* IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig is set (again) to retire at the end of the month. Gov. Pat Quinn talked Hannig out of retiring earlier this year to at least the end of the spring legislative session. Quinn convinced Hannig to stick around for another month. So far, no replacement has been named, or even floated. But that hasn’t stopped former Senate Majority Leader and one-term US Rep. Debbie Halvorson from floating her name yet again…
With 10 days to go before he’s due to retire — again — it appears the governor still has not found a successor. A Quinn spokeswoman said the administration is reviewing candidates, but she did not elaborate.
Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson has been the highest profile contender for the post.
She argues that her experience in Washington D.C. and as a member of the Illinois Senate gives her an advantage over other potential candidates. And, she says she’s gotten a lot of encouragement from members of the state Senate, who must approve of whomever Quinn picks.
“They know I know how to get money from D.C.,” Halvorson said Monday.
Don’t hold your breath. The governor rebuked her once and I was told yesterday that Quinn’s position hasn’t changed. Also, she may not have the support she thinks she has in the Senate. She was reportedly offered other jobs, but turned them down. I have no idea what she’s thinking.
*** UPDATE *** Despite what Halvorson just told Lee News, she told an acquaintance of mine something different today…
Just read the story you posted about Debbie and wanted to send you an update. I talked to her and she said she is not going after the position and focused on finishing her book and spending time with her family.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has battled with Halvorson for years over the 3rd airport and he strongly condemned her desire to run IDOT earlier this year. Jackson has since taken on a new project. He wants the Southland to unite in its bid for a casino site…
As Southland towns gear up for battle over a long-coveted casino license, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is warning such a plan could leave the Southland divided and conquered.
“There’s a history of the Southland not getting things because of too much infighting, and that might be an incentive for the governor, who’s already called this bill top-heavy, to reject the Southland proposal simply by not wanting to get involved in the fight,” said Rick Bryant, a spokesman for Jackson Jr. (D-2nd).
“If we can get communities working together, we can maximize the opportunities here.”
The congressman’s call to unite behind one location comes as Gov. Pat Quinn ponders a bill to massively expand gambling in the state by signing off on the creation of five new casinos, including one in Chicago, as well as adding slots machines to racetracks.
* So far, though, the reaction has been mixed at best…
But municipalities such as Country Club Hills and Ford Heights can make their own pitches to the Gaming Board. They have their own plans for sharing casino revenue with neighboring suburbs to gain political support. […]
Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch said he likes Jackson’s “concept,” but he balked at having to give up considerable control and money to a commission run by other communities.
“I don’t know any mayor in their right mind who would go along with that,” Welch said.
Ford Heights Mayor Charles Griffin said late last week he wasn’t aware of the proposal. He said Jackson should wait until Quinn signs the legislation before considering such a move.
* If her state job bid doesn’t work out, Halvorson might end up running against Jackson for Congress. I’d almost pay to see that.
- Old Milwaukee - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:15 am:
Halvorson has an overinflated opinion of herself. Ten years ago she was a rising star. But she handled her advancements so poorly that she’s now a falling star.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:18 am:
Julie Curry.
- Shore - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:19 am:
you left out this story this morning on the Illinois economy which is not pretty.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2011-06-20-state-gdp-growth_n.htm
would halvorson even have a chance in that district with the huge black population? I don’t know how many black members of congress have lost seats outside of a primary in georgia in 2002 and that was to another black man.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:34 am:
Shore, I saw some different GSP numbers the other day. Can’t remember where, but IL did fairly well.
- perfect world - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:38 am:
Jay Hoffman would be a good replacement
- Mark Buerhle - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:39 am:
Excellent suggestion, YDD.
- Old Milwaukee - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:48 am:
Jay Hoffman WAS the Secretary of Transportation when the office was inhabited by Milt Sees.
- train111 - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 8:49 am:
Shore
Il-2 is 53.77% African American. The supermajority-African American disricts are gone, replaced by ones that are just over 50% AA, to keep 3 AA districts.
Il-2 is 11.09% Hispanic and 33.47% white.
With the personal baggage that JJJ has picked up in the past couple of years, the race could get interesting. I woulds still bet all my chips on JJJ though.
train111
- Capone - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:04 am:
JJJ would absolutely crush Halvorson. Even with all his baggage, against a black male opponent who got significant earned media coverage, JJJ was just 1% point away from being the IL congressman reelected by the largest margin (80.5% vs Danny Davis who got 81.5%).
