* 2:37 pm - The House Republicans met via conference call today and, I’m told, there was “overhwelming” sentiment in the caucus to vote to override the governor’s budget vetoes, even though Blagojevich included almost all of their pork projects in that budget.
Apparently, somebody in the guv’s office [(cough!)Harris(cough!)] was telling people that the governor had locked up the House Republican vote against the override, which would have prevented the motion from reaching the Senate, therefore taking the heat off Senate President Jones.
Not gonna happen. At least, not now.
You can bet the HRepubs will be threatened with losing their pork money if they vote to override the vetoes. The projects might be in the budget, but that doesn’t mean the governor has to release the money.
* 3:12 pm - The governor flew over some flooded areas today before holding a press conference to announce that he had declared four counties a disaster area. It wasn’t all smiles…
Blagojevich’s suburban tour and disaster declaration come just a day after he cut thousands of dollars worth of flood control projects for the area, calling them unessential “pork.”
The sudden turnabout angered the Cook County lawmakers who pushed for $100,000 for Des Plaines River flood control efforts in Prospect Heights and $80,000 to shore up Buffalo Creek only to have the governor eliminate the funding.
“I think that it’s really wrong to go to one area of flooding and say, ‘I’m going to do everything I can,’ and the day before having cut $100,000 for flood relief out of the budget,” said state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat.
Those vetoes are gonna continue biting him in the posterior.
* 3:18 pm - More on the vetoes from this brief AP story…
In two cases, he approved half the money for a bridge to be repaired but vetoed the other half.
* 3:39 pm - Oh, this is rich. From the Daily Law Bulletin we have a story about the governor’s vetoes of budget items for the Supreme Court…
By early Friday afternoon, an administration official reached out to the chief justice and the director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to say the cuts affecting the judicial branch were inadvertent, and that the governor would work with the courts to restore funding. […]
In a telephone interview early Friday afternoon, Administrative Office Director Cynthia Y. Cobbs initially said she was “concerned” about the cuts. But she called back minutes later to say she had just been contacted by the governor’s general counsel, William J. Quinlan Jr.
According to Cobbs, Quinlan contacted her and Chief Justice Robert R. Thomas to say the vetoes of court funds were “inadvertent.”
“He gave assurances that those vetoes were in error and that they intend to work closely with us to rectify the situation,” Cobbs said.
[Empasis added.]
Once you veto the money, it’s gone. The courts will have to wait for a supplemental appropriation bill. And considering the climate, who knows when that might be.
The competence continues.
… Adding… So, let’s see…
The governor whacked Dan Hynes’ budget good, including almost $2 million for court reporters. Their vengeance apparently got out of hand.
They also reduced probation services by over $2 million, sliced $200,000 out of court administration, with acompanying reductions in pension and Social Security contributions, took over a hundred large out of electronic data processing and slashed more than $400,000 from contractural services.
Inadvertent. Right.
* 4:06 pm - More from the AP on those goofy vetoes, with some slight editing changes to make it more understandable…
* CUT: $65,000 for West Deerfield Township for a handicapped-accessible van.
* SPARED: $45,000 for the Snyder Village Senior Center for a handicapped-accessible van.
* CUT: $20,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois for youth mentoring programs.
* SPARED: $50,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois for a youth mentoring program.
* CUT: $50,000 for the Village of Hanover Park for a bike path.
* SPARED: $500,000 for the Village of Romeoville to create a bike trail.
And the list goes on and on and on…
* 5:00 pm - Governors budget cuts hit CPS - Money for after-school programs and capital improvements ends up on the chopping block… Sidebar: What the governor cut, what he spared
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Coach Versace might run for Congress
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This might be fun to watch…
Former Bradley and NBA basketball coach Dick Versace is considering a run for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria.
“This is an exploratory thing,” said Versace, a Democrat who is 67 and has a home in Peoria and another outside Canton. He said he is gauging support for his candidacy before making a final decision. […]
Versace said this is an opportune time for a Democrat to win the seat held by LaHood, who will retire in January 2009. […]
Among other Democrats considering candidacies in the district are 4th District Appellate Court Judge Sue Myerscough of Springfield, former state Rep. Bill Edley of Peoria and Springfield, and Peoria civil rights attorney Patricia Benassi.
* Meanwhile, a sacrificial lamb has emerged in another district…
A Naperville native is moving from the ivory tower to the rough and tumble world of politics.
Democrat Scott Harper, a doctoral student at Oxford University, is postponing his thesis to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert in the 2008 election.
