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Fitzgerald press conference open thread *** UPDATED WITH TRANSCRIPT ***
Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller *** CLICK HERE FOR A RUSH TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESSER *** * Fitzgerald: “A political corruption crime spree.” “He attempted to sell a Senate seat.” * Fizgerald said that rather than the corruption slowing down after Rezko’s conviction, they sped up. * The bill sitting on the governor’s desk regarding horse racing subsidies can be found at this link. * It’s pretty clear from reading the indictment that President-elect Obama refused to go along with any pay to play deal on the US Senate appointment, and that was just mentioned by Fitzgerald. From the indictment…
Senate Candidate 1 is most likely Valerie Jarrett. * Fitzgerald: “The conduct we have before us is appallling.” * Fitzgerald essentially asked that we “not cast aspersions” on people who are listed under code words in the indictment unless they are already charged. * Fitzgerald said he was “quite heartened” by people who have come forward to talk to the feds. * FBI Chicago director: Agents were “Thoroughly disgusted and revolted by what they heard [on the recordings]” * Fitzgerald said the office acted because of that horse racing blll sitting on the governor’s desk, the hospital grant that may have been held up because of pressure over campaign contributions, and a Tribune editor who could’ve been laid off if Blagojevich was allowed to proceed. The Senate seat, which Blagojevich “talked about selling this like a sports agent,” was also a major factor. * Fitzgerald said he would continue to investigate to see if others mentioned may have been involved, but he said some may have had no idea that they were being discussed. * Fitzgerald said he wouldn’t speak to whether the president-elect was aware of anything, but stressed that there are no allegations that he was aware of anything. * Fitz said it would have been “irresponsible” to wait until later to bring charges. * “We need people in the public to stand up and say ‘Enough.’” * Off-topic, but here’s House GOP Leader Tom Cross’ letter to Gov. Blagojevich that I told you about earlier…
* Fitz on separating old fashioned politics from actual criminality: “It is criminal when people are doing it for their personal enrichment, and they’re doing it in a way that is truly criminal.” * The FBI called the governor about 6 o’clock in the morning and informed him that two FBI agents were at the door. The governor was advised that the FBI wanted to do this as quietly as possible so as not to wake his children. The governor initially asked if this was a joke. He was handcuffed. * Fitzgerald said the Tribune agreed to hold onto a story for several days about the governor’s conversations being recorded. * Also off topic…
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- Capitol View - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:15 am:
Holding the Children’s Hospital hostage for a contribution will anger more persons than pay for play generally… that and pressure on the Trib.
- GOPJay - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:16 am:
Anyone have the url for the Draft Patrick Fitzgerald for Governor site? Another dark day for Illinois politics.
- Zora - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:18 am:
Yeah, healthcare for All Kids my eye.
- Independent - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:19 am:
As a final raised middle finger to the citizens of Illinois Rod will appoint Emil Jones to the Senate.
- Oh my Bama - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:20 am:
This is so much worse than I could have imagined.
- Captain America - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:23 am:
Corrupt to the very bitter end. Immediate impeachement and prompt removal from office -before Christmas, if Governor Pinocchio does not resign this week.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:25 am:
Well, it finally happened folks! Many of us saw this coming years ago, so those of us who knew this day would arrive, need to now tell us what our next steps should be, right?
There is something dreadfully wrong with this state. It took outsiders to step into Illinois and fight the politics and corruption. It took outsiders to make these arrests today. Illinois just voted down it’s once-in-a-generation right to reconsider our constitution. Illinois re-elected Rod Blagojevich knowing full well that he was an incompetent and corrupt man. Illinois couldn’t self-clean. There is something wrong here!
From Chicago’s greasy City Hall, through Cook County’s corrupted Board, right up to the governor’s office itself, Illinois’ dependance on it’s political parties and leaders has been proved repeatedly to be misplaced. And when these elected clown lied to our faces, stole our wages, and raised our taxes - we sat on our hands. We couldn’t even walk into the privacy of a voting booth and do the right thing! Illinois’ corruption was given a highway on which to run amok. We let ourselves down.
