Admitted nitpicking
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Overall, this isn’t a bad story by the AP about the relationship between Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. It’s incomplete, but this is the AP here.
Still, I have a couple of nits to pick with the piece. I wouldn’t otherwise bother, but Illinois is such a gigantic national story right now that it seemed worthwhile as I wait on some phone calls to be returned…
The relationship started to sour not long after Blagojevich finished taking the oath of office in 2003. After seemingly agreeing on a budget plan with Democratic lawmakers, he went home and vetoed big chunks of it.
The relationship soured when Blagojevich was in the Illinois House, but that’s neither here nor there. Also, don’t forget Madigan’s “indiscretions” remark from the 2002 campaign in response to a thwack by Blagojevich on pork projects. That relationship was sour way before Rod Blagojevich was sworn into office.
Anyway, the governor did not “seemingly” agree to a budget plan. He agreed to it. He shook hands on it. He gave his word. And almost everyone else involved with that budget agreement was furious at the governor. Secretary of State Jesse White practically had steam coming out of his ears after the guv reduced his budget.
Madigan, a slight man who shows little emotion in public, also has been offended by the bombastic, glad-handing Blagojevich’s personal behavior.
To the best of my knowledge, Madigan isn’t offended by glad-handers. The next few sentences disprove the AP author’s theory…
That was apparent at the 2004 funeral of state Sen. Vince Demuzio.
“Madigan told me … Blagojevich was late, he kept the priest awaiting and then he didn’t even go to the cemetery,” said Charles Wheeler, head of the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. “He bopped in, held up the Mass, and you could just tell that to Madigan it was the protocol equivalent of mooning the congregation.”
Blagojevich’s tardiness and boorish attitude at the funeral of one of the most revered politicians in Illinois is what ticked off Madigan and everyone else who was there. Statehouse types still talk about the governor’s reprehensible conduct as if it was yesterday.
But Blagojevich hit one of Madigan’s biggest nerves — his sensitivity to suggestions that he got his daughter her job and calls the shots for her — in 2004, after Lisa Madigan shut down Blagojevich’s plan to mortgage the state’s Chicago headquarters. She said the move was unconstitutional, but Blagojevich accused her of retaliating against him on her father’s behalf.
“I don’t want to get involved in a family deal here but, you know, it’s her father,” Blagojevich said. “I’ve got two daughters. I hope they back me on stuff that I do.”
After the governor made that comment, Lisa Madigan was immediately defended by just about every political journalist and editorial writer in Illinois. Speaker Madigan got such a kick out of the media reaction that he personally thanked the governor for his comments.
Also, I’m pretty sure that Madigan fully understands that his daughter is a big girl now. She chose this business, she has to take the potshots that go with the turf.
…Adding… This MSNBC talking head seems to be outraged with Madigan because Rep. Bill Black got all angry on the House floor yesterday during the debate on the special election. Apparently, nobody told her that Black throws a tantrum every day. lol…
…Adding… I really despise the national press corpse…
But the whiff of scandal has hit [Pat Quinn] too. While a state treasurer from 1991-95, he accepted nearly $20,000 from a company tied to Tony Rezko
More from the piece…
As Blagojevich and his predecessors have shown, it doesn’t take too long to be corrupted by the same power that has swallowed four of the past eight governors.
[Sigh]
George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich were both inclined to corrupt misbehavior going into the office. The corruption isn’t just this ethereal dark force forcing good men to do bad things.
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* A new poll commissioned by the Illinois Republican Party finds strong support for a special election…
Two-thirds (66%) of the electorate favors the state legislature passing a new law requiring a special election to fill Barack Obama’s unexpired term as US Senator rather than letting the Governor pick the next US Senator. Only 26% oppose a special election.
This large majority support for a special election is strongest among Republicans (74%) but is also strong among Democrats (64%) and Independents (65%). In the collar counties and downstate, the support for a special election is huge (71% and 70% respectively).
* And this is what I’ve been talking about when I say that anyone with close or even not-so-close ties to Blagojevich is severely tainted in voters’ minds…
70% of voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate for office in Illinois who supported or endorsed Rod Blagojevich’s reelection for Governor in 2006 even though he was already under investigation for 3-years.
