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Friday, Jun 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* My great friend Herb Keener is coming back to town for a visit this weekend and a bunch of us are throwing a party for him at my place. I haven’t had a party at my place in a while, so I’m looking forward to it, except the boat won’t be ready, which is a bummer.

Anyway, Herb and I have been like brothers and I hope he has a great time this weekend. Herb did me the great favor of introducing me to Hot Tuna years ago, so this one’s for him…

Strangest case I ever had

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*** UPDATED x1 *** Follow-ups and a roundup

Friday, Jun 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE *** Remember the story about how a small group of Lisle residents had made life so difficult for Navistar that it dropped its plans to move its corporate headquarters (and thousands of jobs) there? Well, today Gov. Pat Quinn just signed a bill into law to give Navistar a big tax credit. Maybe that’ll change their minds.

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* A story I wrote for subscribers this week has caused a bit of a blow-up in DuPage County…

A DuPage County mayors group is accusing State Sen. Dan Cronin of promising to favor Gov. Pat Quinn’s pension borrowing bill in exchange for Quinn’s support of turning over operational control of the DuPage Water Commission to the county.

DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference president and Bloomingdale Village President Robert Iden sent a letter to Quinn earlier this week urging him “to clearly and unequivocally reject this kind of horse-trading.”

Cronin, who is the GOP’s county board chairman nominee, said he has had no discussions with Quinn or anyone from the governor’s office regarding the county taking over the water commission since the bill he sponsored was being debated by the legislature. A compromise kept the commission’s split county and municipal governance structure intact, but called for an end to a quarter-cent sales tax and resignations of all current board members by the end of the year. That deal was approved by both chambers last month and has been awaiting Quinn’s signature.

“These are two entirely separate matters,” Cronin said. “It’s no secret I’m interested in reforming the water commission, but separately we have the pension borrowing issue.”

That’s not what Sen. Cronin told me, but subscribers already know that.

* Remember the stupidity of the Democrat-controlled Rock Island County Board handing a Republican House candidate a perfect campaign issue by raising elected officials’ pay during the Great Recession? The board finally rescinded the pay raises yesterday…

In a special meeting Thursday that lasted less than 15 minutes, the Rock Island County Board overturned its previous decision on the pay for incoming elected officials.

The special meeting was held to reconsider the matter, during which the board voted 22 to 2 to freeze the salaries of the three elected officials on the Nov. 2 ballot at their current levels until 2014. The county clerk, treasurer and sheriff are up for election this fall. […]

Rich Morthland (District 1), the county board’s only Republican, led the charge to overturn the pay raises and for the special meeting to do so. Eight other board members signed the request for the special meeting.

Also the GOP candidate for District 71 state representative, Mr. Morthland started an online petition and fundraiser to repeal the resolution. His website and the ensuing media coverage ignited a public outcry against the raises.

Lost in all the hooplah was this, however…

Morthland initially voted for the pay raises that would have taken effect Dec. 1, 2012, and Dec. 1, 2013.
He said he voted for the raises because he fell into the trap of the inevitability of the Rock Island County Board, where proposals tend to pass by large margins. He didn’t think voting against the raises would do any good.

Expect that to show up in a mailer.

…Adding… The Morthland campaign insists their candidate voted “No” the first time around and is asking the paper above for a correction.

* We’ve often complained here about local ordinances that needlessly limit campaign yard signs. Well, now there’s a law. From a press release…

Governor Pat Quinn [yesterday] signed a bill into law that prevents municipalities throughout Illinois from restricting the display of political campaign signs on residential property at any time.

“Government has no place restricting free speech,” said Governor Quinn. “This bill will protect the First Amendment rights of residents across Illinois and strengthens participatory democracy for us all.”

House Bill 3785 prohibits Illinois’ municipalities from restricting the display of outdoor political campaign signs on residential property during any period of time. Under current Illinois law, municipalities may pass and enforce local ordinances establishing time periods during which residents or landowners may display political campaign signs on their property. Under the new law, municipalities may still place reasonable restrictions on the size of such signs.

* The Worst Bill Ever is now on the governor’s desk…

Legislation allowing Marion to issue STAR bonds giving a sales tax break to a commercial developer hit the governor’s desk Thursday, one week after its passage by the General Assembly.

