The circular firing squad
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Today started with a complaint by WIND’s Cisco Cotto that he had been banned from speaking at the April 15th “tea party”…
“They’ve told me only people from WLS will be given mic time at the rally,” AM 560 WIND’s Cisco Cotto told his talk show audience this morning. “The guy who is the big name is WLS commentator Dan Proft. This guy is positioning for something here…”
Cotto said there’s rumors Proft is running for governor in 2010.
“I think there’s something inherently wrong with the big headliner having huge no-bid contracts with the town of Cicero,” Cotto said. “I’m wondering if people are being duped, and this is just a scam to raise someone’s profile.”
* Proft responded…
“Cotto was completely out of line, and I do have something to say about his cheapshots,” an angry WLS commentator Dan Proft told Illinois Review this afternoon. “What he said was based on no facts, and his temper tantrum because he’s not invited to speak at the Chicago Tea Party is ridiculous.” […]
“I’ve been cheap-shotted before by people more talented than Cisco Cotto.”
* The tea party organizers also dissed National GOP Chairman Michael Steele…
Not only has the Chicago Tea Party organizers rejected the volunteer participation of AM 560 WIND’s Cisco Cotto and Big John Howell, they’ve also told Republican National Chairman Michael Steele he won’t be appearing at their noon Daley Plaza rally on April 15th.
* The Chicago Young Republicans then stepped in and invited Steele and Cotto to their own, separate afternoon tea party…
The Chicago YRs responded via press release this afternoon to today’s controversy over who’s invited and who’s not to the Chicago Tea Party rally on April 15th. Emphasis appears on the “all” and the fact that all Chicagoans and media, including WIND’s Cisco Cotto and Big John Howell, will be welcomed at the CYRs April 15th event, later that afternoon.
This is why I prefer coffee.
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Unsolicited advice
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Dear Gov. Quinn,
You’ve long been in favor of campaign contribution caps, so your testimony today before your own reform commission on behalf of caps was of little surprise, except for this…
Quinn also raised the issue of what to do about circumstances in which incumbents have raised huge amounts of money under the previous rules. In such circumstances, he said, someone who starts raising money under new restrictions would be at “a competitive disadvantage” against someone who raised money previously, under the current unlimited system. He suggested there should be some kind of adjustment to create a fair “starting line” for everyone.
That “fair” starting line concept was a bit suspect, so, thankfully, reporters were able to follow up…
I asked [Quinn] how he would address the scenario of candidates like his potential rival, Lisa Madigan, having raised gobs of money before his new proposed limits go into effect, and his call for a fair “starting line.”
He suggested, in apparent seriousness, that she and other officials with huge existing campaign coffers could donate them to charity, and then proceed to raise new money under new limits like everyone else.
Considering that as of December 31st you had about $83,000 in your campaign account and Lisa Madigan had $3.5 million, don’t you think you look just a little self-serving and perhaps even outright desperate?
First it was moving the primary back to give you time to catch up, now this. How about you just get in the game, man?
It’s almost as if you’re attempting to specifically devise a campaign system to compensate for your personal and structural shortcomings. Maybe not even “almost.”
…PS… He, guv, I thought you said you would respect the General Assembly and the constitutional separation of powers. Wouldn’t imposing the press release proposals of a “citizens committee” created by gubernatorial fiat on the GA as a whole violate both of those pledges?
Quinn also said that lawmakers should be required to vote individually on each of the commission’s recommendations to clean up state government, which range from how state contracts are awarded to the tools law enforcement officials have to investigate corruption.
Just sayin.
* Dear Associated Press (again),
You have apparently gone completely around the bend and are now bordering on the self-parody. Please, stop.
You long ago started a YouTube channel which specifically allows everyone in the world to embed AP videos on any and all websites. But your higher-ups are completely unclear about this concept and recently went after one of their own AP members…
Here is another great moment in A.P. history. In its quest to become the RIAA of the newspaper industry, the A.P.’s executives and lawyers are beginning to match their counterparts in the music industry for cluelessness. A country radio station in Tennessee, WTNQ-FM, received a cease-and-desist letter from an A.P. vice president of affiliate relations for posting videos from the A.P.’s official Youtube channel on its Website.
You cannot make this stuff up. Forget for a moment that WTNQ is itself an A.P. affiliate and that the A.P. shouldn’t be harassing its own members. Apparently, nobody told the A.P. executive that the august news organization even has a YouTube channel which the A.P. itself controls, and that someone at the A.P. decided that it is probably a good idea to turn on the video embedding function on so that its videos can spread virally across the Web, along with the ads in the videos.
How daft can you get?
Seriously.
What is wrong with you people?
What IlliniPundit said…
The people who run the AP are so stupid it hurts.
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Your local election results analysis, please
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I was gonna do a big piece on local elections, but I just don’t have the energy. So, here’s a roundup…
* Kankakee Township shifts toward Dems
* Tax Hikers Have Hard Time
* Voters Reject Tax Hike in Five of Six School Districts
* When voters say ‘no’, it’s time to listen
* Chicago suburban elections: A very bad year for incumbents
* A rare defeat
* Peoria City Council Candidate May Seek Recount
* Election all over but the recounting
* Election recap: Independents, close votes tell the story
* Turnout low, but voters’ voices encouraging
* A reality show of politics, Rita-style
* If only voters got hot dogs and beer: In Cook, turnout was 21 percent, down from 27 percent in the April 2005 election. In Will, turnout was 18 percent, down from 25 percent. In both counties, the number of ballots cast fell by about a fifth. As many people were on hand for Tuesday’s White Sox season-opener at U.S. Cellular Field as voted in Worth and Orland townships combined.
* Proud Lake County mom has two mayors in family
* Suburban Mayoral Results Please Immigrants
* Waukegan mayor’s race proves to Latino voters they can make difference
* Johnson vows to continue airport fight without Geils
* Geils’ hard-charging style may have led to his loss
* O’Grady plans to publicize building budget, trim administrative costs
* Now in firm control of Matteson, Ashmore setting his priorities
* New Oak Forest mayor says he will have ‘heart’
* Please Mayor Kuspa, bring Tin Man back to Oak Forest
* New Flossmoor mayor has changes in mind
* Jim Schwantz, Palatine mayor-elect
* Schwantz thanks Palatine voters, takes spotlight
* Michael E. Kelly, Bartlett village president elect
* Robert Nunamaker, Fox River Grove President elect
* Linda Soto, Hainesville mayor elect
* Dave Anderson, Elburn village president elect
* Judy Abruscato, Wheeling village president elect
* Rick Zirk, Gilberts village president-elect
* Gilberts village president has been there done that, in different town
* Dolores “Dolly” Vole, Prospect Heights
* Ryan “Todd” Weihofen, Lakemoor
* Jeff Pruyn, Itasca
* Frank Soto, Bensenville
* Tony Ragucci, Oakbrook Terrace
* Ed Bender, Fox Lake
* Deborah Birutis, Winfield
* New Winfield president must unite warring factions
* Jerald Bartels, East Dundee
* Ed Ritter, Carpentersville
* Mark Knigge, Wauconda
* Mark Pfefferman, Glen Ellyn
* Victory in Worth took a little bit of sole
* Future may do little to change result of Bloomington mayoral race
* Changes may have allowed a split conservative vote in Bloomington
* McHenry Co Republicans Survive Dem Onslaught
* Coin toss could decide suburban mayoral race
Now, tell us what you think about Tuesday.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Who is your most famous ancestor?
