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* After Jim Dimas was nominated to head DHS, he provided his resume to the Illinois Senate’s Executive Appointments Committee and answered “No” to this question…
* SEIU has been doing research on Rauner administration appointees. They pitched me one story a while ago, but I took a pass. Apparently, they ran Dimas’ name through Lexis Nexis and came up with this…
Oops.
* The back story from the governor’s office is that Dimas was on medication for severe sciatic nerve problems. But his doctor told him that his pain medicine would seriously damage his kidneys.
A friend told Dimas that marijuana could ease his pain, and he hooked Dimas up with a connect in California, who then sent Dimas some weed.
Problem is, UPS figured out what was going on and Dimas was busted upon delivery.
Stupid mistake for sure. I mean, why go all the way to Cali for marijuana?
* Anyway, Dimas was up front with his judge, and received “probation before judgment,” according to the governor’s office. His record was eventually wiped clean and he never pled guilty and was never convicted.
Before he filled out that resume, he talked with his attorney and was advised to answer “No.”
But he didn’t inform the governor about his run-in with the law until SEIU started asking questions.
Another oops.
* Even so, I’m told the governor’s chief counsel agrees with Dimas’ attorney.
And while Gov. Rauner believes Dimas “made a serious error in judgment,” Rauner also “believes in second chances and feels that Mr. Dimas is eminently qualified to lead the Department of Human Services and has chosen to retain him as secretary of the agency,” a Rauner official said today.
* Why am I airing Dimas’ dirty laundry in public? Well, the governor’s people approached me, knowing that I’m also a firm believer in second chances on this sort of thing.
I was also willing to do this because, frankly, I didn’t want to see the guy’s mug plastered all over the front page by a newspaper looking to score some cheap shots.
He screwed up. Big.
He didn’t lie on his app.
The governor is willing to forgive and move forward.
We should, too.
…Adding… SEIU says it dropped the whole thing, too. Same reasons as listed above.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:01 pm
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Sounds like he was truthful then. Never pled guilty, and has never been convicted. That’s pretty much the end of the matter.
Isn’t it??
Comment by Ben Franklin Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Besides, it was only possession of “marihuana,” not marijuana.
Comment by ??? Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Thanks! Sounds like it was bad judgeement. Not a repeat offender.
Comment by Stacy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:10 pm
It’s alright, not a biggie. In the scheme of things it won’t be long before weed is legal and taxed like alcohol. We’ve got bigger problems to solve in this world. I hope he applies himself to it. That being said, if he so much as thinks about privatizing ANYTHING at DHS, we’ve got the “dope” on you Penny Lane visiting hippy!
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:10 pm
You can get probation without having to make a guilty plea? Thought the whole “coming clean” thing typically means entering into a guilty plea?
Anyways, what he did could very well be legal today (not sure if a bad sciatica is one of the ailments) so I’d agree that this should not be used against his nomination.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:11 pm
He is not the first. It seems like there is something about smoking marijuana that makes people want to get into politics and/or run for political office. But if that is the worst thing he has ever done, then its not much of a story. Many more important stories out there for the media to cover.
Comment by Joe M Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:12 pm
If the record was wiped clean, then that’s that. Sounds like its Lexus Nexus that needs to do some explaining, expungement means it disappears, so why are they reporting it? Did he have a lapse in judgement? Yes- but we are not supposed to take arrests into account in Illinois for employment, remember?
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:12 pm
This sure endears the SEIU folks even more, eh? He had a bigger pain in the a$$ after all than sciatica.
This was so understandable, there was no reason not to reveal it. Lesson for everyone.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Meh. I have much bigger issues with the BVR administration than this. This doesn’t even land on the radar, in my opinion.
Comment by Centennial Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Forgiven, moving forward.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:15 pm
I’m with Centennial. There are plenty of valid reasons to criticize how the Governor is handling things. This is not one of them.
Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:20 pm
Probation before judgement is a sweet deal. Not easy to get, by a long shot.
I dont care. I just wouldn’t lay it on too thick with the back story so people look to punch holes in it.
