Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Another Friday, another desperate need for a long nap. I’m outta here, campers. Have a great weekend and thanks for all the comments this week.

Head to Illinoize. There’s an article about Mike Jacobs over there, plus a whole lot more.

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This just in… *** Updated x12 ***

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** The Sen. Mike Jacobs interview claiming that the governor threatened to run someone against him in the next election and made other threats is below. It’s a must-listen. ***

OK, here it is. The file crashed my server. I used more bandwidth today than in all of May. They had to move it to another server because it was so popular. Thanks to the fine folks at Microchip Computer Solutions for taking the time to help…

*** Download the Audio Here ***

*** Raw video of CBS2’s interview can be found by clicking here. ***

*** And Animal Farm has the transcript of the audio file above. ***

———————————————

* 11:17am - The most prevalent rumor at the Statehouse right now is that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will call the General Assembly back this weekend for a special session.

Out-of-towners are especially concerned because hotel check-out time is at noon and they need to know what to do. I’m getting bombarded with e-mails, instant messages, text messages and calls asking what’s going on.

Unfortunately, I can’t give you a definitive answer yet because no decision has reportedly been made at this moment. I can say that a trusted source says a weekend session is unlikely but not 100 percent out of the question.

Sorry that I couldn’t be more helpful. I guess you could always check back into your rooms if a decision is made.

Meanwhile, let’s all keep our fingers crossed, tap our heels together, close our eyes and say in unison: “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

Hey, it can’t hurt.

* 11:33am - I should also point out that last night Senate President Emil Jones said they would likely go home for the weekend unless the Republicans don’t cooperate. If the Republicans made trouble, he said, then he would keep everyone in. As usual, nobody knew whether he was completely joking or not.

*** UPDATE 1 *** 11:50 am - The Senate has a new amendment to SB5, which takes out the effective date. SB5 is the governor’s health insurance program.

Last night, an amendment with the substance of the package fell a vote short of 30, which was an embarrassment for the governor.

*** UPDATE 2 *** 12:05pm - I guess I should add that this new amendment means the bill only requires 30 votes to pass instead of an extraordinary majority. If the bill becomes law, it won’t take effect until June 30 of next year.

The guv’s people thought they had 30 votes to pass the amendment last night, but at least one SDem flipped very late and voted against the amendment. If that Senator is back on board, then they may very well have the 30 votes to send this to the House.

*** UPDATE 3 *** 12:10pm - The House has adjourned until Tuesday.

*** UPDATE 4 *** 12:30pm - The governor’s office has told Speaker Madigan’s office that no special session is planned. So that’s good news, but I get the impression that they’re not holding their breath. Trust is at a premium right now.

*** UPDATE 5 *** 12:49pm - I’m hearing that the governor is putting extreme pressure on Sen. Mike Jacobs to get him to switch positions and vote for Blagojevich’s health insurance bill. Sources say that the governor was very intense during the “loud” meeting and threats were allegedly made to run someone against Jacobs in the next election. Oy.

Jacobs initially agreed to vote for the health insurance bill yesterday, but reportedly changed his mind when he came to the conclusion that he couldn’t trust the governor to keep the promise he made. The governor reportedly offered to release $75 million for a college expansion in Jacobs’ district in exchange for his vote on SB5.

Jacobs is expected to talk about the meetings either on the floor during debate or with reporters later.

I don’t think from what I’ve heard that the gubernatorial pressure has worked so far. Now that the threat has been made to run someone against him, it would be difficult for Jacobs to go along. Stay tuned.

If you’re listening to the Senate right now and can’t figure out why they aren’t moving anything, the Jacobs situation is the likely reason.

*** UPDATE 6 *** 1:45pm - The Senate has adjourned. Looks like Jacobs withstood the pressure.

*** UPDATE 7 *** 1:47pm - Jacobs is talking to reporters. Paul will have audio up as soon as he can.

*** UPDATE 8 *** 1:58pm - Jacobs was pretty heated in his remarks. We’ll get the audio up as soon as we can.

*** UPDATE 9 *** 2:28pm - Wow. Just wow. You really should listen to this audio…

[The audio file is up at the top.]