* Bonus Question: Do you also have any famous or influential Illinois political types in your family tree?
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* State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) wants to run for attorney general and has developed a unique unified political theory. Unfortunately, it involves comparing the power of the people to an army of cockroaches.
Hamos related this theory to Champaign County Democrats the other night. According to Tom Kacich, she talked about how you step on one cockroach and the next morning there are two, and then the next morning there are three. “Pretty soon, you’ve got an army of cockroaches in there.”
And if that wasn’t yucky enough for a dinner speech, Hamos’ analogy then proceeded to get way outta hand…
“That’s what constituent letters are all about,” she said. “So if any of you wonder if it’s important for you to reach out to even excellent legislators, constituent letters demonstrate that there is an army of cockroaches right behind you.
“And you know what? In the state Legislature, 10 cockroaches demonstrate to us that there is a whole army right behind you. And that is the power of constituents and grass-roots organizing. I don’t want any of you to forget that.”
For anyone at the Democrats’ dinner, I doubt that will be possible.
Hamos wasn’t finished. Near the end of her talk she mentioned the need for citizens to apply pressure to legislators to fix the state’s financial problems. “Can we as legislators take action on a very, very tough agenda without that army of cockroaches right behind us? I really want you to help us do this. It’s really going to take public support.”
From you cockroaches.
Call me crazy, but I doubt that visual will work well in a TV ad. If she wants to be a populist, she’s probably got the analogy backwards. Unsolicited advice: Time for a total rethink.
* Meanwhile, Attorney General Lisa Madigan expressed more doubts about Gov. Quinn’s tax hike proposals…
“I’m in the grocery store, I’m walking across the street and people will stop me and have a lot of questions about state government and say how is it that you’re going to tax us more? We can’t afford it.”
* Gov. Quinn may push the recall issue again once the General Assembly returns from spring break. The guv is also set to act on a backlog of pardon requests. That ought to show us how brave he really is.
And this is not news. Quinn told me months ago that his “heart is big enough for two teams.” He’s the governor, so he probably shouldn’t hate. The rest of us are free to do what we want. In that spirit, I say again: Go Sox. Cubs suck.
* Related…
* Rutherford forms exploratory committee for state treasurer run
* Quinn backs Foster military relief bill
* Ex-death row inmate acquitted at retrial
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* I’ve heard more than a few people say they just don’t believe the federal allegations that Rod Blagojevich was conspiring as early as the 2002 campaign to pad his own personal pockets with ill-gotten gains from the governor’s office. Well, this little-noticed item might help those people get over their doubts…
Lon Monk [is] cooperating with the government
Monk was there right from the beginning. If he’s saying that Blagojevich was conspiring to send business to Tony Rezko, who would then bank the profits and split them later with Blagojevich, Monk and others, then I think that lends the story more credence than if it just came from Rezko.
* Filan and Brandt were interviewed by the feds…
The head of the state authority involved in talks about the possible sale of Wrigley Field said Wednesday that he and the authority’s executive director have been interviewed by federal agents in the corruption investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
William Brandt, chairman of the Illinois Finance Authority, said he met with federal agents in late January or early February to answer their questions about the Wrigley deal. Brandt said agents also separately interviewed the authority’s John Filan.
* And the heat increases on Congressman Jackson…
Federal authorities have questioned [John Harris] a former chief of staff to ex- Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other cooperating witnesses about an attempt by friends of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to raise funds for Blagojevich to encourage him to pick Jackson for the U.S. Senate, sources said.
A federal grand jury investigating alleged corruption in the Blagojevich administration is expected to hear from witnesses about the fundraising effort in coming weeks, sources said.
Federal prosecutors allege Blagojevich, who was indicted last week on corruption charges, was considering awarding the seat to Jackson in return for a Jackson associate offering $1.5 million in campaign cash.
Covert recordings of Blagojevich last fall allegedly captured the then-governor suddenly going from cold to hot on naming Jackson to replace President Barack Obama in the Senate. Prosecutors allege Blagojevich told aides he had been promised something tangible and immediate to name Jackson to the seat—namely money—and that he was leaning toward appointing Jackson.
* Congressman Danny Davis might have to eat these words…
“I think that everything there is to know in relation to Representative Jackson’s role in this is pretty much known.”
And how would he know that?
Jackson, by the way, says he’s cooperating and he’s innocent. Read his statement by clicking here.
* Speaking of people who say they didn’t do anything wrong…
- U.S. Sen. Roland Burris said Wednesday his legal expenses related to investigations of his contacts with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich have reached $500,000.
So, the legal bill is only up a hundred grand since January? That’s progress, at least.
Burris also gets the quote of the week…
“Rest assured,” he said. “I stand by my reputation.”
And an AP reporter who covered the southern Illinois Burris tour appeared to be critical of other reporters who covered that same tour…
But hundreds of miles from a Chicago press corps that at times has excoriated him and frequently urged him to step aside, Burris hit a comfortable stride.
Wouldn’t that be your fault, too? Just asking.
* Related…
* Bauman resigns: Although Mr. Bauman’s biographical profile on the system’s website states that his appointment followed a nationwide search, he was in fact promoted to the position on Aug. 9, 2001, when political appointees to the board of trustees gained a one-person margin needed to control the board. He was promoted to head TRS a day before interviews were scheduled with the finalist candidates identified through the nationwide search, when the politically well-connected faction outvoted elected active and retired teacher trustees, according to previous Pensions & Investments reports.
* Ill. pension head quits; nationwide search begins
* Bauman expresses pride, regret as he bids farewell to TRS
* Blagojevich arraignment set for April 14
* Lawmakers: What about Annie and Amy?
* Jesse Jackson Jr.: ‘I have done nothing wrong’
* Jackson: I’m cooperating with ethics inquiry
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Morning Shorts
Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
* Gutierrez Proposes Weak Reform of Payday Lenders - Powerful Democrat Once Supported a Ban on the Industry: Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who heads the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, is pushing a loophole-riddled bill that would allow payday lenders to charge annual interest rates of nearly 400 percent — a proposal widely condemned by consumer advocates and some liberal Democrats, who want to put payday lenders out of business altogether.
