After drawing fire in 2003 for using chartered airplanes to travel to and from meetings, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees has curbed private flights and cut back on travel expenses.
But some trustees have taken up the expensive habit of being chauffeured to and from university-related events.
* The News Gazette looked at chauffeured limo costs for a few different meetings. Here’s just one of them, from March 13 of this year…
The university paid Premier Limo $3,767 to chauffeur four separate trustees in four separate cars from the Chicago area to Urbana, where the meeting was held in the Illini Union, and back again. Trustee Robert Sperling’s bill: $1,002. Trustee Niranjan Shah’s bill: $942. Trustee James Montgomery’s bill: $940. Trustee Frances Carroll’s bill: $882.
Another $3,200 or so was spent on driving the trustees around campus, including to and from the Illini Union to the President’s House on Florida Avenue. That amount was paid to the Urbana campus’ motor pool for the use of the cars and the drivers’ time.
* All told, the trustees have racked up over $14,000 in limo expenses this year alone. Here’s the university’s response…
“There is no big spending or excessive spending by the board of trustees when it comes to travel,” UI spokesman Tom Hardy said. “What you have is a handful of trustees who for personal or professional reasons a car service represents a safe, efficient mode of transportation to carry out their volunteer, uncompensated role as trustees, as policymakers and stewards of the University of Illinois.”
Trustees are not being driven around in limos, Shah said. They’re four-door sedans, such as Lincoln Town Cars.
[Board secretary Michele Thompson] said she has ridden Amtrak between Chicago and Champaign, but the trains are not always on time. Trains also do not leave Chicago early enough to deliver trustees to meetings in Urbana that start at about 9 a.m.
Try Greyhound, Ms. Thompson. They have a bus leaving every morning at 6:15, arriving at 9:10. Perhaps the board of trustees can push back the meeting starts by a few minutes.
We adhere to the strictest attention to privacy, promptness, quality, courtesy and above all luxury.
[Emphasis added]
And how does the company describe what the university claims are just “four-door sedans”?
Luxury Sedans
Photos from the site…
…And another addition… Gov. Blagojevich made a big deal out of the chartered flights when he first took office…
He also cited several examples of “wasteful spending” that showed “an utter lack of accountability,” such as… a trustee’s chartered flight from Chicago to Urbana that could pay a full year’s tuition at the University of Illinois.
The chauffered limos are now on his watch. We’ll have to wait and see how he justifies this.
Today, Steve Sauerberg, M.D., announced the endorsements of the Chairman of the State Republican Party and the President of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association. “I am honored to have the endorsement of Andy McKenna and Randy Pollard,” said Sauerberg. “A unified Republican Party can and will help to return Illinois values to Washington by replacing ultra-liberal Dick Durbin next November.” […]
The President of the Republican County Chairmen’s Association, Randy Pollard, echoed McKenna’s praise for Sauerberg. “Steve has put together a tremendous campaign - successfully recruiting supporters and building a motivated volunteer base,” said Pollard. “Steve’s campaign is both an opportunity to unite the Republican Party and an opportunity to send a Senator to Washington who is committed to representing all Illinoisans.”
Question: What’s the over/under on Sauerberg’s final vote percentage next November?
* An investigation of a “major fundraiser” for Gov. Rod Blagojevich who was also a member of the governor’s transition team came up empty. But the investigation came under investigation…
A state Medicaid fraud probe into a major fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich was fraught with complaints from career investigators that they were hindered by political interference during their three-year case, a Tribune investigation has found.
The first investigator on the case reported that he got a call from his boss, the state’s top pharmacy regulator, asking him to do a favor for the fundraiser, a Joliet drugstore owner who helped get the regulator his job.
In the months that followed, other investigators complained that a proposed audit was scaled back, that an investigative subpoena was stalled and that they suspected the pharmacist was forewarned of their strategies, according to the former senior assistant attorney general who oversaw the Medicaid probe.
* Harish M. Bhatt is the pharmacist in question…
As a member of the governor’s transition team, Bhatt said, he put forth the names of Indian-American professionals suggested from within that community to fill state posts. Two of those he recommended became members of the state’s Board of Pharmacy, and another became the director of drug compliance for IDFPR, the state’s top pharmacy regulator.
* That regulator recommended by Bhatt is apparently Yashwant Amin, who the Tribune claims “took over the top regulator’s job in September 2003 with the responsibility of overseeing the agency’s staff of seven pharmacy auditors.”