According to Jacobs, the governor said he would “wreck my political career.” Jacobs also claimed the governor’s office called his local university president to say he had just forfeited a $14 million state grant that Jacobs obtained for the school last year.

“He acted like a spoiled child who wasn’t willing to compromise on anything.” “I’ll be darned if I’m going to let anyone run over me.” “If he wants to play this game, I’ll play it with him.” “This governor of Illinois has done a terrible job.”

“I’ve been around long enough to know when someone is shaking me down.”

“If this governor would have been in East Moline, Illinois in one of my local taverns I would have kicked his tail end.”

“He blew up like a ten year old child.”

“There was a lot of profanity involved.”

“The governor [was] doubling his fist and acting like he wanted to punch me.”

“If the governor of Illinois wants open warfare with me, that’s his goal? Come at it, son. Come at it.”

“If he wants a fight, I’ll fight him.”

“I’ve been around this game a long time, and I’ve never had anybody ever speak to me in that manner.”

“A governor of Illinois should have higher ethical standards.”

[I think his anger got the better of him when he got to this point.] “The governor told me that he’s going to run people against me, well I’ve got news for the governor of Illinois. This Senator is going to run against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.”

*** UPDATE 10 *** 3:12pm - From Rebecca Rausch, the governor’s spokesperson…

“Senator Jacobs wanted a commitment of a $75 million project in his district in exchange for his vote to provide healthcare for everyone. The Governor refused.”

*** UPDATE 11 *** 3:53pm - Small Newspapers has its story up…

A furious Sen. Mike Jacobs said Friday he’ll run against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who he says tried to strong-arm him into voting for the administration’s universal health care plan and threatened to destroy his political career if he didn’t.

“I’ve been around long enough to know when someone is shaking me down,” the East Moline Democrat said. […]

Sen. Jacobs’ accusations were just the most sensational example of the frustration in Springfield over Democrats’ failure to pass a state budget. The budget has been complicated by Gov. Blagojevich’s call for a massive new program to guarantee health insurance for everyone in the state.

Gov. Blagojevich was desperate to win Sen. Jacobs’ vote for the health plan Friday. Jacobs says that when he wouldn’t agree, the governor threatened to do everything possible to throw him out of office.

*** UPDATE 12 *** 3:59pm - AP…

A state senator complained Friday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich made unethical threats against him and that the two nearly came to blows in a disagreement over health care.

“There should never be a time when the governor of Illinois threatens someone in a political and personal manner. It’s beneath the decorum of this building,” said a visibly angry Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline. “I thought we were going to come to blows.”

130 Comments

Question of the day

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

A Senate committee hearing yesterday showed just how bad things are between the two parties in that chamber. Sen. Susan Garrett was trying to pass a sweeping ethics bill that would normally receive bipartisan support, but things quickly devolved…

Before the committee could take further testimony, Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, said she supported the legislation and would become a co-sponsor, “except I don’t like to participate in scams.”

It contains good ideas from both parties, Radogno said, but “we both know this is not going to become law. This is going to be exactly what’s happened for the last two years, when we swap these bills at the end of session and absolutely nothing happens - it dies in the opposite chamber.”

“So I’ll put my name on it,” Radogno said, “but just so everyone knows, it’s baloney. It’s not going to happen.”

Democratic Sens. Debbie Halvorson of Crete and Rickey Hendon of Chicago defended Garrett, with Hendon telling Republicans that Garrett has “more morals and ethical bones in her probably than the entire other side of the aisle.”

Republican Sens. J. Bradley Burzynski of Clare and Dale Righter of Mattoon complained they resented the personal attacks. Garrett then said that “I’m going to do something you’re probably not expecting me to do.”

She said she would take the bill out of the record and attempt to call it for another vote today.

