* 2:21 pm - From a letter sent by House Speaker Michael Madigan…
On Monday, December 10, I indicated to you that the House would return to Springfield next week to consider gambling expansion and mass transit legislation. However, in light of certain subsequent developments this week, the legislative process will be better served by holding session on these topics at a later date. Therefore, after having consulted with Leader Cross, next week’s session is cancelled.
The current environment underscores the critical need to create a genuinely independent Illinois Gaming Board. As of yet, only Leader Cross has offered his full support for the gaming regulation and ethics reforms detailed in House Bill 4194. Other legislative leaders and Governor Blagojevich have neither endorsed this proposal nor offered a sensible, equally stringent alternative.
To say the least, this is a puzzling state of affairs. Yet I have hope that there may be a new sense of urgency and appreciation for how important it is that, if we are to join the ranks of major gambling states, we agree to establish a regulatory structure commensurate with such scale and remove any concerns that casino operators, their agents and affiliates might have undue sway over elected officials. Again, to do anything less would be the height of irresponsibility and endanger our ability to improve schools, operate the nation’s second largest transit system and rebuild essential infrastructure that is critical for the state’s future and economic health.
I will continue to do my best to give you as much advance notice as possible when new session days are planned. In the meantime, I would ask that you encourage recalcitrant legislative leaders and the governor to embrace reform so that gambling in this state may operate in a completely above-board manner and without the slightest hint of impropriety, scandal or corruption.
*** 4:07 pm *** This is not unexpected, but a Cook County judge allowed a business coalition to join a lawsuit in that county to stop Gov. Rod Blagojevich from implementing his health insurance plans without an appropriation and despite a ruling by JCAR blocking them. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. The biz groups had been blocked from filing their own lawsuit by a Sangamon County judge, who cited the Cook County lawsuit’s preexistence as his reason.
Statement from Greg Baise and Ron Gidwitz…
“We are very pleased that Judge Epstein has granted our intervention into this important legal case. The judge very clearly recognizes the significance of the case and its potential impact on Illinois taxpayers and the state’s fiscal health. We look forward to a full and fair hearing and the opportunity to have our day in court.”
*** 4:28 pm *** I was told earlier this afternoon to “stand by” for any possible announcements from Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Here’s the press office’s response to Madigan’s letter and a hint of what may be to come…
In response, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich tried to steer focus back to the looming financial deadlines for the transit agencies. “Sadly, it’s not surprising that Speaker Madigan would, at the last minute, cancel a scheduled session to consider a plan to fund the CTA,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in an e-mail to reporters.
She indicated the governor plans to use his powers to order lawmakers back to the Capitol next week regardless.
The problem is that the Senate Democrats have some serious attendance problems for next week.
A spokeswoman for Governor Rod Blagojevich says the governor plans to call lawmakers back into special session next week and will decide when after talking with other legislative leaders.
Spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in a follow-up e-mail that the governor’s office expects to talk to legislative leaders over the weekend and will be in a better position to talk about timing on Monday.
Frontrunner billionaire Democrat plummets in the polls after press reports that he hit his ex-wife’s shin during a drunken, late-night argument.
Attractive Republican millionaire forced out of race after press reports that he dragged his TV star ex-wife to a swingers club.
High-flying, millionaire out-of-state African-American former presidential candidate and ambassador anti-gay rights ultra-conservative embarassed to no end when blogs report that his daughter is an anarchist lesbian activist.
Universally known, widely acknowledged prohibitive rontrunner ex first lady loses frontrunner status after she and staff go on the attack.
* My 2008 intern, Kevin Fanning, has found a place to stay in Chicago this weekend. Kevin will be at the Sunday event (not sure about Saturday yet). Many thanks to all who so graciously offered Kevin a place to stay.
* If you haven’t done so yet, you can purchase tickets here for the December 16th performance of “No-El, Or How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas” - Our Capitol Fax holiday party.
