This just in. From a press release…
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Leads to Pilfering of State Funds: Governor’s Defense of Violent Video Games Law Nears $1 Million
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Representatives from Gov. Blagojevich’s office testified during a hearing of the House State Government Administration Committee on Wednesday that its criteria for choosing which state agencies would pay the legal fees for defending a state law ruled unconstitutional was based on which agencies had the money, and that has state Rep. Jack Franks seething.
Franks, who chairs the committee, continued his questioning of the governor’s deputy chief of staff and deputy general counsel for a second week about how the state handled the payment of more than $500,000 in plaintiff’s fees after losing a lawsuit defending a law intended to restrict the sale and rental to minors of games with violent or explicit content.
“We had a strong suspicion last week that the governor was using funds appropriated by the General Assembly as his own personal piggy bank,” Franks said. “Our suspicions were confirmed this week when the governor’s staff admitted that they just stuck the bill with agencies that had available line items.”
Following a circuit court’s decision in December 2005 finding the violent video games law unconstitutional, the court ordered the state to pay legal fees incurred by the plaintiffs. The state departments of Public Health, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Human Services, and Central Management Services all paid portions of the half-million dollar bill, according to state comptroller’s records.
Committee members discovered Wednesday that the initial $510,000 bill has ballooned to nearly $1 million thanks to payments to the lawyers hired to defend Blagojevich. About $461,520 has been paid for those fees from the funds of six state agencies: the Departments of Human Services, Children and Family Services, Public Health, Corrections, Revenue, and the State Police. The Department of Human Services alone paid more than $300,000 in plaintiff’s costs and defense fees.
“There is no proof that any of the agencies forced to pay for the governor’s public relations campaign got any sort of benefit from paying those fees,” Franks said. “The General Assembly passed a budget and dictated that the money in that budget would be spent a certain way. Now the governor has, once again, completely disregarded the Legislature’s intent for his own personal agenda.” […]
“The governor is going to find it increasingly difficult to get anything done if he can’t be taken at his word,” Franks said. The Woodstock lawmaker said Wednesday’s revelations could not have come at a worse time for the governor, who is trying to negotiate a budget with lawmakers.
[Emphasis added]
Meanwhile, the state-funded radio ad that blatantly violated the state’s ethics code was pulled from the air…
…Lt. Scott Compton, a spokesman for the state police in Springfield, said he could not comment on whether it violated provisions of the ethics act except to say that it was pulled to “err on the side of caution.”
Under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, which Blagojevich has frequently lauded as a landmark reform measure, broadcast advertisements and public-service announcements on behalf of a state-administered program cannot contain the name, image or voice of a statewide elected official or state lawmaker.
“Thanks to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois State Police Internet crime unit, e-criminals will no longer be able to victimize Illinois citizens,” a narrator says in the now-pulled 30-second spot.
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Question of the day
Thursday, May 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
In an era of ever-rising gas prices, do you think the state should spend more money to subsidize Amtrak and create an extensive high-speed rail network? Explain.
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MJM presser roundup
Thursday, May 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As you already know, Paul and I did our own report on Speaker Madigan’s press conference yesterday, where he announced that there wasn’t sufficient support for an income or sales tax hike in his caucus. You can find that here and you can listen to the entire press conference at this link [mp3 file].
Let’s look at some excerpts from other stories published this morning…
* Tribune…
In announcing the results of a survey of his members, Madigan sent the strongest message to date that the state is headed toward resolving its fiscal mess with a vastly scaled-back budget that would disappoint many groups seeking boosts for education and health care coverage. And it sets up the next stage in a potential deadline showdown with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is still pushing for his $7 billion business tax proposal with the support of Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago).
* Post-Dispatch…
“We will need to revise our priorities and our wish list accordingly and work within whatever revenue we can find,” said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, co-sponsor of one of several pending measures that sought to raise the state income tax to pay for some of those priorities.
“The facts are starting to align in such a way that we will be closer to a limited budget than a massive budget, and that may not be a bad thing,” Fritchey said. “Needs such as education funding reform, health care and infrastructure are valid needs that unfortunately might have to be put off for some time.”
