*** 3:57 pm *** Just in time for a special session, constant Blagojevich critic Rep. Jack Franks has sent out a brand new press release…
Statement from Rep. Franks, “The Legislature Should Consider Convening a Committee to Investigate Evidence for Articles of Impeachment against the Governor”
For decades, Illinois governors have been making hard choices when it comes to the state budget. The difference between our current governor and his predecessors is his attitude toward the process. This is all a game to Blagojevich. He refuses to do his job and has now opened the door for impeachment.
Today, the Governor called for a July 9th special session for the General Assembly to return to Springfield to vote for initiatives that have already failed in the Legislature. He made no changes to his proposals which failed so miserably last year but now expects the General Assembly to come back for another overtime session, where a much larger three-fifth’s majority is required, to vote on the same exact measures.
The Governor’s proposal to sell or lease the Illinois lottery failed by a whopping 7 to 97 vote in the Illinois House last year. The bill failed because it is not sound public policy to lease a $30 billion revenue generating asset for a one-time $7 billion dollar payout. We must question the Governor’s motives for pushing the lottery leasing scheme so adamantly. He continues to advocate for the privatization of the state lottery but refuses to sign pay-to-play legislation that would bar his cronies from enriching themselves from the sale or lease of state assets.
Blagojevich also continues to pressure legislators to pass a capital bill but has made no effort to make any serious proposal. The Governor changed his estimate for the cost of a capital bill from $27 billion to $34 billion in the span of one week. He refuses to give a line-itemed account of what the $34 billion would be spent on. Essentially, the Governor is asking the state to write him a $34 billion blank check. With his long history of using state money to line the pockets of his supporters, can we really trust Blagojevich to administer a capital program without any accountability?
Instead of working on a compromise that will create real solutions for Illinois citizens, the Governor is instead trying to scare Illinois families and state workers. He has repeatedly threatened shut downs and halted some important projects that provide thousands of Illinoisans with jobs. The Governor is using front-line workers who provide vital services throughout the state as a human shield to guard him from compromise. The projected budget shortfall for this year is only about 2.5% of the total budget. Governors before him have made tough choices when it came to the budget. This Governor is squandering a perfect opportunity to cut wasteful spending.
During these hard economic times, the Governor has threatened to put at risk Illinois front-line workers, the disabled, our schools and social service providers. The Governor makes so many threats because he cannot lead. Blagojevich is incapable of doing his job. These special sessions are a game to the Governor. I will ask Speaker Madigan today to create a committee to investigate whether there is enough evidence to proceed with articles of impeachment against Governor Blagojevich.
LIVE session coverage...
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 3:59 pm:
What happened to your moratorium on Jack Franks quotes?
And how is that horse he backed doing, what was her name?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:01 pm:
LOL. I just thought about the moratorium. Didn’t ever enforce it.
I thought he was with JB, not Penny.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:03 pm:
The string from the Speakers hand to Mr. Franks’s mouth is very short. The slightest tug gets him going.
- One of the 35 - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:05 pm:
What? No mention of public official “A” stuff?
- reasonable 1 - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:07 pm:
Even Daley said the Gov has no impeachable offenses. He needs to look it up because that press release makes him look like an ignorant puppet.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:08 pm:
Franks enjoys the puppet role. Even when he has no strings attached, he enjoys the pinnochio role.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
That press release was quite breathless.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
I hope MM does convene the Impeachment Committee - It is past time to get this issue out in the open with the Process playing out to a conclusion.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:12 pm:
It’s not MM, it’s MJM. Please, get it right. Incorrect initials is a pet peeve of mine here. We mostly took care of the “loose vs. lose” problem, and I’d like to get this one cleared up.
MJM, RRB, etc. Three initials, please.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:15 pm:
I hope MJM does convene the Impeachment Committee - It is past time to get this issue out in the open with the Process playing out to a conclusion. The citizens of Illinois need some summer entertainment! MJM stupid mistake on initials fixed - Sorry!
- reasonable 1 - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:16 pm:
You can clearly see he’s upset and irrational. He’s even playing the comparison game, the “all time desperation play” so are we going to compare Obama to other presidents to? I almost want to double dare him to get the committee up and running just so he can embarrass himself more. I found the press release amusing.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:17 pm:
Is it RAM or RIM?
Just for future reference and possible verbification.
- This voter will remember - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:20 pm:
I think there is more than enough evidence for impeachment. For starters, open up the closed Blagojevich Federal interview files from the Rezko case. How about letting the public know how many Federal investigations there are on you and your administration. Where is the extra million dollars that you gave the school that was suppose to go to the church? My vote - start impeachment proceedings.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:21 pm:
Who let the dogs out? Go get ‘em!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:22 pm:
RWM2
- Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:25 pm:
I just listened to the whole Blago audio. That is the most I have forced myself to listen to the guy since his first budget address - hope I don’t have to hear that much again. Give him some credit - he is very good. For 75% of the presser he was dead on message and very good .. . but then when Shaw started pressing him on the income tax I thought I saw some light coming in.