If we continue to depend on outsiders to wipe our butts, it will take an army of Fitzgeralds a decade to fight our battles and route our sleazy do-nothing politicians. This morning we heard Mayor Daley make his repeated claim that Blagojevich and Harris represent the corruption of individuals, not Illinois politics. Yet this is the same Mayor who has had to face the loss of his own staffers as they are exposed as scumbags. Mayor Daley is hoping that Illinois’ citizens are willing to return to sleep, and allow the latest perp walkers to become just another crazy daydream.
Not this time!
As never before, Governor Quinn has his moment. For the past thirty years, he has lead repeated charges of reform towards stagnant and corrupted government organizations. He has a record and has demonstrated that he has the right priorities. This is what he has to start doing now.
1.) Lead the charge to remove Blagojevich.
2.) Lead the charge to reform ethic and campaign laws. They need to be tougher than what was sitting on Blagojevich’s desk since Fall.
3.) Cut the Budget.
4.) Freeze hiring.
5.) Freeze state salaries.
6.) Elevate JCAR to eliminate any future challenges to it’s intended purpose.
7.) Get a Capital Bill passed.
8.) Name a Senator without ties to Blagojevich.
9.) Move into the Governor’s mansion.
10.)Demand that his party accept public responsibility for the Blagojevich years.
11.)Replace all Blagojevich appointees.
12.)Announce the forming of a gubernatorial campaign committee for 2010.
13.)Meet with Obama to get federal support for our current budget deficit.
14.)Stop the petty office relocations, the petty prison closings and halt the petty political bickering we’ve been victimized by since 2005.
Then next week…
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:26 am:
cnn.com has a live thread much more reliable than CBS2
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:29 am:
==Maybe he’ll ask President Elect Obama for one==
Did you read the ‘appreciation’ comment? No pardons here…
- Levois - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:32 am:
That man cared about no one but himself. He’s not even as smart as Vic Mackey.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:32 am:
–Shaking down Children’s Memorial Hospital? Mr. Healthcare? That’s the most despicable to date (day ain’t over yet).
–The racetrack money is gone.
–John McCormick must be the proudest man in Chicago.
–If he wasn’t already, Pat Fitzgerald is a Chicago legend. Thank you, Peter Fitzgerald!
– If Harris can roll on somebody, he will. Only one big one left out there.
- Sacks Romana - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:34 am:
Quick thoughts:
The pay to play stuff we’ve all known about for so long (innocent until proven guilty aside), and it’s not just Rod. But the selling of the Senate seat in such an aggressive, blatant fashion is mind-boggling.
“In regards to the Senate seat, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated “I’ve got this thing and it’s fu*king golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fu*kin’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.””
And the Wrigley Field/Tribune fiasco. It’s all so much more explosive than I think a lot of us thought.
Fitzgerald essentially asked that we “not cast aspersions” on people who are listed under code words in the indictment unless they are already charged: As Rich asked earlier, who is Senate Candidate 5?
There’s going to be months and months of fallout from this. The buck may stop with Blagojevich, but I’m guessing he’s going to bring down everyone around him in an effort to reduce his jail time.
Rich, could you possible do a post explaining when and how Quinn would assume the responsibilities of governorship? I’m unclear about this myself, and haven’t seen a good answer yet. If Blagojevich is in custody, is he still the acting governor?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:36 am:
===Rich, could you possible do a post explaining when and how Quinn would assume the responsibilities of governorship? ===
Simple: After the vacating of the guv’s office, via resignation or impeachment.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:37 am:
I would argue that he will be impeached before Christmas.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:37 am:
Tomorrow is Rod’s birthday. He will be 52.
Rod should step down immediately. If not, Pat Q. should step in and say Rod is unable to serve because of an “other disability,” and he should be impeached before Christmas.
The state is in too much trouble to wait on this.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:37 am:
He woke him up and asked if it was a joke! LOL
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:38 am:
I may have missed this information in the flurry of activity this morning, but I have two questions. With Emil’s retirement, what are the odds of a rapid impeachment? And has anyone asked Mike Madigan or John Cullerton for comment yet?
- Tired of the Mess... - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:39 am:
Rich/Bloggers-
Two questions…
1) Has the legislature moved toward an emergency session to begin impeachment?
2) Did the US Attorney freeze the Governor’s campaign funds?
- Rich O - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:40 am:
SC5 appears to me to be Emil Jones.
