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Question of the day
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* When somebody butters you up like this…
Our very own Springfielder, Rich Miller, who has done for state house reporting what Franklin did for electricity, and in so doing has sharpened the pens and reporting of his colleagues to everyone’s benefit
You know a hit is coming. 
Chris Robling continues…
[Miller] quite sadly goes way off the beam in [yesterday] morning’s Capitol Fax. As in:
“The problem this year, though, is the Republican legislative leaders have yet to show any real signal that they are ready to do a deal that will wrap this thing up.”
How’s that again?
Lest it go unsaid, the problem with Illinois government this year is that the Democrats have so far failed miserably at finding a way to clean up the mess in the making of which they happily participated from November 2002 until approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, December 9, 2008, when their Governor’s arrest was first reported.
Robling’s absolutely right. What I wrote was not accurate and I was surprised when I read Robling’s piece that I had let that mistake get by me. I shouldn’t have written “this year.” I should’ve written “this week.” That’s what I meant, but I can’t expect people to read my mind. Call it a stupid typo. So, I retract that word. But I also wrote this, which wasn’t mentioned in the piece…
The real point is, [the Republicans] want their ideas heard, respected and considered on an equal footing with the Democrats. One can’t blame them.
And I stand by that.
* The Question: Who is most to blame for the current [as in “this week”] inability to come to a final budget agreement? Explain thoroughly. Thanks.
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Fun with Proft
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft and Carol Marin do not have the greatest relationship in the world. Here’s Proft on Marin earlier this month…
“She is a liberal Democrat. She is somebody who has written the same story about Cicero for twenty years. She is not about to change her storyline… [Marin] has no concern for the facts, she is the one who is unethical by the way she chooses to disregard facts that are inconvenient to a storyline she has set… I am not going to be a pin cushion to the liberal media in this town.”
Proft was referring to a Marin report about Proft’s lucrative public relations contracts with Cicero. The Tribune also wrote about his contracts…
After helping Cicero’s town president win a close election, political strategist Dan Proft received no-bid contracts worth $578,000 a year to serve as the mouthpiece for the town and two local school districts…..Cicero spends nearly double what even much larger suburban communities spend on public relations… The municipal complex construction management contract with K.R. Miller Contractors Inc. (for a new city hall) sets aside $616,860 to go to Urquhart for public relations during the two-year project.
And, today, after Proft announced his statewide bid, Marin takes after him…
Here’s hoping [Proft] discloses his income tax returns so we can see how much money he actually siphoned from this blue-collar, mostly Hispanic community.
Proft, who touts his conservative credentials and has done commentary on WLS radio’s “Don Wade and Roma” show, founded a public relations firm that was small in size but whose Cicero-related fees approached $1 million in 2008.
Besides being the spokesman for the aforementioned Larry Dominick, who has packed the town payroll with an army of his relatives, Proft picked up a separate fee of more than $300,000 to be the spokesman for a new municipal building. Yes, for a BUILDING.
The question is, when a henchman becomes a candidate, whom does he hire as HIS henchman?
This is gonna be a fun campaign.
Oops. I shouldn’t have used the word “fun.” Eric Zorn did that a while back and ended up in this e-mail exchange with Proft…
PROFT: Fun for whom?
ZORN: Fun for me, at least. Do you have a date set to make the announcement either way?
PROFT: I’m sure. I can only imagine your fair and balanced treatment in store me should I enter. Thankfully, I’m used to the counterfeit objectivity characteristic of most of the Chicago press corps. The bullies with bylines for bankrupt outlets in this town who confuse their liberal orthodoxy for intellect only encourage me. No decision yet thus no announcement date, either way.
ZORN: See, now that’s what I’m talking about! What could possibly be more fun than regular explosions of just this sort of bilious contempt for anyone who disagrees with you? I can’t wait. I mean it.
PROFT: Please. I get along famously with many people who disagree with me. Just not folks who cherry pick their facts and work backward from pre-drawn conclusions, discarding inconvenient facts. You cheap-shotted me in our previous exchange when cornered by the incongruity of your critique. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if you choose to offer anything more constructive or substantive, but that is, of course, your choice. I don’t worry about things beyond my control. It’s okay when you throw punches, even below the waistline, but when someone throws back, you resort to (silliness)–erecting straw men to knock down. Your salivating only serves to reinforce my argument.
Zorn also poked some light fun at Proft yesterday afternoon.
Proft’s kickoff announcement is here. CQ Politics writes…
“I am running for governor so that others like me, who might have lost faith in their party and their state, know that a choice exists and know that their fight has been joined,” Proft said in a campaign speech that was posted to his campaign Web site.
