UPDATE: 12:27 PM Wednesday: “Mr. Garber has apologized for his comments and is resigning from the Illinois Lottery Control Board effective immediately,” said Rachel Bold, a spokeswoman for the governor said Wednesday, cited from the SJ-R.com.
EAST ST LOUIS – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's speechwriter Patrick Kelly was on Twitter right after he arrived at the office Wednesday morning, blasting the governor-appointed Illinois Lottery Control Board Chairman Blair Garber for a derogatory comment he reportedly made about East St. Louis:
What's all the kerfuffle about? A story released last night by State Journal Register's Bernie Schoenberg featuring Chairman Garber berating East St. Louis as a "s###hole."
It began when President Donald Trump was accused by Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of referring to some impoverished African countries as "s###holes."
Bernie reports the following public Twitter exchange involving Chairman Garber – who also serves on the Illinois Republican State Central Committee representing the 9th CD and as chairman of the Evanston Township GOP:
Country music star Charlie Daniels on Jan. 16 tweeted about the issue: “Mr Durbin I’m so sorry that your virgin ears were blistered by the absolutely horrible language president Trump used in front of you
“The president actually thought he was addressing a meeting of members of congress , not a kindergarten class hope you didn’t wet your pants too.”
Garber replied to Daniels’ tweet on Jan. 17, writing: “Charlie, Durbin’s home town is (get this) east St. Louis illinois! The shithole of the universe! Just do a google search”
Durbin has been a resident of Springfield for decades, but his hometown is East St. Louis.
Garber, one of Governor Rauner's most vocal supporters, is active on social media defending the governor. He angrily criticized Illinois Review editor Fran Eaton earlier this month when Illinois Review posted a story listing the funds Governor Rauner has distributed to Illinois Republican organizations throughout the state.
"Mr. Garber's unfortunate comments aside, we all should be upset about how Illinoisans are suffering in East St. Louis," the IR editor said. "But Democrats should really explain who's responsible for how that once-proud city declined so far with Leftist policies controlling the state."
Garber released a statement earlier this week saying his Evanston Township GOP endorsed Governor Rauner.
“Illinoisans agree that Mike Madigan’s reign of terror must come to an end," Garber said in the press release statement. "We need candidates who will stand up to the Madigan Machine and politics as usual. These men and women will be effective and tough citizen legislators. It’s high time we had some leaders with a backbone in Springfield.”
When asked by Illinois Review the organization's vote tally on the governor's race, how many participated in the vote and how many Republicans there are in Evanston, Mr. Garber did not respond.
For those not familiar with East St. Louis, here's a video tour:
