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*** UPDATED x1 *** This just in… Quinn pulls election-year stunt, deletes party ID laws

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 3:28 pm - Gov. Pat Quinn just announced that he has used his amendatory veto pen to change longstanding state law. Quinn has unilaterally altered statutes that require voters to declare their party affiliation during primary elections.

From a press release…

Today Governor Quinn issued an amendatory veto of House Bill 4842 to create a fairer primary election system in Illinois. The Governor’s amendatory veto eliminates the requirement that a voter publicly declare political party affiliation when voting at a primary election. Under current Illinois law, a voter must declare a party affiliation before voting in the primary election, which is then recorded as public record.

Whatever you think about the merits, the bizarre thing about this AV is that the underlying bill is only tangentially related to the subject at hand. He basically wrote a new state law from scratch.

The bill, HB 4842, “Requires (now, permits) the State Board of Elections to publish an Internet voters’ guide before each general primary in the same manner as before each general election.”

That’s all it did. The bill struck language stating “has the discretion to” and replaced it with “shall”

Quinn’s amendatory veto, however, adds several new sections to the bill, then changes those sections to his liking.

From the Illinois Constitution…

“(e) The Governor may return a bill together with specific recommendations for change to the house in which it
originated. The bill shall be considered in the same manner as a vetoed bill but the specific recommendations may be accepted by a record vote of a majority of the members elected to each house. Such bill shall be presented again to the Governor and if he certifies that such acceptance conforms to his specific recommendations, the bill shall become law. If he does not so certify, he shall return it as a vetoed bill to the house in which it originated.” [Changed cite after commenter suggestion]

Here’s the problem. Quinn had no objection to the actual bill. His objection is to sections he added to the bill from standing law. I just cannot see how this is constitutional. If I’m wrong, please correct me in comments.

…Adding… After reading my always bright commenters, I’m becoming more convinced that this may actually be consitutional after all. Whether the GA thinks so is another matter. Still waiting on responses from House and Senate leaders.

*** UPDATE *** The House Democratic response was, as usual, “It’s under review.” The Senate Democratic response essentially says the same thing…

The Senate President is generally supportive of measures designed to increase voter participation. However, the General Assembly will conduct a compliance analysis to determine if the Governor’s actions today alter the fundamental purpose of the original bill. This analysis and any formal legislative action will begin in the House.

92 Comments

Judge may delay trial a week

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Looks like we’re going to get a little break in the trial…

The federal judge presiding over former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s corruption case says he will delay the trial for one week if prosecutors rest on Tuesday.

Judge James Zagel made the statement in court Tuesday.

Hmm. I may use this as an opportunity to take some time off.

The defense has been arguing that they can’t get a fair trial without a delay…

With just a day or two until showtime — and with vacation schedules and Secret Service logistics to contend with for big-name witnesses such as Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett — the defense said Monday they could be “out of luck.”

“A fair trial is destroyed,” Blagojevich attorney Sam Adam Sr. told reporters in the courthouse lobby Monday afternoon. “We told our witnesses we’d be in touch late August. All of a sudden, the government cuts their case short . . . They misled us. They misled the court.”

And we got a hint about at least two witnesses Adam wants to call…

Two defense witnesses subpoenaed from the White House — Chief of Staff Emanuel and presidential adviser Jarrett — also require Secret Service arrangements that are difficult to set up last-minute, Adam said.

DC is gonna go absolutely nuts over that.

* The old rule about federal prosecutions is: “First one on the train doesn’t get thrown under the bus,” or something like that. Lon Monk refused a train ticket in 2005 when the feds came calling. He’s now going to prison. John Wyma eagerly jumped aboard the tren federales in 2008, and today he is testifying against his old friend Rod Blagojevich with a grant of immunity…

Blagojevich, sitting at the defense table, stared at Wyma as he passed him on his way to the witness stand. The ex-governor visibly sighed when hit the stand.

Wyma — a tanned, blond-haired man wearing a gray suit and pink and blue striped tie — says he was one of Blagojevich’s “central raisers.” Fund-raising meetings were attended by the governor, Lon Monk and Chris Kelly, among others. […]

Regarding TRS, Wyma testifies that Chris Kelly told him in 2004 that if Wyma’s clients wanted to do business with TRS, they had to make a $50,000 campaign contribution to Blagojevich.

