Setting facts straight on Reboot Illinois

In commenting on my recent column about the freshman Democrat who opposed a tax surcharge on millionaires, Palatine Township Democratic Committeeman Matt Flamm made some false claims about me and Reboot Illinois I need to correct. Reboot Illinois is a nonpartisan digital and social media firm that aims to engage citizens in actively participating in our state government. Its investors are Chicago hedge fund manager Anne Dias Griffin and Chicago industrialists Lester and Jim Crown.

Editorial positions and direction are determined solely by me and Executive Editor Matt Dietrich, who formerly worked as editorial page editor of the Springfield State Journal-Register. Reboot Illinois is independent and not affiliated with any political party, campaign or candidate.

To suggest otherwise is wrong and simply not supported by the record. Reboot Illinois was an early, vocal and consistent supporter of the pension changes primarily pushed by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and opposed by many Republicans. We also support the Yes for Independent Maps initiative backed by independents, Democrats and Republicans that seeks to depoliticize the way legislative districts are drawn. Reboot Illinois also does not back the term-limit effort organized by Republican governor nominee Bruce Rauner, though we do believe that question should be put to voters in November, given that reports indicate more than 500,000 Illinois voters signed petitions in support of that question.

Our record of journalistic independence is clear. Madeleine Doubek

Chief operating officer

Reboot Illinois