Admitted nitpicking
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Overall, this isn’t a bad story by the AP about the relationship between Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. It’s incomplete, but this is the AP here.
Still, I have a couple of nits to pick with the piece. I wouldn’t otherwise bother, but Illinois is such a gigantic national story right now that it seemed worthwhile as I wait on some phone calls to be returned…
The relationship started to sour not long after Blagojevich finished taking the oath of office in 2003. After seemingly agreeing on a budget plan with Democratic lawmakers, he went home and vetoed big chunks of it.
The relationship soured when Blagojevich was in the Illinois House, but that’s neither here nor there. Also, don’t forget Madigan’s “indiscretions” remark from the 2002 campaign in response to a thwack by Blagojevich on pork projects. That relationship was sour way before Rod Blagojevich was sworn into office.
Anyway, the governor did not “seemingly” agree to a budget plan. He agreed to it. He shook hands on it. He gave his word. And almost everyone else involved with that budget agreement was furious at the governor. Secretary of State Jesse White practically had steam coming out of his ears after the guv reduced his budget.
Madigan, a slight man who shows little emotion in public, also has been offended by the bombastic, glad-handing Blagojevich’s personal behavior.
To the best of my knowledge, Madigan isn’t offended by glad-handers. The next few sentences disprove the AP author’s theory…
That was apparent at the 2004 funeral of state Sen. Vince Demuzio.
“Madigan told me … Blagojevich was late, he kept the priest awaiting and then he didn’t even go to the cemetery,” said Charles Wheeler, head of the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. “He bopped in, held up the Mass, and you could just tell that to Madigan it was the protocol equivalent of mooning the congregation.”
Blagojevich’s tardiness and boorish attitude at the funeral of one of the most revered politicians in Illinois is what ticked off Madigan and everyone else who was there. Statehouse types still talk about the governor’s reprehensible conduct as if it was yesterday.
But Blagojevich hit one of Madigan’s biggest nerves — his sensitivity to suggestions that he got his daughter her job and calls the shots for her — in 2004, after Lisa Madigan shut down Blagojevich’s plan to mortgage the state’s Chicago headquarters. She said the move was unconstitutional, but Blagojevich accused her of retaliating against him on her father’s behalf.
“I don’t want to get involved in a family deal here but, you know, it’s her father,” Blagojevich said. “I’ve got two daughters. I hope they back me on stuff that I do.”
After the governor made that comment, Lisa Madigan was immediately defended by just about every political journalist and editorial writer in Illinois. Speaker Madigan got such a kick out of the media reaction that he personally thanked the governor for his comments.
Also, I’m pretty sure that Madigan fully understands that his daughter is a big girl now. She chose this business, she has to take the potshots that go with the turf.
…Adding… This MSNBC talking head seems to be outraged with Madigan because Rep. Bill Black got all angry on the House floor yesterday during the debate on the special election. Apparently, nobody told her that Black throws a tantrum every day. lol…
…Adding… I really despise the national press corpse…
But the whiff of scandal has hit [Pat Quinn] too. While a state treasurer from 1991-95, he accepted nearly $20,000 from a company tied to Tony Rezko
More from the piece…
As Blagojevich and his predecessors have shown, it doesn’t take too long to be corrupted by the same power that has swallowed four of the past eight governors.
[Sigh]
George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich were both inclined to corrupt misbehavior going into the office. The corruption isn’t just this ethereal dark force forcing good men to do bad things.
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* A new poll commissioned by the Illinois Republican Party finds strong support for a special election…
Two-thirds (66%) of the electorate favors the state legislature passing a new law requiring a special election to fill Barack Obama’s unexpired term as US Senator rather than letting the Governor pick the next US Senator. Only 26% oppose a special election.
This large majority support for a special election is strongest among Republicans (74%) but is also strong among Democrats (64%) and Independents (65%). In the collar counties and downstate, the support for a special election is huge (71% and 70% respectively).
* And this is what I’ve been talking about when I say that anyone with close or even not-so-close ties to Blagojevich is severely tainted in voters’ minds…
70% of voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate for office in Illinois who supported or endorsed Rod Blagojevich’s reelection for Governor in 2006 even though he was already under investigation for 3-years.