* Area congressmen hunt for funding
* Schoenburg: Hare concerned by high-profile Schock’s early votes
* Only political will can stop minority contract fraud
* Fighting big-city corruption: Mayor Richard Daley offers script
Absent from his speech at the international event was any talk of city hiring fraud, the Hired Truck program or the myriad other scandals that put Daley aides in federal prison or left them free pending appeals of official misconduct convictions.
A day after yet another city contractor became the target of fraud charges, Daley instead focused his comments on how he has tried to “lead by example,” creating an Office of Compliance to coax ethical public service from his underlings.
The mayor didn’t mention, however, that he started the office in response to a federal probe of a hiring and promotions system that was found to be rigged to reward loyal Daley campaign workers for most of his tenure.
* Chicago is nation’s 5th Best ‘Walking City,’ survey says
* Ill. ethanol producer files Ch. 11
* Early reports: March sales fall, but less sharply
* Chicago falls from No. 1 spot of pokey taxpayers
* Old U.S. Steel South Works in Chicago now a hive of activity for bees
* 2 Chicago Board of Trade floor traders plead not guilty to federal charges
* Bingo thrives amid economic downturn
Caritas Hall Bingo’s parking lot is full practically every night, evidence that even economically turbulent times can’t keep people from their entertainment. Games start about 6:15 p.m. daily and last until 9:15 p.m.
* Teen killed on way to dice game
* City sending in pothole cavalry
* Neighbors take to the street: Chicago wasn’t patching potholes, so West Sider’s became a DIY road crew
* Congrats, Chicagoans: Olympic enthusiasm seemed like the real zeal
* New Asian Carp Barrier to Go Online
* Soldier Field asked to consider World Cup
* Have you been dogging getting Spot a license? City makes it easier
* We’re all aggregators. Get over it, AP.
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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
Rich is going under the knife today for his wisdom tooth, so here is an extended version of Morning Shorts
Quinn
* Quinn Wants Mail-In Ballots To Cut Election Costs
“Very, very modest turnouts, certainly for special elections, I think we ought to see that as an opportunity to do mail voting that they have in some other states, like Oregon,” Quinn said. “It’s worked out pretty well, more participation.”
Election officials across Cook County would also like to experiment with voting by mail, noting that Tuesday’s 5th Congressional District special election is costing Chicago’s taxpayers about $1.8 million or $58 per vote cast Balloting by mail would save $900,000, about half, they estimate.
Critics are dubious.
“Well it wouldn’t save that much money,” said State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale. “Illinois has a sorry history of vote fraud. And I don’t know how you make mail-in voting or Internet voting secure.”
* Elections by mail?
* Quinn makes juvenile offender program permanent
Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Tuesday to make permanent the Redeploy Illinois program. It’s been running recently as a pilot program in Macon, McLean and some southeastern Illinois counties, among others.
Through it, the state pays counties to direct juvenile offenders to counseling, substance abuse help or other rehabilitation plans instead of being shipped off to a facility run by the state Department of Juvenile Justice.
Department of Human Services spokesman Tom Green says fewer youth in state facilities means fewer of them away from home, less cost to the state, and fewer repeat offenders.
“The benefit is that the services … give the youth a much higher chance at being productive,” Green said.
Redeploy Illinois costs $3.1 million and is a part of Quinn’s proposed state budget. According to supporters, the state spends $70,000 a year on people sent to juvenile justice facilities. The alternatives in their home counties cost less than $10,000.
* Quinn: Canceled ethics order raised legal issues
* TRS’ Bauman to resign
Law that Quinn signed Friday fires pension system director effective July 1
Legislative Round Up and Editorial Advice
* Civil unions law would be good first step
* Follow Iowa’s lead on gay marriage
* Snap decisions at red lights
* Franks, Beaubien: “RETREAT!”
On the day the expand-abortion-rights-bill-as -as-Personal-PAC-could-imaged, both Franks and State Rep. Mark Beaubien withdrew their names as co-sponsors of House Bill 2354.
* Pharmacists may withhold some services
* Busting crooked pols
Do we really want to clean up this state? Then the people who would take a bribe, rig a contract or phony up a job application have to be worried about getting caught. We can’t rely entirely on the Justice Department.
Illinois needs to equip state and local law enforcement so they can join this fight.
Some things that have to get done:
* Illinois Senate president to speak at SIUC
Congress
* Quigley rolls to victory in race to replace Emanuel
* 5th Congressional District: Mike Quigley wins election to Congress
* Quigley Wins And Emmanuel Curses
* Quigley wants to make mark in Congress
* Alexi Giannoulias Fundraising
In light of today’s story on Alexi Giannoulias’ fundraising, I thought it would be important to highlight some potential donations to look for when his actual report is filed on April 15th. You should also be aware that on the same day the Illinois State Treasurer is trumpeting his fundraising totals, the State of Illinois appears on a credit watch list. Nice timing…check out our release here.
* Burris visits alma mater in southern Illinois tour
* Burris promises cooperation with investigators. Senator also visits VA Center, discusses time at SIUC
“It’s an investigation; I won’t comment,” Burris said during a news conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. “They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do. I will fully cooperate with them if they call me.”
* Durbin says taxpayers should subsidize pols
* Ethics board launches probe into Rep Jesse Jackson Jr.
* Report: Jesse Jackson Jr. faces ethics probe
* Chicago-area congressman meets Castro
Caucus leader Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said she found Castro “very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking” during his nearly two-hour session with the lawmakers. She said caucus members, including Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), also visited his home and met his wife.
Mini-Capital Bill Round-UP
* No time to waste on mass transit
And yet we continue to tiptoe around this critical issue. Gov. Pat Quinn faces a daunting task in dealing with the state budget, but his capital investment proposal woefully underfunds our mass transit system, which is used by 2 million riders daily.
The governor’s plan designates only $1.3 billion in new state money for transit agencies within the RTA region: CTA, Metra and Pace. These agencies, independent experts and even the Illinois Office of the Auditor General agree that more funding is needed. The RTA estimates $10 billion in state investments are needed during the next five years—significantly more than Quinn proposes.
To address this, I offer three proposals.
•Increase by 8 cents a gallon the state’s 19 cent per gallon motor fuel tax. In addition, increase the fees for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
•Rename the state’s “Road Fund” the “Transportation Fund.” The Transportation Fund would permit the use of motor-fuel tax revenues on all forms of transportation, not just roads. This change would recognize that transit produces benefits for everyone in the state, whether one uses the mass transit system or not.
