* I’ve been complaining about this for days, so I’m glad somebody else finally took notice…

Illinois continues to wait for Governor Rod Blagojevich to pick a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate. Obama officially resigned his seat on Sunday, but lobbying by his potential successors has been going on for weeks, not all of it discreetly. In several instances, the staff of Democratic congressmen from Illinois used government email accounts to promote their bosses’ Senate bids. Those emails are now raising some ethical questions.

The ethics manual for the House of Representatives lays out what are appropriate and inappropriate uses of government computers, phones, office space and emails.

McGEHEE: The rules are clear that you cannot use official resources for campaign or political purposes. […]

Recently, employees of two members of Congress from Illinois have wandered into that gray area. From his government email address, an aide to Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., distributed several messages to reporters related to the vacancy. One included an attachment, a poll, which showed voters in Illinois favor Jackson for the Senate seat, although not overwhelmingly. The congressman’s office could not provide a comment in time for this story.

Another Democrat hoping for the Senate seat, Congressman Danny Davis, held a press conference recently, with the stated purpose of allowing his supporters to “REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR DAVIS TO REPLACE BARACK OBAMA AS U.S. SENATOR.”

Davis’ chief of staff contacted reporters about the event, in one instance using her government email account.

Jackson’s office routinely sends out political e-mails from government accounts. I warned them about it privately, but finally decided to out them when they didn’t change their ways.

* This looks like another targeted leak designed to bust Jackson’s chops…

The Hill reported Blagojevich had placed calls to Chicago-area Democratic Reps. Danny Davis, Luis Guitierrez and Jan Schakowsky Tuesday and Wednesday. The Washington publication said it wasn’t clear whether the Democratic governor also had talked to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., another Democrat who has expressed a desire to follow Obama to the Senate.

Jackson couldn’t be reached for comment, The Hill said

While Blagojevich’s office had no comment on the calls, Davis said he had “a great conversation” with the governor Wednesday afternoon. Schakowsky and Gutierrez also reportedly had upbeat talks with Blagojevich this week.

* Stella…

MY SOURCES are telling me that a lot of folks have been approaching retiring Illinois Senate Prez Emil Jones urging him to seek Barack Obama’s now-vacant U.S. Senate seat. And I understand that Jones would gladly accept that spot if appointed by Gov. Blagojevich.

ALSO a group of ministers met over the weekend to urge state Sen. Jackie Collins, a Harvard grad, to seek the seat.

* And they’re coming outta the woodwork…

Dr. Jessica Davis, an African American Democrat and 2007 Mayoral Candidate in Carbondale, Illinois, submits letter of interest in the open Senate seat to Governor Blagojevich. If the Governor does not appoint her to the open Senate seat to serve the next two years, she has expressed plans to throw her hat into the race for the 2010 election. Davis states her reasons for her interest:

“I look like I am 30 years old, but I have passed 30 many days ago. I was
born and raised in the United States…”

OK.

* Meanwhile, in another campaign, this rumor was hot and heavy yesterday…

At Chicago City Hall, stories abounded over who was in and who was out in the developing contest to succeed Emanuel in Congress. Emanuel will be Obama’s chief of staff, and when he formally resigns his congressional seat, Blagojevich must schedule a special election for a replacement.

Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th), a longtime loyalist to Mayor Richard Daley and the mayor’s unofficial City Council floor leader, acknowledged speaking to Daley about replacing Emanuel but said he hadn’t received the mayor’s blessing.

A Daley endorsement in the contest could quickly reduce the number of participants planning a run for the seat—about a dozen.

“I am interested in [Daley’s] support, and I have had some conversations with him, but nothing specific in terms of whether he will be supportive of me in exclusion to all,” O’Connor said.

The idea is apparently for O’Connor to serve as a seat-warmer until Emanuel decided to return to the House.

* Somewhat related…

* Zorn: Senate pick can skip politicians

* Bernard Schoenburg: Bill Daley mostly silent on idea of run for governor

* Schock, Halvorson join other first-timers on Capitol Hill

* Halvorson-Jackson, Jr. Feud Takes New Shape

* New president may mean new U.S. attorney for Southern District of Illinois