A month after Amin was appointed…
“[Veteran auditor James F. Thorns] stated that on Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 Thorns received a phone call from Amin, Thorns’ boss,” State Police Special Agent Mario Mollo wrote in an investigative report obtained by the Tribune. “Amin told Thorns that he had a ‘good friend’ and Amin wanted to know what Thorns could do to help his friend.
“Thorns asked Amin what friend he was alluding to and Amin told Thorns his friend’s name was Harrish [sic] Bhatt. Amin told Thorns that he talked to Bhatt after Thorns’ visit to Basinger’s Pharmacy on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003.”
* Amin flatly denies that statement by Thoms, who died in 2006. This is the response from the Blagojevich administration…
“It sounds to me like all you have is some unsubstantiated allegation from a dead guy,” [IDFPR spokeswoman Susan Hofer] said.
Actually, no. As the Tribune article notes, some people who are still very much alive are not happy about the way that whole thing went down.
* Related…
* The Association of Indian Pharmacists in America recently held their 14th annual banquet at the Holiday Inn Express in Elmhurst. This event was attended by well-known celebrities, including Gov. Rod Blagojevich and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, along with over 600 members and invited guests., according to an organization press release.
“AIPhA has made significant gains in the political arena, having earned newfound respect and co-operation with a plethora of state representatives,” the release added. “Through its efforts, AIPhA has brought government officials to the table and has opened dialogues never before possible. Even now, AIPhA is preparing itself to work with the state on many issues including measures to: increase access to pharmaceutical care to every citizen of Illinois; enact legislation that will properly monitor and control Pharmacy Benefits Managers’ irregular and incoherent policies that have financially crippled the state and pharmacies alike.”
* “The Association of Indian Pharmacists in America (AIPHA) supports Illinois Covered as the most comprehensive plan proposed to date to provide health insurance to all Illinoisans, and the Gross Receipts Tax proposal to provide the funding necessary to successfully implement the program,” said Harish Bhatt, Executive Director of the AIPHA.
* Three days of lavish festivities will ring in the 57th Indian independence day on Aug. 15 in Chicago with the Indian American community inviting Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit as Grand Marshals.
Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) president Raghu Nayak said the two stars will join Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. […]
Harish Bhatt, parade chairman, said this year the FIA expected 40 floats showcasing India’s traditions, culture, costumes, religions, languages, music, dance and cuisine.
* New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann is Congressman Jerry Weller’s choice to replace him in DC. Baldermann had a couple of harsh words for his likely Democratic opponent yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson…
Baldermann also picked on Halvorsen’s part in the state’s budget mess.
“The last thing we need is that kind of dysfunction brought to Washington,” Baldermann said.
* But Weller could be a liability for Baldermann, as this excerpt hints…
Weller was supposed to appear at Monday’s breakfast with Baldermann, but cancelled because a family-related issue, said McLean County Republican Party Chairman John Parrott.
Weller’s retirement announcement came amid questions surrounding land investments in Nicaragua and the finances of his wife, a South American politician.
Homer Glen Mayor Jim Daley said his decision to withdraw his name from the pool of candidates interested in the 11th Congressional District seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller all came down to timing.
Also Monday, a 30-year-old Chicago Republican announced he will vie for Weller’s seat.
Jimmy Lee, who served on the White House Initiative on Asian and Pacific Islanders, has not previously held public office, but worked on Republican Jim Ryan’s 2002 campaign for governor and has served as an advisor to Dupage County Board President Bob Schillerstrom and former state Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka.
He said he is in the process of moving into the district, which stretches from Chicago’s south suburbs to Bloomington-Normal.
* As expected, state Rep. Aaron Schock has a big money lead in the GOP primary to replace Congressman Ray LaHood…
State Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, has netted $375,913 since filing candidacy with the Federal Election Commission in mid-August. John Morris, who for the last 10 years has overseen private fundraising as vice president for development for WTVP-TV, Channel 47, has raised about $218,210, according to federal campaign disclosure reports filed Monday.
Heartland Partnership CEO Jim McConoughey has roughly $55,000 in cash on hand, a spokesman said. The actual amount he raised wasn’t yet posted by early Monday evening.
Schock spent about $74,674, leaving him with more than $301,000 in cash on hand, while Morris spent about $20,500 and has about $197,350 in cash
Dick Versace just got into the race, so he doesn’t have to file his disclosure report until January.
