Tonight’s quotable
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From ABC 7’s report on today’s NRI hearing…
(A) harsh audit found the program was hastily developed, mismanaged and wasted millions of taxpayer dollars. Lavin admitted that mistakes were made, but the program helped thousands of people.
Quinn’s current opponent Bruce Rauner uses the word “corruption” when talking about the NRI probe.
“Is this corruption? No, I don’t think so, it is gross mismanagement and incompetence,” [Rep. Ron] Sandack said.
He’s probably right, but I’m not sure the Rauner campaign is gonna love him for that one.
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LAC collapses its tent
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Toni Irving was Gov. Pat Quinn’s deputy chief of staff, so she had direct access to the governor. Part of her portfolio was the governor’s 2010 anti-violence initiative. She’s a big part of the Auditor General’s stinging report.
But after grilling other witnesses for hours on end, the Legislative Audit Commission asked Irving questions for maybe 10 minutes before dismissing her today.
Irving is an African-American, and with some backlash being ginned up out there, that could’ve played a role in the brief questioning. But another witness was grilled this afternoon for only a few minutes and then released. That witness was a white male.
As I write this at around four o’clock, the LAC has adjourned.
And that may be the biggest surprise to emerge from this entire exercise.
The Republicans pushed hard yesterday and came up mostly empty when it came to the non-audit side issue of whether the anti-violence initiative was used to win the 2010 election. They pushed hard again today with Jack Lavin and didn’t make much progress.
The promised October disaster for Gov. Pat Quinn ended with a quiet thud.
* Look, the audit is the audit. The anti-violence program was a complete fiscal mess. Two US Attorneys and the Cook County State’s Attorney are investigating. That’s as it should be. Let the pros do their jobs.
The past two days showed what can happen when politicians try to play prosecutors for political advantage without first making utterly sure that they could prove their case.
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* Earlier this afternoon, I told you that the governor’s campaign had singled out three Republican members on the Legislative Audit Commission as “Witch Hunt Leaders.” Here is their response…
Does Governor Quinn really believe that federal and Cook County investigators are also on a witch hunt?
Sen. Jason Barickman
Rep. Ron Sandack
Rep. David Reis
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“All in!”
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Tribune’s campaign finance report Twitter page has been indispensable all year. I’m not a big fan of the “All in!!!” hyperbole for $50,000 contributions and over because as we’ve seen many times, $50K is chicken feed in many races. Other than that, I’m loving it.
Anyway, here are a few highlights from the last day or so…
* Speaking of Topinka…
Veteran Republican Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka continues to hold a sizable lead over Democratic challenger Sheila Simon in a new Reboot Illinois poll.
The automated poll, conducted Oct. 8 by We Ask America among 1,070 likely voters, found incumbent Topinka the choice of 52 percent of respondents to Simon’s 34 percent. Libertarian candidate Julie Fox was the choice of 4 percent of respondents. The result was consistent with Reboot Illinois polls conducted June 16, July 31 and Sept. 2 that found Topinka ahead by 11, 19 and 19 percentage points, respectively.
The poll has a margin of error of +/-3 percent, with 28 percent of responses from cell phone contacts. Party identification of participants was 26 percent Republican, 37 percent Democratic and 37 percent independent.
While Topinka’s overall showing was impressive, more remarkable were her numbers among Chicago and Cook County suburban respondents. Simon had a 47-37 edge among Chicago voters, but Topinka’s 37 percent is very strong for a Republican candidate. Winning 20 percent of the Chicago vote is considered the benchmark for a Republican statewide candidate to win.
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Rate Tom Cross’ TV ad
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s called “A Different Kind of Republican”…
* Script…
I’m Tom Cross.
I’m running for State Treasurer to clean up the mess in Springfield …
… and I’ve never been afraid to break from my party to get results.
I’m pro-choice,
I support stem cell research …
… and I cast the deciding vote for marriage equality.
As Treasurer, I’ll fight government waste and fraud
Holding the Springfield Politicians accountable
so we can invest in what really matters … our schools.