But a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn wouldn’t give a timetable for the governor to consider the measure or say if the governor asked for the measure to be moved to the head of the line.

“We’ll be reviewing it,” said Annie Thompson.

* Related and a roundup…

* Report: Illinois state fairs continue to lose money

* County cuts programs after state fails to pay bills

* Illinois remains $5 billion behind in pay vendors and nonprofits

* Carpenters union sues to block McPier cost-saving reforms

* Illinois’ legislative scholarship program remains

* Bill with special tax breaks for developer goes to Ill. governor

* Tom Cross: Political, ethics reform a must — now

* SGOP: Republicans offered budget alternatives

* Everywhere a sign … but Peoria

* New Court Fees Would Help State Police – at Expense of Local Departments

* $66k barbers, $73k truckers — Ill. group charts public/private pay gap

* Fighting The Scourge Of State-Paid Barbers!

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Question of the day

Friday, Jun 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From Patti Blagojevich’s Twitter page yesterday…

Took the girls to school this morning and was followed by a news helicpoter the whole way

And from this morning…

Helicopters still overhead, starting to feel like Jack Bauer from the tv show 24.

* The Question: Should there be a law preventing news helicopters from hovering over residential neighborhoods unless there is some legitimate emergency? Explain.

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*** UPDATED x3 *** Judge keeping jurors that Blagojevich doesn’t want

Friday, Jun 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Things apparently aren’t going too well for the Blagojevich side with jury selection this morning, according to courtroom journalist Susan Berger. From her Twitter page…

Judge denied removing juror 107. he donated to Children’s Mem hospital. . Patti Blago not happy. Big sigh. Shakes head

blagojevich defense not happy with juror #113 with strong political opinions. Challenge denied

Juror 125 said he thinks blago guilty. Blago looks at patti and shakes his head as arguments pro and con made

Juror #125 stays. Patti clearly upset. Juror said Blago guilty but will have open mind

ADDED: The Gov looked a little worried at the break after some juror challenges denied. Keeps tapping foot furiously while writing

And we have a few more days of this…

Sheldon Sorosky, Blagojevich’s attorney, says he expects jury selection to be finished by mid-next week.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From Illinois Statehouse News…

The defense, meanwhile, targeted would-be jurors who harbored negative feelings about politicians, including juror No. 125, who said Blagojevich seemed guilty.

The judge denied four such challenges on the grounds that the jurors had affirmed their ability to set aside existing notions of Blagojevich’s innocence or guilt.

Each side was able to secure one disputed dismissal. The prosecution objected to a former precinct captain for a Democratic political candidate, while the defense objected to a former certified public accountant whose cousin is a judge.

[ *** End of Update *** ]

…Adding… From Fox Chicago…

There’s still no sign in court that the ex-governor and his brother are even speaking to one another

* Day Two has less excitement for the media in general…

The media frenzy has already subsided, with far fewer cameras and reporters here today compared to yesterday.

* Same old Rod…

As we wait in the empty courtroom, Rod is flirting with the courtroom artists. He’s smiling and trying to charm them from the defendant’s table as they stare at him to sketch. In minutes, he’s laughing and they appear charmed.

“That’s why he won the governorship,” Sam Adam Sr. says, laughing.

* Video from earlier this morning…

Blagojevich Arrives at Court, June 4, 2010 from Chicago News Cooperative on Vimeo.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From the BGA’s Darrow Abrahams…

“Yesterday was a good beginning,” said Rod Blagojevich as he entered the courthouse for day two of his federal corruption trial. The former governor faces 24 counts including racketeering, mail fraud and attempted extortion for trying to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat.

He called the legal ordeal he and his wife have endured “a Kafkaesque story” and insisted, “if we get a fair trial, I believe I will be vindicated.”

The ex-governor also took time to praise Federal Court Judge James Zagel saying he was “profoundly impressed with his deliberative approach.”

Inside the courtroom, the second day of jury selection saw 9 of the original 29 prospective jurors bounced after one side or the other challenged them for cause. One of the bounced jury candidates was a woman who expressed some religious convictions that precluded her from judging others. Judge Zagel announced he would delay ruling on another of the potential jurors saying he was a “tough call” because the juror provided as little information as possible during questioning.

