Jussie Smollett: Illinois GOP senator is so mad at the actor that he’s making this proposal
Michael McAuliffe said Thursday he plans to present a bill that would make it difficult for production houses to work with the actor.
Republican Ill. Sen. Michael McAuliffe said Thursday he plans to present a bill that would “withhold” tax credits from production companies that work with Jussie Smollett.
Republican Illinois state senator Michael McAuliffe said Thursday he plans to present a bill that would “withhold” tax credits from production companies that work with Jussie Smollett, according to The Hill.
McAuliffe is apparently upset that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office dropped 16 charges against the Empire star after police accused him of faking a hate crime against himself.
“The General Assembly here in Illinois gives a very robust tax credit to any production company that plans on filming TV shows or movies,” McAuliffe said Thursday on CNN.
“Someone like…Smollett or someone else that would commit the same type of act should not benefit from this generous, robust tax credit that is offered from the city of Chicago residents and the tax payers of the state of Illinois,” he said.
Smollett was facing charges for allegedly lying to police about a racial and homophobic stemmed attack against him in January. Police arrested Smollett stating that the alleged attack was a hoax.
Many accused the actor and singer of receiving special treatment.
Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel and President Donald Trump, criticized the decision after it was announced earlier this week that Smollett would not be facing charges for allegedly lying to police about the attack against him earlier this year.
Both Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that justice had not been served. The mayor also called it a “whitewash of justice.”
“My personal opinion is, you all know where I stand on this,’” Johnson said. “Do I think justice was served? No. What do I think justice is? I think this city is still owed an apology.”
READ MORE: Cook County prosecutor Kim Foxx defends decision to drop charges in Jussie Smollett case
Anthony Guglielmi, the chief communications officer for the Chicago Police, said the situation “made Chicago a national laughing stock.”
President Trump took to Twitter on Thursday announcing that the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) will review the case called it “an embarrassment to our nation.”