Question: What solutions would you offer to help heal the partisan wounds in the “upper” chamber? Snark heavily encouraged.

Have fun.

48 Comments

Reform and renewal - Bad timing edition

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As if things weren’t bad enough already for Gov. Blagojevich, what with the session in ruins and the future of his ambitious health insurance plan in serious doubt, the feds added a cherry on top yesterday afternoon…

A former top official in Gov. Blagojevich’s administration was indicted Thursday for allegedly using his state post in a loan-fraud scheme that already ensnared gubernatorial fund-raiser Tony Rezko.

While executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, Ali D. Ata is accused of signing a letter bearing the state agency’s name to help Rezko fraudulently secure $10 million in loans.

Federal authorities say Ata, 55, of Lemont, signed the letter at Rezko’s request to make it appear an investor had won partial state backing for a deal to acquire two groups of Rezko’s Papa John’s pizza restaurants in Chicago and Milwaukee.

* Ata was also a significant campaign contributor…

A longtime Rezko friend and business associate, he has contributed $65,000 to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund

* His position at the board was quite important. He was an integral prt of the governor’s big plan to reinvent government, but his legacy was mixed, to say the least. The Trib has more…

Ata was selected as the first executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, an agency Blagojevich created by combining five statewide bonding authorities into one. The finance authority issues taxable and tax-exempt bonds and makes loans for businesses, non-profit corporations, agriculture and local government units across the state.

In 2005, Illinois Auditor General William Holland’s office said the finance authority did not have a comprehensive accounting system when it opened its doors, resulting in “numerous accounting and financial reporting problems.”

* Curry has more…

Ata left after that audit and the agency was about to give him a sweetheart consulting contract of more than $150,000 when the Chicago Sun-Times revealed the scheme and caused it to be withdrawn.

If I were a reporter or federal investigator I’d be looking very closely at those 2004 actions by the new agency. With Ata as executive director and Tony Rezko’s next door neighbor in Wilmette… David Gustman, as board chairman, the lights were all blinking red for millions of dollars in insider deals.

27 Comments

Boat bill goodies

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* There are more problems with the Senate’s gaming bill than just the fact that the notorious Shaw organization might end up with a piece of the pie. The Post-Dispatch fills us in on one aspect…

The Pennsylvania-based owners of the Argosy Casino at Alton have given Illinois politicians almost a half-million dollars in the past three years.

On Thursday, Illinois Senate leaders who got much of that money were poised to give something back: A change in state law that will let the company keep the casino, overruling state gambling regulators who’d ordered the company to sell.

Legislation filed Thursday would change state gaming law specifically for the benefit of one company: Penn National Gaming of Wyomissing, Pa., which owns the Argosy and two other Illinois casinos in Aurora and Joliet. […]

“This is the attitude of the casinos: If the (Illinois) Gaming Board doesn’t do what they want, they come to Springfield,” said Anita Bedell of the anti-gambling group Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction problems.

There’s also a provision in there that would let the riverboats off the hook for part of their forced subsidies of the horse racing industry. But instead of reducing the subsidy for the horse people, guess who is forced to pick up the tab? Go ahead, guess.

Answer: Taxpayers, of course.

* More gaming-related stories, compiled by Paul…

* Illinois session goes into overtime Senate Oks casinos

* Appellate court upholds revoking casino’s license

* All bets off on Waukegan casino

* Senate passes gambling expansion

* Senate wants to amend law to benefit casino companies

* Auction of casino license favored

* Rockford denied role in gambling expansion

* Syverson wonders why Rockford casino removed from the mix

* Editorial: Rockford needs to show its cards

* Revoking 10th casino license

* Tribune Editorial: Will Springfield ever learn?

5 Comments

Another preacher sticks foot firmly in mouth

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

I know it may seem like I’m keying in on the clergy lately, what with all the goofy comments from preachers recently about state legislative matters. I’m not. They’re citizens like everyone else and they have the right to inject their opinions into the public debate. But when they do, they need to remember that they’re open to criticism just like everybody else in the arena.