Harper, 46, attended Naperville Central High School and later Wheaton College. After obtaining an MBA from the University of Chicago, he worked in auto manufacturing and technology before starting up a marketing and Web site development firm, which he later sold to investors.
“I’ve always had an interest in politics,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been thinking about since I sold my interest in the business.”
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More on George Ryan
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My latest Sun-Times column is about George Ryan, but begins with a personal anecdote…
Years ago an uncle of mine, not blood-related, went to prison on a trumped-up charge.
My uncle and several others were busted unloading a plane on a secret runway. They thought the plane was loaded with sacks of cocaine. Turns out, the plane was owned by the federal government and the cocaine was really dry wall paste. The uncle got 10 years in the federal pen for conspiracy.
At the time, I thought his sentence was ludicrous and figured his alleged membership in a notorious motorcycle gang probably didn’t help him much with the jury.
I had known this man most of my life, and while he was always a bit on the odd side, he was always very nice to me and my four brothers. His own kids obviously adored him. My entire extended family loved the man. Few of us knew about the motorcycle gang stuff, so we were shocked to hear of his arrest and heartbroken after he was sentenced.
If you had read about his trial and conviction, you probably wouldn’t have had any sympathy for the guy. Screaming headlines prevailed throughout.
Few people take much time to learn about anyone on trial, particularly motorcycle gang members busted cold by the feds in the middle of the night unloading an airplane. Bad people doing bad things get hard time. End of story. The criminal’s humanity means nothing. I’d have probably felt the same way if I didn’t know the guy.
And so it goes with George Ryan.
* Why is George Ryan still not in prison? The Daily Herald attempts an explanation…
“Look, if he were Joe Shmoe, he’d be gone,” Roosevelt University political scientist Paul Green said Wednesday. “But then, if he were Joe Shmoe, he wouldn’t have been governor.”
Loyola University law school Dean David Yellen didn’t see it that way.
“I would be surprised if it were clout,” Yellen said. “It’s not as if he were the only criminal defendant who had his bond extended.” […]
Professor Kent Redfield, a University of Illinois-Springfield political scientist, said a combination of factors probably went into the decision to allow Ryan to remain free this long.
“Obviously, you’ve got very high-priced legal representation, and I think you do get deference, but it has also been clear in terms of granting the bond initially that there certainly is a difference of opinion,” he said.
* And the DH’s editorial page asks this…
But we wonder how many defendants convicted of serious crimes on allegedly shaky cases had to sit for years in their jail waiting rooms until irregularities in their cases were sorted out.
It’s not clear from reading the editorial, however, if the paper is in favor of allowing all defendants with “shaky cases” to stay out of jail or not.
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Cuts announced as transit doomsdays approach
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The cuts are coming…
Regional Transportation Authority chairman Jim Reilly said Thursday the wave of service cuts and fare increases that will start hitting mass transit users next week will not be the last.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” he warned.
The RTA board Thursday approved revised 2007 budgets for its agencies — the Chicago Transit Authority, Pace and Metra. The move patched a $220 million deficit but did so on the backs of riders by charging higher fares and pulling buses off the streets. […]
It will not get any better if the General Assembly fails to provide the CTA, Metra and Pace with more money, RTA officials said. The three agencies will be back before the RTA board in another month to start preparing for even deeper cuts and fare increases to balance their 2008 budgets.
* More…
As they have for months, Reilly and other transit leaders held out hope that the legislature would pass comprehensive transit funding. But Thursday was the deadline for the RTA to formally approve the service boards’ budgets, which included fare increases and service cuts.
Reilly blamed the inaction on legislative leaders and the governor, who “have a problem agreeing on many things.”
A Sept. 4 hearing is scheduled on the transit legislation, which calls for increasing local sales taxes and Chicago real estate transfer fees.
* Dire warning…
CTA Chairman Carole Brown said that without additional funding, the agency would be hard pressed to stay in business, let alone ferry Olympic athletes around the city.
* Some of the CTA cuts…
Under the new fare schedule, El riders using cash and transit cards will be charged $3 during new peak hours. Chicago Card holders will pay $2.50. Monthly passes are set to increase to $84.
Riders can also look forward to longer commutes and the elimination of 39 regular bus routes, as the RTA approved layoffs for 600 Chicago Transit workers.
At the meeting, CTA officials said the moves were likely to force tens of thousands of riders to find other ways to get to work and school every day.
* Pace cuts…
Pace, the bus agency serving suburban Chicago, said the first round of fare increases is scheduled to take effect in mid-September, with rates going from $1.25 to $1.50; bus routes will be axed beginning about Oct. 1. Rates could increase to $2 after the first of the year.
