We’re already handing out campaign officer positions, so get yours today. We even have a new logo, just like that guy who’s leaving us for the White House…
* Another week is gone, and I’m glad for it. Time for some fun and relaxation. Anybody going to see Tom & the Hired Hands tonight? I may be there.
* You really ought to head over to Illinoize. It’s been revamped and revitalized, so the party is in full swing. And if you need to post a classified ad or you have an event that needs publicizing, then get yourself to InsiderzExchange. It’s the place to be seen.
* We haven’t heard from this guy in a while. Robert Earl Keen…
I’m a panhandlin’
Man-handlin’
Post-holin’
High-rollin’
Dust-Bowlin’ daddy
* 3:42 PM - The Illinois Gaming Board has announced its three finalists for the long dormant 10th casino license. The south suburbs didn’t make the cut…
Alex Yemenidjian’s Trilliant Gaming Illinois LLC and his backer Onex Corp. of Canada, which have offered $435 million for the license to locate a casino in Rosemont. The northwest suburb has battled hard for a casino since Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan scuttled a 2004 plan after ruling that organized crime influences in the northwest suburb made the town unsuitable to host a casino.
A group of Waukegan developers, led by Charles Bidwell III, who owned Sportsman’s Park Race Track, and developers Richard Stein and Allen Ludwig. The group is offering $225 million for the license.
Casino operator Neil G. Bluhm, who wants to build a gaming complex at River Road and Devon Avenue in Des Plaines. It’s the same spot where he wanted to build in 2004 when he last attempted to get a casino license. Mr. Bluhm has offered $100 million for the license.
The top bid of $435 million is about $100 mil or so below original expectations.
* Also, You probably saw this elsewhere, but I was busy and never got around to posting it. Bill Cellini formally pled not guilty today…
“He pleads not guilty to each and every charge in the indictment,” defense attorney Dan K. Webb told Zagel.
Want to stop people from drinking too much? Forget earnest public service announcements. Just make alcohol more expensive.
A study released Thursday by the American Journal of Public Health found that when the tax rate on alcohol went up, deaths caused by drinking went down.
University of Florida epidemiologist Alexander Wagenaar and his colleagues compared Alaska’s alcohol tax rate over a nearly 30-year period with deaths due to alcohol-related diseases such as cirrhosis. They found that when the tax rate shot up, deaths plunged as much as 29 percent.
Their study suggests that raising the price of booze could be a more efficient way to address the deadly toll caused by drinking than building new clinics or starting new programs.
* The Question: Should the state increase alcohol taxes to reduce drinking problems? Explain why or why not.
* The Sun-Times takes a look at the ever-growing field to replace Congressman Rahm Emanuel…
Ald. William Banks (36th), who will convene the slatemaking session, said at least 15 candidates have expressed an interest in replacing Emanuel, making it difficult for any one of them to get the weighted votes needed to secure an endorsement.
Man, the list is long…
The crowded field of candidates includes at least six aldermen: Manuel Flores (1st), Ariel Reboyras (30th), Tom Allen (38th), Margaret Laurino (39th), Tom Tunney (44th) and Eugene Schulter (47th). Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th), Daley’s unofficial City Council floor leader, is a long-shot possibility.
Also calling Banks to express an interest were state Representatives John Fritchey, John D’Amico and Sara Feigenholtz; state Rep.-elect Deborah Mell; former Emanuel challenger Peter Dagher; Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley; Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth; Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Cynthia Santos, and John Borovicka, Emanuel’s former chief of staff.
“When you have that many officials running, many of whom are committeemen or aligned with committeemen, it’s harder to form coalitions. It would be very difficult to slate one individual. That could result in an open primary,” Banks said.
An open primary would be fascinating.
* Mayor Daley went all out for Emanuel back when the Rahminator was first elected. Not this time, perhaps…
But a top mayoral aide predicted Daley would remain neutral this time around.
Were voters really so impressed by the quality of representation they’re getting in Washington and Springfield? Hardly. The reason so many incumbents got a free pass to a term in office, or won by such lopsided margins, largely depended on how state politicians draw boundaries for congressional and legislative districts. Those influential pols aren’t interested in giving voters competitive political battles. They’re interested in protecting themselves and their cronies in their parties.