* Pantagraph…
“Clearly, if the House Democrats do not support a tax increase, there will not be a tax increase,” said state Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills. “We won’t vote for a tax increase.”
* SJ-R…
Several Senate Democrats, meanwhile, said expanded gambling is emerging as the one revenue generator most of them are willing to talk about.
“It’s probably the best solution as we talk today,” said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete. “So far, it’s the only thing everybody can come up with.” […]
Hendon said the gambling plan could be used to pay for more than construction.
“If this is the only new revenue, then of course we’d have to spread (the money) around,” said Hendon, who estimates at least $2 billion a year could be raised. “The governor’s health-care plan will get some of the money, and education and capital. It appears that it might be the only game in town.”
* Sun-Times…
But Madigan, acknowledging the difficulty in passing gambling legislation and refusing to be pinned down on what a bill might entail, tempered expectations a gambling deal would soon emerge. […]
Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said the governor is eager to meet with Madigan, refuses to concede the gross-receipts tax is dead and believes health care should be a top spending priority. The two are scheduled to meet today.
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* The Daily Herald has a brutal front-page story on our “stay at home” and “reclusive” governor today, including a photo of his house. Click the pick for a better look…
Oof.
Some highlights…
The reclusive governor doesn’t appear in public much, often avoids questions when he does surface, and appears to rely on a few senior staff members and small cadre of fundraising lobbyists for counsel. […]
Mostly, though, Democrats are worried the governor’s disengagement is damaging their party’s chances to make progress on key issues. […]
During his most recent public appearance at a health care rally, Blagojevich asked a staff member if he should answer reporters’ questions, but was told no. The governor also mistook a… Chicago political writer for the publisher of a political blog and insider newsletter. […]
“The governor is here half a day a week to work with the legislature. Maybe he should expand that schedule,” Steve Brown, spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, told the State Journal-Register in Springfield last week.
* A Sun-Times article today wonders whether Blagojevich is the next George Ryan and also takes a whack at him for avoiding the press…
Blagojevich is doing little to squelch speculation that federal prosecutors might make him the next George Ryan. […]
Meanwhile, his credibility with lawmakers in Springfield is eroding.
Blagojevich entered office in 2003 repeatedly vowing to end “business as usual” in state government.
Right now, his silence is deafening.
* Bernie Schoenburg jumps on the pile with a column entitled “History of untrustworthiness haunting Blagojevich”
It may not be easy for the rarely-in-Springfield governor to get a vote of confidence from lawmakers. Perhaps his combination of broken promises and stalled initiatives give a clue why.
Bernie also wacked the guv for railing against lobbyists in “Gucci loafers” while being devoted to wearing very expensive ties.
* But wait, there’s more. The State Journal-Register editorial page dropped in this line today…
But just as importantly, he has failed to gain trust because he is simply not in the game enough.
* And then there’s the AP…
The subpoena could create a distraction for the governor when lawmakers already complain he does a poor job of working with them at the Capitol. Blagojevich was not at the Statehouse Wednesday.
“It was hard enough to keep his attention when it was just us,” said Sen. William Delgado, D-Chicago. “His timing is bad. I don’t envy him.”
Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, said the news doesn’t help the governor’s credibility on budget plans, but it doesn’t matter much because, “we haven’t embraced many of them anyway.”
* Kristen McQueary wonders whether the feds are closing in, and employs a Cicada analogy…
Because the next time we hear about “bugs” and the Blagojevich administration, it might not be the ash borer or the cicada.
Discuss.
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Morning Shorts
Thursday, May 24, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Rockford may win chance at casino
* Michael Sneed: Blagojevich & Rutherford
* Taxpayers footing the bill for elected officials health benefits
* Laptop stolen at Blagojevich campaign office
Chicago police Sgt. Ed Wodnicki said police have no evidence that the burglary was anything more than a typical property crime and that campaign officials said there was nothing of value on the lost computer.
* Attorneys argue for Gov. Ryan to keep pension after conviction; more here
Ray Mitchell, one of Ryan’s attorneys, said Wednesday that unless the court steps in, “his family, his wife … will be left with nothing,” the Chicago Tribune reported its Web site.