Proft, whose clients have included the town of Cicero southwest of Chicago, said last month on political analyst Jeff Berkowitz’s “Public Affairs” television program that “I don’t believe there’s anybody in this state that has more innovative market-oriented ideas than I do.”
Discuss.
* Related…
* Davis eyes run for County Board chief: U.S. Rep. Danny Davis is forming an exploratory committee to consider running for Cook County Board president, said his spokeswoman Tumia Romero. Davis commissioned a poll which showed “very favorable” numbers for his run, Romero said, including placing him 7 points ahead of County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, the presumptive front-runner who pulled out of the race last week.
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Hynes: Quinn failed and should start over
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Comptroller Hynes blasted the governor yesterday…
In what he dubbed “an open letter,” Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes termed the proposed hike “an ever-changing proposal for an ill-defined problem” and urged the governor to “start over” with a new plan.
“The governor has not called on us to do the hard (cost-cutting) work that must precede any increase in taxes that would affect everyday working people,” Mr. Hynes said in a follow-up phone call. “I’m not the only person who thinks that.”
More…
In a three page letter to the governor, Comptroller Dan Hynes said Quinn has “needlessly incited fear and panic” in calling for cuts to social service programs, while also pledging support for several different types of income tax increases.
“In a sense, we have all been given a false choice: raise taxes by $4 to $5 billion or cut human services by the same amount,” noted Hynes, who is considered a possible candidate for governor or attorney general in 2010.
With just a week left in the state’s fiscal year, Hynes says Quinn and lawmakers should start over when it comes to the budget debate.
“Call on the legislature to pass a 60-day budget that keeps education, health care and other vital services at current levels,” Hynes wrote.
But Hynes’ suggestions don’t even make up half of the budget deficit…
For instance, the state could save up to $300 million if it cut legal and other consulting contracts by a fifth; eliminating “non-essential” programs like the state’s foreign trade offices would yield $350 million, and cutting social service grants just 5% would net $500 million, Mr. Hynes said. Similarly, a combination of expanded gaming and extending the state’s service tax to “luxury” items such as spas, marinas, tanning salon and travel could yield $1.8 billion.
Hynes suggested about $1.2 billion in cuts and $1.8 billion in new revenues, including expanding gaming, which House Speaker Michael Madigan has absolutely rejected, and raising the cigarette tax, which has passed the Senate but has stalled in the House.
Even if all that could be done, that’s $3 billion. The deficit is about $9 billion, but that’s not actually the case. If the state closes the $7 billion hole properly, it can apparently access the rest from federal matches.
Read Hynes’ full letter by clicking here.
He’s sure sounding like a candidate for higher office to me.
…Adding… Oops. I forgot to post this SJ-R editorial…
The allegations leveled at state Comptroller Dan Hynes over the loss of millions of dollars from a pre-need funeral trust fund cry out for answers regarding what his office was doing about the fund’s growing deficit. {…]
After a story about the filing ran, Hynes spokeswoman Carol Knowles said the characterizations in the filing “are not accurate,” that the deficit was only discovered after a 2005 audit of the fund and that no deficit was shown in the IFDA’s annual reports..
It is time for Hynes and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which is controlled by Gov. Pat Quinn, to release the full 2005 audit of the fund, which has been requested by The State Journal-Register under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act.
The comptroller’s office also should outline any actions it took between 2001 and 2005 and release any audits it may have done during that period. Funeral home owners say the comptroller’s office was vigilant in auditing their books. Was it vigilant enough in auditing those of the IFDA?
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Meeks: Democrats failed
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I hope the Southtown Star doesn’t mind, but I’m gonna excerpt more from Phil Kadner’s column than I should. Powerful words from Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) about the failure to get the job done by the end of May…
“The Democrats control both chambers and the governor’s mansion. We asked the people to send us here and we’ve failed to do the job. I don’t see how any of us can go back to the voters and ask to be re-elected after this. This is a failure of the Democratic Party, no doubt about it.” […]
“What were we doing here (in Springfield) from January to May 31?” Meeks asked. “What were we being paid for if it wasn’t to pass a budget?
On the proposed tax hike…
“The governor is still trying to pass his 1.5 percent income tax hike as a two-year temporary measure, but the House doesn’t even want to vote on that. They need Republicans to support it at this point and the Republicans aren’t going to do it. As far as Cullerton and the Senate Democrats are concerned that doesn’t do enough. It doesn’t provide enough money for all the things this state needs to do. If we’re going to pass an income tax hike, if we’re going to take the heat from voters, let’s pass something we can be proud of and defend.”
On what to do now..
Meeks said he has told the governor to “let the whole thing collapse. Force the state to shut down.”
That seemed to contradict his concerns about social service providers who need money to help some of the most vulnerable people in the state, such as the developmentally disabled, children in day care programs, homebound elderly and mentally handicapped.