* If you can’t make it to Sunday’s event, and can’t make it out Saturday night, either (Voodoo Pilot, 9 o’clock at the Montrose Saloon), but still want to hang with some people, you can find us after the Sunday night show at the Charleston, which is at Hoyne and Charleston a block off Damen and Webster.
* And, finally, I have a few extra tickets to Sunday’s show. If you need a ticket, use the “contact me” button above.
* Boones gets the best political bar/restaurant in Springfield award. Ellen McElroy-Kenworth and Liz Brown will receive our Golden Horseshoe for best legislative staffer. The winner of best statewide official is AG Lisa Madigan.
* Today’s round will be the last one. Please explain all your votes and try to answer all the questions. Thanks.
1) Best press spokesperson (legislative, congressional, local or statewide)
2) Best lobbyist (Statehouse only)
3) Best Capitol Fax Blog commenter
Remember, no negativity and no snark, and explain your votes, please. This contest is not just based on the number of votes, but on the intensity of the support.
* My Sun-Times column today was written after yesterday’s indictment of Chris Kelly…
After his pal Tony Rezko was indicted by the feds last year, Gov. Blagojevich was asked if he was absolutely sure that his close friend Chris Kelly would escape indictment himself.
‘’Yeah. Yes. They’re two different people, by the way, and it’s a different relationship. Chris and I are much closer. Chris is the head of my political campaign. That’s someone I talk to a lot more frequently. I’m confident, yes.'’
Kelly was indicted Thursday.
The governor befriended Kelly on his way up the political ladder, and the two men talked just about every day for years, often several times a day. Kelly raised a ton of campaign cash, and Blagojevich eventually entrusted Kelly with running his campaign fund. Blagojevich has repeatedly disavowed all knowledge that Kelly was even the least bit crooked. How you can know somebody that well and not have so much as an inkling that he’s not completely on the up-and-up is astounding, to say the least.
But here’s the meat of the story…
Back in 2003, during his first term, Blagojevich gave Kelly a huge governmental assignment: The governor told Kelly to work out a gaming expansion deal.
It turns out that Kelly is something of an expert when it comes to gambling. He has never run a casino, but he loves to bet on sports. According to the indictment, Kelly placed ‘’millions of dollars'’ in wagers with Illinois bookies. In case you’re wondering, that would not be legal.
We don’t know whether the governor and Kelly ever talked about the millions Kelly bet through sports bookies. The governor and Kelly both have said that their conversations often focused on sports, so you’d think Kelly might occasionally grouse about his losses or gloat over his winnings with his good friend. […]
In essence, Blagojevich put the town drunk in charge of deciding who gets a new liquor license.
And now we have a new gaming expansion plan pushed by the governor. Go read the whole thing to see how I sum up its prospects.
* Kass makes a good point about how Kelly’s use of Illinois bookies could mean that the governor’s friend has mob ties…
The last bookie who insisted he was completely independent of the Outfit was Hal Smith. His body was found in the trunk of his car. He’d been stabbed and strangled in February 1985. Since then, the completely independent bookie movement kind of fizzled.
[F]or the second time, the governor is identified in a federal corruption indictment — this time as “Public Official A,” a source close to the investigation said.
Former investment banker P. Nicholas Hurtgen allegedly told a hospital executive “Official A” wanted hospital projects steered to a preferred contractor, and that the desire to reward that contractor was “all about money” for political campaigns, Hurtgen’s indictment alleges. The governor’s office issued a forceful denial, claiming not to be that public official.
But, regardless of that denial and Fitzgerald’s admonishment, this much is clear: The indictments of Hurtgen, Christopher G. Kelly and Abdelhamid “Al” Chaib leave Blagojevich facing a world of political, financial and potentially criminal trouble.
A federal influence-peddling probe into the administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich has expanded to include allegations that a prominent Joliet pharmacist solicited campaign contributions in exchange for promises of regulatory favors
Mayor Daley’s son Patrick had a hidden interest in a sewer-inspection company whose business with the City of Chicago rose sharply while he was an owner, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation has found.
