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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson * Editorial: Taxpayers being robbed by vacant LDC site * Guv signs bills targeting “wannabe†Irish judges: Hoping to stop lawyers from adopting Irish names to run for judge, Gov. Blagojevich has signed a bill requiring candidates who have changed their names within three years before running to have a “formerly known as” under their name. * Editorial: Lend more support to ID theft victims * Final certified Chicago election ballot * City ward supervisor kept Land Rover in city garage * Daley calls shakedown lawsuit just election-year politics * More demands for Stroger cut more of his own budget fat:
* IL National Guard among nation’s worst in inventory for equipment * Aldermanic free-for-all in 2nd ward * Peotone residents airport expansion Bill of Rights: “I wish this wasn’t needed,” said Dugan, who called herself an airport proponent. “There have been a lot of problems with how the state has handled things.” * Center for Tax & Budget Accountability claims state owes Cook Co. $243 million in Medicaid
* Daley refuses to fire “cooperative†official; it would hint at retaliation * Tribune Editorial: Coming up short…on education funding * At fatal Riverside teen-crash site, Sandoval backs stronger driving law * Local officials discourage Dupage Co. sales tax vote * Carol Marin: Who can fix the County Dems?
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- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:06 am:
Goodmorning Paul,
You missed one this morning, our very own Bridget Dooley and I got some props from the Pioneer Press-News Star.
Stranger things have happened, but I’m still not sure how Bollywood blogging is going to win in the 50th ward?
- Levois - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:11 am:
I wonder why is it so important to be Irish in elections if not in the state but locally in say Cook County. That article about people changing their names to Irish names running for judge just clinches it more.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:11 am:
Oh, I forgot, hey Bridget - How come I wasn’t invited to the ‘bloggers’ breakfast?
- grand old partisan - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:13 am:
I’m not necessarily against the name-changing law, but I find it far more disconcerting that people in Cook County select judges based on the ethnicity of their last name to begin with.
- Paul Richardson - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:17 am:
Interesting stuff. Thanks for the link.
- Pat Hickey - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:18 am:
Judge Nuts - or ye shall not be Judge!
padridgh Ó hIcidhe
P.S. Could this something akin to the Chief contretemps,n’cest pas? Bedelia, call the ACLU!
- Pat Hickey - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:19 am:
Paul have a gander at Phil Kadner’s account of a homeless woman in the Daily Southtown - should merit a link.
- fedup dem - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:23 am:
Note to grand old partisan: Sir, it is my conclusion that the fact that voters based their decisions for choosing judges based on ethnicity is not nearly as harmful as was the action this past year of choosing the President of the Cook County Board in like manner. After all, a less than stellar judge can be assigned to a number of places within the vast court system where their perceived lack of skills can relatively little harm. On the other hand, Toddler Stroger has already proven himself to be a menace to the vast number of African-American voters who gave him their blind support lesss than three months ago.
- Jeff Trigg - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 10:02 am:
“Guv sings bills targeting”
Was it in his best Elvis impersonation voice? Sorry, couldn’t resist.
- 2nd Ward - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 10:04 am:
Fioretti has the momentum in the 2nd Ward Aldermanic race. Watch for the incumbent’s richly deserved loss to a harder working candidate.
- NW burbs - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 10:16 am:
Guv sings [sic] bills targeting “wannabe†Irish judges
He should be amending our state Constitution so judges are appointed, not elected. That’ll truly put a stop to this silliness.
- Truthful James - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 12:08 pm:
Education Funding:
The EFAB mentioned in the Tribune is a shell designed to appear independent and shelter the ISBE and the Governor from responsibility. The EFAB hires a private sector entity, Agugenblick and Myers have had the contract for a good long time, probably on a no bid basis.
A&M uses regression analyses. Teacher quality does not appear to be a variable. They have never failed to come up with other than a ‘more money’ solution. And the solution has never worked.
The foundation money they talk about does not truly go to every District. The “richer Districts” have their portion reduced — as perhaps they should.
But the problem remains: underqualified teachers abound. Salary increases are provided for both longevity and for additional courses in the Education field which do not increase the Education Value being delivered.
The solution to the value problem must come from opening the education function to all qualified schools, private, charter and public. The monopoly is not delivering the goods.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 1:16 pm:
The frightening thing is that that sentence (Guv sings [sic] bills targeting “wannabe†Irish judges) really could be read either way (sings or signs) with this Gov.
I’m against appointing judges because it will only cause the judiciary to be a bottomless pit of hackery. Not that judicial elections are a panaceia for that, but at least the people have a choice. If the electorate wants a hacked-up judiciary, then they can continue ignoring the bar association ratings and electing on the basis of perceived ethnicity, gender or whatnot. I like this bill as it at least stops some of the more egregious gaming of the system. Plus, remember the alderperson candidate who changed her name to Carol Mosely Braun in order to run.
- Garp - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 3:20 pm:
Jeepers Carol Marin,
Why not let the guy rest in peace? You list 2 or 3 candidates that won despite being slated, however, you don’t mention the hundreds of candidates that had party slating that have been elected. I realize you have a progressive agenda that you are trying to move forward, but you really don’t have to rewrite history.
Lyons died leaving virtually every state and cook county office in the hands of the democrats. Why don’t you ask Hillary Clinton if he was helpful in getting her husband elected? Why not ask the judges that begged to be slated if the party endorsement meant anything?
You actually bring up Vrdolyak as an example of strong leadership. Under his watch, 2 followers of Lynden Larouche won the democratic primary and caused the biggest election fiasco I can remember. The nominee for governor actually had to create a new party to run in the general election so he didn’t have the larouchy as a running mate.
My whole point is the man is dead and can’t defend himself. Why not move along your agenda without besmirching the guy.
I kinda thought you were better than that.
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 3:41 pm:
Mayor Daley’s armed and ready. D2’s just released.
FUNDS BALANCE
Funds available at the beginning of the reporting period - $1,948,878.85
Total Receipts - $3,098,809.65 (This period)
Subtotal - $5,047,688.50
Total Expenditures - $802,400.26
Funds available at the close of the reporting period - $4,245,288.24
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 3:44 pm:
Duchossois, Craig J.
Occupation: CEO
Employer: Duchossois Industries Inc. - 845 N Larch Ave
Elmhurst, IL 60126
$100,000.00
12/7/2006 Individual Contribution
- Troy News Guy - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 9:31 pm:
On the LDC fleecing… at the state surplus auction last Tuesday night was an Ala Cart brand meal serving system (capable of serving at least 2,000 people) that came from LDC. Cost new? According to one bidder about $800,000. High bid? $1,500. There were two semi-truck fulls of this stuff!
- Disgusted - Wednesday, Jan 31, 07 @ 10:30 pm:
Isn’t it ironic that the first thing people do who wish to be elected to supposedly honorable, truthful posts in the judiciary is to lie about their names! Only in Illinois could this farce take place. Can I use another name to avoid the taxman, I wonder?