Sen. Mark Kirk's aide: From caregiver to campaign worker

[KamaAina]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-mark-kirk-finances-met-20150812-story.html

Sen. Mark Kirk, who has needed help with some everyday tasks such as preparing meals and physically getting around since suffering a debilitating stroke in 2012, put his live-in caregiver onto his campaign payroll, according to records and interviews.

While on Kirk's payroll, the caregiver twice came under criminal investigation — convicted in one case while the other is still pending in court.

Kirk's placement of his caregiver — who had no prior campaign experience — onto his campaign staff raises questions about whether Kirk used political donations to pay for personal expenses. Campaign finance records show that Kirk for Senate had paid his caregiver a salary totaling more than $43,000 from August 2013 through the end of 2014....

Sources said Kirk has struggled financially in part due to expenses from his 2009 divorce, caregivers, an electric lift installed in his Highland Park home and high rent at his Washington, D.C., apartment.

Meanwhile, regular people with disabilities struggle to get their states -- including Illinois, which now has a repuke governor as well -- to pay for their caregivers.

[kimbutgar]

1. Can you hear the outrage if Kirk was a Democrat and did this?