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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 10:12 am - The House has adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9. There’s not much to do in that chamber while they wait around to make sure the Senate passes the one-month budget on Friday. The Senate convenes today at noon.

* 10:16 am - A leaders meeting is set for today, but an actual time has not yet been set. The topic of discussion will reportedly be potential new revenue sources, but some of the leaders haven’t even been told that.

There was no leaders meeting yesterday.

* 10:25 am - New census numbers are out, based on a July 1, 2006 count…

Springfield 116,482, up from 111,454 in 2000
Peoria 113,107, up from 112,936 in 2000
Chicago 2,833,321, down from 2,896,016 in 2000
Rockford 155,138, up from 150,115 in 2000
Naperville 142,0901, up from 128,358 in 2000
Aurora 170,617, up from 142,990 in 2000

* 10:53 am - AP: Census shows Joliet is fastest-growing city in Illinois

* 11:16 am - The US Supreme Court’s ruling today rejecting “public school assignment plans that take account of students’ race” can be downloaded here. (From: IP)

* 11:21 am - I’d like to take a brief moment to wish two people well.

* Chicago Sun-Times editoral page editor Steve Huntley has been a great editor - meaning he approved all my column ideas and never touched my copy. Huntley told me yesterday that he’s starting a new job at the paper as a full-time columnist, and he sounded truly excited about the opportunity. He’s been the edit page editor for ten years, so he wanted a change. He’s being replaced by books editor Cheryl Reed.

* Peoria Journal-Star political reporter/columnist Molly Parker is moving on to a new job in Charleston, South Carolina. I’ve known Molly since she was a PAR intern at the Statehouse, and she has become a pal. If you’re near Peoria, there’s a party for her next Friday starting at 5:30 at Seven on Prospect in Peoria Heights.

Good luck to both!

* 12:15 pm - The leaders meeting has been called off and rescheduled for tomorrow.

* 12:19 pm - The Senate is convening. The minister giving the prayer has asked members to put aside “personal and political opinions.” One can only hope he has a direct line to the Big Guy.

* 12:24 pm - Senate President Emil Jones is in the chair, which is a bit unusual. You can listen or watch here.

* 12:49 pm - The Senate has recessed to the call of the chair. There will be some floor action later, including moving the one-month budget from 2nd Reading to 3rd Reading so it can be voted on tomorrow.

Rockford, by the way, finally got its veto override vote. Background here.

* 12:51 pm - If you’re following today’s US Supreme Court case on school integration, the Wall Street Journal’s blog has a very good rundown.

* 1:38 pm - Word is, the leaders meeting will be held tomorrow at 11:30.

* 1:46 pm - Larry, aka ArchPundit, writes that the Wall Street Journal blog misses a key point…

The writer claims that Kennedy allows for race as a factor–he specifically says it cannot be a factor, but that other strategies may be pursued that produce diversity. That’s a huge difference and has very bad impacts on settled cases. I don’t think many of the writers have ever looked at a settlement agreement for a deseg case, but they almost always include race as a factor for several of the programs. This ruling
seems to invalidate all of those programs. It’s incredibly sweeping if Kennedy sticks by his decision.

Larry’s doing a lot of posts today on this subject, so head on over there for more.

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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

From Sneed’s column…

A top associate of Gov. Blagojevich claims the controversial governor, who seems to run against the wind, thinks he is President Andrew Jackson — who also went against the grain.

Compare Gov. Blagojevich to other presidents in American history. Explain your rationale.

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The never-ending mess *** Updated x1 ***

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The one-month budget passed the House yesterday and will likely clear the Senate on Friday. Expectations are extremely low at the Statehouse for wrapping up this overtime session anytime soon. There’s word from inside the governor’s office that he’s prepared to do the one-month deals until January, or until he gets what he wants for health care.

* I particularly liked this paragraph…

After 45 minutes of political sniping under the guise of debating the bill, the House voted 111-3 to adopt the interim budget.

Exactly.

* But there’s a big hitch to simply extending the current fiscal year’s budget one month at a time…

Rep. Bill Black, a Danville Republican, said the next pressure point is August, when the state has to make its first payments of fiscal year ’08 to elementary and secondary education systems. He said he and other Republicans would approve the one-month budget as a stopgap measure to keep the state operating through July, but he added, “Don’t count on it in August.”

* There is no school aid payment in July (there are two in June), but future monthly aid payments will either require more revenue sources, or force the state to draw on cash that would normally be spent at the end of next fiscal year, putting the FY ‘08 budget in an ever-deeper hole. And there’s something else that will put the state further into a hole…

The budget does not include additional money for employee salaries, even though union workers are scheduled to get raises beginning July 1. Hannig said the raises will be honored anyway.

“Under any circumstances, the governor is obligated to pay the contract he entered into on behalf of the state,” Hannig said. “We think for this one month, he’ll be able to make the payments to his employees as provided for in the contract.”

* Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), who rarely votes for budget bills and never votes for tax hikes, managed a bit of showboating yesterday…

State Rep. Jack Franks, a Woodstock Democrat, opposed the fix, saying it took the pressure off lawmakers when a long-term solution is needed.

“We were elected to make tough choices,” Franks said.

Yeah. Like he’d vote for it.

* Meanwhile, Franks’ committee unanimously approved a resolution yesterday that calls on the governor to stay in Springfield during the overtime session. Franks is a longtime Blagojevich critic, so the vote gave him another opportunity to seek the spotlight…

“We’re just encouraging him - we’re not requiring him,” said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, who chairs the House State Government Administration Committee.

Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Coal City, said the state constitution would not allow the Legislature to demand that the governor stay in Springfield, although it does require that all statewide-elected officials maintain residences in the capital city.

* And Franks is thinking about introducing yet another resolution…

Before the resolution passed, 8-0, Franks said he intends to sponsor another resolution to recommend that the state reimburse the governor for only one trip to and from Springfield each week, the same rule that applies to state lawmakers.

“I believe he should either have to pay out of his own personal account or his campaign account, and I certainly think he should get a 1099 (tax form) from the state of Illinois as a personal benefit that he’s received,” Franks said. Exceptions could be made for state emergencies, he said.

The resolution that cleared Franks’ committee yesterday can be found here.

* Related stories…

* Illinois House approves temporary budget

* House approves temporary budget

* State House OKs 30 day emergency budget plan

* House OKs stopgap budget, Senate expected to agree

* Editorial: 30-day Band Aid needed to keep state from bleeding

* Editorial: If gaming plan is resurrected, make it fair this time

*** UPDATE *** An e-mail from the Comptroller’s office…

Just a note of clarification:

There are 2 school aid payments in June — made on the 10th and 20th of the month. (total $342 million)

There are July school aid payments, but typically they are moved up, and have been again this year. That double payment of $342 million was issued on Monday, 6/25.
In addition, we paid out all the categoricals, typically paid in July, at the end of last week and earlier this week.

The next school aid payment is due Aug. 10th, and it will require a few days processing, so if there is no budget agreement by earlier that week, payments will not be able to move forward.

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Two versions of reality

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Was it the “bounty” or something else that did in Gary Skoien yesterday? What follows are two different versions of the same Metra board meeting. It’s a good lesson in how the “media filter” operates.

* First, the Tribune story, entitled “‘Bounty’ remark stalls politician’s bid for Metra board - Democrats dig in heels on nomination”…

After Gary Skoien, the former chairman of the Cook County Republican Party, offered a $10,000 “bounty” for the arrest and conviction of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley two years ago, he was fired from his real estate job. On Wednesday, the political gaffe may have cost him a bid to become a member of Metra’s board.

Suburban Cook County commissioners had no trouble reappointing two Metra board members, Arlene Mulder of Arlington Heights and James Dodge of Orland Park, but the commissioners split bitterly over Skoien’s nomination, leaving its fate uncertain. […]

Republican Commissioner Peter Silvestri of Elmwood Park, whose district includes portions of Chicago’s Northwest Side, where Daley is popular, moved Wednesday to approve Mulder and Dodge, but deferred action onSkoien’s nomination until the commissioners meet again.

Silvestri acknowledged that the “bounty” comment still rankled some officials, but said it was up to Skoien whether to offer an apology.

* But is that what really happened, or did the Trib impose its own version of reality on the situation? There were other things going on at the Metra board that the Trib missed. The Daily Southtown’s report follows…

In a short but snippy meeting that included south suburban allies hurling accusations at each other, the Cook County Board’s suburban caucus chose to defer its choice on one of three seats on the Metra board.

Support was split between Metra director Elonzo Hill, of Country Club Hills, and former Cook County Republican chairman Gary Skoien, of Palatine. Neither had a majority of votes.

Commissioners Deb Sims (D-Chicago) and Joan Murphy (D-Crestwood) accused chairwoman Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R-Orland Park) of trying to cut Democrats out of the process so she could retaliate against Hill. Gorman said Hill didn’t back her choice for leader of the Metra board last year.

“To not appoint someone because they didn’t do what the chair (Gorman) wanted sends a very poor message to any appointment we make,” Murphy said. “It may be an abuse of power.”

* The back story, from yesterday’s Southtown editorial page…

Gorman said she is taking the action because Hill did not support Orland Park Trustee James Dodge, a current board member, for the board presidency last year. Hill supported Carole Doris, of Downers Grove, who won the election. “He could not support someone in his own back yard,” Gorman said of Hill.

But there’s a flaw in Gorman’s argument. She is looking beyond her back yard for Hill’s replacement. If she wants Hill out because of the Dodge issue, we can understand the politics involved. But if Hill is replaced, he should be replaced by someone from the Southland. There are many capable individuals who could represent the area on the Metra board. Instead, a northwest suburbanite appears poised to get the seat in a move that is most political.

