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READER COMMENTS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller Another Friday, another desperate need for a long nap. I’m outta here, campers. Have a great weekend and thanks for all the comments this week. Head to Illinoize. There’s an article about Mike Jacobs over there, plus a whole lot more.
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This just in… *** Updated x12 ***
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller *** The Sen. Mike Jacobs interview claiming that the governor threatened to run someone against him in the next election and made other threats is below. It’s a must-listen. *** OK, here it is. The file crashed my server. I used more bandwidth today than in all of May. They had to move it to another server because it was so popular. Thanks to the fine folks at Microchip Computer Solutions for taking the time to help… *** Download the Audio Here *** *** Raw video of CBS2’s interview can be found by clicking here. *** *** And Animal Farm has the transcript of the audio file above. *** * 11:17am - The most prevalent rumor at the Statehouse right now is that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will call the General Assembly back this weekend for a special session. Out-of-towners are especially concerned because hotel check-out time is at noon and they need to know what to do. I’m getting bombarded with e-mails, instant messages, text messages and calls asking what’s going on. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a definitive answer yet because no decision has reportedly been made at this moment. I can say that a trusted source says a weekend session is unlikely but not 100 percent out of the question. Sorry that I couldn’t be more helpful. I guess you could always check back into your rooms if a decision is made. Meanwhile, let’s all keep our fingers crossed, tap our heels together, close our eyes and say in unison: “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” Hey, it can’t hurt. * 11:33am - I should also point out that last night Senate President Emil Jones said they would likely go home for the weekend unless the Republicans don’t cooperate. If the Republicans made trouble, he said, then he would keep everyone in. As usual, nobody knew whether he was completely joking or not. *** UPDATE 1 *** 11:50 am - The Senate has a new amendment to SB5, which takes out the effective date. SB5 is the governor’s health insurance program. Last night, an amendment with the substance of the package fell a vote short of 30, which was an embarrassment for the governor. *** UPDATE 2 *** 12:05pm - I guess I should add that this new amendment means the bill only requires 30 votes to pass instead of an extraordinary majority. If the bill becomes law, it won’t take effect until June 30 of next year. The guv’s people thought they had 30 votes to pass the amendment last night, but at least one SDem flipped very late and voted against the amendment. If that Senator is back on board, then they may very well have the 30 votes to send this to the House. *** UPDATE 3 *** 12:10pm - The House has adjourned until Tuesday. *** UPDATE 4 *** 12:30pm - The governor’s office has told Speaker Madigan’s office that no special session is planned. So that’s good news, but I get the impression that they’re not holding their breath. Trust is at a premium right now. *** UPDATE 5 *** 12:49pm - I’m hearing that the governor is putting extreme pressure on Sen. Mike Jacobs to get him to switch positions and vote for Blagojevich’s health insurance bill. Sources say that the governor was very intense during the “loud” meeting and threats were allegedly made to run someone against Jacobs in the next election. Oy. Jacobs initially agreed to vote for the health insurance bill yesterday, but reportedly changed his mind when he came to the conclusion that he couldn’t trust the governor to keep the promise he made. The governor reportedly offered to release $75 million for a college expansion in Jacobs’ district in exchange for his vote on SB5. Jacobs is expected to talk about the meetings either on the floor during debate or with reporters later. I don’t think from what I’ve heard that the gubernatorial pressure has worked so far. Now that the threat has been made to run someone against him, it would be difficult for Jacobs to go along. Stay tuned. If you’re listening to the Senate right now and can’t figure out why they aren’t moving anything, the Jacobs situation is the likely reason. *** UPDATE 6 *** 1:45pm - The Senate has adjourned. Looks like Jacobs withstood the pressure. *** UPDATE 7 *** 1:47pm - Jacobs is talking to reporters. Paul will have audio up as soon as he can. *** UPDATE 8 *** 1:58pm - Jacobs was pretty heated in his remarks. We’ll get the audio up as soon as we can. *** UPDATE 9 *** 2:28pm - Wow. Just wow. You really should listen to this audio… [The audio file is up at the top.] According to Jacobs, the governor said he would “wreck my political career.” Jacobs also claimed the governor’s office called his local university president to say he had just forfeited a $14 million state grant that Jacobs obtained for the school last year. “He acted like a spoiled child who wasn’t willing to compromise on anything.” “I’ll be darned if I’m going to let anyone run over me.” “If he wants to play this game, I’ll play it with him.” “This governor of Illinois has done a terrible job.” “I’ve been around long enough to know when someone is shaking me down.” “If this governor would have been in East Moline, Illinois in one of my local taverns I would have kicked his tail end.” “He blew up like a ten year old child.” “There was a lot of profanity involved.” “The governor [was] doubling his fist and acting like he wanted to punch me.” “If the governor of Illinois wants open warfare with me, that’s his goal? Come at it, son. Come at it.” “If he wants a fight, I’ll fight him.” “I’ve been around this game a long time, and I’ve never had anybody ever speak to me in that manner.” “A governor of Illinois should have higher ethical standards.” [I think his anger got the better of him when he got to this point.] “The governor told me that he’s going to run people against me, well I’ve got news for the governor of Illinois. This Senator is going to run against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.” *** UPDATE 10 *** 3:12pm - From Rebecca Rausch, the governor’s spokesperson…
*** UPDATE 11 *** 3:53pm - Small Newspapers has its story up…
*** UPDATE 12 *** 3:59pm - AP…
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Question of the day
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller A Senate committee hearing yesterday showed just how bad things are between the two parties in that chamber. Sen. Susan Garrett was trying to pass a sweeping ethics bill that would normally receive bipartisan support, but things quickly devolved…
Question: What solutions would you offer to help heal the partisan wounds in the “upper” chamber? Snark heavily encouraged. Have fun.