I think I just heard the Governor endorse the constitutional convention. For the second time in 2 years I agree with the guy
The only nuance is that he wants the con-con to get rid of the flat tax. I want the con-con to make it easier to get rid of him!
The Franks press release was probably written 30 days ago, just waiting for this moment.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:26 pm:
Well this should be fun. “Saint Jack The Devine” gets down in the mud pit and pours more water in. Jack takes himself and his reputation way too serious.
- bored now - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:27 pm:
it should be the very first order of business of any special session. every single day that the governor wastes needs to be started with a progress report on impeachment hearings. and they need to do it so that it is the only thing we see on the local news…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:28 pm:
===I think I just heard the Governor endorse the constitutional convention.===
You heard wrong. He wants citizen initiatives, but he doesn’t say how he wants to go about it. He dissed potential con-con delegates as the same old crowd that runs things now.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:30 pm:
All they got to do is start the investigation. Everyday Blago will give them more and more fuel for the fire. He can’t help himself.
- phocion - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:33 pm:
Would this committee have subpoena powers? What if they called the Governor to testify and he refused?
- Truth - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:34 pm:
Good move. Rod just bought himself another round of media stories on impeachment. Which story will the public pay more attention to next week? Gov calls thousandth special session to deal with budget and capital. Yawn. Or, Legislator calls for committee to begin historic impeachment proceedings. I suppose it cannot get any worse for him. Unreal.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:34 pm:
The Speaker has to approve subpoena powers.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
You know, one day we will look back on Rod Blagojevich’s time in office and remember what a horrible hoot it was!
- BIG R.PH. - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
In order for their to be an impeachment he has to have committed impeachable offenses. One’s that go against the Laws of the State of Illinois that he has sworn to uphold would immediately come to mind. Laws that endager the public welfare would come to mind.
Here are two:
1) Purchasing the flu vaccine that was clearly not approved by the FDA and then putting the taxpayers of the State of Illinois on the hook for the money.
2) Sending senior citizens to Canada for the medications. This was also clearly a direct violation of US law. By him facilitating this process made him an accessory.
Case closed!! Bye, Bye Blago!
They should’ve done this 6 years ago.
- reasonable 1 - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
OH RIGHT, we have a 14 page memo with perfectly valid reasons for impeachment!!!!! Is there anyone else? Anyone? With anything new? I would just settle for balanced budget at this point, hold the grandstanding please!
- Indigo Montoya - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:41 pm:
Will the special session (seesions) force a vote in the Senate on rejecting the payraise at a time when the paise raise could actually be rejected? Wasn’t EJ’s (don’t know Senator Jones’s middle initial) plan to call for the rejection after the 30 session days are up and after the November eletion?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:42 pm:
===Will the special session (seesions) force a vote in the Senate on rejecting the payraise at a time when the paise raise could actually be rejected?===
No. They have four days. The guv said it was only two days. Only two.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
++++++
You know, one day we will look back on Rod Blagojevich’s time in office and remember what a horrible hoot it was!
+++++++
Wait’ll he gets voted in a third time. That’ll be the real hoot.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
Rich, who will be tracking who takes the no-tax “pledge”?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
GoBearsss, I think the guv took that pledge. He broke it.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:49 pm:
A little off subject but if I were Governor and the Legislature sent me a budget and said cut it if you don’t like it-I would have the time of my life slicing that thing to ribbons. 2 billion? Heck I would slash 4. But that is just me.
- GA Watcher - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:55 pm:
John Fritchey also has some choice words about the hypocrisy of the budget deal approved by the Senate and supported by the Governor. He argues that the revenues generated by a gambling expansion and the lease of the lottery will come primarily from the working men and women the Governor professes to be protecting. Its a good read at www.johnfritchey.blogspot.com.
- wearing thin - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 4:59 pm:
this capital bill is not a take it or leave it proposition by the gov. The package represents an agreement between three of the four leaders and the governor –unfortunately, if the House Dems do not want to negotiate a capital bill, it ain’t going to happen. Not sure what they run on in the elections–sure as hell ain’t health care or jobs–two bread and butter issues for democrats. Guess they are left to run against an unpopular governor who is not on the ballot–not sure how that works for democrats either. To me this has been the most do-nothing state legislature in many, many years. I guess they hope and pray Obama doesn’t trip up and provides them enough cover to skate through.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:05 pm:
Well wearing thin:
If they manage to impeach the Governor they will have done something, eh.
- Big Mama T - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:11 pm:
I have to ask again. WHY do some people on here believe that the only impeachable offenses are criminal in nature? Although it does help a great deal.
Being a total screw-up, ignoring the Constitution you were sworn to uphold and trying to act like a Dictator is good enough for me. Especially when we have seen Illinois turn into the equivalent of a Third World country. Impeach the clown before Illinois ends up in receivership.
- get real - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:12 pm:
Did Emily McCasey write this?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:12 pm:
===Especially when we have seen Illinois turn into the equivalent of a Third World country.===
Oh, please.
Tone it down.
- Bob - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:16 pm:
I can’t believe those two use to be friends.