The suggestion that a white woman would stand a chance in that district is laughable.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:05 am:
The newly redrawn 2nd district followed his migrating voters to the South Suburbs. Democrats will not mess with the Jackson family. Halvorson was fired from Congress. She lost big. Her future is within Illinois. But not at IDOT.
- Ahoy - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:08 am:
How about getting back to letting a professional run IDOT?
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:24 am:
There are some Will County aviation fans not too happy the Trey Jay will have the Peotone International Airport ( sans runways, plane, control tower, airline interest etc) in his new District. Perhaps they “reasoned” DH as IDOT secretary could build their airport their way.
THis is great. It is like fighting to be Mayor of the Bermuda Triangle.
BTW did anyone else notice the AP “think piece” on ethics.We wonder how many pols have been snagged in the new trip wires? We think the answer is none since Blagoof got pitched.
Of course the reformers will depend more trip wires to improve the chances
Kinda like Powerball drawings every day.
- Thoughts... - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:39 am:
I’d second the Curry suggestion as well. Question is, would she take the pay cut?
- Been There - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:40 am:
===From train111 - Il-2 is 53.77% African American. Il-2 is 11.09% Hispanic and 33.47% white.===
And a lot of those white voters are going to pull a repub ballot in a primary compared to AA & Hispanic.
No way Debbie can beat JJ unless JJ gets a viable AA opponent also.
- Been There - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:42 am:
This was on Debbies facebook page this morning:
Debbie Halvorson
Not sure why they keep mentioning me.
Retiring road czar still on job
http://www.pantagraph.com/
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:43 am:
===Not sure why they keep mentioning me.===
Maybe she shouldn’t talk to reporters, then. lol
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 9:49 am:
Base on PQ’s track record, the thing most in Debbie’s favor for the IDOT spot is Quinn’s insistence that he will not appoint her.
- Angry Chicagoan - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 10:17 am:
As far as I’m concerned, JJJ’s transportation and economic development policies are about 40 years out of date, but Halvorson is not the right person to take him on in a primary. As for the state of Illinois, Pat Quinn’s transportation and economic development policies are just about as cobwebby as JJJ’s, so that will presumably guide his actual IDOT choice.
I’d just like for someone in a position of power to recognize that the south side of the metro area would be better served by improved ground transportation including better and faster rail connections to the various airports we already have than by a new greenfield airport that the airlines don’t want and the environment can’t handle.
- Robert - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 10:37 am:
the political job application process:
1) talk to reporters about your interest in a position.
2) find out you don’t have the votes to get said position.
3) start telling everyone you don’t know why people are mentioning you regarding that position.
- life long south suburbanite - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 10:51 am:
“Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch said he likes Jackson’s “concept,” but he balked at having to give up considerable control and money to a commission run by other communities.
“I don’t know any mayor in their right mind who would go along with that,” Welch said.”
That is exactly how Peotone and surrounding towns feel about JJJ’s ALNAC commission for the third airport. Welch was a big supporter of that plan but when it comes to his casino plan he says, “what mayor would go along with that?” Wow.
Funny that JJJ would float the same plan that hasn’t worked to get the airport.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:15 am:
I agree that a professional should run IDOT. The trouble is finding someone who can also schmooze elected officials and have the proper background. Then again, IDOT also has a sizable legislative affairs staff and political types in many of their director and deputy director positions, so a politically-connected secretary isn’t a necessity.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:17 am:
===I agree that a professional should run IDOT.===
Why? Has Hannig been some sort of disaster? I don’t see it.
- Our Magician - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:26 am:
I look forward to the Debbie Halvorson book as much as I do the Bristol Palin book….
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:27 am:
Yeesh, Debbie Halvorsen and Trips. Not exactly Lincoln-Douglas debates.
Can we just give the folks around Peotone a little break from the anxiety and stop spending money on wired up lawyers, engineers and landowners “planning”for an environmental disaster of an airport that will never be built.
- NW Suburban Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:49 am:
I think Hannig has been a very good Secretary. He is a very smart man, good with people, and he worked well with LaHood. I think he will be missed by the IDOT.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 11:57 am:
@perfect world -
Pat Quinn is not going to appoint Rod Blagojevich’s floor leader to a cabinet post.