•Though the traditional ratio of state funds dedicated to roads and mass transit has been 2 to 1, respectively, the world has changed and we must reassess that balance. Reliance on foreign oil, increasing environmental costs and energy prices that are likely to go higher when the recession ends make it clear that mass transit is a critical investment. State funding for roads and transit should be distributed on a one-to-one basis.
* Hannig calls mini-capital plan an initial step
* State road crews could be at work by end of month
The first round of shovel-ready projects will be funded through federal stimulus dollars, according to new Illinois Department of Transportation Director Gary Hannig.
“The stimulus package doesn’t deal with the long-term needs of Illinois but the short-term needs and job creation,” said Hannig, a former lawmaker from Litchfield.
The next set will be funded by $3 billion from the state. Those projects should be ready to start later this summer, Hannig said.
The public works package could amount to 80,000 new jobs in Illinois during a time when the economy is lagging, lawmakers say.
The measure is not meant to replace a larger, $26 billion statewide construction program that is still being ironed out and could be approved later this spring.
“I don’t think there is anyone on the legislature or executive side that believes we’re finished,” Hannig said.
* Stimulus cash to pave Southland streets
Supporters say the bill, which is only a prelude to a much larger capital plan that lawmakers have been seeking to pass for years, will create an estimated 60,000 jobs. The bill’s price tag includes $3 billion from the state and $6 billion in federal stimulus money.
Southland roads to be resurfaced include:
* Construction zone fatalities down, photo enforced tickets to continue
Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said only 31 people — including two workers — were killed in constructions zones throughout the state in 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday to an IDOT release. In 2003, 44 people — including five workers — were killed.
With construction season approaching, IDOT personnel, State Police and Illinois Tollway officials reminded drivers to slow down and be alert in work zones throughout the state, including Chicago, the release said.
Additionally, work zone safety advocates will conduct outreach activities at rest areas across the state on Friday as part of the 10th Anniversary of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 6-10.
“Thanks to strict enforcement by ISP and cooperation from the public, we have made steady progress in protecting people in work zones,” Hannig said in the release. “Our goal is to protect the lives of the many dedicated workers who are improving our roadways, as well as drivers and passengers traveling through work zones.”
Financial Shenanigans and IL Government’s Reaction
* Building firm and CEO are indicted
A Cook County grand jury Tuesday indicted a politically connected businessman and his construction company on fraud charges, saying they falsely represented how much work minority subcontractors would receive on government contracts for a North Side fire station and several Chicago Transit Authority facilities.
Markham-based Castle Construction Co. and its chief executive officer, Robert Blum, 56, of New Lenox, were charged with fraudulently obtaining public funds reserved for disadvantaged business enterprises, wire fraud and mail fraud, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan announced.
The charges relate to two construction contracts Castle was awarded, the first a $9.8 million deal in 2006 to renovate several CTA bus- and train-washing facilities.
As a condition of the contract, Castle agreed to employ a minority subcontractor on the project and told the CTA it had entered into a $2.96 million agreement with minority-owned Mid-City. But according to the indictment, the contract with Mid-City was worth just $550,000.
* State blames financial adviser for funeral fund’s collapse
The Illinois secretary of state’s office is blaming a Merrill Lynch financial adviser for the collapse of a pre-need funeral trust that’s supposed to pay for funerals for tens of thousands of state residents.
The Securities Department of the Illinois secretary of state’s office is charging Edward Louis Schainker, a Merrill Lynch financial adviser with an office in Springfield, with violating six sections of the state’s securities law. Schainker, whose license to sell securities and act as an investment adviser was suspended in February, is facing fines of $10,000 per violation and a ban on selling securities in Illinois. A hearing is scheduled for May 20. Alleged misdeeds include:
* Illegally enticing funeral home directors to allow their lives to be insured by the Illinois Funeral Directors Association in exchange for free $25,000 life insurance policies, with premiums paid from a pre-need funeral trust fund.
* Failure to tell funeral directors how money was being invested.
* Failure to perform actuarial analyses to ensure money from life insurance proceeds would be available to pay for funerals.
* Failure to tell funeral home directors and funeral contract purchasers that money was being spent on life insurance.
* Funeral directors got free insurance policies, complaint alleges
The allegation is contained in a complaint filed by Secretary of State Jesse White on April 1 against Edward Schainker, a Merrill Lynch broker in Springfield who was an investment adviser to the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. The secretary of state, which regulates the securities industry in Illinois, seeks to revoke his license, alleging Schainker made misrepresentations and fraudulent statements in managing a trust fund on behalf of the Springfield-based association.
The trust holds the deposits of consumers who have prepaid for their funerals and were promised that their deposits would cover anticipated costs. More than 44,000 people currently have money in the trust that has a total value of $200 million as of March, down from $300 million at the end of 2007, the complaint says.
But the trust has not had enough assets to cover its liabilities since 2001. As of July 31, 2008, the deficit had ballooned to $54.4 million, the complaint said.
Local Elecions
* Officials: Voter turnout lower than expected
* City turnout appears higher than expected, almost hits 20 percent
* Election 2009
* Elections
Find local results here
* Election results for area communities
* Voters dump mayors in Palatine, Lyons, Carpentersville, Bensenville, Berwyn, Waukegan and Worth
* Voters Dump Chief Executives In Several Suburbs
Schwantz, who played for the Bears in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, came in first in a field of four candidates, with 42.12 percent of the vote, compared with 22.56 percent for Mullins, 25.88 percent for challenger Vito A. Maonla Jr., and 9.44 percent for another challenger, Warren Kostka.
* Former Chicago Bears player now Palatine mayor
A former Chicago Bears player has defeated the five-term mayor of the Chicago suburb of Palatine.
Rita Mullins was soundly defeated by Jim Schwantz, a political rookie who prevailed over Mullins and two other candidates
The 39-year-old Schwantz, who played pro football from 1992 to 1998, collected about 42 percent of the vote to defeat Mullins, who was running in third place with about 22 percent.
* Renner: I want a recount
* Belvidere mayor re-elected by 15 votes
* New mayor, higher tax rate in Midlothian
* Flossmoor Finally Gets a Real Mayor
* Metro East incumbents win most mayoral races
* Farmington mayor re-elected by 10 votes
* Ardis to remain mayor, takes 90 percent of vote
* Morrissey’s quiet voters overwhelm the angry voters
* 26-year-old pulls off upset in Champaign District 1
* Illinois 53: Lake County voters overwhelmingly support extending highway
* One Quarter Percent Sales Tax Hike Approved in Peoria County
* Voters reject Washington school referendum
* ‘She bought it,’ Springfield city spokesman writes about reporter
* Who are those folks outside polling places?
