34 Comments - Retired Educator - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:41 am: The Blagojevich sentence was excessive in my opinion, so I would be ok with commuting the sentence. The accusations was a total train wreck, and I don’t believe anything the accuser said. The legislature did their job, and I applaud their efforts. - Me Again - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:49 am: Blagojevich needs to serve his full sentence. He tried to undermine our Democracy. - Roman - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:51 am: Three candidates for Top Ten political stories of the year all happened in one day. - wordslinger - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:54 am: Very strange, indeed, that the budget story was lost in all the weirdness. In Rauner’s fourth year, an overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators basically froze him out and passed a very specific budget that greatly limits his executive discretion in spending money. Rauner is not Big Heat any longer among GA Republicans. That’s big news. - 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:55 am: Meh, exhausting? yes. Weird? Seemed like a normal May day in springfield. - BigLou - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:57 am: Not sure if I heard it correctly on the TV last night but is part of this balanced budget predicated on the sale of the Thompson Center? If so what’s the likely hood of that money actually coming in this year. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:59 am: I wonder if Rauner will have a press availability for his signing of a budget, passed 153-20, with no imput by him, no lobbying or cheerleading by him, and by his signature, he, Bruce Rauner will authorized the spending of revenue, including the 32% tax increase that was needed to balance this budget… certifying and validating the “Madigan Tax” that Rauner said was too high… but is needed, every penny of it, to balance. Can I get one of the pens? - Cubs in '16 - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:03 am: Word and Willy both hit on what I believe is the biggest takeaway from all of this–that Rauner is no longer relevant to the legislative process. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:04 am: Last year’s tax hike and Rauner not pushin’ nonbudget demands, attackin’ Madigan on TV and blowin’ up compromise made things so much better. Bipartisanship was beautiful and greatly appreciated. Yesterday the GA passed a great bill, to expand MMJ to those who would need opioids. There is no comparison as to which drug is more harmful, and no reason to veto or not override this. - Anonymous - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:09 am: Rauner: “And you know what? I told you I was t in charge, and I proved it”. - the Patriot - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:10 am: We were reminded once more why IL politics doesn’t get national coverage despite the drama. It’s just not believable. I especially appreciate Trump icing the cake with Rod. What could possibly be better in an election where another $100 million will be spent before November than releasing Rod back into the wild. Its like the last 10 laps of a restrictor plate race that’s going to last 5 months. - Leatherneck - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:15 am: - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 9:59 am: I wonder if Rauner will have a press availability for his signing of a budget, passed 153-20, [ . . .] And Drury was among the 153 in favor? WWFHD–What Would Franks Have Done? Weird day yesterday indeed. - LakeviewJ - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:21 am: No, Leatherneck, the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:21 am: ===What Would Franks Have Done?=== Franks? He would’ve got up to speak to the bill(s), wringing hands, and looking for cameras… and railed on the budget itself… then lauded the bipartisanship… then railed on on the lack of input not allowed… then praised the budgeteers… then “reluctantly” come to be for it, but “so much more needs to be done”… then dramatically end his time… … … and he’d be “Green” like 150+ of his colleagues. He’s Jack (bleepin) Franks (exclamation mark) - 47th Ward - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:28 am: ===the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday.=== He must have lost track of time. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:30 am: === ===the gentleman from Highwood did not see fit to attend session yesterday.=== He must have lost track of time.=== Setting the bar high today, are we - 47th Ward -? That’s tasty. - Father Ted - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:34 am: It is indeed a shame that on-time passage of a balanced, bipartisan budget was lost amongst everything else. It’s also a shame that on-time passage of a balanced, bipartisan budget- in other words, what’s *supposed* to happen- is an extraordinary, newsworthy event. - VanillaMan - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:34 am: Yesterday- 1.) ILGOP confirmed Rauner’s lame duck status. 2.) “#metoo” is becoming “#meisoutofcredibility” 3.) The President knows how to shake up Illinois - Ron Burgundy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:36 am: –He must have lost track of time.– Weird. Just had his clock cleaned a couple months ago. - Been There - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:51 am: ===Rauner is not Big Heat any longer among GA Republicans. That’s big news.==== It was great to see Durkin step up. I just wish he did it 2 years ago. - Stooges - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 10:58 am: I’m still trying to figure out how it costs $53 million to fix the plumbing at the Quincy Vet’s home. And they asked for over $200 million? Couldn’t they build something brand new for a few million? - Anonymous - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:05 am: Since Blago has shown no remorse, he should stay in prison. - Perrid - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:10 am: Stooges - they were planning on building some new buildings with the 200+ million, maybe still are planning to do it. Still seems very inflated to me but whatevs. - Been There - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:16 am: ===I’m still trying to figure out how it costs $53 million to fix the plumbing at the Quincy Vet’s home. And they asked for over $200 million? Couldn’t they build something brand new for a few million? === Me too. I posted something a few weeks ago that did some basic cost estimating for new construction and it was tops around $50 mil. And that was using Chicago area prices for nursing home construction. I just don’t get it. - nonBeliever - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:21 am: Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this- assuming that the report is true? - Demoralized - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:25 am: ==Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this== Why does Trump do 3/4 of the things he does? If you’ll recall Patti Blagojevich went on Fox to appeal to Trump. That’s where Trump gets his info. There’s your answer. - A guy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:40 am: ==WWFHD–What Would Franks Have Done?== Little. Potentially changed the outcome by 1. So; the usual. - A guy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:42 am: This whole session has spent a lot of time reducing “Enhanced Sentences”. Loathe Rod and what he did. But his sentence was beyond enhanced. Hope he gets commuted. Bigger hope; he moves. - RNUG - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:44 am: == passed a very specific budget that greatly limits his executive discretion in spending money. == Given the broad powers of an Illinois Governor, that is saying something. - wordslinger - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:48 am: –Why would Trump even consider involving himself in this- assuming that the report is true?– Assuming it’s true? Is Trump not a credible source on Trump? He’s showing his peeps caught up in the Russia counter-intelligence investigation that he’s willing to use his pardon powers for those treated “unfairly” by the Justice Department and FBI. So, be cool. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 11:51 am: ===Bigger hope; he moves.=== Yeah, me too. I live close to his house, and the TV trucks were double parked again out front again yesterday, as usual. I am almost certain President Trump will commute his sentence. And I think I’m in the minority here when I say I think his sentence was just. Unlike George Ryan, who didn’t take the stand, Rod did. And it’s pretty clear he lied under oath. Not only that, but at every opportunity, despite warnings from Judge Zagel, Rod showed open contempt for the court and the process. Even after several of the charges were tossed out on appeal, his sentence was re-affirmed after careful review. I Knew Rod and I lived through his rise and fall, and saw some of it up close. Rod Blagojevich got what he deserved and only has himself to blame. - Thomas Paine - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:03 pm: Those Blagojevich tapes kinda lose any usefulness in campaign ads if Blagojevich is released. Can’t really go after Pritzker if Trump is saying Blago was railroaded. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:06 pm: ===Can’t really go after Pritzker if Trump is saying Blago was railroaded.=== Further… Rauner can’t attack Trump for doing it. Rauner won’t even say Trump, can you imagine Trump commuting Rod… Rauner would then go after Trump? Hmm. - Ron Burgundy - Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:18 pm: –Those Blagojevich tapes kinda lose any usefulness in campaign ads if Blagojevich is released.– Maybe, but he’s most likely still be a felon and there’s always the wildcard of “Blago LIVE!” He might issue an off-the-cuff endorsement or something even if JB’s camp were to politely say “don’t help.” Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.