Illinois governor hits back at billionaire for criticizing Chicago violence



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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) hit back at billionaire Ken Griffin, a supporter of former Governor Bruce Rauner (R), on Tuesday over rising crime in Chicago.

Griffin, who is the CEO of multinational hedge fund Citadel, told the Economic Club of Chicago earlier this week that it was “a shame that our governor did not get involved in the challenge of tackling crime in our city, ”according to The Chicago Tribune.

The billionaire also criticized Pritzker for failing to deploy the National Guard during the civil unrest last year.

Pritzker responded by pointing out Griffin’s connection to the former governor.

“Let’s remember Ken Griffin brought you Bruce Rauner,” Pritzker said, according to the Tribune. “Ken Griffin was his biggest supporter.”

Pritzker continued his commitment to increasing security in Chicago and statewide, the Tribune reported.

“I am very focused on the safety and security of the city of Chicago, in the state of Illinois,” he said. “I dramatically increased resources, trying to replenish what Bruce Rauner did – with support from Ken Griffin – to our state by increasing dollars for violence interruption, violence prevention programs, by investing in our communities. “

The Tribune reported that Griffin gave Rauner $ 8 million a month after he was elected governor in 2014, then paid an additional $ 20 million in May 2017 and $ 2.5 million in December 2017.

Rauner lost his candidacy for re-election after a single term as governor in which funding for violence prevention and other social programs was cut off due to budget disagreements between a Democrat-controlled legislature and Rauner’s pro-business agenda, the Tribune noted.



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