On 11/17/2009, Gary Matthews of E. M. Properties contributed $10,000 to “Taxpayers for Quinn.” Previously, Matthews had given no more than $500 in a single contribution to any political candidate, most of them Republicans, according to campaign disclosures currently available online.
In a completely unrelated matter, Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 2534 on June 19, 2010, giving Gary Matthews’ Wonderful Development a 25% income tax credit for qualified renovation costs with a cap of $10 million. The legislation is designed to be a “pilot” program for possible statewide historic tax credits of a similar nature, meaning that, for the time being, Mr. Matthews is the only developer in Illinois who benefits from this tax break.
A textbook example of why Illinois is in the shitter. People like Gary Matthews have no shame and no loyalties to anything or anyone other than their bank account. I hope the City Council who has fallen all over themselves to line this guys pockets realize what dupes they are. Hopefully people won’t soon forget Matthews REFUSAL to answer Gary Sandberg’s question regarding why his development fee wasn’t reduced proportionately to the size of the project. Not only did Matthews refuse to answer but none of the other council members pushed for an answer, and rewarded him with the vote anyway. Why should anyone be compelled to act with ethics and integrity when from a results standpoint, it doesn’t matter. We are seriously doomed.
$9,000,000 free and clear. East Peoria was smart enough to say no to him.
Ouch….. Tell me this doesn’t read Pay to Play? A Republican giving $10,000 to a Dem governor who signed in a tax credit for him to take home $9 million? If it smells like a duck, looks like a duck, and feels like a duck……
STINKY, STINKY. Too bad Blago can’t comment on his radio show.
Here is a thought. Someone should FOIA Quinn’s telephone records and e-mails to see if there was correspondence between Matthews and Quinn. Of course, these type of people know how to hide it. Didn’t Quinn make the argument earlier this year that his personal cell phone calls are exempt from FOIA laws? If he acts with ethics and integrity, why would he care?
Doesn’t look good.
Isn’t this project stalled anyway? I’ve heard rumors from the Main Street bar scene that Big Al is looking to reopen some of the bars on the west end of the 500 block since the demolition hasn’t started and doesn’t seem to be starting any time soon.
Link:
http://www.elections.state.il.us/CampaignDisclosure/ItemizedContrib.aspx?FiledDocID=401653&ContributionType=Individual+Contributions&Archived=True&OrderBy=Last+or+Only+Name+-+A+to+Z&ItemizedContribFrom=D2Semi.aspx
Well, there has been a lack of news about this project recently. I thought it would be going by now.
I wonder if the PJStar will pick up this piece of information. I assume the business guys read this blog.
Maybe somebody should drop the PJS a hint.
I can hear Paul Newman saying now: “prove it” {Absence of malice reference}
That is a good catch CJ.
While this part of the equation doesn’t look good for Gary M, let’s keep in mind that he is a business man looking to make money. My point is our anger should be pointed to the elected officials on council that gave him the money not Gary.
justan observer, you are right. The business man is just doing what business men do, making a buck. The elected official however, is a whole different story. He is supposed to be doing business to benefit all the taxpayers and that ain’t happening here.
Agree. If there was a quid pro quo here, Quinn should answer for it. On the face, it doesn’t look good. I would hope the PJStar would look into this though it is damn near impossible to prove….
IF a “businessman” makes an “offer” to a politician, he is just as guilty as the politician. If a politician sets up a business (or, say, Children’s Memorial Hospital) for a shakedown, then that’s different. It’s not as difficult to prove as you think, but if you have any faith in the PJStar investigating this, I think you’re kidding yourself.
I know they are moving forward with the skybridge planning…