What’s with the doc with the “kidney killer” meds? How’s about a second opinion?
“A friend told Dimas that marijuana could ease the pain….”
LOL, enough already, now it sounds like a Lifetime movie.
Dimas was 56-years-old at the time. I suspect he knew a little something about weed.
UPS, really? Drive and stock up if you can’t live without that Cali sins…..
Keep it simple and move on.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Oh, thank God, I thought they found out he had been a democrat!
Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:24 pm
The governor is vouching, it’s the governor’s choice and sticking by him.
Good enough for me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:25 pm
What’s the issue here?
This ranks as *tiny* on the issues we’ve got at the moment. If it doesn’t — if the gov’s office thinks otherwise (for whatever reason) — then AFSCME better jump in and do some cattle-trading on “what matters, and what doesn’t”.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:27 pm
except… the problem is I know plenty of people who wouldn’t have gone through illegal channels for relief who would make a great PUBLIC SERVANT/leader for dhs or other top posts. just another day of entitlement and WM privilege in america. nothing to see here INDEED.
Comment by BUT Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Did it help his sciatic nerve problems?
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Went through a time like that myself and damaged my kidneys slightly through overuse of Aleve. I was in such pain that at night I would wake up in tears. I also finally made the decision that nature had provided a perfectly good alternative pain reliever, and I made it through until I finally received effective treatment. I can only hope that Mr. Dimas’ experience will influence Rauner to sign the med mar bill.
Comment by PolPal56 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:29 pm
It seems there is a screen, or two,missing. There should be a disposition noted. Even if he received probation for a first time drug offense.
Comment by south side Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:31 pm
No big Deal.
It’s not like he did something like Mel Reynolds, Jesse Jackson Jr, or two of our last four governors, is it?
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:31 pm
GREAT. Rauner stalls Illinois Medical Marijuan and approves of trafficking Cali weed?
Comment by Send an angel Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:33 pm
Would be nice to know how much he possessed since one charge is possession with intent to distribute.
Comment by Northern pike Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:35 pm
A completely qualified government agency director smoked weed for medically documented pain problems…. YAWN!!
Comment by The Muse Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:35 pm
The larger concern should be the fact that SEIU pushing weak stories that do not rise to the level of newsworthy, in an attempt to humiliate an appointed and approved director, while at same time, (likely) protecting their members in public employment that have far greater work related and unrelated work infractions as well as criminal infractions in process or previously adjudicated.
Comment by LarryMullhollan Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:35 pm
When we stop believing in redemption, in second chances, and focus on our own self righteousness while ignoring our own past, I believe it makes us less human. Too often, we rush to attack those associated with people we disagree with, and forget that they are people too. I understand SEIU is angry, I strongly believe they have reason to be, but attacking this individual isn’t the way to express that anger.
Comment by AC Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:35 pm
If Bruce believes in second chances, why isn’t he making a dent in the clemency petition backlog?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:40 pm
I wouldn’t worry about Dimas too much.
He got the gig, and the probation before judgement. He’s doing way better than most in the same situation.
There are people in IDOC doing time on the same charges Dimas got kicked so nicely.
The governor, through pardon and commutation, also has the power to give them second chances, if that’s really what this is all about, and not just a pre-holiday-weekend dump of bad
.r.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:42 pm
The only reason to care is that back during the campaign the Governor tried to throw a total roadblock in front of medical marijuana, following the advice of the very same folks now pleaing to Rich and to us for leniency.
And of course, if this was a union worker who had been injured on the job, these same folks from the governor on down would put him through every hoop they could before he could get worker’s comp.
But hey, that isn’t Dimas’ fault, so I agree don’t punish him for their hypocrisy.
Shine a spot light on their hypocrisy and move on. We have bigger fish.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:42 pm
===why isn’t he making a dent in the clemency petition backlog? ===
From a press release today…
Governor Bruce Rauner today granted five and denied 153 clemency petitions. Nearly 2,000 petitions remain from the previous administrations.
The 158 clemency petitions Governor Rauner acted upon today are part of dockets dating back to April 2006. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.
