Jones fires back at reporters (Audio clips)
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Senate President Emil Jones told reporters this afternoon that “everything” is on the table to fund the capital plan, including an income tax increase, which he said he preferred. Gaming expansion, he said, appears not to be going anywhere in the House.
But the reason to listen to this audio clip is how he responds to reporters when asked why he didn’t allow the House version of recall to the floor after the Senate’s version died…
[audio:EmilRecall1.mp3]
[Or, click here if the player doesn’t work.]
* And it continues for a bit longer…
[audio:EmilRecall2.mp3]
[Or, click here if the player doesn’t work.]
* Jones also said this earlier today…
Senate President Emil Jones made it clear he’s in favor of the [proposed pay increase], which would come on top of a nearly 10 percent salary increase last year.
“I need a pay raise. I need a pay raise,” he told reporters who asked him about the proposal.
Comments Off  
|
Another broken promise? *** UPDATED x2 ***
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Earlier today, I told you that Senate Democrats were promised before the recall vote that tens of millions of dollars were being released by the governor for several agricultural programs, including 4-H…
“The Senate president (Emil Jones of Chicago) came on the floor today and told us we could go ahead and start making notification of our soil and water districts and extension offices,” Demuzio said.
Sen. Demuzio voted “No” on the recall proposal today.
* And, now, we get this from the AP…
State agriculture agencies on Thursday hoped to receive at least some of the $36 million in operating funds tied up in a state budget standoff, after being told an agreement had been reached between legislators and the governor.
But Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who started the impasse and must agree to release any of the money, so far isn’t confirming anything. His silence left some people skeptical that the money was on its way. […]
Some state Senate Democrats told those agencies, after a few dozen employees had been laid off, that a deal had been brokered to release the money.
‘’I asked him if he could released the ag funds and get that taken care of,'’ Senate President Emil Jones, a Chicago Democrat, said Thursday, adding that the governor agreed to release at least some of the money, less than $20 million.
But as of Thursday afternoon, the governor hadn’t said anything publicly about the money. Calls and e-mails to his office by The Associated Press were not beeg for some definitive word from the governor’s office that had not yet come.
It was just like this in the early years of the Blagojevich administration: No return calls from press staff.
Hey, maybe this wasn’t another Blagojevich double-cross, but it would be nice if the governor’s press people would at least tell reporters off the record that a statement was forthcoming.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The governor didn’t come out to speak to reporters this afternoon (big surprise, I know), so nobody could ask him about this story.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The governor’s office waited until long after the AP ran the story to get back to them…
Governor Rod Blagojevich has now agreed to release millions of dollars in state money he had been withholding from agriculture agencies.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said today that the governor agreed to release the money after state senators complained about layoffs at the University of Illinois Extension Service and, among other things, the effect on 4-H youth programs.
Senators complained before the recall vote, the governor agreed to release the money, the recall proposal died. At least he kept his word.
17 Comments
|
[Rezko trial updates moved to this post.]
* 12:18 pm - The Senate is now taking up the constitutional amendment for recall. Listen or watch it live.
* 12:26 pm - If - If - the Senate passes the recall proposal today, the House plans to run it on Sunday. Speaker Madigan told the chamber a few minutes ago that the State Government and Administration Committee will meet at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon. The House will then take up the constitutional amendment after the hearing.
Speaker Madigan claims he can move the bill from 2nd to 3rd Reading during a perfunctory session on Friday or Saturday. The Republicans questioned whether he could do it, but he said the parliamentarian informed him that it was acceptable.
I’m hearing that the recall rollcall is “close” in the Senate. Oftentimes, though, when these things hit the Big Board they get a lot more votes than anticipated. We’ll see. Also, keep an eye out for any motions filed.
* 12:28 pm - This may not be an extraordinarily long debate. Sen. Trotter just moved the previous question, and there are just eight people seeking recognition.
*** 12:45 pm *** The timing on this announcement is somewhat odd, considering the recall vote today…
Senate President Emil Jones says Illinois lawmakers deserve the pay raises they’re scheduled to receive over the next two years.
Jones wouldn’t say Thursday whether he would let lawmakers vote on whether to reject the proposed raises. Unless legislators formally reject the money, the raises take effect automatically.
*** 1:06 pm *** Very quick gavel and the constitutional amendment garnered only 33 votes. It needed 36. It’s dead.
*** 1:08 pm *** The Republicans are now attempting to discharge the House version of the recall amendment from committee and move it to the floor. So far, the Democrats are not complying - which is no suprise.
*** 1:11 pm *** Sen. Halvorson just moved for adjournment. Wow, they’ve got some chutzpah. While the Republicans are screaming to get the other recall proposal out of committee, Halvorson moves to adjourn until next week. That’ll go over well.
*** 1:24 pm *** Sen. Halvorson just said that she wasn’t even on the floor when the motion to adjourn was made. [I misunderstood what Kevin was saying on the cell phone. My bad. She was on the floor when the motion was made to adjourn.] These motions are often plotted in advance, but she was done no favors by the leadership team today.
