Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » 2012

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Not sure how much posting there will be today, but this is a good way to keep track of today’s session and committee hearings. Watch live House video here, Senate video here. Blackberry users click here…

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Hultgren jumps into the fray as Jackson fends off questions

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This endorsement has caused a bit of a stir in Kane County…

The photo sent from the Kevin Burns campaign for Kane County chairman shows county auditor candidate Laura Wallet, coroner candidate Rob Russell, 33rd State Senate candidate Karen McConnaughay and a smiling U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren on a Huntley constituent’s porch.

They were campaigning together Jan. 28 for the March 20 primary and all got a ride on Burns’ campaign bus back to their cars, Burns said.

And the news release from the Burns campaign stated that Hultgren told voters Burns was “the best candidate for this important office” of county board chairman. Burns is currently Geneva’s mayor.

Then this weekend, Hultgren, R-Winfield, endorsed Burns’ opponent, State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, at Lauzen’s winter barbecue fundraiser on Saturday.

The endorsement caused a bit of a dust-up, as Burns said he was “taken aback” by the apparent about-face. But according to Lauzen, there is no about-face. Lauzen disputes that Hultgren said anything like Burns was the “right man for the job,” which the release claimed Hultgren had said.

* From a Burns press release issued after the endorsement…

“While I respect Randy’s right to do what he wants,” said Burns, “I was obviously taken aback by this action. It was only last week he told voters we encountered in Huntley that I was ‘the right man for the job,’ so you can understand my surprise when I read the news.”

According to Burns, Hultgren did not contact him to tell him about his switch until late this afternoon. “I spoke with Randy, and he said, ‘I hate doing this. I absolutely hate it. This sucks.’ ”

* It’s not inconceivable to think that a highly contentious Daily Herald editorial board interview of both the candidates might also have played a role…

By including a statement that he [Lauzen] is a pro-life, pro-marriage candidate who supports, “honest, competent administration,” the gloves came off.

“Chris obviously hates homosexuals, is afraid of women and believes that only he has the answers to everything,” Burns said. “That’s sad.”

“Are you joking?” Lauzen responded.

“No, I’m not joking,” Burns replied. “I’m dead, fricking serious.”

“Fricking?”

“Yeah, fricking serious,” Burns repeated.

* Listen to the exchange…

Click to download

Ouch.

* Meanwhile…

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said Monday that he did not violate House ethics rules when he had a longtime friend and fundraiser buy a plane ticket for a woman who had a secret relationship with the congressman.

Jackson likewise defended his actions amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that the same fundraiser was part of a scheme to raise $1 million for convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in return for the governor appointing Jackson to the U.S. Senate.

The 17-year congressman’s remarks came during an often contentious appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board with his March 20 Democratic primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who said the House investigation was keeping Jackson from doing his job.

Jackson’s response to the ethics concerns raised new questions when he was asked about his extramarital relationship. He noted he had apologized to “my absolute best friend, my wife,” Ald. Sandi Jackson, 7th.

Jackson apparently interrupted Halorson during the debate and she scolded him for it…

Caption?

* And Republican Congressman Don Manzullo has a new TV ad. Rate it…

* Roundup…

* IL Tea Party Backs Manzullo in Congressional Primary

* Industry group boosted political spending last year — and it paid off

* Write-in hopeful switches districts, twice in one week

* New Super PAC Readying For Battle With Illinois Tea Party Congressman

* VIDEO: A Conversation with Jason Plummer

* Cook named Executive Director of Cook County GOP

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Question of the day

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The setup…

Spurred by a Tribune report documenting an explosion in Taser use by police, a state legislator from Chicago is pushing a bill that would force local police departments to inform the state of every shock an officer delivers to a civilian.

The proposed law would compel officers to report details of any use of a Taser or other electroshock weapon, including information about the incident that led to the weapon’s deployment and whether the subject was armed, aggressive or intoxicated. Officers would also be asked to report the race of each person shocked by one of the devices. […]

In Chicago, where Taser use mushroomed after hundreds more officers were armed with the weapons, police logged 853 uses in 2011, a fivefold increase over 2008, according to figures compiled by the Independent Police Review Authority.

Davis’ bill faces opposition from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. The measure would force an “unfunded mandate” on local police departments, many of which don’t have the money for software or computer systems that might be necessary for the tracking effort, said Laimutis Nargelenas, a lobbyist for the organization.

* The bill is here.

* The Question: Do you support this concept of compelling the police to report Taser usage? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.

Online Surveys & Market Research

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Lesson Number One: Pat Quinn has always loved patronage

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The more things change, the more they stay the same…

When ousted 36th Ward Ald. John Rice started a new job recently in Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration, Rice said he did not rely on clout but rather applied for the $84,420-a-year position after seeing it posted online.

But Rice’s job application was not filed until the same day he started his new job with the Illinois Department of Transportation in November, according to state records obtained by the Chicago News Cooperative. And the management opening was never posted, the documents show. […]

Rice’s hand-written application was dated Nov. 21 – the same day that his appointment became effective.

One of three references that Rice listed on his application was Mark Altman, a Chicago Fire Department captain who was accused of assaulting a police officer as police and fire marine units rescued two men from the Chicago River in November.

Gov. Pat Quinn’s office has denied the governor was involved with the hiring. IDOT blamed Michael Stout for the decision. Stout, who has since resigned, denied he hired Rice.