Gorman replaced Skoien as the Cook County Republican chairman earlier this year, after Skoien resigned. Before that, as the GOP continued to wither away in Cook County under Skoien’s tutelage, Skoien made headlines with a hokey political stunt: He offered a $10,000 bounty for information leading to a conviction of Mayor Richard Daley. There is little that leads us to believe he will make an effective Metra board member — let alone one who will put the interests of the Southland high on his agenda.

Analysis?

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Chicago’s coming “Ameren” crisis

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As the deadline approaches for mass transit service cuts and fare increases, Chicago and suburban legislators are getting more and more calls from frantic constituents who are wondering how they’ll get to work. A million and a half people ride the CTA every day and lots more depend on the RTA and PACE. Needless to say, the panic levels are rising in legislative circles as more and more constituents become convinced that they hold the keys to solving this pending crisis.

Without a solution, the mass transit situation has the potential to be every bit as politically explosive for Chicago-area legislators as the Ameren rate hikes have been for Downstaters. So, while yesterday’s CTA union agreement is welcome news, it puts additional pressure on the Statehouse to come up with a real funding solution.

The agreement calls for 10,200 employees represented by 17 unions to receive 3 percent pay raises during the first three years and 3.5 percent in the final two years. The CTA has also agreed to double its pension fund contribution — from 6 percent of payroll to 12 percent to satisfy the Legislature’s demand that a pension fund now 34 percent funded reach 90 percent by 2059.

In exchange for those pay raises and a no-layoff clause, active employees will contribute 3 percent toward retiree health care and double — from 3 percent to 6 percent — their pension contribution.

Employees hired after Jan. 1, 2008, would become eligible for a full pension at age 64 instead of 55.

Illinois’ auditor general would be represented on an 11-member “pension reform trust” and on a seven-member health care trust that would sustain itself through investments and contributions so the CTA could wash its hands of the headache.

The bottom line for CTA unions is an agreement that would force bus drivers and motormen to lose money during the first year, break even in the second and finally start making money in the third year.

* And it turns out that the CTA needs far more money than previously believed…

It had been believed the CTA would need $100 million or $125 million next year to avert a crisis, but CTA President Ron Huberman on Wednesday put the figure at about $200 million to cover health-care and pension expenses and other operating-cost increases.

* Mayor Daley tossed the ball in Springfield’s court yesterday…

“Now it’s time for the governor and the General Assembly to follow through.”

* The governor supports giving the CTA $100 million, which it now turns out will only meet half the need.

The problem with Blagojevich’s plan is that it uses precious state dollars and would only send cash to the CTA, while mass transit advocates are pushing a proposal that would impose a tiny quarter percent sales tax in the areas served by the CTA and the RTA and a real estate transfer tax in Chicago. That proposal would generate far more money over many more years and would help solve the system’s structural problems. But Blagojevich has promised to veto the legislation if it ever reaches his desk…

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) said she doesn’t want to see the proposal for a quarter-cent increase in the regional sales tax called for a vote unless legislative leaders can persuade Blagojevich to not veto it.

“People are not going to want to be on the line for the bill if it isn’t going to happen,” Currie said.

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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Morning Shorts

Thursday, Jun 28, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Will Co. upset at money budgeted for airport group

* Senate doesn’t vote on electric rates

* Froehlich endures a bit of ribbing upon return

* Democrats welcome Froehlich

* Animal Farm: Froehlich faces the music

* Editorial: Message in controversial Obama praise

* Illinoize: Remembering Terry Parke

* State fire marshal still has his job despite DUI arrest

* Indiana toll discounts cause I-Pass headaches; more here

* New law allows HIV tests with just spoken consent; more here and here

* Sun-Times Editorial: Response to false radio alert shows need for new system

In the future, maybe iPods could be equipped to receive emergency signals. Well, maybe not: Americans are naturally suspicious of having their personal devices tooled by the government. But as witnessed by Tuesday’s response, a radio-based warning may well have gone the way of “Duck and cover.”

* Tribune Editorial: A well deserved chicken dance on school scores

* City slow to roll out program to prevent payroll fraud

* Senate President Jones to Rockford: What override?

* Rockford mayor to try again to get tax collection vote

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This just in…

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 1:35 pm - The Senate just recessed, but there will be no further floor action until tomorrow. So, Senate President Emil Jones’ threat to call the rate freeze bill today was either another hollow gesture, or the negotiations have made significant progress. Both parties are caucusing now.

* 2:25 pm - Looks like the unions and the CTA have reached a deal. Details will be announced later today. Management was looking for give-backs on pensions and health insurance.

* 2:28 pm - It’s pretty brief, but if you want to see the House Democratic analysis of the one-month budget proposal, which was discussed in committee today and will likely be voted on by the full House later this afternoon, click here.

* 2:34 pm - A possible GOP opponent already for Repub-turned-Dem state Rep. Paul Froehlich?

