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Articles by Bob Secter
Fact-Check: Rauner's 'Proud Immigrant' Grandparents? Born In Wisconsin
Bruce Rauner clearly idolized his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Viola Erickson. From his earliest days in politics, he has repeatedly invoked their memory as role models for the kind of selfless, rugged and generous person that he hoped voters would find him to be.
Daniel Biss, Karen McConnaughay on COVID-19 coronavirus challenges
Democrat Daniel Biss of Evanston and Republican Karen McConnaughay of St. Charles are former state senators and government finance experts. They served—albeit on opposite sides of the aisle—when a clash over spending priorities between majority Democrats and then-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner left state government without a budget between 2015 and 2017. Both spoke to Crain's about the daunting challenges to Illinois government posed by coronavirus and the resulting economic meltdown.
PolitiFact - Blago op-ed falsely claims he is in prison for ‘practicing politics'
There’s little need to rehash the saga of Rod Blagojevich, Illinois’ 40th governor and the only one ever impeached. For the last six years he has been locked up in a federal prison in Littleton, Colorado, serving a 14-year sentence for convictions on an array of corruption charges, including a spectacularly brazen attempt to sell his power as governor to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the ascension of Barack Obama to the presidency.
Fact-Check: Blago Op-ed Falsely Claims He is in Prison for ‘Practicing Politics’
There’s little need to rehash the saga of Rod Blagojevich, Illinois’ 40th governor and the only one ever impeached. For the last six years he has been locked up in a federal prison in Littleton, Colorado, serving a 14-year sentence for convictions on an array of corruption charges, including a spectacularly brazen attempt to sell his power as governor to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the ascension of Barack Obama to the presidency.
Blagojevich on guilty verdict: 'I, frankly, am stunned'
A federal jury Monday convicted Rod Blagojevich of sweeping corruption, putting an end to a tragicomic legal and political drama that brought downIllinois’ showy and would-be populist former governor. In its 10th day of deliberations, the 11-woman, one-man jury convicted Blagojevich of several shakedown attempts, including allegations that he brazenly tried to sellPresidentBarack Obama’s oldU.S. Senate seat in 2008.
Will wealthy leave Illinois if graduated income tax happens? It didn't happen with last tax hike
When Illinois' income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better-off stayed, and their numbers grew. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy. But if past is prologue, a trove of federal data on Illinois taxpayers challenges predictions of a stampede for the exits among residents of means.
Would wealthy leave Illinois if graduated income tax happens? It didn't happen with last tax hike
When Illinois' income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better-off stayed, and their numbers grew. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy. But if past is prologue, a trove of federal data on Illinois taxpayers challenges predictions of a stampede for the exits among residents of means.
Poor left, rich thrived when Illinois hiked flat tax
Tim Jones and Bob Secter of Better Government Association When Illinois’ income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better off flourished. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. JB Pritzker’s push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy.
Poor left, rich thrived when Illinois hiked flat tax
Illustration: Jim Siergey for BGA By Tim Jones and Bob Secter, Better Government Association When Illinois’ income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better off flourished. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. JB Pritzker’s push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy.
Poor left, rich thrived when Illinois hiked flat tax
By Tim Jones and Bob Secter, Better Government Association When Illinois’ income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better off flourished. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy.
Poor Left, Rich Thrived When Illinois Hiked Flat Tax
When Illinois’ income tax rate jumped a record 67% earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better off flourished. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy. But if past is prologue, a trove of federal data on Illinois taxpayers undercuts predictions of a stampede for the exits among residents of means.
Wealthy flourished after Illinois increased income tax rate
When Illinois’ income tax rate jumped a record 67 percent earlier this decade, critics warned it would drive away the wealthy who invest in businesses and jobs. Instead, IRS data show, the better off flourished. Similar arguments are now being raised by opponents of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push for a new and steeper tax hike on the wealthy. But if past is prologue, a trove of federal data on Illinois taxpayers undercuts predictions of a stampede for the exits among residents of means.