Hints in indictment: Publicly interestered, leaded to Sun-Times columnist (probably Sneed) around November 10/11. November 14 Sneed named Emil (a slower turnaround than on the previous leak of Lisa Madigan, aka SC2). Lastly, SC5 was willing to have his people talk to the governor’s people about money.
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:43 am:
The reporters need to understand the U.S. Senate is not obligated to seat Blagojevich’s appointee.
If Blagojevich did try to appoint someone to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Harry Reid would probably say, “The Senate will not vote to seat Gov. Blagojevich’s appointee.”
- Doug - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:47 am:
During the call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife can be heard in the background telling ROD BLAGOJEVICH to tell Deputy Governor A “to hold up that f—-ing Cubs sh-t. . . f—- them.
- From the Past - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:48 am:
====As never before, Governor Quinn has his moment. For the past thirty years, he has lead repeated charges of reform towards stagnant and corrupted government organizations. He has a record and has demonstrated that he has the right priorities. This is what he has to start doing now.===== VanillaMan, Pat does have a record. As a matter of fact he has a record of working for this state. I take that back, he has a record of being paid by this state. Under Walker the last time anyone saw him in the office he worked under, was his first day of “work”. No different than other politians except the statute of limitations is over.
- Levois - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:48 am:
I heard that the FBI would usually ask you to come on down to FBI offices. I wonder why they would just go to the Governor’s office and sack him.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:49 am:
I thought he said that the Tribune held the wiretap story for eight weeks.
- How Ironic - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:53 am:
The did(the Trib), at the request of his office (Fitz). He was afraid that if it were run, it would kill the investigation (at least with wiretaps).
- jerry - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:57 am:
If Blagojevich still makes the appointment for the Senate seat, the Senate should refuse to seat the choice unless its a clear caretaker. Not sure who that would be, but there’s probably someone out there who could fill that role.
The Constitution says that the Senate has final authority over it’s composition. Usually this means that the Senate is the final arbiter when it comes to certifying the results of a close Senate election, but I would think that the Senate could refuse to seat a tainted appointee.
If not, then the Senate has another option, which was discussed when it looked like Ted Stevens had won reelection. The Senate could seat the appointee, then immediately vote to expel the appointee.
Which would kick things back to the Governor.
- GOP'er - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:58 am:
Tom Cross is a joke. He’s joined at the hip to Blago on the smelly gambling/capital bill for one thing. He’s also the one who has protected Blago from impeachment to this point.
Also, Cross’ top deputy Skip Saviano has given money to Blago, as well as to the Ward boss there in Blago’s neighborhood, Democrat William Banks.
Tom Cross and Andy McKenna can both spare us all the crocodile tears on this thing. When they point a finger they’ve got 4 pointing back at themselves.
- Larry Mullholland - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:01 pm:
(15 ILCS 5/1) (from Ch. 127, par. 63b122)
Sec. 1. (a) In the event that the Governor, for any of the reasons specified in Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, is not able to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of his office, such powers and duties of the office shall be exercised by the officer next in line of succession, in the order named as follows:
(1) The Lieutenant Governor;
(2) The elected Attorney General;
(3) The elected Secretary of State;
(4) The elected Comptroller;
(5) The elected Treasurer;
(6) The President of the Senate;
(7) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Blagojevich is impeached. Governor Quinn names him self to the Senate seat. Then, AG Madigan succeeds as Governor. Governor Madigan names replacement AG and Lt Gov. set up her election remain Governor….WOW
- Levois - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:02 pm:
Mike Flannery is fired UP!
- Greg - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:04 pm:
I agree that the Children’s Memorial bit will capture big attention. When Fitz said that, there was a collective gasp around my office.
- Elliot Ness - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:05 pm:
Wasn’t it discussed before that Jesse White has to sign off on a senate appointment, effectively giving him veto power as well?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:05 pm:
–This is just the beginning. From what I gathered from Fitz, people are calling to get on the bus now. This hasn’t gone to a grand jury yet. It’s going to get bigger and bigger.
–Rod never watched Godfather II. “Buffers. The Family was big on buffers.”
- Tailspin Headwack - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:05 pm:
Bet the Illinois Tollway executives are puckering up right about now!