*** 1:27 pm *** The roll call is now online.
*** 1:29 pm *** Democrats voting No: Bond, Clayborne, Collins, Cullerton, DeLeo, Demuzio, Haine, Harmon, Jacobs, Lightford, Link, Martinez, Meeks, Noland, Raoul, Steans, Sullivan, Trotter, Emil Jones.
Democrats voting Present: Munoz, Wilhelmi
Democrats not voting: Forby (wife had surgery today), Hunter, Sandoval, Viverito
Republicans not voting: Lauzen
*** 1:49 pm *** From the AP…
During floor debate, Jones railed against the idea of recalling elected officials and ridiculed its main backers, including Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock).
Jones said the legislature should be focused on enacting Blagojevich’s plans to expand health care and pumping more money into schools rather than taking punitive action against one man — presumably Blagojevich, though Jones did not cite the governor by name.
“No piece of legislation should ever be aimed at any individual. It’s wrong,” thundered Jones, the governor’s chief legislative ally.
*** 2:44 pm *** From the IL State GOP…
“This really is not a surprise considering the fact that Senate Democrats are intent on protecting Rod Blagojevich in any way they possibly can,” said ILGOP Spokesperson Lance Trover. “Moreover, Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson who has tried to gain advantage on both sides of this issue failed to lead her fellow Democrats to do the right thing.”
According to The Capitol Fax, following the failure of the recall amendment Republicans were asking for the house version of the recall amendment to be called for a vote. Senator Halvorson’s motion to adjourn the senate ended any chance of further action.
*** 3:00 pm *** From the Sun-Times…
“I think recall is a giant hoax,” said Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), who voted against the amendment after calling on the Senate floor for the governor — the implicit target of the recall amendment — to resign.
*** 4:37 pm *** Majority Leader Halvorson press release…
“I was very disappointed and surprised that the recall amendment fell short in the Senate today. I voted for the legislation in both committee and on the floor, because I strongly believe that, more than ever, we need complete transparency and accountability in our government. We need to hold elected officials – at all levels – to the highest ethical standards and demand they serve with integrity and honesty. The people of Illinois deserve nothing less.
“It is this same deeply-held commitment to open and honest government that is driving my efforts to crack down on pay-to-play politics. We’ve crafted a strong bill that I believe will pave the way to a better, more honest government.
“Finally, despite erroneous reports to the contrary, it was not my decision to adjourn the chamber following today’s vote.”
Nobody said it was your decision, Senator. But you are on record as making the motion.
106 Comments
|
[Updated and bumped up.]
*** UPDATE 1 *** The feds explain why they didn’t have Stu Levine secretly record any of his conversations with Bill Cellini…
“It was our understanding that Mr. Cellini was represented (by an attorney),” FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain testified. “It is the policy of the FBI not to record when a person is represented in the investigation.”
That’s an interesting little loophole.
*** UPDATE 2 *** According to a reporter in the courtroom, Ali Ata just testified in Tony Rezko’s trial that Lon Monk, Chris Kelly and Rep. Jay Hoffman were in the room when he and Rezko handed over Ata’s $25,000 campaign check to then candidate Rod Blagojevich in August of 2002. Ata testified that Blagojevich then asked if he and Rezko had discussed a state job.
*** UPDATE 3 *** The Sun-Times has a story up on this…
Ata said he arrived at Rezko’s Elston Avenue office in 2002. In the back conference room sat Blagojevich’s kitchen cabinet, including, Blagojevich campaign manager Lon Monk, fund-raiser Chris Kelly, Rezko and Jay Hoffman.
“I learned that Mr. Hoffman was part of a select group of advisers that were referred to as the kitchen cabinet,” Ata said.
Soon, Blagojevich, Ata and Rezko were alone in the room as the other men stepped outside, he said.
With the check on the table, the conversation started. […]
“Mr. Rezko stated that I had expressed interest in serving in the administration. Blagojevich stated again that I had been a supporter and a friend and asked Mr. Rezko if I had identified job opportunities and Mr. Rezko said yes,” Ata said.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Ata testifies that Rezko boasted of how he allegedly controlled Kelly King, a former Rezko employee who he installed as executive director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority….
Ata said that Rezko told him that King had rebuffed hiring a Rezko relative at a real estate management company that was linked to Springfield power broker William Cellini and under the control of her state agency.
What did Rezko say about that?
“That he had delivered a message through the chairman of the board of her agency congratulating her on her new assignment,” Ata said.
And the new assignment was that she was about to be unemployed, Ata said, for “not acting as a team player.” It was a significant lesson, Ata said, that he carried with him when he led the Illinois Finance Authority.
—————————————-
* Some have wondered where Ali Ata got the cash to allegedly funnel over $100,000 to Tony Rezko and Gov. Blagojevich. Ray Hanania explains…
In one case, Ata was involved with other Southwest Side activists, purchasing a property from the State of Illinois that the State of Illinois later leased. That dramatically increased the value of the property and it was then sold to another investor for a $3.2 million profit in a short period of only a few weeks.