* More…
On Sept. 16:
•Pace local and Metra feeder fares rise to $1.50, ADA service fares increase to $3, vanpool fares jump 10 percent
• Metra reduces repairs and expansions by $60 million
• CTA lays off 600, raises fares to $3 on rush hour trains, cuts 39 bus routes
On Sept. 29:
• Pace stops 29 main routes
On Oct. 1
• ADA service slashed to within three-quarters of a mile of regular routes
• CTA passes no longer accepted by Pace
Dec. 3:
• Pace cuts all Metra feeder routes (about 80 in all)
* Some suburban legislators want action…
With just two weeks before PACE implements dramatic fare increases and service cuts, several legislators joined together in calling for an opportunity to vote on Senate Bill 572, legislation that would adequately fund the Regional Transportation Authority and streamline operations at the three transit boards.
“Our work in Springfield isn’t done until the looming transit crisis is addressed,” said State Representative Ryg, Democrat from Vernon Hills. “We are working together, for the sake of commuters, especially seniors and persons with disabilities, who rely on transit across the region, to ensure we have an opportunity to vote on legislation that will prevent devastating service cuts.”
“With the second worst traffic congestion in the country, we need transit options,” said State Representative Mathias, Republican from Buffalo Grove. “If PACE implements service cuts in September, it will mean even more cars on overloaded roads already buckling with congestion.”
* And a rally is planned…
Representative Julie Hamos has announced a transit funding rally for Tuesday, August 28, at 11:30 a.m. at the Thompson Center Plaza. Mayor Daley, DuPage County Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom, Representative Hamos and Representative Sid Mathias (House Mass Transit Committee Minority Spokesperson) are the featured rally rousers.
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Message to subscribers and blog readers
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’m having trouble with my e-mail, so if you’re an e-mail subscriber, it may be a bit before you get your copy of today’s Capitol Fax.
Also, while I’m fixing this trouble the rest of today’s blog posts could be delayed. Priorities are priorities.
…Well, AOL says it’ll be awhile, so blogging will resume shortly.
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Veto roundup *** Updated x1 ***
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* You can find yesterday’s “live” blogging of the governor’s vetoes here, here, here, here and here.
* Best lede goes to the Sun-Times…
Gov. Blagojevich made $463 million in budget cuts in the name of health care Thursday — but slashed grants to help prevent autism, HIV, Alzheimer’s disease and potential pandemic flu.
Also hit by the governor’s budgetary cleaver were the developmentally disabled, elderly veterans, fire and police departments and the panel set up to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday in 2009.
“These changes improve the budget that lawmakers sent me,” Blagojevich said.
* The Tribune picked up on this…
House Republicans led by Tom Cross of Oswego kept most of the $50 million in initiatives for their districts. The gambit underscored Blagojevich’s desire to try to sway Republicans into blocking attempts at overriding his vetoes in the House.
* The Southern picked up on another…
After reviewing the budget, Luechtefeld said none of Jones’ requested initiative funding was removed. The 12 members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules also kept all their requested money, he said. The JCAR members will decide on the health care proposal Blagojevich hopes to start.
“It doesn’t take much to recognize what he’s trying to do; he’s trying to buy their votes,” Luechtefeld said. The senator also questions the legality of Blagojevich’s health care plan.
* The AP questioned the logic of the moves when no logic other than politics is necessary…
In some cases, similar projects were treated differently _ for instance, one grant for a handicapped-accessible van was approved while another was vetoed. And while planning to expand some health services, Blagojevich cut $40 million in Medicaid funds from hospitals and $50 million from nursing homes.
He also slashed funding for pandemic flu preparedness, home services to the disabled and 80 new beds at the LaSalle veterans retirement home. […]
Blagojevich said he cut $141 million in legislative “add-ons,” $306 million from state agencies and nearly $16 million from constitutional offices. He gave no indication of how he chose each particular cut, but did say some of the legislative projects “had little to do with the core mission of state government.”
* Daily Herald…
In some cases, money requested by Senate Republicans was cut while House Republican funding was approved, even though it was for the same project.
For instance, Blagojevich cut $200,000 destined for the Wayne Township Road District to help pay for replacing a bridge on St. Charles Road. But at the same time he OK’d an identical $200,000 grant for the same project.
The grants were not duplicates. Rather it was an effort on behalf of two area lawmakers to try to get the $400,000 needed for the project. The exact same situation occurred with funding for work on a Schick Road bridge. One $200,000 grant was approved, the other vetoed.