VO: Tom Cross. Independent leadership for Illinois.
…Adding… Frerichs campaign response…
Tom Cross is “different”, and not in a good way.
One of the ultimate Springfield insiders, Tom Cross was on Rod Blagojevich’s clout list. According to a Sun-Times special report by Dave McKinney, Cross recommended 46 people to the “Blagojevich Jobs Machine.”
Tom Cross voted against bipartisan legislation backed by Mark Kirk and Barack Obama to block a toxic sludge treatment plant from being built on Lake Michigan. Cross was one of only 20 House lawmakers to oppose clean drinking water for millions.
Mike Frerichs worked with Democrats and Republicans to end the troubled legislative scholarship program and to expand job-creating enterprise zones. Mike Frerichs will put an end to the “politics as usual” that have plagued the Treasurer’s office in recent years, while Tom Cross continues to say “good job.”
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* As I mentioned earlier today, you could almost feel the backlash building. From a press release…
Pastor Pfleger’s Response to Outrageous Ignorance about Violence by GOP Legislators
The Legislative Audit Commission should be ashamed of themselves for their investigation into the N.R.I. Program! At the time when people were being shot daily on the streets of Chicago, when even 6 Chicago Police Officers were killed, they continue to attack a program that created jobs and opportunities during such a violent time in the city.
The members of this legislative commission either have no idea or don’t care about the violence epidemic that swept Chicago in 2010. To them, the violence in Chicago is something that they read about in the paper or hear about in the news. The commission wants to say Governor Quinn used the program for political gain rather than helping to stop the violence plaguing our city. The sad truth is that the commission itself is the one using the program for political gain, as it is nothing less than a witch hunt creating an illusion of corruption.
Where were these critics when the violence was causing bloodshed in our streets? We were in a state of emergency trying to save lives in our communities. What were they doing? They were playing politics with peoples’ lives. They were voting against common sense gun safety legislation. They were voting against summer jobs programs for our children and young people. It is a point that should not go unnoticed that these very legislators that sit on this commission are all endorsed or supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA). And their records demonstrate that they vote time and time again against even the most common sense public safety practices. These critics aren’t the solution to gun violence, they are the problem.
In the Pursuit of Justice…
Rev. Michael L. Pfleger
Senior Pastor, The Faith Community of Saint Sabina
…Adding… Every Republican on the committee has gone out of his way to say they are very concerned about the city’s violence problem. So, in a way, that’s an unfair hit.
Also, the apparently coordinated use of the “witch hunt” phrase undercuts his argument as well.
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* This just gets worse and worse for Rep. Drury…
Today, Cook County Judge Franklin U. Valderrama rejected State Representative Scott Drury’s emergency request for temporary injunctive relief, seeking to silence his opponent in the 58th District, Dr. Mark Neerhof. Attorneys for Dr. Neerhof successfully argued that Drury had not raised a “fair question” that Drury would succeed in his lawsuit.
Neerhof campaign manager, Mick Paskiewicz, issued the following statement:
“Today, the court took the right step and denied Scott Drury’s attempt to shield his record from the voters. Drury knows he’s an embattled incumbent, so he launched this desperate attempt to silence Dr. Neerhof with a frivolous lawsuit. Dr. Neerhof will continue his campaign that is gaining traction with voters, and hopefully Scott Drury will stop hiding in the court room and answer for his record.”
Drury gave less than 48 hours notice for today’s hearing, calling it an “emergency”. Dr. Neerhof was not present in court, as was caring for patients in his high-risk obstetrics practice.
*** UPDATE *** The judge’s order is here. And Dan Proft has responded…
“I appreciate the judge’s ruling on this matter. It is unfortunate that Rep. Drury, an attorney, believes that political campaigns should be litigated in court rather than decided by the voters. Instead of wasting more of his constituents’ money and the court’s time on his frivolity, Rep. Drury might consider working to stop SB 16 from cutting millions and millions of dollars in funding for schools in his district.”
