NEW: Sentencing for ex-state Sen. Terry Link to be delayed until after his testimony at the bribery trial of Jim Weiss, son-in-law of ex-Democratic boss Joe Berrios and husband of ex-state Rep. Toni Berrios, who allegedly conspired with ex-state Rep. Luis Arroyo…ahhh forget it
“Sounds like all the rank and file state employees are due for more ethics training.”
I can remember the start of many of these programs. Usually after some big name went to jail. It’s probably necessary, but I can’t get past the fact that it almost never really applies to the thousands who have to do the work year in and year out. They’re by and large not the problem. Yet these guy who do this cause ever increasing admin time.
==Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.==
Ethics “reform” legislation wouldn’t have stopped any of this. You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior out of someone. But of course you knew that. You just wanted to whine about something (again).
In an earlier part of my career, I worked on software that, in part, tracked relationships between people and entities. So like Bob worked for X and Ted worked for X, sometimes I think it would be very useful for tracking politics (as well as federal cases)
=These trials of corrupt Illinois Democrats will be stacking up like flapjacks this Spring.
Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.=
Your former president was impeached twice and facing infinite indictment possibilities. Do you think “ethics training” would have fixed that as well?
Others have posted on this, ethics laws won’t do a lick about criminals. You can try and use it a cudgel against the other party. Based on the election results, it doesn’t seem to prevail over the ilgop grievance platform.
===wouldn’t have stopped any of this. You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior===
“Forget it, he’s rolling”
The ethical issues where families have an alleged criminal streak to their choices of handling things is a bit disappointing, but not necessarily surprising
==Employees should begin taking the ethics training at least once a week.==
Because its the bureaucrats being bribed, right? Please tell me the last time a rank and file state, county or municipal employee was arrested for unethical behavior.
====You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior out of someone.====
I agree. I also think the required ethics training is only useful to help spell out where there might be a question of whether something is ok or wrong to do. Such as when you can accept gifts or lunch, etc. Or where the line is on sexual harassment. And even though where that line is will be obvious to most of us it at least it makes it harder to use the defense that you didn’t know. And obviously these cases go beyond minor ethics violations.
How many of these same public officials would have been reelected if their names were on the ballot on November 8th? I believe that Toni Berrios was the only one who was retired by the voters. The others left office due to Federal prosecutors.
@vern - it’s evidence that good old fashioned bribery statutes is all the DOJ ever needed in the first place.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:46 am:
There are always going to be people who skirt the rules and the law. Ethics reform will expose some but the real deterrent is going to prison. But realistically, people will still try. That is why even if people feel strongly about a particular ideology, the quality and decency of the candidate should be just as big a factor when going to the voting booth. We obviously don’t do that enough in Illinois.
==Ethics laws don’t do a lick about criminals but gun laws do?==
Please explain how ethics laws would have prevented any of this. The laws in place are working. They are being prosecuted. Gun laws work that way too. The fact that you would even try to state something like that really reinforces that fact that you really aren’t to be taken seriously about anything.
Low level
“Because it’s the bureaucrats being bribed, right? Please tell me the last time a rank and file state, county or municipal employee was arrested for unethical behavior.”
Just keep in mind you felt the President shouldn’t have been impeached. Look back at only that for starters.
To the post,
The criminality of “She-Caw-Go” or Illinois, for me… Chicago is a “big small town”, and the thought of smaller thinking outside Chicago being the 3rd largest city, for me to be clear, it’s a bunch of neighborhood grifting with not so smart folks doing petty things… in small minded ways.
The context of the corruption seemingly falls into “someone knew a guy who could do the thing for the right price”… or flat out extortion because “who ya gonna call, I’m the only way this gets done”
Sen’s Sandoval, Link and Tom Cullerton. the main issue is to make sure they will not be getting a pension as their actions were a direct result of their time at the state house.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 9:52 am:
These trials of corrupt Illinois Democrats will be stacking up like flapjacks this Spring.
Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.
- Grimlock - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:04 am:
Sounds like all the rank and file state employees are due for more ethics training.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:07 am:
Grimlock- yes indeed. Employees should begin taking the ethics training at least once a week.
- Homebody - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:08 am:
I’m always most impressed by how relatively small the amounts of money are in these cases. These guys are often turning pretty cheap tricks.
- vern - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:11 am:
===Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation===
If all these people get caught, charged, and convicted, isn’t that evidence that we have the necessary laws in place?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:12 am:
=== Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.===
… says the guy who will complain if/when there *is* legislation it’s “not enough”
I’m glad - LP - is around this week especially… it gets me ready for my in-law uncle, when my favorite aunt can’t save me
- ddp76 - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:15 am:
“Sounds like all the rank and file state employees are due for more ethics training.”
I can remember the start of many of these programs. Usually after some big name went to jail. It’s probably necessary, but I can’t get past the fact that it almost never really applies to the thousands who have to do the work year in and year out. They’re by and large not the problem. Yet these guy who do this cause ever increasing admin time.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:29 am:
==Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.==
Ethics “reform” legislation wouldn’t have stopped any of this. You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior out of someone. But of course you knew that. You just wanted to whine about something (again).
- The Doc - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:31 am:
LOL Lucky Pierre. Every post is basically a crying Michael Jordan meme.
The chain link fence of corrupted IL officials is pathetic and worthy of unlimited scorn.
But isn’t this also evidence the “system” is working? They’re being arrested, indicted, and (mostly) pleading guilty.
Apologies for the Optimistic Monday(tm) post
- OneMan - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:35 am:
In an earlier part of my career, I worked on software that, in part, tracked relationships between people and entities. So like Bob worked for X and Ted worked for X, sometimes I think it would be very useful for tracking politics (as well as federal cases)
- JS Mill - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:42 am:
=These trials of corrupt Illinois Democrats will be stacking up like flapjacks this Spring.
