Food for ethical thought
Friday, May 22, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I noticed something when scanning through a list compiled by Dick Simpson and others at UIC of all the people busted in corruption cases since 1973: Only a tiny handful were state legislators. [The list starts on page 7.]
One of those listed, Roger Stanley, hadn’t been a legislator for years when he was caught up in the George Ryan scandals. Another, former Rep. Pat Bailey, was convicted for not living in her district. Almost all the rest didn’t appear to be involved in anything that had to do with their official legislative duties. Former Sen. Bruce Farley pled guilty to taking a ghost-payrolling job, but his co-defendant, former Rep. Miguel Santiago, was acquitted of the same charge.
Does that mean the GA is much cleaner than they’re given credit for? Whatever the case, it’s worth discussing, particularly since many of the reforms proposed by the governor’s independent reform commission are aimed at the legislature.
* Patrick Collins claims he’s being deluged with contacts by state legislators…
“[Today] I’m going to Springfield to present some of our core proposals and I’m getting calls and e-mails every 15 minutes from legislators and others who want to try to compromise so that we don’t cause a ruckus down there (Friday),” Collins said. “And the reality is we’re not going there to create a ruckus but we’re also not there just to compromise so that everyone can say there’s reform but then when everybody goes home and takes credit for reform we really haven’t reformed much.”
* The Daily Herald tries to counter this week’s breathless propaganda by the Illinois Press Association about a draft proposal on FOIA…
Take a deep breath, people.
A day after Illinois legislative leaders floated a proposal for changes in the state’s Freedom of Information Act that seems at polar opposites with what the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Reform Commission wants, some are saying don’t panic.
This, they say in short, is how legislation works. The attorney general and the Illinois Reform Commission put forth one proposal, and now legislators put forth a different one.
“The sky is not falling,” said Cara Smith, deputy chief of staff to Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
But the Tribune edit board buys the hype hook, line and sinker and huffs in its latest screed…
They’re not looking out for you, they’re looking out for themselves.
The Sun-Times is equally strident today…
Only in Illinois would politicians talk about reform and do the exact opposite.
But edit boards in this state have mostly ignored the reforms that are already moving…
* Lawmakers approve sweeping ethics plans targeting cronies, lobbyists
* Procurement, ethics, employee reforms sail to Senate
* Firing bill clears House; search new database
* House backs ethics, procurement overhauls
* And then there’s this happy note…
The main architect for many of impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s most controversial and failed budget ideas will leave the state payroll in July, the top House Democrat said today.
House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said he was told today by Gov. Quinn that former Blagojevich budget director John Filan — a nemesis of Madigan’s — will resign as chief of the Illinois Finance Authority as part of a legislative deal designed to rid state government of Blagojevich’s holdovers.
* Related…
* Time to fight for reform in Illinois
* Reform set for Friday frenzy
* More secrecy and clout? No, stop it now
* Madigan’s version of FOIA rewrite needs to be OK’d
* Press group supports AG’s rewrite of FOIA
* Corruption in Illinois costs each family $109 as reform stalls
* Tame the ‘Wild West’ of Illinois campaign cash
* House leaders surveyed on ethics ideas
* Blago now has 2 defense lawyers, wants more
* Legislation won’t let Blagojevich cash in on book deal
* Why Blago’s book deal might not be so golden
* Lawmakers try to hit Blagojevich in the pocketbook
* Patti Blagojevich confirms appearance on NBC show
* Ousted governor’s wife may bring pillow to jungle
* Ex-Gov.’s wife: the jungle doesn’t seem too scary
- Hon. Cranial Lamb - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 10:42 am:
Filan is leaving, okay. But he hasn’t technically been budget director for 2 years. What about Ginger Ostro? Is she leaving too?
- George - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 10:50 am:
I think the reason is two-fold:
1) It is a separation of powers issue - there is a lot more reluctance, and a bigger hurdle to climb, for an executive branch (DOJ, AG, State’s Attorney, etc.) to investigate a legislative branch than another executive branch office (mayor, governor, civil servant, appointee, etc.)
2) The type of corruption is different and in a wider range - executive branch folks have far more avenues for corruption - hiring, contracts, rules, administrative decisions, etc. Corruption probes are usually targeted at those who are to enforce the law, not those who make the law.
