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A potential scandal, more TV ads and a big campaign roundup

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Back in the day, lots of politicians had what was called a “flower fund.” Their government employees kicked into the fund every payday and were told their cash would be used to buy flowers for funerals, weddings, retirements, etc. But, of course, not all the money was used for those purposes. Dorothy Brown has apparently put a modern twist on the concept. Fox Chicago’s Dane Placko has the story…

It’s called “Jeans Day” – when employees of Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown pay for the privilege of wearing jeans at work. […]

“Jeans Day” has turned into nearly a year-round fundraising operation within the massive clerk’s office.

Yet, we’ve been able to find little accountability as to where the cash goes.

Employees are allowed to wear jeans if they pay $3 a day — or $10 per week– cash only.

The money is collected by managers, stuffed into brown manila envelopes.

Employees are told it goes for charity and employee functions like picnics and parties.

But our repeated Freedom of Information requests for more details about the program– written guidelines, how much money is raised, who’s getting it — have been rebuffed, as were our requests for a sit-down interview with Brown.

Placko will have more tonight. Don’t miss it.

Brown had a big lead in the last Tribune poll. I’m hearing that the Trib is in the field again. So far, none of the negative stories on Brown have really been burned in, so she may still be ahead. Somebody better go negative soon, because she could be a disaster in November, even against Roger Keats.

* The Daily Herald picks up on something interesting in Gov. Pat Quinn’s scheduling…

A review of the governor’s campaign and official public schedules shows his handlers scheduled blatantly political events on the political docket - avoiding the use of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes.

But it also shows far fewer events on the campaign side so far this year, despite an increasingly intense primary campaign that has dominated the headlines.

For all five workdays last week, Quinn had not one public campaign event. But he had eight public government events. […]

In all, there were six days in the last 18 that lacked any public event on taxpayer time compared to 11 days void of events on campaign time.

Not a huge scandal, but definitely worth a look.

…ADDING… We missed this one today. From Sneed…

• To wit: Sneed is told [Rep. Art Turner] spoke at the recent funeral of his former chief of staff Bea Smith — and intoned if Smith were here today she would tell you to vote for Art Turner [for lt. governor].

• Upshot: “Everyone in the church was a gasp, without a doubt,” said a Sneed source who was there. “You just don’t do that — self promotion at a funeral.”

• The response: “I was in campaign mode,” Turner tells Sneed. “If I offended anyone I apologize. Bea was a friend of mine and a neighbor. I worked with her for more than 15 years. And her family has been strong supporters.”

* In other campaign news, Democratic comptroller candidate state Rep. David Miller has a new TV ad. It’s quite good. Watch it…

* Republican US Senate candidate Mark Kirk has a new radio ad featuring Jim Edgar. Listen.

One of Kirk’s primary opponents, Patrick Hughes, has a new TV ad. Rate it…

* WSIL TV analyzes the gubernatorial ads, and actually has somebody on air saying that Hynes’ early release ad isn’t resonating. Oops. Have a look…

* And here’s your gigantic campaign roundup, courtesy of my two new interns, Dan Weber and Barton Lorimor. Dan is from UIUC and Barton is from SIUC…

* Gun Owners of America endorse Hughes for U.S. Senate

* Hynes urges Quinn to rescind DOC memo

* Hynes: IDOC ‘gag order’ shows need for changes in whistleblower laws

* Quinn best choice for the Democrats

* Republican candidates’ positions on taxes, budget

* Bill Brady touts ag tax breaks, competitiveness at campaign stop

* GOP Candidate for Governor outlines plans for jobs

* GOP’s Bob Schillerstrom runs on his 11 years of chief executive experience

* GOP governor hopeful McKenna outlines plans

* Pritchard endorses McKenna

* O’Malley endorses Andrzejewski

* Brady asks Dillard: Which Obama do you think we have now?