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Question of the day
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* On Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief operating officer Jack Lavin sent an e-mail to some government staff. Click the pic if you have trouble reading the document…
* The following Sunday, Lavin sent this e-mail from his personal computer to Quinn campaign staff. We looked at it yesterday, but let’s look at it again…
* At least some Republicans have implied so far today that this shows Lavin was trying to hurry up the state’s programmatic development process so he could pitch it to the campaign over the weekend. Lavin, for his part, said he was merely pushing to get the program up and running to help alleviate the city’s violence problem.
To date, this is the closest thing to a “smoking gun” about the possible unethical mix of government and politics that the GOP has put forth to date.
* There is, however, some other evidence that points to possible hinkiness. For instance, everybody who has testified so far has said they were under the impression that neighborhoods were chosen for grants “based on crime statistics.” But those statistics have never been explained because the DHS formula used to choose the neighborhoods was never found even after an extensive search by the Illinois Auditor General.
* Pretty much everybody testified yesterday (and today) that the haste in putting together the program had nothing to do with election day, but with getting the program up and running as fast as possible.
As we discussed yesterday, former IVPA Director Barbara Shaw said…
“Elected officials, presidents, governors often introduce initiatives and programs to respond to the needs of constituencies that they serve. So, it wasn’t a shock to me, that this was happening during that time. But I do want to say here, the governor’s office never told us who to give the money to, what communities to go in, what agencies should get that money. The elections did not play a role in where that money went to,” Shaw answered.
* But on October 25, 2010 - just days before the election - Barbara Shaw was doing all she could to pry loose some bigtime state money for the Violence Prevention Authority…
* Again, the standard response has been there was an “emergency” that needed to be addressed. Kids were being murdered, something needed to be done as fast as possible. And the number of shootings and stabbings was indeed still pretty significant as late as October. There were 35 Chicago homicides in October, which was more than the 31 in September, but far less than the 60 in August. Still, there were 42 in July, not much more than October.
So, for the moment anyway, let’s set aside the obvious failure of these hearings to meet some way too high GOP expectations, and try to just stick with…
* The Question: From what we know so far, do you believe that the roll-out of the NRI program was too overtly political and possibly illegal, or was it overtly political but within an historically accepted mixture of campaigning and government, or was it not political? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
polls
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* From a Quinn campaign e-mail entitled “GOP Witch Hunt Leaders’ Voting Records on Public Safety Issues”…
Senator Jason Barickman
· Voted against the Violence Prevention Task Force (98th - HB 2879 – one of only 4 Senators to vote “no”)
· Voted against the Grant Transparency and Accountability Act (98th - HB 2747)
· 92 rating by NRA in 2012
o Voted against basic “lost and stolen” regulations on firearms (98th - HB 1189)
o Voted for concealed carry (98th - HB 183)
o Voted against a limit on sale of handguns within 30-day period (97th - HB 203)
o Voted against additional safety enhancements on concealed carry (98th – HB 1453)
· Voted against most measures to help ex-offenders get jobs after incarceration ends
o Voted against “ban the box” (98th - HB 5701)
o Voted against sealing records for non-violent offenders (98th - HB 2378)
o Voted against auto-expungement for juveniles (98th - SB 978)
o Voted against sealing of low level drug offenses, retail theft, and theft (98th - HB 3061)
o Voted against tax credits for employers who hire ex-felons (98th - SB 1659)
o Voted against second chance probation (98th - HB 3010)
o Voted against changing the age of delinquency from 17 to 18 (98th - HB 2404)
o Voted against allowing Medicaid enrollment for certain inmates pre-release (98th - HB 1046)
o Voted against legal immunity for individuals seeking treatment for drug overdose (97th – SB 1701)