Legislatively, you are pretty much talking about trading votes, or moving legislation, as a result of campaign contributions. That’s a big issue, but one you can never really truly prove. The oft-heard excuse is - “they contributed to me because they like my stand on this issue.” Its hard to prove quid-pro-quo, and most prosecuters just won’t waste their time with 1 of 118, when they can go after the 1 of 1 chief executive.
- Skeptical Cynic - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 10:55 am:
I kind of hope Collins does cause a ruckus.
- OneMan - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:06 am:
Could you identify the ruckus?
- Skeptical Cynic - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:09 am:
Actually I would hope for thoughtful discussion and action but a ruckus may just have to do in these circumstances. Its tough to define ruckus, but you know when you see it.
- OneMan - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:11 am:
Also sort of George’s point
Under the way the system works now (with the power the leaders have) what good would it really do you to try and bribe an individual member, virtually none.
Also unlike an Alderman who has zoning control for their area, a legislator down in Springfield generally does not get defered to by the body as a whole on local things. So even the local angle doesn’t really work.
So from a cost benefit point of view, a legislator is a bad investment.
Also because of their need to get re-elected as well as the way campaign finance law is in this state, you would be better off just giving them money for their campaign fund.
- Frank Booth - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:19 am:
ruckus???
I thought that was a typo.
They’re clearly out to ruck us.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:25 am:
This is like saying that the number of defects in Chevrolets isn’t as bad as car buyers think. How is that helping GM?
The GA has a poor image. Claiming they aren’t as crappy as their image suggests, isn’t going to help. The image they have - they earned. They just can’t do nothing. Sorry, even if it looks like there is no need to reform - inaction is not an option.
Yes, the Collins Commission is fingerpointing at the GA, while Madigan is fingerpointing at Quinn. Instead of changing how their own offices do business, they prefer to criticize the other. This isn’t going to work, for either of them.
- Reddbyrd - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:26 am:
The Simpson Study, which confirms most are honest also includes people charged with crimes after leaving government and some who were not convicted.
It is a real jumble…typical academic mish mash
BTW I aay most are honest becuase over the 40 year span I am guessing more than 2 million people have been elected, worked or did business with state. county, city and suburban governments
This is a massive pool of people. The number charged is a tiny sliver. It is surprising the media doesn’t admit it.
- Breathless and Proud of It - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:33 am:
Of course the response from the IPA and other journalist groups seems shrill– and it should be. Has anyone *read* a copy of the leadership’s proposed changes to FOIA? Jeez…
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:34 am:
===The GA has a poor image. Claiming they aren’t as crappy as their image suggests, isn’t going to help.===
Yes, because actual facts should always be avoided like the plague by the news media.
For crying out loud.
- wordslinger - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:34 am:
According to Webster’s:
“Ruckus,” an Americanism, circa 1895, is “the act of making a noisy disturbance.”
It’s apparently a combination of “ruction, a noisy fight,” and “rumpus, a noisy commotion.”
So you’ll know it’s a ruckus if its noisy.
- George - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:38 am:
Rich, my point above was that while they may not get prosecuted, that doesn’t mean corruption doesn’t exist in the system. The campaign cash to move/pass bills has been going on a long time.
You can look at chairs of committees, and compare their subject matter to the contributions they receive. It may not be a direct, explicit quid pro quo, but anytime a legislator hesitates on an issue because of the thought of their contributors, it rears its head.
But, like I mentioned above, these things are hard if not impossible to prosecute on. Which might mean the only answer is to actually change the nature of the operation at its core.
The means caps and things like them.
- Steve - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:38 am:
I recommend everyone read the Chicago Tribune’s editorial titled HOW IT WORKS
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ne
ws/opinion/chi-0522edit2
may22,0,3861989.story
“Joe Berrios is the chief lobbyist for the video poker industry. He’s also one of three members of the Cook County property tax appeals board.
House Speaker Michael Madigan’s law firm specializes in property tax appeals.
Senate President John Cullerton is also an attorney. He specializes in tax appeals too.
The fate of video poker largely rested in their hands.
Does anyone see a conflict of interest here?”