- John Ghrist - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:06 pm:
I have been waiting for this day since that afternoon in May of 2004 when one of Blago’s Lt’s fired me and two other good workers at IDOT for no reason. Up to that time I had worked for 19 years and had done a good job, and have a nice portfolio of letters from the media people who were pleased with my work. All during this time, I tried to tell my story to reporters who would not listen. I watched as the union (I paid fair share only dues) could do nothing…I never voted in a primary election and always stayed clear of politics…I just wanted to do my job for the taxpayers. Now we don’t have to see in print anymore that usual statement, “the governor has not been charged with any wrong doing.” Today he has and hopefully justice will be swift and complete. But this is not over yet. The Feds also need to clear out all the overpaid cronies that have enjoyed the last five years, while I bounced around between low paying part-time jobs, lost my house, went bankrupt, saw my retirement ruined and suffered through five holiday seasons wondering what was going to happen next? A few friends stuck with me to keep my spirits up knowing that today would come. It is very clear that the present governor cares about nothing but himself. He finally got caught, and will no longer be able to slip out the back doors of places or hide behind kids. He ran on a platform of reform and betrayed not only the office of governor but all of the people of this state.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:07 pm:
My advice to Pat Quinn:
1) Demand Rod resign or face impeachment.
2) Call Obama and tell him to tell Harry Reid to reject any US Senate appointment by Rod.
3) Upon Rod’s removal from office, you become Governor. Appoint James Clayborne as Lt Gov.
4) Upon becoming Governor, appoint yourself US Senator, allowing Clayborne to become Gov.
5) in 2010, would Lisa Madigan have the guts to run against a sitting Governor who is black?
- Oneman - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:08 pm:
Larry if the lt gov position is open it is not filled as per the state constitution
- bj - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:08 pm:
live feed for LT quinn presser?
- Been There - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:09 pm:
Larry, great soap opera unfolding before us (except LG stays empty).
- Pat collins - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:09 pm:
So, how screwed is Rezko? With tapes like that, do the Feds really need him? Is it throw the book at him time?
And the US Senate expelled on IL Senator (back in the 1920s) so they can just expel anyone Rod appoints.
- vole - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:10 pm:
I noticed Rod’s garb when he appeared with the employees at that window factory yesterday — black leather jacket and black turtleneck. Without casting aspersions to persons stereotyped in Goodfella type movies, Rod could have fit right into a role caste by Martin Scorcese. Rod playing the part of alienated desperarado helping the little guy workers.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:14 pm:
Mike Flannery just said that Rod “should be breaking rocks in the hot sun.”
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:15 pm:
bj: trib says live coverage of Gov. PQs presser at 12:30
- Makes me sick - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:17 pm:
Andy McKenna has a lot of nerve. This is the same guy who protected Individual K for four years in the State GOP, McKenna’s own organization. McKenna would never lift a finger to remove Bob Kjellander, and it wouldn’t have taken anything close to impeachment. Only some leadership and integrity.
Also don’t forget, if McKenna’s political Godfather Denny Hastert had his way, we wouldn’t even have Patrick Fitzgerald around today to get this done.
- bj - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:18 pm:
thanks quimby… this should be interesting………..
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:19 pm:
Fox is reporting that Rod will not be allowed to take the back door out of Dirksen, and will have to do the perp walk through the public entrance.
Reason: The usual escape route is through a tunnel to the Klu building. But it’s closed for security reasons because of the presence of the Obama transition office.
Oh, sweet irony.
Reconsider Rod’s remarks yesterday with the assumption that he knew that he had been bugged. His defense will be that he was just blowing off steam. Good luck with that.
- Deeda - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:23 pm:
I feel bad for Blago’s kids.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:24 pm:
As bad as today may look for Illinois, we may finally have an honest Governor who will make the changes our state needs. Blago may finally have achieved his campaign promise to reform Illinois government. Thanks Rod-Go Pat.
- Blutarski - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:24 pm:
No way Blago resigns. The governor’s office is way to f-ing valuable. He might be able to use this chip. (legal, personal, political)
- GofGlenview - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:26 pm:
Rezko get’s no deal, does not pass go and does not collect his $200. Soem of Rod’s aides will get deals. The rest of the Operation Board games folks are out of luck. They waited too long to get deals. This includes Cellini.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:28 pm:
===So, how screwed is Rezko? With tapes like that, do the Feds really need him? Is it throw the book at him time?===
The only way Rezko gets by is 1) these indictments were brought, in part, due to his assistance or 2) his ability to fry bigger fish.
