* The Tribune’s take on last Friday’s back and forth between Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes…
The exchange represents an unusual early intensity in an evolving 2010 campaign — a season shortened by a February primary. The rhetoric also provides an indication where each campaign is headed: Quinn is questioning Hynes’ leadership from a lower-level statewide office, and Hynes is tying Quinn to the scandal-tainted Blagojevich.
And this will probably be the next big battle between the two men…
Gov. Pat Quinn is reviewing several major ethics proposals that lawmakers passed earlier this year and says he will decide whether to sign them into law or use his amendatory veto power to make changes “over the next few weeks.” […]
“Sometimes perfection, you may not be able to obtain it at this moment,” Quinn said [yesterday] at a news conference where he signed several veterans’ rights bills. “But if there is a very good piece of legislation I think it is better to move forward with that than not at all.”
* The Sun-Times writes a glowing profile of possible US Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson…
Three years ago, when she conceived the idea of holding the Urban League’s national conference in Chicago this year, it’s unlikely Cheryle Jackson realized she’d be poised to run for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Barack Obama. […]
Her supporters for the 2010 race would prefer to keep the focus on those years and her time as an Amtrak vice president — rather than on the three years she served as communications director for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has since been indicted for alleged corruption in office.
If she runs, she is expected to argue that she joined Blagojevich’s administration when it looked promising and able to deliver on progressive issues — but that she left before his first term ended as controversies began to bubble to the surface.
In fact, under Jackson, the Urban League went so far as to file a lawsuit against the state — while Blagojevich was still governor — that argued that Illinois’ school funding system violates the civil rights of minority students by giving them an inferior education to those of children in wealthier areas. The suit is pending in Cook County Circuit Court.
A direct connection to Blagojevich (via contributions, contracts, etc.) was the only fatal connection during the 2008 legislative races. She has a direct connection. It may not kill off her primary chances, but it’ll be devastating in a general.
By the way, a lot of Statehouse reporters had trouble getting Jackson to respond to questions. I almost never did. Not sure why. We had a fairly decent relationship, as far as those sorts of relationships go.
* GOP Sen. Kirk Dillard talks about what he’d do if elected governor…
Fundamental to restoring Illinois’ fiscal health is the ability to attract new businesses and keep existing businesses, Dillard said. Illinois is near the bottom of the barrel in job creation. Jobs are leaving Illinois for more favorable business conditions in surrounding states. “I’m going to chase down and court business everyday. We’re not going to demonize business like Rod Blagojevich.”
Dillard says Illinois over-regulates business and has an overly expensive workers’ compensation program. He would use tax incentives to lure firms here, but not cash.
A tax incentive is essentially cash, but whatever. More…
Dillard would also save money by changing Medicaid to a managed care system.
“Medicaid is the largest expenditure in the state. We spend more on Medicaid than education. We’re one of the few states without a managed care program. Folks can go to an emergency room for $3,000 in costs to the taxpayers,” he said. Managed care would concentrate more on preventive care and treatment by doctors in clinics.
Yes, we need to look at managed care, but what gets lost in all these stories is that Illinois currently has one of the lowest cost per patient ratios in the nation.
* Political quote of the day goes to Ethan Hastert, the son of former US House Speaker Denny Hastert who is now running for his dad’s old seat…
“I didn’t get into this race because my dad held the seat,” Ethan Hastert assured.
* And rank this as the oddest political story of the day. It’s from Broomfield, Colorado, which is apparently some sort of weird parallel universe to Illinois…
Two-time mayoral candidate Paul Madigan hopes the third time is the charm. […]
He will face incumbent Pat Quinn…
Madigan vs. Pat Quinn. But only in Colorado.
* Related…
* Redistricting Panel to Meet Wednesday: Illinois lawmakers are set to meet this week about how the state should draw boundaries for legislative districts.
* Slap at Peraica backfires for GOP
* Money keeps flowing from Cook Co. contractors to board prez Stroger: Politically connected Cook County contractors chosen over lower bidders continue to cash in as their projects expand - and continue to contribute to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s campaign.
* Rep. Miller eyes run for state comptroller
* Press release: The Young Democrats of America (YDA) will be holding their Biennial National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, August 5-9. The Convention will take place at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and will host over 1000 young Democrats from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US Territories.