The “less likely to vote” result is strongest among Republicans (82%) but is also strong among Democrats (66%), Independents (66%), and voters in Cook County (65%), City of Chicago (65%) and the collar counties (76%). Clearly, Democrats who are tied to Blagojevich are vulnerable.
* More…
An overwhelming majority (79%) believes things in Illinois are headed off on the wrong track. Only 14% thinks things are going in the right direction. This very strong negative sentiment cuts across party lines.
Regardless of party affiliation, most Illinois voters (88%) have an unfavorable opinion of Rod Blagojevich. Only 8% has a favorable opinion of him.
* Methodology…
This Illinois statewide survey of 600 likely voters was conducted on December 15, 2008 by McLaughlin & Associates. All interviews were conducted by professional interviewers via telephone.
* Click the pic for a better look at the internals…
* We also have some info on a couple of potential GOP gubernatorial candidates. From Crain’s…
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce annouced that it has granted a leave of absence to its president, Doug Whitley, so he can “pursue personal goals, perhaps including a future political career.” The leave takes effect on Jan. 1 and comes after months in which Mr. Whitley was said to be testing the gubernatorial waters.
* Also from Crain’s…
U.S. Housing Secretary Steven Preston, who’s mulling a run for governor of Illinois in 2010, effectively makes his debut speech as a candidate for the GOP nomination Tuesday.
In the wake of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest and criminal charges last week, Mr. Preston revised a long-scheduled speech on housing issues in Chicago to focus on “leadership, accountability and transparency in government.” […]
“I’ve chatted with a couple of people about the needs of the state,” said Mr. Preston, a native of Janesville, Wis., who got his degree in political science at Northwestern University and considered a career in public service before getting into banking and moving up the corporate ladder. “Anyone who runs has to do a lot of soul-searching.”
*** UPDATE *** Mayor Daley reacts…
Republicans have accused Democrats of opposing a special election because they’re afraid an anti-Blagojevich backlash could pave the way for a GOP candidate to take Barack Obama’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
But, Daley denied the motive is politics.
“You cannot, because an individual does something wrong, change everything dealing with that office. You only have less than two years [until the next election]. It’s about thirty-to-fifty million dollars. That’s a lot of money,” Daley said.
“Whoever becomes the governor — if the lieutenant governor comes in — then, he has the responsibility [to appoint the next senator]. That’s the responsibility of the governor. If [Gov. David] Paterson can do it in New York, why cannot they do it here?”
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[Bumped up for visibility]
* 10:36 AM - More trouble for the guv…
Jailed political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s sentencing has been postponed indefinitely, possibly adding to the legal problems of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who already is facing federal charges.
The order came at a one-minute hearing Tuesday amid speculation that Rezko has resumed talking to prosecutors about his relationship with Blagojevich and other figures in the federal investigation of state government.
But Rezko’s chief defense counsel, Joseph Duffy, declined to comment.
*** 12:13 PM *** The walls are closing in…
Another card may have fallen in the governor’s house of cards. Christopher Kelly - one of Gov. Blagojevich’s closest advisers, fund-raisers and friends - is set to plead guilty in his federal criminal case, according to a court filing.
*** 12:31 PM *** From the AP…
A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. tells The Associated Press the congressman has been talking to federal investigators about his dealings with Gov. Rod Blagojevich since summertime.
Spokesman Rick Bryant wouldn’t give details of those discussions Tuesday morning.
But a report from WLS-TV in Chicago cites unidentified sources as saying Jackson has told investigators Blagojevich wouldn’t appoint Jackson’s wife as state lottery director because Jackson wouldn’t donate $25,000 to the governor’s campaign fund.
*** 2:01 PM *** It’s not too difficult to read between the lines of Mayor Daley’s comments today…
Pressed on whether the state is “rudderless” with Blagojevich at the helm, Daley said, “It’s gonna be very, very difficult.You have economic problems in every home and every business. Every city and county and township and every state [has financial problems]. It’s not unique.
“So, you need a person 24 hours [a-day], seven-days-a-week who cannot ever be distracted on any other issue.”
