Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2007

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

I can’t believe I forgot to post this one…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to fire Attorney General Lisa Madigan as his lawyer in a freedom of information case.

Blagojevich aides on Thursday asked a Sangamon County judge to let them hire their own attorneys to resist disclosing federal subpoenas they’ve received. They say Madigan’s office sided with the governor’s opponent.

Lawyers for the Better Government Association, which sued Blagojevich in January when the administration refused to disclose subpoenas in a hiring investigation, said the law is clear: The attorney general alone decides whether to defend state clients.

Last fall, Madigan’s public access counselor wrote a letter to Blagojevich saying the subpoenas are public record and should be released. So Madigan can’t defend the governor with the “zeal and integrity” necessary, Blagojevich general counsel William Quinlan wrote in a court document.

And…

“The Attorney General is effectively adverse to the Governor’s office in this matter and has an irreconcilable conflict of interest,” Blagojevich’s general counsel, William Quinlan, wrote in a recent court document.

A Madigan aide said she intends to oppose the motion and BGA lawyers expect it to fail. Attorney Howard Feldman pointed out that the Attorney General “solely and exclusively” decides whether to defend state clients in such cases.

The governor’s office almost surely won’t win this case. She’s the state’s chief legal counsel and the BGA wisely sued the governor’s office, not the governor himself. So, he’s stuck with Lisa as his lawyer.

36 Comments

Question of the day

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

It’s a nasty, windy, cold day today, but out in Arizona and other warm climes, baseball players are starting the exhibition season. So, let’s try to have some fun to get our minds off the daily drudgery.

Question: Who is your team and how will it do this year? How will your team be different from last year?

[Go Sox.]

40 Comments

Stem cell research bill passes House *** Updated x1 ***

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

The House passed a stem cell research bill yesterday…

The Illinois House voted Thursday to offer state support for embryonic stem cell research, the second legislative victory for the idea in less than a week.

The 67-46 vote means the House and Senate each have passed separate pieces of stem-cell legislation. Supporters now hope to get one of those measures through the other chamber and onto the governor’s desk.

Proponents have their reasons for backing the measure…

Stem cells are valuable because they can divide and morph into any kind of cell in the human body. Supporters say such research could provide treatment or cures for a wide variety of diseases, from diabetes and cancer to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

“This is an opportunity to find not only cures for those diseases, but also hopefully a way to prevent those diseases,” said House Republican Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, the bill’s chief sponsor. Cross has a daughter with juvenile diabetes and has been a strong supporter of state funding for all types of stem cell research

But opponents are appalled…

“This smacks in the face of those of us who believe life begins at conception,” said Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonia.

“It’s more than a philosophical debate, it is about public policy trumping religious beliefs,” said Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill.

“We’ve lost our way with the concept that it’s now going to be OK too sacrifice the life of one to save another.”

Reis added he believes public dollars should not be spent on controversial research.

“If this is not wrong, then nothing is wrong,” he said.

Discuss, but try to be polite to each other.

*** UPDATE *** IR has the complete transcript of Rep. Reis’ speech. Here’s an excerpt…

We know that the beginning of any human being must involve fertilization. Life simply cannot begin without it. We also know that once fertilization occurs, these cells immediately begin to divide and grow. I find it almost unfathomable that some in this body have convinced themselves that this really isnâ€™t the beginning of a human being because it hasnâ€™t attached itself to the womb yet.

Ladies and gentlemen, if something is growing, it is alive. Therefore destroying an embryo by extracting the stem cell, regardless whether it is inside a petri dish or in the womb of a mother, is, in fact, killing it.

And where I grew up, well, that just isnâ€™t right.

41 Comments

Chauffeur scandal continues

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Buried way down in this AP story about the DHS chauffeurs, is how Human Services Secretary Carol Adams’ driver was hired…

Davis, who was paid $84,600 before resigning in January to wage a failed campaign for Chicago alderman, was hired under a separate exemption that required approval by the Civil Service Commission. The commission grants hiring exceptions for posts directors want to fill with close associates because they handle sensitive information and must be loyal to the boss.

According to Civil Service Commission records, the rationale the agency gave the commission in March 2003 to apply the exemption to Davis’ job was that the position would include managing “all aspects of the department’s response to and support of the governor,” as well as coordinating DHS activities with work force development advisory boards.

Sounds kinda inflated to me, but I’m sure there will be legislative hearings on this matter.

* Meanwhile, both the Tribune and the Sun-Times editorialized on the situation today. Tribune:

Estes was an overpaid chauffeur and gofer whose job credentials included a GED and a stint as a campaign worker for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. His boss and his boss’ boss think that’s a perfectly acceptable use of taxpayer dollars, which is especially galling since they are running an agency that provides social services to poor people.

It’s not at all surprising that Estes didn’t think twice about borrowing the taxpayers’ car. At the Department of Human Services, “misusing state property” may be a firing offense, but it is also a way of life.

* Sun-Times:

You may think there are more than enough reality shows to go around, but we have an idea for one we think would be a popular addition to the trend. We haven’t come up with a name for it yet, but we know who the stars will be: certain pampered bureaucrats in state agencies and the people they have working for them who, unbeknownst to taxpayers, make ridiculous amounts of money for driving their bosses around, running errands or doing other menial tasks.