Voters? Who cares about voters? The politicians redraw the maps by law after the census every 10 years. Illinois gives the legislature first crack at this. When legislators deadlock — and they have every 10 years since this system was adopted in the 1970 state constitution — the job is turned over to a commission of four Democrats and four Republicans. When that commission deadlocks — and it has every 10 years except in 1971 — the politicians pull a name from a hat or flip a coin to decide whether to add a Republican or a Democrat. […]
The desire to protect incumbents explains why parts of the state have become secure fiefdoms for one party or the other. Voters are bit players in this rigged game. In Chicago, for example, redistricting essentially has blocked Republicans from building even small geographic bases. And while suburbia has grown more Democratic in recent elections, the Republican Party has its protected pockets there.
49 Congressional candidates spend $500,000 of their own money, and of them, only 6 House candidates and 1 Senate candidate won.
Perhaps the saddest case of this was Sandy Treadwell, who ran against Kirsten Gillibrand in NY-20. Treadwell poured in at least $5.9 million of his own money. (Gillibrand spent $3.6 million, but only $250 of that was her own money.) The return on Treadwell’s investment: priceless. If by ‘priceless,’ you mean losing to Gillibrand by a 23-point margin.
The Illinois GOP might take that as a broad hint to stop recruiting those self-funders.
* This talk does exist, but keep in mind that Gov. Blagojevich has threaten to veto all tax hikes…
Democrats who control the Illinois Senate hinted Thursday that some kind of tax hike may be on the horizon.
With the state’s backlog of unpaid bills projected to hit the $5 billion mark by March, Senate leaders said the state must find new ways to pay for existing services.
‘’Maybe we need to look at alternative ways to raise revenue,'’ said state Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat vying to become the next Senate president.
State Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, a top budget expert in the Senate, said lawmakers will likely have to find new sources of cash to pay bills
Already, Hynes said, his office has had to expedite payments to two vendors who threatened to cut off services to the state unless they were paid. One provides food service to a state prison, and the other supplies gasoline to state police cars.
“These are not hypotheticals,” Hynes said. “We were able to avert those crises, but it is getting untenable. If the backlog grows by $1 billion, we will lose flexibility. Next time, we may not be able to do it.”
About $1.5 billion of the backlog is from health-care bills for the poor. The remaining $2.5 billion covers “the entire spectrum of state service providers, vendors and institutional payees” Hynes wrote in his letter.
If the situation isn’t corrected, the impact will spread, Hynes warned. Although state aid payments to schools have been made on time so far, other payments — like reimbursements to schools for transportation and special education costs — could be delayed in the future, he said.
Further payment delays could force some businesses to close their doors or cause more health-care providers to refuse service to patients dependent on state assistance, he said.
* The governor’s office agrees that more short-term borrowing is probably needed…
“We agree that short-term borrowing could be helpful to pay bills quickly during this time of year and manage the state’s uneven cash flow,” said Blagojevich spokeswoman Katherine Ridgway.
But Sen. Christine Radogno of Lemont, the lead budget negotiator for Senate Republicans, criticized the idea. Short-term borrowing would just make the state’s problem worse, she said.
By law, the short-term loans have to be paid back by the end of the fiscal year. If there is a cash-flow problem, then the loans won’t make the situation much worse. If we can’t pay when the loan comes up, then that’s essentially the same problem we have now.
The Senate Democrats’ top budget negotiator, Sen. Donne Trotter of Chicago, said borrowing money right now might not be a good idea because of interest costs. He said the state should tap into its “rainy day” fund first.
Hynes said money in the rainy day fund was used in July.
“The national economy is in turmoil, and we have to make sure that everyone works together . . . to make sure we can get through these financially troubling times.”
“Working together” and “Blagojevich” are not two things you would expect to happen. Words are fine. Actions are what is needed right now.
* Yesterday, the much-celebrated Illinois blogger OneMan set up a “Bill for US Senate” FaceBook page. The idea is to get Bill appointed to Barack Obama’s US Senate seat, which Obama is vacating on Sunday.
The longtime Capitol Fax Blog commenter, who unceasingly defends our embattled, unpopular governor here has proved to be something of an Intertubes phenomenon. Since yesterday afternoon, the Bill for Senate FaceBook page has attracted 131 members (as of 10:15 this morning).
It’s a movement!
* When you think about it, appointing Bill to Obama’s seat is truly the smart move. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has been working the DC commentariat circuit to make himself appear inevitable. It’s Obama vs. Clinton all over again! Do we really want to revisit that long nightmare?