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[Bumped up x2 for more visibility]
* The House impeachment committee begins its work at 10 o’clock this morning. Listen or watch by clicking here. [NOTE: There was a problem with the feed, but it’s now fixed.]
* The Illinois Senate convenes today at 10 o’clock as well. Listen or watch here.
It would be very helpful to all of us if some of you would take it upon yourselves to live blog the proceedings in both chambers. Thanks.
*** 10:51 AM *** House Majority Leader Barb Currie, who is the impeachment committee chairman, just disclosed that the governor’s criminal defense lawyer, Ed Genson, will arrive at tomorrow’s hearing.
Currie also said the committee wanted to call Alia Ata, John Harris, and others as witnesses, but won’t until they get clearance from US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
*** 10:57 AM *** The impeachment committee is adjourned until 11 o’clock tomorrow morning.
*** 12:03 PM *** WGN is reporting that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will attend tomorrow’s House impeachment hearing.
*** 12:15 PM *** WGN story doesn’t appear to be true. From the governor’s press secretary…
“No, he’s not attending the hearing tomorrow.”
*** 12:24 PM *** The Senate is now advancing a resolution to create a committe that will recommend the Senate’s rules for the impeachment process.
The committee’s nine Democratic members are: Cullerton, Clayborne, Haine, Harmon, Silverstein.
*** 12:35 PM *** The Senate is adjourning. They’re taking a roll call because the Republicans complained about the Dems not calling a special election bill to replace Barack Obama. 35-20-0. Motion carries. Senate adjourns without taking action on the elections proposals.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Most of us have read the criminal complaint against the governor and seen all the coverage, the jokesters, the pundits, the whatever discuss the governor’s mental state.
In your opinion, is Gov. Rod Blagojevich suffering from some sort of mental illness? Or is he just a common alleged criminal? Somewhere in between? Explain.
No snark, please. I’m serious about that.
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Our train wreck of a government
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Rod Blagojevich train wreck may be mitigated somewhat by a judge…
The state Department of Natural Resources may lack the power to close state parks to the public, a McLean County judge has ruled in a lawsuit challenging the closure of Moraine View State Park near LeRoy.
“The court finds nothing in plaintiff’s allegations that would show a manifestation of legislative intent to permit the agency to totally close the parks,” Judge Michael Prall said in his denial of a state motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Thomas Pliura.
The ruling released Monday does not mean seven parks and several historic sites closed Dec. 1 by the state DNR under an order from Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be reopened at this point. But if Prall rules favorably after hearing arguments on Pliura’s request for a temporary restraining order, the state’s closures could be reversed, Pliura said.
* But the problems persist from almost all other corners…
Fitch Ratings cut the credit rating yesterday on $19.1 billion of Illinois bonds because of concern the governor’s legal woes will make it more difficult to deal with a $2 billion budget deficit.
Standard & Poor’s has said it may lower the state’s credit rating in response to Blagojevich’s arrest, which would add millions of dollars to borrowing costs, according to Scott Burnham, a spokesman for Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
* The Tribune editorializes on yet another topic that could cost the state serious money…
The Illinois Gaming Board could decide Tuesday where it will reactivate the state’s 10th casino license. We hope the board doesn’t put the urgency to create new tax revenue for Springfield ahead of thoroughly investigating the three finalists. Here’s why:
The FBI complaint filed against the governor of Illinois last week discusses his alleged fundraising efforts in connection with a bill affecting the casino and horse-racing industries. Hmm. And some people still wonder why public officials and law-enforcement agencies need to apply extraordinary scrutiny to industries that involve gambling.
The bill would extend the life of existing law that subsidizes the state’s racetracks with revenue from its largest casinos. The FBI complaint suggests that the alleged Blagojevich fundraising effort was tied to his expected decision to sign the bill. That would help the racing industry and take money from the casinos.
Is it possible, though, that investors in any of the three casino license applicants were involved in lobbying the governor’s office on this bill, either for or against it? We do expect the Gaming Board to know those answers before it votes on where to put a casino.
* And the governor actually vetoed a bill yesterday…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed Monday a bill that would have extended a Hoffman Estates development district.