* Editorial: 3rd airport could alleviate aviation uncertainty
* Sun-Times Editorial: CTA doing its part, legislature must, too
* CTA to detail ride cuts, fair hikes today; more here
* Lawmakers OK teacher’s searches of lockers
* Study to look at state prison facilities
* Opinion: Trial lawyers trying to pull as fast one with SB1296
* State to tighten teen driving curfews and lengthen permit time
* Teen driving restrictions on the move
* Lawmakers toughen teen driver laws
* With one voice, House OKs teen driving bill
* Detailing the tougher teen driving rules
* Tougher teen driving standards heading to governor
* Editorial: Follow the law — and common sense — on the road
* Lawmakers across the nation want to pump kids up
Illinois, which requires daily P.E. from kindergarten through senior year, is often cited as a state with strong P.E. requirements. But the state allows more than 330 types of waivers, according to Paula Kun of NASPE, including for students taking vocational or technical courses and those taking classes needed to graduate or enroll in college. Just last year the state added waivers for students who need tutoring.
* Judge rules in favor of abortion protesters in lawsuit over signs
* Stroger takes heat for legal adviser
* Paid to defend poor, but doing Stroger’s bidding
* Two key city departments to reunite
* Alderman calls for cab hike hearings
* Aldermen want “green” taxis and city vehicles
and city vehicles
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Speaker Madigan, at a rare Statehouse press conference, just said that there is not sufficient support for an income or sales tax hike in his caucus.
38 indicated some support for an income tax hike and 10 for sales tax hike.
More support for closing loopholes than gaming, but not 60 votes. 50 for loopholes and 41 for gaming.
Madigan just completed a survey of his members.
***Update x1 [by Paul]***
The Speaker’s press conference just concluded. Full audio will be linked here shortly.
Here are a few additional quotes and highlights:
-QUOTE: “We told our members to think overnight about where they want to go on the budget.”
-QUOTE: “There is strong hope in our group that we can get our work done by the end of May.”
-QUOTE: “If the governor decides to call special sessions I will be in attendance.”
-QUOTE: “I am one vote. I try to work with 65 other people. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t.”
-Madigan will try to meet with the Governor tomorrow. He requested a meeting today, but Blagojevich was not available.
- He has been meeting with Sen. Jones; the two have had fruitful conversations. QUOTE: “We are both experienced leaders and know that we have to move forward.”
-Education (elementary and secondary) had the most interest from his caucus. Capitol was second.
-Madigan and Minority Leader Tom Cross have had conversations regarding gaming expansion specifically for the purposes of a capitol bill. He would not discuss the specifics of the possible expansion.
-Only 1 of his caucus members mentioned the sale of the lottery
-The Speaker had no comment on the possibility of a no-growth budget
***Update x2 [by Paul]***
Full audio of the Speaker’s press conference can be found at the House Democrats website HERE
***Update x3 [by Paul]***
Rich just spoke with Senator Meeks (a longtime tax swap advocate) who said that he is not giving up on anything.
***Update x4 [by Paul]***
Rich also talked to Rep. David Miller, the House sponsor of the tax swap. Rep. Miller said, “I will never give up.”
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Question of the day
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
Do you think the Democrats ought to get behind at least a modest income tax increase, even at the risk of a long overtime fight with Gov. Blagojevich? Explain.
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Not enough
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
A new $500 million rate relief package propoed by Ameren and ComEd may look good on its face, but if you take a glance at the fine print, it’s not so earth-shattering.
Earlier in the 2007 spring legislative session, Ameren and ComEd put a combined $150 million rate-relief plan on the table.
Clayborne said the new proposal is “a little more front-loaded to deal with summer rates.” It also is contingent on the legislature not passing measures that would freeze electric rates or impose a tax on Exelon and other power generators, he said.
The Associated Press has a far better story that breaks it down…
Ameren customers would receive $130 million in aid this year and the remainder in 2008 and 2009, while ComEd customers would see $150 million this year, $130 million next year and $20 million in 2009.