The latest attempt by a coalition of 24 religious leaders from throughout the state to oppose casino expansion and address the needs of the poor, school children and those without health insurance started off innocuous enough..

A group of clergy appealed Thursday to lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich to act morally in drafting a state budget by adequately funding education, health care and human services.

“We must and we can do a better job,” Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, said at a Statehouse news conference. Koehler is a minister for a rural Stark County United Church of Christ congregation.

“We call upon our leaders to reach beyond mediocre solutions to acts of moral leadership,” said the Rev. Alexander Sharp, executive director of the Chicago-based Protestants for the Common Good. He and others in the group, Faith Leaders for Fiscal Integrity, oppose an expansion of state gambling.

But then, as always seems to be the case these days, it devolved into weirdness…

“I think the governor made a pact with the devil to get elected,” said the Rev. Larry Greenfield, executive minister of the Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, who jokingly offered to perform an exorcism.

Somebody could make a lot of money providing media skills training to these guys. What the heck is accomplished by crud like that?

10 Comments

Train wreck

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Because the session ended so late, some of the latenight antics that I blogged about yesterday happened after most newspaper deadlines. The Sun-Times was able to get some stuff into the bottom of today’s article, however…

The Senate did not take up a bill passed late Wednesday by the House to cap property tax assessments in Cook County.

The Senate did not vote on a proposal the House passed unanimously earlier Thursday to allow telephone companies like AT&T to compete in the state’s cable television marketplace.

And in a test vote, a piece of Blagojevich’s universal health care package did not win backing from a majority of the Senate. There were 29 votes in favor, 28 against and two not voting.

In another test vote, a bid to exempt riverboat casinos from a recently passed statewide smoking ban failed in the Senate.

That disastrous health insurance vote might have led everybody’s stories if it hadn’t been taken at midnight. It’s now gonna be tough, particularly considering Mayor Daley’s newfound opposition to the proposal, to keep this thing on the table. But if you can count on one thing with this governor, it’s his dogged determination to do something about this issue, so even last night’s failure may not succeed in knocking him off his talking points.

* Despite all the failures this year, with the session laying in ruins at their feet, legislators still managed to summon the chutzpah to raise their own pay…

Late Thursday, the Senate approved a massive expansion of gambling the House has yet to consider and a supplemental spending bill that includes money for lawmaker pay raises. The supplemental spending has already passed the House, so it goes to the governor.

Normally, I refuse to comment on pay raises. Lawmakers don’t make nearly enough money for the work they usually do, so I don’t judge them on votes like that. But voting themselves a boost right before the session crashed with a loud thud was not the best message they could have sent the folks back home.

* The Sun-Times reporters were also able to get Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson’s stinging end of the night comments into their piece…

“With a majority of 37, you can’t pass a budget. You can’t do the business of the governor.You can’t get it done,” Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) said from the floor. “I think you have to be embarrassed. And I know many of you are.

“To have 37 votes and pound your chest, ‘How great we are.,” Watson continued, before having his microphone cut by the Democrats.

* And this quote indicates that the Senate Democratic leadership still overestimates what it can accomplish during the overtime…

“It [the House-approved budget plan] is a starting point,” said Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, a lead budget negotiator for the Senate Democrats. “We feel there should be more (spending) there because the people of Illinois deserve more.”

They couldn’t pass their own budget plan because they didn’t have the votes, despite holding 37 seats. I’m not sure how they think they can squeeze out more money for their priorities now that the Republicans are at the table.