Wyma said he didn’t pass that on to his client, though — “because I thought it was wrong, obviously wrong.”

* Roundup…

* Brown: Blagojevich got wrong answers from his yes men: It could certainly be argued that Rod Blagojevich was ill-served by the top people working for him in the governor’s office, none of whom apparently had the nerve to tell him he was making a big mistake — and another and another and another. In fact, I was going to argue precisely that, until I realized it partially misses the point, which is that like any chief executive who surrounds himself with yes-men, toadies and butt-kissing ‘’team players,'’ Blagojevich got exactly what he deserved.

* Prosecutors show Blago taking oath of office

* Blagojevich trial: Day 23 and recap

* Did You Vote for Blagojevich? Sit on the Jury to Atone for Your Sins!

* Blagojevich trial: notes critical of ex-guv revealed

* Blagojevich lawyers seek a week delay in trial

* 60 Objections … and Counting

* Blagojevich judge to defense: you’re wasting time

* Judge annoyed by grammar lesson

* Zagel tells of emails to him, and a ‘Hey, judge’ encounter

* Judge to hold hearing on release of Blagojevich jurors’ names

* Blagojevich had more than $1 million in legal bills in 2008

* Prosecutors want to air Blagojevich’s legal bills

* Defense will argue Rod got bad legal advice

* Defense attorney: Rod Blagojevich was working under advice of a highly qualified deputy

* Witness: If I waited for Blagojevich’s word on matters “the state would have ground to a halt.”

* Greenlee to Blagojevich: “Nobody Is More Qualified Than You”

* Blagojevich aide: I was working for the people of Illinois

* Defense attorney, ex-deputy governor spar over definition of “legitimate”

* Blagojevich trial: Defense can’t question on Greenlee-Quinlan connection

* Defense attorney takes a microscope to Rod Blagojevich statements

* Robert Blagojevich attorney: Robert not at the table for key Senate seat discussions

* Floating Jackson, but moving toward Madigan

* Tribune: Jesse Jr.’s dilemma

* Patti’s Tribune rant makes a comeback

* Defense attorney: Targeting newspaper editorial board was Bob Greenlee’s idea

* Quinn signs bill banning taxpayer money for portrait of Blagojevich

* Illinois Gov Signs Anti-Blago Portrait Law

31 Comments

Question of the day

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Mark Kirk and Bill Brady during a rare joint public appearance…

Caption?

73 Comments

We’re not Greece, Part 429

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* From Bloomberg…

U.S. states and municipalities struggling with mounting budget deficits “are not in the same precarious financial condition as Greece,” Samson Capital Advisors said.

The cost of protecting U.S. municipal bonds surged this year as investors bought insurance on U.S. state obligations after global stocks tumbled and Europe’s debt crisis worsened. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told members of the Manhattan Institute on May 25 that the state is “careening our way toward becoming Greece.” Even so, states aren’t on the verge of default and such comparisons distract from more serious issues, Samson Capital said in a July 8 report.

“The statement that any U.S. state is the next Greece, meaning a near default on their bonds, is not based on fact,” said Judy Wesalo Temel, a principal and director of credit research at Samson, which manages $7 billion. “Comparing the Greek debt crisis to state and local governments is not valid and is distracting from the real concerns about budgets.”

The median debt to gross domestic product of U.S. states is 2 percent, compared with Greece’s 113 percent, according to last week’s report by Samson Capital, a New York-based fixed income investment manager.

But all is, of course, not well in Illinois. From the Samson Capital report…

One of the most important investment themes in today’s marketplace will be selecting the stable states,
sectors and credits, since the fiscal challenges vary greatly across US state and local governments. For example, Illinois is now in the spotlight as it has done little to solve a significant budget gap and has the worst underfunded pension problem. Illinois joins California as one of two A-rated credits among Moody’s state GO ratings. While California remains challenged, it does not appear at this point to require the same kind of short-term funding that raised concerns last year.

Our pension contributions as a percentage of our state budget are far higher than the average. But this hyperbole about Greece is goofy, and I’m glad at least somebody is sane enough to back me up. Mark Kirk is a different story…

In a speech to members of suburban Chambers of Commerce [yesterday], Congressman Mark Kirk warned that Illinois is rapidly falling into the same financial situation as Greece.

