63 Comments - Anon - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:30 am: I dont think its that tough, Rich. Open Road Tolling. Three simple words that have improved the lives of many, many people who use the system. - Anon - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:39 am: Also, from a more philosophical perspective, I think that he has, for better or worse, shattered the standard for how things work in Springfield. I realize that skeptics will come back and say that things dont work, but did they really work before? So government was able to function, and overtimes were rare (as were special sessions), but at what expense? Does anybody argue that pensions were massively underfunded before this admin? Does anybody argue that schools were underfunded before this admin? Does anybody argue that health care could have gone farther than before this admin? Does anybody argue that there havent been good government initiatives that have come out of this administration? Its easy to say that the state is dysfunctional and that the governor is the cause. However, I think that dysfunction at least causes legislators to think for themselves in a way that they havent done before. I think that the level of involvement from the rank and file legislator has increased dramatically. Even if at the expense of the governor’s popularity, I think that the days of the GA meekly doing what they are told by leadership are gone. The goal of fully independent legislators may be unreachable, but progress has been made. Also, I was talking to a house member the other day. He said that you should look around after a vote to increase the income tax passes. See how many of the yes votes still have their office when the next election comes around. Im not suggesting that legislators should not take the right vote out of political fear, but rather that voters dont want an income tax increase. To this end, the governor has stood by his word and I dont see that changing. - Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:41 am: Just a warning; All negative comments will be deleted on this thread. Follow the admittedly difficult guidelines, please. Thanks. - Trapped In The Metro East - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:44 am: Nice to see Abby at work today on this thread! I can actually say he appears to be a good father…he does seem to care for his children. - so-called "Austin Mayor" - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:52 am: Rich, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has kept the comments on the Capitol Fax Blog very lively! – SCAM so-called “Austin Mayor” http://austinmayor.blogspot.com - Garp - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:52 am: He came to our block party’s when he was a State Rep and Congressman. He stayed and talked with the residence,followed up on requests and appreciated his volunteers. Those were the good ole days before Kelly and the boys got their hooks into him and made him forget about precincts and only care about money guys. I remember our black humor as we watched this thing evolve because we knew what kind of people he was putting his trust in and where it would lead. I know it is easy to dislike him now but their was a time when he was the guy. - Wonder Boy - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:55 am: From a GLBT perspective, the signing of the Human Rights Act, which adds sexual orientation to hate crime and discrimination protections, was historic. If the legislature can pass the Civil Unions bill this year, he has expressed his wish to sign it into law. So he cares about extending equality to all citizens, which is certainly positive. - Flash - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:56 am: The executive order requiring pharmacists to fill prescriptions for Plan B. - Greg - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:56 am: This one is easy: he opposes raising income taxes. - Enemy of the State - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:00 am: He got elected to his current office twice and could get elected again. Say what you will but that is quite a feat. - Jaded - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:02 am: For whatever reason (whether it be politics or policy) he seems committed to expanding access to healthcare which is a good thing. Just because I don’t agree with how he is doing it does not mean I don’t appreciate his committment. Also, he is an Elvis fan. - Levois - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:04 am: I’ll hand it to him for his ideas for health care although I may disagree with them or how he’s going about it. - Ghost - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:05 am: He did not re-instate the death penalty. - phocion - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:05 am: He vetoed the so-called “moment of silence” bill. - Old Shepherd - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:05 am: He is a captivating speaker. No matter how mad you get at him, you can’t help but like him after watching him work his magic at a good old fashioned political rally. - Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:17 am: Open Road Tolling, and the raising of truck user fees to ISTHA to cover the true user cost of this mode of transportation. Resistance to general tax increases to “solve all government’s problems” (although he doesn’t fare quite as well on the “living within your means” side of that equation). Elevation of health care as an issue (although many disagree on his “solutions”). Free rides to