[Hoffman Estates resident Aaron Muller] said he has been planning to run for several months. “I’ve been kind of feeling it out, trying to align myself in the right circles and seeing what would develop as things came along.” […]

Muller, who owns Barrington Resale, a used furniture store in Lake Barrington, has never held political office. He said he has been involved in charitable work, providing furniture to the needy.

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Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day *** Updated x1 ***

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Before we begin, I’ve narrowed yesterday’s caption contest down to two entrants, although there were lots and lots of funny ones. So, would “Not So Fast” (”Yeah, Sis, walking on water was pretty cool, but did he make an airport disappear overnight?”) and Austin Mayor (“A spokesman said that no one in the mayor’s office knew that Sister Mary-Elephant did not actually own and operate the Roman Catholic Church when the City awarded the Vatican a multi-million dollar contract earmarked for women- and minority-owned businesses.”) please get in touch with me? I’ll buy each of you something from our charity project site. Your choice.

——————————————-

Now, on to the question, which has a summertime flavor: Should the state require motorcycle riders to wear helmets? Explain.

*** UPDATE *** The commenter “Not So Fast” has asked, Stevie Wonder-like, that his/her award be given instead to “Bue,” whose entry “Mayor Daley introduces Stage 1 of the White Sox restructuring plan” was also one of my faves. So, Bue, reach out to me and I’ll get you some victory swag.

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Ground him?

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rep. Bill Mitchell has found an almost perfect press release vehicle…

Like Dad taking the car keys away from a troublesome teenager, a lawmaker wants to ground Gov. Rod Blagojevich for not finishing the state budget.

Rep. Bill Mitchell is proposing banning the governor and legislative leaders from flying on state aircraft if they if they haven’t agreed on a budget by the May 31 deadline — as happened last month.

* This is a very big state, so I don’t agree with the particular legislation in question. The governor ought to be able to get around quickly. But Mitchell’s timing was solid and it seemed to strike a nerve at Blagojevich HQ…

The governor’s office has refused to respond to questions about the matter. But spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in an e-mail Tuesday, “Rep. Mitchell should focus his energy on doing something constructive to move the budget forward instead of on state officials’ transportation.”

* Speaking of “Air Rod,” I’ve been thinking about putting this cartoon on a t-shirt as part of our charity project. Perhaps you can come up with a suitable caption in comments today…

* More budget-related stories, compiled by Paul…

* Illinois officials hope to pass temporary budget this week

* Illinios eyes temporary budget

* Stopgap budget set to be approved by Madigan’s House

* Agreement will keep Illinois operating until the end of July

* Carson and Williams-Harris: One month budget by Friday

* Editorial: Tricks usually not cheap when legislature involved

* Cindy Richards: Quit the petty sniping and pass the budget

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Reform and Renewal - Illegal plot to pack elections board abandoned

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I haven’t given this story nearly the attention it deserves. Here it is in a nutshell…

Blagojevich filed four temporary Board of Elections appointments with the secretary of state last month, to become permanent upon Senate approval… Permanent appointments to the board must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate, meaning Republican support would be needed for them to pass. Temporary appointments don’t need immediate Senate approval.

[Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson] has alleged that Blagojevich is attempting to “skirt” state law by inserting people onto the board without Senate approval and that early primary elections in Illinois make the issue more timely

* Here are the four people the governor tried to appoint to temporary board slots, with potentially problem areas highlighted by myself…

- Bruce Meckler, a Democrat whose Chicago law firm has contributed $127,000 to the governor’s campaign fund. Meckler’s firm has done more than $550,000 in business with the state in the past two years.

- Mary K. Penn of Bloomington, whose husband, John Penn, is chairman of the McLean County Democratic Party and is a prominent official with the Laborers’ International Union, which has contributed more than $1.3 million to Blagojevich’s campaign fund.

- Nicholas Grapsas of Palatine, an attorney who is a partner in the Chicago law firm of Quinlan & Carroll. The firm is chaired by the father of the governor’s chief legal counsel, William Quinlan. Blagojevich nominated Grapsas as a Republican.

- Keith Fruehling, a Republican attorney from Champaign County.

* So, how was Blagojevich able to make temporary appointments?

State statute requires that the Senate confirm all new nominees to the Board of Elections before any of them can take office. However, the state constitution allows governors to make temporary appointments to fill state board vacancies when the Legislature is in recess.

* But there was a problem with the move…

The office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued an advisory letter last week that called Blagojevich’s temporary appointments “nullities” because the vacancies they attempted to fill had not yet been created and the Senate still is in session.

* Yesterday, the governor backed down…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich backed down Tuesday from a controversial bid to remake the state’s election board. […]

“I’m pleased that was worked out,” Watson said after a meeting with the governor.

Watson credited Madigan’s five-page opinion as being a key to getting Blagojevich to reverse course.

“I think he’s got enough on his plate right now without having to deal with that problem,” said Watson.

