PRITZKER HOSTING DINNER FOR FOUR
Hand me a plunger, please! Oh, to be a fly on this mansion wall! Sneed has learned Illinois’ “four tops” have been invited by the “tip-top” to dine at Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker’s posh digs Tuesday night.
Translation: Pritzker has dispatched invites to Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady — and their wives Pam, Shirley, Celeste and Nancy — to wine and dine at Pritzker’s Astor Street mansion.
“It’s a first,” said a source familiar with the invitation.
“Wow — it’s just one of those moments that I don’t think has happened before. I’d be going nuts if I were a reporter hoping to stash a recorder under that table!
“Certainly, Gov. Bruce Rauner never entertained” the leaders from both political parties before taking office, the source said. And what do you bring as a party gift? “A bottle of wine … or a plunger,” said the source, jokingly referring to the campaign imbroglio over the controversial removal of toilets at the home, which lowered Pritzker’s property taxes.
Oh, to be a mouse in that house.
The Van Dyke case . . .
It’s never over.
Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke, who is awaiting sentencing for killing 17-year-old Laquan McDonald four years ago, has a new worry while in protective custody in Rock Island County Jail.
Insurance.
“He’s just been informed his FOP [Fraternal Order of Police] family health benefits may run out soon ... like in six months,” said Van Dyke’s attorney Dan Herbert, who was chatting in his office with Van Dyke’s wife, Tiffany — when Sneed called.
“She just told me she was recently informed by the FOP there was paperwork for her to sign regarding severance and insurance,” he said.
“They are now a family of little means. “His wife, Tiffany, who works as a server in the food and beverage business, now has to look for work which will provide insurance for her and the couple’s two children,” added Herbert.
It’s not just the fear of facing a long prison sentence stemming from the fatal shooting of McDonald — whom Van Dyke shot 16 times.
As Van Dyke, who was found guilty of second-degree murder, awaits his next appearance in court Friday on motions attempting to secure a new trial, he “now has to deal with this nightmare for his family,” said Herbert.
“He’s anxious and scared, and who wouldn’t be?” he added. “He’s lost weight, reads Christian texts sent to him, and sees his family one hour a week.
“But his wife told me Van Dyke told his children to remember to buy presents for their mother,” Herbert added.
Tiffany then could be heard piping in: “And I told them the only present I want is to wake up Christmas morning and see my husband back sitting on the couch in our home!”
Stay tuned.