The serial exaggerator strikes again.

* Meanwhile…

Did you know that a commission named by Gov. Pat Quinn wants to raise the retirement age for state workers to a minimum of 72?

Yes, right there on page 96 of its recent report, Mr. Quinn’s Economic Recovery Commission says that — along with “aggressively” reviewing Medicaid spending, raising the income tax and widening the sales tax base — retirement ought to come at age 72.

I got kind of a chuckle out of the proposal, which somehow failed to make it into Mr. Quinn’s press release on the commission’s final report. But that’s what happens when you ask a bunch of non-Springfield types to tell you what they think.

Nice catch by Greg, especially the part about how Quinn didn’t even mention the idea in his press release. No way does he want to talk about stuff like that. I’m curious what you think of the idea, however. Should the state employee retirement age be raised to 72?

* Related and a state roundup…

* News-Gazette: Hynes reports state budget woes

* Kadner: In a state of crisis, It’s all about politics

* Asbestos removal projects slated to start in Capitol

* Officials hail Northern Illinois Food Bank expansion

* Gov. Quinn expands duties of livestock advisory board

* New Ill. laws aimed at dishonest contractors

32 Comments

No strike talks for another week

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Unions representing striking workers say employers walked out yet again yesterday on negotiations aimed at ending work-stoppages on dozens of road and construction projects in the Chicago area. No new talks are scheduled until next Monday.

From an Operating Engineers Local 150 press release quoting President-Business Manager James Sweeney…

“The Unions and employers did not reach an agreement tonight, and we are tremendously disappointed at the employers’ lack of urgency, refusing to meet with us until Monday, July 19th. Once again, we made ourselves available around the clock, and the employers are stalling. They do not seem to understand that there are workers and contractors whose survival hinges upon these negotiations.

“It is becoming more apparent that MARBA’s intent is likely not only to starve out our members, but also to starve out the smaller contractors within their own ranks. Many of the contractors who have assigned their bargaining rights to MARBA are very small businesses, and delaying negotiations for another week puts those contractors’ survival in jeopardy.

“We are not negotiating for wages, but to protect our healthcare and benefits. Despite the fact that benefit actuaries gave employer representatives the very same cost figures that we have for our funds last Friday, the employers’ latest proposal still would not cover costs, and would require significant reductions in wages or benefits. MARBA says that they are not looking to make cuts, but that is exactly what their proposal would do.

“Local 150 has committed $150 million of our own money to make up the gap in our funds caused by a nearly 40 percent reduction in hours worked. We are asking the employers to share the burden with us. All of these funds are jointly administered by labor and management, so the employers have a responsibility to maintain the health of these funds as well.

The other side…

A press released issued Monday night by MARBA said the unions “… have been unwilling to come to the table with a proposal that is in line with the state of the industry and the economy.”

MARBA is offering a total 4.25 percent increase in compensation over three years. The unions were asking for 5 percent each year of a three-year contract, but that has dropped to 4.55 percent, according to the MARBA release. […]

MARBA pointed out that workers receive full insurance coverage without having to contribute to their premiums.

The construction season is slipping away. No scheduled talks for another week means the governor really needs to get involved here.

39 Comments

Brady hits back with radio spot

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Bill Brady has a new radio ad, which his campaign claims will air statewide beginning today. The ad is likely an attempt to dilute the focus on and “balance” the news coverage of Pat Quinn’s new TV ad, which hits Brady hard on social issues. TV trumps radio, but radio is quite effective in Chicago because so many people have such long commutes.

Script…

Legend has it that the Roman emperor Nero fiddled and partied with his friends while the City of Rome burned to the ground.

Today in Illinois, Pat Quinn is playing his own tune. The Illinois Comptrollers report said the state ended 2010 in the worst fiscal position in its history. Over 200 thousand of us have lost jobs since Quinn’s been governor.

Pat Quinn’s answer?

He increased the salaries of his own staffers, some by more than 20 percent. Sticking us with the bill, while calling for “shared sacrifice”. Some sacrifice.

The Chicago Tribune’s editorial said that Quinn is oblivious to the plight of recession-battered constituents, and is too undisciplined to do the job.

