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* John Tillman writing in the Chicago Tribune…
In July 2007, I took the reins at the Illinois Policy Institute. A year later, Lehman Brothers folded and a slowing economy turned into the Great Recession. We raised no material revenue until late January 2009. To survive, I cut every dollar of spending I could. I went without pay. I reached into my savings account and covered payroll, week after week and month after month.
* A Golden Horseshoe winner points out that Tillman did receive a significant salary in 2008 and 2009…
In an op-ed posted in the @chicagotribune, @illinoispolicy’s John Tillman claims he “went without pay” during the Great Recession.
So why do IRS filings show Tillman’s IPI compensation was $160,000 in 2008 and $175,000+ in 2009?https://t.co/cNDZuzsxuQ pic.twitter.com/ouTpYnfTXC
— Jake Lewis (@jake____lewis) April 14, 2020
* I asked Tillman for a response…
People grasp for ridiculous things sometimes. I made my regular pay up until Sept. 15 that year. We had raised about $640,000 as of that date. We raised about $5,000 the rest of the year. Sometime that fall I began skipping paychecks for an extended period of time. I would skip paychecks and then other times I wouldn’t; it was a close thing week by week to make payroll.
As the 990s show, I loaned $23,000 to the organization as well. In addition, I fronted over $38,000 in expenses on my personal credit cards that I was eventually repaid in 2009. I also put in other money and never asked for it back. I lived it. What I remember most is wondering if we were going to make it, and we almost didn’t. This is what millions of people are going through right now and it breaks my heart thinking about the pressure they are under. Questioning what I went through in 2008, when so many people are going through the same thing I experienced, is incredibly petty and misses the entire point of my article.
* Back to the op-ed…
In the long term, fostering a strong economic recovery means eliminating avoidable uncertainty, particularly as it relates to tax burdens. That means abandoning plans to place a progressive tax hike on recovering businesses and canceling scheduled gas tax increases. It also means pausing all new capital spending and re-prioritizing projects from last year’s $45 billion capital bill, given now-lower revenue expectations.
* I asked Operating Engineers Local 150 for a response to Tillman’s call to pause all new capital spending…
People who are familiar with research on state economic development policy know that the most effective stimulus tool available to state governments is infrastructure investment. So if you want to foster an economic recovery, literally the last thing in the world you would do you would do is pause capital projects.
* Tillman also penned an op-ed for the Sun-Times…
My organization, the Illinois Policy Institute, is the strongest taxpayer advocate network in Illinois. I am proud that we have been able to use our megaphone to make sure the people of Illinois are seen and heard by state and local lawmakers, and we’ve fostered conversations within our community as to what should happen next.
Those conversations are open-minded and productive. The same is not true in Springfield, where so far the only specifics residents have heard in the way of economic problem-solving is pointing the finger at the federal government. In a crisis, strong leaders prove themselves by stepping up and taking action. My organization has commended Pritzker on his efforts to contain the spread of the virus when it was warranted — we understand that public health and people’s lives must always come first.
But we hear almost every day from people struggling to make ends meet, with no money coming in this month or last, and no idea when they’ll be able to work again. So we decided to open up a conversation, asking people what they think and what they’d like their leaders to do.
Instead of offering help to the Illinoisans we highlighted, a spokesperson for the governor proceeded to attack us for providing them a forum.
The spokesperson didn’t attack IPI for providing anyone a forum. The spokesperson went off on them for telling business owners that they wanted to use the stories to pressure the governor to reopen the economy.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:00 am
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Oh this is rich. Whoops… guess he wasn’t thinking about the IRS filings when he made that grandiose statement.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:03 am
Tillman sure does like to use the words “I” and “my” a whole lot. Reminds me of someone else in the news constantly, but I can’t remember who at the moment…..
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:09 am
IPI is wholly disingenuous, Tillman a grifter.
Let’s never forget that when IPI was brought in during the Rauner purge, those IPI folks last whole weeks… one IPI folk explaining a governor “as a white man” can’t grasp racial issues, others with histories of, well, writing using Goodwin’s Law.
IPI is rarely about trying to grasp the moment, understanding policy to governing, and worse, IPI folks when given the chance to help govern, were run out of state government for incompetence.
Tillman here is trying, yet again, to provide damage control, not even to the sell his propaganda or agenda that pays him, he’s trying to providing cover for the whole silly grifting operation.
So, let’s attack the spokesperson, not for her criticism, let’s build that grifter straw man… “for the voiceless”… as Mr. Tillman cashes his checks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:10 am
You lost, dude. At what point does he end this failed vanity project
Comment by PJ Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:11 am
===Questioning what I went through in 2008, when so many people are going through the same thing I experienced, is incredibly petty===
I don’t see it’s being petty at all. He lead with it, why not question it? And I think a lot of people aren’t in a position to make a $23,000 loan.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:13 am
Except for the misfits on the Trib editorial board, does anyone care about the IPI?? Does anyone know the IPI
Comment by Wow Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:15 am
Tillman’s stated personal position is that Income Tax per se is “theft by government.” He also calls it “immoral.” That is the base underlying his other policy priorities.
IPI is at least more practical in their public demands.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:17 am
Tillman “went without pay” in much the same way that I “went without food” when I didn’t order a third burrito.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:18 am
===At what point does he end this failed vanity project?===
When the money dries up, just like all grifters.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:19 am
==pausing all new capital spending and re-prioritizing projects from last year’s $45 billion capital bill==
I get re-prioritizing projects, but what’s the point of pausing projects with the lockbox amendment in place? It’s not like we can reallocate those funds towards other operating expenses anyway.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:20 am
I really wish we’d stop using euphemisms like disingenuous or grifter. Tillman is a liar. Full stop. And when pressured about it, he tries to spin it. He is pushing an agenda that has been shot down again and again in elections. If he believes in this so much, he needs to put his name in the ring and run.