Hoffman Estates officials wanted the TIF district at Barrington and Higgins roads extended another 12 years in hopes it would generate money for a $100 million full-service hotel next to the Stonegate Conference Centre.
Officials say the hotel would have created 200 jobs.
“We’re going to try to override the governor’s veto and get the bill passed again,” Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod said.
The TIF was established in 1986 and expires next year. McLeod said he wasn’t told why Blagojevich vetoed the bill. The governor’s office wasn’t available immediately for comment.
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Special election foiled by House Dems
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Heartening news…
Secretary of State Jesse White said Monday he would block any appointment Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s makes for the state’s empty U.S. Senate seat, should the governor make one.
“I will not accept that nomination,” White said. “I would block it.”
Blagojevich has been urged by a chorus of Illinois officials not to make the pick after being arrested on federal corruption charges last week.
White would have to sign off on Blagojevich’s choice, but it has been unclear whether his role was simply a matter of handling paperwork.
* The headline on today’s Drudge Report was: “Illinois Democrats Let Blago Retain Senate Appointment.” Oof. Here’s the story…
Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives postponed stripping Governor Rod Blagojevich’s power to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama that prosecutors say Blagojevich tried to sell. […]
Republicans said Democrats, who hold a 67-51 majority in the chamber, seek to avoid a loss of the seat to the GOP in a special election.
“Shame on you,” Representative William Black, deputy leader of Republicans in the House, shouted during a debate in the state capitol building in Springfield. “We had an opportunity to limit the power of this governor and you refused.” […]
“It’s extremely disappointing that Democratic leaders in Illinois are ignoring bipartisan calls for a special election,” Robert Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement distributed on PRNewswire.
* More GOP react…
“Tonight the world has seen up close the hypocrisy of Illinois politics,” decried Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna. “The people of Illinois deserve better.”
* There are fewer and fewer “bipartisan calls for a special election,” particularly from Illinois’ county clerks, who would have to run (and pay for) the thing…
Election officials statewide say they don’t have the money to pay for a special election that could be held to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. […]
Officials have floated statewide special election cost projections between $30 million and $50 million - running individual counties anywhere from tens of thousand of dollars to as much as $8 million in Cook County’s Chicago suburbs. Chicago’s expenses could hit $16 million.
Clerks say they don’t have that money in their budgets. “We just hope the Legislature considers the additional expenses,” said Stacey Kern, director of the Sangamon County election office in Springfield. “It’s going to cost us. Hopefully they’ll do right the thing and find some funds for us.”
County Clerk Joe Aiello estimated a special election would cost Sangamon $300,000 - a huge burden for a county that recently offered employees voluntary severance packages and is looking to cut more expenses. Aiello said the county could tap its general fund, but that likely would mean cuts elsewhere.
* Back to the Repubs…
Republicans say a special election would erase the stain that Blagojevich has left on the Senate appointment in the wake of the allegations against him.
“I think the people’s trust in the state of Illinois has been shattered,” said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. […]
“The best disinfectant in a democracy is the people,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.
Except “the people” elected George Ryan over and over again (lt. governor, secretary of state and governor) and elected Rod Blagojevich governor twice. But I see the point.
* A national pundit sucks his thumb…
Quinn might logically choose Lisa Madigan, the state’s popular attorney general. But there’s a problem there, too. Knowledgeable Illinois Democrats say that Madigan would vastly prefer to be governor, a job her dad, state House Speaker Michael Madigan, would also like her to get. Yet if Quinn were to take over from Blagojevich, he might well build up his own popularity and thus block Lisa Madigan’s ascension to the governorship.
* And Obama is staying mum…
Obama has not said whether he supports a special election or an appointment from Quinn should Blagojevich step down or be removed from office. Obama has only called on lawmakers to do what is “appropriate,” without explanation.
Thoughts?
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Photo of the day
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gawker…
In 1980, a vacationing Rod Blagojevich camped in front of Richard Nixon’s home, with a friend, until the pariah ex-president emerged and this picture was taken.