Making sure the state kept that lease going appears to be another prime motivation for Ata. He and his pals then allegedly conspired to make it appear that Ata didn’t owe the IRS short-term capital gains, which saved him a ton of money in the short term, but caused the G to come knocking on his door. The US Attorney dropped that tax charge in exchange for Ata’s guilty plea.
* And that’s not all that the feds may have chosen to forgive…
Prosecutors filed a court petition [yesterday] asking that Judge Amy St. Eve bar the defense from asking about the criminal past of a witness’ nephew. They also say that the witness, Ali Ata, should not be asked about another investigation into his business that ended without charges. […]
Separately, prosecutors also say Ata shouldn’t be asked about a separate structuring investigation into his business, Jenin Distributors. Structuring is the act of purposely handling sums of cash less than $10,000 to avert a government requirement to disclose such transactions. A bank had flagged Jenin to the government, saying it was under suspicion of structuring. The feds investigated but say that they concluded in 2006 that there was no wrongdoing — that’s well before Ata cooperated.
But the defense will likely try to argue that Ata is cooperating against Rezko (he pleaded guilty just last week) in part because they did him the favor of not prosecuting him in another case.
There’s been quite a bit of speculation, including from former assistant US Attorney Patrick Collins that the feds are a bit freaked out by the way the Rezko trial is going. Stu Levine was an utter disaster. Collins noted on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight last week that the judge’s decision to allow Rezko out on bond may have been a signal to the prosecution that its case is weak. Therefore, Ata’s rather generous guilty plea had to be done in order to keep the case on track.
* Ata is expected to take the stand today. Here’s a brief update from the Sun-Times…
On the stand is FBI Agent Charles Willenborg, who is testifying about spreadsheets he developed tracing Rezko’s phone calls.
The charts show the frequency and length of calls between Rezko and some key players in the trial — William Cellini, Stuart Levine, Chris Kelly, among others.
* More from Hanania on Ata and his ilk…
These Arab community “leaders” would tell the community that if they bought tickets to their “candidate’s nights,” their organization fundraisers or donated through them to local politicians, these politicians would respond by giving the Arab American community empowerment.
They said the politicians would give the Arab Americans a voice in their governments.
In truth, these political leaders lied. They did get jobs, contracts and clout but the people who benefited were not members of the community but rather the relatives, children, friends and business associates of these leaders.
11 Comments
|
State Fair musical lineup announced
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Here it is…
Aug. 8 [To be announced]
Aug. 9 Weird Al Yankovic
Aug. 10 Huey Lewis and the News
Aug. 11 Illinois Symphony
Aug. 15 Toyota Tundra presents ZZ Top/Brooks and Dunn
Aug. 16 Vanessa Hudgens
Aug. 17 Trace Adkins with Trent Tomlinson
…Adding… From the governor…
“Once again, the Illinois State Fair offers something for everyone,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “I encourage everyone to come out and experience all the great entertainers playing the grandstand this year.”
41 Comments
|
Question of the day
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Bill 5278 passed the House yesterday with 63 votes. Here’s the synopsis…
Amends the Election Code. Prohibits county clerks and members of boards of election commissioners from making public endorsements of candidates and public questions on ballots solely of political subdivisions within their election jurisdiction.
* And here’s the sponsor’s reasoning behind it…
State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, first proposed the idea shortly after his first election to the Illinois House in 2000.
A call for a recount in Brady’s first primary election left him in a strange position: McLean County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton had endorsed one of Brady’s opponents. In cases where a recount is called, the county clerk oversees collection of the ballots for the recount.
“It’s a little bit of a nerve-racking position to be in when you’re going through a recount having ballots secured as evidence by an individual who has endorsed your opponent,” Brady said. […]
Brady said his aim is to give county clerks and some other election officials a way to excuse themselves from situations where they might have a conflict of interest.
Milton said restricting endorsements by clerks would unnecessarily limit their rights
* Question: Do you agree or disagree with banning county clerks from making political endorsements in their counties? Explain.
15 Comments
|
A bipartisan gun control bill
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This is an interesting turn of events. The House passed a gun control bill yesterday with 74 votes. Even serious gun rights proponents like Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) voted for the bill, so it wasn’t the usual gun legislation, drafted in a vacuum with only supporters’ views in mind…
The Illinois House has approved legislation that would punish parents who fail to keep guns away from their mentally ill children. The measure would cover parents or guardians of anyone under 21 with a diagnosed mental disorder. They would be required to keep guns away from their children or face the loss of their Firearm Owner Identification Card. Losing the gun permit would happen only if the parents failed twice to keep the guns locked up.
* More…
The bill, which heads to the Senate, was drafted in response to a Rockford area case in which a 14-year-old boy shot his 15-year-old friend in the chest with his parents’ gun. State officials said the boy had gotten in trouble for four prior gun-related incidents, including being suspended after bringing ammunition to school and shooting a 10-year-old with a BB gun.
