Illinois’ multimillionaires are a paradoxical group. Beginning in 2009, they helped resuscitate the Better Government Association with sizable contributions while, at the same time, they were vigorously fighting city and state efforts to raise taxes they could easily afford to pay because they didn’t trust the politicians who’d be spending their money.

And that is the conundrum that epitomizes the permanent battle between progressive Democrats and their activist base, whose mantra is “tax the rich,” and conservative Republicans and their wealthy donors who categorically reject higher taxes.

It’s not about greedy rich people hoarding their dollars; in reality, they’re extraordinarily generous philanthropists who donate billions to civic, social and humanitarian causes they believe are adm

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