* Press release…
Cabinet-level appointees of the Illinois governor would be barred from using their official positions to campaign for candidates under a commonsense, bipartisan measure proposed by Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and Senator Sam McCann (R-Plainview).
The legislation – which has been drafted and will be filed soon – reflects federal ethics rules prohibiting government employees from using their official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election.
“The taxpayers of Illinois want to know that professional managers, not politicians, are running the agencies that oversee such vital areas as agriculture, transportation and natural resources,” Manar said. “The federal government realized this long ago and took steps to prohibit such activity.”
The legislation was prompted by the appearance of state agency directors – including lawmakers who were appointed to cabinet-level positions by Gov. Bruce Rauner – in campaign ads endorsing specific candidates and criticizing challengers.
Nothing in current Illinois law prohibits the former lawmakers from identifying themselves as leaders of state agencies while campaigning for candidates who were appointed by Rauner to replace them in the Legislature.
McCann noted that these former lawmakers benefited from a significant pay hike and a boost in their public pensions when Rauner strategically plucked them from their legislative seats and placed them in lucrative positions overseeing state agencies.
“I am shocked by the hypocrisy of longtime former lawmakers who saw their paychecks skyrocket to six figures – compliments of an executive appointment – now publicly criticizing candidates as career politicians,” McCann said. “Tactics like these are nothing short of pay-to-play politics, and Illinois deserves better.”
The proposed legislation would apply to directors, secretaries, assistant directors, assistant secretaries, deputy directors and deputy secretaries of state agencies and departments who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Illinois Senate.
Violations could result in fines, discipline or dismissal by the governor.
Other states have taken steps to close ethics loopholes like this. In addition, the Illinois State Police has restrictions on troopers appearing in uniform in campaign materials.
Manar said the measure is intended to strengthen Illinois’ ethics rules so that governors in the future won’t be tempted to use executive appointments to influence elections.
“Our executive branch has made great progress since the years of George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich – governors of each political party who went to prison for abusing the trust the people of Illinois placed in them,” Manar said. “I invite Gov. Rauner to support our efforts to position Illinois as a model for good government at the highest levels.”
* The idea apparently came about because of this mailer…
Kinda on the harsh side, for sure.
* But this happens at the federal level all the time, including right now…
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spent the past two days in Ames and Boone, making a push for voters to support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, saying her plans for economic growth are better than her Republican opponent’s.
In Boone on Monday, Vilsack met with about 30 people at the Democratic Headquarters, 813 Keeler St., telling them to vote early and campaign for Democrats on the Nov. 8 ballot.
- anon - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:18 pm:
Looks like Manar didn’t actually know his federal law. Shocking. Politics first.
- so... - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:21 pm:
Watched Senator Andy’s press conference. He clearly has no clue what the Hatch Act does.
Being sore because someone is campaigning against your friend is not a good basis for legislation, Andy.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
“dangerous Chicago liberals”
Wow.
- ouch - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
Manar has become the biggest cry baby south of I-80.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
Rich - you are correct. The QC Times has extensively covered Tom Vilsack’s efforts for HRC in Iowa. He practically moved back there during the primary. Plus - it looks like Secretaries Castro, Fox, Kerry and Perez have all either campaigned for or at least endorsed Secretary Clinton for President. Castro has been especially strident and almost giddy in his support and failed bid for veep consideration.
And this may seem minor but Hatch Act violations are not always strictly enforced: http://thehill.com/policy/finance/288380-huds-castro-wont-be-punished-for-hatch-rule-slip-up.
- A guy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:25 pm:
Maybe we could go ahead and cover all those School Supers, Administrators and Board Members while we’re at it, eh Andy?
So typical.
- ouch - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:26 pm:
So can state workers stop politicking then, Andy? I mean, technically, Wayne is a state employe.
- Not It - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
It is completely appropriate for a former (or retiring) legislator to endorse their successor, no matter what job they currently hold. It would be different if the letter was written as an endorsement by an agency director, but that isn’t the case here.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
I commented before I saw Director Rosenthal’s letter. Andy Manar has reached a whole new level of butthurt. And given McCann’s still salty feelings it is no surprise that he is in on this.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
Speaking of career politicians, what did Avery Bourne do before she was appointed?
Oh yeah, she was in college. Shocking hypocrisy.
Sounds like a (1st) career politician.
Sounds like Mr. Rosenthal is doing a little “Politics First” facts second.
- Deft Wing - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
Really, really bad legislation. Clearly, neither McCann nor Manar have much of an understanding about free speech/free association.
As others have noted, this type of legislation would be easily used against others.
- Macbeth - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:32 pm:
I am a “dangerous” Chicago liberal.
Whatever that means.
But I hope it makes Rauner — and all his sycophants — cringe.
I am dangerous.
I am liberal.
I am from Chicago.
And I will never, ever vote Republican.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
The hilarious thing about this letter - and sorry for the all caps - is that IT NEVER MENTIONS WAYNE ROSENTHAL’S CURRENT EXECUTIVE TITLE.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:33 pm:
The Hatch Act and Cabinet level officials- may not apply to Vilsack depending on how he presents himself.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/04/us/politics/white-house-prohibits-cabinet-from-addressing-democratic-convention.html
In reference to Rosenthal’s letter- the third paragraph from the bottom blaming all the cuts on Blago and Quinn… did he even read Rauner’s two non-budgets??? I mean, if you use schools generically to include colleges and universities, that has Rauner’s fingerprints all over it for the last two years! Nuthin’ like a double standard.