The Tribune called Pat Quinn, “downright clueless.”

We’ve all had enough of Pat Quinn’s fiddling while were suffering. It’s time for a clean break and real leadership. It’s time for Bill Brady for Governor.

Listen…

Rate it.

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Obvious to everyone but himself

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* When you have a bad reputation for serial exaggeration, then fairly normal political attacks on your opponent become tougher to pull off.

For instance, a Mark Kirk TV ad has been assailed by both Politifact and FactCheck.org for stretching the truth when it claims “Alexi Giannoulias’ top aide was a longtime BP lobbyist.”

That’s pretty much bunk, of course. The guy isn’t a top aide and did zoning work for BP gas stations in Chicago. Kirk was pushed on this yesterday by reporters and responded thusly…

“A BP lobbyist is a BP lobbyist,” Kirk said. “When you register as a BP lobbyist, you’re a BP lobbyist.”

But Kirk took $150,000 in campaign contributions from lawyers at Chicago law firm Kirkland & Ellis, which is representing BP in the oil spill case. His response?…

Kirk said it’s difficult to find individuals or companies that don’t have ties to BP, which has a long history in Chicago through its predecessors, Amoco and Standard Oil.

“You could get into the second and third orders of both campaigns,” said Kirk after speaking to several north suburban chambers of commerce. “BP hires lawyers, BP has accountants, BP has property managers. BP has had, because of its heritage from Standard Oil and Amoco, a tremendous economic impact on Chicagoland. So you can get into second and third order connections to BP with just about every family in Chicagoland.”

You wonder whether he even hears himself when he talks out of both sides of his mouth like that.

* Also yesterday, Kirk refused once again to talk about allegations that he’d grossly inflated his military career. He also - finally - clarified his position on repealing the new health care reform law…

Republican leaders in the U.S. House have endorsed two different plans to get rid of what they call “ObamaCare.” One, sponsored by Iowa Congressman Steve King, would repeal much of it. Another, from California’s Wally Herger, would repeal the law, and replace it with a different plan. That’s the route Kirk favors.

KIRK: Because I think that as Republicans and Americans we should be for healthcare reform, but the kind of reforms that I want to back don’t weaken the finances of the federal government long-term with new spending.

* Related…

* Kirk saved $35,000 via property tax deal

* Republican Senate Candidate Mark Kirk: Worried About Federal and State Debt

* Senate candidates avoid giving views on Kagan nomination

* GOP hits Reid and others for raising money in Canada

* Press Release: What Giannoulias did not want you to know: In Canada, fund-raising from U.S. trial lawyers

* Hinz: Giannoulias heads to Canada for campaign cash

27 Comments

Morning Shorts

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Lake County Ranger Killed in Afghanistan

* Suburban soldier killed in Afghanistan

* Report: Cook County still shaky on Shakman

The Cook County Highway Department was poised to hire six new truck drivers in recent months — without giving applicants a behind-the-wheel driving test.

When county hiring monitors raised a red flag and began to investigate, one official said, they found three of the six finalists for the snow plow jobs hadn’t provided a driving record as required.

* Sun-Times: U. of I. too quick to fire Catholic prof

If the university truly wishes to be inclusive, it should reverse its decision and allow Howell to keep teaching the class, as he has since 2001 and for which he was rated by students as an excellent teacher in 2008 and 2009.

* College orientation is emphasized more than ever — even involving some parents

* State panel to look into Metra

* Hinz: Can Metra clean up its own mess?

* To cut gridlock, drivers should pay for fast lane, new study says

Proponents say the strategy creates incentives to travel during less-crowded times, encourages carpooling and transit use, and cuts wasted time and money from motorists stuck in traffic. Congestion-priced lanes also have been shown to improve traffic flow in adjacent lanes, backers say.

The tollway and the planning council applied for a federal grant in 2007 to fund the study of congestion pricing. The council supports the concept, while the tollway hasn’t taken a position.

The study did not provide a timeline for how long it would take to implement such a plan in the Chicago area if it were approved.

* Chicago Hotels Among World’s Best

Trump International Hotel & Tower is considered the best large-city hotel in the U.S. and Canada. When it opened o two years ago, it ranked 20th.