* It appears that Schock had several of his contributors send in the maximum amount for both the primary and general elections. 41 of his 193 contributors sent in $4600, so over $94,000 of that cash can’t be spent until after the February primary. Even so, Schock still raised more for the primary than Morris and he has a big leg up on the general.
Kirk [raised more than $525,000 and] had more than $1.5 million in his campaign kitty at the end of the reporting period, reports showed.
Seals, who nearly upset Kirk a year ago in his maiden political campaign, focusing on the war in Iraq, raised an estimated $300,000 during the third quarter, giving him close to $500,000. Footlik, an adviser on Jewish affairs under President Bill Clinton, raised nearly $200,000, bringing his contributions to around $480,000.
* And Bean’s numbers…
In the northwest suburban 8th District, two-termer Bean of Barrington had about $1 million in her fund after raising about $377,000. […]
Bean’s leading Republican opponent, Long Grove businessman Steven Greenberg, has raised about $180,000 since he announced his campaign in July. Republicans Kirk Morris of Gurnee, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq, and Ken Arnold, a health benefits consultant from Gurnee, did not file.
* Lipinski race…
Chicago’s 3rd District race witnessed a rarity: a challenger raising more than the incumbent in a primary. Mark Pera, a Cook County assistant state’s attorney, raised $100,000 for the third quarter. Lipinski raised $76,000. The second-term incumbent still leads in cash on hand, $321,000 to $180,000.
That cash on hand is probably the more important number, however, and Little Lip has a clear lead. Still, Pera showed he can rake in cash, so we’ll see.
* Hastert’s seat…
In the far west suburban 14th District, Oberweis and Lauzen are virtually tied in the amount of cash on hand. Lauzen had $528,000 left as of Sept. 30 after spending only $17,000, while Oberweis had $178,000 left and announced he added another $325,000 Monday. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns raised about $68,000 and had $51,000 left.
On the Democratic side, retired physicist Bill Foster raised the most at nearly $209,000, and added $200,000 of his money. Geneva attorney Jotham Stein collected $61,600 to push his total to $105,000, but he had less than $34,000 left. John Laesch, who lost to Hastert in November, raised $45,000 and had about $20,000 left.
* From the Bill Foster campaign…
In unitemized contributions, we were the clear winners in all of this. That’s the measuring stick of grassroots support since those are the low dollar donors. In fact, we outraised our primary opponents combined and the GOP field combined.
DEM
Foster: 38710.98
Laesch: 19254.87
Stein: 11837.27
*** UPDATE *** Dan Hynes endorses Foster. From a press release…
Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes announced today his endorsement of scientist and businessman Bill Foster for Congress in the Democratic primary election.
“Bill Foster is the type of voice we need in Washington to bring real change to families here in Illinois,” said Hynes. “His background as a scientist and a businessman gives him the ability to take a fresh look at the challenges our country faces. I’m proud to give him my support.”
It should be interesting to see how second-time candidate John Laesch responds. Laesch was known for his goofy rantings last year and he hasn’t disappointed this year, either. When Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias endorsed Foster, Laesch had this to say…
“Laesch shrugged off Giannoulias’ endorsement, calling him “just a wealthy guy who bought himself an office.”
“I don’t think it’s a big endorsement of any kind,” he said.”
Ald. George Cardenas (12th) said he got an e-mail from an angry constituent who warned him to “get your hands out of my pocket, you stooge.”
Why would anyone admit that? I almost spit out my coffee when I read Cardenas’ quote.
* More from the story…
“If this budget would pass right now with all these taxes, I suspect that probably half of the people who voted for it would not be in this Council next time around because this one has eyes. It’s going to walk all over the place,” said Ald. Ed Smith (28th), former chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus. […]
Ald. Richard Mell (33rd) was so desperate for a way out of raising property taxes, he proposed raiding the long-term reserve fund created to shore up the city’s bond rating after the $1.83 billion deal that privatized the Chicago Skyway.
When Johnson warned that the fund was for “major emergencies like catastrophes,” Mell said, “If you talk to some of the people I’ve been talking to — to them, this is a catastrophe.”
After being grilled by aldermen, [Budget Director Bennett Johnson III] told reporters “we are going to try our best to build consensus” on the best way to balance next year’s budget. He said employee layoffs are an option “if people want to cut services.”
But to wipe out the proposed property-tax increase by cutting payroll would mean 2,160 job cuts, one in five workers who have duties not related to public safety, he said.
“If we want to be like Detroit, Toronto, San Antonio, Jacksonville, all these places where they are cutting services, it is a downward spiral that’s hard to get out of,” Johnson said.