o Voted against the Internet Dating Safety Act (97th - HB 4083)
o Voted against the DJJ ombudsman, which was created in response to the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (98th - SB 2352 – one of 6 “no” votes)
o Voted no on gang witness protection program (98th - HB 1139)
Representative Ron Sandack
· 83 rating by NRA in 2012
o Voted for concealed carry (98th - HB 183)
Representative David Reis
· Voted against the Violence Prevention Task Force (98th - HB 2879 – one of only 6 Representatives to vote “no”)
· 100 rating by NRA in 2012
o Voted for concealed carry (98th - HB 183)
o Voted against a limit on sale of handguns within 30-day period (97th - HB 203)
o Voted against basic “lost and stolen” regulations on firearms (98th - HB 1189)
o Voted against additional safety enhancements on concealed carry (98th – HB 1453)
o Voted against gun locks (94th - SB 1832)
· Voted against most measures to help ex-offenders get jobs after incarceration ends
o Voted against “ban the box” (98th - HB 5701)
o Voted against sealing records for non-violent offenders (98th - HB 2378)
o Voted against auto-expungement for juveniles (98th - SB 978)
o Voted against sealing of low level drug offenses, retail theft, and theft (98th - HB 3061)
o Voted against tax credits for employers who hire ex-felons (98th - SB 1659)
o Voted against second chance probation (98th - HB 3010 – one of 2 “no” votes)
o Voted for changing the age of delinquency from 17 to 18 (98th - HB 2404)
o Voted against eliminating prostitution as a felony (98th - SB 1872)
o Voted against redeploy in Cook County (98th - HB 2401)
o Voted against expungements for veterans (98th - HB 1548 - was a GOP bill)
o Voted against providing reentry services to ex-offenders (96th - HB 436)
o Voted against greater oversight for redeploy (96th - SB 1289)
o Voted against the establishment of reentry (94th - SB 554)
o Voted against GED good conduct credit for compliant parolees (95th – SB 1391)
· Voted against common-sense public safety measures
o Voted against legal immunity for individuals seeking treatment for drug overdose (97th – SB 1701)
o Voted against the Internet Dating Safety Act (97th - HB 4083)
o Voted against the amended DOC early release program (97th - SB 2621)
· Voted against creating the Department of Juvenile Justice (94th - SB 92)
· Voting against creating the Racial Profiling Prevention and Data Oversight Act (94th - SB 2368)
I’m wondering now if the phrase “witch hunt” will come up during tonight’s gubernatorial debate.
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WARNING: Once seen, this can never be unseen
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A new mailer from Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC declares: “Chicago Democrats have been in charge of Illinois since leggings and headbands were the exercise fashion rage”…
If you can’t read it, at the bottom it says “Olivia Newton-Madigan.”
I’m sure y’all can come up with a better caption that that.
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Rate Mike Frerichs’ first TV ad
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s called “Measure”…
…Adding… The Illinois Republican Party has responded with a novella…
Frerichs Needs To Answer For Mistakes Made As Auditor
Bad Math & Patronage Scandals Highlight Frerichs’ Past
Chicago… State Senator and Democrat candidate for Treasurer Mike Frerichs has touted his financial experience and plans to deter the influence of special interests in the Treasurer’s office. But first, Frerichs has to answer for on-the-job errors that cost the taxpayers millions, and past instances of patronage that undercut his claims at reform, says Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider.
“As Auditor, Mike Frerichs missed the mark on an Early Retirement Initiative that he said would save Champaign County thousands, but it ended up costing taxpayers millions,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider. “Illinois simply cannot afford a Treasurer who is bad at math.”
In 2003, Champaign County Auditor Mike Frerichs was tasked with analyzing an Early Retirement Initiative (ERI) for Champaign County. Relying on the analysis and data from Auditor Mike Frerichs, the Champaign County Board approved the ERI plan and Frerichs supported the plan saying it is a “good tool to deal with budgetary problems for the county board.” (“County Board to Consider Offering Early Retirement,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 7/3/03)
Within a few short months, Frerichs’ analysis proved to be far off the mark as the plan failed to achieve savings and in fact created $2.45 million in new unfunded liabilities for the county.