A granted clemency request for a pardon with expungement allows the petitioner to seek expungement of their conviction through the court system.
These are the third set of petitions the governor has reviewed since taking office. The Governor’s Office has developed a process to review clemency petitions on a regular basis
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:43 pm
As juice pointed out, you can’t get this disposition without “pleading guilty”, so he technically violated the application process. That being said, this was expunged and raises the larger issues of reentry into the working world of those with far fewer gifts (intellectual, leadership etc) than the director.
Comment by Joe Cannon Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:44 pm
==
It seems there is a screen, or two,missing. There should be a disposition noted. Even if he received probation for a first time drug offense.==
If there was probation as part of a guilty plea (typical) there would be. If there was no conviction or guilty plea (case here) and he had it properly expunged, there would not and should not be. Someone at Lexis may have some explaining to do.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Fine, but quit punting on Medical Marijuana pilot program here then. It is moving painfully slow and being used as a political football/bargaining chip. Meanwhile, people in (presumably) worse pain than Dimas continue to suffer.
Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:45 pm
The more responsible adults experiencing grass the better.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Hi Rich!
Bruce said he was willing to overlook this ‘episode’ because it turns out the weed was sourced from a non-union farm.
Thanks
ck!
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:51 pm
From his LinkedIn,
“Georgia Department of Human Services, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Florida Department of Children and Families, New York City Administration for Children’s Services, the New York Foundling, New York City’s Child Welfare Agencies of Color, the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, and the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago.”
Did he disclose to all of his employers his arrests?
He may not actually be out of hot water yet. In general, I believe it is appropriate for any committee to be made aware of one’s arrests for drug related charges when considering an appointment.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:52 pm
Lou and others used situations like this to support med mar in Illinois.
SEIU has been wasting their time pitching this. Should apologize to Mr Dimas.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:52 pm
The irony of SEIU bringing this up …..
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Couldn’t care less who smokes weed (now or then). But anyone getting shipments from California is no amateur. That’s the good stuff…
Comment by FIRED! up Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:54 pm
==you can’t get this disposition without “pleading guilty”==
Not necessarily true. It depends where you’re at. Do we even know if this was in Illinois? There are a lot of “Carroll Counties” out there, and the statute reference looks odd.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:56 pm
And let’s face it. Arranging to have drugs sent via the US mail, shows that his decision making was already impaired. Even before use.
Comment by south side Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:56 pm
on a lighter note maybe we can use his connect and start selling weed to fix this pension deficit
Comment by Jimmy0 Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:57 pm
Isn’t it properly called pre-trial diversion? No guilty plea or conviction, charges dropped in exchange for community service or similar.
Comment by Stu Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 3:58 pm
Worked with Dimas years ago. Good guy.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Dear Gov. Rauner: please contact Republicans in this state and tell them to support Medical Marijuana facilities! coming to a town near you will only happen for those in need if the locals allow it.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:10 pm
I’m perfectly fine with all of this (seriously)……assuming, that is, that some day, when I purchase enough marijuana (to distribute) through the mail (UPS), get caught, get let off the hook, have my record expunged, lie about it on a job application for a high-level state job, get caught lying…..and
still get to keep my job with full support and understanding from everyone.
Comment by Moby Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:11 pm
Granted five and denied 153 doesn’t exactly demonstrate a strong belief in second chances.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:11 pm
EVERYONE should get a 2nd chance. Admirable that the Gov stuck with his appointee.
Comment by Wow Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:14 pm
So is he the guy who came up with the little Ziploc filled with green stuff they call a “Dimas Bag?”
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Too much splainin goin on. Move on.
Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:16 pm
the issues this raises are not about Dimas. on him, Rich is absolutely correct. however, the issue of similar fair treatment for others in the system, availability of expunged or non-convictions, and hypocrisy of Brucie are all valid.
Comment by DPGumby Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:18 pm
And.. the medicines available to me for my nerve pain are inadequate, so I had to have a large shipment of marijuana mailed to me from the coast…seems to require a little more scrutiny.
Comment by south side Thursday, Jul 2, 15 @ 4:19 pm