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Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Albert wants you to go here this weekend.

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Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

First, read this story. Here’s an excerpt:

One of Gov. Blagojevich’s appointees to a state panel combatting discrimination and hate crimes came under fire from Jewish groups and a leading Jewish lawmaker Thursday for her close ties to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

The Blagojevich administration faced questions about why it appointed Claudette Marie Johnson in 2005 to the governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes when she is minister of protocol for Farrakhan’s group.

“When we got word she was placed on the commission as a representative of the Nation of Islam, we were clearly concerned,” said Lonnie Nasatir, regional director of the greater Chicago region of the Anti-Defamation League and a member of the commission. “This is a body aimed at eradicating hate. In Mr. Farrakhan’s words over the years, he’s actually espoused hate.”

Another story is here.

But another commission member, Rick Garcia, public policy director of Equality Illinois, a statewide gay civil rights organization, said he plans to attend the speech.

“I know that he has said things in the past that have been offensive to some groups of people - gays, in particular to Jews,” said Garcia, who is Roman Catholic and lives in Chicago. “But I think that the invitation from the Nation of Islam to Jews and to gays may be a step in the right direction. I took it as such.”

The question: Do you think that the governor should withdraw this appointment? Should the governor take heat for this? Why or why not?

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School funds stripped

Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

This story is kinda strange because the kid in question may be here legally, on a tourist visa.

In a drastic and unprecedented move, Illinois education officials on Thursday voted to cut off state funds to the Elmwood Park school district for refusing to admit an immigrant teen to its high school.

The action not only blocks the district from collecting $3.3 million in state aid, but could bar its student athletes from competition. Although district officials can appeal, it remains unclear whether doing so would enable them to receive their next state payment of $331,587 due next week.

Amid tense and emotional exchanges with district officials Thursday, the Illinois State Board of Education signaled that it will move swiftly and powerfully to protect the right of immigrant children to go to public schools, regardless of their immigration status.

“Frankly, I’m offended that we are dealing with this,” said board chairman Jesse Ruiz, who mentioned that his own father had been an undocumented immigrant from Mexico before becoming a citizen. […]

School officials in Elmwood Park refused to admit the girl and allegedly told her that they would report her to immigration authorities, said Alonzo Rivas, a staff attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, who talked to the girl about suing the district.

Please read the whole story before commenting. Thanks.

UPDATE: The school board has backed down.

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More trouble for the guv

Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

It appears the grand jury is leaking like a sieve.

A Cook County grand jury is looking at the role two members of Gov. Blagojevich’s inner circle may have played in the shutdown of a landfill, which sparked a feud between the governor and his father-in-law, Ald. Dick Mell (33rd), sources told the Sun-Times.

Lon Monk, Blagojevich’s campaign manager and former chief of staff, and Christopher G. Kelly, a top fund-raiser for the governor, are not accused of any wrongdoing.

The grand jury, however, is focusing on whether the Blagojevich administration overstepped its authority by quickly closing the Land Reclamation Services landfill in Will County that is owned by Mell’s relative.

The investigation also is looking into contacts that Monk and Kelly may have had with at least one state agency before the closure last year.

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6th District roundup

Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Tammy Duckworth got a little bad press today.

Thereâ€™s nothing Kathleen Yosko likes more than publicity for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

But not when itâ€™s tied to a political event.

Thatâ€™s why the CEO of the Wheaton hospital is clarifying Marianjoyâ€™s position following a highly publicized tour there Feb. 16 by 6th Congressional Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth.

Duckworth, who flew helicopters with the National Guard in Iraq before being wounded, toured the building along with former Sen. Max Cleland, a Georgia Democrat. Both are veterans and double amputees.

The hospital gives frequent tours, and thatâ€™s all Yosko thought she was providing.

Instead, a posse of television, radio and print reporters followed Duckworth and Cleland around the hospital. Midpoint, the two held a news conference chastising the Bush administration for failures on health care issues.

Christine Cegelis was endorsed by Democracy for America.

Since granting its endorsement Wednesday, DFA said it has raised more than $5,500 for Cegelis from more than 200 supporters–a boost to a campaign that had the least cash on hand at the end of last year among three Democrats seeking the nomination.

That group knows how to raise money fast. And, despite what her supporters have been saying in comments here this month, Cegelis certainly needs cash.

Barack Obama will appear in a TV ad for Duckworth.

Playing one of her trump cards, congressional hopeful Tammy Duckworth began airing a television commercial featuring U.S. Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday — marking the freshman Democratic senator’s first appearance in a TV ad for another candidate.

And Bill Baar wants the Democratic Party to rebuke Lindy Scott.

Apparently, I forgot to post that the Machinist’s union has endorsed Cegelis, a former member.

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Morning shorts

Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Â· Krol says that Gidwitz attacks could backfire

Â· Illinois tourism surges.

Â· Charles Box still waiting on ICC confirmation, and a race comment during a hearing yesterday made the Senate committee chairman “uneasy.”

Â· Tollway has new interim director.

Â· More Tribune endorsements.

Â· Lawmakers voice concern over plan to sell student loans.

Â· Nurses want to reduce shortage by improving working conditions.

Â· “Gov. Blagojevich has reappointed an Illinois State University trustee whom student environmentalists had sought to remove after the company he owns was linked to a series of oil spills.”

Â· Is it just me, or is the US Attorney’s office going a bit overboard?

Â· Quote of the week:

Blagojevich said he hasn’t seen a groundswell for resumption of executions.

“I don’t hear it from anybody, from real people,” he said. “I’ve heard from some legislators.”

Â· Electoral College Daze.

Â· The nickname appears to be sticking.

Â· It’s a restless hungry feeling, That don’t mean no one no good. When ev’rything I’m a-sayin’ You can say it just as good. You’re right from your side, I’m right from mine. We’re both just one too many mornings An’ a thousand miles behind.

Â· Have you seen this man?

Â· Another quote of the week, this time from Tollway board chairman John Mitola:

â€œIn todayâ€™s political climate, everythingâ€™s going to be investigated,â€ Mitola said of the subpoena. â€œThereâ€™s apparently a lot of young prosecutors sitting around needing to be busy.â€

Â· I just realized I had the wrong date on this morning’s Capitol Fax. Oops.

Â· And, yes, the rumor is true. I’ll be writing a monthly Sun-Times column starting early next month.

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