Plus, Jackson has constantly fought with Blagojevich, mainly over the third airport. The bottom line is Gov. Blagojevich just can’t trust Jackson, but he can trust Bill!
* Sneed has this report today about the Obama vacancy…
Sneed hears Gov. Blago, who will choose Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate, privately feels there may be only one choice that makes sense: His buddy, outgoing Senate President Emil Jones.
• • To wit: Jones is this/close to Blago, who may pay his pal back for being such a staunch ally. Jones would also be a strong ally in the Senate for his political godson — Obama.
• • Hmmm: Isn’t it true Gov. Blago, who truly believes a federal indictment is not in his future, is hoping Jones would be a placeholder until 2010 — when Gov. Rod could opt for a Senate seat or another run at the governorship? Is someone smoking posies?
Emil Jones? Please. When it comes to Blagojevich loyalty, Jones is a fair weather fan compared to Bill.
* The Sun-Times reports today that Tammy Duckworth’s star is on the wane…
But her odds of landing Obama’s seat appear to be dimming because of her closeness to Sen. Dick Durbin, who has an icy relationship with the governor, yet has sought input into the selection process. This week, Durbin identified Duckworth as being on his list of hopefuls for the Obama seat.
Dick Durbin probably doesn’t even know who Bill is. Yet another outstanding advantage.
The stakes are high for Blagojevich, who has become increasingly isolated from other top Democrats. His pick could help him create a positive legacy in the face of record-low job approval and ongoing corruption scandals.
What could be more dramatic than appointing an anonymous blog commenter to the seat? It would be huge news all over the world. Blagojevich’s ratings would go through the roof. Jackson may have some poll numbers that show he’s the best pick, but he didn’t test Bill’s name, so the poll is worthless.
Plus, I know Bill. He’s a great guy. Not exactly telegenic, but whatever.
* GateHouse has a story today with the hed: “Former Lincoln library director explains Obama-Lincoln connection.”
Well, I have it on good authority that Bill once rode in a Lincoln Town Car. So, he’s got that going for him, too.
* You should definitely join the Bill for Senate movement today! If nothing else, do it for your own self interest. Obama inauguration tickets are in short supply in a high demand market, so Bill could snag us all tix!
* If you’re not a FaceBook member, just go to Bill’s page and sign up. It’s free, so it’s definitely worth every penny.
If you are a FaceBook member, make sure to invite your fellow FB friends to join the movement. Let’s get this thing rolling, people!
* Bill’s FaceBook followers almost outnumber those of Senate wannabe Jan Schakowsky, and we’re rapidly closing in on Congresscritter Jackson’s crowd [sorry, but there will be no FB links to the competition].
* For the rest of my life I will regret not mentioning Bill’s candidacy during my National Public Radio interview, which is airing this morning.
Noted Illinoisans, including some famous media personalities, politicians, even Republicans, are already signing up. Just go over there and scroll through the membership list to see for yourself. It’s simply astounding. For crying out loud, Bill has support from Utah. I’ll bet Jackson can’t say that!
There’s even an Obama campaign guy on our side. Could that be a signal from on-high? Probably not, but we’ll take it!
* Bill is not an African-American and he’s not an Hispanic. He’s a balding, kinda aging white guy. I admit, that could be a political problem. But isn’t it time we moved beyond that sort of thing? Has Obama’s victory taught us nothing?
* OneMan has even created a couple of TV ads. Henry ain’t exactly David Axelrod, but he’s all we’ve got at the moment and I don’t see JJJ posting stuff on YouTube, so we’ve one-upped that media hound. Here’s one of OneMan’s spots, which has the eloquent title: Bill for Senate Two…
Brilliant!
* OneMan even set up a Bill for Senate blog. It misspells Capitol Fax on the main page, but no worries. The important thing is we’re using high technology to our advantage just like Obama himself!
* Bill for Senate, baby! Some people may look at this and ask “Why?” Our reply: “Why the heck not?!”
* My Sun-Times column this week is about the battle for Senate President. Everybody takes a little hit in this column, mainly because I didn’t think the race has been covered all that well in the rest of the MSM…
The multi-car pileup that passes for Illinois state government may finally change a bit next year.
Senate President Emil Jones’ pending retirement has sparked an aggressive succession battle that will alter the Statehouse’s political dynamic.