* JS Endorsement: Illinois comptroller - Democrat Krishnamoorthi

* Comptroller candidates vow fiscal responsibility

* Cook County Board president candidates square off at debate

* Cook County Board president candidates rack up campaign contributions

* Reports shed light on donors in Cook County Board race

* For Cook County Board president, Republican: Keats

* For Cook County president, Democratic: Preckwinkle

* Preckwinkle continues fundraising dominance

* Jesse Jackson Jr. backs Toni Preckwinkle for Cook presidency

* County briefs: 20 mayors endorse Stroger, while Brown gets backing of Cook women’s group

* Fritchey bucks tradition in bid to leave Legislature post

* Similar positions, different priorities in Cook County board race

* Water district election affects local projects

* Eyes on the prize in DuPage race

* Olson focuses on DuPage County local issues

* Candidates for sheriff tout their strengths

* For Lake County sheriff, Democratic: Roberts

* Kinzinger pledges to make route 30 expansion top priority

* ACU endorses Hultgren in 14th CD

* Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches New Interactive Political Website

* U.S. HOUSE: 7TH DISTRICT Danny Davis on healthcare, gays and immigration

* U.S. HOUSE: 7TH DISTRICT Jim Ascot: Dealing with change

* 8th Dist. candidate wants ‘Don’t Ask’ policy tossed

* Wondering who to vote for? Just ask

* U.S. HOUSE: 10TH DISTRICT Dan Seals: Will the third time be the charm?

* Gun rights group backs Meers in 11th Congressional District contest

* For the Illinois Senate

* Illinois Senate Democrats claim $2.8 million on hand

* 54th House GOP primary could oust incumbent Bassi

* 56th District GOP rivals disagree over gambling

* Three vie for Democratic nod in 98th District

* Voters to decide on sales tax hike in Stark County

* Many state seats unopposed in primary

* Of primary importance: Voters need to show up at the polls

* Do you look for the union label on your pols?

44 Comments

Question of the day

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The pontificating over the impact of the Massachusetts Senate race on Illinois has begun in earnest. This statement was released by the Illinois GOP chairman before the contest was even called by the AP…

“Today, the citizens of Massachusetts repudiated the first year of President Obama’s term by electing their first Republican Senator since 1972. Republicans, Independents and even a substantial segment of Democrat voters turned out to soundly reject the Obama Administration’s uncontrolled spending and attempt to nationalize healthcare. Tonight’s victory for Republicans reflects a trend that started last November in New Jersey and Virginia. Republicans won Governor’s races in these two states, which were won by President Obama in 2008. Since the Democrats took control of Washington last January, Republicans have won 27 of 36 special elections, including gaining a majority of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.”

“Illinois is next. Like Massachusetts, Illinois is under control of the single-party rule Democrats who have had unbridled control of the State of Illinois for the last eight years and have brought us to the brink of financial collapse. The eyes of the nation will be upon Illinois as we seek to regain the United States Senate seat formerly held by President Obama and retake the Governor’s mansion.”

Carol Marin…

Those independents who yearned in 2008 to throw out George Bush and elect Barack Obama may now be yearning to send a message to the Democrats by giving Illinois’ Senate seat to the GOP.

That is what Illinois House Republican leader Tom Cross, a moderate, argues is going to happen in the Illinois Senate race.

“Republican voters are more energized, coupled with independents who were with the Democrats in 2008 but coming back to us in 2010.”

* The Question: What do you think the impact will be, if any? Explain fully, please, and, as always, don’t use regurgitated DC talking points. They’re boring and worthless and I hate them. Thanks.

* Related…

* Giannoulias, Hoffman spar in Senate debate

* Giannoulias doesn’t go easy on Obama

* Dem Senate hopefuls underwhelming

* Dems debate in Carbondale

* A rare rhetoric

* Our Opinion: For GOP, Kirk for U.S. Senate

* Jackson gets black media endorsements

* Senate candidate calls for troops to leave Afghanistan

* Meister campaigns, hopes to raise profile

82 Comments

Hynes poll shows major damage to Quinn and a real race

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Dan Hynes campaign has released a new polling memo which shows they’ve done some major damage to Quinn’s fortunes and made this a real horse race - with a major assist from Republican Andy McKenna’s campaign, which is whacking the guv like crazy on the tax issue. In essence, Quinn has been hit with a two-track assault for weeks without much of a response.

The seven-point spread in Hynes’ poll is about the same as a poll I told subscribers about yesterday. That other poll, taken by the Alexi Giannoulias campaign, had it at 49-43, sources outside the campaign now confirm.

