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Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* It’s been a good week, but I’m ready for the weekend. You should be checking Illinoize every day, but if you’re not, head over there this weekend. Also, don’t forget to post an ad at InsiderzExchange, our new classified and calendar website.

Today’s featured InsiderzExchange ad… Looking for Springfield office space?

* The Soledad Brothers will play us out…

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No respect

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Apparently, horrible poll numbers and multiple FBI investigations detract from a governor’s sexiness…

No love for the gov? Guess whose name did not show up on Playboy’s sexiest governors poll? Tremendously tressed Gov. Blagojevich did not make the list.

To wit: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger topped the charts and was followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The kicker: Even former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer made it. He came in at No. 18.

* I understand why Spitzer made the list because it was put together by “high-priced Los Angeles call girls.” They know a rich pigeon when they see him. Ahnold is a former movie star, so I get his ranking, even if he has really let himself go since being elected…

My eyes! They burn!!!

* But then there’s this…

North Dakota’s John Hoeven ranks No. 12

* Gov. Hoeven’s official state pic…

This guy is sexier than Rod? And he’s from North Dakota! Is there anything sexy at all about that state?

* Even Bill Richardson made the list…

Yuck, man.

* Perhaps our governor would have made the list if the “judges” had been shown this pic…

* Despite all the risquée stuff in this post, let’s try our very best to keep the comments clean. Thanks much.

…Adding… I’ve asked for an official response from the Spin Sisters about the unconscionable exclusion of our governor from this list. Perhaps you could predict what they’ll say in comments. “The ‘Broken Heart’ of Rogers Park” already did.

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Question of the day

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The setup, which is from the Tony Rezko trial…

During deliberations Thursday, U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve received two notes from the jury. […]

The second note requested a transcript of testimony from a prosecution witness, which was denied. As is typical in such requests, St. Eve sent back a note telling the jurors to “rely on your collective recollection of the testimony” for all witnesses.

* Question: Is this policy wise?

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Budget intrigue

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ve been telling subscribers about these developments since last week…

[Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson] said the Senate should pass a “bare bones” budget and only pay for what the state can afford.

Rep. David Miller, a Lynwood Democrat, said the budget process in the House is being conducted to give individual members the chance to make a case for increased funding for particular departments so that the budget “reflects the needs of the state.”

The disconnect between the feuding budget proposals could indicate a “long, hot summer” like last year, said Rep. Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican. “Everyone’s going their own separate ways. … The normal process of the budgeteers has totally broken down.”

Beaubien said the breakdown is by design — House Speaker Michael Madigan is pushing an overly optimistic, wish-list budget “designed to fail.” As a budget negotiator for his caucus, he said he believes Madigan may want to pressure the governor to accept an income tax increase to pay for increased funding for state agencies and new programs.

“The scenario being set up by Madigan is showing: ‘This is what we all want. We can’t get there. Let’s raise taxes,’” he said.

* The Senate and House Dems are going in opposite directions. Last year, Madigan wanted a bare bones budget and the Senate wanted more. This time, the roles are reversed, at least for now. Madigan wants a huge budget increase, and Jones wants a more modest proposal.

* Related…

* State: Food stamps, WIC at highest level ever in Illinois

* IDOT kills roadkill cleanup

* Editorial: Legislators, governor, start talking now

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The politics of violence

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As some commenters have noted here before, it’s a wonder that more people haven’t really tried to directly tie the recent surge in Chicago violence to Gov. Blagojevich’s veto last year of funding for the CeaseFire program. No doubt, there are problems with that program (philosophical as well as budgetary), but it has been a media darling and continues to get good press…

Friday, Northwestern University released a 229-page report concluding that gun violence dropped 17 percent to 24 percent in six of seven neighborhoods where CeaseFire mediators were in place.

The three-year study, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, offered the most striking proof yet that CeaseFire’s trained peacemakers—”violence interrupters,” who are often former gang members themselves—really do save a significant number of lives

After Blagojevich cut funding to CeaseFire in August, 96 of the program’s 130 conflict mediators lost their jobs, according to founder and director Dr. Gary Slutkin, a University of Illinois at Chicago epidemiologist. CeaseFire’s analysis of police data suggests this has resulted in 170 additional shootings since September.

* CBS 2 did a story yesterday on the program as well…

A spokesperson for the governor’s office says CeaseFire could be funded through a bill that the governor is pushing.

* So, maybe he’s backing off from his veto? But, what’s that bill they’re talking about? It couldn’t be this one, could it?

The ineffectual governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, announced on May 6th a $150m scheme for which there is no $150m.

* That Economist story makes no mention of CeaseFire, but does have some details of another anti violence initiative called Project Safe Neighbourhoods…

Chicago’s PSN includes tough gun policing, federal prosecutions and—most important, or so researchers found—meetings with former felons to deter them from returning to crime. Over PSN’s first two years, the districts it targeted saw a 37% drop in quarterly homicide rates. The challenge now is to help PSN expand. Chicago’s leaders must use many tools to fight violence. One is right under their noses.

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House votes to ban guv’s billboards

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This bill is probably not going anywhere in the Senate, but it’s still a good idea…

Two years after motorists complained about the cost of big blue tollway signs displaying Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s name, the House approved legislation Thursday that would ban the governor and other officials from putting their names on billboards aimed at promoting state programs. […]

[Rep. Elizabeth Coulson’a] bill would broaden an ethics law Blagojevich pushed in 2003 that bans state officials and lawmakers from appearing in public-service announcements on television, radio and in print media.

* There was one “No” vote…

Blagojevich’s aides have explained their belief that the signs are part of the governor’s duties, merely informational about the new tollway systems and do not violate the law.

One lawmaker — Chicago Democrat Kenneth Dunkin - agreed.

Dunkin said Thursday the public should know what elected officials are accomplishing and saw no problem with the Blagojevich tollway billboards. He described the proposed prohibition as a “vendetta toward one particular individual.”

* You can listen to Rep. Dunkin’s comments to reporters by clicking this link.

Thoughts?

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Morning Shorts

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning

* After system meltdown, Pace chief promises better for disabled riders

* That’ll show ya!

If you think back to the good old days of 2006, when the City Council was flexing a little muscle, there were two insurrections that drove Mayor Daley batty: the foie gras ban and the living wage bill.

* On the clock

* Plan Commission OKs Children’s Museum move

* Did cougar kill spark arson at Daley’s Mich. home?

After local police found out about the threatening note, they brought in outside investigators — including the Michigan state fire marshal — to take a second look at the fire, Bailey said

* Politics; Edgar to stump for Darin LaHood

* What does gay marriage ruling mean for Illinois?

* Good news for gays; bad news for Dems

* AT&T planning to boost wireless service

* Bill boosting traffic control for firefighters wins backing

* Horse racing bill heads to Senate

* Democrat Joe Heneghan, IL-48th House Dist, Launches Website

* Froehlich zinged by GOP

Poe was having none of it, and given his accuser’s party-swapping background quickly fired back, much to the delight of GOP members. Here’s a link to the audio.

* McAloon Calls For State Budget Process To Be Open to the Public

* Some senior unable to get IDs for free rides

* Ozinga to face questions in downstate feud

* Friday Beer Blogging: Smuttynose Edition

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Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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