* Chicago’s tough new gun ordinance goes into effect

* City Tries To Clear Up Confusion About New Gun Law

* Weis on gun law: ‘We want to know who has weapons’

Under the ordinance, the city has 120 days to process permits. In six months, the city will have to move faster — it must process permits in 45 days.

The applications must be submitted in person at Chicago Police Headquarters at 35th and Michigan.

* So you want to buy a gun?

* Gun seekers must be patient for permit

* Ex-prosecutor Coleman confirmed for U.S. bench here

* Swimming Advisory at Ten Chicago Beaches

* Swim Advisories Remain Through Monday

* No criminal charges in pool death

* Report finds drinking, nudity, sex at party

Salgado’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Bilotto, the city of Blue Island and others. Mayor Donald Peloquin has said the city will ask a judge to be removed from the matter because the park district is a separate jurisdiction.

According to the report, off-duty cops drank beer in the beer garden but did not enter the pool area, the report said. Hoglund said their attendance at the party was not a concern because, ‘’They were off-duty.'’

* Zoning for Islamic center in DuPage debated

A zoning change would allow the group to conduct services on Fridays and during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. The group currently conducts those more heavily attended services in the nearby Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Gallaher estimates 40 to 45 people attend those services.

The center also is seeking a variance to build as many as 30 parking spaces on the Army Trail Road site.

* Ash borer found in tree in New Lenox

* Orland SD 135 board questions grant money

* Homewood SD 153 may face $3 million deficit by 2013

* District 26 board sees fourth resignation in a year

* Kane health workers: Don’t cut jobs, services

* Program cuts’ impact more than dollars and cents

* Chicago Heights Park District Board OKs deficit 2010-11 budget

* Geneva building commissioner Chuck Lencioni dies

* Carol Stream parks will pay village $1.6 million for rec center

* [Rockford] Alderman suggests 5% pay cut to save fire stations from closure

* Budget estimates indicate more Winnebago County savings needed

* Vote to eliminate Harlem Township fails as expected

* [Quincy] City Council OKs spending $165,000 on improvements for apartment development

* Mississippi River county developers get state financing help from 2008 flood aftermath

* Union organizer nominated for Peoria County board

* [East Peoria] hosts hearing on Bass Pro Shops

* Growing reserves for Bloomington?

Keeping a tighter fist on its spending helped the city save about $3.9 million in its past fiscal year, and that may help the city’s general fund reserves grow between $3 million and $5 million.
On Monday, the Bloomington City Council received a preliminary report on the city’s $75 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, which ended April 30.
The city may also receive $955,000 more in income than what it was projecting.

* Blue-green algae in Clinton Lake source of concern

Blue-green algae are common in Central Illinois lakes and other bodies of water, but some produce chemicals that can have a toxic effect on humans, pets and livestock, said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

* Champaign school board member: President bypassed policy on superintendent complaint

* Springfield schools get $15 million facelift

* O’Fallon bends its own rules to rush payment to state agency

According to City Engineer Dennis Sullivan, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency was pushing the city for about $400,000 borrowed from Illinois to meet state requirements for upgrades to the city’s water system.[…]
The City Council on Tuesday suspended its rules, which typically require two readings to pass an ordinance, to allow the payment to be approved in one meeting.

2 Comments

DGA whacks Brady in new TV ad

Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Democratic Governors Association is up on TV with a significant buy in Chicago. More details for subscribers tomorrow. From Politico…

The Democratic Governors Association is taking a blowtorch to Illinois state Sen. Bill Brady, the Republican nominee for governor, launching a strongly negative ad in the Chicago media market at what one strategist called “saturation levels.”

The commercial, called “Daughters,” starts Tuesday and targets female voters with the message that Brady has “made a career voting against working women,” warning: “Brady opposed the creation of family medical and maternity leave. He was one of only three legislators to vote against expanding mammogram coverage.”

“Bill Brady opposes a woman’s right to choose even in cases of rape and incest,” the narrator continues. “Our daughters and our state deserve better.” […]

“The truth is voters – especially women – don’t know where he stands or who he is,” the strategist said. “In particular, they don’t know how radical and outside the mainstream his views are and the effect they would have on the future of Illinois.”

Rate it…

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