Olympics and IOC Visit
* IOC calls city’s bid ’strong’
* Chicago Olympic bid: IOC evaluators like Chicago’s bid for 2016 Games
* IOC Team ‘Most Impressed’ by Chicago Bid
* IOC panel calls Chicago a ‘vibrant’ city
* Daley: Winfrey stole the show, wowed Olympic committee
* City lucky that Oprah’s still got our back
* Olympic Inspection Team Addresses Finances
* Olympic Protester Bends IOC’s Ear
* International Olympic Team Listens to Community
Other Stories
* CTA: Fare hikes, service cuts unlikely in ‘09
* Online charter school rings bell with parents, students
* Heroin deaths spike across Chicago area, authorities say
* Chicago police union: FOP worries about new SUVs
* Daley halts closure of mental health clinics
* Mental health clinics on Chicago’s South Side avoid shutdown for now
* Cook County is a bastion of public health care
* State Public Health Director Announces Record Low In Illinois For New Tuberculosis Cases
In 2008, 469 cases of active tuberculosis were reported in Illinois, a decrease from 521 cases reported in 2007. However, reports show Illinois still ranks sixth for the highest number of tuberculosis cases in the nation.
* No probation for Eddie’s bison
* Museum artifacts on Field trip
* Most taxes filed electronically
* Move over, Bean, you’re about to get company
* Lake County landfills on borrowed time
With Lake County facing the possibility of running out of landfill space within the next decade, officials have begun exploring options for dealing with future garbage.
Expanding existing landfills or building a new landfill also are possibilities, but officials say there may not be enough land available. New landfills likely would face public opposition.
“I think this is the beginning of a dialogue for planning for the future,” said Lake County Administrator Barry Burton. “You put all the ideas up and get everybody’s opinion and come collaboratively to a solution.”
* Chrysler defies government, unveils SUV
* Memo details Tribune deal for Wrigley
* PJ-Star: Try ex-governor with all possible speed
* BLAGO, CELLINI, OTHERS TO BE IN COURT TUESDAY
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Election results open thread
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This will probably be my last post until Thursday. My intern Mike Murray will do a large Morning Shorts tomorrow with everything from all categories. I’m having a wisdom tooth removed in the morning and will likely be out of commission most of the day. Hope nothing big happens.
Anyway, enough of that. This is an open thread to discuss tonight’s local election and special congressional election results.
Have fun.
* 8:19 pm - OK, just one update: Jeff Clarke has been elected mayor of Pawnee. God help us all.
Also, some guy named Mike Quigley has all but won a congressional seat.
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* 2:24 pm - Rahm Emanuel forgot to vote absentee for Mike Quigley.
[I bent the time-space thingamabob to put that post at the top.]
* 2:25 PM - From a press release…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced the indictment of a Chicago-area businessman and his construction company for fraudulently obtaining public funds reserved for minority businesses in construction contracts with City of Chicago agencies.
A Cook County grand jury returned the indictment today against Robert Blum, 56, of New Lenox, Ill., and Castle Construction Co., based in Markham, Ill., on 10 counts of fraudulently obtaining public moneys reserved for disadvantaged business enterprises, one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. Blum is the owner and CEO of Castle Construction.
“Castle Construction never would have received these public contracts without employing deceptive practices, and because of that, this company prevented other legitimate businesses from securing contracts intended to help provide business growth opportunities for minority-owned businesses,” Madigan said.
The indictment alleges that Blum and Castle Construction fraudulently obtained two construction contracts worth more than $18 million and allegedly devised a scheme to misrepresent and conceal how much of the public funds actually went to minority-owned businesses, a condition required by both contracts. […]
Public Integrity Bureau Deputy Chief Mary Bucaro and Special Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Bunge are handling the case for Madigan’s office.
Castle Construction is a major political player and has been in a lot of hot water lately, including similar allegations about the construction of a Chicago firehouse. It’s reportedly under federal investigation in connection with the ongoing probe of Rod Blagojevich, to whom the company donated big bucks. The company’s founder is good buddies with former Blagojevich fundraiser Chris Kelly and the company even did work on the former governor’s campaign office.
* 2:36 pm - I can understand the motivation and the reasoning, but considering the electoral pressures and ambitions of state’s attorneys, I can see why legislators might be uncomfortable with this idea…
Illinois should adopt its own version of a federal racketeering law that’s been used to take down Mafia families and crooked politicians in order to better fight corruption and violent gangs, Cook County State’s Atty. Anita Alvarez said Tuesday.
Legislation being prepared by Alvarez’s office would adapt provisions of the RICO Act to help authorities here investigate political, white-collar and street crime, Alvarez told the Chicago Tribune editorial board.
Alvarez said the reaction to the law from House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton has been optimistic but cautious.
“Both of them were actually very interested,” Alvarez said. “We were not shut out, but no one was signing on immediately.”
*** 4:28 pm *** Not good news at all.…
A congressional ethics board has launched a preliminary inquiry into U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill), related to President Obama’s vacant Senate seat and the corruption investigation of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned
The Office of Congressional Ethics, formed just last year, voted in late March to conduct a “preliminary review,” of actions surrounding Jackson’s bid to be appointed to the Senate seat, according to documents received by parties involved in the case. The committee launched the action Thursday — the same day Blagojevich was indicted on corruption charges.
The panel has asked parties in the Blagojevich case — including his former gubernatorial staff and campaign staff — to turn over any documents, emails, or other correspondence involving Jackson Jr. and his campaign staff, Jackson’s brother, Jonathan, and political fund-raisers Raghuveer Nayak and Rajinder Bedi, lawyers close to the probe told the Sun-Times. The request for information is from June of last year through Dec. 31, 2008.
Nayak, Bedi and Jonathan Jackson attended a Dec. 6 fund-raiser hosted by the Indian community for Friends of Blagojevich. People attending the event have told the Sun-Times that discussions about future fund-raising for congressman Jackson’s Senate candidacy took place at the function. [emphasis added]
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Unsolicited advice
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Dear Associated Press,
Please, stop the stoopid…
Taking aim at the way news is spread across the Internet, The Associated Press said on Monday that Web sites that used the work of news organizations must obtain permission and share revenue with them, and that it would take legal action against those that did not.
A.P. executives said they were concerned about a variety of news forums around the Web, including major search engines like Google and Yahoo and aggregators like the Drudge Report that link to news articles, smaller sites that sometimes reproduce articles whole, and companies that sell packaged news feeds.
Lemme explain this to you, APers, since you seem to be so clueless.
I, or Drudge or the Google or somebody else makes linkies to AP stories and your members then get all the ad revenue (which they share with you in the form of dues) when readers click on those aforementioned linkies. That’s somehow bad?
