Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2007

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

2:42 pm - It turns out that Senate President Jones scheduled todays meeting with the utility bigshots, so all that dumping on Madigan by Blagojevich & Co was misplaced.

Also, the House Dems who were at the guvs office earlier today were just told that the meeting has been canceled. No condirmation yet from the guvs people.

3:20 pm - Speaker Madigan is on his way tothe wake for Wyvetter Younges husband, so there will be no leaders meeting.

Also, the utility issue seems to be very close to resolution.

3:35 pm - So, were the guvs people telling the truth when they claimed that Madigan insisted on a 10:30 leaders meeting? The Speakers people say that it was Frank Watson who asked for an early meeting.

4:00 pm - Ouch. The new line from the Speaker’s office is that the refusal to allow Majority Leader Currie to represent Speaker Madigan at this morning’s meeting was “insulting” and “sexist.” It just gets worse by the minute.

4:20 pm - The Senate Dem leadership appears to have settled down a bit. Real movement on electric utilities and now the AT&T cable TV bill has zoomed out of committee.

110 Comments

Caption Contest!

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Come up with captions for each of these two cartoons. Winning entries will each receive a t-shirt bearing the slogan.

You can also choose to put one image on the front of the t-shirt and the other on the back, with related slogans.

Have at it. Let’s raise some more money for charity…

“Frown” “Smile”

48 Comments

This just in…

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

[Bumped up and title changed to accomodate today’s other events.]

* 8:52 am - The governor has a 10:30 leaders meeting scheduled this morning. His state plane was supposed to take off at 8:22, but according to our new best friends at FlightAware, it’s still on the ground. I tried to bet one of his people $20 last night that he wouldn’t make it on time. No takers.

~~Let’s watch it live, shall we? You may need to hit “refresh” every few minutes. Not sure. We’ll know once the plane takes off.~~ The live view doesn’t seem to work here. Sorry about that.

* 9:01 am - The original Springfield arrival time was supposed to be 9:01 am, but that deadline has obviously been blown.

* 9:17 am - Wheels up at 9:08. They should’ve taken the bet.

* 9:23 am - From the Pantagraph…

Mike Lawrence, director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said while Blagojevich’s perceived disinterest in Springfield hurts his ability to lead, it also feeds a larger issue.

Lawrence, a former top aide to Gov. Jim Edgar, said working mostly from Chicago means Blagojevich operates absent the relationships forged with lawmakers just by being in the Capitol. Without this rapport, Lawrence said, Blagojevich is hard-pressed to deliver any of his ambitious budget proposals, which this year included plans for universal health care and billions of dollars more in education funding.

* 10:05 am - Wheels down at 9:48. Even though they wouldn’t take the bet last night, I’ll donate the cash to the blog’s new charity. By the way, don’t forget to buy a t-shirt, mug, button or other paraphenalia.

* 10:05 am - From Paul: “Less than 100 House members present today for the first time in a long time. 99 here. One guy said it was the first time that had happened in 5 years.”

Also, there are persistent but totally unconfirmed rumors of a special session tomorrow.

* 10:33 am - A gubernatorial spokesperson just replied to my text message by saying it isn’t their plan to call a special session.

* 10:43 am - The House just adjourned until next Tuesday at 3 pm.

* 11:17 am - Speaker Madigan might be a no-show at the leaders meeting, according to the governor’s office. They think he could be sending a surrogate.

The reason the meeting started earlier than normal today was at Madigan’s request, according to the guv’s spokesperson, who added that Madigan’s demand that other voices besides Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan be heard at the meeting on the “7 percent solution” was accommodated.

They’re not starting the meeting until Madigan arrives, the spokesperson said.

Also, Senate President Emil Jones is not there yet, either, but a spokesperson said he will be at the meeting eventually.

* 11:19 am - Cross, Watson and other legislators who had shown up for the meeting have left.

Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson said the meeting broke up because neither Madigan nor Jones was there. He said the governor “pouted” about their absence.