The Tribune offers even more perspective…
By comparison, the utilities will generate about $2.5 billion per year in new revenues through the higher rates imposed after a decade-long rate freeze ended at the start of the year, lawmakers said.
The progress here is that utilities are starting to talk about offering rate relief past this year. But I seriously doubt it’s enough, as this quote clearly shows…
“Sure, it’s progress,” Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said of the utility companies’ new proposal. “They’re upping their ante. But the question was asked to me: Is it enough? And my answer to that is: No, it’s not enough.”
Thoughts?
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Knock it off, please
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
This rent-a-minister thing is getting way, way out of hand. CORE, the ComEd front group, has had ministers advocating on the utility’s behalf for months, bringing them to Springfield for marches and rallies. The governor, who knows a good game when he sees it, has attempted to rally ministers to his health care cause. [Added: As a commenter notes below, Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan also has a bunch of ministers fronting for his 7 percent assessment cap proposal.]
And now the two sides in the ongoing dispute over how AT&T should get into the cable marketplace have trotted out their men and women of the cloth. Yesterday was just plain goofy…
The Rev. James Demus, at a rally to support cable TV legislation, tried to light his cable bill on fire.
But on a windy Tuesday morning at the downtown Thompson Center, he couldn’t get it to light. Eventually he held his bill below the podium until he could get a tiny flame going, and then held it up for the cameras. The wind promptly blew it out.
But Demus, co-director of the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide, still had plenty to say as he, several other black ministers and a dozen supporters called for passage of a cable deregulation bill that would give AT&T easier entry into the cable market.
“The Lord has given hope to Illinois consumers,” Demus said. “It is House Bill 1500.” […]
A different group of black ministers, working with a group called Keep TV Local, tried to rally opposition to the bill several weeks ago, saying the new bill allows new providers such as AT&T to ignore poorer communities.
[Emphasis added.]
Unreal. I doubt this works very well with legislators and just makes the ministers look like shills.
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More trouble for the guv
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As if the federal subpoena wasn’t bad enough, the governor dug his hole even deeper yesterday during an interview with the Associated Press.
The Democratic governor said work on a new state budget is stuck in “a waiting game” until Speaker Michael Madigan, a fellow Democrat, spells out what he and his members could support.
“Speaker Madigan’s been talking for days, running around putting together a counterproposal to what we’ve had on the table since March 7. I’m eager to see what his budget proposal is,” Blagojevich said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“I would only suggest to him that he get moving,” Blagojevich added. “The clock is ticking.”
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the speaker is working with other legislative leaders to craft a budget and will continue doing so. He said Blagojevich appears to be trying to take attention off his own plan by making Madigan the bad guy.
* This link has more quotes from the AP interview, where he takes yet another shot at legislators…
“It’s natural that a lot of the men and women who work down here in Springfield are going to feel a lot of pressure from all these different lobbyists who are hired by the big corporate interests. They see them every day here. … It’s hard for members of the Legislature to think about the big-picture issues when every single day they’re getting bombarded by these lobbyists.”
* The Tribune claims it rejected a sitdown with the governor because of onerous ground rules…
On Tuesday, Blagojevich offered a rare opportunity for news media interviews. The administration refused an interview request from a Tribune reporter who rejected the condition that the questions remain solely about the governor’s budget proposal.
* Meanwhile, it just gets worse for the guv. A radio ad by the state coppers which mentions Blagojevich’s name appears to be in blatant violation of a state law that the governor himself pushed through the General Assembly…
“Thanks to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois State Police Internet crime unit, e-criminals will no longer be able to victimize Illinois citizens,” the ad’s narrator says.
Under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, approved by lawmakers in 2003, broadcast ads and public service announcements on behalf of any state-administered program cannot contain the name, image or voice of a statewide elected official or state legislator.
The ad was sponsored and paid for by the state police, an agency spokesman said.
