Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Facebook
Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Facebook
Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent heavily in this month's city elections, handsomely donating to the campaigns of several city council candidates on Mar 3.
According to Chicago Business, candidates are largely bankrolled by the heir to the Hyatt fortune who openly funds Democratic allies across the state. Prior to the Feb. 28 election, at least 12 aldermanic candidates reported receiving a collective $129,900 from the billionaire governor’s campaign committee.
In addition, there were 22 aldermanic candidates endorsed by Pritzker.
The largest check was received by Veteran incumbent Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th. at $59,900. The contribution was to help Harris turn out the vote in her South Side ward.
The City Council members received $5,000 checks. Several secured their seats on Election Day, including both incumbent Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, and a more moderate slate of Democrats including Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th; Ald. Sam Nugent, 39th; Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th; Ald. Stephanie Coleman, 16th, and Bill Conway in the newly created 34th ward representing parts of the Loop, Greektown and West Loop.
Pritzker raised questions as to what opposing candidates will do to improve the state, as the topics have yet to be addressed.
"What are they going to do about education?" Pritzker asked. "What are they going to do about health care? What are they going to do about public safety? What are they going to do about creating jobs?"
Pritzker funded the Democratic election with hopes to improve the state.
"Those are all important things that I don't think have been fully fleshed out by either one of those candidates," Pritzker said.
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