Patrick Daley invested in Municipal Sewer Services in June 2003, along with Robert Vanecko, a nephew of the mayor. The pair cashed out their small investment about a year later, as federal investigators were swarming City Hall in the early days of the Hired Truck scandal
Here’s the hilarious part…
The mayor’s press secretary said Daley never knew that his son and nephew had stakes in Municipal Sewer Services as the company sought City Hall’s permission to take over two contracts from Kenny Industrial Services.
“Yes, it is the mayor’s son, and, yes, it is also his nephew,” Daley press secretary Jacquelyn Heard said. “But, as you know, the mayor is a very busy man, and he does not make a practice of knowing the details of other people’s investments, including those of his son and/or his nephew.
“The answer to your question, did he know about this, the answer is a resounding no.’’
This is the same mayor who harangues his staff about minor instances of graffiti he sees on his way to work. He’s a micromanager almost to the extreme.
Go read the whole thing. The mayor’s explanation just doesn’t hold up, especially considering who else was involved.
* Retiring Congressman Ray LaHood won’t make an endorsement in the race to succeed him and is angry at state Rep. Aaron Schock for using his name in the campaign…
State Rep. Aaron Schock has been using his name without permission in campaign materials and showed immaturity by suggesting a foreign policy scenario that included the possible sale of nuclear missiles to Taiwan, U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood said Thursday. […]
LaHood said “there’s been at least seven references” to his name in Schock’s materials, and within the last week, he asked his district chief of staff, Tim Butler, who has also worked on LaHood’s campaigns, to call Schock’s campaign manager, Steven Shearer.
“He hasn’t called back,” LaHood said.
LaHood has approved the use of his name in ads by Jim McConoughey, however.
* The congressman also took a swing at Schock over that goofy idea to sell (nonexistent) nuclear missiles to Taiwan to force China to play ball on Iran…
“My advice on that is that he should have done his homework, and I think it’s an outrageous statement to be making,” LaHood said, “particularly when you have as your No. 1 employer in the Peoria area Caterpillar (Inc.), that has developed many, many relationships with the Chinese, including establishing facilities in China.
* But Schock wasn’t the only candidate that LaHood teed off on…
LaHood also said Thursday that Morris’ statements this week that millions of illegal immigrants should be deported once the nation’s borders are secure is a “silly solution” that is “not going to work.”
* Hastert backs Oberweis, Burns drops out - Geneva mayor exits GOP primary race
* McConoughey calls for tax overhaul - Congressional hopeful seeks to extend tax deductions set to expire at the end of 2010
* Hanania: Challenge to Lipinski Still an Uphill Battle
*** UPDATE *** Billy Dennis gives us some context about the story on LaHood and Schock…
Months ago, a rumor was flying that LaHood was planning to endorse McConoughey. He supposedly decided against it because he didn’t to alienate Schock’s supporters against son Darin LaHood’s campaign for Peoria County State’s Attorney.
He also noted that the Peoria paper seemed to play down the story in its headline…
the [Peoria Journal Star] headline read “LaHood won’t weigh in,” while virtually the same column was headlined “LaHood raps Schock’s use of his name.” [in the State Journal-Register]
Frankly, I’m amazed that the Peoria paper even printed that story.
Leading state lawmakers were stunned to hear the state might be considering buying Wrigley Field to possibly ease the pending sale of the Chicago Cubs.
Both the top Republicans and Democrats in the Illinois House said they had never heard it discussed before media reports of talks between Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Tribune Co. officials emerged.
With a mass transit funding doomsday looming and millions worth of added education spending still in political limbo, some lawmakers said the baseball team and stadium simply aren’t a state priority.
“The current Democratic leadership even thinking of spending taxpayer money at this point in time to buy the stadium of a team that hasn’t won the World Series in 100 years could only be topped in ridiculousness if Britney Spears purchased Enron,” said David Dring, spokesman for House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego.