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:39 am:
===seems shrill– and it should be===
they bring a copy of a starting point document into a four-hour meeting, agree to changes and then the original document is blasted by the IPA like the meeting never happened.
Ridiculous.
- Reddbyrd - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:47 am:
And it might have been helpful if either the Tribune or Crain’s had a shred of information suggesting any improper actually happened.
Kinda reminds one of the smears and personality attacks that came during dark days of Lights At Wrigley Field era.
Many thought the media had gotten past that
- HGW XX/7 - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:01 pm:
Blagojevichs is making the media rounds touting Patti’s upcoming stint on NBC’s “I’m a LOSER … Get Me Out of Here.”
$80,000 an episode, normal individuals work 1,2,3 years for that kind of income.
When Rod and Patti were waiting to be interviewed the tape was rolling, pretty revealing footage of the “Last Couple”.
- Anon - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:02 pm:
am i missing something on the “list” to be fired? i dont see any directors or deputy directors or chief of staffs.
- Wacker Drive - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:16 pm:
Firing bill clears House; search new database, seems to be missing I.D.O.T. and Illinois Tollway personnel.
What gives? That’s where the majority of them are hiding out.
- moron - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:21 pm:
“Does that mean the GA is much cleaner than they’re given credit for?”
Whoa, cowboy!. The report stops short of claiming to present a COMPREHENSIVE list of all indictments & convictions in Illinois. In fact it says:
“Our research on all aspects of corruption is continuing. But we provide this update to support the report of the Illinois Reform Commission and to contribute to the ongoing debate in the state legislature. Only comprehensive reforms can lessen the level of corruption in Chicago and Illinois, currently the capitals of corruption in the United States. … We support the reforms recommended by Governor Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission Proposals. Any hope of curing the “culture of corruption” or the “Chicago Way” which has prevailed since the 1860s requires a comprehensive program of mutually reinforcing reforms.”
funny you didn’t choose to hilite that…
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:24 pm:
===funny you didn’t choose to hilite that…===
I don’t know of any legislators they missed, do you? And if not, why bother posting that comment? Your screen name is quite apt.
- moron - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 12:28 pm:
“Does that mean the GA is much cleaner than they’re given credit for?”
Not everything that does not result in an indictment or conviction is clean.
- Cassandra - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:01 pm:
I think it was the right thing for Filan to go and I hope Ostro goes too (not to mention a number of agency directors and deputies, assistant deputies and so on).
But I remain mystified. Filan and Ostro by most accounts are smart, hard-working people. How could they have stayed in such a corrupt administration. Was it hubris? Naivete? Tunnel vision? Lack of judgment? A misguided sense of noblesse oblige?
Quinn should have shown them the door when he took office. Along with so many others. Instead. Madigan had to write a whole law to get rid of Filan. Not sure if Ostro is even gone. Or those many others.
- Cal Skinner - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:06 pm:
Part of the problem is the start date. House Speaker Jack Walker, who left office in 1973, was convicted of something, for instance.
- Y2D - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:10 pm:
Aye, looked for IDOT in the database as well … why aren’t they listed?
And … yes, there are Directors and Chief of Staff listed in the dataset.
- Ghost - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:14 pm:
Collins: I have an agenda to get Mike Madigan, and anyone who opposes me is just corrupt and unwilling to change corruption in government. It does not matter that the vast majority of these proposals have nothing to do with nor would thye have stopped Ryan or Blago.
My fav part of the COllins refomr, removing strong leaders from the general assembly so that a future ryan/blago would not see an impediments. Yep good reform
- MOON - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:24 pm:
GHOST
I agree with you! Collins is trying to set himself up for future public office; and in the mean time he is using his position to to enhance his law business.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:46 pm:
We Ain’t Paid Nothin’ Yet! - Bachman, Turner Overdrive, enhanced by VanillaMan
We have a state government,
That taxes our wages away,
They claim they gives good services,
And voters want it that way.
They think Pay-To-Play is good governin’,
But I yell they need reform, mmmh,
Oooh, oooh They looked at me with surprised eyes
And said:
We ain’t as corrupt as you think,
B-B-B-Baby, We ain’t as corrupt as you think,
If you look at how many convictions we’ve seen,
B-B-B-Baby, We ain’t as corrupt as you think.
But I’m not feelin’ better,
‘Cause now they want more cash.
