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Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

[I’ve pulled the password protection off because it’s now available elsewhere.]

Madigan advises candidates on impeachment talk *** UPDATED x3 ***

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ll have more on this tomorrow…

Ilinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has produced “talking points” for legislative candidates on the reasons to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich. […]

It refers to corruption under Blagojevich as “a tumor” that must be surgically removed. It also claims the governor has violated the state constitution by abusing his authority.

Spokesman Steve Brown says the talking points do not represent Madigan’s views. Instead, he says they simply provide information for any House candidates who want to discuss impeachment.

*** UPDATE *** Reaction from the governor’s press office…

“This is another example of the pettiness, silliness and backroom games that Speaker Madigan has been playing for months to prevent progress. We wish he would drop his behind-the-scenes maneuvering and come to the leaders’ meetings. It’s time for the Speaker to join the rest of the legislative leaders who have been working with the governor to pass a capital bill that will put thousands of people to work.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** The AP now has a longer story online…

Brown said he believed Democratic candidate Emily Klunk-McAsey, who is running against Republican Rep. Brent Hassert for a seat in Chicago’s suburbs, received the information for a recent news conference on impeachment. Klunk-McAsey did not return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Other lawmakers who have discussed pursuing impeachment said they had not seen the memo but were not surprised it went to candidates.

‘’I don’t think that he (Madigan) is pushing for impeachment at this time, because if he was we’d be in Springfield right now,'’ said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. ‘’He wants to make sure that he does well with the House. This is one way of giving his candidates some options.'’

* Klunk-McAsey’s statement was only covered in one paper yesterday…

Here’s a sign of the ironic condition of Illinois politics.

Emily McAsey , the Democratic candidate for 85th District state, last week issued a statement calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich ’s impeachment in the aftermath of his buddy Tony Rezko ’s conviction. Not only that, McAsey of Lockport accuses her Republican opponent, Rep. Brent Hassert of Romeoville, of not being tough enough on the Democratic governor.

“His (Hassert’s) attitude shows exactly what is wrong in Springfield right now: Republicans and Democrats covering up and protecting each other when something is amiss,” McAsey said in a written statement.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Statement from Senate President Emil Jones…

“I think it’s wrong for the Democratic Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman to promote the impeachment of a Democratic Governor. Impeachment is unwarranted in my opinion, and should not be used as a political tool. It is a serious state action that should not be used to divert attention from the issues at hand which are the operating budget and passing a capital bill.”

43 Comments

This just in… *** Legislator blasts state response *** Editor defends *** Righter: Worst is yet to come *** Disaster finally declared ***

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 10:23 am - Uh-oh…

Levee breaks in Lawrence County near the Indiana line in southern Illinois are forcing evacuations.

Officials tell the Lawrenceville Daily Record that an early morning levee failure along the Embarras River is forcing the evacuations of portions of eastern Lawrence County.

The evacuation apparently involves about 200 homes, and the flooded area so far is mostly farmland and prairie.

Officials also say another levee broke along the Wabash River near Westport.

Track the events at the Lawrenceville Daily Record and at the local TV news outlet.

* 10:46 am - Tomorrow’s leaders meeting is scheduled for 10:30 at the Thompson Center. Kevin will be covering this one, so we won’t have to wait around for updates.

* 11:19 am - From a press release…

Governor Blagojevich says state supporting flood response in southeastern Illinois after levee breaks

IEMA, IDNR and ISP on site in Lawrence County to assist local response agencies, ensure public safety

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate with local emergency management officials in southeastern Illinois to ensure public safety after levee breaks along the Embarras and Wabash rivers forced the evacuation of people in the Lawrenceville and Westport areas.

“I’ve directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to work closely with local officials to make sure they get whatever assistance necessary to protect people in this area,” said Gov. Blagojevich.

Early Tuesday morning, levees on the Embarras and the Wabash River broke sending flood waters into areas east of Lawrenceville and the Westport area. IEMA dispatched a regional coordinator to the area to work with local emergency management officials and determine if state assistance is needed. Conservation police officers from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) assisted with the evacuation of 14 people yesterday in Lawrence County and conducted welfare checks throughout the night and this morning. In addition, officers from the Illinois State Police (ISP) are assisting with safety issues, and an ISP airplane was used this morning to conduct a flyover of the area to assess the extent of the flooding.