Many Republicans denounced the bill and compared it to taking the driver’s license of a parent whose teenager accidentally kills someone with the family car after twice using it without permission.”What you are doing is changing the standard,” said Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville).
Usually, these gun control votes are pretty predictable, with not quite 60 House members voting “Yes” and everybody else hitting their red buttons. That wasn’t the situation yesterday, however.
Besides Rep. Sullivan, other somewhat surprising Republican “Yes” votes included: Hassert, Leitch, Pritchard, Reboletti, Saviano, Schmitz and Tryon. Two usually pro-gun rights Downstate Dems also voted “Yes” - Dugan and Granberg.
* Read the bill’s synopsis here, check individual votes here, read the whole thing here.
9 Comments
|
A new Wrigley scheme?
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Sun-Times had an interesting scoop today…
Former Gov. Jim Thompson’s secret plan to have the state acquire and renovate Wrigley Field with “no taxes of any kind” may rely on a stadium financing scheme pioneered by former Democratic fund-raiser Lou Weisbach: equity seat rights.
It’s been touted as a revolutionary, fan-friendly way for teams to raise up to $500 million in cash to build new stadiums or renovate old ones without incurring debt.
Weisbach, a local entrepreneur who has traveled the world explaining the deal to sports owners, has described equity seat rights as the “antithesis” of personal seat licenses (PSLs), which have drawn the wrath of fans. […]
But with equity seat rights, there is no upfront fee. Instead, fans sign a long-term contract to buy a specific seat for a fixed price that’s locked in for the duration of the contract. A financial backer, acknowledging the fan’s ongoing financial commitment, then fr
That’s all well and good, but I’d still like to know how much tax revenue the state, county and municipal governments would lose with any potential sale. It’s not just a tax hike that matters, it’s lost tax revenues.
* Meanwhile, Mayor Daley babbled away as usual yesterday when asked about the Wrigley Field sale…
“I haven’t looked at it yet. I mean, it requires no tax money, no assistance from us, from the state or federal or local governments? I have an open mind on it but I don’t know all the particulars,” Daley said. “You don’t need the authorization of the General Assembly, the City Council – you don’t need authorization of the mayor, the governor, the president, no one? Tribune is a company that is owned privately and a publicly held company as well, in the sense that it’s a publicly held company. So it’s up to them to figure that out.” […]
Asked whether he thinks a Wrigley deal can be done, Daley said he doesn’t know.
“I’m not an expert on that. I just, you know, I don’t know the private, for-profit – in regards to that, this is all about money and making a profit. So it doesn’t bother me but that’s up to them,” the mayor said. […]
Asked Wednesday if he hoped that a deal could be reached over Wrigley, Daley could not resist noting that the newspaper and the stadium belong to the same master: “I don’t own the company. I have nothing to say about the company. And if I do, they won’t print it anyway.”
I would not relish covering that man every day.
8 Comments
|
Quote of the week *** UPDATED x1 ***
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* New Republican congressional candidate Martin Ozinga, who has contributed $23,000 to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, from his own pocket and from his company’s pocket, was asked yesterday about those donations.
OZINGA: “I’m not a supporter of Rod Blagojevich, I never have been.
REPORTER: “So you didn’t donate?”
OZINGA: “I did donate, but I’m not one, personally, that rallies for Blagojevich… [I’m] very disappointed with his performance in Springfield.”
Ozinga’s last contribution to Blagojevich - for $10,000 - was in December of 2005, while Blagojevich was gearing up hard for reelection.
Ozinga’s company also gave $25,000 to the Hispanic Democratic Organization, a top target of anti “Combine” types. The company contributed $10,000 to Danny Solis’ 25th Ward Democratic Organization, with the latest contri coming in 2007.
As I’ve pointed out before, those contributions will make it tough for Ozinga to slam Debbie Halvorson for being part of the problem.
* Related…
* Iamnotapolitician.com
* Ozinga paints himself as God-fearing conservative
* GOP taps Ozinga for U.S. House contest
* Martin Ozinga is GOP Choice in Illinois’ 11th District
* GOP taps 11th District hopeful
*** UPDATE *** From an Ozinga press release…
In a campaign e-mail yesterday, career politician/Blagojevich rubber-stamp Debbie Halvorson went negative on new 11th Congressional District GOP nominee Marty Ozinga, complaining about the “bags of money” he has been able to raise from supporters, declaring that his “name is irrelevant,” and warning that he is “trying to buy this election” – a charge that doesn’t quite pass the smell test, given that just two weeks ago Halvorson was bragging about her ability to bring in cash.
In fact, Halvorson forgot to even spare her own failed leadership in her panicked rush to go negative: “…the failed policies of our current administration…An administration completely out of touch with the people. An administration that has decimated our economic prosperity…more of the same.”