They claim they cannot cut the budget,
And we’re headed for a crash.
They said that no ethics is good ethics
So they take what they can get, mmmh,
Oooh, oooh They looked at me with palms outstretch
And said:
You ain’t paid nothin’ yet,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t paid nothin’ yet,
There’s still a 12 Billion dollar deficit,
B-B-B-Baby, you just ain’t paid nothin’ yet.
You don’t wanna live in Mississippi
With toothless backwoods hicks, mmh,
Oooh, oooh If you believe Illinois is corrupt,
It’s not!:
We ain’t as bad as you think,
B-B-B-Baby, We ain’t as lazy as you think,
If you don’t base it on politicians that stink,
B-B-B-Baby, We ain’t as corrupt as you think.
Now pay up!
- Sunny - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 1:47 pm:
Speaking about firings, what about Juan Ochoa from Mc Pier. That guy should be fire immediatly.
- Legaleagle - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 5:22 pm:
List omits Jack Walker/Don Carpentier,et al of legislators; also omits high ranking cops and city inspectors, Torrens clerks, etc.Hardly a complete list.
- this old hack - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 6:17 pm:
Ghost: you are right on the money. That idiotic “reform”, if in effect, would have allowed Blago to bankrupt the state.
Every state that has any form of term limits on the legislature quickly finds power shifting towards the executive branch and away from legislators.
Considering what we just went through over the past 6 years, is that what we really want?! Count me out!
Term Limits on legislative leaders is just another one of the Collins’ Commissions non reform “reforms” that the Tribune seems unable to utilize any critical thinking skills on that it may still have and recognize the real effects of the proposal.
- moron - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 6:51 pm:
“My fav part of the COllins refomr, removing strong leaders from the general assembly so that a future ryan/blago would not see an impediments. Yep good reform”
Wow, that is twisted. How’d that model work out for ya lately?
The IL legislature doesn’t need superhuman “6 tops” to stand up to an IL governor, they have the purse strings, they have the state constitution.
- Glenwoodalum - Friday, May 22, 09 @ 11:06 pm:
“Breathless propaganda” by the Illinois Press Association? What are you smoking, Rich? You can’t possibly support the legislative draft; then again, you probably haven’t read it. Why not disclose how you used to partner with the IPA until they cut you loose? If you had any ethical standing at all, you’d share that with your readers instead of putting in a dig at the IPA every chance you get.
I read your earlier report on this issue and half your facts were flat-out wrong.
Why don’t you do a full comparison report of the two drafts instead of spewing your own “breathless propaganda?” Oh, that’s right. Because you’re not a real journalist. You’re just a blogger who steals real journalism from real journalists to aggregate online.
Surprise the heck out of me by posting this without some pathetic, defensive drivel. Man up, Miller.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, May 23, 09 @ 4:20 pm:
===If you had any ethical standing at all, you’d share that with your readers===
My dispute with the IPA was ten years ago and the ED is now gone. I think the statute of limitations has long expired. But thanks for throwing mud, you moron.
- Arthur Andersen - Saturday, May 23, 09 @ 6:14 pm:
Rich, that guy has to be a tool. He’s from Chatham. Just kidding, Mayor Gray.
That UIC study would have received an F or incomplete at the Big U. For all the meticulous detail from 1973, they missed crooks from 2006 and 2007. Stuie, Joe Cari, et al, not there. (Cari may have been scrubbed out by his PR army working to rehab his image before his sentencing date.) Also saw some measure of judgmental inclusions of non-elected officials, as you noted above with the legislators. The guy from the U of I in 1982 was much more mentally ill than corrupt, to name just one.
I would agree that the GA is statistically and absolutely under-represented in this count. What does stand out by any measure is the number of Chicago Democrats relative to any other “geopolitical” category. Imagine that.
- Rich Miller - Saturday, May 23, 09 @ 6:32 pm:
===The IL legislature doesn’t need superhuman “6 tops” to stand up to an IL governor, they have the purse strings, they have the state constitution.===
You must’ve missed the past six years.
Seriously, are you a complete idiot or just on this one topic? Please post on other topics so we can all find out. Thanks.
Also, not many will advocate “superhuman” leaders. Try to keep your responses within reason.