On the right side of this here page, you will see an automated news feed for AP stories - the sort of feed you appear to hate. Well, dingbats, that feed drives readers to your subscribers’ sites. The Chicago Public Radio people have told me that this blog is one of their top referral sites. Unlike y’all, they are not the least bit moronic. They welcome the traffic and appear to love the attention. CBS2 designed a video news feed especially for this site. They’re smart, unlike you AP goofs.
I also excerpt your stories under what’s called the Fair Use Doctrine. Linkies are always included, which drives more visitors to newspaper/TV/radio sites, which then helps those sites make money. Yes, money.
Not a day goes by that some reporter doesn’t request favorable placement for a story on this site. I’m always more than happy to comply. Reporters know that getting their stories posted here means the people who matter most in Illinois politics - my readers - will see those stories. This arrangement also benefits me, of course. But that’s the beauty of it.
If you want to go after sites that reprint entire articles, well, you already have that ability and my full blessing. Posting articles in their entirety is very bad practice and should be punished. I don’t do it and I don’t allow commenters to do it, either. Maybe one or two will get through the screen on occasion, but I do my best to prevent this.
But, if you’re thinking of trying to pass a new law to gain new powers, well, you can forget about that. We’ll crush you. If you want to start suing people, then brace for a fight, or risk making your members’ truly horrific financial situation even worse as those wonderful little linkies disappear.
Seriously, how can you be so totally idiotic?
…And another thing… Yesterday, I broke the story that Gov. Quinn had signed an executive order repealing one of Rod Blagojevich’s most controversial executive orders. The AP followed up, but no credit was given and no link to this site was offered. That’s no big deal. It happens all the time. But get off your high horse about “theft.” Look in the mirror, first.
…And while I’m at it… What if we turn the tables on you, AP? What if bloggers and aggregators demand a piece of the ad revenues which we generate for your members by driving so much traffic to their sites? Think about that for a minute, jerks.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Steve Chapman does not love the fact that Illinois exempts all pension income from taxation…
It’s an expensive indulgence, costing Illinois about $1 billion in revenue every year–this at a time when the state faces a big deficit. And it’s hard to defend on grounds of fairness. If other types of income are taxed, why should retirement benefits be exempt? Social Security benefits are subject to the federal income tax.
The exemption helps the poor, elderly retirees, of course, but also people who aren’t poor or old. The state says that one-third of the people who get retirement payments are under 65 and many have other income in the form of wages and salaries.
Quinn’s tax proposal would raise the personal exemption from $2,000 per person to $6,000 per person, which would mean low-income people, retired or not, would be spared state income taxes. So it makes sense to repeal the retirement exemption, treating that income the same as other earnings. Before we raise income tax rates, we should plug the holes that are leaking revenue.
* The Question: Should this exemption be abolished? Exlain fully.
* Bonus Question: How politically volatile do you think this would really be?
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Debating reform: More items for your perusal
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* One reform item which is rarely if ever discussed is the power of local elections boards to do things like this…
Voters in south suburban Bremen Township will see two names on the ballot for township supervisor — Maggie Crotty and Sarah Hamm. But they will be handed a notice saying that a vote for Hamm won’t count. The state appellate court ruled her off the ballot last week, leaving Crotty, a Democratic state senator, to run unopposed.
Earlier, Crotty supporter George Murphy put together an objection to Hamm’s candidacy, saying she did not have sufficient signatures. Murphy arrived at the township office 40 minutes after it closed on the final day to file objections. Murphy called township clerk Leonard J. Hines, who’s running with Crotty, and Hines accepted the objection after hours. A Cook County judge said that smelled fishy and threw out the objection, leaving Hamm on the ballot. The appellate court reversed that ruling last week.
Way too often, local elections boards are controlled by incumbents and their friends and allies and the results are too often predictable. We need a better way.
…Adding… The Sun-Times has posted more info to the story’s online version…
Hines drove to the office, let Murphy in the back door, notarized Murphy’s objection and accepted it after-hours. A Cook County judge said that smelled fishy and threw out the objection, questioning whether an average, unconnected citizen would get the same service from the township clerk. That judge’s ruling left Hamm on the ballot. The appellate court reversed that ruling last week.
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column makes some reform suggestions. I’m not wedded to any of them, but let’s take a look anyway…
I’ve often said I’m a reform agnostic.
It’s not that I don’t believe in good government.
I do. Fervently.
And I most certainly don’t believe as some do that voters should be given the sole responsibility to weed out the crooks and con artists. “Let the buyer beware” just isn’t good enough. Rod Blagojevich’s two consecutive gubernatorial campaign wins and George Ryan’s earlier win proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that voters simply aren’t able to handle this task on their own.
So, we do need some “consumer protection” laws in Illinois. But we should also keep some important points in mind.
For instance, campaign contribution caps are now being pushed hard by good government groups and Gov. Pat Quinn’s independent reform commission. Most want a federal-style program that would cap contributions at about $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for political action committees.
On its face, that looks quite reasonable. Contribution limitations are imposed in Washington, D.C., and many other states.
But caps can also hurt those who challenge the status quo.
It’s probably no coincidence that no incumbent Illinois congressman has lost his or her seat for years unless they were under some sort of extreme ethical cloud. For instance, Dan Rostenkowski got caught up in a probe of the U.S. House post office and was the only Illinois Democrat turned out during the historic 1994 national Republican landslide. Dan Crane was ousted by voters after his involvement in a congressional page sex scandal. Charles Hayes lost a primary when he was linked to a House bounced checks scandal.
Back in 2007, several deeply entrenched Chicago aldermen lost their seats to young reformers because a few reform-minded labor unions dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into their campaigns. If the union contributions had been capped, most of those reformers would’ve lost.
Caps mean that most challengers have to work much harder to raise money. Incumbents have access to financial networks that usually dwarf those of outsiders. National political parties and caucus organizations often take up the slack these days to help level the congressional playing field, but that usually means they choose who runs. The proposals coming out of Springfield would cap those sorts of contributions to state and local candidates.
The horrific venality revealed after Rod Blagojevich’s arrest and indictment has prompted loud and angry calls to “do something and do it now.” One of those “somethings” most often mentioned is campaign contribution caps.
If we’re going down that road then we should do as little harm as possible to challengers. A higher cap, perhaps somewhere near the $10,000 legislative limit proposed by Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont, might be the way to go. It’s high enough to help people fend off uncapped, self-financing millionaire opponents, but low enough to do some reforming good.
Also, barring all campaign donations of any kind to incumbent legislators and statewide officials during the spring legislative session would help even out the playing field for challengers and could prevent some pay to play hanky panky. It might also ensure the General Assembly adjourns on time.
Banning contributions from industries regulated by the government would be an obvious help.