Anyway, on to the Hynes polling memo. All emphasis in original…

With two weeks to go in the primary campaign for Governor of Illinois, Dan Hynes is surging – according to a recent poll of 500 likely Democratic primary voters conducted January 17 – 18, 2009 by Global Strategy Group. Key findings include:

* Dan Hynes is now within just seven points and Quinn is polling well below 50%. Today, Pat Quinn leads with just 44% of the vote to Dan Hynes at 37% and 19% undecided. That is a remarkable change versus our November poll (where Quinn led by 17 points) and the Chicago Tribune’s December poll (where Quinn led by 26 points). It is clear that the most recent advertising blitz is causing voters to tune into this campaign and that voters are moving towards Hynes as they see competing advertisements from both sides.

* Pat Quinn’s ratings are in a total free-fall. Quinn’s negative job approval rating is now at 60% – up ten points since November. Remarkably, only 36% of primary voters approve of the job Quinn is doing.

* Pat Quinn is unelectable in a general election. Pat Quinn has a 60% negative job rating (and just a 36% positive job rating) among primary voters – a group that should be his strongest in a general election. Such a low rating with primary voters means that Quinn’s ratings must be even worse with a general election electorate that includes Republicans and Independents. In this political environment, Quinn simply cannot win in November.

* Voters view Dan Hynes as by far the better choice on the key economic issues facing Illinois. Voters think Hynes will do a better job “handling the state’s budget and finances” (Hynes 43%/Quinn 29%), and “cutting waste from state government” (Hynes 39%/Quinn 27%). In addition, by a stunning 54% to 9% voters believe it is Pat Quinn who will raise their taxes.

The bottom line is this: Now that voters are paying attention to this campaign – and seeing competing advertisements from both campaigns – Dan Hynes is surging and Pat Quinn is in a total free-fall. Hynes is within single digits and Quinn is well below 50% in an environment where undecideds will likely break against the better known incumbent Governor. With two weeks to go, Hynes is in a great position to win this campaign.

Those are awful numbers for Quinn. Just awful. A disapproval of 60? Oof. And that 54-9 on how Quinn will be the one to raise their taxes? Hynes ought to send McKenna a big box of roses for that one.

* Meanwhile, Hynes has a new, hard-hitting 15-second ad on the botched early release program. It was ripped from live TV, so there is a little bleed-over from other stuff at the beginning and end. Sorry about that. Anyway, rate it…

53 Comments

Harsh words via a stupid format

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I was asked by people connected to both Democratic gubernatorial campaigns last night what I thought about the debate. After ripping the League of Women Voters’ ridiculous format - which encouraged the candidates to just repeat their sound byte attacks on each other for an hour - I said that since few would actually watch the debate, if the governor’s botched prisoner release plan makes the lede in all the coverage and is fleshed out in the stories, then Hynes probably won. After looking at the coverage, it seems to be a draw, with the governor scoring points early in every story with a media-ready quote. Sun-Times…

They shook hands at the end and said they’d still be friends, but for an hour, Gov. Quinn and challenger Dan Hynes accused each other of incompetence, deception, and/or “cover-ups.”

“He smiles in your face and stabs you in the back and that’s what he’s done since Day One,” Quinn said of state Comptroller Hynes, who is challenging Quinn in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary for governor.

The governor’s harsh attacks belied his criticism of Hynes. The comptroller never really called Quinn names, so this was more about political projection than reality - a tactic rarely acknowledged by the media. Quinn also used an inappropriate ethnic slur…

Quinn also raised a few eyebrows by twice referring to taxpayers getting “gypped,” a reference to a derogatory stereotype that people of the Roma ethnicity, often referred to as “gypsies,” are swindlers and thieves. Afterward, Quinn, who was battling a cold, said the term applied to the situation.

I saw close up how the Roma were treated in central Europe several years ago. It’s horrible. In Kosovo, back in 1999, they were essentially herded into make-shift concentration camps “for their protection.”

Anyway, back to the coverage. The AP’s story leaned toward the cemetery scandal and away from its own scoop on the prisoner release…

But it was last year’s headline-grabbing scandal at the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip that Quinn kept revisiting to attack Hynes.

Quinn said Hynes had responsibility as comptroller to oversee the cemetery but didn’t discover the scandal that was uncovered by the Cook County sheriff’s office.