Plus, Hoffman voted for the tax hike, and Pat Quinn isn’t going to go through that Hell again.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 12:24 pm:
Rich, I just personally would like to see one. That’s all. That statement was not a potshot at Gary - who was my state rep growing up and represented my parents until he retired.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 12:25 pm:
But, why? I know a lot of IDOT people want it to be a “professional” because that opens up opportunities from below. Yet, Hannig, to me at least, proved pretty convincingly that there’s really no dire need for one. I’m not saying I oppose one, I’m just saying I’ve seen these demands for years, and I’m not sure why.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 12:36 pm:
The primary qualification for IDOT secretary should be the ability to head a 5,000 person agency and carry out the chief executive’s vision. Not required to be an engineer (although it certainly adds to the resume) but having good advisors below you who know their stuff. Hannig benefitted from Chris Reed and some other Directors and Deputy Directors being around, not so much by others (snark).
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 12:50 pm:
How’s Debbie Halverson’s book coming along? Didn’t you post a bizarre video of her talking about awhile ago Rich?
- DoubleDown - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 1:02 pm:
I live in Peotone and vote at the airport. Was talking to my neighbor and we still do not understand why a commercial airport is needed. Is this for political reasons ? or would this really help the Ill economy ?
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 1:46 pm:
DoubleDown,
The fact that this airport still remains a pipe dream after all these years answers your questions. If it was a good idea, planes would be a-landin’ even as we speak. So that leaves political reasons, I guess.
- Quinn T. Sential - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 1:51 pm:
{Why? Has Hannig been some sort of disaster? I don’t see it.}
Hanig was appointed to the IDOT position to accomplish two critically important things for the residents of Illinois, and he has succeded at both.
Number one was to maximize his own pension based on a much higher retiring salary.
Number two was to allow his wife to migreate from SERS to GARS, and increase and then maximize her pension as well.
The final critical milestone that he has to accomplish now for the State of Illinois is to retire, before the General Assembly takes up and makes changes to the pension plans so that they can both begin collecting under the current benefit formulas.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 3:02 pm:
@Rich -
Because one of the critical job responsibilities of the IDOT Director is digging ditches, erecting guard rails, laying asphalt, and designing roads.
Actually, a lot of it has to do with the fact that engineers think they’re smarter than everybody else, and they object to working for anyone who is not an engineer.
I know — I tutored a lot of them in college.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 3:05 pm:
Hey, YDD. If you ever watched Big Bang Theory, you’d know engineers aren’t all that smart…
- Shemp - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
==Why? Has Hannig been some sort of disaster? I don’t see it.==
Maybe not a disaster, but I didn’t see an improvement and IDOT has a lot of room for improvement. If anyone from the outside who had to work with IDOT could run it for a while and institute some change, it could go a long way. Ask nearly any local government or consulting engineer that has to put up with the mess and bureaucracy of IDOT. It shouldn’t take long to find one to speak, but they’ll be hesitant to do it on the record for fear of retribution. And yes, that happens. No one wants to see their local road project slid down the list. Professional or politician, I can’t believe this is even cause for debate.
- Nice kid - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 5:16 pm:
Debbie is the only person who could beat JJJ. His margin of victory in a general election is irrelevant. Jackson will now represent areas that absolutely despise him- areas that she represented in both the IL senate and in congress. You might have white republicans in will county pulling dem ballots to vote for her IF they understand that a R cannot win in the 2nd and it’s Debbie or JJJ.
- phocion - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 5:21 pm:
An engineer as Secretary doesn’t mean success - look at Tim Martin’s tenure, for example.
There’s no one formula for what would make someone a good Secretary. One should not be captive to any particular group, but should be willing to listen to all. Diplomacy, patience (when appropriate) and humility are helpful. Having an understanding of how government works is certainly a plus. A “get ‘er done” attitude would be a good thing. And a good dose of “speaking truth to power” and good old common sense are always solid character traits for executive success. And for IDOT, a Secretary with some background in transportation would be a positive.
Hannig has generally been good. He seems well liked by IDOT staff and his former colleagues in the general assembly. His biggest problem seems to be over-reach other players in the Executive Branch and certain legislators. His biggest blunder was the ham-handed way he sided with labor in last year’s strike. Overall he’s a decent, intelligent guy who did the best he could under the conditions we have in Illinois.
- Quinn T. Sential - Tuesday, Jun 21, 11 @ 7:13 pm:
{Having an understanding of how government works is certainly a plus. A “get ‘er done” attitude would be a good thing.}
This almost seems bi-polar.