* Rep. Mike Boland talks about running for lieutenant governor and the U of I scandal
* U. of I. admissions scandal: 3 top legislators turn down invitations to testify
* Go testify: Eight other lawmakers were invited to testify because of their leadership positions or their ties to clouted students, or both. Rep. Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) is expected to appear next week. The others have declined, ducked or disappeared on vacation.
* U. of I. boss to testify on clout cases
* Oases manager, a big Blago donor, in hole to lender, state
* No-nonsense Blagojevich judge is actor, novelist
- Shore - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 6:54 am:
I’m a diehard republican, but it makes me physically ill to see a hastert running for office. My family is a 4 generation Republican committeemen family-the kind of people that do lit drops in ugly fall and winter months, and spent a lot of time trying to get our majority in congress. Daddy hastert blew that and it’s a black mark against the party that this kid is running tied to his father.
- Cindy Lou - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 7:18 am:
Perhaps if Dillard is serious on his Work Comp he’d like to start with lowering the abuse if the system which would I imagine go a long way in bringing down cost. Then perhaps if the cost are control he could work on timely payments to the legitimate cases.
If he’d like to move on to Medicaid perhaps he’d like to start with abuse in this system and develop a system to cross reference who is receiving benefits and how they are coming in from numerous state programs. The state having the ability to know what the right hand is doing at the same time the left hand is doing something could go a long way.
It annoys me to no end to see a chest thumper out there squealing over cost while I also see the state pouring money in all directions without having a clue as to how to rein in the duplications and abuse.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 7:50 am:
Dillard’s “pro-business” message is very 1980s. Is there another Saturn or Mitsubishi plant in play, so everyone can race to the bottom with giveaways?
The best things the state can do for long-term economic growth is to provide the resources to produce an educated workforce and an efficient infrastructure. That’s how you’ll get the kind of next-generation growth like you see in Silicon Valley, Austin and Tobacco Row.
If you want warehouses and chicken processing plants, go with the giveaways.
- Quinn T. Sential - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 8:06 am:
How do you figure that tax incentives are “cash” if no taxes would be levied if the business were not present, but for the incentive?
One, or two silo Tax incentives only serve to diminish slightly the overall economic impact that a business generates.
Unless you write a check for them after they have completed the move in, then I don’t think there is a cash equivalent.
That’s not going to happen anyway though; under or an R or a D Governor, because any business person with an IQ at least low enough to get clouted into U of I, would never take a check from the State of Illinois
- N'ville - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 8:32 am:
Job retention and creation, as well as Medicaid reform, are critical for the future tax base of this state. But what is Mr. Dillard’s plan for NOW? I don’t think you can dig out of a $10+ billion real and existing hole just by talking about plans that will take years to realize real revenue.
- Obamarama - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 8:46 am:
Hastert: “…it was the government’s unprecedented spending and concern with the country’s growing deficit and the nation’s future.”
Pretty sure daddy did that, Ethan.
- Bill - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 8:52 am:
Word,
Don’t forget airplane manufacturers and obsolete retail dept. store giants.
- Beowulf - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 9:02 am:
I find it an interesting question as to whether his last name “Hassert” will prove to be an asset or a liability for Ethan among conservative Republican voters in his upcoming campaign?
- The Doc - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 9:12 am:
Tax incentives sound nice, but are frequently offset by otherwise business-unfriendly tax climate in the state. Soon enough, you’re bidding against yourself to offer a tax incentive package that is effective in luring an otherwise reluctant business, and the net gain is…a loss.
Mayor Daley and the TIF system is a perfect example of tax incentives gone awry. Companies are reluctant to headquarter or invest significantly in Chicago because the network of taxes and fees are so punitive. Thus, Daley reaches deep into the TIF pot to lure in such businesses, often not calculating the ROI or ensuring the deal is sound (like Republic Windows, MillerCoors and most recently Willis Insurance). Moreover, it often obfuscates the true cost to the public.
My point is that both the current and prospective crop of elected officials bloviate about new investment, but fail to grasp the realities of actually doing such.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 9:40 am:
Illinois citizens seem to be tiring of the belief that businesses are evil, that profit should be questioned, that government will provide, that higher taxes is good for our state, and that one-party government creates efficiencies.
Why?
Perhaps it is because they have freakin’ eyes to see that this government is a total failure, they had allowed the peons of guilt to justify the highest sales taxes in the country, ruinous property rates, mass job exodus, poor education and political stagnation within the Party in Power?