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Is Dillard treasonous? “No,” says Tribune

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Tribune’s editorial board thinks that Sen. Kirk Dillard’s TV ad for Barack Obama is a peachy keen…

Treason? Hardly. Dillard has responded like a real person, someone whose admiration for a colleague isn’t predicated on an R or a D.

* Dillard told the edit board that his phone was ringing off the hook…

“The ultra-right committeemen called and expressed their disappointment yesterday and today,” Dillard said. “They’re calling right now, thanks to agitators out there who spanked these guys into a frenzy.”

* Today’s Senate GOP caucus should be interesting. Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson wants Dillard, a member of Watson’s leadership team, to explain himself to his fellow Republicans…

Watson… called on Dillard, a Senate Republican whip from Hinsdale, to “address why he did this and the ramifications of it” in a meeting with the Senate GOP lawmakers Wednesday.

“He is a leader in the Republican Party, and I think maybe that’s a step beyond where he should have gone,” Watson said.

* But Dillard was defiant, and claimed that the ad was no big deal and said “My caucus should thank me” for all the publicity…

“The bigger message being sent is that we know how to cooperate, and the current crop of Democrats needs to have an infusion of Republican input because it’s just gridlock and economic chaos coming out of Springfield,” said Dillard, a supporter of GOP presidential contender John McCain of Arizona.

* As you can imagine, former Senate President Pate Philip is not a happy man. Pate recommended Dillard to replace him as DuPage County GOP chairman, never liked Democrats much and wasn’t exactly the most open-minded person on racial issues…

“To say I was disappointed in him would be an understatement,” Philip said.

I’ll bet.

* And what happens if John McCain doesn’t win the primary? Well, this is what Dillard told ABC7…

Dillard also said he isn’t endorsing Obama “at this juncture,” but he has not decided what he will do if McCain loses the Republican nomination and Obama ends up winning the Democratic race.

* Related stories on the GOP’s latest problems…

* GOP stalwart switches sides - Democrats welcome Froehlich’s move

* Illinoize: GOP loses solid conservationist

* Illinois Reason: On Froehlich switch

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s Capitol Fax (Use all caps in password)

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Morning Shorts

Wednesday, Jun 27, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Senate could vote today on electric rates

* House GOP says Congressman Kirk has special needs

* Daley challenges CPS to improve science scores

* CPS boasts higher test scores; more here

* Chicago Public Radio: Public housing study say vouchers working

* Editorial: Illinois needs to use land money as it was intended

* Program helps seniors, disabled cool off during summer

* Broadcasters statewide report glitch with emergency system; more here and here

* Editorial: Protect speech at college papers

Despite a lackluster spring session, the Illinois Legislature managed to eke out several good bills. Among them is the College Campus Press Act, a measure meant to thwart censorship of student newspapers by designating them as “forums for student expression,” an important distinction that guards the First Amendment rights of budding journalists.

* Editorial: No downside to signing West Chicago tax relief bill

* Sun-Times Editorial: All earmark requests should be revealed

If citizens can see who is requesting what, then members of Congress are more likely to police themselves, and undeserving projects are more likely to wilt under the glare of public scrutiny. That’s why every member of Congress from Illinois and indeed all 535 members should be equally candid.

* Region would suffer under planned Metra political move

* Shakeup coming on Metra Board?

* Are teen drivers really worse than elderly drivers?

Illinois already is home to some of the toughest senior driving laws in the nation. It’s one of only two states to require everyone older than 75 prove their behind-the-wheel capabilities with a driving exam every two years. Once drivers turn 87, the exams are required annually.

* Excerpts from recent Illinois editorials

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Caption Contest!

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Y’all are kinda boring me today. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Anyway, the best caption for this weird little photo wins a free t-shirt or other choice of merchandise at our charity site.

And, for the love of God, don’t get me in trouble with the Catholics. Daley I can handle. Nuns, no way. Thanks.

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Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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This just in…

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 10:35 am - Today’s leaders meeting is at 1 o’clock.

* 10:53 am - Attorney General Lisa Madigan is not giving up her fight to represent the governor’s office in the Better Government Association’s FOIA case. The BGA wants to see the federal subpoenas that have been served on the guv’s office.

The AG filed two appeals with the Illinois Supreme Court yesterday. From the AG’s office…

One is asking the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Kelly’s ruling removing us [from the case], and the other is asking the Supreme Court to direct the Appellate Court to change their mind and accept our appeal.

The first [download here] asks the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Kelly’s ruling removing the AG from the BGA case, and asks that the Supreme Court deny the motion to appoint independent counsel in lieu of the AG.

The second [download here] is in response to the 4th District Appellate refusal to accept the AG’s appeal of Judge Kelly’s order. The AG is asking that the Illinois Supreme Court — by way of a Petition for Leave to Appeal - direct the Appellate Court to accept the AG’s appeal of Judge Kelly’s order.

