* Things got a bit heated on the House floor yesterday when one member accused another of playing to the press box on the bill abolishing legislative scholarships…
State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) accused the sponsor, State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) of simply trying for a “press pop” and of trying to impugn the integrity of lawmakers who, as Dunkin indicated he does, use an impartial committee to make the awards. Supporters of the bill, which passed by more than a two-to-one margin in the House, say the program has taken on too much scandal to survive.
More…
The idea drew a loud response from Crespo. “Stop right there,” he shouted. “Do not make it personal.”
“This is a media issue for you,” Dunkin said later.
* But Crespo went out of his way to thank the Chicago Sun-Times after the debate…
In January, the Sun-Times and the BGA revealed that state Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) awarded a $37,000 tuition waiver to the daughter of Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), a political ally who endorsed Rita for the statehouse and whose wife was employed by Rita as a $400-a-month staffer until he recently fired her after the Sun-Times reported on a probe focusing on her past employment in the secretary of state’s office.
Crespo credited the reporting for prompting action after years of debate.
“Kudos to you, the Sun-Times and the BGA, for sticking to it almost like a pit bull,” Crespo said. “That was a key. It would pop up in the past, then go away, but you guys did a very good job of keeping it alive.”
I received an e-mail from the Better Government Association this morning highlighting that quote and claiming they’ll be invited to the bill signing ceremony.
* Yes, this was indeed a major press pop. But that scholarship program was rife with problems and it had to be killed. So, sometimes good media is actually good government. I’m not sure how the Tribune is gonna feel about Crespo after that gushing praise for the Sun-Times, however. It’s gotta sting a little.
*** UPDATE *** Audio of the heated exchange…
- Rutherford B. Jayes - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:02 am:
Dear Fred Crespo–
I want my albums back and I hate you.
Colonel McCormick
- CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:03 am:
Tribbies buried Crespo on Page13 Hopefully Handout Andy will bring fundraising forms to the bill signing so everyone can ante up
- Dirty Red - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:18 am:
Dear Ken Dunkin,
Thanks for the waivers in 2007 and 2008.
Sincerely,
Lauren Jackson
- Jake From Elwood - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:19 am:
This program needs to go.
At least Rep. Crespo was there to vote to impeach Blago. Where were you Rep. Dunkin? Just sayin.
- LisleMike - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:24 am:
When the GA can’t find a solution to the pressing problems of the state, “Let’s change the subject!”
Good job, Fred! Everythings going to be all right now…oops, forgot that in the press pop, I guess
- Fed up - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 11:33 am:
I actually feel Dunkin has a point. This program could of been reformed to still let state legislators help deserving students but the blame falls with those legislators that abused the program. Dunkin should have saved some hostility for them but didn’t
- wordslinger - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 12:21 pm:
Ken Dunkin should have used all his waivers on himself.
What gall. GA members passing out tuition waivers like lords of the manor to peasants.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 12:36 pm:
Press pop or good governance? Why can’t this be both? I’ll accept some grandstanding from Crespo if the result is the legislative tuition waivers are thrown into the dustbin of history.
Good riddance.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 1:00 pm:
=== What gall. GA members passing out tuition waivers like lords of the manor to peasants. ===
Well said; shame on Dunkin.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 1:15 pm:
Ken Dunkin was way out of line. I don’t understand why there isn’t an admonishment practice in the GA where whoever is in the Speakers chair can redirect the conversation away from being personal.
The fact is that Dunkin and others just make themselves look like idiots to the average person when they fight tooth and nail for their own littlle goodies. Pathetic. Have you ever heard some members argue fervently every time somebody wants to deny them a COLA or do furlough days. It’s the same nonsense. Some members of the GA simply have no scruples.
This is just an example of a member of the GA “not getting it.”
- reformer - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 2:50 pm:
Attacking motives violates Roberts Rules. The chair should require that debate confine itself to the merits of issues, not permitting such personal attacks. But consider the source.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 3:03 pm:
I would think awarding these waivers to political supporters and contributors is a violation of the ethics act.
- LINK - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 3:04 pm:
And then there is this story today:
Bribery charges haven’t stopped an Illinois lawmaker from handing out $185,000 worth of college scholarships.
Rep. Derrick Smith last week awarded the tuition waivers that every state legislator is allowed to give out,the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday. Two of his waivers went to people who did not live in his district as required by law. The State Board of Education blocked both.
- one of the 35 - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 3:30 pm:
I never fully understood why legislators felt they should have the priviledge of handing out scholarships in the first place.
- TCB - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 3:46 pm:
1 of 35
This argument is all that should be needed to end the program, even if we ignore the fact that this program has resulted in some really bad press & possibly some fraud for several years.
- P. - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 6:59 pm:
Fred Crespo, protege of the great Paul Froehlich. It’s pretty pathetic our elected officials can’t come up with a clean system and police themselves for rewarding deserving young people and stick to it. It shouldn’t be that hard. I know, I know …
- edumacation - Tuesday, May 22, 12 @ 10:30 pm:
I thoroughly enjoy that on Representative Dunkin’s website homepage, applications for the 2012 Legislative Scholarship are front and center.
Also, Reformer, thanks for the note on Robert’s Rules. Is there a parliamentarian that advises whoever is in the Speaker chair in real-time? Could that have happened here?
- Wumpus - Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 7:37 am:
Fredo Crespo, switch parties dang near immediately after I use volunteers to get me elected