Illinois state Rep. Michael McAuliffe said Thursday he will submit legislation that would eliminate tax credits for TV or film production companies hiring Jussie Smollett after the actor had all charges dropped against him allegedly faking a hate crime.
“I feel…someone like Jussie Smollett or someone else that would commit the same kind of act should not benefit from this generous, robust tax credit that is offered from the city of Chicago residents and the taxpayers of the state of Illinois,” the Republican said in an interview with CNN’s “Right Now” show.
Mr. McAuliffe added Mr. Smollett pulled off a “hoax” and made Chicago the “laughing stock of the nation.”
The state representative also told Journal & Topics the bill would be called the Just Use of State Subsidies In Entertainment Act, or the JUSSIE Act and would be submitted sometime this week.
Chicago prosecutors drew backlash Tuesday after they dropped all 16 charges against Mr. Smollett for allegedly creating his own hate crime to help his career, an accusation which he has denied.
President Trump said Thursday the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department will review the “outrageous” decision to drop all charges against actor Jussie Smollett.
“FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation,” Mr. Trump tweeted.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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