- Pony Shoe - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:20 pm:
What/who is RWM2?
- Big Mama T - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:20 pm:
Just hyperbole RWM2. Sorry.
- Pony Shoe - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:42 pm:
No, really, who is it?
- plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:48 pm:
Seems premature to me. Perhaps this is a kneejerk response to the special session.
Not being a lawyer, I’m still vague on impeachability. Makes no sense to blather and then do nothing, but thats politics
- reformer - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:50 pm:
Why can’t Jack just convene his State Administration Oversight Committee to investigate impeachment?
- Bill - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:56 pm:
Pony,
that’s King Richard Wilbur Miller II
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:57 pm:
Wayne.
- Bill - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 5:57 pm:
just kidding lol
- Pony Shoe - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:15 pm:
Didn’t catch it. So, RWM2, are you going to the Sox-A’s series this weekend?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:29 pm:
Doubtful. I kinda went overboard last weekend.
- Pony Shoe - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 6:39 pm:
I went to Saturday’s game…best weather ever (except for the brief rain) I have experienced in 17 years of that park–my first game at the new stadium was the second game played there.
I’m going Friday and Sunday and working on Saturday tickets.
Too old for Fundamentals, too young to die.
- Ahem - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 8:14 pm:
RRB is going to create a half-million jobs if only we can be a little patient.
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 8:52 pm:
To Rep. Franks,
Can you also call for the impeachment of not just Blago, but also Jones and MM too?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 8:54 pm:
There is no such person by the name of MM.
- FlackrBackr - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:07 pm:
This just demonstrates once again that Franks is a pawn in Madigan’s little chess game. Unfortunate because he has more potential than that.
- Me - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:07 pm:
Technically, “RRB” is incorrect, isn’t it? According to Wikipedia.org (which cites its source), Rod has no middle name; he simply uses a middle initial (ostensibly in honor of his late father).
Just because someone says they want to be called something does not obligate anyone to play along. Therefore, isn’t “RB” then technically correct?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:21 pm:
We use middle initials to help make sure that it’s unique to that person. RB could be a lot of people. RRB is easily and more accurately recognizable.
It’s a style thing.
- RWM2
lol
- Me - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:23 pm:
I wholly underdig.
M_E
:)
- Bookworm - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:40 pm:
I believe MM has been used in reference to Marilyn Monroe, so MJM is indeed more appropriately used to refer to the Speaker.
I use all three of my initials at my workplace (e.g. JMD for Jane Marie Doe) in order to avoid confusion with another person whose first and last initials are identical to mine (JD for “Joe Doaks”).
- IDOT Guy - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 9:57 pm:
I just hope that g-rod doesn’t steal anymore of our money, cause I’m tired of people calling about our road conditions, and we can’t do anything because CMS is stealing more and more of it for rods games and new programs.
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 10:53 pm:
Personally I prefer POA.
- Dr, Reason A. Goodwin - Wednesday, Jul 2, 08 @ 11:41 pm:
===Essentially, the Governor is asking the state to write him a $34 billion blank check. With his long history of using state money to line the pockets of his supporters, can we really trust Blagojevich to administer a capital program without any accountability?===
This is exactly why Rep. John Bradley says he voted against the capital bill, but he is being vilified in the southern Illinois media by Phelps, Forby, Poshard and Labor.
- C.L.I.C.K. for Justice and Equality - Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 7:47 am:
Here is a budget cut for you. This will describe the Sheridan Project. These are the type of individuals who are in control of this project.
Did you know that companies in the US have said they would hire a white man with a felony record and no high school education BEFORE they would hire a black man with NO criminal record and a 4-year degree?
On July 23 at 9pm and July 24 at 9pm, CNN will premier a series, ‘Black in America with Soledad O’Brien’ and I personally challenge you to watch it WITH your children, especially your sons, if you have any, uninterrupted.
The aforemention statistic and many others will be revealed during the series. A friend of mine had the privilege of meeting with Soledad O’Brien and actually SEEING this premier, and what she saw brought tears to her eyes and anguish, frustration, and a sense of helplessness to her soul.
On July 23, 2008 the series will focus on Women and Families and July 24, 2008 is dedicated entirely to the plight of the Black Man in America. PLEASE watch and internalize what you see and hear; no matter HOW disturbing the information revealed…you can (and will) thank me later.
Go here for more information: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/
- stuck with crony's - Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:16 am:
If Rod wanted to save some money he would get rid of the all too many deputry directors he has appointed. Most Agencies such as DECO have gone from 1 director and two deputy directors to up to 27 assorted deputy directos and specials assistances. Agencies have ran out of room for them. Unfortunately they are all in Chicago and not down in the trenchs. Also while we are at it lets cut down the legislative commisions. We have too many and when the Legislature get about $9K per member and $24K per chair its too much money being given to pad their already high salary.
- stuck with crony's - Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:22 am:
What about geting our money back from Jessie White’s Secretary. She ripped the State off for over $300K and was going to be tried. Nothing ever happened. I think the Reps and Senators involved in giving her the money “illegalily” should have to pay it back.