* More train wreck stories, compiled by Paul…

* Illinois legislature will go into overtime

* State legislature fails to pass budget on time

* Budget up in the air as Dems try to resolve disputes

* State Democrats fail to pass key initiatives

* Illinois Dems may need GOP help with state budget

* Illinoize: Happy June 1st

13 Comments

Morning Shorts

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Editorial: Sign teen driving safeguards

* AT&Ts foray into TV clears House

* Border war brewing over IPASS

But Illinois tollway officials don’t like the strings attached to the offer and are threatening to retaliate. They’re balking at a requirement that I-PASS users register with the state of Indiana to receive the toll discount — something that Illinois does not ask of Hoosiers who participate in electronic tolling and receive a 50 percent discount compared with cash tolls.

* Judge upholds decision to yank Ryan pension; more here

* Illinois lawmakers approve stem cell research

Blagojevich has used his executive powers to provide $15 million in grants over the past two years without approval from lawmakers. The new legislation would make the grants a formal part of state law. It would ban cloning for the purpose of creating a new human being — a process known as “reproductive cloning.” But it would allow “therapeutic cloning” to create a batch of cells for research purposes.

* Lawmakers endorse stem cell research

* House passes measure to fund stem cell research

* Required moment of school silence sent to governor

* Moment of silence moves forward

At present, the law permits, but does not require, teachers to “observe a brief period of silence with the participation of all the pupils therein assembled at the opening of every school day.” The law specifies that the period of silence “shall not be conducted as a religious exercise but shall be an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.”

* Lawmakers OK school start with chance to pray

* Editorial: Veto moment of silence

* Civil unions not on agenda

* Governor gets bill allowing earlier commitment; more here

* Horse-slaughter plant ruling is promised

* Krol: Odds say that Duckworth will not seek a rematch

* Judge Oks $12 million Shakman settlement

* Federal judge approves plan to end Chicago patronage hiring; more here

* Who’s in charge in case of emergency; more here

* Dick Simpson: City council heard new voices

8 Comments

This just in… Part 3 *** Updated x2 ***

Friday, Jun 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Just after midnight, the Senate takes up SB5, which is the guv’s health insurance bill. Right now, they’re doing amendments.

* 12:15am - The actual bill won’t be called. They passed the “guts” of the proposal on an amendment, which passed with less than 30 votes (29-28). It will be tough to claim a victory on this one, even though the amendment passed.

* 12:18am - An amendment to a different bill to exempt riverboats from the smoking ban just failed.

17 Comments

This just in… Part 2 *** Updated x7 ***

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* 6:21pm - Not that it would have done any good, but there was no leaders meeting today.

Apparently, the guv is still assessing the situation (yes, he’s in town) and Sen. Prez Jones has been busy meeting with his members.

Jones has quite the situation on his hands. He wants to pass a gaming bill, but downstaters are steamed that the results of the Senate Exec Committee’s passage of the rate freeze weren’t read into the record last night, preventing floor action today. Tomorrow, of course, the bill will require a three-fifths vote to pass.

Yet another coinkydink I’m sure.

* In other news, AT&T’s bill to ease its way into cable TV zoomed out of the House this evening.

* And stay tuned late tonight for some possible developments. Sorry, but I can’t say more than that.

* 6:56pm - Tom Cross just walked into Madigan’s office. He wouldn’t say why. Not even sure why I’m posting this. Just thought you’d like to know.

* 7:20pm - The Speaker just announced a three days per week schedule for the month of June. The guv has yet to speak on this topic, however.

More importantly, the rate freeze negotiations are rapidly heating up, according to two sources involved.

Downstaters in the Senate won’t vote for a boat bill until this issue is taken care of.

* 8:52pm - Strong reason to belive that Sen Jones might have finally compromised enough to pass the gaming bill tonight.

* 9!00pm - Senate Approp Committe is doing a subject matter only hearing on the House approved budget. The parliamentary hold is still in place on the bill in the House, which has adjourned the “regular” session and won’t be beck until tomorrow.

* 9:20pm - Looks like the surprise I told you about earlier is off. Ali Ata’s indictment today means the guv may not make an appearance.

* 10:30 - Here we go. Senate is starting the gaming bill (HB 25). Barring GOP votes, this could be close.