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Reform and renewal - Bad timing edition
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * As if things weren’t bad enough already for Gov. Blagojevich, what with the session in ruins and the future of his ambitious health insurance plan in serious doubt, the feds added a cherry on top yesterday afternoon…
* Ata was also a significant campaign contributor…
* His position at the board was quite important. He was an integral prt of the governor’s big plan to reinvent government, but his legacy was mixed, to say the least. The Trib has more…
* Curry has more…
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Boat bill goodies
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * There are more problems with the Senate’s gaming bill than just the fact that the notorious Shaw organization might end up with a piece of the pie. The Post-Dispatch fills us in on one aspect…
There’s also a provision in there that would let the riverboats off the hook for part of their forced subsidies of the horse racing industry. But instead of reducing the subsidy for the horse people, guess who is forced to pick up the tab? Go ahead, guess. Answer: Taxpayers, of course. * More gaming-related stories, compiled by Paul…
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Another preacher sticks foot firmly in mouth
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller I know it may seem like I’m keying in on the clergy lately, what with all the goofy comments from preachers recently about state legislative matters. I’m not. They’re citizens like everyone else and they have the right to inject their opinions into the public debate. But when they do, they need to remember that they’re open to criticism just like everybody else in the arena. The latest attempt by a coalition of 24 religious leaders from throughout the state to oppose casino expansion and address the needs of the poor, school children and those without health insurance started off innocuous enough..
But then, as always seems to be the case these days, it devolved into weirdness…
Somebody could make a lot of money providing media skills training to these guys. What the heck is accomplished by crud like that?
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Train wreck
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * Because the session ended so late, some of the latenight antics that I blogged about yesterday happened after most newspaper deadlines. The Sun-Times was able to get some stuff into the bottom of today’s article, however…
That disastrous health insurance vote might have led everybody’s stories if it hadn’t been taken at midnight. It’s now gonna be tough, particularly considering Mayor Daley’s newfound opposition to the proposal, to keep this thing on the table. But if you can count on one thing with this governor, it’s his dogged determination to do something about this issue, so even last night’s failure may not succeed in knocking him off his talking points. * Despite all the failures this year, with the session laying in ruins at their feet, legislators still managed to summon the chutzpah to raise their own pay…
Normally, I refuse to comment on pay raises. Lawmakers don’t make nearly enough money for the work they usually do, so I don’t judge them on votes like that. But voting themselves a boost right before the session crashed with a loud thud was not the best message they could have sent the folks back home. * The Sun-Times reporters were also able to get Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson’s stinging end of the night comments into their piece…
* And this quote indicates that the Senate Democratic leadership still overestimates what it can accomplish during the overtime…
They couldn’t pass their own budget plan because they didn’t have the votes, despite holding 37 seats. I’m not sure how they think they can squeeze out more money for their priorities now that the Republicans are at the table. * More train wreck stories, compiled by Paul…
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Morning Shorts
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson * Editorial: Sign teen driving safeguards * AT&Ts foray into TV clears House * Border war brewing over IPASS
* Judge upholds decision to yank Ryan pension; more here * Illinois lawmakers approve stem cell research
* Lawmakers endorse stem cell research * House passes measure to fund stem cell research * Required moment of school silence sent to governor * Moment of silence moves forward
* Lawmakers OK school start with chance to pray * Editorial: Veto moment of silence * Civil unions not on agenda * Governor gets bill allowing earlier commitment; more here * Horse-slaughter plant ruling is promised * Krol: Odds say that Duckworth will not seek a rematch * Judge Oks $12 million Shakman settlement * Federal judge approves plan to end Chicago patronage hiring; more here * Who’s in charge in case of emergency; more here * Dick Simpson: City council heard new voices
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This just in… Part 3 *** Updated x2 ***
Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller * Just after midnight, the Senate takes up SB5, which is the guv’s health insurance bill. Right now, they’re doing amendments. * 12:15am - The actual bill won’t be called. They passed the “guts” of the proposal on an amendment, which passed with less than 30 votes (29-28). It will be tough to claim a victory on this one, even though the amendment passed. * 12:18am - An amendment to a different bill to exempt riverboats from the smoking ban just failed.
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