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Impeachment thoughts and roundup
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There’s just no way to tell how long the impeachment process will take…
The estimated timeline has ranged from a few weeks to a few months. Madigan said the governor’s decision about whether to attend the proceedings as “invited” could play into how long the process takes. “If he does not appear personally or through an agent, it will greatly shorten the proceedings of the committee. If he appears personally or through an agent, it will lengthen the proceedings of the committee. That’s all I can tell you.”
* It’s also very likely that the committee will continue to meet, at least briefly, after the new General Assembly is sworn in on January 14th…
If the proceedings run into the next General Assembly, which is scheduled to start January 15, committee members said they would vote to allow their work to carry over.
There will likely be no problem with that.
* The Chicago Tribune is exactly right today…
Can the governor be impeached by the House and stripped of office by the Illinois Senate on the basis only of Fitzgerald’s criminal complaint?
Our belief: Yes. But there are reasons for this action beyond the criminal complaint, including the governor’s efforts to usurp the power of the legislature. The governor has lost his capacity to lead, and should be ousted from office so someone else can guide state government at this treacherous time. Separately, whatever happens in court, happens in court.
Right on, Tribsters.
* And before anyone else editorializes or writes a column about the impeachment process, I suggest they Google “Evan Mecham.” For example…
My guess is that at this point, Blagojevich would go to the state Supreme Court and attempt to block the impeachment proceedings, claiming that he’s being investigated by federal prosecutors for criminal conduct and cannot defend himself against impeachment for fear of compromising his right against self-incrimination.
The Supreme Court justices, all of whom have respect for the trial process, might be likely to accept that sort of argument.
Highly doubtful. Arizona Gov. Mecham was impeached and removed while awaiting trial on corruption charges. The Arizona constitution has a “high crimes and misdemeanors” component, unlike Illinois’ constitution, but the courts there refused to step in.
More…
I still don’t see how you can use the current federal charges against Blagojevich as the basis for an impeachment proceeding and expect him to be able to fairly defend himself.
Mecham argued that defending himself in the Senate trial would compromise his criminal trial. Too bad, the state Supremes ruled. Deal with it.
Impeachment is a political process, not a courtroom legal process. People need to stop thinking like a criminal defense lawyer and start treating this as a constitutional legislative process.
More…
At every turn, state officials need to consult with the U.S. attorney’s office to ensure they’re not working at cross-purposes. It would be counterproductive, for example, for the committee to interview witnesses before the feds got to them.
Maybe so, but Illinois has the right and the duty to deal with this as it sees fit. And Fitz has been consulted…
Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat who will serve on the committee, said Fitzgerald had neither ruled out nor committed himself to helping the legislative inquiry.
“He said, ‘Give us a list of what you want, and we will talk about it,’” Hannig said.
* And I’m not too worried about this, either…
House Republican Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, supported the impeachment effort, but he echoed concerns about gridlock in government during the impeachment process.
“Will the state function? No. The state’s going to be on hold,” Cross said at a news conference after Madigan’s announcement.
Or this…
The impeachment and trial of Blagojevich would slow state government to an even greater crawl. Springfield would morph from turtle to snail. As little as state lawmakers have accomplished in the last year, imagine how little they would do while also juggling an impeachment.
Blagojevich’s arrest has halted everything anyway. Nobody can do a deal with him now, so impeachment is neither here nor there. We are paralyzed with or without it.
* And I checked with Madigan on this last night and was told there was no such plan…
Hours after Madigan announced the committee’s formation at a Monday news conference, a member of his staff contacted The State Journal-Register and said the committee Thursday will take testimony from journalists who have had trouble getting answers to requests made under the state Freedom of Information Act.
* This kind of stuff does worry me, however…
Republicans complained that Madigan stacked the committee with 12 Democratic members, but just nine GOP members.
“It’s obvious Speaker Madigan is trying to manipulate the whole process,” said state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Spring.
That goofy debate went on forever. Republicans whined, Democrats attacked, etc. It was a truly disgusting display of partisanship at a time when the House should’ve come together as one. Disgusting.
* And this dismissive tone needs to stop…
“Impeachment talk’s nothing new for this governor,” Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero told reporters in Chicago, shrugging off the creation of an impeachment committee that meets for the first time today — one week after Blagojevich’s arrest stunned Illinois and the nation. “They’ve been talking about it for a long time.”