The “less likely to vote” result is strongest among Republicans (82%) but is also strong among Democrats (66%), Independents (66%), and voters in Cook County (65%), City of Chicago (65%) and the collar counties (76%). Clearly, Democrats who are tied to Blagojevich are vulnerable.
* More…
An overwhelming majority (79%) believes things in Illinois are headed off on the wrong track. Only 14% thinks things are going in the right direction. This very strong negative sentiment cuts across party lines.
Regardless of party affiliation, most Illinois voters (88%) have an unfavorable opinion of Rod Blagojevich. Only 8% has a favorable opinion of him.
* Methodology…
This Illinois statewide survey of 600 likely voters was conducted on December 15, 2008 by McLaughlin & Associates. All interviews were conducted by professional interviewers via telephone.
* Click the pic for a better look at the internals…
* We also have some info on a couple of potential GOP gubernatorial candidates. From Crain’s…
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce annouced that it has granted a leave of absence to its president, Doug Whitley, so he can “pursue personal goals, perhaps including a future political career.” The leave takes effect on Jan. 1 and comes after months in which Mr. Whitley was said to be testing the gubernatorial waters.
* Also from Crain’s…
U.S. Housing Secretary Steven Preston, who’s mulling a run for governor of Illinois in 2010, effectively makes his debut speech as a candidate for the GOP nomination Tuesday.
In the wake of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest and criminal charges last week, Mr. Preston revised a long-scheduled speech on housing issues in Chicago to focus on “leadership, accountability and transparency in government.” […]
“I’ve chatted with a couple of people about the needs of the state,” said Mr. Preston, a native of Janesville, Wis., who got his degree in political science at Northwestern University and considered a career in public service before getting into banking and moving up the corporate ladder. “Anyone who runs has to do a lot of soul-searching.”
*** UPDATE *** Mayor Daley reacts…
Republicans have accused Democrats of opposing a special election because they’re afraid an anti-Blagojevich backlash could pave the way for a GOP candidate to take Barack Obama’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
But, Daley denied the motive is politics.
“You cannot, because an individual does something wrong, change everything dealing with that office. You only have less than two years [until the next election]. It’s about thirty-to-fifty million dollars. That’s a lot of money,” Daley said.
“Whoever becomes the governor — if the lieutenant governor comes in — then, he has the responsibility [to appoint the next senator]. That’s the responsibility of the governor. If [Gov. David] Paterson can do it in New York, why cannot they do it here?”
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[Bumped up for visibility]
* 10:36 AM - More trouble for the guv…
Jailed political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s sentencing has been postponed indefinitely, possibly adding to the legal problems of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who already is facing federal charges.
The order came at a one-minute hearing Tuesday amid speculation that Rezko has resumed talking to prosecutors about his relationship with Blagojevich and other figures in the federal investigation of state government.
But Rezko’s chief defense counsel, Joseph Duffy, declined to comment.
*** 12:13 PM *** The walls are closing in…
Another card may have fallen in the governor’s house of cards. Christopher Kelly - one of Gov. Blagojevich’s closest advisers, fund-raisers and friends - is set to plead guilty in his federal criminal case, according to a court filing.
*** 12:31 PM *** From the AP…
A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. tells The Associated Press the congressman has been talking to federal investigators about his dealings with Gov. Rod Blagojevich since summertime.
Spokesman Rick Bryant wouldn’t give details of those discussions Tuesday morning.
But a report from WLS-TV in Chicago cites unidentified sources as saying Jackson has told investigators Blagojevich wouldn’t appoint Jackson’s wife as state lottery director because Jackson wouldn’t donate $25,000 to the governor’s campaign fund.
*** 2:01 PM *** It’s not too difficult to read between the lines of Mayor Daley’s comments today…
Pressed on whether the state is “rudderless” with Blagojevich at the helm, Daley said, “It’s gonna be very, very difficult.You have economic problems in every home and every business. Every city and county and township and every state [has financial problems]. It’s not unique.
“So, you need a person 24 hours [a-day], seven-days-a-week who cannot ever be distracted on any other issue.”