* 10:58pm - The guv’s office says they are monitoring the Senate before making a decision on what to do, so I suppose a presser is still possible.

59 Comments

This just in… Holbrook holds up budget, and updates *** Updated x1 ***

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rep. Holbrook hasn’t returned my call either, and the House Dems have refused comment, but this is as good a theory as any I’ve heard… [Holbrook has now returned my call. See “Update 1″ below]

A downstate Democrat has used a parliamentary procedure to block advancement of a relatively austere state spending plan approved late Wednesday night by the House.

That means the Senate, on the last scheduled day of the Legislatures spring session, must wait to consider the budget plan.

Rep. Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville, filed a motion to reconsider the House vote in support of the plan. And until the chamber disposes of that motion, it cannot transmit the plan to the Senate for consideration.

Holbrook could not be immediately reached for comment, but his move might be linked to ongoing debate over whether to roll back recent rate hikes imposed by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren, the electric utility serving central and southern Illinois.

* Word is the Senate Democrats will remove all language pertaining to Chicago State University from the gaming bill and run it today. The bill will include other changes as well.

* The so-called “seven percent solution” property tax assesment cap bill will likely be called in the Senate today. It flew out of the House with over a hundred votes yesterday. The governor, however, has privately said that he might veto the bill. Stay tuned.

* Meanwhile, a proposal to levy a quarter-percent sales tax for the RTA/CTA jetted out of a House committee today with bipartisan support. The governor has indicated he will veto the bill if it ever reaches his desk.

* No word yet on when or if the Senate will call the electric utility rate freeze, but check back later.

* Also, a bill to make it easier for AT&T to enter the cable TV industry rocketed out of a House committee this morning and easy passage is expected in that chamber, and perhaps both chambers.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Rep. Tom Holbrook just called me back to answer questions about why he put the hold on the budget bill passed by the House last night. Turns out, Aaron Chambers was right again. It was about electric rate relief.

“We know there will eventually be a budget. We don’t know whether there will eventually be rate relief,” Holbrook said. Holbrook added that the Downstate Caucus voted to put the parliamentary hold on the budget yesterday and that he, as chairman, was in charge of executing the plan.

Holbrook also said that he told House Speaker Michael Madigan before the budget was debated last night that he would be placing the hold on the budget bill, adding, “We’ve told him all along that we don’t wish to vote on a budget until we’ve voted on the rate issue.”

26 Comments

Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Senate Democratic plans; House Dem plans; Cable; Gnome (Use all caps in password)

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Daley to governor: “Set your priorities”

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

It’s doubtful that the governor will listen to Mayor Daley, but he ought to…

With time running out in Springfield, Mayor Daley urged Gov. Blagojevich today to abandon his universal health care plan — or settle for a cheaper version of it — to fund the higher priorities of education and mass transit.

“You have to set your priorities. . . . Education is the highest priority [or] should be in the state of Illinois because if you don’t educate children, then you have major issues — not just health. You have criminal activity. That’s what’s happening for many, many years. We have not educated children. Our prisons are loaded up with a lot of young, young people,” Daley said.

“You never know. Maybe he can get . . . something [for health care.] But, you have education and you have public transportation. This session was supposed to be a session of getting things done [on those two key issues.] . . . If the session just ends with nothing happening, that’s a very sad comment on the Democratic Party.” […]

“You need universal health care [nationwide]. You can’t do it city by city, county by county or state by state. You wish you could, but you couldn’t. Because say if I have 500 employees. . . . Now they come along and say, ‘I’m gonna charge you extra to give everybody health care.’ Well, why should I be in the state of Illinois? I’ll go someplace else,” Daley said.

Daley’s comments are pretty much right on the money. There just isn’t the will to raise revenues for education, infrastructure AND health care. Time to back off.

30 Comments

Question of the day

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Tribune or Sun-Times? Why?

