In Illinois, there’s no corruption, just a whole lotta conicidences
Lets get this straight: A doctor who married into a well-to-do Peoria family heads a corporation that donated $11,000 to the Judy Baar Topinka, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor of the state of Illinois. Theresa Falcon-Cullinan tells the Journal Star she did this only because she wants to see a woman elected governor.
It is just a conincidence that this doctor’s husband — Dr. Stephen Cullinan — is part owner of a Springfield hotel that still owes millions of dollars to the state from a loan it never paid back.
It is just a condcidence that the owner of that hotel is William Cellini, a Springfield developer and powerful political fund-raiser, a man the Chicago media describes as a “power broker.” He managed to get a sweetheart deal that says he doesn’t have to repay a dime if there’s no profit — on the books anyway.
It’s just a coincidence that Topinka, as state treasurer, offered to forgive the outstanding Cellini’s debts for about 25 cents on the dollar, and backed out only after then-Attorney General Jim Ryan raised a stink.
It’s just a coincidence that Michael Cullinan — a relative of her husband’s — also just happens to be an investor in Cellini’s project.
It’s also a conincidence that Michal Cullinan heads R.A. Cullinan and Sons, the contractor hired to do work on the Interstate 74 upgrade project, even though he is part owner of a project that has yet to repay the loan to taxpayers.
And it’s also a conincidence that Theresa Falcon-Cullinan, Stephen Cullinan, Michael Cillinan and Diane Cullinan also contributed money over the years to Ray LaHood, whose own campaign recently gave $25,000 to Topinka.
It is just a coincidence that the good doctors are co-owners of Health Professionals Ltd., a contractor that provides prison health care services. They have received $43.9 million so far this year under a state prison contract, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
In Illinois, there’s no corruption. Just one damning coincidence after another.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Wow..I think I need to lie down after reading this due to vertigo
How about more coincidences? Ray LaHood, a Beltway insider for a quarter of a century, when asked about weakening House rules to protect Tom DeLay, says he doesn’t remember the particulars of the vote, but can remember it wasn’t a vote for DeLay. Ray LaHood whose number one source of campaign contributions come from lobbyists, gets behind Rep. John Boehner who is equally corrupt and compromised by numerous ties to lobbyists as a “reform” candidate. The first election of the G.O.P. caucus has more votes than members. Boehner is elected, and now we find out that Boehner rents an appartment from a lobbyist named John D. Milne. What a coincidence that Ray LaHood’s FEC page lists a John Milne, a lobbyis,t as a contributor to his campaign committee and leadership PAC. What a coincidence that John Milne has made numerous donations to GOP candidates from addresses in NY, TN, and IL. It is an amazing coincidence that all these various donations come from P.O. Boxes. Will the next coincidence be that Ray also rents from a lobbyist? Or will it be something local?
Well, at least you’re smart enough to realize how amazingly coincidental all of those coincidences are.
Hi Bill, Diane here. I have been a patient of Dr. Falcon for over 20 years. She delivered both of my children and I have always felt very comfortable going to her. However, when Shock was running for office she sent a form letter that came from her office, endorsing him. I was offended. I don’t think she should use her patient database to distribute anything political. I go to her for her medical advice and expertise, not to learn about her political views, which I now know differ from mine. After 20 years, it may be time for me to shop for a new doctor.
I hate to hear “I told you so”, but my opinion of LaHood has changed. Are there any “clean” politicians or is the whole process contaminated?
I’m sure that the conservative right-wing of the IL GOP will tell us that the only clean politician is Brady, and so everyone needs to vote for him come March and November.
Thanks for this post, PP. Very enlightening.
Diane: By using information from your medical records to send you campaign literature — even if she did it on her own — she may have violated your right to privacy. If that information was passed along to ANY candidate, she definately did.
I would sue.
It’s not like she doesn’t have cash on hand.