* 11:32 am - According to a good source who was inside the room, the governor showed up 25 minutes late, looked around the room and noticed that Madigan wasn’t there. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie told the governor that Madigan might not be there and said that she was empowered to speak for him. Currie has been a point person on the assessment freeze, so she knows the issue well.

According to this source, the governor then got miffed, said this was supposed to be a leaders meeting and announced that he was going back to his office to do some work and that everyone was free to leave. He also indicated that the meeting could reconvene if Madigan ever showed up.

* 11:41 am - Turns out, Madigan and Jones are reportedly meeting with Exelon CEO John Rowe about the electric rate issue and that’s why neither man was at the leaders meeting. So, the initial spin from the guv’s office is probably gonna backfire. Why should either leader show up for a mostly pointless meeting when they are working on closing the final deal on electric rates?

* 11:59 am - It just gets worse for the governor. Also at the meeting with Madigan and Jones are ComEd Chairman and CEO Frank Clark, Ameren Chairman and CEO Gary Rainwater and Ameren Illinois President Scott Cisel.

According to sources, the meeting started at 10:30 and it’s still going on as I write this. It’s a hugely important sitdown - far more important than the governor’s little dog and pony show about the assessment freeze stuff.

The guv’s reaction to Madigan’s absence was, in my opinion, extremely childish. Instead of stomping out of the room in a snit, he should have high-tailed it over to Emil Jones’ office and participated in some substantive discussions for a change.

* 2:11 pm - Speaker Madigan just emerged from the utility negotiations and told reporters “Substantial progress has been made.” No details are yet available. Check back later for further updates.

35 Comments

Question of the day

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Yesterday I asked about your favorite political memories. Today, let’s talk about your least favorite political memories.

And if you’re tempted to just write “The day (fill in the blank) was elected” or something like that, try to restrain yourself and instead come up with an actual story. Thanks.

29 Comments

Obamarama - Rezko and DeLeo

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The New York Times has taken major notice of Tony Rezko. There isn’t a whole lot new in the story, but it’s significant because the DC/NY media pack usually follows the NYT’s lead on such things. Here’s part of the story…

By 2004, Mr. Rezko’s pizza restaurants were in trouble, and creditors were suing him. Yet after the Obamas bid $1.65 million for their house in January 2005, Mr. Rezko got involved. Mr. Obama has said that he mentioned the deal to Mr. Rezko.

People familiar with the transaction said that the sellers did not want to close until that June 15, and that the sale would go through only if someone bought the adjacent lot from them on the same date. Rita Rezko paid $625,000 to outbid others for the lot and later sold the Obamas one-sixth of that land, for $104,500.

After The Chicago Tribune reported the transactions last November, Mr. Obama said he had acted ethically, though it had been a mistake to let Mr. Rezko do anything that could be seen as a favor.

The disclosure came four days before Michelle Obama was to appear as a special guest at a charity fashion show organized by Mrs. Rezko. Mrs. Obama attended, though others there said it seemed a bit awkward.

* I usually try not to criticize opinion pieces because everyone has a right to their own opinion. However, this segment from today’s John Kass column on Obama just makes no sense…

During his years in the Illinois State Senate, Obama’s mentor was another party boss, state Sen. Emil Jones (D-ComEd). And Jones still snaps to attention whenever the real governor of Illinois, state Sen. James DeLeo (D-How You Dooin’), calls on the phone. He knows Obama too.

First, if DeLeo was indeed the “real” governor, we wouldn’t be in overtime session right now. The guy knows how to cut a deal and gets along with pretty much everyone.

Second, Emil Jones doesn’t snap to attention for DeLeo. Jones kicked DeLeo out of SDem leadership years ago for disloyalty (DeLeo was accused of plotting a coup), and only brought him back in after DeLeo made repeated amends and proved he could and would be loyal. If there’s any snapping to attention going on, it’s being done by DeLeo. Jones and Jones alone runs that caucus, and it’s obvious that he doesn’t listen to much advice.