Perhaps she meant to refer to some other regime, but here in Illinois, Halvorson has worked hand-in-hand with Blagojevich as Majority Leader to send the state down a path of fiscal disaster, pay-to-play politics and unprecedented gridlock. Here’s Debbie Halvorson on her role in Springfield leadership: “I’m the go-to person who will guide the agenda.”
No matter how far Debbie tries to run from her own record, she will never be able to hide her vote to give herself and Blagojevich a pay raise as the state is broke and working families are struggling.
She will never be able to hide her opposition to real ethics reform that would end Blagojevich’s pay-to-play schemes. Halvorson said in a November 2007 interview that she “refuse[d] to be party to passing this [ethics bill] just because the public says it’s better than nothing.” In the same interview, she also stuck up for Blagojevich, contending that the House unanimously passed the bill as a way of “playing politics with the Governor.”
She will never be able to hide her support for Blagojevich’s Gross Receipts Tax, the largest tax hike in Illinois history, according to the Chicago Sun-Times and “a job-killer,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
With a record like that, it’s no surprise that Debbie Halvorson has already resorted to personal attacks against Marty Ozinga.
24 Comments
|
Recall roundup and what to watch
Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As you already know, the Senate is expected to vote today on the proposed constitutional amendment providing for recall of state and local officials and judges. Here’s a roundup of news and a few things to watch…
On Wednesday night, Blagojevich’s press office released a letter from the AFL-CIO that urges lawmakers to oppose the proposed recall amendment.
I tried calling an AFL-CIO official last night, but didn’t get a response. Labor’s opposition could give a few Democrats some political cover, but it won’t help much if this thing passes and those Democrats have to face a potential recall attempt of their own.
Read the letter by clicking here.
* I’m kinda suprised that the governor’s 11th Hour release of millions of dollars in state funds for 4-H and other programs wasn’t connected to the recall issue by reporters, but there’s little doubt that it was…
Illinois’ soil and water conservation districts, along with University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service offices, apparently will get the millions of dollars they need to stay open through June 30. […]
“The Senate president (Emil Jones of Chicago) came on the floor today and told us we could go ahead and start making notification of our soil and water districts and extension offices,” Demuzio said.
* As if the pressure wasn’t intense enough, what with voter anger over Rod Blagojevich and Todd Stroger (two very likely and immediate targets of any potential recall efforts), the Compensation Review Board recommended yesterday that legislators and statewide officials get another big pay raise…
Fresh off a hefty pay increase last year, state legislators are in line for another raise — and they’ll have the final say this time on whether they and other top officials get the extra cash.
Under a recommendation from the state’s Compensation Review Board, lawmakers would see their base salary jump by more than $7,000 — to nearly $73,000 a year — by next summer. Pay for legislative leaders would top more than $100,000.
* Zorn thinks recall is unlikely to pass by Sunday, and has another prediction…
But even if that proposal makes it through both chambers before a Sunday deadline—unlikely, for reasons that would infuriate you if I had room to go into detail—and even if voters OK the idea, and even if they then vote to oust Blagojevich, the fastest anyone thinks that could happen would be about 15 months.
* Related…
* Impeachment dust kicked up by recall talk
* Madigan says House could work weekend on recall
* House Lawmakers Could Face Long Weekend on Recall Measure
* Pat Quinn puts principle over self-preservation in backing new recall bill
* Capital deal could be months from completion: “Most believe nothing is going to happen until the veto session,” said Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, on Wednesday.
* Lawmakers in line for another pay raise
* Illinois legislators may get another raise
* Public defender: Stroger gave me unqualified workers
* Palatine Mayor: Secession From County Is Possible
* Stroger: Secede if you want to, but it’s ‘not really practical’
* Palatine residents attend gathering despite Stroger’s decision not to go
* In Todd Stroger’s absence, Palatine talks of absenting itself from Cook County
8 Comments
|
|
Comments Off
|
This just in…
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 2:24 pm - House Speaker Michael Madigan has just informed the House that he will call them into session beyond tomorrow’s scheduled adjournment if the Senate passes the constitutional amendment for recall on Thursday. Members are wondering if they need to be in town before the final 3rd Reading vote. It appears, of course, that they do.
Madigan was asked whether he would propose any amendments to the Senate proposal. He said he didn’t plan to do so, but he didn’t know what the sponsor - who will likely be Rep. Jack Franks - will do.
Madigan pointed out that if this proposed constitutional amendment is amended in the House, then it would have to be read three times in each chamber again. Sunday is the deadline to get the measure on the November ballot.
*** 2:25 pm *** Madigan was just asked by Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) why this proposal has become such a high priority. Madigan replied that, at least among House members, “This has become such a priority because of Governor Blagojevich.”
Ouch.
* 2:39 pm - Rep. Jack Franks spoke to reporters a short time ago about the Senate’s recall proposal, which he calls “a better bill” than his own. He said he won’t amend the bill. Here’s the audio….
[audio:Franks.mp3]
[If the audio player isn’t working for you, click here to download the mp3 file.]