They’ve been talking about it for a long time for a very good reason. Downplaying impeachment is almost as goofy as allegedly auctioning a US Senate seat. This is serious business. Take it seriously.
* Related…
* Pressure grows on Illinois governor
* Impeachment inquiry launched
* Committee to report on Blago’s offenses
* House takes first step toward impeachment
* Process to impeach governor starts
* Prospect of impeachment now looms over Blagojevich
* Illinois House votes unanimously to create impeachment panel
* Who’s on the House impeachment panel?
* Madigan: Governor Will Get Fair Impeachment Review
* House speaker spells it out for Blagojevich
* Quinn Says Impeachment can be Done by January
* Should the House explore impeachment?
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Morning Shorts
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Chicago factory where workers held sit-in files for bankruptcy
* At a crossroad on the economy
* Clean Coal Review Board to meet in Sparta
* Lawsuit: CN takes premature control of EJ&E
* Hoffman Estates agrees to deal with CN
* New mission for Pontiac Prison
* Olympic bid chief vows more jobs for minorities, women
Ryan was asking the Finance Committee to approve a sale of the Michael Reese Hospital site to the city.
It would be used first for the Olympic Village and later for a mixed-use development.
Aldermen said Ryan’s team had cut a sharp bargain for the 37-acre property because of its size and prime location close to the lakefront. City officials say they will have no trouble selling the property even if the city doesn’t land the Olympics.
“You couldn’t have made a better deal if you used a gun,” Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) told Ryan.
* Duncan has big job ahead
Chicago’s loss is the nation’s gain. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan as his choice for U.S. Secretary of Education today.
Word is that Duncan will be tapped at one of his showcase schools, the Dodge Renaissance Academy, one of the first failing schools that he shut down and reopened with great success. As Duncan departs for D.C. — one of a proud and growing group from Chicago — he will be remembered most for that effort: a radical program to shut down dozens of failing schools and replace them with 100 new ones.
Duncan stumbled while launching the program, dubbed Renaissance 2010. As he closed failing schools, students were dispersed temporarily to other schools for a year or more, stigmatizing many of those kids and leading to a spike in violence at some receiving high schools. Parents, advocates and kids rightly complained and, ultimately, Duncan took heed.
* Duncan to join Obama Cabinet
* About Arne Duncan
* Sources: Obama chooses Duncan for Education Secretary
* Commissioner pushed to get contract for pal
Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno pushed to get his friend and political supporter, Ronald Garcia, a piece of a multimillion dollar hospital system billing collection contract, the Sun-Times has learned.
Moreno denied trying to influence Bardis, a South Side native ,to give Garcia, who has given $10,250 to the commissioner’s campaign, a piece of the contract.
“He’s full of s—. I told him ‘I don’t care if you use Chicago Medical. All I care about is that you comply with the [minority participation] statute,’” Moreno said. “I was absolutely not trying to help a friend. I was looking forward to make sure the [minority business enterprise] statutes were being complied with. [Garcia] has the only company that I knew was a MBE at the time and did that work. It was merely a recommendation.”
* Cook County contract more pay-to-play?
* Video speeds up CTA repairs
* City bars work on U.S. Cellular Field ramp
* Chicago Rush blame economy for AFL shutdown
* Chicago is second city to none
* Will County: The land of high property taxes
* Skip the ‘balloons’ this tax levy season
School districts that balloon levy often frame it as a way to collect the tax money they’re entitled to. Without it, “that money would just be lost,” U-46 Chief Financial Officer John Prince said.
Actually, that money would be in taxpayers’ pockets.
This year, setting a tax levy based on true numbers and on conservative spending is one gesture suburban residents will appreciate.
And it’s a gesture that surely will pay dividends in good will for school districts in the future if, as Schuler assures us, this challenging economy doesn’t last forever.
* Lake County sheriff’s party switch offers opportunity to slam Democrats
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran’s announcement that he is switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party also served as a convenient stage Monday for prominent Republicans to criticize beleaguered Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other Democrats.
Among those taking a swipe was former Illinois Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan, who lost to Blagojevich in 2002. But Ryan had plenty of company, including a congressman
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