Of course we won’t see any ethics reform legislation.=
Your former president was impeached twice and facing infinite indictment possibilities. Do you think “ethics training” would have fixed that as well?
Others have posted on this, ethics laws won’t do a lick about criminals. You can try and use it a cudgel against the other party. Based on the election results, it doesn’t seem to prevail over the ilgop grievance platform.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:44 am:
===wouldn’t have stopped any of this. You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior===
“Forget it, he’s rolling”
The ethical issues where families have an alleged criminal streak to their choices of handling things is a bit disappointing, but not necessarily surprising
- low level - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 10:49 am:
==Employees should begin taking the ethics training at least once a week.==
Because its the bureaucrats being bribed, right? Please tell me the last time a rank and file state, county or municipal employee was arrested for unethical behavior.
- Been There - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:12 am:
====You can’t “ethics reform” criminal behavior out of someone.====
I agree. I also think the required ethics training is only useful to help spell out where there might be a question of whether something is ok or wrong to do. Such as when you can accept gifts or lunch, etc. Or where the line is on sexual harassment. And even though where that line is will be obvious to most of us it at least it makes it harder to use the defense that you didn’t know. And obviously these cases go beyond minor ethics violations.
- Gravitas - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:20 am:
How many of these same public officials would have been reelected if their names were on the ballot on November 8th? I believe that Toni Berrios was the only one who was retired by the voters. The others left office due to Federal prosecutors.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:22 am:
It’s only a “bit disappointing”?
But isn’t this also evidence the “system” is working?
Apparently the dragnet is especially effective for politicians in their late 70’s who served for 50 years like Mike Madigan and Ed Burke
My former President? I think he was the President of the entire country
Ethics laws don’t do a lick about criminals but gun laws do?
- Brutally honest I think... - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:28 am:
Luis “Cheap Tricks” Arroyo,
“Fast” Marty Sandoval,
“Slippery” Danny Solis.
The Yesteryear of Latino Politics.
The New Era, has begun.
- Stifled - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:32 am:
@vern - it’s evidence that good old fashioned bribery statutes is all the DOJ ever needed in the first place.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:46 am:
There are always going to be people who skirt the rules and the law. Ethics reform will expose some but the real deterrent is going to prison. But realistically, people will still try. That is why even if people feel strongly about a particular ideology, the quality and decency of the candidate should be just as big a factor when going to the voting booth. We obviously don’t do that enough in Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 11:55 am:
=== My former President?===
You supported him all the way through, including egging on an insurrection. I can pull those comments up.
Your beef is with the DOJ, since 1971…?
If it’s more than a bit disappointing for you, it’s quite pathetic you stay in such a state test disappoints you so… lol
- CT Guy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:01 pm:
Ahh yes, the ‘Mad Libs’ that is Illinois nepotism and corruption.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:03 pm:
==Ethics laws don’t do a lick about criminals but gun laws do?==
Please explain how ethics laws would have prevented any of this. The laws in place are working. They are being prosecuted. Gun laws work that way too. The fact that you would even try to state something like that really reinforces that fact that you really aren’t to be taken seriously about anything.
- Keyrock - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:03 pm:
Low level
“Because it’s the bureaucrats being bribed, right? Please tell me the last time a rank and file state, county or municipal employee was arrested for unethical behavior.”
You mean like this guilty plea two months ago at the Board of Review?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-cook-county-property-tax-bribery-plea-20220916-iqjnklefwbfb7dbhijytolczwi-story.html
Or this one in August from the Assessor’s office?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-cook-county-assessors-office-employee-bribes-guilty-plea-20220804-2erazmh7ynf2jgz6zd6fzeqyke-story.html
Sadly, there’s a constant stream of these cases.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:04 pm:
Yes please pull the comments up where I supported Trump and the insurrection and stop your slander.
Have you memorized Rules for Radicals?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:10 pm:
===Have you memorized Rules for Radicals?===
I’m betting he hasn’t, but I’m also betting you have. And your schtick is old.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:16 pm:
=== Yes please pull the comments===
Just keep in mind you felt the President shouldn’t have been impeached. Look back at only that for starters.
To the post,
The criminality of “She-Caw-Go” or Illinois, for me… Chicago is a “big small town”, and the thought of smaller thinking outside Chicago being the 3rd largest city, for me to be clear, it’s a bunch of neighborhood grifting with not so smart folks doing petty things… in small minded ways.
The context of the corruption seemingly falls into “someone knew a guy who could do the thing for the right price”… or flat out extortion because “who ya gonna call, I’m the only way this gets done”
Small, petty crime, thinking.
- Huh? - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:46 pm:
More ethics laws won’t stop someone who is intent on breaking the law. As we can see, people are willing to accept relatively small bribes.
Where were the personal morals and responsibility to their oaths of office when they were thinking of accepting the bribe?
The laws of the State mean nothing when personal morals are lax.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 12:47 pm:
==stop your slander==
Awww, did your fee fees get hurt? lol
LP - I would really suggest you try and be honest just once in a conversation you have on here. Just. Once. It would be refreshing.
- Juvenal - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 1:45 pm:
What ethics legislation would you suggest, LP, honestly?
- Just curious - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 3:46 pm:
Sen’s Sandoval, Link and Tom Cullerton. the main issue is to make sure they will not be getting a pension as their actions were a direct result of their time at the state house.
- Lurker - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 5:13 pm:
I’m relieved this State is turning more blue. Otherwise I’d be worried we would run out of ones out of prison in the near future.
- low level - Monday, Nov 21, 22 @ 5:30 pm:
==Sadly, there’s a constant stream of these cases.==
You found two. Compare that to the number of elected officials being pinched.