seniors (a good thing for those in need, not such a benefit to senior millionaires). - Jake from Elwood - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:21 am: Open Road Tolling. The time I have saved with the tolls easily overcomes the slight indigestion I get when I see his name each time I drive through. Bravo. - GoBearsss - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:23 am: “…They say his heart grew three sizes that day.” Everyone here knows that I am a big health care nut. Similar to what was said above: Love him or hate him, 750,000 more people with health care is nothing to sneeze at. - Leave a light on George - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:24 am: I actually admire his choice in baseball teams. - Anon - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:28 am: He has held the line on pay raises for merit compensation state employees. - Arthur Andersen - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:45 am: Slightly redundant, but any father who could sit through Hannah Montana start to finish earns a tip of old AA’s hat. - wndycty - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:46 am: His efforts to provide as many folks as possible with health care. Folks can criticize his strategies, tactics and methods, but its hard to criticize anyone who wants to make sure as many folks as possible have health care. - Justice - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:52 am: He certainly has changed the “that’s he way we have always done it” mantra in Springfield. I like the way he challenges the leaders of both parties, how he dances around the assumed rules, and how he jabs at his opponents continually. I only wish he could spend within budget and get our financial house in order. Then he could raise his hand as a champion. - chiatty - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:56 am: Except for surrounding himself with the same set of stooges who have corrupted Illinois government for a long time, Rod has been a fairly consumer friendly governor. He is a bit of a stuntman, but some of his stunts (seniors ride for free) have been to the decided advantage of the little guy. I think he has a good heart and cares about the people that he governs, but he has allowed petty jealousies to control his ability to get along with the people he needs to get along with in order to govern effectively. His tenure is truly tragic, because he could have done a lot of good things for the people, principally schoolchildren, had he not been preoccupied with his national electability and/or fundraising, which is pretty much the same thing! - BigDog - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:04 am: Open Road Tolling along with all of the other initiatives to improve the Tollway system in general - it’s the one public agency that has actually kept up with maintenance and expansion in a way that our road & infrastructure system deserves. It’s now time to turn our attention to IDOT, and save that system before it’s too far gone (with a necessary capital bill!). All of the blather about ensuring the safety of our bridge system following the Minnesota bridge collapse will be meaningless until we have the budget to actually fix our many deficient bridges. - KenoMan - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:06 am: Blago DID NOT institute Open Road Tolling. It was ongoing when he became Governor. He also didn’t rebuild the Tollway Oases, that contract was also signed BEFORE he was elected. He did however, raise tolls. - John - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:08 am: He’s the best labor Governor this state has ever had and I appreciate is real effort to get healthcare for people. Most politicos are just in it to make headlines and abandon the tough fights when it’s difficult. Say what you want but this guy doesn’t give up. - Gus Frerotte's Clipboard - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:08 am: He has been a national leader in expanding children’s health care and early learning opportunities, in both instances doing so with solid bipartisan support. (Which is why those initiatives aren’t in the news much.) That’s in keeping with the general tone that legislators who dislike him tend to dislike him personally more than on the issues; part of what got him reelected was an ability to identify issues that resonated with people (health care, preschool, open road tolling) and actually make things happen. - K to the 3 - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:16 am: All Kids, open road tolling, signing Smoke Free Illinois and pushing to ban soda and junk food in IL schools. Like Bush, I think he has been brought down by the scandalous people he surrounded himself with. - David Ormsby - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:17 am: Illinois’ pre-school program was ranked first nationally for enrolling 19% of the state’s three-year-olds, according to The State of Preschool 2007: State Preschool Yearbook released in March. Nationwide, enrollment of three-year-olds was up 10%, mostly due to increases here in Illinois, which became the first state to commit to serving all three-year-olds. This has occurred because Blagojevich has increased funding for his early childhood education program, Preschool for All, by 90 percent, or $164 million, over the past five years. There ya go. It’s something. - montrose - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:34 am: He has done some good around affordable housing -signing the Rental Housing Support Program and putting affordable housing