Ah, the ol’ “Detroit card.” I wondered when that one was gonna be played.
* Meanwhile, over at the county, the budget deficit will be smaller than first projected, “just” $230 million, but lots of tax hikes are on the table…
Stroger told commissioners what to expect in a series of meetings Monday. They say going to the store, filling up at the gas pump, parking downtown, talking on the phone or even warming up your furnace could cost more in order to help cover the county’s costs.
Under the proposed budget, property taxes would be hiked to pay for the Forest Preserve District. To pay for county government, Stroger is considering doubling the county gas tax to 12 cents a gallon, doubling the downtown parking tax to about $40 for monthly users and possibly renewing a push for an increased sales tax, just weeks after commissioners shot down a 2 percentage point hike.
Already on the table are hikes to utility and phone bills. “Everything’s on the table,”Commissioner Mike Quigley (D-10th) said.
Adding a wrinkle to the budget debate is a critical presentation today from the health community concluding that the county hospital system has been so mismanaged, control should be put in the hands of an independent, medical panel.
The Institute of Medicine of Chicago, meanwhile, is circulating a petition in the local health-care community asking the county to shift control of the system immediately to an independent board charged with reversing what the institute calls a “precipitous decline” in services
It’s not as if there’s ever been a ban on prayer in schools. Students can pray all day. And, just as with the moment of silence, they can even pray in their heads. I do it all the time, especially as deadline approaches. I’ve gotten so accustomed to this, my lips don’t even move. That’s OK. God can hear.
“He was a true champion of working men and women - a great guy who never forgot where he came from,” Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday.
Mr. Fitzgerald, 57, a longtime resident of Chicago’s Beverly community, died Saturday in his home in the Little Village neighborhood after a brief illness, according to sister Maureen Kelly, of Evergreen Park.
A year ago, for health reasons, he stepped down as business manager and financial secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134. In that role for 11 years, Mr. Fitzgerald raised more than $625,000 in political contributions - only one measure of his influence.
* Opinion: Did Poshard’s dog eat this bibliography?
Congress boosted the amount families in Illinois could earn to up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level — $61,950 for a family of four. In Illinois, SCHIP is used to partially pay for the state’s All Kids health insurance program.
It’s bad enough that Illinois Senate President Emil Jones won’t let senators vote on whether to override Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s budget vetoes. But his selfish, self-centered reason for the obstructionism is downright sickening.
Jones isn’t claiming his decision is in the public’s best interest, or even that he is protecting some pet programs. No, this is all about vengeance.
He claims his fellow legislative leaders stabbed him in the back earlier in the year, and he wants retribution. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to be dictated to by anyone in this chamber, anyone (in the governor’s office) or anyone in the other chamber,” Jones told one reporter.
Right, but it’s OK for Jones to dictate to everyone else?
… That leaves us with Jones not allowing a veto override vote, and Madigan not allowing a vote on the bills needed to implement the already-passed budget. While over in the executive office, Blagojevich is railing about calling yet another special session in December. Stupid, unnecessary gridlock foisted on us by people who have lost sight of what public service really means.
If this were a third-grade playground, it would be expected. But this is about billions of our tax dollars not going to care for school kids, the disabled and old, sick people. In a word - shameful.
…For instance, it’s no secret that Republican state Sen. Bill Brady, of Bloomington, wants to run for governor in 2010. He ran for governor last year and lost the GOP primary, and ever since he’s attempted to set himself up as a top Republican critic of Blagojevich.
Brady is a popular, well-liked legislator, but he has had his goofy moments this year.
During debate on the state budget bill last summer, Brady said he hoped the governor would veto the bill. Then, a few minutes later, Brady voted for the very bill that he said he wanted Blagojevich to kill.
But that’s not all. After Blagojevich actually did veto part of the budget bill, Brady began agitating to have the General Assembly override those vetoes.
Now, it’s not as simple and clear-cut as it looks. The governor’s vetoes were blatantly political and, in many cases, harmful and hypocritical. But Brady has jumped around more on this thing than an espresso-chugging frog.
…The conflict is between our three top Democrats. In Illinois, that’s the same as a fracture between three brothers. Brothers who happen to be princes of the kingdom. Yes, there are entitlement issues. They’re the elected leaders of our state government.
To sum up the gloomy news: the Legislature opts for the plan that makes homeowners pay more taxes. And Daley takes that as a green light to go after even more.