- 95th Resident - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:38 pm:
Got two of these ‘letters’ mailed to me. Voted for Wayne every time he ran…he lost my respect with this action.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:38 pm:
The presser… Poe was mentioned more times than Rosenthal as the reason for this legislation. Any one have background on why?
- Phil King - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:39 pm:
==IT NEVER MENTIONS WAYNE ROSENTHAL’S CURRENT EXECUTIVE TITLE.==
Exactly.
I read this thing three times trying to find out where he identified himself as a cabinet member.
So either this bill wouldn’t deal with the problem he’s concerned about or the bill would place further limitations on their speech, likely making it unconstitutional.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:42 pm:
My favorite part about Wayne’s letter is that right out of the gate he pats himself on the back for his lifelong public service and then blasts a Vietnam veteran for being a lifelong government hack.
Gotta love the chutzpah.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
221 - maybe because Poe has endorse Rep. Jimenez? Who knows. Poe has not really done a lot (at least publicly) for her (other than lending her his endorsement).
Rich - there is certainly no love lost between Wayne Rosenthal and Mike Mathis. Those two have never really gotten along.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:45 pm:
I believe Director Wayne is free to barnstorm the country just like former Iowa Gov. Pickle, the legislation appears to prevent Illinois agency directors from being in campaign ads/materials in their state job post.
- Whatever - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:52 pm:
==“The taxpayers of Illinois want to know that professional managers, not politicians, are running the agencies that oversee such vital areas as agriculture, transportation and natural resources,” Manar said. “The federal government realized this long ago and took steps to prohibit such activity.”
Not this taxpayer. I believe that, at the top of an agency, there should be one or a few people who are loyal to the governor. Prohibit politicking on government premises and using government resources but expect the top people to be political. Hire the expertise.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:54 pm:
Like this …
http://wlds.com/news/benton-disciplined-for-wearing-police-uni-in-campaign-literature/
- Not It - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 3:56 pm:
This bill is all about Mathis trying to get an ounce of green media. Why McCann signed on board is a little strange though. I sense there will be an update to this post soon.
- dude - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:04 pm:
–My favorite part about Wayne’s letter is that right out of the gate he pats himself on the back for his lifelong public service and then blasts a Vietnam veteran for being a lifelong government hack.—-
THAT is Hilarious!!!!!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:05 pm:
Are the recipients of the letter alarmed that the survival of their families, values and way of life are dependent upon Avery Bourne?
I mean, that’s a heavy load for Jason Bourne, on a real b-a day.
Maybe hit the meth AFTER you write the letter next time.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:07 pm:
Not It - simple. Payback against Governor Rauner for the primary. Make a nice, subtle dig against his old “friend” Wayne Rosenthal.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:09 pm:
So in their mind is it ok for them to endorse other Candidates as current Senators/Reps, but similar speech by other government employees should be restricted? Are they opposed to the President flying around the country campaigning for various candidates, but not his cabinet members?
- Under Influenced - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:14 pm:
Fun fact….
Rosenthal’s military service > Age of current State Rep.
- Under Influenced - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:16 pm:
Anon -
The President is not employed by the State of Illinois.
- Under Influenced - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:21 pm:
Also, didn’t know that Mike Madigan had the power to eliminate the 2nd Amendment…..Madigan and the US Amendments he controls
- Big Muddy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
Manar has quickly turned into the biggest wannabe in the Senate. It is obvious he has aspirations for running statewide/congress. Look at all the time he spends in Chicago getting all snuggly with the big dollar donors.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:24 pm:
No state time or resources, and no mention of their title, then I fail to see the problem. Go ahead and pass the thing but don’t be surprised when it is shot down on constitutional grounds.
Some days I’d like to see all politicians barred from politicking too (especially lately), but we can’t have everything we want.
- Big Muddy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:25 pm:
How about we broaden this to ALL state employees? It would be just as legal to tell all those AFSCME and SEIU employees to not work on campaigns in their personal free time. What a poorly thought out stunt by these two geniuses.
- Tough Guy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:29 pm:
Rosenthal is not the same guy as when he represented the district. He failed to stand up to the governor when he closed the state library, closed numerous parks and has been pretty much just another yes man. And as a vet, so sad to see he put his party above supporting another vet. Notice he doesn’t say one thing about Bourne’s work experience prior to being appointed (because it doesn’t exist)
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:35 pm:
Under Influenced - considering the fact that Mike Mathis claims Avery Bourne will vote to cut Medicare and Social Security then I don’t think a line about gun rights is out of line.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:08 pm:
If anything, I would favor allowing certain positions to politic on State time. For example, the Governor’s Chief of Staff.
- Kathryn - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:09 pm:
Bourne yesterday is a Rauner bobblehead. Last time I checked Rauner had given her 2 million for her campaign. Not a bad haul for a college kid. She doesn’t represent or care about the working people in this district. Votes “present” on the important issues.
- Todd - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 6:17 pm:
did we repeal the First Amendment?
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 7:09 pm:
Like this …
http://wlds.com/news/benton-disciplined-for-wearing-police-uni-in-campaign-literature/
I remember being criticized on this blog by commenters when I called BS on Benton for doing this at the time. Wasn’t right then not right now. He should have been made to take a leave of absence when he announced.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 10:29 pm:
….federal ethics rules….that one cracks old Blue up.
- x ace - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 6:56 am:
Drove through Vandalia 10/19
Big Illinois Dept Of Natural Resources sign with Political signs appearing to be in same yard .
Just saw in passing , but caused surprise .
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 7:21 am:
Males sense to me, but so does term limits.
- downstater - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Sam McCann is just jealous that he wasn’t appointed to a six figure state job. Maybe then he could actually pay the long long of creditors that he owes.