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January 5, 2018 | ||
Morning Spin | ||
Topspin The lone Downstate candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor says he's "frustrated" he's not getting more media attention and blames it on his middle-class status. Bob Daiber, the regional schools superintendent of Madison County, also contends that various Democratic leaders have urged him to drop out of the March 20 primary. Daiber vented his frustration at a news conference in Chicago where he released his tax returns and gave a detailed proposal for instituting a graduated income tax. "We don't draw the attention because we're just a middle-class candidate. There is not this just awe about you because you're a billionaire. It has nothing to do with your qualifications. It has nothing to do (with) whether you're on TV or how many times people see you on TV," he said Wednesday. "So, yes, there's a large level of frustration that comes as you continue to campaign," said the candidate from Marine, which is near St. Louis. He released his Illinois income tax forms from 2012 to 2016. Daiber and wife Karen reported a base income of $158,113 and paid $5,437 in state income taxes in 2016. The Daibers also paid $3,328 in property taxes, the documents show. Despite his frustration, Daiber said it "hasn't stopped me from staying in this race. It hasn't stopped me from getting my message to the residents in the state of Illinois. We campaign hard each and every day to get our message out." He also was asked whether any rival had asked him to drop out. "I can't say that any candidate approached me to drop out, but I can tell you many higher-level elected officials have contacted me and have encouraged me to support the party," he replied. Asked what that meant, Daiber said he assumed it was an invitation to drop out and "support a candidate who was looked at as having been endorsed by the county chairmen's association." Billionaire heir, entrepreneur and investor J.B. Pritzker has been endorsed by the Illinois Democratic County Chair's Association. Daiber did not say who had given him the recommendation. All of the Democratic candidates for governor support replacing the state's flat-rate income tax with a graduated tax. Daiber, though, said he is the only one proposing actual tax rates. To make the change, three-fifths majority of the House and Senate would have to put the constitutional amendment question on the ballot, and voters would have to approve it. Daiber would tax income from $2,000 to $25,000 at 1 percent; $25,001 to $44,999 at 2.25 percent; $45,000 to $149,999 at 3.75 percent; $150,000 to $999,999 at 4.95 percent; and $1 million and above at 6 percent. He said the proposal would raise $1 billion more than the 4.95 flat personal tax rate now in effect. (Rick Pearson) What's on tap *Mayor Rahm Emanuel's public schedule wasn't available, but his office plans another update on a street lighting project. *Gov. Bruce Rauner has no public schedule as he continues a private stay at the troubled Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy. *U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will tour the Quincy veterans home. From the notebook *The end: U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez said he'll formally withdraw as a candidate for Congress on Friday morning, after announcing more than five weeks ago that he won't seek a 14th term. Gutierrez, a Chicago Democrat in Congress since 1993, stunned the political world in late November announcing he wouldn't run and would support Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for the 4th Congressional District seat. He made the announcement even after he'd filed re-election paperwork. Gutierrez said Thursday he'll finally turn in the paperwork to withdraw on Friday. Gutierrez said at the time he planned to spend time rebuilding hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and tour the country to promote immigration reform after leaving Congress. As of Thursday, he still was listed at the State Board of Elections among nine "active" candidates in the March 20 primary election. (Katherine Skiba) *Quick spins: Asset manager Fritz Kaegi received endorsements from Ald. Scott Waguespack and state Rep. Will Guzzardi in his bid for Cook County assessor against incumbent Joe Berrios and rival Andrea Raila. ... Challenger Marie Newman got the backing of the National Nurses United union in her Democratic primary campaign against U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski of Western Springsin IL-3. *On "The Sunday Spin": Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests include Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. "The Sunday Spin" airs from 7 to 9 a.m. Sundays on WGN 720-AM. What we're writing *Investigation details secretive contact with lobbyist on $2 billion lottery contract. *Rauner spends night in Quincy veterans home plagued by deadly water problems. *U. of I. to freeze in-state tuition for fourth year in row. *Slow growth, low patient count and political uncertainty for the medical marijuana industry in Illinois. *Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx rejects call for special prosecutor in fatal shooting of two by Chicago cop. *Interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools wants more money from the state after 2017 windfall. *Dakota Access pipeline a mix of angst, potential for those near central Illinois tank farm. *City takes landlords to court over lack of heat during cold snap. What we're reading *Investigator's lawsuit alleges "swift boat" plot to undermine Northwestern University Innocence Project. *Consumer Reports says avoid romaine lettuce after E. coli outbreak, though CDC says no clear link. *How late-night eating can wreak havoc on your body. Follow the money *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Beyond Chicago *U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions moves against legal pot. *Trump lawyer tries to block book release. *Author's fellow journalists raise questions about the book. *Dow Jones closes over 25,000 for the first time. |
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