So go ahead and criticize a candidate who is not a Democrat suggesting that what worked before, be tried again. But what are you justifying here? What we have? You like-ee?
The ship is sunk, and we’re floating around in the life rafts surrounded by sharks. Don’t tell me that if we just give Captain Democrats and their crew a chance, they won’t sink us again.
And please, this is no time to start telling us that it is a beautiful night to float in a life jacket! That isn’t going to sell!
- Scooby - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:02 am:
=== A direct connection to Blagojevich (via contributions, contracts, etc.) was the only fatal connection during the 2008 legislative races. ===
Who are you referring to? I don’t recall any fatal connections. The SDems held their targets and the few Blagojevich allies in the House all turned out fine with the exception of Granberg who retired.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:09 am:
===Who are you referring to? I don’t recall any fatal connections.===
Aurora Austriaco and Greg Tuite.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:19 am:
whether his last name “Hassert” will prove to be an asset or a liability
What, is Brent Hassert thinking about running again?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brent_Hassert
- Scooby - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:23 am:
Ah, gotcha.
- colt 45 - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:34 am:
word and bill, don’t slam the jobs because they’re beneath you.
- Just Observing - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:50 am:
Phil Kadner’s article on Rep. Miller claims that the real pronounciation of “comptroller” is “controller.” What??????
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:51 am:
Colt, no job is beneath me, from detasselling corn to janitor to working the graveyard shift at the gas station.
You can, however, take your pick from any number of deep think tankers on every point of the political spectrum who have serious problems with ROI and the fairness of government subsidies to business — particularly when those businesses already have in-state, taxpaying competition.
And you can read any number of small, medium and large business owner surveys as to what they most want out of state government and you’ll find resources for an educated workforce and an efficient infrastructure at the top of the list.
The state and local government giveaways that mushroomed in the early 80s recession can be sure to generate reams of self-serving press releases for politicians, but don’t count on much else.
- Down the Middle - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:53 am:
Wordslinger: Dillard is not talking about 80’s-style give-aways. He’s talking about getting business and labor together to find ways to lower costs for Workers Comp and other areas where Illinois isn’t competitive with neighboring states. While incentives may indeed be part of the big picture, it’s those everyday “frictional” costs that are being targeted.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:11 am:
JO-
Listen to this audio link from Webster’s.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?comptr02.wav=comptroller
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:13 am:
Pronounce it how you wish is my opinion.
Anybody been to Marseilles lately?
We have our own way of saying things in this state, and that’s just the way it is.
- Bill - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:16 am:
==We have our own way of saying things in this state==
especially downstate.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:18 am:
Yeah, Bill. Over by dere?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:18 am:
Actually, that should’ve read, Over by dere by Goethe Street.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:19 am:
–Anybody been to Marseilles lately?–
Or Milan? (Illinois pronunciation: MY-lan)
Or Vienna? (llinois pronunciation: VY-anna)
Or Cairo? (llinois pronunciation: KAY-ro)
I’ve never stopped in Havana, IL. How do they say it there?
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:21 am:
Although con-TROL-ler is the “preferred” pronunciation derived from the etymology of the root word, COMP-trol-ler is probably in more common usage today.
Marseilles is known to the locals as “Martucky”, for the inordinate percentage of residents whose origins are south of the Ohio. Probably contributed to the local pronunciation of marr-SALES in phonetic Appalachian English, just as Vienna is pronounced VIE-enna in So IL.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:23 am:
word-
It’s ha-VAH-na, just like the Cuban capital. Although nearby Teheran is pronounced ta-HAY-run.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:25 am:
Ask someone in Chicago the name of the street 1200 south and they’ll say Roos-a-velt.
Ask them who its named for, and they’ll say ROSE-a-velt.
I kid you not.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:25 am:
And San Jose, just down US 136, is pronounced San JOE by the locals.
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:36 am:
how is Sen. Dillard having teh cash to travel to all these places after missing his public fundraising goal by some $900K?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:39 am:
Please. You’re not that daft are you?
If you want to make a point about how he came up way short, do so. But don’t include some stupid question with it.
Thanks.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:42 am:
Excellent column by Laura Washington.
I’ve got an idea for the self-appointed working-class hero aldermen and union leaders who continue to oppose WalMart investing on the South Side.