* GateHouse went for understatement…
The patterns of the cuts prompted several observers to wonder whether at least some were driven by politics.
* The Pantagraph offers up these choice quotes…
Even Republicans and Democrats in the Senate whose projects weren’t cut from the budget questioned the governor’s move. […]
State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, agreed that people represented by House Democrats shouldn’t be shortchanged.
“Their people are taxpayers, too,” he said. […]
State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, said he was “elated” that his projects survived and is now hoping Blagojevich won’t later withhold the money in a political move.
“Let’s hope that we’re not just being used as a message to the speaker,” he said.
* IL Issues…
DeJong [of the budget office] had this to say: “While CeaseFire and other initiatives may serve a purpose for a particular community or organization, we can’t afford to spend taxpayer dollars on them right now. With the changes the governor made, the budget better reflects the needs of the state.”
Flider also said projects in his district, including money for a food pantry and a homeless shelter, are among the $141 million cut of so-called pork projects, or legislative initiatives slipped into the budget so members can “bring home the bacon” to their constituents. Most of the pork projects cut by Blagojevich are in Democratic districts. Flider said those services are hit in political crossfire. “The governor has declared war on House Democrats, but it’s the people in my district who suffer,” he said. Why would the governor target projects in his district? Flider said that’s because he’s responding to what the majority of his constituents want: a priority of making timely payments to current Medicaid providers before expanding or creating new health care programs. “The governor wants his health care plan, and he’ll do anything to get it,” Flider said.
* More budget stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Blagojevich approves most of state’s new budget
* Southern legislators question governor’s budget action
* $460 million is excised by Blagojevich
* Gov signs budget, cuts out “pork”
* Blagojevich’s grant vetoes worry non-profits
* Martikean: Illinois not short on Governor troubles
* Governor amends budget, many projects won’t get funding
*** UPDATE *** I’m positive that we’ll see more press releases like this in the coming days…
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) criticized Governor Blagojevich today for vetoing millions for Chicago public schools, including $3.5 million in grants for 35 charter public school campuses in Illinois. The cuts impact a grant program that is mandated by state law and that was overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers.
The charter public school start-up grants vetoed by Governor Blagojevich would have provided $250 per pupil to 34 new and recently opened charter public school campuses in the Chicago public school system and an additional school in Kane County. Those schools serve a combined 14,000 public school students. […]
Blagojevich’s cuts disproportionately impact Chicago’s African American and Latino neighborhoods, hitting 34 schools in… Chicago neighborhoods […]
Responding to news of the cuts, Elizabeth Evans, Executive Director of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools said:
“The Governor’s veto of the charter start-up grants and his failure over the last five years to provide leadership on broader education funding reform issues have created a double-whammy for public school children, particularly in the African American and Latino community. While the Governor’s goal to expand the health care safety net in Illinois is laudable, it shouldn’t come at the expense of public school kids’ education and their future.
Senate President Jones has built his career and his reputation on his commitment to public education, and we can only assume that when he pledged not to override the Governor’s veto, the Governor didn’t tell him it would mean millions in cuts to public education, especially in Chicago, and especially for low-income, African American, and Latino children. We hope that when President Jones sees where these cuts are happening, he’ll reconsider his pledge and allow the Illinois Senate to vote on a measure to override these draconian cuts.”
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Morning Shorts (8-24-07)
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* BP backs off plan for more Lake Michigan pollution
* Editorial: BP reversal a win for public opinion
* BP says it won’t increase pollution
* BP dumps pollution plans
* Sun-Times Editorial: BP’s promise isn’t enough to assure lake’s safety
* State Fair concert attendance rises
* 11th Hour: Bloggers against dialing and driving
* Clout Street: Birkett weighs in
* Kadner: Cable customers want a la carte TV menu
* Editorial: Chicago’s budget needs serious cuts, not ‘gestures’
* Chicago panel aims to help city accomplish more with less; more here
* Juniors’ scores on state tests fall 2nd year in a row; more here
* City will put red light camera proof on the web
* Official: Fewer homeless in the city
* Gibson City hasn’t retired its “Honor the Chief” day
Gibson City officials started an “Honor the Chief” day in 2005, when controversy over the University of Illinois athletic teams’ mascot was at a peak. And now that the Chief has officially been retired, this town and its leaders still want to celebrate the Chief and what they believe he represented.
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey, while not a UI alumnus, joins many of the town’s 3,374 residents in being passionate about Chief Illiniwek.
* Magazine spotlights photo of Northbrook Mayor
* ArchPundit turns 5 years old
* Friday Beer Blogging: Old Time Cheap Edition
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