Among the 8 prospective jurors questioned before the lunch break today was a Japanese-American man who was born during World War II in a U.S. internment center.

Camp Manzanar was one of ten internment camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were held during World War II.

Another candidate for the jury was a middle-aged man who works for the Department of Homeland Security at O’Hare Airport.

*** UPDATE 3 *** From Susan Berger’s Twitter page…

nice chat with Patti Blago during the break- about eating tarantulas, kids and life in the courtroom. Charming…really.

And from the Chicago News Cooperative’s interview of Jimmy Breslin today…

Breslin, who authored the novel, “The Gang that Couldn’t Shoot Straight,” which turned into a movie starring Robert De Niro, said he has already violated one of the cardinal tenets of criminal justice and political reporting – meeting the family of the subject you are writing about.

“I wanted to jump in front of a bus,” Breslin said. “I am breaking the law here.”

“But I was walking around with them and she’s a delightful woman,” he said. “But nothing has agitated her. She’s not that steel-wire political woman you think of. She is a lovely housewife with two kids.”

Mrs. Blagojevich is quite impressive. I spent some time with her and came away with quite a bit of respect for her. But she’s also her father’s daughter, raised on politics. She has a “steel wire” in her and she’s definitely not just a housewife and mother, although she does appear to be a good mom.

* Roundup…

* Blagojevich goofy video clips

* Illinois, This Is Your Life

* Our View: The beginning of the end? Blago trial finally opens

* Day 1 of Blagojevich trial: ‘I feel great’

* Will Blago trial be ‘teaching moment’ for media?

* Patti Blagojevich leads husband’s defense on first day

* Blago will give us the silent treatment

* Swearing to testify

* Video: Blagojevich fraud trial gets underway

* Blagojevich trial, day one: Rod laughs, Patti speaks out, Rob sighs

* Day one ends withs little fanfare

* Blago circus starts: On what arguably should have been the worst day of their lives — the start of his public corruption trial — Rod and Patti Blagojevich kept on smiling.

* Jurors by the numbers in Blagojevich trial: Most said they rarely read a newspaper or watched the TV news on TV. Some indicated they wouldn’t have known who the governor was if he and his wife hadn’t appeared on reality TV shows. That made the governor and his wife, Patti, laugh.

* Jury Selection Underway for Blagojevich Trial

* ‘Is there anything you wouldn’t say to get out of jury service?’

* Zagel rips ‘disgraceful’ potential juror

* Blago Judge Doesn’t Hide his Dislike of Potential Juror

* Resources for following the trial…

* Rod Blagojevich Scandal: Who’s Who

* Fox Chicago live-blog

* WTTW live-blog

* Sun-Times live-blog

* Sun-Times Blagojevich Twitter Page

* #Blagojevich on Twitter

* Susan Berger’s Live Tweets from the trial

* Tribune live-blog

* Chicago News Cooperative live-blog

* AP Blagojevich Trial Twitter Page

* Rod Blagojevich’s Twitter page

* Patti Blagojevich Twitter Page

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*** UPDATED x3 - Another one surfaces *** Even when he tries to set the record straight, he doesn’t

Friday, Jun 4, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* There’s just something really odd about Congressman Mark Kirk.

As you already know, Kirk spent yesterday talking extensively to both the Sun-Times and Tribune editorial boards about the controversy over his years-long embellishments to his military career.

Trouble is, he appeared to embellish while he was attempting to clear the record. Here’s an example from his Sun-Times interview (Warning: bad language alert within this link)…

Around the 10:55 mark of the video, one of the women asks, “How big is Intelligence Officer of the Year?”

Kirk responds, “According to the Navy Awards Manual both awards are prestigious.”

The video…

If you click here, you will see links to both the Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual and the Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. Neither of those manuals mention “Intelligence Officer of the Year,” which Kirk claimed to have received for the past decade. And neither mention the Rufus Taylor award, which Kirk actually received. The Rufus Taylor award is nominated by Navy brass, but presented by a private organization that appears to have close ties to military contractors.

