Messages to readers
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My intern for next year, Kevin Fanning, needs a place to stay in Chicago this weekend. Kevin wants to go to the holiday party Sunday night, but requires a crash pad. If you can help him out, please use the “Contact Me” button just under the blog’s banner and I’ll forward your info to Kevin. We’ve already found a place for Paul, who relinquishes his princely crown in January. Thanks for any help you can provide.
* From a press release…
The Web site chicagoclassicalmusic.org — of which the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is proud to be a member organization — has been revitalized and now features many exciting special offers such as free classical music downloads and exclusive “Hot Deals” on concert tickets and recordings.
Beginning December 5, in celebration of the new redesign, chicagoclassicalmusic.org offers free music downloads, the first of which features the fifth movement of Mahler’s Third Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and CSO Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink.
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Lost in the shuffle
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This story received absolutely no play anywhere, but I’ve been hearing the same thing for weeks. Apparently, putting something in the Sunday Sun-Times is akin to burying it…
Federal authorities are investigating whether Gov. Blagojevich’s former lead adviser on gaming policy properly disclosed personal gambling winnings and losses to the tax man, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times. […]
His lawyer, Michael Monico, said Kelly has done nothing improper.
“We have no control over what the government is going to do in this matter, but two things we do know: Mr. Kelly has paid millions of dollars in taxes, and, second, at the end of the day, the evidence will show that Mr. Kelly has no taxes due and owing,” Monico said. […]
Before his 2003 appointment by Blagojevich, Kelly wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars at Illinois casinos run by people he later dealt with on the state’s behalf. It was not clear if the wagering that has drawn federal interest took place in Illinois casinos, Las Vegas or some other gambling venue.
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OK, let’s use today’s QOTD to vote on our first round of annual Capitol Fax Blog awards. We have three questions to ponder today, so label them accordingly in your responses. Please try to give this some thought and avoid snark and negativity. If you’re gonna knock somebody’s choices down, provide reasons and provide your own nominations in all categories. Purely negative comments will be deleted.
1) This idea, slightly modified, comes to us from Trafficmatt…
Which state legislator best empitomizes public service (i.e. sincerely helping politicians, lack of corruption, being there, etc.). This may be a legislator that doesn’t necessarily get a lot of newspaper time, but is just working behind the scenes and getting stuff done.
[No Congresscritters, please. We’re looking for state legislators only.]
2) Snidely Whiplash suggested this one, slightly modified by myself: Most effective local mayor of a city with less than one million people.
3) What should we call these awards?
Give these plenty of thought, please. Thanks.
…Adding… Please explain all your answers. Thanks.
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Caveats
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* We talked about Speaker Madigan’s proposed gaming expansion bill yesterday. Today, let’s look at some caveats. First up, is a final deal likely soon? Maybe, maybe not…
State Sen. Christine Radogno, a Lemont Republican who has been a negotiator at the legislative talks, said she would not “characterize today’s development as putting us on the eve of a deal” for the remaining issues. A resolution to all the issues could occur in January, she said.
January is surely a possibility. Our woes continue.
* State Sen. Terry Link, a big expansion proponent, also had some doubts…
…Link said his concerns start with a provision that would give 2 percent of gross revenue to the host community and 3 percent to the host county. Previously, those numbers were 5 percent to the city and 1 percent to the county.
“I’ve got a little bit of a problem with that,” Link said. “Waukegan has to put in all the infrastructure (but) the county gets more revenue? That makes no sense. This is not a done deal by any means.”
Link added said he’s “not a proponent of slots at the tracks,” because “what we do there is basically set up five more land-based casinos.”
He also predicted that provisions about minority and women investors “will be a big stumbling block” because it allows for individual investments in what would be a multimillion-dollar bidding process.
* And what about that minority investment issue? The Tribune has more…
Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who pushed his own massive gambling expansion through his chamber earlier this year, was noncommittal. But his spokeswoman later directed reporters to state Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), who predicted the Madigan-backed plan would be “DOA” and never come up for a Senate vote.
Hendon said his biggest problem is the “crumbs” it throws to the minority business community. Minorities would get to own 20 percent of each of the two new non-Chicago casinos, and women would get to own 5 percent, with would-be investors going into a lottery system.
“The speaker has made his mind up that any black with wealth should have no opportunity to participate, but he is not saying that to white people,” Hendon said. “That is called discrimination. That is called Jim Crow. I know people don’t want to talk about race these days, but we are not going to run away from it.” […]
Rep. Marlow Colvin, a Chicago lawmaker who is co-chairman of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, also is opposed to Madigan’s set-aside plan.
“You can go into any Charles Schwab office in the country and get the same kind of return on a $5,000 investment,” said Colvin, who didn’t rule out voting for Madigan’s gambling package. “You don’t need a riverboat to do that.”
Jones often prefers to stay above the fray and allow Hendon to speak for him, so directing reporters to Hendon was telling.
* And then there’s this…
The House hopes to vote on the gambling expansion plan and mass transit aid early next week, but a construction projects bill may not be ready then, [Madigan’s spokesman Steve Brown] said.
Without a capital bill, the vote on the transit plan could turn out the same as before, which means no progress.
* More gaming stories…
* Madigan makes gambling proposal
* Madigan pitches gambling plan to fix cash woes
* House Dems push gaming bill
* Madigan backs three new casinos
* Gambling plan could put slots at Fairmount, boost casinos
* Gaming plan includes Chicago casino
* State legislators propose Chicago casino, slots at Arlington Park
* Bethany Jaeger: The chips may fall, but…
* Critics say gaming expansion has huge social costs
Discuss.