The funding shortfall required the Champaign County Board to conduct a bonding issuance to pay off pension obligations for IMRF. The bonds to pay off the failed ERI program were finally paid off nine years later in January 2014 with a total cost to taxpayers of more than three million dollars. (Champaign County Budget)
Frerichs’ mistakes as Auditor were documented during the County Board debate to remove him as Champaign County’s agent with IMRF. Frerichs fought the dismissal, but it was approved by the County Board by a bipartisan vote of 17-5. (Champaign County Policy, Personnel and Appointments Committee – 9/6/2006, Champaign County Board Minutes – 9/21/2006)
Frerichs has continued to try to hide his mistakes made during the ERI. First, he blamed the cost to taxpayers on stock market returns after the ERI, until it was pointed out the market outperformed expectations. Then he said that he was only in charge of gathering data, when in fact he presented the plan to the Champaign County Board Finance Committee. (”Treasurer Race Heats Up Over Accusations of Mismanagement, Patronage,” The Associated Press, 8/12/14; Champaign County Board Finance Committee Minutes, 4/23/03)
“Mike Frerichs’ bad math cost Champaign County taxpayers millions,” said Schneider. “The simple truth is that Frerichs has neither the skill set nor experience to be Illinois Treasurer. He simply is not ready for the responsibility.”
Patronage & Alleged Ghost Payrolling
Mike Frerichs is at the epicenter of two of the most publicized and costly patronage scandals in recent Champaign County history. While Frerichs claims he wants to remove “clout” from the office of State Treasurer, his record is laced with reports of patronage, clout and ghost-payrolling that ended up costing taxpayers over $100,000.
CURT DEEDRICH
Frerichs Flexes Clout to Get Campaign Manager A Job
The Deedrich appointment three years ago stemmed from the dual desire of county board Democrats both to flex their newfound political muscle by filling county jobs with patronage appointments and to satisfy current state Sen. Mike Frerichs’ desire to find a good job for his former campaign manager. So in a controversial decision, board Democrats passed over a better-qualified employee in the supervisor of assessments office and named Deedrich to what had been a nonpolitical post. (“Deedrich Follies Are County Board’s Doing,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 6/10/07)
The Results Of Frerichs’ Patronage Program Called “A Disaster”
But he’s been such a disaster that it’s unlikely Deedrich will win reappointment when his term expires next year. That’s assuming he hasn’t been fired by then. (“County Positions Should Be Filled On Merit, Not Loyalty,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 4/6/07)
TONY FABRI
Frerichs Pushes Fabri For County Auditor Post
Fabri had the backing of two former auditors at the meeting, Frerichs and Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing. (“Champaign County Democrats Nominate Fabri For Auditor,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 1/4/07)
Fabri Decides He Doesn’t Need To Show Up For Work
County government telephone records indicate that Champaign County Auditor Tony Fabri has been missing from his office for well over half the workdays in the last year, including two different periods when he apparently was gone for more than a month. (“Phone Records Show County Auditor Frequently Absent,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/15/09)
And Frerichs Gives Fabri Advice On How To Avoid Ghost-Pay Rolling Criticism
Fabri said Frerichs, who preceded him as county auditor, warned there might be sniping about his attendance at work. “He said that when you start hearing complaints to just walk around Brookens and say ‘Hi’ to everyone and make sure that they see you,” Fabri recounted. (“Phone Records Show County Auditor Frequently Absent,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/15/09)
Frerichs Admits Fabri Doesn’t Show Up For Work And Doesn’t Do A Good Job, But Urges Voters To Support Him Anyway
Frerichs, a longtime ally of Fabri’s, urged voters to look beyond the charges of absenteeism against Fabri … “I’m not saying that the current auditor shows up every day and does the best job. (“Voters To Decide Whether To Keep Elected Auditor,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/29/11)
“Mike Frerichs’ past is filled with the exact same problems he’s claiming he’ll fix in the Treasurer’s office,” Schneider said. “But actions speak louder than words, and Mike Frerichs’ record paints a clearer picture than his campaign promises.”
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Front page news!
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* At first blush, this Bobby Schilling press release looks pretty darned serious…
U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) has received a lot of help from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee—more than $1 million so far according to OpenSecrets.org. However, the DCCC’s advertising has come under fire for its dishonest content and false claims.