* The Glengariff Group has a new poll on the governor’s job approval rating. It’s not great news…
Six months after a big re-election victory, Gov. Blagojevich is barely hanging on to a majority of voters at 50.6% who say they approve of the job he is doing. 42.1% of voters disapprove of his performance — and it is the ferocity of that disapproval that is surprising with more people ’strongly disapproving’ of his performance than those that ’strongly approve’.
22.8% Strongly Approve
27.8% Somewhat Approve1
14.8% Somewhat Disapprove
27.3% Strongly Disapprove […]
Blagojevich’s 50% approval is being driven by an 81% job approval among African American voters — higher than he ever polled among that constituency during the month of October 2006. And the City of Chicago gives him a 75% job approval rating — again, driven by African American voters.
Crosstabs can be found at this link.
* And this brief note near the bottom of a story on gas prices illustrates how tough it will be to pass any revenue enhancer this spring…
Lawmakers appear more focused on higher power bills rather than gas prices. But attempts to raise taxes on Illinoisans could be dampened because they’re already feeling the hurt of higher energy prices.
“Until people can fill their cars to get to work and heat their homes, they’re not concerned about healthcare or anything else,” Mautino said.
* More tax and spend updates from Paul…
* Bethany Carson: Something’s brewing
* Carol Marin: Gov must deal on healthcare, school funding
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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* As Illinois drug policy changes, incarceration soars
* Trib’s troubles: 54 newsroom staffers want to take buyout
* Spontaneous Solutions: Spring gas panic hits late this year
* Questions dog Birkett on lawyer’s fate
* Life in limbo: Fate of Illinois death penalty
With the first commission disbanded, the legislature authorized creation of the Capital Punishment Reform Study Committee, a group that will evaluate the success of implementing the proposed improvements. A final report is due to the General Assembly by late 2008.
* AGs office admits possible conflict
* Illinois lawmakers oppose Real ID
* Senate approves bill to protect pets in domestic abuse cases
* Illinois bill calls for web data of sex offenders
* Editorial: Buckle up, be caring is the message
Now, the seat belt use compliance rate is very good in Illinois. Eighty percent of drivers in the state are regularly buckling up — a far cry from the 16 percent in 1985 who were using seat belts.
* Editorial: The un-marriage bill
* Bills on autism, Peoria airport pass in House
* Cars would need to give bikers 3 foot buffer
* State aide to vets quits in disgrace
* Michelle Obama leaves TreeHouse Board
* RTA fare card among victims of budget ax
* RTA warns of more cuts…again
* RTA to defer $7.5 million in spending
* Tribune Editorial: The CTA’s self-help strategy
* CPS changes school closings
* Stroger gives campaign worker $85,000 job
* Ald. Colon must pay for park district inaugural party
* Ald. Austin gets Budget committee chair post once held by husband
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Guv’s campaign fund subpoenaed
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
This has been the rumor for days, but the Tribune was apparently able to confirm it.
Some notes of caution, however. Subpoenas can sometimes be routine matters. Also, an investigation is not a conviction.
Obviously, the timing of this revelation can’t be good for the governor, considering that we have eight days left in the scheduled session. The governor will likely just press ahead as he always has, claim he did nothing wrong, say he has helped uncover wrongdoing, etc., etc., etc. Still, he’s been undercut at a very crucial moment.
Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed records from Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund as part of a sweeping corruption investigation into whether top aides and advisers exchanged state business and jobs for political support, the Tribune has learned.
The recent move is the first public indication that political financial records belonging to the governor are being sought. Sources describe the subpoena as the latest step in an ongoing investigation that has focused on major players in the record-breaking fundraising effort that propelled Blagojevich to consecutive terms. […]
The governor’s office had no comment when asked about the subpoena late last week, referring questions to the campaign. A spokesman for Blagojevich’s campaign did not return repeated phone calls Tuesday seeking comment on the subpoena but in previous days said, “We do not comment on these matters.”
Details about what records were being sought were not immediately known. But three law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said the subpoena for documents was issued in recent days and is a noteworthy signal that the federal probe is active and ongoing.
Comment ground rules: No names allowed. Don’t pass along rumors of what you think you know about this. If you have a news tip, contact myself or some other reporter. You’ll face permanent banishment if you violate these ground rules.
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