“There would be very short term suffering but long-term solutions,” Meeks said. “In the long run all of those people would get the help they need because legislators would be forced to work 24/7 to get the job done. We would have to solve the problem because the people of Illinois would demand it and all the elected officials would be worried that they would lose their jobs.”
Thoughts?
* Related…
* Quinn wants to raise taxes, borrow and cut to plug state budget hole
* Taxpayers beware: Game is on this week
* Budget efforts remain stalled
* Local lawmakers: Zero completed Tuesday
* Special session a short one for lawmakers
* Lawmakers have little to do as clock ticks on budget
* Budget resolution to be put off another week
* Pension plan delays tax hike vote, for now
* Big rally, little action at Capitol
* State still divided on tax hike to erase budget deficit; thousands rally to avoid service cuts
* Hot, loud, demanding: Thousands pack Statehouse to protest cuts
* 5,000 protesters at Capitol call for budget deal
* Social-services rally greets lawmakers
* Thousands demand tax hike to avoid cuts in social services
* Thousands Protest Budget Cuts In Springfield
* Suburban groups among budget cut protesters
* State Capitol Q&A: What did the protesters do?
* This time, put Illinois first
* A Breakdown Of The Proposed State Budget Cuts
* Service agencies work to fight budget cuts
* Teacher urges lawmakers to help keep school for visually impaired open
* Health care cuts will cause ’significant crisis’
* Chestnut Health Systems to close detox center
* State budget puts added emphasis on local United Way campaign
* Dave Bakke: Four-day work week could mean savings for state
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Morning Shorts
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
* Parking lease deal weakens city, study says
* City gave up control of streets in meter privatization: study
“In order to maximize profits, the city not only gave up control of future revenues, but just as importantly [if not more] gave up all control of the public right of way on any streets with parking meters,” said the study by the Active Transportation Alliance.
Although the city is free to remove meters or change rates and hours of operations, Chicago Parking Meters LLC must be compensated for the loss of revenue at a rate that assumes “a car were parked in the space for 24-hours-a-day in the Central Business District,” the study said.
“This means that every potential project on a street with meters — including bus rapid transit, bicycle lanes, sidewalk expansion, streetscaping, pedestrian bulb-outs, loading zones, rush-hour parking control, mid-block crossing and temporary open spaces — are dictated, controlled and limited by parking meters,” the study said.
“These restrictions severely limit innovative planning for bicyclists, pedestrian and transit users. The loss of the potential for bus rapid transit on most streets over the next 75 years is one of the most disappointing losses.”
* Arlington Hts. shows its support for Olympics in Chicago
Mayors and parks across the U.S. jumped on the bandwagon for Chicago’s Olympic bid Tuesday.
The plan for Olympic Day was to honor the Games, then send photos and information to the International Olympic Committee to demonstrate the whole country is behind the 2016 bid. Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder brought the news back from the recent summer meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Providence.
The Arlington Heights Park District pitched Tuesday in with events that included races at the local swimming pools, with Mulder there cheering the kids, and the effort, on.
* CTA may cut service by 17.5 percent
The CTA may have to cut service by 17.5 percent in order to deal with a new $35 million shortfall in sales tax revenue.
Metra would suffer a $19 million hit, while Pace would lose $7 million, Palmer said.
* Police Dept. civilian workers protest cuts
Crossing guards, detention aides and traffic control aides descended on a City Council committee Tuesday to unleash their anger about impending layoffs.
Their frustrations were directed at both the city and their union, Service Employees Local 73.
The city was blamed for targeting 296 civilian police employees for a chunk of the 1,504 layoffs scheduled to take effect July 15, forcing uniformed police officers to do jobs that have nothing to do with fighting crime.
The union was blamed for failing to sign off on the 16 unpaid furlough days and other concessions that would avert the need for layoffs.
* Weis aims to use federal grants to hire more cops
Chicago Police officials are hoping to hire up to 150 officers this year with federal grant money, Supt. Jody Weis said Tuesday.
In the meantime, Weis is putting about 300 additional officers on the street this summer by shifting them from desk jobs or paying overtime with federal grants.
* Chicago police showing the colors for summer
Weis is ordering all plainclothes officers — about 800, by his estimate — to wear full uniform when on duty. The officers, who include members of the gun, gang enforcement and tactical teams, will also be asked to perform street and vehicle stops along with their regular duties.
* Police gear up for DUI crackdown over 4th of July
* 17 vehicles torched on West, Northwest Sides
Police, fire officials investigating; Supt. Jody Weis says damage may be gang-related
* Chicago cop Anthony Abbate sentenced to 2 years probation in videotaped bar beating
* Feds charge 37 people, four businesses with mortgage fraud
The U.S. attorney’s office today charged 37 people and four businesses with fraudulently obtaining $48 million in mortgages on homes in Chicago and the suburbs.