For one month, originate all your shopping trips from that vacant lot in Chatham. And you can’t drive your Lexus, Beamer or Mercedes. Use public transportation, like many of the folks there. While you’re on the bus, you can make a list of the other multi-million dollar, job-creating investors who are willing to put their money there, followed by a chorus of “Solidarity Forever.”
- Will County Woman - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 11:58 am:
What is up with journalist in chicago, print and electronic, showing bias for candidates in what and how they report?
I’m not talking about columinist because I understand that they are entitled to editorialize and give opinions e.g., carol marin’s column a couple weeks ago about quinn vs. the possibility of dan hynes.
but the pallasch report about Cheryle Jackson was not a column, and his glowing praise seemed over the top under the circumstances, as she is a real long shot.
I sense that there are certain elements in the chicago electronic media, namely people whose careers got started here in the late 70s or early 80s who are fans of pat quinn. they have grown fond of him over the years and genuinely see him him as a decent all around good guy.
I’m all for the local boy finally makes good angle that some of try to play up, but it seems like some have gone to extremes to remind us of quinn’s 30 year crusade as a reformer rather than deal with the harsh and brutal realities of his inability to lead the state.
As a case in point…recently on Chicago Tonight’s Week in Review, the Joel Weissman asked one of the panelists whether or not quinn had used the social service agencies and people as political pawns. the panelist answered, ” well, yes he did, but…”
but???????
I don’t watch the station for which that particular panelist reports, but maybe I should to see how hard or soft her questioning is when it comes to quinn.
what pallasch did on Saturday and what others seem to do and be prepared to do one behalf of certain people is very disturbing. It has been alleged, and incidentally often laughed off by members of the Chicago media, that they automatically select mayor daley every four years by delcaring him a winner or immpossible to beat, and in that way shut out his challengers by never or hardly reporting about them. There is truth to this phenomenon every four years, and it is interesting how they laugh it off but never really deny it either.
What I am suggesting is that Chicago media, or any media for that matter, needs to be called on that—especially by those in the business.
mark kirk has challengers on his side, but they are considered long shots who don’t stand a chance with the media. yet, Cheryle Jackson is a long shot, but she still gets glowing press. what’s up with that?
I won’t speculate on the possible motives of pallasch, though I do have some thoughts as to why he wrote what he wrote the way that he did. In all honesty do I think his report on her will actually help her to win the senate seat? no.
but that doesn’t mean that just because there was no harm that there was no foul either.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:03 pm:
===mark kirk has challengers on his side, but they are considered long shots who don’t stand a chance with the media. yet, Cheryle Jackson is a long shot, but she still gets glowing press. what’s up with that? ===
LOL. Are you serious?
Jackson has a name and a history in the public eye, which Kirk’s challengers all lack. They are not the same at all.
- Will County Woman - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:27 pm:
I won’t go so far as to suggest that cheryle is sarah palin-ish on issues, but she’s very close to it.
you honestly believe that cheryle jackson could win the state of illinois for U.S. senate? I hope that she does jump in. I think Roland Burris pretty much killed the seat should and must remain black argument, and makes it difficult for someone like jackson who has no political/elected office record on which to stand. so, it sets her up to look like she’s only running to keep the seat “black.” that’s a very bad and weak position from which to run. if that’s the angle she and/or her supporters might try to pursue, it will hurt her.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:33 pm:
You’re assuming facts not yet in existence.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
Jackson does not have the kind of dirty laundry Alexi does; and she has a lot more experience. She is the under dog, but I would not count her out.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:57 pm:
Word you forgot…
Athens (Ay-thens)
- Will County Woman - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 1:02 pm:
speaking of alexi “dirty laundry.” The white house’s lack of ethusisasm for Alexi and his constant ingratiating yesterday must mean that they’ve smelled his dirty laundry and know that it stinks to high heaven, and will very likely be revealed.
I see the white house only continuing to keep a safe distance from alexi.
- fed up - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
Jackson does not have the kind of dirty laundry Alexi does; and she has a lot more experience. She is the under dog, but I would not count her out.