in his version of the capital bill. - Bill - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:34 am: He has increased education funding more than any governor in history, expanded access to health insurance for children and their parents,promtoed pre-school education, signed many labor friendly bills which benefit working men and women, and stood up to the Springfield and Chicago bullies who have always gotten their own way. Anyone who drives the Dan Ryan appreciates the modernization. The toll roads are much less congested and are still undergoing rennovation to make them even better. He has accomplished all of this while keeping his pledge to not raise sales or income taxes. Thanks for this thread! - BIgWindy - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:37 am: The beautiful new oasis’. Without his connections to Knight E/A and Hurtgen we wouldn’t be able to relax, sit and enjoy such a wonderful setting above a highway. What ever the costs they were worth it… - Pot calling kettle - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:43 am: I appreciate the efforts to increase health coverage and education funding. Having said that, I think the reason the bashing and lack of respect is both ongoing and increasing is that with the budget so tight in order to increase one program, he has to cut other, equally worthy programs. So few of his good deeds have come without causing damage elsewhere. - Chicago Guy - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:49 am: Stood up to Madigan. - David Starrett - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 12:29 pm: I was delighted that he ended the practice of distributing hundreds of hefty budget books, instead passing-out CDs with digital Acrobat files. These are cheaper, easier to store and, best of all, searchable. I can zip-through these in a fraction of the time it took to slog-through the printed version, clip-out and highlight what will interest clients, and leave the rest on the disk. It also saves untold forest acreage. So: why are his agencies opposing Bill Black’s bill to do the same thing with responses to FOIA requests? - Ahem - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 12:46 pm: A governor who has jogging as one of his “bad” habits is a lot better than one who has overeating as one of his bad habits. - reasonable 1 - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 12:47 pm: Open road tolling, healthcare, minimum wage, preschool, smoking band, etc…he actually cares for all people, no matter what age or ethnicity, and yes, he stood up to Madigan! Talk about “CHANGE”….!!! - Smitty Irving - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 12:50 pm: He stared down Missouri’s Governor Blunt - the new St. Louis I-70 bridge will be free, no tolls. Nationwide (TX, IN, and MO) GOP Governors are creating / expanding toll roads. Blagojevich prevented it from coming to the Metro East area. - Sweet Jane - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 1:07 pm: He has and continues to work on expanding access to health care. I wouldn’t have been able to obtain treatment for my cancer (too young for most existing programs, made too much money (?) as a freelance writer for others) if it weren’t for the IL Breast & Cervical Cancer Project. - taxmandan - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 1:16 pm: As a conservative I really appreciated the Gov getting I-88 renamed in honor of Ronald Reagan. - Princeville - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 2:01 pm: nice,uh, okay. The pre-school funding. It really makes a difference for us that live out in the boonies to have our small districts be able to offer pre-school. Online applications and access to information at fingertips, he’s brought Illinois into the computer age–what was it something like ‘online not in line’. But I get mixed when it comes to the postives/goods verses the negatives, so it’s hard to stay postive. Really had he taken over a state in great economic times and had unlimited surplus cash to play with, alot of his ‘programs’ are good ideas and some I could readily support. I like the man as a person of family values, I really do and love to see shots of him with his little ones. Best I can do without negatives begining to overtake positives, and alot of that would have to do with methods, ill-thoughout expansions n guidelines ect. I did vote for the guy twice. - Joe Schmoe - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 2:12 pm: His antics have made “Rich” Miller a “richer” man! - Fox Mulder - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 2:54 pm: He got Stu Levine to give up drugs. - wordslinger - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 3:09 pm: He, along with JBT, were instrumental in raising interest in the Green Party. I’m not a true-believer, but they raise issues that are neglected. - puzzler - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 3:26 pm: The expansion of passenger rail in the state and susidies for same resulting in steady increase in ridership. - Irish - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 3:42 pm: Anon - Merit comp Employees that were appointed have not received “raises” But every year since his administration began they have received hefty “salary adjustments” He recognized the union for mid level MC workers giving us the first contract ever, and the first raise of any kind in five years. - North of I-80 - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 4:00 pm: Positive role model for exercising and Being healthy / more fit. - Anon - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 4:20 pm: Irish — I haven’t gotten any “salary adjustments,” and I’m taking home less now than I was 6 years ago. Also, the administration fought unionization of people in my area. So give the man credit! - Amy - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 5:08 pm: the other day he showed up to that rally against violence. he seems consistent in his support of legislation to end the violence, moderate gun regulations, and he understands that Ceasefire is less effective than advertised. - Way Below Springfield - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 5:13 pm: I appreciate the efforts for healthcare for all that the Governor has continually brought to the forefront to everyone eyes. It is easy to not think about it if you have insurance and in that that could pose a financial burden depending on your illness. I applaud the Governor for thinking prevention and not wait to a major illness that may have been prevented if that person could have afforded to see a physician. I have never see a Governor in the history of Illinois that cared about the little people’s needs as well as the “bigger” people. I love the balance. Keep up the great work! - Anon - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 5:32 pm: Rich, I dont think you’re one who appreciates a good ego stroking (in fact, I think it often pushes you the other way), but I appreciate this post. It seems like therapy, like we’re all in a bog room and getting it all out. We need YOU in the leaders meetings to help get by the egos and get the work done. I hope that you do this excercise for the four tops as well. I have been critical of the Speaker in past posts, but I would welcome the opportunity to show that, like many of the negative Blago posters who visit here each day, I too can be an adult about acknowledging the strwngths of those with whom I dont always agree. As for this post, I’m happy to see how many people said they admire his commitment to health care and his willingness to fight for what he believes in. I think this governor is truly a neighborhood guy who cares about the people who need government the most. The grandstanding may diminish the impact of his care for working people, but its hard to deny that this is who he is. Thanks again. - Bud Man - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 5:48 pm: The appointment of Jill Morgenthaler as Homeland Security Advisor/Deputy Chief for Public Safety. Also, homeland security policy. This is one area I can say he did put the interests of the state ahead of his own. The National Govs Assoc does say, however, that there are two things that will destroy a Gov: a mismanaged natural disaster and mismanaged prison riot. So in the end, maybe it was entirely selfless, but they were/are good policies nonetheless. - Independent - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 6:03 pm: His teeth…… just kidding. I agree with the previous poster about Blagojevich’s push to ban junk drinks and food in schools. Kids who consume many sugary drinks and snack cakes risk getting diabetes or becoming obese. - HoosierDaddy - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 6:33 pm: I think it is commendable that he is at least making an effort to provide health insurance for the kids in this state. Our health insurance system nationwide is really screwed up, and I’m not sure what the answers are, but I will give credit to Blago for leading the charge to do SOMETHING…. ANYTHING! - Nice as I can be - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 7:03 pm: He has truly restored hope to the Illinois GOP. - Herself - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 8:11 pm: He has not raised income taxes. - carole - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 9:29 pm: All Kids, Open Tolling and an EPA that actually protects us while being sensitive to businesses. I would also add that I am really glad that he has not raised taxes. - Arthur Andersen - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:06 pm: through it all, he (more or less) kept Bill on the team. - Disgusted - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 10:34 pm: He is the most consistent person I’ve ever heard of when it comes to proposing programs, administering them and funding them. He’s a snappy dresser. - Quizzical - Monday, Apr 7, 08 @ 11:07 pm: He’s pursuing some noble goals. ……………………….. Rich, please let us be snarky again. - Frosty Da Snowman - Tuesday, Apr 8, 08 @ 6:18 am: Next to Massachusetts, Illinois is probably the most corrupt state in the nation. Having come up in the Chicago Machine, Blagojevich knows that the only way to get things done is to play the system - no matter how corrupt it is. The difference between Blagojevich and those who came before him is that he plays the corrupt system to benefit the people, rather than line his own pockets like those before him. “Corruption” in the name of compassion? What’s wrong with that? Let’s not forget that guaranteed healthcare for children and free public transportation for our seniors would not be possible without this so called “corruption.” Rod Blagojevich is the most caring governor this state has ever had. If the cynics don’t drag him down first, the man qualifies as “Governor for Life.” This state will never have a more compassionate, caring, clear thinking individual as its chief executive. - VPCal - Tuesday, Apr 8, 08 @ 9:53 pm: Health care & Education! Looking out for Seniors, Family & Children! Good Job! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.