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Both Jacksons to back Burris ‘ bid for governor
Chicago Tribune - Thursday, February 14, 2002
Author: Rick Pearson and Mike Dorning, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune staff reporters James Janega and Ray Long contributed to this report.

Fighting for African-American support in the race for governor, Democrat Roland Burris has captured the endorsements of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

In a statement, Rep. Jackson called Burris and opponents Paul Vallas and Rod Blagojevich all “highly qualified” and “good personal friends.” ...

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Jacksons back Burris nephew in county race against Shaw
Chicago Sun-Times - Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Author: Abdon Pallasch

Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) and his father, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson , are preparing to endorse Steve Burris in his bid to oust Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Bob Shaw.

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Jackson , PUSH throw support behind Burris
Chicago Sun-Times - Sunday, March 8, 1998
Author: SCOTT FORNEK

Promising “a critical get-out-the-vote effort,” the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson endorsed Democrat Roland Burris for governor Saturday, the day before the former presidential hopeful’s son and namesake plans to do the same.

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Quiet donor gives Burris $1 million
Chicago Sun-Times - Sunday, February 3, 2002
Author: Scott Fornek
Joseph Stroud is said to be a quiet guy who doesn’t like the limelight.

That was certainly true Friday, when Stroud —head of the only black-owned television station in the Chicago area and president of a telecommunications firm—did not return phone calls about the support his firms have given to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roland Burris —support worth more than $1 million.

It is believed to be the largest contribution from an outside source in Illinois political history.

Stroud is so publicity shy that Burris ‘ campaign initially refused to provide reporters with any additional information about an $800,000 loan from Telephone USA Investments Inc. that showed up on the campaign disclosure report Burris filed Thursday. An aide would only call it “the corporate identity of a supporter who ... prefers to remain anonymous.”

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http://www.ilcampaign.org/sunshine/patrons/profiles/jovon.asp

Jovon Broadcasting Corporation, Telephone USA Investments, Inc.

Joseph Stroud, an Oak Brook resident, is the president and founder of the Jovon Broadcasting Corporation and the president of Telephone USA Investments, Inc. The Jovon Broadcasting Corporation is a Tinley Park-based firm that operates WJYS-TV, the only African-American-owned television station in the Chicago area. WJYS-TV’s programming includes religious shows and infomercials. Telephone USA Investments is a telecommunications firm.

The Jovon Broadcasting Corporation is a career patron of unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Roland Burris (D).

From 1993 to 2001, the Jovon Broadcasting Corporation contributed $286,170 to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 100% of which was contributed to Democrats.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/chi-0610260164oct26,0,5506158.story

Governor’s aide was on disputed fund trip - 2 others on flight faced corruption charges
Chicago Tribune (IL) - Thursday, October 26, 2006
Author: John Chase and Crystal Yednak, Tribune staff reporters.

EXCERPT

Also on Wednesday, campaign disclosure reports showed Blagojevich getting $100,000 from Telephone USA Investments , a Tinley Park firm headed by Jospeh Stroud, who also founded WJYS-TV.