And why wouldn’t DeLeo know Obama? The two served in the Senate together. I don’t see the point there.

Creating your own mythical political world for literary purposes can be a lot of fun and genuinely entertaining. But that was a little much.

25 Comments

More twists and turns

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Is the governor trying to strong-arm not-for-profits that receive state funding to get in line behind his budget negotiating stance? Gatehouse media has the scoop, buried way down in its story about how the gaming bill died in a House committee…

On Tuesday, the governor’s people took their message directly to organizations reliant on state funding, arranging a conference call with social-service providers and other groups to discuss programs that will see funding cuts if the House budget ultimately is enacted.

The administration prepared nine pages of briefing papers that detailed spending reductions, including $42.3 million from the Home Services program, $2.2 million from Centers for Independent Living and $7 million from mental health grants, not to mention the elimination of 400 jobs at the Department of Human Services.

“I heard from some of our constituents. They were shocked the governor’s office would take this approach,” said Don Moss, a lobbyist who represents 50 not-for-profits for people with disabilities.

“They were shocked that his office would want them to become directly involved in the budget struggle.” Moss said. “We’re mostly not-for-profit agencies. We can’t take sides and get involved in these disputes. We don’t want any of the heavy hitters angry at us.”

The governor’s budget office denied there was any undue pressure to get involved in the legislative process, but House Speaker Madigan’s spokesman had this to say…

“It didn’t sound like it went over real well,” he said. “It’s another segment of the ‘defeat your allies’ program they tried in 2004. It’s the same strategy they tried then.”

It’s felt like 2004 for weeks. Remember that awful overtime session? If it hadn’t been for the Democratic National Convention, they might’ve stayed in Springfield all year.

* Meanwhile…

House Speaker Michael Madigan urged Senate President Emil Jones on Wednesday to pass the state budget the House already approved, saying the state should avoid a government shutdown that would be “calamitous for all Illinois citizens.”

Using a formal letter to buttress his point, Madigan appealed to senators to join House Democrats and “pass the most realistic spending plan that is currently available to us.” […]

But the governor’s budget office immediately challenged Madigan’s plan, suggesting it would lead to cuts in education. A Jones aide said the proposal has “serious fiscal problems.” […]

Madigan acknowledged his budget plan is not balanced, but only in the “narrowest sense.” He said the state could correct any deficiencies by drawing down an anticipated $1.2 billion end-of-year balance and carefully managing other spending. He said the state still would have $900 million in the bank under his budget, an amount that is “more than sufficient.” Blagojevich aides said Madigan’s budget would be hundreds of millions of dollars short once bills are paid.

* And…

State lawmakers soundly rejected a massive gambling plan Wednesday that would have dotted the Chicago area with four new casinos and let the existing fleet add more slot machines.

The proposal’s 20-2 drubbing by the Illinois House Gaming Committee effectively kills off yet another avenue for finding billions of additional dollars as lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich differ on how and how much state taxpayers’ money should be spent.

Having already blown a May 31 deadline for a deal, they’re now at risk of beginning the state’s next budget year on July 1 without one, which could threaten a government shutdown.

A top aide to Blagojevich said the governor wants lawmakers to work through Father’s Day weekend and come to the Capitol every day in hopes of striking a deal.

That’s such a phony proposal. The governor knew the idea of working on Father’s Day would be rejected, which is exactly why he proposed it.

* The State Journal-Register editorial board curses all sides today…

It’s time for the governor to take a one-way flight back to Springfield with a well-packed suitcase. It’s time for Madigan to stop playing his crafty games. It’s time for all the other supporting characters to take their jobs seriously and demand a resolution to this mess.

* More budget-related stuff, compiled by Paul…

* CTA and Blagojevich talk possible funding

* Sun-Times Editorial: Public transit needs reforms, not bailout

* City Council proposes downtown fee to fund CTA; more here

* Governor a hypocrite?