51 Comments

The problem with Jones *** Updated x1 with a warning ***

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

I happen to like Senate President Emil Jones, despite all the mistakes he’s made this session (and there have been many). But there’s no escaping the fact that his credibility has been shot to hell this year. Phil Kadner puts his finger on it in today’s Southtown column…

State Sen. President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) didn’t realize he was cutting Country Club Hills out of the bidding for a casino in the south suburbs by requiring that any new gambling joint be built within 8 miles of the Indiana border.

That’s his story, and he’s sticking to it.

Jones also didn’t realize his stepson had a big contract with ComEd when he opposed extending the electric rate freeze.

That’s his story, and he’s sticking to it.

And Jones says the $80,000 bump his wife received in her state salary and the $57,000 state job his son received had nothing to do with his support for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s gross receipts tax proposal.

That’s his story, but you don’t have to believe it.

As I told you yesterday, Country Club Hills has long been a contender for a Southland riverboat. Part of its proposal is to redistribute money from the boat revenues to neighboring towns and the mayor was baffled when it was excluded from Jones’ bill. He shouldn’t have been. The mayor is a strong ally of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Dolton Mayor Bill Shaw is a longtime foe of Jackson.

Kadner’s column finishes this way…

Country Club Hills is about 10 to 12 miles from the Indiana border.

People in the south suburbs who gamble in Indiana would save about 30 minutes driving time by going to Country Club Hills, which can be reached from I-57 or I-80.

I’m not saying that Country Club Hills should get a casino.

What I am saying is that right now it is the best bet for the south suburbs.

To eliminate the city before the competition even starts is a huge mistake.

Jones can play dumb. But I don’t think he is. As always, he’s looking out for his buddies.

Jones has had way too many convenient coinkydinks for my taste this session.

* Related stories…

* Jackson gets involved in casino bill debate

* McQueary: Go ahead, call me a spoilsport

* Waukegan casino buoyed by legislature

* Sun-Times Editorial: If tax hike won’t fly, expand gambling

* Sweeney: Rockford aldermen revved up on gambling

NOTICE: I posted this in comments and I’ll post it here, too, as a further warning…

OK, I’ve already deleted one comment that got way too personal. Let’s avoid that, shall we? There’s enough material here to work with that you don’t need to write that sort of stuff.

Please don’t make me ban you. Thanks.

46 Comments

Stumbling towards overtime

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller

Nobody reported anything about the Senate Democratic caucus yesterday, where the spending and revenue-generating plans (including the casino expansion proposal) put forward by Senate President Emil Jones and Gov. Rod Blagojevich went down in flames. For details on that, you’ll have to be a Capitol Fax subscriber. For the rest of you, here’s the public roundup of yesterday’s events…

* Tribune…

House Democrats on Wednesday advanced Speaker Michael Madigan’s limited-growth state budget plan that would pump $400 million in new money into education but omit the expansive health-care program that Gov. Rod Blagojevich has made the centerpiece of his second term.

With lawmakers staring at a midnight Thursday adjournment deadline, Madigan’s decision to move forward with a plan far less expansive than what Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones wanted symbolized the fractured state of Illinois’ top Democratic leadership. It was questionable whether Blagojevich and Jones would accept Madigan’s plan, setting up the potential for an overtime legislative session that would empower Republicans in crafting any final budget.

* Gatehouse…

Some Democrats view what passed Wednesday night as House Speaker Michael Madigan’s starting point for further negotiations. Others see it as a stop-gap measure to keep state government going if the General Assembly runs into a lengthy overtime session. There is widespread belief among lawmakers that Blagojevich will call them back into special session beginning June 1 if they do not approve his plan to provide health insurance to all Illinoisans.

“I think putting it in the hands of the Senate Democrats, if we need to have a continuing appropriation so things don’t shut down, I think it’s a decent start,” said Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley.

* Daily Herald…

The budget includes provisions but no money for things like pay raises for members of the state employees’ union. Supporters said the governor’s free to come up with the money from elsewhere or reduce the workforce to come up with the cash for the raises.