* 10:56 am - I should’ve mentioned earlier that I’ve heard that the “budgeteers” made significant progress over the weekend on crafting a one-month budget. There are still a couple of big issues for the leaders to mull over before the end of the month, however. That almost always happens with the budgeteers. They do the small and mid-size things, and leave the big picture stuff to the tops.

* 12:33 pm - I tell you what, that intern of mine never ceases to amaze me. Check out what Paul wrote on Illinoize the other day - something I should have linked to right away…

I’ve noticed that overtime has strange effects on the statehouse gang. After May 31st, the senses of the capitol residents are altered. The marble floors seem harder on the feet. The air seems a little more stale. The tourists are peskier. As vacation plans fade into nothingness, I’ve seen more permanent scowls appear on once happy faces in the building. It reminds me of the Disney movie The Lion King…the once flourishing, ripe, and bustling pride lands of the African jungle are plunged into a barren field of misery with the mismanagement of its leader.

* 1:55 pm - Leader Cross just walked into Blagojevich’s office, so hopefully the leaders meeting is starting soon…. And now the rest are filing in.

* 3:23 pm - I hear that members were told today to expect to be in town until Saturday.

* 3:44 pm - The meeting is over.

* 4:34 pm - We’ll have the audio up soon. They’ve apparently reached agreement on a one-month budget.

* 4:50 pm - Audio following today’s leaders meeting:

Speaker Madigan

[audio:Madigan26th.mp3]

President Jones

[audio:Emil26th.mp3]

Leader Cross x 2

[audio:Cross26th.mp3]

[audio:Cross 26th2.mp3]

Leader Watson x 2

[audio:Watson26th.mp3]

[audio:Watson26th2.mp3]

* 5:30 pm - Here are some excerpts from the leaders comments:

-Madigan-

“Much of it [the one-month budget] is an extension of what we did in ‘07, but there are some changes.”

Regarding Paul Froehlich…”I would just rely on his statements that he felt more at home in the Democratic Party than the Republican Party; I’d leave it at that.”

On 12-month budget…”No, I don’t think it will happen this week.” …”I think we will be here for a long time.”

“We will adjourn on Friday. We will come back the 2nd week in July.”

-Emil-

“I resent all of the stalling that has been taking place as it relates to those [electric rate] negotiations and we just may, even though I am opposed to it, go ahead and have the freeze…I’ll see what happens when my members get here tomorrow.”

“A week off, then I plan on being the week following. I’ll call all my members in for five days, at least five days.”

-Cross-

“I think everyone is on the same page [on one-month budget]..It was as good a meeting as we’ve had.”

On Paul Froehlich…”Well its one less vote we have to put on in the emergency budget…If people that know Paul saw this as a move that was politically expedient for him, it’s kind of characteristic of his political career.”

“He actually met with our chief of staff three times, and all three times he said he wasn’t going to do it….I don’t accept it, I don’t agree with it, but there is nothing I can do about it.”

“He will be on a list with others where I think we can have success in the Fall of ‘08″

-Watson-

“It was just all talk about keeping the doors open and making sure people are paid…I would say that we are just taking it one month at a time, that’s the way it looks like.”

“There’s negotiations continuing on the whole electric rate issue, and I don’t know that that will be a sticking point before we vote on a temporary budget…I can’t believe that this issue is still going on…it just seems to me to be a lack of leadership.”

On Sen. Dillard in Obama Ad…”I have to say I was very disappointed in Senator Dillard and his judgment…He is a member of our leadership. He is a leader in the Republican party. I don’t think it was appropriate thing to do.”

30 Comments

Question of the day

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

We have plenty of divisive political topics for today, so let’s switch gears.

What the heck is up with the White Sox? Should they just start dumping “talent” and rebuild or is there still any sort of hope? Should Ozzie go? Should Ken Williams be dumped? Explain.

18 Comments

The Democrats have their own problems

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

I think for the first time since he ran for the state’s highest office, Gov. Rod Blagojevich did not attend Chicago’s Gay Pride parade last Sunday.

Blagojevich was, however, apparently represented by some flier-toting folks who tried to undercut some of his fellow Democrats. Rep. John Fritchey fills us in…

So in the latest effort to attempt to work with Democratic House members, the Governor’s office was behind an anonymous flier that was distributed to attendees at yesterday’s Pride Parade. […]

[The flier] essentially calls out Sara Feigenholtz, Greg Harris and me by name for voting for the House budget and tells people to call us about it. But it does so in such a clumsy way that it is almost laughable. Almost. […]

The frosting on the cake is that the Governor’s office, directly and through another legislator, denied having any knowledge of the flier. Without wanting to put anybody in a bind, let me just say this. They’re lying.

More than one group that receives state funding has indicated that they were contacted by the Administration and asked to assist in the effort. I’m believing them.

Memo to the Administration: If you’re going to go after legislators (especially ones from your own party) on issues, have the decency to stand behind it. Otherwise you’re just making a bad move worse.