* 2:43 pm - John Patterson at the Daily Herald no longer has a “bloggy type thing.” He’s got a real blog now with comments and everything. His latest post…
A “deal” on what supporters call major ethics legislation was supposed to be announced at 1 p.m. at the Capitol. But that announcement has now been pushed back to 4:30 p.m.
Some Republican supporters weren’t informed of the delay by the Democrats — who run the show in Springfield.
The GOP’s initial reaction was not a positive one.
Now the question is whether the delay is procedural or fatal.
…Adding… Rep. Fritchey just said that the ethics deal is still a deal. He’ll be holding a press conference with Sen. Harmon, House GOP Leader Cross and others at 4:30 this afternoon. The 1 pm press conference unveiling the deal was delayed so Fritchey could make extra sure that the deal was really a deal.
* 3:03 pm - The SJ-R has more…
Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said details of the ethics package wil be released later today.
He described the latest version as taking the best elements of separate House and Senate proposals that were both aimed at banning campaign contributions from contractors who do business with the state.
* 3:26 pm - With about an hour to go before the press conference, negotiators are still “tweaking” the compromise ethics bill. So, things could still go wrong, but the train appears mostly on track.
26 Comments
|
A complete lack of trust
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* One thing I hear a lot from the governor’s allies and flaks is, “I don’t know why you don’t trust us.” I usually just chuckle and walk away, but they do need to be reminded of the depth of mistrust they sow on an almost hourly basis…
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a mass transit funding law that promised more money for downstate bus and public transportation systems.
They are still waiting on the money.
As part of the Chicago transit bailout law approved in January, lawmakers also threw in $50 million in new funding for downstate systems with the goal of boosting the amount the state reimburses them for expenses from 55 percent to 65 percent.
The increase would allow some existing downstate transit systems to expand their routes and services and would enable other communities to create new systems in areas that aren’t served by public transportation. […]
When asked on Tuesday about the status of the proposed funding, Katherine Ridgway, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Office of Management and Budget, would only say the administration is reviewing the numbers.
* The Blagojevich administration has been pulling stuff like this since Day One. Last year wasn’t the first time a budget deal was broken. Blagojevich broke one in the summer of 2003 - his first year in office. The governor negotiated and agreed to a budget and then vetoed out a bunch of stuff after the GA had passed the legislation and left town.
It’s been all downhill since then.
* The big issue now is the capital plan. Last year, the governor vetoed almost all House Democratic line items from the budget, and, as you are well aware, the Senate refused to override the vetoes. Now, the governor believes that the House Dems should just trust him to sign a capital bill without changes and distribute the funds in an even-handed manner.
“Oh, sure we’ll do it,” they always say, with a dismissive wave of the hand. “He’ll have our word.”
And that word means what, exactly?
25 Comments
|
|
Comments Off
|
Ozinga claims to raise big bucks
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* This first bit isn’t huge news because he’s had a virtual lock on the slot for weeks…
Martin Ozinga III will end weeks of speculation and officially kick off his campaign at 11:30 a.m. today as the Republican candidate in the 11th Congressional District.
* But a new e-mail from Ozinga’s campaign is interesting…
Marty Ozinga announced today, 4/30, that he has raised $408,235 from nearly 300 contributors since he began raising money at the beginning of April. The total above does not reflect any personal contributions made by Marty himself.
* Early fundraising is usually the easiest because the cash is often from friends and family. We also don’t know how many of those early conributors maxed out, and, therefore, will not be allowed to contribute again.
* Halvorson has been raising money as well…
From Jan. 17 through the end of March, Halvorson raised a net $432,970 and ended the period with cash reserves of $673,023.
Ozinga has said that he won’t put in more than $350,000 of his own cash, beyond that level would allow his opponent Debbie Halvorson to accept larger campaign checks.
…Adding… There’s some useful info in this Associated Press story…
“My life, both in work and in community and in my family, is all based on a simple philosophical foundation that I exist first of all to honor and glorify God and then secondly to serve the crown of his creation which is our fellow man,” Ozinga said. […]
On the issues, Ozinga said he opposes raising taxes and supports President Bush’s tax cuts. With motorists besieged by skyrocketing gasoline prices, Ozinga said the country needs to work hard at promoting the research and development of alternative energy sources, everything from nuclear power to clean coal technology.
He calls the Iraq war “a frustration and a disappointment that we’ve been there for so long.” He said there needs to be timelines for the Iraqi government to show improvement, but not timetables for what the American military does in that country.
“I would bring the troops home when we win, meaning when we accomplish our … goals,” Ozinga said, adding he would rely on the advice of military commanders there.
18 Comments
|
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
AT&T has been introducing its cable alternative, a cutting-edge service called U-verse, in parts of Illinois since January. Thanks to the support of Attorney General Madigan and General Assembly members who fought for the Cable and Video Competition Law, consumers in Illinois are beginning to enjoy the benefits of competition.