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Congressional roundup
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Sen. Chris Lauzen, a GOP congressional candidate hoping to replace retiring incumbent Denny Hastert, sent an open letter to Hastert yesterday. It starts out with praise…
Congressman Hastert, I respect you and appreciate your more than 25 years of public service. As one of the recently most powerful men in America, I ask that, rather than taking a predominant role in the coming Republican Primary election by endorsing any individual, please let the people decide.
Any candidate running for the Republican nomination to succeed you would feel honored by your endorsement.
Lauzen repeats his request that Hastert not endorse anyone, and continues with this bizarre little passage…
At first, I was very concerned that your health was failing somehow, and I sympathized with you and your family. But, you have assured us repeatedly that there is no health problem and we are relieved on your behalf.
I’m not sure why that was put in there, but whatever. Next, some more criticism…
Many folks express their wonder to me about the apparent necessity to spend $1 Million of taxpayer funds that could better be spent on national security, healthcare, or education, on the March 8, 2008 Special Election. Now that you are stepping away from your official duties, I believe that citizens and voters would be distressed if you reassert yourself and use your considerable clout to influence the outcome of an impending primary.
Most people to whom I listen are pretty sick these days of the results that have been produced by big money and big clout in Washington, D.C. and Springfield.
To sum up: I respect you, would love to have your endorsement, but think you should pass on that opportunity. Oh, and by the way, slap, slap. Strange, that.
* React…
Oberweis spokesman Bill Pascoe lashed out at Lauzen, criticizing him for hiring Kane County Republican Party Chairman Denny Wiggins to work on his campaign last month.
“I find it hypocritical in the extreme that career politician Chris Lauzen decries the influence of big money and big clout after having used big money himself to purchase the endorsement of the most powerful county party chairman in the district,” Pascoe said.
In response, Lauzen criticized Oberweis for not speaking for himself, and called Pascoe a “highly paid, out-of-state consultant” who doesn’t care about the 14th District. Lauzen said he did not mean to be critical of Hastert in his letter, but merely express the opinions of people he has spoken to in the district.
He didn’t mean to be critical of Hastert? Then he should’ve proofread the letter he wrote.
* More congressional stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Two Democrats opening to joining race to replace Versace, Circuit Judge Rick Grawey and former state Rep. Bill Edley.
* Democrats look to replace Versace
* Peoria Pundit: Morris seeks votes at his D.C. alma mater, doesn’t get them
* McLean Co. Pundit: Reviewing the IL congressional races
* Five file for shot at replacing Hastert
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Morning shorts
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Purchase tickets here for the December 16th performance of “No-El, Or How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas” - Our Capitol Fax holiday party
* Sun-Times Editorial: Sharpton’s anti-Chicago Olympic sentiment could backfire
So Sharpton is willing to jeopardize the economic benefits that the Olympics could bring to the African-American community, the same people most victimized by police brutality? His demands expose the New Yorker as having a singular, narrow focus, one that ignores recent Chicago Police reforms.
* Tribune seeks access to state police files of Blago fundraising probe
* Aaron Chambers: Attorney General put in a tight spot
* Tribune Editorial: How to avoid Stroger’s taxes
All through 2007, Stroger’s allies didn’t hold him to his “solemn oath.” Many of them figured budgeting for 2008 would be like the good old days: They’d harrumph and whine about how impossible it is to cut Stroger’s $3 billion-plus budget — and in the end they’d get their way.
Maybe they will. But county government has been inexorably approaching this bitter showdown for several years.
* Zorn: City torture payoff reeks of bad message
Hobley, who had no previous criminal record and was employed as a medical technician at the time of the fatal fire, became one of the cause celebres in the local campaign against capital punishment. When former Gov. George Ryan commuted every death sentence in Illinois in early 2003, Hobley was one of four inmates to whom Ryan granted a full pardon and immediate release.
If the U.S. attorney’s office is able to revive the case and convict Hobley on federal charges related to the same crime, Feuer said that Hobley’s damage claims against the city would be far weaker and his cash settlement from a civil jury would be far smaller.
* Over 200 CPS teachers certified as ‘masters’; more here
More than 200 Chicago Public Schools teachers were certified as “master teachers” in 2007, the second-highest total of any school district in the country this year, Mayor Daley said today.
Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is the highest credential an educator can earn.
With 208 “master teachers” this year and 860 total, Daley’s goal of having 1,200 of the most qualified teachers by the end of next year is well within reach.
* More farmers seeing wind as cash crop
* Do state troopers get enough training?
* War Room: “Oh Dana’
At a White House press briefing on Oct. 26, a reporter asked [UIS Public Affairs Reporting grad] Dana Perino about Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that a U.S. plan to base parts of a missile shield in Europe was similar to the events that led to the Cuban missile crisis.
Perino’s response: “Well, I think that the historical comparison is not — does not exactly work. What I can say is what President Putin went on to say, which is that the president and President Putin have said that we can work together on this.” […]
Appearing on NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me” over the weekend, Perino said she “panicked” when she got the Cuban missile crisis question because she wasn’t exactly sure what the Cuban missile crisis was. “I really know nothing about the Cuban missile crisis,” Perino said. “It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I’m pretty sure.”
Perino said she went home that night and asked her husband, “‘Wasn’t that, like, the Bay of Pigs thing?’ And he said, ‘Oh, Dana.’”
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