Strong-arming not-for-profits that receive state money to hand out politically motivated fliers at a public event might not be totally on the up-and-up. This is just bad all around.

* It won’t help solve the budget impasse because goofy stuff like this just hardens positions.

* It demonstrates, yet again, that the governor judges political right and wrong by how people feel about his ideas. He’s supposedly a history buff, so the guv ought to look into how that very same supremely arrogant attitude led directly to Woodrow Wilson’s failure to get his League of Nations idea approved by the US Senate. There were other factors involved, of course, but the Senate was tired of being pushed around.

* As I told subscribers this morning, the divisive move offers up a stark contrast to the supposedly un-Democratic House Speaker, who just recruited a Republican to walk across the aisle.

* And, finally, why not just give the US Attorney a handwritten invitation? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

27 Comments

More on yesterday’s Republican meltdown *** Updated x3 ***

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Eric Krol has a full Q&A with Rep. Paul Froehlich (D-Schaumburg) posted online. Here are a few relevant excerpts.

On his treatment by fellow House Republicans…

“[The House Republicans have] killed some of my bills that are totally non-controversial bills. Heck, I had a (Republican state Sen. Randall) Hultgren bill on gang tattoos. When I called it, members of my own caucus started railing against it. I realized it’s not the bill, it’s me. And it’s not the Democrats who are jumping up and down on me, it’s the Republicans.”

On whether he was taking the easy way out and saving his own hide by switching parties…

“I’m doing it the hard way then. My district is still significantly more Republican than (former neighboring state Rep.) Terry Parke’s is. There’s changes happening in mine, there’s no question. But it’s not at the same rate as (Democratic Rep. Fred) Crespo’s (who defeated Parke).” Here, I’m going to be a big target now. How is that the easy way? I’ll be the subject of some pretty uncomplimentary comments. If I wanted the easy way, I would have just run for re-election as a Republican, win or lose.”

On his meeting with House Speaker Michael Madigan…

“I met with him on Saturday. In his political office on Pulaski (Road) by the (Midway) airport there. The meeting went very well. He was very welcoming. I didn’t realize because I’d never talked to him much before, but he’s a personable guy. I was welcomed in with open arms, which was a change for me to feel really welcome in a caucus.”

And this exchange is pretty funny…

Q. So, you’re a Democrat now. I assume you support Gov. Rod Blagojevich then?

A. I don’t anticipate I’m going to suddenly be impressed with the effectiveness of his leadership. But you know, that puts me in the company of a whole lot of Democrats. I think the governor still has a whole lot of improvement to do on leadership.

* The Tribune had a response from Madigan’s spokesman…

“The speaker believes that Paul has always been a responsible and conscientious member of the House and will expect the same moving forward. He will be a very good member of the Democratic caucus.”

* The State Journal-Register’s story quoted Madigan’s spokesman as saying “Our practice has always been to support the incumbent.” and had this analysis…

But Schaumburg - like other parts of suburban Cook County -– is no longer a rock-solid Republican area, as conservative white residents have moved out and many Democratic leaning Latinos have moved in.

In the 2006 elections, Gov. Rod Blagojevich captured 48 percent of the vote in Schaumburg Township, election records show. Just four years before, Blagojevich lost the township by almost 12 percentage points to Jim Ryan, the GOP gubernatorial candidate.

Also last year, longtime GOP Rep. Terry Parke lost his House seat in the adjacent 44th District to Democrat Fred Crespo, who just two years prior was an up-and-coming Republican figure.

Waning Republican power in his district was a likely factor in Froehlich’s decision to switch parties, said Kent Redfield, a political studies professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

* One of my favorite lines to fellow bloggers, “There ain’t no hat tips in the mainstream media for us,” was proved false today in the Sun-Times…

Froehlich confirmed the switch to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rich Miller, who publishes the Capitol Fax political newsletter.

* The Sun-Times story has some good quotes. One from Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, who is close to Froehlich and will play a big role in defending him against his formerly fellow Republicans next year…

“Paul talked to me about this a while back. He indicated his frustration with getting things done and being an effective legislator,” said Schaumburg Village President Al Larson, a longtime Froehlich friend. “Increasingly, he felt as though somehow he wasn’t getting the support he felt he should be getting for some of his initiatives.”

And this one from Sen. Millner…

“I don’t know how good this will be for Paul in the long run,” said state Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), whose Senate district covers the area Froehlich represents. “I think there are a lot of Republicans in the district, and I think they may feel betrayed by this.”

* Suburban Democratic blogger Hiram Wurf tries to make sense of it all…

I am reminded of Ronald Reagan’s famous description of why he left the Democratic Party [the party left him, Reagan said]. We have here… another Reagan moment, this time for why people are leaving the Republican Party

* Illinois Review blogger Bruno Behrend looks at the Froehlich move and the Dillard ad for Obama and calls for a mass exodus from the Illinois Republican Party…

In the 1850s, a ragtag anti-immigrant party destroyed itself, and took the declining Whigs with them. In the ensuing chaos, the Republican Party was born, and held sway over the nation for about 60 years. It’s time for that to happen again. You can’t fix this. Leave it and start anew, keeping faith with the Principles, not the party hacks who have destroyed a good name.