Rauner, Pritzker tax disclosures rich in avoidance
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner turns 62 next year and by summer will theoretically become eligible to collect Social Security benefits. Yet the bare-bones annual tax disclosures Rauner has made since entering politics show he frequently pays no Social Security or Medicare tax and in other years pays nothing for that close to what his multi-million dollar income might suggest. J.B. Pritzker, Rauner’s Democratic challenger in next month’s election, is even richer than the incumbent.
Rauner, Pritzker Tax Disclosures Rich in Avoidance
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner turns 62 next year and by summer will theoretically become eligible to collect Social Security benefits. Yet the bare-bones annual tax disclosures Rauner has made since entering politics show he frequently pays no Social Security or Medicare tax and in other years pays nothing on those taxes close to what his multi-million dollar income might suggest. J.B. Pritzker, Rauner’s Democratic challenger in next month’s election, is even richer than the incumbent.
Ultra-rich politicians Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker each trying to keep personal finances murky
Democrat J.B. Pritzker has taken considerable grief in recent days over a fact-challenged TV ad attempting to link an investment of Gov. Bruce Rauner with President Donald Trump’s controversial border policy that separated migrant children from their families. As media reports point out, and Rauner’s campaign eagerly agrees, there is a lot the Pritzker ad gets wrong about the Republican’s ties to a company called Correct Care Solutions.
Rauner, Pritzker Shun Transparency Even When It Might Help
Democrat J.B. Pritzker has taken considerable grief in recent days over a fact-challenged TV ad attempting to link an investment of Gov. Bruce Rauner with President Donald Trump’s controversial border policy that separated migrant children from their families. As media reports point out, and Rauner’s campaign eagerly agrees, there is a lot the Pritzker ad gets wrong about the Republican’s ties to a company called Correct Care Solutions.
Rauner, Pritzker shun transparency even when it might help
Democrat J.B. Pritzker has taken considerable grief in recent days over a fact-challenged TV ad attempting to link an investment of Gov. Bruce Rauner with President Donald Trump’s controversial border policy that separated migrant children from their families. As media reports point out, and Rauner’s campaign eagerly agrees, there is a lot the Pritzker ad gets wrong about the Republican’s ties to a company called Correct Care Solutions.
Blago op-ed falsely claims he is in prison for ‘practicing politics'
"I’m in prison for practicing politics." — Rod Blagojevich on Monday, May 28th, 2018 in a Wall Street Journal op-ed By John Chase , Bob Secter on Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 at 6:39 p.m. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrives at the Dirksen Federal building for a hearing April 21, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) There’s little need to rehash the saga of Rod Blagojevich, Illinois’ 40th governor and the only one ever impeached.
Fact-Check: Blago Op-ed Falsely Claims He is in Prison for ‘Practicing Politics’
There’s little need to rehash the saga of Rod Blagojevich, Illinois’ 40th governor and the only one ever impeached. For the last six years he has been locked up in a federal prison in Littleton, Colorado, serving a 14-year sentence for convictions on an array of corruption charges, including a spectacularly brazen attempt to sell his power as governor to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the ascension of Barack Obama to the presidency.
Fact check: How hands off has Rauner been with his investments?
By Bob Secter, Kiannah Sepeda-Miller, Better Government Association Editor’s note: This is the latest in a periodic feature intended to verify the truthfulness of statements made by Illinois public officials and candidates. These articles — reported and written by PolitiFact and the Better Government Association, a nonprofit, non-partisan watchdog organization, parse statements for their level of truth, relying on primary sources such as government reports or other documents.
How hands off has Rauner been with his investments?
Details contained in a lawsuit brought against Gov. Bruce Rauner by a former business associate have called into further question the governor’s insistence that he no longer plays a role in his business investments. Appearing before the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board Monday, Rauner was asked to address an account from former associate Harreld "Kip" Kirkpatrick III describing how the two discussed the business investment on which Kirkpatrick’s case centers.