- ChiGal - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:29 pm:
Has anyone found a live feed of Quinn’s press conference?
- ChiGal - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:29 pm:
Has anyone found a live feed of Quinn’s press conference?
- Cranky Old Man - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:29 pm:
Happy days for the sitizens of the state. Any ideas on how long it will take for 6 years worth of contracts to start being reviewed?
- Madame Defarge - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:32 pm:
The Governor has no authority to appoint a Lt Governor if that office is vacant. If he/she did there would be no need for the succession statute.
- downstate dem - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:33 pm:
Nothing will happen until after the presidential innaguration.
But until that time, state office holders, senators and legislators should all in unison demand for the Governor’s resignation. Whether Republican or Democrat all need to shout out.
If Blago does appoint someone for the Senate seat, Durbin needs to lead the charge in Washington to have the person NOT SEATED!
We need leadership now from all levels, and demanding the right thing, honest open government.
If Governor refuses to step down, then after innagural start impeachment procedings.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:33 pm:
Wow I may have to get a new name now! I would be interested in knowing your server stats Rich. You had to set a new record today.
MJM put the final nail in the coffin IMPEACH NOW.
Considering how the Govs office has treated the LT gov staff watching the paybacks will be fun
What a great day!!!
- incredulous - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:34 pm:
The most amazing thing is that he was doing all this even while he knew that the feds were hot on the case. By the way, the President-Elect Advisor mentioned in the indictment is clearly Rahm Emanuel, because he’s trying to bargain on a 5th CD successor with him, through individual A who is probably Johm Wyma, who as Sneed recently mentioned (perhaps anticipating this) is close to both Blago and Rahm.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:34 pm:
If Blago doesn’t resign tonight or tomorrow he’ll be impeached by the end of the week.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:36 pm:
==Has anyone found a live feed of Quinn’s press conference?==
http://video.wgntv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?vt1=l&d1=0&ClipId1=mms%3A//a215.l2054848933.c20548.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/215/20548/v0001/reflector%3A48933&LiveURI=mms%3A//a215.l2054848933.c20548.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/215/20548/v0001/reflector%3A48933&h1=Live video&at1=Newstream&LiveURITitle=Live%20video&LaunchPageAdTag=Newstream&fvCatNo=undefined&playerVersion=1&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.chicagotribune.com/&rnd=69649772
- State employee - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:39 pm:
Best thing that the Governor has done for State employee morale ever!
- ChiGal - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:41 pm:
wgn radio is going to carry quinn live
- Makes me sick - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:42 pm:
Blago will resign soon. If he forces an impeachment, I doubt if he would have a single defender. The writing’s on the wall.
He’ll have a press conference and say something like “I am innocent and will fight these absurd allegations with every fiber of my being, but as this necessary fight will become a distraction to my service to the people of Illinois, I will resign my office of Governor effective blah blah blah blah.”
The resignation is obvious.
The real question is what will the Republicans do now that they got what they wished for. Now they’ll just be up against a more worthy competitor.
Despite the delusion today, this is not good news for the Illinois GOP.
- In the trenches, ready to dig out - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:42 pm:
Don’t know if it was a coincidence, but, after the live special noon edition of state week in review, Carl Scroggins played the hallelujah chorus… “comfort ye, my people”!
I look around at my co-workers, and their faces remind me of the faces of every African American I saw in Chicago the day after Harold Washington got elected. That look of hope and joy after a long struggle.
I’m returning all my Christmas gifts, I already got the best one.
Can’t wait to see The Daily Show tonight.
Pat Quinn, you got a job Mike Rowe would blanch from, I’m praying for you tonight. Make us proud again; we are waiting to show just what we can do!
- Confused 2B - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:53 pm:
We need to focus on getting the state back on track-starting today!
We need to move forward and get the work done that has not been done for years!
We understand no one wants to move too quickly-but our state has waited too long to move forward-so lets make the move!
The governor will not be in a position to make any decisions-not that he has ever been! But lets get moving!
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