The Chicago Sun-Times reported in 2005 that the Rushes had faced foreclosure lawsuits, brought by Washington Mutual, on the same two properties for failing to pay their monthly mortgages.
A foreclosure sale was scheduled for the Michigan property but ultimately canceled.
While lawmakers are required to disclose a wide range of personal financial data in annual reports — listing assets such as stocks and savings accounts as well as debts — certain items do not have to be disclosed, including personal and vacation homes.
That exemption applies to the value of the property and any related liabilities, such as mortgages or equity loans, so long as the homes don’t produce any rental income.
In addition, Members are not required to report on a variety of debts — including taxes owed to the federal, state or local governments.
Lawmakers are also allowed to leave out any “contingent liabilities” such as payments demanded in ongoing court disputes, as well as any debts they have guaranteed for another debtor.
Rush does not list the $25,000 sought by a Chicago-based electric company in his most recent financial disclosure, which covers calendar year 2009.
The Commonwealth Edison Co. brought a suit against both Rush and the Beloved Community Christian Church, the Chicago-based church where he is the pastor, in an effort to recoup more than $25,000 in unpaid bills.
That case was dismissed in February 2010 at “agreement” of all parties, according to documents in the Cook County Circuit Court.
“ComEd worked directly with the customer to resolve the case,” ComEd spokeswoman Krissy Posey wrote Thursday in an e-mail. “The customer agreed to pay ComEd and the case was dismissed in Feb. 2010. In cases of non-payment, it is typical for ComEd to work with customers to establish a payment plan to pay off the unpaid balance.”
Posey did not respond to questions about the repayment amount or whether it would be made by Rush or the church. If the debt is to be repaid by the church, Rush would likely not have to list it on his financial disclosure form.
In a response to a series of questions about several lawsuits in which he has been named, Rush said via a spokeswoman that he was never sued by the electric company.
“I was not sued by Commonwealth Edison in 2009,” Rush said. The lawmaker also said he is not personally responsible for other debts held by the church.
Although the church, incorporated in Illinois in 2002 by Marlon Rush, the lawmaker’s brother, continues to operate, its business registration with the state lapsed in 2007 and it was formally dissolved by the state.
Federal tax officials filed nearly $50,000 in liens against the church in 2010 for unpaid employment taxes.
A spokeswoman said the Congressman’s office does not respond to inquiries about the church, citing a “bright line” separating the organization and Rush’s Congressional work.
A Tribune report in 2006 stated that Rush and his family are personally responsible for loans related to the church that exceeded $700,000 at that time.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