* Speaking of Dillard, the Daily Herald quoted Dillard about his TV ad for Obama (which you can see here)…

“It’s Iowa, and it’s a Democratic primary and I’m for (Arizona Republican) John McCain for president,” Dillard said. “And maybe if my party understood issues of racial reconciliation, less partisanship and hope, they would be the majority party.”

Still, it’s an interesting political change for Dillard from 2004 when he blasted Obama as a big-spending Democrat whose policies would “eat the average family out of house and home.”

Heh.

*** UPDATE *** CBS2 managed to get Obama on the record about Dillard’s ad, and quoted Hillary Clinton’s campaign about it as well. Click the pic to go to the story…

*** UPDATE 2 *** From Rep. Froehlich’s press release, which accompanied his press conference this morning…

I disagree with some of the trends happening at the national level and feel that the party, at the national and state levels, has lost touch with regular rank-and-file Republicans,” Froehlich said. “I want to be clear: my disagreement is not with the average person who considers himself or herself a Republican. Until today, I was just like them. Unfortunately, I’ve seen firsthand that the party has drifted away from people like us and there’s no reason to think it’s coming back anytime soon.

The full release can be downloaded here.

*** UPDATE 3 *** I should have mentioned this yesterday and completely forgot. Illinois Review was the first to report that Froehlich might switch parties back in early May. Froehlich flatly denied the rumors at the time.

Yesterday, IR editor Fran Eaton, who interviewed Froehlich in May, had this to say on the site…

In reviewing the May interview with Rep Froehlich when he denied he was switching parties, I can’t help but believe he intentionally misled me as a journalist and as a fellow Republican. Let’s just say that Benedict Arnold Froehlich will fit well in the dirty Dem-coat he has donned today. Now I understand why he didn’t answer our query. Who would have believed anything he had to say anyway?

* And IlliniPundit is just plain bummed about Froehlich and Dillard…

I love being out in the grassroots, working my tail off, and seing things like this. Very motivating, it is.

It’s going to be even more frustrating watching our state’s “leadership” react impotently and unwisely to these events

Grrrrr.

20 Comments

Good news, bad news

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

This story in the Pantagraph starts out simply enough…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s few public comments about the politically sensitive topic of high electric bills have suggested that he would sign off on a plan to cut Ameren and ComEd rates back to their 2006 levels.

But lawmakers are trying to abandon that plan in favor of convincing Ameren and ComEd to help customers under different terms. A Blagojevich aide says the governor could go along under certain conditions.

“He’s open to an alternative to a rate freeze as long as it provides immediate relief to consumers,’’ spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said.

But then…

Blagojevich’s office hasn’t been represented in ongoing talks among lawmakers, corporate officials and others.

The fact that the governor hasn’t been involved is both pathetic and a positive.

It’s pathetic because the governor has insisted that he supports rate relief for beleagured consumers, yet hasn’t bothered to insert himself into the process.

It’s positive because if the guv had joined the talks, he might have screwed them up. He would’ve been in that room yapping about baseball, or ties or property tax assessment caps or anything else as long as it had nothing to do with the actual topic at hand. From what I can tell, he doesn’t negotiate, he speechifies from carefully crafted talking points.

A couple of weeks ago when House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie said that she was authorized to represent Speaker Madigan in the leaders meeting on assessment caps, the governor had to huddle with his top aides for several minutes before he could come up with a response.

That’s not the kind of guy you want at the table when you’re negotiating with corporate CEOs. So, yeah, it’s a “positive” that Blagojevich hasn’t been in the room, but what does that say about him?

21 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s issue of Capitol Fax (Use all caps in password)

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Morning Shorts

Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Lawmakers warn of impending transit needs

* Editorial: Governor should sign bill raising truck speed limit

* Opinion: Inadequate congestion funding threatens Chicago’s future

* Editorial: Meth dangerous but all pushers and drugs deal in death

The list came about after Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation last year requiring state police to create the registry. OK, so it’s a start. Maybe the information listed there will be of use to someone, but the site has a ways to go before it’s complete and of consequence to people who are living with drug dealers who have been destroying urban neighborhoods long before anyone even heard of meth.

* Opinion: Smoke-Free Illinois Act will help all of state’s residents

* Hillary or Barack: Who’s got the Chicago fundraising juice?

* Lynn Sweet: Clinton outgains Obama here for one day, but not in long run

* Lawmaker asks state for help easing crowded schools

* Latino parents tired of CPS school squeeze

* Editorial: Cook Co. can’t put residents’ health at risk

* Tolls proposed for funding of $90M Fox River span

* Chicago’s Olympic bid wins backing of U.S. Mayors

* Rockford mayor trying to override governor’s veto

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