Now, the DCCC and its Chairman, Congressman Steve Israel (D-New York), are facing a House of Representatives Ethics Committee investigation for a clear cut violation of House ethics rules in a TV ad attacking Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) on behalf of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.
A Peoria taxpayer has filed an official complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics for the blatant violation of House ethics. The complaint is attached.
Jon Schweppe, communications director at Bobby Schilling for Congress, released the following statement:
“Now here’s a story deserving of a front page headline in Sunday’s paper,” Schweppe said. “Congresswoman Cheri Bustos should immediately condemn the DCCC for their incredibly false advertising as well as their blatant House ethics violation. Will Bustos stand up against the corrupt outside money she claims to so vehemently oppose?”
Wow. What could this front page-deserving story be?
* Well, read the complaint. Or check out Illinois Review’s report…
The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is being accused of violating U.S. House rules in using a photo of Bobby Schilling when he was a congressman sitting in a House committee in its most recent ad, “Heart.”
In the new ad, the DCCC infers that Bobby Schilling is responsible for Illinois losing thousands of jobs overseas.
Peoria resident Ruby Arms wrote in a complaint letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics mailed October 1 that, “The DCCC, a Member-driven political committee organized under House Rules, violated the rules regarding the use of House committee footage, as well as those governing the use of official resources for campaign activity and political gain. House Rule 114(b) explicity prohibits the use of committee footage as partisan political campaign material.”
Ms. Arms went on to urge the Office of Congressional Ethics to enforce rules and hold the DCCC, Chairman Steve Isarel and Members of the DCCC “accountable for the ethics violations they committed.”
Sigh.
The two candidates debate tonight at 6:30 on WQAD TV, which will stream it live on the interwebtubes. It’ll be the only televised debate of the campaign.
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Easily debunked claims
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Democratic Congressman Bill Enyart and GOP state Rep. Mike Bost debated last night in southern Illinois…
The debate got heated when Enyart said Bost supported Republican Paul Ryan’s budget.
“I never said I supported Paul Ryan’s budget. That is a lie,” Bost said.
* The full quote is at about the 20:50 mark in the debate video…
* Transcript…
“In the words of Ronald Reagan, ‘There you go again.’
“You did the same thing to Jason Plummer, but you’re not going to do it to me. I never said I supported the Ryan budget, and that is a lie.”
* The Democrats, however, point to Bost’s Facebook page, where he slams Enyart for not being sufficiently pro-coal. Included in that criticism is this…
The second bullet point is the important one, the Democrats say, because that rollcall is the Paul Ryan budget. So, while Bost didn’t exactly say that he supported the Ryan proposal, he slammed Enyart for voting against it because it would’ve been good for Illinois coal.
Bost also skipped an AARP debate to campaign with Ryan, the Democrats point out.
* Meanwhile, from the same debate…
At another point during the debate, Bost said Enyart was appointed general of the Illinois National Guard by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
“Governor Blagojevich did not make me a general,” Enyart responded. He said he was selected by a board of generals and nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush.
* Um, from an August 31, 2007 press release…
Gov. Blagojevich appoints Brigadier General William L. Enyart as 37th Adjutant General; will lead Illinois Department of Military Affairs
SPRINGFIELD- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today named Brigadier General William L. Enyart as the new 37th Adjutant General of Illinois. Enyart will command more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard. He will also serve as the Governor’s principal advisor on military matters and function as the director of the Department of Military Affairs. Enyart will assume command from Maj. Gen. Randal E. Thomas, who retires in September.
“General Enyart brings a wealth of military and civilian experience to the Illinois National Guard. He has served in the Illinois Army National Guard for more than 30 years in a wide variety of positions. Major General Randy Thomas performed an outstanding service to the Illinois National Guard, and I’m sure General Enyart will build upon that record, bringing leadership and vision to help the Illinois Army National Guard better serve and protect our state,” said. Gov. Blagojevich.
He can’t run away from that one.
…Adding… The Democrats point out Bost actually claimed that Blagojevich made Enyart a general, which, they say is not true. In that case, it was a botched Bost hit.