Comment by Fixer Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:20 am
Are all lobbyists grifters with vanity projects or just the one’s you disagree with?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:23 am
If the IPI were really the “strongest taxpayer advocate network in Illinois” wouldn’t it be using all of its power and personnel to identify and go after those corporations and scam artists trying to price gouge the state its people during this crisis?
That might defeat the purpose/mission of a “free-market” think tank.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:24 am
Can’t Kristen Vaughan get a paycheck protection program loan?
===[Economic recovery] also means pausing all new capital spending and re-prioritizing projects from last year’s $45 billion capital bill, given now-lower revenue expectations.===
Putting people to work is the best way to help recovery. And Ms. Vaughan benefits too, Trucks need good roads to deliver the Guinness.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:26 am
Golly, I hope the word grifter doesn’t trigger the ad hominem filter. Tillman and his organization have done so much damage to our state. So the grifter had to pull back on the grift for a few months so he could expand the grift later. World’s tiniest violin playing his sad song.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:26 am
=== Are all lobbyists…===
If IPI are lobbyists, why would Rauner hire all those lobbyist in the purge?
Grifters gonna grift.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:27 am
One other thing. Tillman is attempting to use this crisis to push his Rauneresque agenda on the state. Sorry, no sale.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:27 am
==== Except for the misfits on the Trib editorial board, does anyone care about the IPI?? Does anyone know the IPI ======
Lots of folks down here in the hinterlands feel IPI is THE source for all things related to IL government and politics and are convinced they are darn near the second coming…
It’s frightening at times.
Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:29 am
===Are all lobbyists grifters with vanity projects or just the one’s you disagree with?===
Not all grifters are lobbyists and not all lobbyists are grifters.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:31 am
Lol, MrJM.
“As the 990s show, I loaned $23,000 to the organization as well. In addition, I fronted over $38,000 in expenses on my personal credit cards that I was eventually repaid in 2009.“
But, but, but…the little lie about going without pay. It’s great to have the luxury of very good annual income to cushion blows during the hardest of times. Many other people who make much less money need to join or form unions so they can protect themselves as well.
Making over a hunnert grand a year in a severe recession yet crying about how bad Illinois is. These are the people who do great here but professionally pretend it’s terrible, to push their right wing agendas.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:35 am
==That means abandoning plans to place a progressive tax hike on recovering businesses==
What is the logic here? Individuals are taxed on income; if their income goes down, their tax goes down. Businesses that do not make a profit, do not pay taxes. No income or no profit = no taxes = no burden.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:35 am
Chicago Cynic — I don’t think you understand the emotional impacts of missing a day’s grift. You never get over it…
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:38 am
He should talk to some of reps and senators that are full-time legislators on what they had to do in the 9 months that Leslie Munger refused to issue them a paycheck. Some of them were single moms trying to pay their rent.
Comment by Paul S Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:40 am
==Many other people who make much less money need to join or form unions==
Is East Jackson Street LLC hiring? How do I contact their shop steward?
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:41 am
==Does anyone know the IPI?==
They are utterly inescapable on social media. Massive.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:42 am
I love how guys like Tillman, Rauner and Trump all trumpet that they don’t take a “salary”, but then Tillman gives fat contracts to his other holdings, Rauner’s portfolio increases while he is in office, and Trump properties start hosting a lot more governmental officials (both foreign and domestic).
Paulie and the boys never took a salary either from the restaurant, yet seemed to make out pretty well financially.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:44 am
=== Are all lobbyists grifters with vanity projects or just the one’s you disagree with? ===
LOL. Always looking for the scramble the issue to protect your buds. We know who lobbyists represent, and we know who IPI represents. The difference is that IPI tries to con people into thinking they’re independent.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:51 am
As a wise man once said: Everyone has their own priorities.
Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:52 am
Tillman is many things. One is the latest in a long line of right wing funded anti-union “La Pasionarias” … . Had he been alive, he would blamed the violence associated with the formation of unions on collective bargaining.
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 11:53 am
=== Is East Jackson Street LLC hiring? How do I contact their shop steward?===
Is East Jackson Street LLC your place of employment? If not you need to go to your place of work and get 30% of you and your coworkers to petition the NLRB that you want an election. Then you need to win 50% of that election.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:08 pm
Anon @11:42
It’s funny. I manage to escape them on social media pretty much every day, except when someone in a media channel I respect makes the unexpected decision to give them a platform…
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:21 pm
IPI stands for “Illinois Propaganda Institute”, and they represent the rich (who barely pay any taxes) well.
Comment by revvedup Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:28 pm
“They are utterly inescapable on social media. Massive.“
Democratic voters and unions by far outnumber them.
The IPI and others like them need to drop the phony free market principles schtick. For decades Tillman and others have used state services while shorting the state on income taxes. It’s way past time for that gravy train to end and for them to pay higher rates.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:39 pm
==Is East Jackson Street LLC your place of employment?==
No, but I’ve been told you don’t really have to work there to work there.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:48 pm
Ah, yes. Last we heard from the kind-hearted, selfless John Tillman he was trying to get $16 billion worth of the state’s General Obligation bonds invalidated.
Just a publicly spirited fellow always looking out for others.
We’re lucky to have him and all his great ideas.
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:49 pm
How’s his lawsuit over the bond issues coming?
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:59 pm