Dan Proft for IL Governor Should Release Tax Records for Last Ten Years

Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

In 2002, I lived in Crestwood, Illinois.  I came to know Dan Proft when he was working on the campaign of then-state Senator Patrick O'Malley who was seeking the Illinois Republican Party's gubernatorial nomination.  O'Malley represented the district where I lived at that time.  After O'Malley lost the GOP gubernatorial primary race to then-Attorney General Jim Ryan, Proft joined Blue Island Mayor Don Peloquin in an attempt to bring a casino to southwest Cook County.  Eight southwest Cook County suburbs were vying for the only license which was available at the time.  Proft and Peloquin wanted to bring the casino to Crestwood.  However, the land where the casino would have stood became unavailable due to the fact the land where the gambling establishment would stand belonged to the Water Reclamation District.  Eventually, then-Mayor Chester Stranczek (now retired) brought in an off track betting establishment which is still there today.

 

Proft now claims to be opposed to the expansion of gambling, as indicated in a non-partisan voter guide distributed by the Illinois Family Institute (IFI).  But in an article by Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune, Pearson writes, "...Another Republican candidate, Dan Proft, of Chicago, has proposed cuts in state taxes and said the state should explore the sale or lease of the Illinois Lottery." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/chi-governor-issues-economy-taxedec28,0,6958817.story

 

There was legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly which would do just that by the sale or lease of the Illinois state Lottery to a private business, but the U.S. Dept. of Justice blocked the sale of a state owned entity to a private interest.  

 

Legislation was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn that will morph the Illinois Lottery into a public and privately owned Lottery.  The results will be the same.  More gambling in Illinois.  According to what Proft told the Tribune's Pearson, if elected Governor, he would also have signed the bill.

 

Now here's a fact that Proft must be well aware of.  What is the goal of a privately owned business?  The answer to that question should be clear to everyone--to expand and make money.  Therefore, consistent with Proft's past actions, his answer to the IFI voter guide is deceiving because many Illinois voters do not know what this legislation will mean.

 

Gambling is an addiction, just as deadly as alcoholism and drug abuse.  The state of Nevada has the highest suicide rate in the nation. 

 

Here's the question that Proft needs to answer:  Who was paying him back in 2002 when he participated in the effort to bring a casino to southwest Cook County? 

 

Proft should release his tax records for not only last year, but the last ten years.  Let's see this man's history and then voters can decide if he qualifies to receive the pro-family vote.

Related articles:

Dan Proft for Governor:  On Abortion, Not Good, But Pro-Gambling Record Impeccable by Daniel T. Zanoza: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/09/dan-proft-for-governor-on-abortion-not-good-but-progambling-record-impeccable-.html

Dan Proft's Comment To Daily Herald On Right To Life Issue:  Funny Or Vision Into A Man's Soul by Daniel T. Zanoza:
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/01/dan-profts-comment-to-daily-herald-on-right-to-life-issue-funny-or-vision-into-a-mans-soul.html

What would you think:  Some Questions of Dan Proft Style Politics:  Good For GOP Locally or Nationally? by John McNeal
http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2008/03/what-would-you.html

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact: [email protected]

NOTE: Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.