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* As we discussed yesterday, Jack Lavin’s personal e-mails show that the former state chief operating officer discussed the governor’s botched anti-violence initiative with the governor’s campaign team at least a handful of times.
Sen. Bill Brady, who lost to Quinn in 2010 and sits on the Legislative Audit Commission, had this to say at the time…
“I don’t think there’s been any question in anyone’s mind that the Quinn administration, his governmental staff and his political staff, used government resources to please certain constituencies that they hoped would increase the voter turnout and suppress the voter turnout for us prior to the election,”
That story was initially posted online shortly before 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
* Shortly afterward, at 2:18 pm, I received this e-mail from the Illinois Republican Party…
Moments ago, Barbara Shaw misled the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Shaw saying:
“…the governor’s office never told us who to give the money to, what communities to go in, what agencies should get that money…”
Shaw’s statement is demonstrably false. Take a look:
The South Suburbs Were Added To NRI At The Direction Of The Governor’s Office. “After target communities for NRI were determined, the south suburbs requested to the Governor’s Office that its area be included in the Initiative. The Governor’s Office agreed and three townships were added.” (“Performance Audit State Moneys Provided To The Illinois Violence Prevention Authority For The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative,” Illinois Auditor General, 2/14, p. 13)
Hermosa Was Added To NRI In The Third Year At The Direction Of The Governor’s Office. “In a series of meetings in the fall and early winter of 2012, the same ICJIA staff met with Deputy Chief of Staff Toni Irving about the NRI program and other topics. At some of these meetings, a Governor’s staff member, George Letavish was present. During these meeting DCS Irving showed ICJIA staff various iterations of drafts of budgets for the NRI program identifying the amount of funding to go to each of the NRI lead agencies and amounts to be distributed by the lead agencies to subcontracting provider agencies. Hermosa was included on the list of communities to be funded in all iterations of the draft budget.” (ICJIA Response To Auditor Questions, 10/22/13)
* Check out the timestamp on this post in our ScribbleLive feed yesterday afternoon…
Yep. Just four minutes later, and about a half an hour after a member of the Legislative Audit Commission blasted Quinn for mixing government and politics in a gubernatorial campaign, the exact same question pushed by the IL GOP was brought up in a state legislative hearing by a GOP member of the commission.
I’m certain it was just a happy coincidence, though.
* By the way, Shaw had an explanation ready…
Shaw responded that the south suburbs were added “as a region,” but the governor had no influence over which groups would get the grants and how much each would receive. The governor decided that x amount would be sent to Chicago and x in the southern suburbs, but that’s it.
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*** LIVE COVERAGE *** NRI hearing
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Quinnsters successfully buried a story in a bunch of other stuff….
The Legislative Audit Commission hearing had been delayed since July at the request of federal prosecutors looking into the Quinn grant program. In a sign the probe continues, the Quinn administration acknowledged a new grand jury subpoena of emails and other records from a former top Quinn aide.
The federal request set a deadline of Nov. 4 — the same day Quinn asks voters to re-elect him as governor against Republican Bruce Rauner. The challenger has been using the legislative and federal probes into the program to try to chip away at what traditionally has been one of Quinn’s strengths, a reputation for integrity. […]
[Former DCEO Director Warren Ribley’s] emails and documents are being sought by federal prosecutors in the latest subpoena that Quinn officials released Wednesday. The request, dated Sept. 26, also seeks emails of Jack Cutrone, the current head of the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority. Ribley said he had not seen the new subpoena.
* Live video of the 9 o’clock hearings will be available at the GA’s main page. Subscribers have access to our own exclusive live video here. And here’s the ScribbleLive thingy…
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Today’s quotable
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Brown on yesterday’s NRI hearing…
If Quinn is lucky, these latest revelations will do more to help him with African-American voters than the actual program did in 2010.
I’m not sure African-Americans ever realized how far Quinn stuck his neck out to try to help their communities.
But they certainly are getting the message this time that Quinn is in trouble for spending a lot of money to give jobs to their kids and to provide services in their neighborhoods.
The beginning of a backlash?
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