More reform and renewal
Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Oy.
Despite falling short of its original promise, the Blagojevich administration has renewed a contract with a politically connected company it hired to sell state sponsorships.
The Illinois Department of Central Management Services recently inked Maryland-based Team Services LLC to a two-year contract extension calling for the company to continue finding businesses willing to pay for the opportunity to place company names on state property and programs.
When originally conceived, the administration talked of generating tens of millions of dollars by selling off the rights to everything from an official state beverage to space on state park maps.
The company received $459,638 for its work in the program’s first two years. The state says Team Services is responsible for generating $1.1 million in revenue for the state. That means the program has resulted in a net gain to taxpayers of just $674,612. […]
CMS spokesman Justin DeYoung said the state renegotiated terms of the contract to eliminate a $15,000 per month retainer fee that Team Services had charged in the first two years of the pact.
Now, the company, which is operated by a former business associate of the governor’s former chief of staff, will work for a 15 percent commission on the amount of corporate sponsorships it generates for the state.
That last paragraph sums up what’s so often wrong with this administration: the lethal combination of cronyism and incompetence. At least they changed the contract’s terms (after doling out 450 large).
- Darrell Democrat - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 12:33 pm:
15 percent of $1.1 million is $165,000. Any luck trying to get the $294,638 back? Who “negotiated” the first contract?
I can’t wait to visit the Coca-Cola Lincoln Museum! How about the Old Navy Pier in Chicago?
The capitol is already sold though… but the sponsors wish to remain anonymous.
- nice suit - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 1:04 pm:
Ahhh, Lon…
- ron - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 2:05 pm:
political cronyism aside, in the overall picture,
this is not big money in a $54 billion dollar budget. if the state can spend $165,000 to get back $1.1 million from corporations, business and professionals, sounds like capitalism. i have no problem with interstate 55 being called something else, if my taxes are lower and the highway is kept in better shape.
- DOWNSTATE - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 2:52 pm:
Wrong Ron it’s not o.k.. This ego maniac has a total disregard for th people of this state.In his mind he is the emperor not an elected offical therefore anything he promised to get elected he can throw aside.
- grand old partisan - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 4:20 pm:
Ron, to justify this under the auspices of “capitalism†is ridiculous. No businessman I know would be satisfied with that kind of return on investment.
- Eisendrath 2006 - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 5:40 pm:
Only one week left to take advantage of the pre-election special on pensions, contracts, and commissions!
ILLINOIS IS FOR SALE!
(But hurry - the sale ends March 21st!)
Pension Fund Management
Donation: $505,549 to Blagojevich political fund
I-Pass Transponder Contract Extensions
Donation: $76,000 to Blagojevich political fund
Keno Gaming Contract (comes with major policy flip flop)
Donation: $100,000 to Blagojevich political fund
Seat on Government Board or Commission
Donation: Negotiable depending on the board - but best offers are accepted
Management of All Kids Contract
Donation: $100,000 to Blagojevich political fund
(Note: Donation must arrive in 5 bundles of $20,000 and be sent from a P.O. Box in Florida.)
BUY NOW - THE SALE ENDS ELECTION DAY!
Return Policy - If your contribution is returned for any reason (e.g., you are a felon), don’t worry. A special fund will be set up for your use.
- Darrell Democrat - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 5:52 pm:
Eisendrath sighting: according to the lady who answered the phone at EE’s HQ, they are getting in an RV Friday for a statewide drivearound and will be in ESL Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Dunham Museum.
- Windy - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 6:03 pm:
It is disingenuous in the extreme for the adminsitration to brag how they are finding ‘new money’ with these dubious marketing efforts, while they use the contracts as an engine to drive big time campaign contributions. Make no mistake; this has nothing to do with the best interests of the citizens of our state.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 6:06 pm:
So what else is new. I can not believe that Puffery hasn’t figured out a way to hide the pay to play.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 6:33 pm:
Blago the MANIPULATOR????
How much more of this are we going to take??
GO EDWIN EISENDRATH!!!!!!!!
- HOPEFUL - Wednesday, Mar 15, 06 @ 7:48 pm:
Anon,
What’s really scary is how much we don’t know, perhaps that will come out at a later date. Let’s not wait until it’s too late.
- stoney - Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 1:18 am:
It’s been a long time since I worked in advertising sales, but 15 percent commission used to be a standard rate. Whoever negotiated the previous deal was nuts.
It would have better served the taxpayers to have been set up on a commission basis with a maximum payout of 15-thousand per month if sales got to that point or beyond.
- RON - Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 2:40 pm:
GRAND OLD PARTY
THE RETURN IS 666%. I AM A BUSINESS PERSON AND I WILL TAKE THAT RETURN ANY DAY AND I AM SURE ANY OTHER BUSINESS PERSON WOULD , ALSO.