Tribune…

On the defensive for much of the debate, Quinn tried to counter the early-release issue by hitting back with allegations that the comptroller’s office ignored its regulatory role in the Burr Oak Cemetery scandal. Quinn accused Hynes of engaging in a “cover-up” on that scandal, mirroring the phrase Hynes accused Quinn of on the prisoner program.

And in what appeared to be an appeal to African-American voters, Quinn said Hynes was employing against him the same attack-focused style he used against Barack Obama in the 2004 Democratic U.S. Senate campaign. Obama defeated Hynes in that contest and went on to become a U.S. senator that fall.

We may see more about both of those subjects soon. Sun-Times…

Quinn also launched a new line of attack against Hynes, saying Hynes was using the same criticism against him that he used against Barack Obama when Hynes ran for the Senate seat Obama won in 2004.

“He said, ‘You voted for George Ryan’s taxes and fees in order to get your piece of the pork pie.’ That’s what he said to our now-president,” Quinn said. “You know, when I listen to the rhetoric in this whole campaign, it’s remarkably similar to that: Run down your opponent.”

“That’s silly,” Hynes said. “Barack and I, when we ran, we were friendly before, during and after that. You can read it in his book.”

Hynes said Quinn was on the defensive Tuesday: “The governor seemed agitated … because the polls show the race tightening. He’s losing his lead. He’s losing his grip on reality.”

The Daily Herald editor at the debate asked about taxes, so that was the focus of the paper’s story…

“Taxing the middle class” served as Hynes’ go-to rip, while Quinn called his challenger’s budget plans “fantasy.”

It was an often-used blast, but the early release vs. cemetery scandal was a far more prominent exchange.

ABC7 also covered the press conference afterwards…

“The governor seemed agitated and almost angry tonight, and maybe it’s because polls are tightening and the race is getting much closer,” Hynes said.

The governor explained why he thought Hynes bombed.

“I was disappointed that my a opponent didn’t say one word about jobs. He wanted to talk a lot about me, but I don’t’ think that’s what the people want to hear,” said Quinn.

A memorable quote that didn’t get much play…

At one point he said: “Remember, Pat, that the reason you’re governor today is that you were Rod Blagojevich’s running mate. Twice.”

* Watch the debate in full, if you dare. Click here for all 6 parts…

By the way, I’m told that the Better Government Association was so disgusted with the LWV’s debate format that the group will refuse to participate in any more events such as these unless the format is radically altered. Good for them. And shame on the League.

28 Comments

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Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Capitol Fax Blog Advertising Department

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Morning Shorts

Wednesday, Jan 20, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Quigley Pays Tribute to Carlos Hernandez Gomez

* Daley Still Proud Of Closing Meigs Field

The mayor said he’s proud that the kerosene stink of aviation fuel is long gone from a several-mile stretch of the lakefront. His midnight bulldozer raid that closed Meigs Field provoked a huge uproar from users of private airplanes.

* Chicago schools unveil next round of closings

Officials long have defended the closing of schools because of poor performance, saying they believe it gives students a shot at a better education. But recent research shows that just 6 percent of displaced students were moved to top schools and gained academically. The majority did no better because they landed at schools about as bad as the ones they’d left.

* Teachers to Fight School Closings

* Daley: Failing schools unacceptable

* Riding With Mayor Daley

* City to run Maxwell market

* Springfield School District to use bonds to buy security camera systems

* Charleston school board to vote Wednesday on sales tax pledge

* Marion school board renews tax objection to pavilion

* S&P Goes Negative On Ill. Universities; Sees Financial Uncertainty

* Not All Public University Leaders Taking Pay Cut, Survey Says

* UI board to vote on higher fees for Urbana campus

* Supreme Court won’t close shipping locks over Asian carp fears

* U.S. Supreme Court denies lock closure request

The rest of the lawsuit, still unaddressed by the court, calls for the reopening of a nearly century-old lawsuit about Chicago’s diversion of water from Lake Michigan and permanent closure of the locks.

* Ill. welcomes court decision on shipping locks

* Army Corps: Asian carp DNA found in Lake Michigan

The Corps says researchers combing the Calumet Harbor near Lake Michigan for the presence of Asian carp have found two DNA samples that seem to indicate the invasive fish has already breached the lake near Chicago.