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[Bumped up x2 for more visibility]
* The House impeachment committee begins its work at 10 o’clock this morning. Listen or watch by clicking here. [NOTE: There was a problem with the feed, but it’s now fixed.]
* The Illinois Senate convenes today at 10 o’clock as well. Listen or watch here.
It would be very helpful to all of us if some of you would take it upon yourselves to live blog the proceedings in both chambers. Thanks.
*** 10:51 AM *** House Majority Leader Barb Currie, who is the impeachment committee chairman, just disclosed that the governor’s criminal defense lawyer, Ed Genson, will arrive at tomorrow’s hearing.
Currie also said the committee wanted to call Alia Ata, John Harris, and others as witnesses, but won’t until they get clearance from US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
*** 10:57 AM *** The impeachment committee is adjourned until 11 o’clock tomorrow morning.
*** 12:03 PM *** WGN is reporting that Gov. Rod Blagojevich will attend tomorrow’s House impeachment hearing.
*** 12:15 PM *** WGN story doesn’t appear to be true. From the governor’s press secretary…
“No, he’s not attending the hearing tomorrow.”
*** 12:24 PM *** The Senate is now advancing a resolution to create a committe that will recommend the Senate’s rules for the impeachment process.
The committee’s nine Democratic members are: Cullerton, Clayborne, Haine, Harmon, Silverstein.
*** 12:35 PM *** The Senate is adjourning. They’re taking a roll call because the Republicans complained about the Dems not calling a special election bill to replace Barack Obama. 35-20-0. Motion carries. Senate adjourns without taking action on the elections proposals.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Most of us have read the criminal complaint against the governor and seen all the coverage, the jokesters, the pundits, the whatever discuss the governor’s mental state.
In your opinion, is Gov. Rod Blagojevich suffering from some sort of mental illness? Or is he just a common alleged criminal? Somewhere in between? Explain.
No snark, please. I’m serious about that.
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Our train wreck of a government
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Rod Blagojevich train wreck may be mitigated somewhat by a judge…
The state Department of Natural Resources may lack the power to close state parks to the public, a McLean County judge has ruled in a lawsuit challenging the closure of Moraine View State Park near LeRoy.
“The court finds nothing in plaintiff’s allegations that would show a manifestation of legislative intent to permit the agency to totally close the parks,” Judge Michael Prall said in his denial of a state motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Thomas Pliura.
The ruling released Monday does not mean seven parks and several historic sites closed Dec. 1 by the state DNR under an order from Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be reopened at this point. But if Prall rules favorably after hearing arguments on Pliura’s request for a temporary restraining order, the state’s closures could be reversed, Pliura said.
* But the problems persist from almost all other corners…
Fitch Ratings cut the credit rating yesterday on $19.1 billion of Illinois bonds because of concern the governor’s legal woes will make it more difficult to deal with a $2 billion budget deficit.
Standard & Poor’s has said it may lower the state’s credit rating in response to Blagojevich’s arrest, which would add millions of dollars to borrowing costs, according to Scott Burnham, a spokesman for Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
* The Tribune editorializes on yet another topic that could cost the state serious money…
The Illinois Gaming Board could decide Tuesday where it will reactivate the state’s 10th casino license. We hope the board doesn’t put the urgency to create new tax revenue for Springfield ahead of thoroughly investigating the three finalists. Here’s why:
The FBI complaint filed against the governor of Illinois last week discusses his alleged fundraising efforts in connection with a bill affecting the casino and horse-racing industries. Hmm. And some people still wonder why public officials and law-enforcement agencies need to apply extraordinary scrutiny to industries that involve gambling.
The bill would extend the life of existing law that subsidizes the state’s racetracks with revenue from its largest casinos. The FBI complaint suggests that the alleged Blagojevich fundraising effort was tied to his expected decision to sign the bill. That would help the racing industry and take money from the casinos.
Is it possible, though, that investors in any of the three casino license applicants were involved in lobbying the governor’s office on this bill, either for or against it? We do expect the Gaming Board to know those answers before it votes on where to put a casino.
* And the governor actually vetoed a bill yesterday…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed Monday a bill that would have extended a Hoffman Estates development district.