Requiring almost immediate online disclosure of contributions could be an effective deterrent. If we had known in “real time” that Blagojevich was taking $25,000 contributions from his appointees to state boards and commissions, we might have been able to stop some of his excesses.
One of the most important changes we can make has nothing to do with money, however.
Prohibiting incumbents from drawing legislative, congressional, aldermanic and county board district maps is an absolute must. Incumbents in this state “choose” their voters by manipulating their own district boundaries every 10 years.
Iowa allows a computer to draw district maps based on population, not political or other parochial preferences. As the congressional results show, incumbents have far too much advantage, so keeping them from drawing their own maps would be an enormous help.
In the end, though, Illinois voters absolutely must start looking beyond the slick ads, familiar names and blind partisan leanings that have gotten us into this mess. Just about every political reporter in Illinois did his or her very best in the 2006 governor’s race to warn voters they were about to re-elect a crook. But voters bought Blagojevich’s bag of disgusting goods and here we stand.
…Adding… Far too much of the “reform” proposals focus on the evils of money, rather than making elections, including primaries, more competitive and, therefore, more small “d” democratic. I’ll have more on this soon.
* And the Tribune has a couple of reform items it wants passed before the “big” capital projects bill is addressed…
First, a bill sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Ryg (D-Vernon Hills) that would require all proposed transportation projects be measured against specific goals—congestion relief or energy savings, for example—and ranked accordingly. The bill, supported by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Chicago 2020, also seeks to balance the needs of urban and rural communities and to ensure that projects are approved based not on clout but on how well they further statewide goals.
Second, a proposal from the Illinois Reform Commission that would insulate state procurement officers from politics. Setting up an independent office to award contracts would help ensure that those decisions are based on objective and professional standards instead of being manipulated by politicians. The plan would also close numerous loopholes that allow government officials to skirt the procurement process altogether.
* And, via comments on another post, we have this from Quinn commission chairman Patrick Collins…
“We just learned today that we have been invited to testify April 21 before the joint [House/Senate ethics] committee,” he said of a separate reform study group appointed by House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. “I’m not sure that would have happened a couple of weeks ago.”
Let’s see. Madigan sent his chief legal counsel to testify before Collins’ commission weeks ago, and from what I remember there’s been an open invitation for Collins and his crew to testify at the joint committee.
Thoughts?
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* The Sun-Times reports today that federal investigators want to know why Rod Blagojevich believed he would get $1.5 million in campaign contributions from an associate of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. in exchange for appointing Jackson to the then-vacant US Senate seat.
Jackson and his lawyers met with the feds over a week ago, according to the paper…
Among the areas of interest, sources say, was what Jackson told his representatives to convey to the Blagojevich camp on his behalf last year — a time Jackson sought the Senate seat appointment.
And, in a signal that the probe into dealings involving a possible Jackson appointment is still under way, witnesses and possible evidence involved in that part of the alleged scheme were recently subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, sources say.
Jackson has repeatedly claimed that he is not a target in the probe, and even said he was tipped off by the feds in advance of Blagojevich’s early-morning arrest.
The paper also has some internal call logs from the governor’s office which appear to show the congressman’s interest in the seat…
“JJJr called 2nd time — LM Gov returned call @ 4:50 p.m. on 10/24-JJ on plane,” the log states. “JJJr called a 3rd time @3:30 p.m. on 10-29.”
Blagojevich’s people contacted the congressman Nov. 25 about scheduling a meeting. The next day, the Rev. Jesse Jackson left a message for Blagojevich, saying he wanted to speak to the governor.
A Dec. 2 notation in the ex-governor’s log indicates: “Will prob do JJJr next week. But do not call him yet.”
Rod Blagojevich and congressman Jackson eventually met Dec. 8 — the day before Blagojevich was arrested.
…Adding… Oops. Forgot about this one…
Tribune Co. would have received as much as $45 million and a 5 percent stake in a leased Wrigley Field under a deal involving a state loan of $300 million toward restoring the historic ballpark, a proposal found in state documents shows.
A Nov. 19 memo released Monday night by the Illinois Finance Authority, marked “strictly confidential — for discussion purposes only,” outlines a complicated deal in which a new owner of the century-old stadium’s tenant, the Chicago Cubs, would pay $25 million a year for 30 years. […]
The Nov. 19 agreement, released to The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act, shows the finance authority, through a complex venture, would retain 95 percent interest in a company set up to lease Wrigley to a new Cubs owner until 2039.
In addition to the upfront contribution, the Tribune would control the other 5 percent.
What’s almost never discussed is the curious timing of former (and now current) budget guru John Filan’s transfer to the Illinois Finance Authority just as these talks were heating up last year.
* On another front, Mark Brown looks at the “beauty” of the feds’ conspiracy charge strategy against Blagojevich…
The beauty of tying everything together as a conspiracy is that jurors will be able to see the totality of the pay-to-play practices carried out by Blagojevich: from fund-raising schemes carried to completion early in his administration — on which his own fingerprints may be less distinct — to the shakedown interruptus captured on the wiretaps where his involvement will ring through loud and clear in his own voice.
I found it telling that the accusations of Blagojevich’s attempting to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat, front and center after the governor’s December arrest, are practically secondary in his indictment. There’s just so much more coming at him now than the stuff on the wiretaps.
That’s going to be the biggest problem for his defense attorney. Any one of the charged schemes might be beatable from a defense viewpoint. But taken as a whole, it’s going to be difficult for Blagojevich to sell his story that he was an honorable public servant felled by his efforts to fight the political forces of evil.
* Related…
* Quinn nixes Blagojevich executive orderexecutive order on ethics
* Blagojevich Name Still Towers Over Far South Side
* He Can Run (To Disneyland)
* Zorn: Once again, Deb Mell puts family first
* Edgar: Burden of improving Illinois should fall on everyone’s shoulders
* Union wants TRS’s Bauman gone now
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*** UPDATE 2 *** This is somewhat odd, but it probably can’t hurt…
The producer behind the “Barbershop” movies, “Soul Food” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” showcasing Humboldt Park, has found another family with a compelling story to tell — this time in documentary form.
His subject: Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by his mentor, President Barack Obama.
“He’s got an interesting story to tell. He’s young, and this is going to be an amazing political race,” says Mr. Teitel, who launched shooting at a small fundraising gathering for Mr. Giannoulias. The filmmaker arrived with camera and sound crew in tow.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Post-Dispatch blog…
This is from a written statement by Lance Trover, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. He notes that, four days ago, Moody’s downgraded the state’s rating on general obligation bonds from A1 to Aa3, and today, Fitch Ratings placed Illinois’ AA minus rating on a negative credit watch.