One sample was in Calumet Harbor a half-mile north of the Calumet River; the other was in the Calumet River north of the O’Brien Lock. Both samples were collected Dec. 8. The agency said that two earlier tests in the area didn’t show carp DNA.

* Governors Call for White House Carp Summit

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

* States need to cooperate to deal with Asian carp

* Durbin Supports Supreme Court Decision on Carp

* Biggert addresses canal lawsuit to Lockport chamber

Several states are suing Illinois to shut down the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal amid concerns over invasive Asian carp species — a shutdown that would be burdensome to an important commercial corridor, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert said on Jan. 8 in Lockport.

* Joliet seeks hike in EPA radium limits

Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element abundant in deep-water wells in northern Illinois and throughout the Midwest. Cities such as Joliet that rely on these deep wells spend millions of dollars each year to remove radium from their drinking water. Some communities pay to dump radium in a landfill, but Joliet and others use a cheaper alternative, mixing it with waste material that is sold to farmers as fertilizer.

About 21,000 tons of Joliet’s radium-enriched fertilizer has been dumped on area farms since 2005 The city is petitioning the state EPA to allow it to dispose of more than twice the level of radium that’s currently allowed.

* Ill. consumer advocate lists utility myths

* Another trade show may leave Chicago

* Chicago Loses Cachet as Convention Center

The convention business nationally was down about 3.1% in 2008 from a year earlier, according to an index put out by Mr. Ducate’s research group, and likely was off in the double digits for 2009, he said. In Chicago, revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30 is expected to be off about 18% from the previous year.

* Rockford needs to move fast to get convention center

* Final vote on video gambling machines expected Monday

* Video gambling revival stalls in Kane

Two supporters of banning video gambling, Ald. Patrick Curran, R-2, and Ald. Frank Beach, R-10, said in talking to their colleagues they expect the measure to fail.

* Layoffs violate rule: unions

CTA President Richard Rodriguez told Kelly his claim “has no merit” and the CTA was following the rules.

* Nearly 100 protest layoffs in Naperville’s police force

* Layoff notices coming this week for 15 city workers

The discussion came during the city council’s first debate of Davlin’s proposed spending plan for the fiscal year that begins March 1. The $105 million budget calls for the elimination of 55 positions — including 15 immediate layoffs — 12 furlough days and smaller pay raises for the entire city workforce.

* O’Fallon council may go it alone on TIF district proposal

* Rock Island approves fee and tax increases

* Des Plaines city council ousts city manager

* Palos Park voters to consider tax increase

* ‘Outrageous’: Cahokia trustee shocked by $1,046 fee to see mayor’s records

The bill was for $1,046.50 and stated at the bottom, “The above items will be released when the invoice is paid in full.” That’s a rate of 50 cents a page for about 2,000 copies.

A shocked [Phyllis] Pearson, who is also a member of the village board finance committee, said there is no way she’ll pay to see records that state law guarantees is her right to review as an elected official.

* East Aurora OKs staff additions despite reservations

* Union County discusses business loan opportunities at meeting

* House will honor Brinker’s contributions

Brinker, whose promise to her sister, Susan Komen, launched the Race for the Cure to fight against breast cancer, received the medal last year for her dedication to the cause.

* Air travel down 12.6 percent in Peoria for 2009

* Board approves plan for wind farm in eastern McLean County

* Renner announces resignation from county board

McLean County Board member Tari Renner made it official Tuesday: He is resigning from his board seat effective Feb. 28 because he is moving out of District 8.

* Morton mayor asks for a hiring freeze

* Eureka police chief appointed to ETSB

* Washington continuing to see growth

* Champaign council OKs plans for sesquicentennial

* Split council blocks new liquor license

* Council raises liquor license cap

Mayor Brad Cole abstained from all three votes, saying he chose to do so because of “various thoughts by certain folks.”

Cole received a $5,000 donation under Short Enterprises, Inc., for his mayoral campaign in 2007, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. He received another $5,000 donation from the Shorts for his lieutenant governor campaign in June of 2009, according to Cole’s Team Brad Web site.

* Davis takes reins at Pinckneyville prison

Davis, a native of Anna, assumed the prison’s top position as warden days after the Dec. 14 incident that saw an inmate, 37-year-old Alonje Walton, take a hostage before being shot and killed.

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