Jones was Gov. Blagojevich’s staunchest political ally, and his Senate Democratic members have had quite enough of following the extremely unpopular governor off every cliff in sight. So even Sen. James Clayborne (D-East St. Louis), whom Jones privately supports, will not be able to lead the chamber like Jones did, even if he wanted to, which he doesn’t.
Sen. John Cullerton is Clayborne’s chief rival. Cullerton (D-Chicago) is Blagojevich’s own state senator, but the two aren’t allies, to say the least. Cullerton wants the Senate to be far more independent of the governor’s office. He has a strong political relationship with House Speaker Michael Madigan, going back to his days as a Madigan lieutenant, but Cullerton insists he can be an honest broker.
That Madigan relationship is Cullerton’s greatest handicap in a chamber that views the speaker with great suspicion. His fund-raising and legislative skills are his greatest assets.
Clayborne is a widely respected, strong leader and has quite a lot of support in his caucus from fellow downstaters and African Americans. He has his problems, including Jones’ tacit endorsement, which is the kiss of death for some senators. Clayborne also lives far away from Chicago, and Mayor Daley has passed the word to Chicago-area senators that he prefers someone from Cook County. Daley denied this week that he ever said it, but there’s no question that he did.
Some of the Senate’s freshmen are starting to line up behind Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). Harmon is widely touted as a progressive reformer and he’s promising a more radical change in direction. He has his own downside, as everyone does. Insiders say Harmon was instrumental in stripping language out of an ethics bill that would have banned legislators from participating in government bond deals. Harmon is a bond lawyer.
Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) touts his years of experience as a budget expert and reformer as his chief qualifications. Schoenberg is apparently hoping for success on a second ballot because he has little verifiable support within his caucus right now. Schoenberg borrowed $100,000 from a business client to finance his Senate president bid this year — which raised more than a few eyebrows in Springfield.
Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is another candidate hoping for a victory on the second, or third, or fourth or umpteenth ballot.
Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), one of Barack Obama’s poker buddies back in the day, was an early favorite and he’s still in the hunt. He’s a popular, skillful member, but Mayor Daley’s preference for a Cook County person won’t help the Lake County Democratic Party chairman.
Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago) is always the most entertaining legislator in the room, and this time is no exception. Hendon is doing everything he can to derail Sen. Clayborne’s candidacy. Hendon thought he should be the choice of the Senate’s Black Caucus, but most went with Clayborne, so he’s retaliating and trying to cut his best deal.
Hendon attacked Clayborne this week for being pro-gun, but the Sun-Times reported in 1994 that Hendon owned an unregistered handgun. Hendon’s new book, Black Enough, White Enough, the Obama Dilemma, isn’t going over well with his colleagues, either.
So, there you have it. Somebody will eventually win, and whoever does will move the Senate in a new direction.
Whether that will be enough to break the Statehouse’s disastrous two-year gridlock remains to be seen, but it’s all the hope we have right now.
By the way, the Sun-Times has increased my column’s frequency to twice a month. It was cut back under previous management for “diversity” reasons.
FOIA is supposed to be a floor, a minimum standard that all units of government must follow when taxpayers ask questions about what’s being done in the name of the public. In practice, FOIA too often becomes an obstacle course, manipulated by public officials to discourage the public from asking questions.
We agree wholeheartedly with the State Journal-Register’s editorial today that FOIA “needs reform — now.” The statute needs to be cleaned up and streamlined. And government agencies need to be reminded of their duties under FOIA, which are, after all, merely what government owes to its owners.
In the agreement filed Thursday in federal court, the state promised to move adults with mental retardation and other disabilities out of large institutions if the residents so choose. The case, filed in 2005, claimed Illinois violated the civil rights of 6,000 disabled people living in 250 private facilities, such as nursing homes, which the state licenses.
“What we do is give them enough to make their homes safe and sanitary and able to function as their home again. We can’t replace everything they lost. We can’t make them whole again,” said Melynda Petrie, a FEMA spokeswoman.
Chicago attorney and victim’s rights advocate Tamara Holder is the bearer of bad news, and fresh lawsuits, for embattled former Area 2 Commander Jon Burge. Holder is preparing to file new federal lawsuits against Burge, his associates (or “henchman” as she termed them to me), the city, the Chicago Police Department, and the office of the State’s Attorney of Cook County — the office occupied by one Richard M. Daley at the time Burge was allegedly torturing confessions out of Chicagoans.