Senator Clayborne and Representative Brosnahan sponsored this because people were tired of annual rate increases and poor customer service with few alternatives. They, along with Senate President Jones and House Speaker Madigan, understood this was an important vote for our consumers and our economy
Since it was signed by Governor Blagojevich on June 30, 2007, AT&T has created more than 1,400 Illinois jobs related to U-verse’s rollout. They have also started on a more than $1.3 billion investment plan in its Illinois network over the next several years to bring new services, including state-of-the-art television, to consumers. AT&T has consistently rolled out new services to as many customers as possible - as quickly as possible. AT&T is working hard to deliver on that promise with U-verse, which is currently available in parts of more than 230 communities.
This legislative collaboration is convincing evidence that the public and the private sector can create a framework that encourages investment and innovation at a time when our economy can certainly use a boost.
AT&T has clearly demonstrated it’s committed to connecting people to their world. These connections are made possible thanks to elected officials who’ve created a new era of opportunity in Illinois.
More info here.
Comments Off
|
Here we go…
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The push is on…
The leader of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority said Tuesday that the agency has solved a seemingly intractable puzzle: How to purchase and renovate Wrigley Field without using any state or local tax dollars.
“We are working on a proposal to present to Tribune Co. that will allow ISFA to acquire and fully restore Wrigley Field, as well as add parking and neighborhood improvements, without using any public tax money, either state or local,” said former Gov. James Thompson, chairman of the agency.
The bid will be delivered “shortly,” Thompson said.
* So, how will it be financed?
[Thompson] would only say what the new plan would not include: “No PSLs [personal seat licenses] . . . No sales tax. No amusement tax. No McCormick Place [restaurant] tax. No taxes of any kind. I know that will disappoint the Sun-Times editorial board. But it’s the best I can do,” he said.
“Obviously, a deal done without tax money has a better chance of being approved than a deal based on tax money. Now the Sun-Times editorial board will be for it, right?”
Even if no tax money is directly used, the impact on state and local tax coffers should also be examined. Zell is a financial wizard when it comes to taxes and Mother Tribune is no slouch either. Will this involve some sort of tax break for Zell?
* Thompson did offer this hint…
Thompson hesitated when asked if his new plan would rely on the controversial sale of naming rights to the 94-year-old shrine of Major League Baseball.
Tribune CEO Sam Zell’s plan to sell naming rights to Wrigley to generate as much as $400 million over 20 years has met with stiff resistance from baseball purists and die-hard Cub fans. “I would say yes. But we would look for a naming rights deal that does not displace Wrigley Field.'’
I’m not sure what that means, exactly, but there will be a real problem convincing legislators to vote for a bill that would change the name or look of Wrigley Field.
* Thompson wouldn’t say how much the state would offer to pay for the decrepit ball park, but he did manage an Olympics tie-in, which is something that everybody is doing in Chicago these days…
Getting a deal done “will show the Olympic committee that we know how to do these things in Chicago,” [Thompson] said.
22 Comments
|
Recall Roundup
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I live-blogged this yesterday, so let’s do a quick wrap-up of what we already know and move from there…
Senate Democrats on Tuesday advanced their own version of a proposal to let voters remove the governor and other elected officials, a move critics said was aimed at throwing the recall effort off track by running out the clock.
The competing Senate recall legislation would add local officials such as judges, mayors and county board presidents to the public servants who could be booted.
It also would require both the governor and lieutenant governor to be recalled together rather than just one or the other. That’s because they run together as a team in general elections, said Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago), the new plan’s architect.
* Quinn’s reaction…
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, a Blagojevich critic and a strong proponent of the recall measure, criticized that provision in committee testimony. “I don’t believe I should have my record judged'’ based on the governor’s record, Quinn said. But he supported the measure anyway, calling it “a moment in history'’ for Illinois.
* There’s no guarantee yet that this will pass…
All 22 Senate Republicans figure to support the plan. But the question will be if or how hard Jones works to keep at least 14 of his members off the ballot initiative to keep it from getting the necessary 36 votes to move to the House.
* And there’s also a disagreement on when Gov. Blagojevich might be recalled if the voters approve it in November…
…the soonest Blagojevich could be recalled would be the 2010 primary, said Sen. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst), the amendment’s chief Senate sponsor.
Quinn, however, said a gubernatorial recall could occur as early as “late summer or early fall” of next year.
* There is some hope among Blagojevich allies that this recall proposal might lance the boil and stop or slow talk of impeachment, and Quinn seems to be helping that along…
Despite allegations of potential wrongdoing, it’s too early to launch impeachment proceedings against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his running mate said Tuesday.
As talk of impeachment echoes through the Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said he’d rather see the state Senate give voters the opportunity to recall elected officials.
“I think its time to trust the people,” Quinn said.
* On a related note, Michigan has a recall law, and some angry voters in that troubled state are raising money and organizing to recall the House Speaker and other state legislators….
A group aiming to recall state lawmakers for approving tax increases reports raising more than $100,000 since late October.
The recall effort recently has focused on House Speaker Andy Dillon, a Democrat from Wayne County’s Redford Township.