Following heavy rains over the past week, floodwaters have risen along several rivers in Illinois. IEMA officials are in close contact with emergency managers in several counties to determine needs for state assistance. In addition to the assistance provided in Lawrence County, state emergency response assets have been provided to the following counties to aid in their flood assistance efforts:

o Cass County – a crew of six inmates from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) sent to assist with sandbagging.
o Mercer County – pumps from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
o Menard County – pumps from IDOT
o Douglas County – 30 barricades to assist with traffic control.

* 11:29 am - More serious flooding on the way…

The National Weather Service is predicting crests of 10 feet above flood stage and higher over the next two weeks in Hannibal, Canton, Louisiana and Clarksville in northeast Missouri and at Quincy and Grafton in Illinois. That’s considered major flooding and would near record levels reached in 1993.

Oy.

*** 11:52 am *** State Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) is not usually one to pop off, and he mostly kept his cool when we talked a few minutes ago. But he’s becoming ever more frustrated that the flooded areas of his southeastern Illinois House district are not getting the same attention from the state that the folks across the border in Indiana have received.

Flooded areas of Indiana have already obtained a federal disaster declaration. In contrast, Illinois has yet to declare its side of the border a disaster - a step that has to be completed before the feds can step in.

Also, Indiana’s governor has personally toured the impacted areas on his side of the border. But when Eddy talked to an official with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency he was told that it “doesn’t make any sense for the governor to be down here at this time.”

“The people down here are going to perceive that he just isn’t engaged,” Eddy said of Gov. Blagojevich.

Eddy did say that some localities were getting some much-needed help with immediate concerns, and he said he was very grateful for that. But he added that the paperwork process needs a thorough review. Too much emphasis was being placed on getting local officials to sign off on documents when they were out on the front lines battling the flooding, Eddy said.

“We have a flash flood,” the legislator said, “We need flash paperwork.”

“I don’t know why Indiana can have a declaration in less than a day and now we’re three or four days ino this and we’re just seeing this paperwork.”

*** 12:36 pm *** Rep. David Reis sent in this photo of a levy break just beyond his back yard…

*** 2:12 pm *** For some perspective, I phoned Mike Van Dorn, the editor of the Lawrenceville Daily Record.

Van Dorn wasn’t much impressed with Rep. Eddy’s comments about Blagojevich, claiming that’s his usual schtick back in the district - to blame the guv for everything.

The editor said that about 200 families have been evacuated from their homes, adding, “As far as i know the state response has been excellent.” Van Dorn hasn’t been out and about himelf, but has been getting reports from his reporter on the beat.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency “is on top of it,” Van Dorn said, claiming, “They’re doing everything they can.” However, he did say that IEMA is “short of manpower.”

*** 3:07 pm *** Sen. Dale Righter has been out all day dealing with the flooding in his district, but from what I gather the worst is yet to come. A couple of rivers in the area could flood over each other and cover an area of around 50 square miles, Righter said. Yikes.

Now, much of that is agricultural land, but that’s still pretty darned huge. The local airport is expected to be underwater this week, and one town’s water treatment plant is already totally submerged.

Sen. Righter credited local agencies and the local IEMA people for working very hard.

But, Righter said, the further up the ladder you get, the less contact and involvement there is. He said there was a problem getting answers out of Springfield, and that the response out of IEMA headquarters “could be more prompt.”

With flood warnings along the Mississippi River and the deteriorating situation in Southeastern Illinois [and elsewhere], IEMA and the rest of the Blagojevich administration certainly has a lot of work ahead. I hope they’re up to it.

* Also, we’re working on figuring out how people can donate to flood victims or lend a hand in other ways.

*** 3:55 pm *** A state disaster has finally been declared…

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today declared six southeastern Illinois counties state disaster areas due to widespread flooding and severe storms that have forced evacuations and closed roadways. The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from flooding. Counties included in the Governor’s declaration are Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper and Lawrence. […]

“While we’re very fortunate that Illinois hasn’t been hit as severely as some other Midwestern states, the flooding in southeastern Illinois is devastating to everyone affected and we’re prepared to provide these counties with any state assets and personnel they need to respond and recover from this event,” said IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III.

77 Comments

Question of the day

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Please ignore the national political ramifications in this setup. From a press release…

Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain have declared Washington lobbyists persona non grata as far as participation in the forthcoming campaigns. The leadership of the American League of Lobbyists (ALL) vehemently objects to this treatment. ALL reminds the candidates that all U.S. citizens are guaranteed the right to petition the government under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

“As a profession, lobbying is an easy target and a candidate automatically garners public support with each declaration,” said Brian Pallasch, League President.

“What I have trouble with is the hypocritical nature of these comments. Both candidates have worked with lobbyists, recognize the value of their input, received legal campaign contributions from lobbyists, and yet never hesitate to throw us to the wolves when it behooves them to do so,” continued Pallasch.

In addition to guaranteeing free speech, the First Amendment to the Constitution states unequivocally the right of the people “to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” It does not specify whether such petitions must be brought by individual citizens or representatives on their behalf - hence, lobbyists.

* Question: Should Illinois ban campaign contributions from all registered lobbyists? Explain.

[Like I said above, ignore the national politics and keep it state-centric, please. There’s only gonna be one warning.]

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Kadner on Jackson, Rezko and Halvorson; Plus: Greens; Seals

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told you a little about this story yesterday, but Phil Kadner goes at it hard today…

Tony Rezko tried to negotiate a third airport deal in the south suburbs in 2006 on behalf of the governor, according to U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago).

“There was no doubt he was a state actor at that meeting,” Jackson said. “I didn’t call Tony Rezko. […]

“Rezko said that in order to get the governor’s support for the things I wanted, the governor had to be given key appointments on the ALNAC board,” Jackson said.

“That is the same kind of thing they did with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board and the teachers pension system. That’s how Rezko used his influence, by appointing people to these boards.”

* Kadner doesn’t believe Blagojevich administration claims that Rezko was never involved, and I don’t blame him one bit. I’m with Phil on that one.

Kadner, however, only briefly mentions that Jackson aide Rick Bryan brought Democratic congressional candidate Sen. Debbie Halvorson into the mix. That’s more significant, at least politically for Halvorson, than Kadner claims.

Here’s a quick refresher about what Bryant wrote…

Pay-to-play was the pathway laid out in Senate Bill 2063, sponsored by state Sen. Debbie Halvorson. That bill would have codified what Rezko essentially proposed to Jackson, ALNAC and its developers (SNC-Lavalin and LCOR), which was to create an airport board comprised of appointed – not elected – commissioners.

* I think that any direct Halvorson connection is a big stretch, but the most significant aspect of this statement was that an incumbent Congressional Democrat would seek to undermine a Democratic congressional hopeful by connecting her to Tony Rezko, no matter how tenuous those ties might me.

Jackson and Halvorson have fought bitterly on this issue over the years. Halvorson complains that Jackson wants to put an airport in her Senate district (and in an area which is not in Jackson’s district) without first getting permission from those residents. That’s a good point, but there’s no denying that Jackson has given Halvorson’s GOP opponent, Martin Ozinga, lots of ammo.

From an Ozinga press release…

* Did Halvorson ever meet with Rezko or Rezko’s associates about the Third Airport?

* If so, did Halvorson sponsor Senate Bill 2063 at Tony Rezko’s request? Was anything offered by Rezko in exchange?

* If not, still: why did Halvorson sponsor a bill that would have created ample opportunity for the same kind of cash-for-appointments schemes for which Tony Rezko was just convicted?

* Meanwhile, three Green Party congressional candidates were kicked off the ballot yesterday…

The board ruled in favor of petitioners who filed objections against 8th Congressional District candidate Iain Abernathy of Round Lake Beach, 10th District candidate David Kalbfleish of Arlington Heights, and 14th District candidate Robert Hill of DeKalb — all of whom the party had slated after the state’s Feb. 5 primary. […]

More specifically, attorneys for the objectors argued that the Green Party failed to elect any precinct committeemen from key counties during the February primary, a requisite first step in the process of slating candidates. In Abernathy’s case, objectors also argued for disqualification because he tried to run as a Moderate Party candidate in the primary before being removed from that ballot.

The Greens aren’t sure yet whether they’ll appeal.

* And Dem congressional candidate Dan Seals has harsh words for Springfield…

A Democratic candidate for Congress is offering a blunt assessment of Illinois’ state government leaders. Dan Seals is running in the 10th congressional district in Chicago’s northern suburbs.

Seals says Illinois needs “adults [in Springfield] who work for the people they’re supposed to represent.”

“Look, I’m not going to go pick a fight with anybody, but the fact is, we need more results out of Springfield and less posturing.”

Charlie Cook now rates Seals’ campaign against incumbent Republican Mark Kirk a toss-up, partly because of Barack Obama’s presence on the ticket.

* Somewhat related…

* Rezko: One trial down. Next up in 2009.

* Tribune’s Blagojevich-Rezko Cartoon

* Zorn: Let’s clarify the Obama deal with Rezko

* Our Opinion: Sign ethics bill, governor

28 Comments

Another important, but overlooked story

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told subscribers about this bill and other measures stuck in the legislative mire yesterday morning.

Today, the Sun-Times editorializes in favor of a bill to require insurance companies to cover people with autism. The editorial claims the bill “never made it out of the House,” but actually the bill did pass the House. The House, however, refused to back away from an amendment the Senate rejected which forbade the Blagojevich administration from promulgating any new administrative rules.

Anyway…

The autism bill is one of dozens, if not hundreds, that failed to become law this spring because of a profound dispute between Gov. Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Madigan and others accuse Blagojevich of repeatedly going around the legislative process. To stop Blagojevich, Madigan added an amendment to the autism bill, and to hundreds of others, that restricts the governor’s ability to do that. The amendment gives the Legislature new powers to write rules about how the legislation will be implemented.

When all these amended bills, including the autism insurance bill, leave the House, Senate President Emil Jones, a Blagojevich ally, balks.

The result: gridlock, stalemate and mind-bending frustration for real people caught in the cross hairs.

* Madigan and others are not just accusing Blagojevich of doing end-arounds on the General Assembly. It’s a fact of life. Let’s go back and see what happened last year…

After the [Joint Committee on Administrative Rules] blocked the rules [for a health care expansion plan], Blagojevich ordered his agency directors to proceed as though JCAR actually approved the rule. The governor then sent his press office out to tell reporters that JCAR was unconstitutional and didn’t have the authority to block his new idea - even though Blagojevich signed that aforementioned law that allowed JCAR to do just that.

The governor’s move caused quite an uproar. His tendency to ignore the Constitution, his stubborn refusal to take “no” for an answer from large bipartisan majorities in the General Assembly, his blatant abuse of his powers to call special legislative sessions (he’s called more than all modern governors combined), and his hypocritical lawsuits against the House speaker over, of all things, constitutional issues, had already rankled legislators to no end. […]

Whenever an executive tries to grab lots more authority, it’s usually seen by the legislative branch as an abuse of power, and that branch often ends up with more power than before. The backlash against President Richard Nixon’s notorious power grabs produced all sorts of laws that were designed to limit the executive’s authority, for instance, and the same thing is starting to happen with President George W. Bush.

Governor Blagojevich has seemed intent since Day One on remaking the governor’s office into a far more powerful branch, often overstepping his authority or “misreading” the Constitution. Considering his abrasive tactics, massive unpopularity with the public, and bungled Statehouse execution, he could wind up leaving the governor’s office as a hobbled shell of its former self.

Lots and lots of bills were essentially killed this year because Speaker Madigan no longer trusts the governor to follow state law and the Illinois Constitution. I don’t see an easy way out of this mess.

Discuss.

59 Comments

Two very important, but overlooked stories

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I told subscribers about this situation yesterday. The General Assembly hasn’t yet sent the governor the four appropriations bills which make up the state the budget. Three are Senate bills, one is a House bill…

…the General Assembly approved a state budget ten days ago that calls for spending at least $2 billion more than it raises in revenue. Governor Blagojevich is hinting veto, but he can’t do that until the House and Senate send him the official, “enrolled and embossed” copies of the legislation. Sources say the State Senate may delay until the last possible moment on June 30th, because Senate President Emil Jones is trying to talk the governor out of a veto.

Emphasis was added to make a point. The chamber where the bill originates controls when it transmits the bill to the governor. They have 30 days to do this, and this time it’s not just Speaker Madigan holding up the show. It’s Jones.

* As I’ve been saying for weeks, a big reason the Senate doesn’t want to come back for an overtime session is that it will activate the legislative pay raises…

One reason for this is it could cost legislators a $4,700 pay raise.

“The fact that the pay raise for the elected officials is kind of holding up the train is really sad,” says Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association. “It shows you how petty and parochial sometimes the members can be.” […]

Under the quirky rules the General Assembly created for raising its own pay, those raises immediately take effect as soon as the State Senate convenes three more times. That is, unless the senate votes to reject the raises. The Illinois House did. That puts State Senate leaders on a hot seat they want to avoid until after the November election.

* Another factor might be the impact on state employee pay checks, but last year a judge allowed state workers to be paid without a passed budget. Still, Flannery reports…

In fact, sources report, House Speaker Michael Madigan believes that payroll pressure and the threat of shutting down vital state services will ultimately force all sides to resolve their differences.

Could be.

* Meanwhile, a Chicago media outlet finally notes that Mayor Daley did not support the gaming proposal, which is one of the major funding sources for the capital plan. Except they buried it at the bottom of the piece…

The mayor said anyone who thinks he spoiled a potential deal to increase school funding is “greatly mistaken.” A proposal that would have expanded gaming to raise funds passed a state legislative committee, but it did not win final approval.

Daley said that idea was put forward too late.

“Last-minute proposals are always unacceptable,” he said. “There should be at least a discussion beforehand.” [emphasis added]

Why the Chicago media hasn’t taken more notice of this is beyond me.

* Budget bills and related stories…

* HB 5701
* SB 1102
* SB 1115
* SB 1129
* SB 773 (BIMP)

* Budget Has Yet to Reach Blagojevich’s Desk

* Chicago Public Radio: Illinois may not have enough money in its unemployment reserves for a lengthy recession. That’s according to a study by the National Employment Law Project advocacy group.

* 30,000 city students to rally at Soldier Field for more state funding - Mayor Richard Daley, several music stars expected to attend

* Editorial: Blagojevich pledges to actually work

* SUI’s Poshard and lawmakers renew call for capital bill

* Poshard, other leaders gather in Carbondale to push state program

* Blagojevich signs bill giving IDOT $20 million in additional funding

28 Comments

Morning Shorts

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning

* Thompson strikes out with Wrigley deal

* Tribune, IFSA talks to buy Wrigley Field hit taxes snag

* City seeks alternate funds as gaming tax revenues slip

* Daley Reacts to IOC Transportation Concerns

* BGA has CTA salary database

* Glenview contractor in Chicago city inspector bribery probe gets 33 months

* Deputy Gov. Nix leaving Blagojevich administration

* Deputy Governor To Step Down

* Blagojevich Names New Deputy Governor

* Nix says governor not distracted by verdict

“This job has been extremely, extremely interesting and fulfilling, but it also is a 24/7 job,” Nix said. “There’s no way to do it without putting everything into it.”

* Consulting Deal Sweeter Than Acknowledged For Former Health Bureau Head

Turns out the retired head of the Cook County Health Bureau is making more money contracting with the county than was previously acknowledged. Chicago Public Radio has learned that Dr. Robert Simon is making more than twice as much as Board President Todd Stroger previously said he would.

* Mayor’s ad blasts Blagojevich over IDOT jobs transfer

* In ad, Springfield mayor urges governor not to move IDOT jobs

* IDOT says I-57 moving again

* Mayor’s aide: Next step in IDOT fight is hearing

* Want to know what happened to the art around the Sears Block?

* State taxes add to pain at the gas pump

* Republican party elects woman from Pekin

* Republicans Elect Pat Brady to Replace Bob Kjellander as Illinois Republican National Committeeman

* WGN poised to offer top news job to sidelined anchorman Suppelsa

* 183rd’s jets as good as gone

A federal judge on Monday denied Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s last-ditch attempt to block the removal of the 183rd Fighter Wing’s planes from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

* SIUC’s energy research center waits

President Glenn Poshard said Monday at a bipartisan gathering of leaders that $100 million has been earmarked within the bill for coal and energy research and within that amount, SIUC would have the money to construct its research center.

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