but they can all come together and agree that J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s pick for governor.

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As Expected, Madigan Front Group Endorses Pritzker

IL Dem County Chairs Assoc. continues trend of Madigan subservience by endorsing Madigan’s candidate for governor

“The IDCCA has done it again. Their endorsement of Pritzker today is the latest chapter in a years-long pattern of bending to Madigan’s will. The IDCCA has long been an instrument to support Madigan’s vulnerable House members, and now they’re being used by Madigan to coronate Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot

As expected, the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association voted today to endorse Mike Madigan’s candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.

Today’s decision is yet another example of the Madigan Machine working to clear the field and install a loyal Madigan ally like Pritzker in the Governor’s Mansion, but the IDCCA endorsement is unsurprising – they have long been a front group for Mike Madigan.

House and his predecessors have done Madigan’s bidding for years, using the IDCCA to funnel campaign cash to Madigan’s allies and vulnerable House Democrats.

After taking big campaign checks from politicians special interest groups associated with Madigan, the IDCCA turned around and funneled that campaign cash to House Democrats and Madigan-enablers.

The IDCCA endorsement is nothing more than what we’ve already seen in this race: Mike Madigan pulling out all of the stops to coronate Pritzker with the Democratic nomination for governor.

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