* Way back in 1980, this is how Quinn’s tenure during Gov. Dan Walker’s administration was described…

“His only problem was that he loved power and was vicious in doling out patronage and taking it away. He is not politically naive.”

Quinn has always been a patronage guy.

48 Comments

One reason why cutting the budget ain’t easy

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* If true, this potential budget cut could indeed be devastating for that Peoria program. But WMBD may have crossed the line into outright activism with this story…

A vital program for kids with autism could be the next victim of Governor Quinn’s budget ax. […]

He’s expected to propose major cuts to The Autism Program of Illinois, or TAP. It’s possible the program could even be eliminated all together.

The autism program at Easter Seals of Central Illinois gets money from TAP. If money is completely cut off, it would mean layoffs and a blow to services for the families Easter Seals serves. […]

Easter Seals is asking you to take action. It wants you to send letters to Governor Quinn asking to keep the funding.

The station then supplied a link to a webpage that allows people to send letters to the governor.

* Roundup…

* Editorial: State’s eavesdrop law should be changed

* Sheriff’s office criticizes new cemetery rules signed by Quinn: “The individuals that did the horrific tragedy at Burr Oak, the way that this language is currently written and passed and signed now, would allow them to come back to work at Burr Oak without any questions,” said Frank Bilecki, a spokesman for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.

* Illinois to extend immunity for drug users who report overdoses: The measure is meant to address scenarios in which friends let friends die from overdoses rather than risk being arrested themselves for drug use after calling for emergency help.

* Quinn’s Policies, ICE Controversy Dominate Immigrant Integration Summit

* New Illinois school report cards will be shorter, simpler

* Speed cameras coming to your town soon

* Editorial: Why open government matters to all

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*** LIVE COVERAGE *** Jacksonville Developmental Center closure hearing

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Our friends at BlueRoomStream are doing live coverage of today’s 10 o’clock hearing on the proposed closure of the Jacksonville Developmental Center...

* And here’s a ScribbleLive feed. I’ll post some background stories in a minute or two for those of you who need to get up to speed on the issue. Blackberry users click here…

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Cullerton: Lower pension funding target to 80 percent

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Senate President Cullerton wants an adjustment in the way public pensions are funded…

Depending on the other components of a pension bill, Cullerton said, the state could also consider revising its current goal of having the pension systems funded at 90 percent by 2045. That level was “artificially determined in 1995,” he said.

“I always thought 80 (percent) was the acceptable percentage,” Cullerton said. “A hundred percent would be if everybody retired on the same day, that’s how much money you’d have to have. Well, that doesn’t happen.”

As long as the state wasn’t also responsible for paying the interest every year on that remaining 20 percent unfunded liability, the idea would significantly lower the pension payments. I’m not sure how it will be received at the Statehouse, but this is a start.

* More Cullerton…

The idea is intended to be one component of an overall pension reform plan, which could also feature concessions by public employee unions in exchange for some sort of mechanism to make sure the state pays what it owes to the systems, said Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat. […]

One approach to the problem could be giving pension payments priority over other state obligations, similar to the status now enjoyed by bonds the state issues, Cullerton said.

This is not something that can be negotiated with the unions during collective bargaining. The state Constitution’s “contract” on pension benefits is with individuals, not collectively. And the mechanisms he’s referring to aren’t quite clear yet. Subscribers know a little bit more, but this isn’t going to be easy, either.

Thoughts?

69 Comments

Federal judge says Illinoisans have no 2nd Amendment right to carry guns in public for self-protection

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gun-owner rights supporters thought they had a shot at winning this federal case. No such luck so far…

U.S. Judge Sue Myerscough wrote in an opinion issued Friday that the Second Amendment is narrow and merely gives citizens the right to possess lawful firearms in the home.

Four citizens and the Second Amendment Foundation Inc. and Illinois Carry — both pro-gun lobbying groups — filed suit in May 2011. They argued that Illinois laws that prohibit people from carrying guns in public, whether concealed or not, violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Myerscough, however, found no constitutional problem with the state laws.

“The United States Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit (Appellate Court) have recognized only a Second Amendment core individual right to bear arms inside the home,” Myerscough said in her ruling. “Further, even if this court recognized a Second Amendment right to bear arms outside of the home and an interference with that right, the statutes nonetheless survive constitutional scrutiny.”

* An appeal is already in the works. From a press release…

In her ruling, Judge Meyerscough stated, “This Court finds that the Illinois ‘Unlawful Use of Weapons’ and ‘Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon’ statutes do not violate Plaintiffs’ Second Amendment rights. The United States Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit have recognized only a Second Amendment core individual right to bear arms inside the home. Further, even if this Court recognized a Second Amendment right to bear arms outside of the home and an interference with that right, the statutes nonetheless survive constitutional scrutiny.”

In response, [Second Amendment Foundation] founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb suggested the judge’s ruling defies common sense.

“We look forward to winning this important case on appeal even if it means going back to the United States Supreme Court for a third time,” Gottlieb stated. “The Second Amendment does not say, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed except outside your home or that it only applies inside your house. We don’t check our constitutional rights at the front door.”

Judge Myerscough denied SAF and its co-plaintiffs a preliminary injunction against two laws in Illinois that make it a crime to carry loaded firearms outside the home for personal protection. Instead, she supported the state’s motion to dismiss the case.

Discuss, but keep your tempers cool, please. Let’s not let this get outta hand. Also, as usual, no drive-by comments and bumper-sticker slogans. Elevate yourselves or go somewhere else.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition and a campaign roundup

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

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