42 Comments

Rate rage roundup - ICC gets off its duff but gridlock paralyzes GA

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The ICC got us into this rate hike mess with its goofy “reverse power auction” that was hopelessly rigged against consumers and ended up lining the pockets of Wall Street. Now, it’s agreed to look into the rate hikes it caused…

Bowing to pressure from the legislature, the Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a special hearing today to consider investigating huge increases in electricity bills after a rate freeze ended in January.

The commission also may decide to explore whether Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, which serves areas mostly Downstate, misled the public. […]

ICC Chairman Charles Box said the goal of any review, if undertaken, would be to see “if some relief can be granted.”

* The House is taking some action, but the Senate President is still resisting any attacks on ComEd…

The House Electric Utility Oversight Committee voted 6-0 on Thursday to roll the rates of Ameren and ComEd back to where they were before this year, freezing them there for another three years and requiring the utilities to pay refunds, with interest, for this year’s increases. The measure is expected to pass the full House next week, but it could face hurdles in the Senate.

* And the horror stories continue…

Kip Hoosier, owner of the Railroad Park Eatery in Camp Point, doesn’t want to hear about political differences. She and her customers just want results.

“It’s killing us. We try to turn a profit and then it’s just going back out on electricity,” Hoosier said.

The restaurant’s bill that covered most of December was $900. The bill that covers early January through the beginning of February is $1,700. Although Hoosier knows January was colder, she can hardly see how rates could climb more than $26 per day. […]

Mendon Mayor Dean Woodruff said the city’s water pumping fees rose from $850 per month to $1,500. Street light bills rose from $450 to almost $900. And in the city’s case, the colder weather did not affect overall usage. […]

One Adams County church congregation saw a bill rise nearly 250 percent.

19 Comments

Local Elections Roundup

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* County ties firm’s pay to how fast it counts votes

* Huntley: Is Daley still at the helm - Nothing will change unless Chicago institutes term limits

* Simpson: Did election sink Daley - Vote marked the beginning of the end of the Daley era

* Defender: A “new day” shines on 7th Ward

If Sandi Jackson’s victory party Tuesday night is any indication of what’s to come, the 7th Ward is in for quite a change.

Jackson’s post-election soiree at the South Shore Cultural Center ballroom had all the trimmings of big time politics - a large stage; live band; deejay; red, white and blue balloons, and two cash bars.

* New downtown alderman: Developers will see changes - But they shouldn’t fear him, says man who beat Natarus

In an interview, Alderman-elect Brendan Reilly said builders can expect their plans to receive a deeper, perhaps lengthier public airing than was the case under the outgoing alderman, Burton Natarus, and hinted that theyâ€™ll be expected to help clear the way for additional green space and parking in the congested ward.

The goal is to â€œbalance the needs of the business community, the tourism economy and residents,â€ Mr. Reilly said. â€œI want to be an objective representative who can build consensus around innovative solutions.â€ […]

Mr. Reilly said he soon will leave his post as Midwest vice-president of public relations for AT&T Inc., and does not expect to hold any other job during his term as alderman.

* Unexpected development - After Natarus, how does downtown real estate picture change?

Jack Guthman, a zoning attorney for leading developers, said he has met Reilly and thinks “he’s a balanced and thoughtful person” who will entertain reasonable discussions.

* Ald. Natarus Looks Back At Long, Colorful Career

* Natarus waxes proud in loss - 42nd Ward blossomed on alderman’s watch

* A brand new day - Labor unions flex a little of their old muscle, adding an interesting wrinkle to some of the 12 wards that will have runoff elections April 17

* Editorial: Good election for unions, but a bad one for turnout

* Labor thinks it sent message Election Day

* Tough cop’s new beat: 20th Ward - Cochran wins City Council seat

* Lane, Stewart In 18th Ward Runoff Race

* Editorial: Rugai coasts to win with city-best vote

* Legal experts cast doubt on Troutman’s election fraud claims

* Mitts and Smith are easily re-elected - Carothers race was uncontested in the 29th Ward

* 1-vote winner bides time in N. Chicago

* Davlin, McNeil call for change to primary

8 Comments

Morning shorts

Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Paul has the day off, I’m running behind. Talk amongst yourselves and I’ll have this stuff up soon.

And, here they are…

* Comptroller: Illinois deficit down last year… but still tops $2 billion

“We can’t get accustomed to running billions of dollars in the red. We have to get back in the black,” Hynes, a Chicago Democrat, said in an interview.

* Lincoln hotel gets new operator - Governor lifts ban on state workers staying there

* Governor to unveil renewable energy proposals

* BU grad now health plan booster - TV personality Dick Kay visits Peoria to tout Blagojevich initiative - Kay’s interviews will be highlighted on a new state Web site, www.illinoiscovered.com. More here.

* Dear Governor Blagojevich, My name is Every NIU Student and I need your help.

* SIU to present budget proposal - Poshard: request for 3 percent increase a

* Gov. Likely To Propose New Taxes In Budget Speech - Gross Receipt Tax A Possible Solution To Fiscal Crisis

* Sneed: It’s estimated to generate $5 billion.

* Editorial: Gross-receipts tax would be harmful to Illinois

* REAL Opposition?

* Tribune: Recent state actions to curb global warming are having a surprising effect: They are prompting big power companies and manufacturers to call on the Bush administration to mount a fight against clim

* Puentes: Cashing in on the BP Beltway

* Cook layoffs beginning with no final budget

* Prosecutors: County budget cuts let crooks off hook - Fewer misdemeanor cases, longer wait

* Brulant Announces Launch of Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Website, Chicago2016.org

* More bars, restaurants face end to smoking

* Pulaski Day closings

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