Fact check: Are Gov. Rauner's grandparents immigrants?
By Bob Secter and Matt Dietrich, Better Government Association Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Sept. 5 by PolitiFact Illinois. Since then, Gov. Bruce Rauner has repeated the statement about his grandparents being immigrants on Oct. 23 before the Hellenic Voters Association in Chicago and on Nov. 11 in a speech to Lincoln Academy Student Laureates.The statement: Gov Bruce Rauner tells story of how his grandparents were immigrants.
POLITICO Illinois Playbook: RAUNER’s GENERAL COUNSEL left amid controversy - TRONC buys NEW YORK tabloid - NEW FORUM in town
POLITICO Illinois Playbook: RAUNER’s GENERAL COUNSEL left amid controversy — TRONC buys NEW YORK tabloid — NEW FORUM in town 09/05/2017 07:16 AM EDT By Natasha Korecki (nkorecki@politico.com; @natashakorecki) and Kristen East (keast@politico.com; @kristenicoleast) Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Story Continued Below Great to be back after not publishing for a week.
Immigrant tale twists branches of Bruce Rauner's family tree
Bruce Rauner clearly idolized his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Viola Erickson. From his earliest days in politics, he has repeatedly invoked their memory as role models for the kind of selfless, rugged and generous person that he hoped voters would find him to be.
Better Government Association, PolitiFact team up to fact-check Illinois politicians
For a fact-challenged era in a fact-challenged state, The Better Government Association has enlisted as Illinois’ fact-checking referee. Beginning Aug. 1, the Chicago-based government watchdog becomes the exclusive Illinois affiliate of PolitiFact, a Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking project with a goal of holding politicians and government officials across the nation accountable for the things they say.
Understanding The Most Poorly Funded School System in America: Illinois
With Springfield mired in epic gridlock, there’s still one thing Republicans and Democrats seem to agree on: the way Illinois divvies up money for schools is unfair, inadequate, outdated, enormously complicated and badly in need of reform. But consensus breaks down rapidly when it comes to constructing any fix. The reason is as simple as it is vexing. By design, Illinois leaders long ago constructed a school funding system that relies on local property taxes for the lion’s share of resources.
4 newly released videos from police cars at scene of Chicago shooting raise more questions (+video)
CHICAGO — Newly released videos from four additional police vehicles at the scene of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald raise questions about how the city’s Police Department documented the killing of an African-American teenager that has led to a Chicago police officer being charged with first-degree murder. The police dashboard camera videos also shed new light on how the events unfolded leading up to McDonald’s death by showing police response to the incident from new perspectives.
Four new Laquan McDonald shooting videos raise more questions
Newly released videos from four additional police vehicles at the scene of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald raise questions about how the city's Police Department documented the killing of an African-American teenager that has led to a Chicago cop being charged with first-degree murder. The police dashboard camera videos also shed new light on how the events unfolded leading up to McDonald's death by showing police response to the incident from new perspectives.
4 new Chicago police shooting videos raise more questions (w/video)
This video shows dash-cam video from five police vehicles the night of Laquan McDonald's fatal shooting. Viewer discretion is advised. CHICAGO — Newly released videos from four additional police vehicles at the scene of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald raise questions about how the city's Police Department documented the killing of an African-American teenager that has led to a Chicago cop being charged with first-degree murder.
Rahm Emanuel gains steam in tough Chicago mayoral runoff
The contrast between Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and challenger Jesús “Chuy” García is stark as they debate who is best-suited to lead a city beset by financial storm clouds, street violence and a deep divide between its vibrant downtown and economically depressed neighborhoods. CHICAGO — If the Chicago mayoral campaign of Jesús “Chuy” García is remembered for nothing else, it might be the way he slapped down Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a recent debate with references to Darth Vader and imperiousness.
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