Ironically, it’s being argued that Canary’s bill isn’t sweeping enough. Ironic, because Senate President Jones is pitching that argument. Jones’ spokeswoman told me Friday by phone that there is a far superior ethics bill in play, HB824. One that would prohibit “pay-to-play” contracting but would also install safeguards about who gets lucrative pension and bond business and more.
Great. Let’s pass that one.
Ah, but that’s the problem, isn’t it? Even though HB824 has genuine reform-minded legislators such as state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg (D-Evanston) behind it, and is filled with good ideas, it appears to have less of prayer than HB1. It’s not even in final written form yet, and has fewer Senate sponsors.
In the end, it may be the same old story. Just as we are about to embark on a $25 billion capital improvement program, where “pay to play” still poisons the process, we have no ethics bill.
Canary calls it the Goldilocks scenario: “This one’s too big, this one’s too little . . . everybody gets to go home and say they put their name on something . . . and we get nothing.”
Blagojevich is “flash, splash, showbiz,” while Madigan is “stealth, quiet … and very effective,” says Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson of Greenville, who has worked with both men in tense private meetings they’ve had this year trying to agree on something, anything.
The fact that both Democrats have turned to Republican Watson, of all people, as a kind of political go-between says it all about their relationship.
“The differences, personality-wise … it is the problem, and the (reason) nothing’s been done,” Watson said last week. “It’s just ingrained personality problems they have between themselves.”
Col. Jill Morgenthaler, most recently Illinois’ Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor, has entered the 6th Congressional District race as a Democratic challenger to first-term Republican Congressman Peter Roskam. Jill has over 30 years of military, government and private business experience, much of it focused on emergency preparedness, communications and business development.
Tammy Duckworth, an Army Major and injured Iraq War veteran, decided against a rematch with Roskam. Duckworth lost by about 5,000 votes in the ‘06 general election, in a race that cost millions. No word yet on whether Morgenthaler will receive similar support from the DC Democrats, who seem to be concentrating much more intently on the Jerry Weller seat.
Between the elder Lipinski’s consulting business, Blue Chip Consulting, which rents space at the Archer Avenue congressional headquarters of Dan Lipinski, and the 23rd Ward political operation, Dan Lipinski has placed his governmental duties precariously close to lobbyists and political entities. Not smart.
When Dan Lipinski won an assignment to the House Transportation Committee, he insisted he would avoid any conflicts of interest. His father represents United Airlines and many other transportation giants.
“He won’t lobby me,” Lipinski said.
Dan Lipinski’s own disclosure forms, however, show he paid Blue Chip $5,500 in consulting fees since 2005 - a contradiction of his previous position, which was dubious from the start. Who would know if, for example, over cheeseburgers and milkshakes, the two Lipinskis discussed transportation issues? Like many questionable loose ends that remain unanswered - how, for example, voting records show Dan Lipinski casting ballots in person, in Chicago, at times when he was living out of state - the All-American Eagle account creates yet another shadow on Dan Lipinski’s credentials.
I’ve met and talked with Dan Lipinski on numerous occasions. He’s a hardworking, sincere guy.
But he’s got this monkey on his back - the slicker, older Lipinski - who thinks he’s helping his son by clearing the underbrush from Dan’s path.
He’s not helping. He’s making his kid look weak and unprincipled.
William Lipinski is painting a target on his son’s back, forcing him to answer questions about the questionable payments to staff members; the consulting fees to Blue Chip; and the fundamental fact that a fund supposedly established for kids really is a piggy bank for the Lipinskis’ political activities.
* And we have two updates in the race to replace retiring Congressman Ray LaHood. First, the Peoria paper…
Jim McConoughey, one of three GOP candidates for the 18th Congressional seat, will launch television and radio ads today. And he’s sparing no expense.
He hired an out-of-state crew to film the production and hitting Quincy, Springfield and Peoria television media markets with 30-second spots in most of the 20-county district. He’s also going to have comprehensive coverage on AM radio stations to reach different demographics. […]
Direct mailings are expected to come out in the next two weeks introducing McConoughey and explaining what experience he brings to the table.
As I told you lsat week, McConoughey claims he’ll be in the hunt if he can just get his name and story out to voters. Those early ads will certainly help.
The Peoria column also included the obligatory plug for the local favorite…
Candidate Aaron Schock already sent out mailings the past week or so to reach his core constituency. It’s slick and compelling information.
