The latest skirmish centers on the taxpayer cost of state vehicles used by elected leaders. CBS 2 Political Reporter Derrick Blakley has more.
As Democrat Susana Mendoza left the state capitol building in Springfield Thursday and entered her state-purchased vehicle, she was followed by an Illinois GOP operative who shot video of her walking to the Ford Explorer.
SPOTTED: @ILComptroller Susana Mendoza's “LOADED” taxpayer-funded SUV, feat. heated leather seats, navigation, and a power liftgate. #twill pic.twitter.com/oQAkwmpkUF
— IL Republican Party (@ilgop) March 30, 2017
Republicans later tweeted about Mendoza’s “loaded,” luxurious ride. Mendoza was reported to be furious, saying in a counter-tweet that the Illinois Republican Party was “creepily stalking me.”
The GOP implication was that Illinois may be broke, but the comptroller living large with taxpayer’s funding.
Mendoza’s ride is a 2016 Ford Explorer, purchased used in January, with 16,431 miles. Total cost was $32,279.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s ride is a Ford Expedition XLT with extended length. The larger SUV was purchased new in December 2016, by the Illinois State Police, for $54,000, according to invoice provided to CBS Chicago.
Dear winter, it’s on. #Ford #Expedition pic.twitter.com/X4UyB5EnV4
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) January 27, 2017
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