That all depends if you prefer Alexi mob ties to Jacksons Blago ties.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 2:29 pm:
I just don’t see people caring that she worked for Blago, and left before his first term expired. Heck the voters elected Blago after jackson had already decided to seperate from him.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 2:33 pm:
Athens (Ay-thens)
And Bourbonnais. I’ve heard both the French pronunciation (Bur-bon-AY) and the pronunciation (Bur-BONE-iss) while in Kankakee County.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
The town is “Bur-bon-AY” and the township is “Bur-BONE-iss”
- Narcoleptic - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 2:55 pm:
===Heck the voters elected Blago after jackson had already decided to seperate from him.===
The campaign that has to spend time and money saying that “Rod wasn’t so bad” when they worked for him isn’t going far in Nov. ‘10.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 3:14 pm:
==== The campaign that has to spend time and money saying that “Rod wasn’t so bad” when they worked for him isn’t going far in Nov. ‘10. ===
And the miccharcaterization of my statment doesnt gain traction any year.
If you want to address the comment, I asserted that most voters wont care that she worked for him his first couple of years in office. jackson pursuing a law suit gainst blago does not really go along with saying he was nto so bad, just the opposite.
Looks like a hard sell to me, if thats all you got.
Kirk has the toughest road after pushin for billions to be handed to blago.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 3:18 pm:
===Kirk has the toughest road after pushin for billions to be handed to blago. ===
Didn’t Kirk sponsor an amendment to keep RRB’s hands off the money pot?
- Narcoleptic - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 3:28 pm:
And I assurt she will always be playing defense because of her relationship–or non relationship, however she chooses to characterize it or mischaracterize it.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 3:50 pm:
==== Didn’t Kirk sponsor an amendment to keep RRB’s hands off the money pot?===
Only as to the stimulus money, no the original capital plan the GOP was pushing madigan to support. In January 09, after the arrest, Kirk pushed to block Blago from stimulus money. He should have been blocking the original capital plan pre-arrest.
- Responsa - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:03 pm:
=He should have been blocking the original capital plan pre-arrest.=
Can you tell us what public position each of the other U.S. Rpresentatives in all the other House districts in Illinois took on this same issue?
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:07 pm:
==== Can you tell us what public position each of the other U.S. Rpresentatives in all the other House districts in Illinois took on this same issue? ====
I could give you a fish, but I would rather teach you to fish…. try teh google
- Responsa - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
Ghost Fisherman
==He should have been blocking….try teh Google==
Hey, obviously it was a rhetorical question. Just curious why you imply Kirk “shoulda” done something without suggesting that the other House Reps “shoulda” been doin’ it, too.
- Ghost - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:25 pm:
Why? seems like a red herring to discuss people outside of the race. Was Kirk just a lemming not responsible for his choice? or it was ok because other GOP’s memebrs also supported this horrible idea?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:50 pm:
==The town is “Bur-bon-AY” and the township is “Bur-BONE-iss”–
That’s hilarious. There has to be a ridiculous story as to why. I’m guessing some 19th Century feud.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 4:51 pm:
The town changed its name after a French radio jockey made fun of it. No kidding.
The township refused.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:04 pm:
==The town changed its name after a French radio jockey made fun of it. No kidding.
The township refused.–
As far as ridiculous goes, that sounds about right (not too many French nouns in the state, are there?;)
I don’t miss covering local government. The last-word-freaks with the numbest fannies generally prevail. I think this might be a textbook case.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:06 pm:
Not sure what you mean by French nouns, but where I come from lots of people were direct descendants of the original French settlers.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:23 pm:
Nothing snarky at all, perhaps clumsily worded.
Given Illinois’ French legacy, and the dozens of communities and locations with French names (everyone can start their own list), I find it hilarious that one community had a serious debate about its proper pronunciation and couldn’t come to an agreement.
That’s good ol’ hard-headed American local government to me.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:34 pm:
L’Erable or Papineau, non?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:40 pm:
My parents’ first date was at that little French restaurant/tavern in L’Erable.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 5:45 pm:
Little-known fact…
French settlers were allowed to keep their slaves after Illinois became a state. That created huge and constant political tensions, as you might imagine.
- steve schnorf - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 7:22 pm:
It seems to me that back in the 60s, it was LER-a-ble
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 7:39 pm:
What do the locals call:
Prairie du Rocher, southeast of San Lou?
- Lynn S - Monday, Jul 27, 09 @ 10:57 pm:
Don’t forget, Rich, plenty of us descended from folks who came over from Alsace-Lorraine, which has been passed back and forth between Germany and France for centuries.
I tell folks I’m 7/8th German and 1/8 French, but further research on my mother’s family (who, as my brother points out, say they’re German but spell like they’re French) may reduce the German and increase the French.