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Bobby Rush Builds Church With Campaign Cash

Written by News One on August 28, 2009 2:02 pm

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From Blogs.CQPolitics.com:

Over the past five years, Rep. Bobby L. Rush has spent more than a tenth of his campaign’s receipts on the church he founded, a tidy tithe totaling $152,777.

It’s an example of how the campaign finance system allows candidates and office-holders to redirect funds to institutions they care about.

Other lawmakers have influenced their communities — and preserved their legacies — by setting up tax-exempt nonprofits, often in the defense and technology industries, to take advantage of federal grant, contract and earmark opportunities.

Rush’s approach is different because a church is his center of operations and he concentrates on social services. But what his approach has in common with those of other lawmakers is the earmarking of tax dollars — Rush earmarked nearly $700,000 for two related social services entities he helped establish.

The earmarks do not appear to have violated any rules, and there’s nothing illegal about the Illinois Democrat’s contributions to Beloved Community Christian Church as it built a new home in the shadow of the Dan Ryan Expressway near the intersection of South Harvard Avenue and West 64th Street.

And there is no question that many of the services provided by Rush’s nonprofit network — from pre-natal care to HIV testing and prostate cancer screening — are desperately needed in the South Side-based 1st District, which is among the poorest in the state.

To read more, click here.

Tags: Black Churches, Black Politicians, Bobby Rush, Chicago, Illinois
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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/alpha111906/ alpha111906

    What do you mean it isn’t wrong. Yes it is wrong. Just because it is a “church” doesn’t mean it isn’t wrong. He is using taxpayers money to support a church/belief that everyone doesn’t agree with. It isn’t like they went to all Christian taxpayers and used their money. There are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist taxpayers in America. You don’t use my money to fund something I don’t believe in. That’s why we were founded on the system of separation of church and state…when you are using taxpayers money for personal use supporting a belief system, then you are violating that right that we have. I don’t care who does it…Jews, Muslims, Christians, Agnostics, Athiests, Devil Worshippers…it is wrong.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SirMoonlite2/ SirMoonlite2

    I totally agree with alpha111906 statement!!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/lsmith1981/ lsmith1981

    Not Another Church, We Already Have Enough Churches. That money Should have went too the Community.. Enough With all the Sanctuary’s

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SomebodyDaddy/ SomebodyDaddy

    I didn’t think this one was worth commenting on, but the comment “alpha” made sparked my attention…lol Brotha, there is a big difference between “tax revenue” from “tax payers”,and contributions from people that happen to pay taxes. The funds discussed in this article pertain to financial contributions, or “donations” freely given by individuals, or groups. If you didn’t contribute to that man’s campaign, he didn’t use your money to build anything…lol Furthermore, in light of our country’s political climate,I’m almost certain that this fellow received money from people of all sorts of religious backgrounds. “Donations” are often nothing more than the greasing of palms. After all, money buys influence in washington; no matter who you pray to.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/pookieduke1/ pookieduke1

    This is donatons from the people who put him in office. I’m so sick and tried of people always threwing this “Tax Payer” word around. Look we all pay taxes not just you and me we all. Including the onces that these clowns talking about sending all the Mexicans back to there own country… They pay taxes too. Everything they buy from food,beer and rent. But now me as a 40 yrs old black man. I have heard this story before and I’m not going any dam where. Rep.Rush is spending his money with the people who put him there. Now if you don’t have faith and believe in GOD well that’s on you.. Don’t hate because you are on the other side of the fence. Are you mad that your Reps. or Sentors isn’t showing you any love. Aw… don’t cry..

  • http://www.blackinfo.net/?p=607 Bobby Rush Builds Church With Campaign Cash | Black Info.Net

    [...] more here: Bobby Rush Builds Church With Campaign Cash black, black churches, black politicians, illinois, [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/deshawn121/ deshawn121

    this is simple, you dont use campaign contributions to fund your personal endevors. you are just asking for a inquiry. Rush is a simpleton who knows nothng about politics, thats why most of his constiuents can never get out the ghetto , the crime still ravages southside chicago, gangs and drugs still have the avergage person held hostage and he dont know what to do . the only thing Rush do is get reelected time and time again by talking about police brutality but he never talks about the high level of black on black crime or intense summer killings in his area.oh yea he was a black panther. Black people gotta wake up to these fake politicians.they dont want to see you do better, they want to see you poor and happy.

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