* Home sales and median prices drop in Chicago
In the city of Chicago, sales of existing homes plunged 27.5 percent in May year-over-year to 1,537. Sales rose 11.5 percent from April. Prices sank 29.5 percent to $225,000, but rose 2.3 percent from April.
In the Chicago metropolitan area, sales dropped 18.7 percent from May 2008 to 5,634, but were up 18.7 percent from April. Prices dropped 20.3 percent from May 2008 to $200,000. They were up 4.2 percent from April.
Statewide, sales were down 21 percent to 8,945, compared to a year earlier.
* State launches more mortgage relief help
* Empress set to reopen Thursday
* A new Empress in town
* University of Chicago hires Boeing CIO as its new investment chief
* Caterpillar unveils hybrid bulldozer
* Peoria Ag Lab to get $40 million in funding
* Will County adopts tobacco ordinance initiated by students
* Kane County sees potential cuts in health programs
* Railroad paying evacuees from train derailment
* Hospital puts autism resources online and on call
Parents can find services for counties all across Chicago area
* Streamwood behavioral health-care facility adds wing for children
The $10 million addition for 4- to 12-year-olds quickly filled up its 42 extra beds after it opened last month. The center scheduled a formal grand opening for the 30,000-square-foot addition this week with a ribbon-cutting and an open house.
* Bronzeville Advocates Outline Housing Plan
The group Housing Bronzeville wants to buy 500 city-owned vacant lots for a dollar each.
In turn, the nonprofit says it will find a developer to build homes for families earning no more than $60,000 a year.
Housing Bronzeville’s Jeffery Campbell says the possible Olympic Games coming to Chicago has residents in the historic neighborhood worried about gentrification.
* 11 affordable green homes to be built in Illinois
* Public Housing Museum plans to share the residents’ whole story
Old building from Jane Addams Homes to be part of museum set to open in 2012
* Southland reps key swing votes on energy bill
A national science-based environmental group sees two Southland congresswomen as swing votes for a controversial energy bill making its way through Congress.
But these U.S. Representatives - Debbie Halvorson (D-11th) and Judy Biggert (R-13th) - still are weighing how the bill would impact their districts before commenting on how they will cast their votes.
* Stephen R. Kustra, 1971-2009: ‘Free spirit’ drawn to San Francisco
The son of former Illinois Lt. Gov. Robert Kustra, Mr. Kustra, 37, died of complications from cancer on Friday, June 19, at a San Francisco hospital, said his sister, Jennifer Quinn.
* A sidekick for TV, McMahon was real-life hero
One of TV’s most famous sidekicks passed away Tuesday at 86. It was a rough last few years for McMahon, who faced myriad health and financial problems.
19 Comments
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John Callaway
Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* John Callaway was a mentor to me without him even knowing it. I had watched him for years on Chicago Tonight and always wanted to be there with him, talking about the issues of the day. I practically worshiped the man. So when the big call finally came during the 1998 gubernatorial campaign, I immediately hopped on a plane and flew to Chicago just to be on the set with the person whom I considered my journalistic idol.
Callaway died yesterday of a heart attack at the age of 72…
“It has been said that John Callaway, who has won more than 60 awards, including seven Chicago Emmys, is the best interviewer on television,” according to a 1994 Tribune article. “He can be tough, like when he told Sen. Paul Simon he hadn’t mastered his own campaign material. He can be sensitive, like when he delicately asked director Gordon Parks about the death of his son. He can elicit quotable sound bites. Mike Ditka, when he was Bears coach: ‘My motives are right, even if my methods stink.’ Rich Daley, when he was state’s attorney: ‘I could subpoena you overnight if you became my enemy.’ He made the Frugal Gourmet cry. When Johnny Carson asked William Buckley who was the best interviewer, Buckley answered, ‘That chubby fellow in Chicago.’ ”
When it started in 1984, Callaway envisioned Chicago Tonight as “the second half of the news,” a program that provided a forum for a more reflective discussion of the news.
Speaking about the show around the time of his retirement in 1999, Callaway said: “We tried to be fair. We tried to view complexity as complexity, as opposed to trying to oversimplify it. And we had a lot of fun, too. But I think if you looked at that program for 15 years, you’d see a lot of the fabric and soul of the city.”
Callaway continued to work in the final months of his life, conducting interviews and mediating panels, his wife said. Most recently, he moderated a panel at an iron and steel industry conference in St. Louis in May, she said.
He can’t ever be replaced.
* Related…
* Ch. 11 broadcast legend John Callaway dies
* Legendary Chicago journalist John Callaway dies
* Chicago Journalist John Callaway Has Died
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