Updated with campaign response
This week, GOP gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Kirk Dillard made much hay over his opponent Bruce Rauner not coming clean on issues.
But when Dillard, R-Hinsdale, was standing in front of a conservative crowd in Will County Tea Party governor’s forum on Monday and asked about taking public union money — Dillard had a curious response.
“You said it was 2010 when the teachers gave me that money. I haven’t seen it yet
and don’t know if it’s coming,” Dillard told the crowd.
Yet it’s clear from the Illinois Board of Elections filings that Dillard received union money in January of 2010 — and it’s long spent. Dillard, who lost the primary nomination in 2010 to state Sen. Bill Brady, then went on in the Monday forum to explain the difference between private trade unions that support him and public unions.
(See related: Union money buoys pols campaigns)
Here’s a run-down of the back and forth in that forum:
QUESTION: One of your opponents has made union bosses and their muscle and Illinois public policy a dominant issue. In 2010, your campaign took in $250,000 from a teachers union and your current campaign has taken in thousands of dollars from Union PACs. Why do public sector unions financially support you and how does your position on public sector unions differ from your opponents.
DILLARD: First of all, you said it was 2010 when the teachers gave me that money — I haven’t seen it yet and don’t know if it’s coming. … I’ve taken money from the operating engineers, that’s a private union.”
From the state board of elections:
Illinois Education Association
100 East Edwards St
Springfield, IL 62704 $250,000.00
1/20/2010Individual Contribution
Dillard for Governor
Dillard’s campaign said Friday of the flap:
“He misspoke on that in terms on what he meant,” said a Dillard spokesman, Gary Mack. “He’s fully aware he took that money. He literally just left out a few words.”