* There’s also a recall move against Detroit’s mayor…
Wayne County officials approved language for a recall campaign against Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, green-lighting the second effort to oust him since the $8.4 million whistle-blower scandal broke this year.
* The Senate’s somewhat about-face on recall was due in no small part to exploding voter anger. And that helps explain why a constitutional amendment to do away with the state’s flat-tax mandate failed so miserably yesterday. Here are a bunch of stories on that front…
* Illinois Senate rejects sliding income tax proposal
* Legislators reject possible tax overhaul
* Senate rejects income tax amendment
* Senate Dems Chicken Out on Income Tax Hike Measure
19 Comments
|
Witness: Rezko shared cash with Blagojevich
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Take some caution with this one…
Tony Rezko asked an official in Gov. Blagojevich’s administration to pay him $25,000 so Rezko could use the money to keep construction contractors from putting a lien on the governor’s home, federal prosecutors said in court today.
Prosecutors got a judge’s OK for Ali Ata — former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority — to be allowed to tell jurors in Rezko’s corruption trial about the cash payments.
Rezko told Ata “this is going to be embarrassing to him [Blagojevich]” if the contractors put a lien on Blagojevich’s Ravenswood Manor home, Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton told U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve.
* The reasons you should be careful about assuming too much are several-fold, including this one…
“Ata claims that he gave or lent cash to Rezko on four or five occasions . . . and estimates the total cash disbursements amounted to $125,000,” Rezko’s lawyers wrote. “Ata alternatively stated he did not know what the cash was for, then proceeds to say he supplied $25,000 in cash to pay certain contractors who were threatening to put a lien on another individual’s [Blagojevich’s] home.
“Ata recounted these alleged cash transactions in a suspiciously dramatic way, including meetings on ‘narrow streets’ in Chicago with ‘black plastic bags’ of cash.”
First, this is Tony Rezko allegedly telling Ata why he wanted the money. We don’t know if Rezko told the truth to Ata or if Ata concocted the story to help hi stay out of prison. And even if Rezko did tell the truth, there’s no guarantee that Blagojevich knew about it.
* But the judge will allow the testimony…
[Judge St. Eve] said such testimony was relevant because it showed the relations between Ata, Rezko and Kelly.
She did bar the prosecutors, however, from bringing in such atmospheric embellishments as “black plastic bags” and “narrow streets.”
* And, of course, there’s more…
Prosecutors said Ata will say Rezko extracted four bribes from him, including the one to avert the lien. Another involved a $50,000 payment that Rezko allegedly said was destined for Blagojevich fundraiser Chris Kelly.
Ata said the money was passed in cloak-and-dagger fashion as he and Rezko drove to Kelly’s house in the southwest suburbs. “The cash is in the car when they go down there,” Hamilton said. “And when they leave Mr. Kelly’s house, the money isn’t there any more.”
Kelly, who faces criminal charges in an unrelated case, denied the allegations through his lawyer. “If Mr. Ata is saying he gave large amounts of cash to Mr. Kelly for political purposes or to get some state position, that is simply incorrect,” said Michael Monico, Kelly’s attorney.
Notice there was no denial that Kelly might have received cash for other purposes.
* And the governor’s statement…
“We can’t comment on alleged conversations that the governor was not a party to,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said today. “As we said last year, the Blagojeviches personally paid for the work to renovate their 14-by-20 family room out of their checking account.”
Man, this is crazy stuff.
25 Comments
|
Morning Shorts
Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* State may sue school in sex harassment case
An order by the state Human Rights Commission paves the way for Attorney General Lisa Madigan to sue Loop Lab School for $40,000 that the school and a former official owe an ex-teacher who was sexually harassed on the job.
* Option 5: Garfield Park
* NIU won’t raze Cole Hall
* 450 U of I Extension jobs on the chopping block
“If I lose my job, I’ll lose a job I love, and very few people can really say that and mean it,” Nelson said. “I am angry and upset that what’s happening politically is affecting my personal career choices and my personal passion.”
* Parking cops on booting binge
At least 1,500 more parking ticket scofflaws and red-light runners have had their vehicles booted — and 12,000 more Chicago parking tickets have been written — in the first three months of a $1.5 million technology upgrade.
* Cook County Realtor hired by Stroger demoted after questions of his qualifications
* Stroger to skip Palatine secession meeting
Citing “political grandstanding by village council members,” Cook County Board President Todd Stroger said Tuesday he would not attend a meeting in Palatine on Wednesday night scheduled to discuss county services provided to residents.
* No-show Stroger’s disdain for suburbs
* Cook Co.’s public defender fights to keep his position
* Media take R. Kelly appeal to Illinois Supreme Court
* City receives $153M in federal funds for traffic
* ID law disenfranchises voters
* Medill’s dean says he made a mistake
* Fremd High takes top honors in state journalism competition
10 Comments
|
|
Comments Off
|
|
Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...
 
...............
...............
...............
...............
|
   
|
Hosted by MCS |
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax |
Advertise Here |
Mobile Version |
Contact Rich Miller
|