* Lots of complaints, but no progress on new budget

* Green Party poised to reap rewards of budget

11 Comments

Jack Franks slams the guv

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) is definitely no Rod Blagojevich fan. He’s also more than a bit of a press hound.

That being said, the suburban Democrat did make some good points during a long rant on the House floor yesterday. Here’s a setup from the AP…

An Illinois lawmaker condemned Governor Blagojevich during an angry speech on the House floor today. Representative Jack Franks said the governor spends more time jogging than he spends at the Capitol working on state problems. He says it’s insulting for Blagojevich to question the work habits of lawmakers.

Franks also says the Democratic governor can’t make a public defense of his policies because then Blagojevich would face uncomfortable ethics questions. Franks gave the example of a Blagojevich campaign donor who was given a state job and now has been indicted. Franks, a Woodstock Democrat, accused Blagojevich of helping create the state’s electric-rate crisis and showing no leadership to fix the problem. This is the second time in recent weeks that a Democratic lawmaker has publicly criticized Blagojevich as officials remain deadlocked over a new state budget.

You can download the text of the full speech here.

Franks also claimed to have called every state agency, ostensibly to talk to the directors about the budget. Franks said he discovered that only eight out of 29 directors were in Springfield…

. The governor’s office spent about $26 million on transportation for its staff last fiscal year. At the very least, they should be here while we are in session.

Franks then went off on the governor’s demand that legislators put in five day weeks in Springfield…

For the governor to now berate the House for not working five days a week, while the Senate will meet for only one day this week and while the governor has spent more time jogging in Chicago than he has spent in Springfield all session, is tantamount to lunacy. The governor spent more time on running diary tracking his running time, temperature and wind speed than he has on any legislative item. […]

The governor has shown that he can campaign but he has yet to show that he can govern. His hypocritical stance on the House’s work ethic is insulting. He has failed to spend the necessary time and energy in Springfield and has created a mess of budget when he had a real opportunity for reform. Instead we get the same old tired complaints, business as usual and a budget crafted on dead-end tax schemes.

And then he really let him have it…

The reason the governor is not pounding his bully pulpit is because he can’t. Like the emperor of our children’s tales, he can’t afford to be exposed. He can’t and won’t answer questions about whether his campaign fund has been subpoenaed. He can’t and won’t answer why he appointed Ali Ata to a directorship of a state financial agency after Mr. Ata gave over $50,000 to the governor’s campaign. He can’t and won’t answer when and how the indicted Tony Rezko introduced Mr. Ata to the governor. He can’t and won’t answer how Beverly Ascaridis got a job after her husband gave the governor $1,500. He can’t and won’t answer a simple question about the number of subpoenas his administration has received from the federal government, even though he has been directed to answer by the Attorney General.

The governor needs to come clean and answer all of our questions and should sit here with each of his directors and make them defend their budgets line by line. The governor should submit himself to a continuous Committee of the Whole and agree to answer every question.

Thoughts?

19 Comments

Morning Shorts

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Firm that lost state contract takes case to capitol

* IIS: Teen drinking, sex offenders

* Last horse slaughterer waging legal battle to stay open

“It’s a black mark on the community. It’s a stigma,” said Gail Vacca, who moved her horse-training business away from DeKalb because she said owners were worried their animals would be stolen and sold to the plant. “DeKalb is a lovely community. It’s horrible they’ve been stigmatized by this nasty industry.”

* Countries where horse meat consumed follow Illinois case

* Constable: We don’t eat horses, but we will slaughter them?

* Opinion: A tougher line on first-time DUIs

* Poshard’s privacy subject of battle

Blakemore said the school routinely releases details about pay and benefits contained in employee contracts, so there is no need to make the documents themselves public. For example, the school says Poshard is paid $300,524 a year. He also receives a housing allowance, pension and benefits worth $84,481 annually, the school says.

* Sun-Times Editorial: Kids spray, parents pay

* Troutman indicted on bribery count; more here and here

* Council delays vote on police standards reform; more here

* Sweeney: Rockford mayor mobilizes residents to get sales-tax bill signed

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