Will County Gazette

Republican Congressional candidate Rick Laib is willing to give Gov. J.B. Pritzker the benefit of the doubt amid news he’s hired at least 35 individuals from a “clout list” compiled by House Speaker Mike Madigan over his first 18 months in office.

“At first blush it does appear cronyistic, but I do understand this type of practice as we see it from both sides,” Laib, running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Aurora) in the 11th District, told the Will County Gazette. “I understand any politician, regardless of party, hiring people that are close and can be trusted.”

News of what some would consider a patronage party comes courtesy of a new WBEZ report that delves into the number. Again, Laib, a Joliet resident, concedes they are pretty much what should be expected.

“That Pritzker is hiring people whom Madigan specifically endorses is not wonderful, but if they are qualified, so be it,” he said. “The governor has maintained his independence from the speaker, but I would be interested in hearing to what degree that means.”

Based on a WBEZ analysis of public records, Illinois taxpayers are now paying those Madigan-endorsed public officials in excess of $2.5 million annually.

Laib has long spoken out against what he sees as the state’s frivolous spending and excessive system of taxation, including the progressive income tax now being pushed for by the governor.

“He says it will be a tax on the rich, but it actually taxes the people who make the most money, which aren’t necessarily the same individuals,” he said. “The truly rich people are already leaving Illinois because of all the taxation we already have. Nothing about this tax is going to satisfy our current spending problem. They want to keep taxing and spending.”