Hoffman Estates officials wanted the TIF district at Barrington and Higgins roads extended another 12 years in hopes it would generate money for a $100 million full-service hotel next to the Stonegate Conference Centre.
Officials say the hotel would have created 200 jobs.
“We’re going to try to override the governor’s veto and get the bill passed again,” Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod said.
The TIF was established in 1986 and expires next year. McLeod said he wasn’t told why Blagojevich vetoed the bill. The governor’s office wasn’t available immediately for comment.
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Special election foiled by House Dems
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Heartening news…
Secretary of State Jesse White said Monday he would block any appointment Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s makes for the state’s empty U.S. Senate seat, should the governor make one.
“I will not accept that nomination,” White said. “I would block it.”
Blagojevich has been urged by a chorus of Illinois officials not to make the pick after being arrested on federal corruption charges last week.
White would have to sign off on Blagojevich’s choice, but it has been unclear whether his role was simply a matter of handling paperwork.
* The headline on today’s Drudge Report was: “Illinois Democrats Let Blago Retain Senate Appointment.” Oof. Here’s the story…
Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives postponed stripping Governor Rod Blagojevich’s power to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama that prosecutors say Blagojevich tried to sell. […]
Republicans said Democrats, who hold a 67-51 majority in the chamber, seek to avoid a loss of the seat to the GOP in a special election.
“Shame on you,” Representative William Black, deputy leader of Republicans in the House, shouted during a debate in the state capitol building in Springfield. “We had an opportunity to limit the power of this governor and you refused.” […]
“It’s extremely disappointing that Democratic leaders in Illinois are ignoring bipartisan calls for a special election,” Robert Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement distributed on PRNewswire.
* More GOP react…
“Tonight the world has seen up close the hypocrisy of Illinois politics,” decried Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna. “The people of Illinois deserve better.”
* There are fewer and fewer “bipartisan calls for a special election,” particularly from Illinois’ county clerks, who would have to run (and pay for) the thing…
Election officials statewide say they don’t have the money to pay for a special election that could be held to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. […]
Officials have floated statewide special election cost projections between $30 million and $50 million - running individual counties anywhere from tens of thousand of dollars to as much as $8 million in Cook County’s Chicago suburbs. Chicago’s expenses could hit $16 million.
Clerks say they don’t have that money in their budgets. “We just hope the Legislature considers the additional expenses,” said Stacey Kern, director of the Sangamon County election office in Springfield. “It’s going to cost us. Hopefully they’ll do right the thing and find some funds for us.”
County Clerk Joe Aiello estimated a special election would cost Sangamon $300,000 - a huge burden for a county that recently offered employees voluntary severance packages and is looking to cut more expenses. Aiello said the county could tap its general fund, but that likely would mean cuts elsewhere.
* Back to the Repubs…
Republicans say a special election would erase the stain that Blagojevich has left on the Senate appointment in the wake of the allegations against him.
“I think the people’s trust in the state of Illinois has been shattered,” said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. […]
“The best disinfectant in a democracy is the people,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.
Except “the people” elected George Ryan over and over again (lt. governor, secretary of state and governor) and elected Rod Blagojevich governor twice. But I see the point.
* A national pundit sucks his thumb…
Quinn might logically choose Lisa Madigan, the state’s popular attorney general. But there’s a problem there, too. Knowledgeable Illinois Democrats say that Madigan would vastly prefer to be governor, a job her dad, state House Speaker Michael Madigan, would also like her to get. Yet if Quinn were to take over from Blagojevich, he might well build up his own popularity and thus block Lisa Madigan’s ascension to the governorship.
* And Obama is staying mum…
Obama has not said whether he supports a special election or an appointment from Quinn should Blagojevich step down or be removed from office. Obama has only called on lawmakers to do what is “appropriate,” without explanation.
Thoughts?
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Photo of the day
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gawker…
In 1980, a vacationing Rod Blagojevich camped in front of Richard Nixon’s home, with a friend, until the pariah ex-president emerged and this picture was taken.
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Impeachment thoughts and roundup
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* There’s just no way to tell how long the impeachment process will take…
The estimated timeline has ranged from a few weeks to a few months. Madigan said the governor’s decision about whether to attend the proceedings as “invited” could play into how long the process takes. “If he does not appear personally or through an agent, it will greatly shorten the proceedings of the committee. If he appears personally or through an agent, it will lengthen the proceedings of the committee. That’s all I can tell you.”