Similarly, the budget includes a more than $500 million increase in the state’s contribution to the state pension system. But the actual funding portion doesn’t include money to cover it. Again, the answer was the governor could probably find the money somewhere in the budget.

What that means is the pension funds will get their money (no matter what the Republicans claim) because it will come right off the top. Funding for the rest of state government will be shortchanged as a result.

* Sun-Times…

The Madigan budget plan would increase state spending by $800 million. Of that, $500 million would come from growth in the state’s tax base, while the balance would come from ending several corporate tax breaks.

The proposal would boost education spending by about $400 million, a far cry from the $1.5 billion boost Blagojevich originally envisioned for schools.

No new funds exist for the cash-strapped Chicago Transit Agency, but Cook County Hospital would get a $100 million grant under the Madigan plan.

* Daily Herald…

“That’s a heck of a lot of money,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, casting off critics’ contention this is a “no-growth budget.” […]

But even before it emerged, the plan was assailed as woefully lacking by interest groups and those backing Blagojevich’s nearly $60 billion budget proposal that would sell off the lottery and impose various new business taxes to pay for health coverage for all Illinoisans and ultimately provide billions more for schools. […]

“It addresses needs rather than wishes,” said state Rep. John Fritchey, a Chicago Democrat.

* Post-Dispatch…

Although the Senate is under the same constitutional deadline as the House, powerless Senate Republicans will remain that way after today, regardless. The Senate’s Democratic majority is so overwhelming that even under the “three-fifths'’ rule, Democrats still will be able to pass a budget bill there without any Republican votes.

Nonetheless, Cross said, if he gets a seat at the table, he’s bringing Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson of Greenville with him — whether Blagojevich, Madigan and Jones want him there or not. “Frank’s going to be there,'’ Cross said. “He’ll go with me.'’

* Meanwhile, the governor seems to be preparing for the summer session and may bring his family to town. I broke this yesterday, and Bernie leads his column off with the item today…

Illinois’ first family seems to be contemplating a significant stay in the Executive Mansion this summer.

“In the event we are in overtime session this summer, Mrs. (PATTI) BLAGOJEVICH called the Springfield Park District to ask about swim lessons for ANNIE and ice skating opportunities for AMY,” said REBECCA RAUSCH, spokeswoman for Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH. […]

This, of course, is good news for those who have long thought the governor and his family, who live in Chicago, should get to know Springfield a little better. It’s not such good news for lawmakers, who just may think they have personally spent enough time in the capital city this spring.

* More budget stuff, compiled by Paul…

* Illinoize: What’s left before adjournment?

* House Dems approve limited growth budget

* House approves budget proposal

* Democrats need deal today or it’s overtime

* State House approves budget with new business tax

* Dan Miller: Here’s one vote for budget sanity

* Editorial: Hold off on health care expansion

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Morning Shorts

Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Ad touting Blagojevich still on the air

But under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, statewide elected officials cannot be named or shown in ads or public-service announcements for state-administered programs. The law is often cited by Blagojevich as an example of his push for governmental reforms.

* Editorial: Make the right moves on mass transit

* Rep. Fritchey: State must renew 7% solution

* House Oks plan for county sales tax

“I really like the idea,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, who is also a school superintendent in Crawford County. “If lawmakers in Springfield aren’t going to do anything on a statewide basis, why not let the local residents decide?”

* Lawmakers approve license plate bill to support private out-of-state schools; more here

* Revising home value caps

* Eric Zorn: Giving new life to debate on death penalty

Any humane reform of the justice system that includes ending the death penalty, they say, must also include adding opportunities for lifers to earn their release. This side of the debate is behind the ongoing work of an Illinois House committee formed to study issues related to long-term incarceration, and it includes key members of the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

* Governors start to back 2008 candidates

* County incapable of fixing juvenile center say critics

* State approves Cook Co. pension buyouts

* Sad day for alderman after dad’s ID arrest

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