Downstate lawmakers unleashed a chorus of boos Thursday after hearing the state may be in the market to buy Wrigley Field from the Tribune Co.
“It’s just absurd,” said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican.
“That would be a story that belongs in the Sunday comics,” added state Rep. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. […]
“With all that Blagojevich has got going on, you’d think he’d be focusing on the mass transit problems facing Chicago, not buying a ballpark,” said state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.
“No one is talking about solving the state’s real long-term debt problems,” said state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville. “This is getting to be ridiculous.”
Whoever buys the Cubs would be required to sign an “ironclad commitment” to keep the team at Wrigley Field for the next 30 years, under a plan entertained by Gov. Blagojevich and condemned by Mayor Daley to have the state acquire and renovate the landmark stadium, officials said Thursday.
Having the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, formed to build U.S. Cellular Field, officially acquire Wrigley for as little as $1 and finance a restoration in the $350 million-range — with work completed during several offseasons so the team wouldn’t have to move out — would be a dream come true for Blagojevich, a die-hard Cubs fan.
“We wouldn’t do this deal without a guarantee that the new owner would stay in Wrigley Field for 30 years,” said former Gov. Jim Thompson, chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.
Like they’d leave anyway. This is all about subsidizing repairs and upgrades on that dilapidated, piece of junk park.
Thompson said Thursday that Tribune Co. representatives, including Zell and Kenney, met with Gov. Rod Blagojevich “a couple of months ago” to present the idea of a state purchase of the ballpark.
They said, “‘We’d like you to consider the idea of ISFA acquiring Wrigley Field because if you did that, you could ensure the Cubs stayed in Chicago under a new owner, whoever that might be, and you could ensure they would play at Wrigley Field. You could find ways to restore the ballpark, which would make the team under the new owner more competitive,’” Thompson recounted.
Yeah, the governor gets to play the hero for keeping a team that won’t leave anyway. Wonderful. Thankfully, there’s this…
A deal would require agreement by the mayor, the City Council, the governor, the four legislative leaders in Springfield and the General Assembly, Thompson said.
Considering everything else that has happened this year, I seriously doubt this will fly.
* Good news for commuters, and for legislators who would be totally on the spot next week…
CTA bus drivers and train operators this morning called off a one-day protest walkout that could have crippled area transit Monday.
After meeting with a group of religious leaders who expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed job action on their communities, the unions representing CTA workers called off a job action that was scheduled to begin Sunday night and run through Monday. A press conference was scheduled for 10 a.m.
“We don’t want to hurt the minorities and the school children who depend on mass transit,” said Rick Harris, president of the rail workers union, Local 308 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
Still, Harris said, “I’m not saying there won’t be any action in the future. But we’re trying to give legislators the ample time that they claim they need to get this done.”
* Illinois bends to feds on weeding out illegal workers
Homeland Security and the state have reached an agreement that will permit employers in Illinois to use the Internet-linked federal database to check to see if their workers are legally in the U.S. and allowed by law to work
* Some school districts face smaller state aid payments…
A handful of Illinois school districts soon will start receiving less money from their twice-a-month state funding payments, an Illinois State Board of Education spokesman said Thursday.
* Todd Stroger still pushing Cook County sales-tax increase - Board to see plans for 10% budget cut
* Cook officials say court system near ‘meltdown’ - Report says more funding, reforms are needed bad
* Anticipated revenue slump prompts Indiana to cut costs - Daniels orders agencies to trim spending by 5 percent; state may take in $231M less than projected
* Juror scrutiny in Ryan trial fueled fears, Collins says…
The lead prosecutor of former Gov. George Ryan said Thursday that he believes the juror controversy during that trial had scarred the judicial system by spreading a sense of fear among future prospective jurors.
Speaking before the Chicago Crime Commission, Patrick Collins said the jurors’ heavy scrutiny during and after the Ryan trial had a far-reaching impact