“While the Illinois bond rating tumbles, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been spending his time raising money for a U.S. Senate race,’’ Trover wrote. “. . . On the same day the State of Illinois appeared on a credit watch list, Alexi Giannoulias was busy trumpeting his fundraising numbers for a political campaign. … Blagojevich Democrats have created a fiscal crisis and instead of serving as financial watchdog for the people of Illinois, Giannoulias is focused on his next political move.’’
Um, how exactly is Giannoulias supposed to have prevented that downgrade?
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Wow. Just wow. Giannoulias had hoped to raise about half of this when he started out. Considering the current economic climate, this is freaking huge…
He’s still just at the “exploratory committee” stage, but Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has already raised $1.1 million in the 28 days since he announced he was “exploring” a run for U.S. Senate.
He is eyeing the seat formerly held by his friend and basketball court partner, President Obama.
“It’s actually unbelievable on two counts: The sum of $1.1 million, in and of itself, is unbelievable, but the fact that it’s in the worst political fund-raising environment that, I think, any of us have ever seen, makes it all the more extraordinary and impressive,” said political activist and fund-raiser Michael Bauer.
The Washington Post reported a week ago that political donations are down 26 percent across the board from two years ago, presumably because of the economic downturn. Giannoulias supporters said this big a haul — with no Giannoulias personal or family loans, PAC or corporate money — in the 28 days before the March 31 quarterly reporting deadline appears to be a record.
Giannoulias told me last night that there is no personal money in that mix. That $1.1 mil may also be close to a one-month US Senate record, by the way.
And Bill Daley has been awful quiet lately, hasn’t he? He wasn’t using a threat of a US Senate run to leverage that ambassadorship to China, was he? Whatever the case, floating his name constantly in Sneed’s column didn’t seem to hurt Giannoulias’ fundraising one little bit.
* Meanwhile, appointed US Sen. Roland Burris said yesterday he still hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll run for real and added…
He has not raised any money for a run.
Surprise, surprise.
* And in another race, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign fired off a blast e-mail to supporters yesterday asking them to vote in an online poll…
Right now the Chicago Tribune is hosting an online poll that asks if Lisa should run for governor. Cast you [sic] ballot and let your opinion be known by clicking on the link
Clicking on the link shows her efforts haven’t worked wonders…
Yes (1107 responses) 41.6%
No (1552 responses) 58.4%
2659 total responses (Results not scientific)
Maybe it was the typo.
* Related…
* Sweet: Madigan debuts in D.C. as state decision looms : Madigan, in a brown pants suit, flanked by men all wearing grey, was trying on the big stage to see how it fit. It fit fine.
* Illinois attorney general, feds crack down on mortgage scams
* Feds, states clamp down on refinancing schemes
* State’s attorney vows to change search warrant filing system
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Morning Shorts
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
* Report: 3.5M in Illinois spent time uninsured
* 22 firms plan mass layoffs
During the month, 22 employers advised state government of their plans to cut workers, mostly this spring. In total, the companies disclosed they were shedding at least 2,486 jobs.
Chicago area employers making the list include NBC Universal Inc., which said it is cutting 103 positions at its Chicago offices, home to WMAQ-Channel 5.
The largest of the March layoff announcements were outside the Chicago area. Engine manufacturer Android Industries LLC said it will close a Belvidere operation, costing 273 jobs. Soybean processor ACH Food Cos. Inc. said it will close a Champaign operation and lay off 246 people.
Last week, state officials said the unemployment rate in the Chicago area spiked to 9 percent in February, from 5.6 percent a year earlier, and many experts expect further increases into double digits.
* AMA laying off Chicago staffers
The American Medical Association is laying off about 100 workers, or 8 percent of its staff, to “offset declining revenues amid the ongoing economic downturn,” the Chicago-based national doctors group said this afternoon.
The staff cuts at the nation’s largest doctor group will trim “open and existing staff positions” at both its Chicago headquarters and Washington offices effective May 4, the AMA said. The AMA has about 1,200 staffers.
* AMA to lay off 100 workers, 8 percent of staff
* Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge closing 5 of 6 Chicago-area locations
* Mars closing Ill. Ethel’s Chocolate stores
* Hold those layoffs
The other steps companies are taking to cut costs are not exactly harmless to workers. Chief among them: capping the number of hours employees can work, cutting or freezing pay and suspending matching payments to 401(k) plans.
* Laid-off workers are fired up over Asian steel
* Chicago suburban downtowns: Officials find ways to lure businesses
* Private lenders take students to cleaners
* Chicago Olympics: Pothole protesters stopped in their tracks
For months, South Side residents have called the city complaining about the craterlike potholes along Garfield Boulevard near Throop Street.
So on Monday, they scheduled a protest in Englewood, demanding that the mayor fix potholes in all neighborhoods, not just at proposed 2016 Olympic sites visited by an international commission this week.
But moments before Monday’s protest, Chicago Department of Transportation crews showed up, filling holes along a stretch of Garfield, including the area where the demonstrators had gathered.
CDOT spokesman Brian Steele said the timing was coincidental.
* Chicago Promotes Blue-Green Games
Chicago’s Olympic team told the visiting international committee today that the city would host the most environmentally friendly games ever if Chicago gets the 2016 bid.
* Is it too late to switch bid to Winter Olympics?
* Hip-hop artists rap to CPS beat
Backed by Microsoft, which donated $15,000 to help restore CPS music education programs, the artists headlined a star-filled benefit at the downtown Hard Rock Cafe.
* Illinois to track students’ school progress
Illinois will begin tracking schoolchildren as they progress from preschool through college, logging the schools they attend, the educators who teach them and the high school courses they take, state officials said Monday.
The State Board of Education announced a $9 million grant from the U.S. education department to fund the data system.
* Chicago mental health centers closing: After sit-in at Mayor Richard Daley’s office, supporters meet with top aide
* Plan to close nCENTER also upsetting seniors
* Teamsters Local 743: Chicago Trial opens in rigged-election case
* Contempt ruling challenged: Cook County prosecutors appeal cut in jail time for not testifying
* 911 subpoenas just shoved in a drawer
An employee at Chicago’s 911 emergency center has been disciplined after four months worth of unprocessed subpoenas for 911 tapes were found stashed in her office drawer.
* Seat-belt use up; highway deaths down 9 percent
* Sox Opening Day Not a Second Too Early for Some
…Added content…
* Manzullo’s earmarks beat online deadline
* Hare, Braley seek $545 million in earmarks
* Rep. Hare digs at Schock over his votes, abs
* Rep. Schock seen as crucial to GOP’s outreach efforts
* Rep. Aaron Schock: ‘Hottest freshman’ in Congress pushes beyond his media-friendly profile
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