Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker sees no patronage problem in his administration – not that there’s no patronage, just that he apparently doesn’t see it as a problem.
Despite the hardships small businesses face from COVID-19 restrictions, Pritzker continues to push for a tax increase on them.
"We’re down 40 to 50% in customers and income and it’s not really flying back. We have a little overhead compared to restaurants. We can withstand it longer, I hope."
Some activities allowed under the state’s Phase 4 reopening plan have been pulled back.
"We’re very hurt, we’re disappointed and we’re frustrated with what has happened with the city. We don’t want to pack up and leave. We have too much invested."
Pressure continues to build to repair Illinois’ broken ethics laws, as more Democrats demand reform and more lawmakers face corruption charges.
Teachers’ unions have provided lots of campaign cash to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, who’s been implicated in a bribery scandal. Teachers who don’t want their money sent to a corrupt system can opt out of the union.
Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment would hurt small, minority-owned businesses the most.
Four long-time Illinois General Assembly members who pushed through the “fair tax” referendum have been charged with crimes. A fifth faces a bribery investigation.
The state’s government unions have heavily funded the election committees run by longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan – who then uses his influence to pass union-friendly bills.
Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.
Despite potential political repercussions, a growing list of Democrats are demanding Mike Madigan resign his leadership positions after he was implicated in a ComEd corruption scheme.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker again turned to criminal penalties to gain compliance with his coronavirus mandates. He is targeting business owners when customers and staff fail to wear masks.