Ray Hanania
Pritzker, Lightfoot are record holders
By Ray Hanania
Governor JB Pritzker has so much money he can pretty much do whatever he wants, including helping to elect the Republican he preferred to run against in November.
There is absolutely no doubt that Pritzker, either directly or indirectly, used money to slam all of the Republican gubernatorial candidates in the past June 28 Republican Primary, orchestrating the nomination of the person he felt would be his weakest opponent, Darren Bailey.
Bailey is a third-generation farmer born and raised in Louisville, Ill. Despite the perception Pritzker is hoping voters see, Bailey would probably make a great governor. At least he’s not afraid to stand up and confront the growing crime that is suffocating Chicagoland.
Chicago’s crime surge is spreading into the suburbs, like in Orland Park, where a felon was recently caught driving around with a trunk full of weapons and ammunition at the Orland Park Mall. The suspect, Donzel Jenkins, is from Homewood; but he originated from Chicago, where his street gang pals wreak havoc.
John Walsh dedicated his life to helping police capture America’s worst criminals after his son, Adam, was murdered. He hosted the popular TV show America’s Most Wanted and now In Pursuit. Walsh recently called Chicago a “killing field” because the crime there is so out of control.
Chicago’s rising crime data is intentionally blurred because Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her police commander manipulate it. They can’t stop the killings.
Walsh said Chicago “is descending into holy hell.”
Chicago today is even worse than what it was when it was once nicknamed Beirut on the Lake. Columnist John Kass, who was bullied out of his job by the far-left journalists at the once conservative Chicago Tribune, refers to it more accurately as Chicagostan.
Neither Lightfoot nor her accomplice, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, has been able to do anything to prevent crime. They have done a lot to ease the burden on criminals, however.
So why would they risk bringing the Democratic National Convention to Chicago in 2024?
Instead of fighting crime effectively, Lightfoot and her biggest supporter, Pritzker, the billionaire Illinois governor, want to bring the Democratic National Convention to Chicago in the summer before the November 2024 presidential elections.
Why? Well, they believe revenues could push aside the focus on crime, which they have done nothing to suppress.
Conventions bring in a lot of money and create jobs for Chicagoans, assuming job prospects survive the Chicago OK Corral.
It’s just another Pritzker strategy to buy higher public office for himself. Leveraging his nearly $3 billion in wealth, Pritzker bought his 2018 election by overpromising and failing to deliver once elected.
What has Pritzker done for the state? (Crickets chirp loudly!)
He’ll most likely buy his re-election in November. Then he will use his billions to set the stage for his U.S. presidential “shopping spree” nomination. Getting the Democratic National Convention here would give him great leverage to do that and set the state for his “bought and paid for” coronation.
But I am thinking, imagine all those politicians, staff and delegates coming to Chicago from other American states, roaming Chicago’s streets.
What if one of them is a victim of Chicago crime? Injured or even killed?
How would that make Chicagoland look to the nation or to the world? Can’t be worse, I guess.
Pritzker doesn’t care and neither does Lightfoot, who wants to bring NASCAR to Chicago.
Imagine if one of the NASCAR drivers makes a pitstop during the race, and their race car is carjacked.
Lightfoot will blow it off as just another vehicular hijacking, as she does all of the other carjackings. She’s getting off easy because many carjackings start in Chicago but end up in the suburbs. Chicago’s crime spillover is not being addressed, but it should be.
Instead of spending his billions on confronting the gun-slinging gangbangers and changing the laws to give increased punishments, or to strengthen Chicago and suburban police, they are thinking more about their selfish political careers.
Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Illinois ranks 49th as America’s worst state. Doesn’t that also mean Lightfoot is one of the worst mayors and Pritzker one of the worst governors?
What a record to run on. Record crime. Record murders. Record taxes. Record unemployment.
Maybe Pritzker will make Lightfoot his running mate. Imagine the even greater records the duo could achieve by working together. Not for the taxpayers, of course, but for themselves.
Want to read Ray Hanania every week? Subscribe now for just pennies a day! Click here for details: https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/subscription-pricing-page/.
3 Comments
Local News
Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Dermot Connolly There is a vacancy on the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board, after members voted 6-1 last week to remove Robert Cruz for allegedly violating his oath of office, school board policy and state statutes. Cruz, a property developer, was elected to the District 229 board in…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Hog Wild to open Monday in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Dining choices will get a boost in Oak Lawn with the arrival of Hog Wild. The restaurant is scheduled to open Monday, January 17, at 4040 W. 111th St. That’s a week later than originally scheduled. “We are very fortunate here in Oak Lawn to have attracted Hog Wild,” Oak…
Home security cameras could be big help to Orland cops
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Residents of Orland Park could have a hand in solving crime in the village. The board of trustees unanimously approved to move forward with a voluntary security camera registration program at its Jan. 4 meeting. It’s expected to start on Feb. 1. This program gives citizens and businesses a chance…
Ailing eagle on the mend
Spread the loveSeveral blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge—just west of 47th and Harlem–motorists late last month noticed an eagle flying low and acting erratically. The Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors was contacted, and its volunteers found and captured the majestic bird. It was transported to a facility owned and operated by Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook…
Can’t we just fast-forward to spring?
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Is it spring yet? Is the pandemic over yet? Not that I’m impatient or anything. I want to move forward past all the negative COVID-19 has brought to my life and everyone else’s life. I want to see…
Neighbors
Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…
Cicadas in the park in Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…
Palos Heights SD 128 sees enrollment boom
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Over the past few years, Palos Heights School District 128 has experienced an explosive growth among incoming students. There has been a significant increase particularly at Indian Hill Early Learning Center, 12800 S. Austin Ave. Chippewa Elementary School, 12425 S. Austin Ave; Navajo Elementary School, 12401 S. Oak Park Ave;…
Comings & Goings: Orange’s Pancake House now open in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights is the home of a popular new breakfast café. Orange’s Pancake House, 11845 Southwest Highway, held a ribbon-cutting event on April 18. Owners, Elvia Briones, of Virgina, and Fernando Cruz, of Evergreen Park, said they were very excited to be in the heart of the Palos Heights community.…
Sisters make Chicago Lawn a world destination
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Earlier this month was the Fifth Lithuanian Documentary Film Festival, with distinguished guests from Lithuania and other parts of the United States visiting the neighborhood. They held a photo session in the editorial office of…
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Yet another Mother’s Day is upon us. I wish everyone a happy day. By everyone I do mean everyone. There are a lot of dads who do it alone, along with important mother…
Mother’s Day is truly a day to be celebrated
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Mother’s Day happens on Sunday, May 12. If this isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Motherhood means new life, new beginnings, new possibilities. Even if you won’t be seeing your mom, you can still…
Saint Xavier men’s volleyball finishes historic season in nation’s top 4
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier men’s volleyball team made history by advancing to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. But the Cougars fell to eventual national champion Georgetown (Kentucky), 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10, on May 3 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although there was…
Excellent article
I agree with your article.
Downtown Chicago will never be the same.