*** UPDATE 3 *** The Kirk campaign just sent over a link to a document entitled Navy Intelligence Reserve Command Awards and Recognition Program. Within that document is a reference to a Navy Intelligence Foundation “Navy Reserve Intelligence Analyst of the Year” award. The Foundation was founded by the Naval Intelligence Professionals…

Founded in 1985, NIP is a nonprofit organization incorporated to enhance awareness of the mission and vital functions of the Naval Intelligence community, as well as to foster camaraderie among Naval Intelligence Professionals.

Info on the Foundation…

Founded by NIP in 1988, NIF is a tax exempt, charitable and educational organization created for the sole purpose of soliciting, receiving, and administering funds and property in order to advance knowledge in the art of Naval and Maritime Intelligence, and to recognize and reward academic excellence and professional achievement in the field of Intelligence. NIF does not have a membership per se, but draws its support from the NIP membership and from other individual and corporate sponsors and supporters of Naval Intelligence. NIF sponsors and presents awards and scholarships as noted in “Naval Intelligence Foundation Programs” below.

[ *** End of Update 3 *** ]

* And then there’s this…

Kirk, an intelligence officer, told the Sun-Times he was never fired on as he flew over Iraq or Kosovo. He never said he was fired on, he said in reply to a question from the Sun-Times. “No, no. There’s no contradiction. I remember being illuminated by air defense.”

Contrary to his claim to the Sun-Times, Kirk did talk about being shot at, on Oct. 1, 2003, from the House floor. Kirk spoke so imprecisely as to be misleading. “I just returned from Iraq and the trend is for the better,” Kirk said, with his comments captured on C-SPAN. He goes on to say, “the last time I was in Iraq I was in uniform, flying at 20,000 feet and the Iraqi Air Defense network was shooting at us. That force is now gone.”

I guess you could say that Kirk was using some sort of “Royal Us” when he said on the House floor that the Iraqi’s were “shooting at us.” But I doubt that it was understood that way. As a refresher, here’s that video…

* If Kirk was hoping to bury this story by scheduling the editorial board appearances during the first day of the Blagojevich trial, he failed. The Tribune and the Sun-Times both put him on the front page…

“I simply misremembered it wrong” is destined for the history books. It just makes no sense.

* The story also got some pretty big play on the teevee. WGN’s report was particularly hard-hitting. Make sure to watch the whole thing…

The rumors started because he got a divorce? Huh?

* And I fully agree with Kass today, which is not something you’ve ever seen me write…

Kirk reacted to it all by saying it was his responsibility, and that it shouldn’t have happened. But he wouldn’t admit to embellishing his record for his political benefit. He apologized for not speaking with “utter precision.”

“I am sorry,” he said at the end of the tortured hour.

I’m sure he is sorry indeed. He just let Alexi Giannoulias sail right back into the campaign.

Exactly correct.

*** UPDATE 1 *** I meant to post this one and forgot. It’s an editorial from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…

This is major-league umpire Jim Joyce on Wednesday after he booted a call at first base, robbing Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga of a perfect game:

“I took a perfect game away from the kid over there who worked his ass off all night. . . . It was probably the most important call of my career and . . . I missed it.”

Compare and contrast.

“Upon a recent review of my records, I found that an award listed in my official biography was misidentified as ‘Intelligence Officer of the Year.’ In fact . . . I was the recipient of the Rufus Taylor Intelligence Unit of the Year award for outstanding support provided during Operation Allied Force.”

That was Mark Kirk, Illinois congressman and GOP U.S. Senate candidate.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Another one…

The list of untruths goes back to his Senate campaign’s first ad of his head-to-head race against Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

In that ad, Kirk claims he served “in” Iraq - something he corrected during an interview about his military record with WJBC this week.

“I have deployed as a reservist twice to Afghanistan, I’ve been to Afghanistan other times as a member of Congress,” he said.

“And I have never served in Iraq as a military man, I have been to Iraq as a congressman, and then as part of operation Northern Watch, I deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, where we supported the no-fly zones, so we were flying over Iraq. But we didn’t set boots in Iraq.”

Here’s the Kirk TV ad that has now been disavowed…

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