* It’s also very likely that the committee will continue to meet, at least briefly, after the new General Assembly is sworn in on January 14th…
If the proceedings run into the next General Assembly, which is scheduled to start January 15, committee members said they would vote to allow their work to carry over.
There will likely be no problem with that.
* The Chicago Tribune is exactly right today…
Can the governor be impeached by the House and stripped of office by the Illinois Senate on the basis only of Fitzgerald’s criminal complaint?
Our belief: Yes. But there are reasons for this action beyond the criminal complaint, including the governor’s efforts to usurp the power of the legislature. The governor has lost his capacity to lead, and should be ousted from office so someone else can guide state government at this treacherous time. Separately, whatever happens in court, happens in court.
Right on, Tribsters.
* And before anyone else editorializes or writes a column about the impeachment process, I suggest they Google “Evan Mecham.” For example…
My guess is that at this point, Blagojevich would go to the state Supreme Court and attempt to block the impeachment proceedings, claiming that he’s being investigated by federal prosecutors for criminal conduct and cannot defend himself against impeachment for fear of compromising his right against self-incrimination.
The Supreme Court justices, all of whom have respect for the trial process, might be likely to accept that sort of argument.
Highly doubtful. Arizona Gov. Mecham was impeached and removed while awaiting trial on corruption charges. The Arizona constitution has a “high crimes and misdemeanors” component, unlike Illinois’ constitution, but the courts there refused to step in.
More…
I still don’t see how you can use the current federal charges against Blagojevich as the basis for an impeachment proceeding and expect him to be able to fairly defend himself.
Mecham argued that defending himself in the Senate trial would compromise his criminal trial. Too bad, the state Supremes ruled. Deal with it.
Impeachment is a political process, not a courtroom legal process. People need to stop thinking like a criminal defense lawyer and start treating this as a constitutional legislative process.
More…
At every turn, state officials need to consult with the U.S. attorney’s office to ensure they’re not working at cross-purposes. It would be counterproductive, for example, for the committee to interview witnesses before the feds got to them.
Maybe so, but Illinois has the right and the duty to deal with this as it sees fit. And Fitz has been consulted…
Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat who will serve on the committee, said Fitzgerald had neither ruled out nor committed himself to helping the legislative inquiry.
“He said, ‘Give us a list of what you want, and we will talk about it,’” Hannig said.
* And I’m not too worried about this, either…
House Republican Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, supported the impeachment effort, but he echoed concerns about gridlock in government during the impeachment process.
“Will the state function? No. The state’s going to be on hold,” Cross said at a news conference after Madigan’s announcement.
Or this…
The impeachment and trial of Blagojevich would slow state government to an even greater crawl. Springfield would morph from turtle to snail. As little as state lawmakers have accomplished in the last year, imagine how little they would do while also juggling an impeachment.
Blagojevich’s arrest has halted everything anyway. Nobody can do a deal with him now, so impeachment is neither here nor there. We are paralyzed with or without it.
* And I checked with Madigan on this last night and was told there was no such plan…
Hours after Madigan announced the committee’s formation at a Monday news conference, a member of his staff contacted The State Journal-Register and said the committee Thursday will take testimony from journalists who have had trouble getting answers to requests made under the state Freedom of Information Act.
* This kind of stuff does worry me, however…
Republicans complained that Madigan stacked the committee with 12 Democratic members, but just nine GOP members.
“It’s obvious Speaker Madigan is trying to manipulate the whole process,” said state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Spring.
That goofy debate went on forever. Republicans whined, Democrats attacked, etc. It was a truly disgusting display of partisanship at a time when the House should’ve come together as one. Disgusting.
* And this dismissive tone needs to stop…
“Impeachment talk’s nothing new for this governor,” Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero told reporters in Chicago, shrugging off the creation of an impeachment committee that meets for the first time today — one week after Blagojevich’s arrest stunned Illinois and the nation. “They’ve been talking about it for a long time.”
They’ve been talking about it for a long time for a very good reason. