A sudden sense of loss
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’m not saying that this won’t happen, it’s just that we’ve heard this pledge so many times before I kinda doubt anything will come of it…
State education officials launched an investigation Monday into dubious after-school programs following a Tribune story that exposed questionable spending and political patronage.
The chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education vowed to reclaim misspent money and ratchet up oversight of the grant program.
The board already has begun looking into the $20,000 grants awarded to three groups that employed ex-cons, a violation of the state contract.
“The Tribune story raised the bar for us, and we plan to make these grant awards a much more rigorous process,” said Jesse Ruiz, chairman of the state Board of Education. “We have to go and try to retrieve funds if people are not doing what they promised us they’d do.” […]
In the Sunday Tribune story, Hendon said the state board is responsible for policing the programs that got money. Ruiz took him up on that offer Monday.
“If the lawmakers are going to throw this into our lap,” he said. “They will have to, hopefully, understand that some of these groups might not get the money.”
Many, many kudos to the Tribune for this story.
* The big worry, however, is that Sam Zell’s management will mean far fewer stories like this. The paper’s top investigative reporter just quit in protest…
Maurice Possley, an investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune whose reporting helped bring about the state’s death penalty moratorium, is resigning from the newspaper.
Mr. Possley, who joined the Tribune in 1984, on Monday volunteered to be one of the staffers laid off in upcoming newsroom cuts the paper is making to balance falling advertising revenue with expenses. […]
The Tribune is trimming roughly 60 newsroom staffers in the first cuts to follow two rounds of voluntary buyouts in the past year.
Mr. Possley’s decision was based on what he referred to as the “stunning . . . dismantling of our newspaper in such a short time,” according to his note.
* Meanwhile, GateHouse continues to crumble. Its stock price is in the dumpster and some of its newspapers are being forced to share editorials. The Patriot Ledger just ran an editorial from the Rockford Register Star…
Beginning today, we will occasionally offer editorials from our other GateHouse publications on a variety of subjects that may or may not reflect our editorial view.
They sound so enthused.
* If you want another reason to be troubled by the slash and burn at the Trib and the tanking media in general, check out this lede…
One of the finalists to lead the office charged with ferreting out political corruption under Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is an attorney who led the county’s defense in a landmark illegal patronage case.
Only in Illinois.
And only Illinoisans can cover and analyze it. Not some far-away editorial board in Massachusetts.
- Tony - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 8:47 am:
Now a report in Crain’s is saying the Trib is considering burying the news and putting “consumer-oriented and entertainment features” in the front section instead. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Nice work, Zell. Our industry is run by morons.
Crain’s link: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30261
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 8:50 am:
I be the lucky grantees are really worried now. The ISBE is SO independent.
I still say that the IRS should look into the finances of the grantees. Nothing like a full IRS audit to get the attention of even the most ethically challenged recipient of Democratic pork.
Could have a deterrent effect on their fellow grantees or grantees to be. And if they find something and have to pay some penalties…even better.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 8:52 am:
Good thing the Gov got rid of the old board of education, hired a education czar to the tune of 120k a year and set the frameworke for the current board.
Otherwise these 20k payouts may not have been placed in a committee for some harsh discussion and finger waggling before being ignored.
As for Hendon, is he really saying he should not be responsible for who he directly sponsored? Lets go after Hendon as well to repay the taxpayers. We can put the money towards the unpaid medical bills.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:01 am:
ISBE became an arm of the governor when he was given authority to name board members and the board’s autonomy was removed. Funding cuts led to slashes in staff who could provide oversight. Now we hear reports of grants awarded as political patronage. Is anyone surprised? The governor’s handling of ISBE has been an abomination.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:05 am:
I think it’s hilarious Hendon threw the State Board of Education under the bus. They deserved it. Under what theory of government did they cut checks and then provide no oversight? For professional educators, not too smart.
As they look to tighten things up, they might start here:
“The Division of Funding and Disbursement Services primary functions are: (1) oversee the accounting, claims, vouchering and expenditure reporting of all state and federal grant funds to school districts and other service providers;”
What a great idea.
- Crimefighter - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:08 am:
People aren’t buying newspapers because they’re tired of the slant and bias. Because they won’t change their ways they’ll be run outta business and someone else who will do the job properly will take over.
- Plutocrat03 - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:09 am:
I feel so much better since the “State Education Officials” are looking into it.
The other “State Officials” who were charged with finding out how/why/who the first million promised to the Pilgrim Church went to were sooooo effective. In fact, they got the money back with interest didn’t they?
Just when you think the ethics of the elected officials have found a new low, we learn of another lower level. How low can you go? Cheating poor underprivileged kids out of a small amount assistance. Maybe RickEy Hendon’s campaign supporters want to muscle out a few first graders out of a lunch line…..
Can anyone think of anything lower the pols can do to their constituents?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:13 am:
OK, let’s recap.
We are witnessing a state government that is too gridlocked to do it’s annual maintenance tasks, such as budget and capital, cannot pass meaningful reforms or ethics bills, cannot pass a recall, but not so gridlocked that they can finagle a salary increase, squeeze campaign contributions from state contractors, and send millions to their political supporters through bogus grants.
What is left of the GOP is throwing their support behind the worst governor in 40 years, who has numerous federal investigations and pulls in 13% support from voters - the most unpopular governor in the United States.
The only party in power has a deadlock on all statewide elected offices, nearly no political competition north of Interstate 80, and feels no pressure to improve their pitiful performance.
The largest city in Illinois has the highest sales tax in the United States, a stagnant economy, and a mayor who cannot say the words “hired truck”, “children’s museum”, or “Olympics” without going into seizures.
The Speaker of the House cannot work with the Governor, is on the outs with the Senate President, and has a daughter who as Attorney General is charged with investigating fraud.
We have a Chicago senator leading the polls in the 2008 presidential election, but has spent maybe a year doing senatorial work for us. Yet he is beloved by a dying national press who watches their stock prices plummet, their newspaper circulation plummet, their ad revenue plummet, yet refuse to address citizen’s distrust by objectively reporting national stories. Celebrity obsession has finally met up with a presidential candidate’s self obsession.
We have a way out. Once every twenty years, we can vote to have our constitution reexamined, and replaced if necessary. Once every twenty years, our constitution empowers each Illinois citizen to use an escape hatch to bail out of any bad situations their government seems incapable or unwilling to handle. If we blow this chance, we will continue watching these kinds of political disasters destroying what is left of Illinois.
- Altgeld's Ghost - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:14 am:
When do the criminal investigators get involved? As usual, the crooks get fat and the citizens get fleeced.
Pingback Illinois School Grants Misused, Board Apologizes - A Chicago Blog - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:17 am:
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- the Other Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:20 am:
Interesting notes on the Trib. I noticed that today’s print copy seemed a bit thinner today.
- b-dogg - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:21 am:
rich. you should go to the next Free Press convention. i went this year in MN. you could have talked on a panel specifically devoted to bloggers or set in a small group with someone like a professor i met from S. Illinois who told me almost 90% of radio station in S. Illinois are owned by 2 companies, or learned why net netruality is so important to preserve. the diversity of the offerings and things to do at the conference were really impressive. what is happening now-a-days with the consolidation of the media and the lack of “local” stations/outlets is a travesty. the conference is a good place to met others that share your concerns and more importantly, people who are ready to take action against what they see happening.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:32 am:
To the person I just deleted: Why do so many people automatically think “evil HDO” when they see a Latino name? Get a life, please. Thanks.
- Anonymous45 - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:32 am:
BTW, don’t pick on MA, I lived there, and their state government operations put our to shame…
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:36 am:
Well said, Vanilla Man, well said….
- Anonymous45 - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:36 am:
Maurie was a former neighbor of mine and and a consummate reporter…he has no love for this administration…it is a real loss for the Trib and the readership…maybe he’ll write a book…
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:39 am:
AOL…is that thing still around? Kevin: freak Rich out while he’s gone and switch his ISP.
- Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:04 am:
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 9:13 am: That is one of the finest post I have ever read on this blog. AMEN
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:10 am:
Since the Governor ousted the “Soviet style bureaucracy” at the State Board of Education (and was given the authority to appoint his own board members by legislation passed with the blessing of both E. Jones and M. Madigan) several years ago, I don’t think we will hear much from the executive branch critical of Sen. Hendon’s handouts or the manner in which they were spent.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:18 am:
If ever an issue cried out for the Attorney General to investigate, I would think this would be it. The problem is, it is a political hot potato and the AG might think it will rile up some influential black pols.
I really can’t remember any substantial public corruption investigations brought about by any state AG. It should be a position appointed by the IL Supreme Court.
- Plutocrat03 - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:23 am:
I was around when the Trib did their thing with the Mirage Tavern sting many years ago. I knew the lead reporter and was a fan of his work.
At least the bad/lazy folks in government had a bit of fear in their hearts when they committed their crimes because someone with a barrel full of ink could write about their exploits.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:34 am:
The Mirage Tavern sting was headed by Zay Smith and Pam Zekman of the Sun-Times. The Trib was outraged by the sting and lobbied the Pulitzer Prize board to reject the nomination.
It’s now Brehon’s Pub in River North.
- Frank Booth - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:45 am:
As for Gatehouse sharing editorials, keep in mind Copley dictated presidential endorsements to all its corporate papers. Peoria ran a disclaimer the first year it was ordered to run the prez endorsement handed down from the Copleys in California.
- Jay Stewart - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 10:51 am:
Plutocrat03,
It was the Sun-Times and the Better Government Association that did the Mirage.
Nevertheless, you are correct that the hacks and insiders celebrate everytime a news organization sheds quality investigative reporters. One less set of eyes watching them and a smaller chance of getting caught.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 11:21 am:
==(Trib’s new editor) Kern has counted reporters’ bylines to gauge productivity==
As we know from this blog, word count does not equal quality!
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 11:36 am:
The future of journalism? Check out this excerpt:
Meteorologists have identified the storm as a “derecho,” which is more rare than a tornado and is known for its longevity, incredibly high-sustained wind speeds and fast-moving nature. Such storms, which are rarer than tornadoes, are known for their longevity, incredibly high-sustained wind speeds and fast-moving nature.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 1:39 pm:
Why not pick random editorials from past issues? They would probably be more relevant.
I cannot figure out where these “managers” went to school. MBA curricula seems include the concept that if customers leave because the product is bad respond by making it worse. One of the main reasons people might still buy the local paper is to read local content. Call me nuts, but when readership declines, I would bulk up on local content (including doubling the editorial pages). These yahoos do the opposite, replace local content with stuff you can get on-line or in USA Today.
I guess I just don’t understand the news business.
- jerry 101 - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 2:00 pm:
Zell doesn’t care about the news business. He bought TribCo because the parts are more valuable than the whole. He’ll sell the parts off, first the Cubs, then the Trib Tower, LA Times building and other real estate, then the TV and Radio stations.
The papers will be slashed to the bone in the meantime so that he can try to ring every last penny out of the news “business”.
Once the papers are nothing but a dessicated corpse, he’ll dump them. The employee retirement plan that backed his purchase will be left with nothing.
The Sun-Times will emerge the only paper in Chicago. Weird as that may sound.
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 2:20 pm:
VQ, looks like the results of copy editing that’s been outsourced to India.
- FIG Newton - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
The Gatehouse implosion has not been a very fun expeirence for Fortress Investment Group (NYSE-FIG) the publicly traded investment manager that is holding about 40% of the debt/equity in Gatehouse.
Their recent and one year stock chart is worse than the polling results for the President, Congress, the legislature, and believe it or not, even the Governor.
- Johnny USA - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 2:50 pm:
What function did the Tribune serve exactly?
The Trib has been around as long as Chicago, and these days you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting some corrupt, sleazy politician or some juiced fat cat bureaucrat. Public watchdog? HA!
Good riddance, I say.
- Anon from BB - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 2:52 pm:
I like what the Trib has done with their new TribLocal section in Thursday’s paper. But I’m afraid it is too little, too late.
- Sick - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 3:35 pm:
This is the same Senator that believes he deserves a pay raise! It seems he has no concept of where the tax dollars come from.
- 4% - Tuesday, Jul 22, 08 @ 4:36 pm:
this very clearly shows why the General Assembly should oppose the capital infrastructure program. If there are these major problems with a small $5 million grant, imagine the shenanigans that would occur with $35 billion.
the program should spell out projects and be fully transparent.
- Find the Ball - Wednesday, Jul 23, 08 @ 6:27 am:
I wish Jerry 101 was joking, but he is correct.
This is what Zell lives for and does.
Go to school on this guy. You will see a pattern that will be repeated.