* Next up, Billy Dennis writes about the third GOP candidate in the LaHood race…
Sources inside the John Morris congressional campaign say the former Peoria city Councilman raised more than $200,000 in contributions during September and August. The 3rd quarter financial reports are due Monday, and will cover campaign donations made from July 1, to Sept. 30.
Morris officially announced in early August, when his campaign took it’s first contribution, the source said, adding that they were pleased with the pace of contributions. Most of the donations came from individuals who live within and are able to vote inside the district. The implication is that there’s a belief that when reports from primary foes are released, they will show large donations from outside the district.
Months after he formed an exploratory committee, state Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora, announced his plans to run for Congress.
Lauzen made his official announcement Wednesday morning to a crowd of supporters and others assembled at Garfield Park in Aurora. He will seek the 14th Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Plano. Hastert, the former House speaker, who will not seek re-election in 2008.
“So fasten your seat belts, I’m running for Congress,” Lauzen said to the cheers of the crowd.
The announcement kicked off a three-day, eight-county tour with 26 stops throughout the district.
* That’s quite the grueling schedule. One thing about Lauzen is he’ll outwork just about anybody. One more brief bit…
Lauzen said, so far, more than 3,000 people have volunteered to participate in his campaign.
* Here’s a Video News Service clip that I’ve already posted at my YouTube page…
A former aide to President George W. Bush said Friday she will not run for retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller’s seat in Congress.
Meg Murer, 38, had considered making a run for the 11th Congressional District seat being vacated by Weller, a Morris Republican.
Murer said she wasn’t ready to return to Washington, D.C., after being away from the White House for a year. Murer had served as chief of the president’s correspondence division, overseeing an office that answers mail sent to the president.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency accuses Attorney General Lisa Madigan of unfairly changing how about $4 million in settlements and fines are allocated.
Madigan wants all of that money to help her office cover legal costs of pursuing polluters, IEPA spokeswoman Jill Watson told The Associated Press on Saturday. That would appear to be a change from earlier practices that made much of the money available for environmental education and grant programs.
The IEPA accuses Madigan of trying to offset $2.5 million in budget cuts ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. And agency officials say the new split is “more in the self-interest of the attorney general than in the interest of the Illinois EPA.”
With its budget deficit growing, the CTA moved Friday to eliminate more than half of its bus routes by early January, threatening to strand tens of thousands of daily commuters and worsen gridlock across the Chicago area.
The new plan, while living up to its label as a “doomsday” budget, would also sharply boost fares and employee layoffs beyond those already set to take effect next month — if the legislature does not approve new funding soon to fill a projected $158 million deficit for 2008.
Neil Codell, superintendent of Niles Township High School District 219, said in a prepared statement that legislators “have moved to new heights of buffoonery and uselessness” by not tackling what he considered to be more important issues.
The 4,800 students in his district, he said, already reflect daily through journal writing and class discussions. He noted that both his schools offer a place where students can pray or observe a holiday.
“If I’ve drawn ire here it’s because we are really fed up with their antics which is to avoid dealing with central, pertinent issues that all schools need to deal with which is school funding reform,” Codell said. “No wonder we’re down at the bottom of all the states in school funding because this is what they spend their time on.”
* Burt Constable: God, sleep, teen fantasies can fill students’ moment of silence
Much of that could change, though, under a controversial bill introduced in the General Assembly this year. Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) sponsored a bill to let lottery players create online accounts to buy tickets. Winnings would be directly deposited into those accounts […]
All unclaimed lottery prizes now go into a fund for Illinois public schools.
One school advocacy group opposes Saviano’s bill, saying the lottery is a regressive way to raise money. “We don’t see anything that is intended to be an expansion of lottery sales as a real benefit for schools,” said Clare Fauke, spokeswoman for A+ Illinois.
Legislators recently overrode Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s August veto of a bill allowing judges to decide whether juveniles who committed sex crimes can be removed from the state’s sex offender registry if they are no longer a danger to the public.
* Sweeny: SIU President has served the state with honor; more here
The early primary next year also could spell trouble for local political candidates, particularly challengers attempting to unseat incumbents. It means they may need to raise money and garner attention over the holidays and in January - when folks are short on cash and not much concerned about politics.
“The ground troops are going to be less effective,” said Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland. “People won’t even open their doors. If somebody is knocking on your door in January and you’re not expecting a visitor, they just don’t open up.”He argued primary campaigns will become more reliant on paid media to convey message, and that in turn makes campaigns more expensive - and therefore more dependent on fundraising. Incumbents, who already enjoy name recognition and possible fully stocked campaign funds, could gain an advantage.
