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* Rick Nielsen is getting more than he bargained for…
In response to our reporting, the Secretary of State Jesse White’s office tells me their Inspector General is investigating to find out why Rick Nielsen did not register as a lobbyist. https://t.co/BUsp2QLrHj
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) December 19, 2019
* Brief story excerpt…
This after WCIA’s Target 3 investigators dug into Senator Syverson’s connections to a proposed casino in Rockford. One of his ties was to Rick Nielsen, who he brought onto the chamber floor in violation of senate rules. Nielsen handed out guitar picks with the words ‘It’s time for a casino in Rockford’ stamped on them to legislators.
The Inspector General wants to find out why Nielsen did not register as a lobbyist. Syverson insists Nielsen wasn’t lobbying on the floor.
*** UPDATE *** Politico…
The headline-grabbing news Wednesday was about the graduated income tax. But the chatter from lawmakers was about the sports luminaries walking the halls of the Capitol. Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, retired Bulls star Horace Grant, and former White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen posed for selfies and waved at lawmakers who cried out “Go Sox” and “Go Bulls” at every turn. The sports trio was in Springfield [on May 1] to schmooze lawmakers who are debating a sports-betting bill.
CBS 2 on May 1…
Senate President John Cullerton introduced the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, along with Ozzie Guillen and Horace Grant, on the senate floor by saying,
So, if they’re going after Nielsen, what about Reinsdorf and Guillen? At minimum, they probably shouldn’t have been invited on to the Senate floor. But, I don’t think they were handing out White Sox swag promoting sports betting.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:28 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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So… is this the wrong time to suggest cannabinos? It’s a cannabis lounge with live gaming and a sportsbook! And double taxes on both!
Comment by DS Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:33 am
== Nielsen told TV cameras during his visit. “I came down here to see if I could kick it in the butt a little bit.” ==
I thought that was a brilliant definition of lobbying.
Comment by Bigwich Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:35 am
Surrender, surrender but don’t give yourself away
The dream police are all over this
Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:37 am
Who cares? The guy shows up once to support Rockford because it’s his hometown. It’s not like he’s coming back and making a new a career as a lobbyist.
Comment by Dumb dumb dumb Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:40 am
=== Syverson insists Nielsen wasn’t lobbying on the floor.===
I don’t wanna be nit-picky, but a guitar pick…
If it worked or not is one separate question, if he did it…
He may have, but has Jason Plummer weighed in on the ethical “lapse” here? I haven’t seen it, but Plummer could very well have… unless it’s only about the Leader for him with things and gambling and such.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:42 am
===Who cares?===
The IG, apparently.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:44 am
Um, Dumb cubed, he wasn’t there to help Rockford get a casino, he was there to help his wife get a casino. And he won’t be back only because he got what he advocated for. Sure sounds like lobbying to me.
Comment by TominChicago Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:45 am
As a longtime Cheap Trick Fan, I Can’t Take It that guitar legend Mr. Nielsen is being treated this way. He was just down there greeting people, saying Hello There, So Good to See You. I Want You to Want Me owning part of that casino. Should he Surrender over this? No, I say. Would they treat a California Man this way? They should Stop This Game and let him get back to doing what he does best.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:45 am
Nielsen is in a “tricky” spot. He should surrender but not give himself away.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:54 am
Personally, can’t fault Syverson for using a little star power to get something for his district. But, rules are rules.
However, Syverson saying that Nielsen wasn’t lobbying is Syverson saying he thinks people are stupid.
“Yeah, he should’ve registered, but I’m doing what I can for my district, mea culpa.”
Goes a long way.
Comment by efudd Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:55 am
- Ron Burgundy -
Restaurant quality.
If the IG thinks it’s “fine” after an investigation, will be interesting what is found.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 9:59 am
Every day unregistered people are violating the law and lobbying elected officials and agencies. Unlike the city of chicago, Jesse white’s office does nothing about this. Have they ever investigated an individual or entity for this issue? If so, what has been the consequence? I absolutely believe this should be enforced by the state, but not when it is done arbitrarily.
Comment by Steamboat Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:01 am
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I see you lobbying (lobbying, lobbying)?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:06 am
Will Mr. Nielsen ask the IG’s office, “Don’t Be Cruel?”
Cheap Trick’s remake of this Elvis classic was part of their 1988 comeback (on Top 40 radio that is).
Comment by Leatherneck Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:33 am
Rich, are you Oswego Willy? Those are the only two accounts whose names appear red. Just wondering….
Comment by Alfred Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:39 am
Gee. He might be Up The Creek.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:41 am
He shined-up his old brown shoes and put on a brand new shirt - that probably had music notes all over it. Love Rick, classy guy.
Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:47 am
That IG has Big Eyes.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 10:54 am
I’m curious how the reporter has confirmation there’s and IG investigation. Those are supposed to be confidential and the IG is prohibited from confirming or denying an investigation unless there is a finding.
Comment by Facts Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:00 am
That wasn’t clear - what I should have said was I’m not sure how or why the SOS is confirming an investigation.
Comment by Facts Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:01 am
Ain’t That a Shame that Rick Nielsen is being investigated by the IG?
Comment by Boomerang Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:28 am
- Alfred -
No, I’m my own person. Please, don’t hang on Rich how poorly I write, no one deserves that.
To the update,
The swag is a serious thing in dissecting the difference. If you want to go nuance, that’s a clear “difference of the same species“. Sure, “it’s only a pick”, but even the Sox folks seemingly “knew” not to hand out swag? (Making the argument, dunno if it was a conscious decision by the Sox folks)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:40 am
It has been a while since I looked at the registration rules, but if Rick Nielsen resides in Rockford, and he wasn’t paid any money for his efforts, then he could be considered a constituent and not a lobbyist.
Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:50 am
“Those are the only two accounts whose names appear red.”
Not really.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 11:55 am
=the difference=
Except that pro athletes charge anywhere from $20 - $100 for a picture at one of their conventions and you have to wait forever in a line and pay to even be at the convention.
Comment by that’s bettor Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:00 pm
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Selective enforcement at its finest.
Comment by Chicagonk Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:13 pm
—@misterjayem–
let’s be honest, 99% of the red comments are from either Oswego and Rich. Pretty cool that you felt the need to comment on that though, bet you feel special with red ink.
Comment by Alfred Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:24 pm
“Pretty cool that you felt the need to comment on that though, bet you feel special with red ink.”
And you seem well-adjusted and 100% mentally stable.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:37 pm
Alfred, it’s nap time for you.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:38 pm
I know I am probably wrong, but this just sounds like a “first world problem” to me. Rick Neilson? smh…
Comment by H-W Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 12:46 pm
Kinda glad I am colorblind.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 1:10 pm
Alfred-
Are you Joe McCarthy? Because you and him are the only ones ginning up a phony red scare…
Comment by Shark Sandwich Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 1:59 pm
Can I get red and blue letters. Alternating of course.
To the subject. Cute concept. Bad delivery method.
Comment by Red ghetto in a blue state Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 2:09 pm
“I lobby you lobby…”
Comment by VerySmallRocks Friday, Dec 20, 19 @ 3:59 pm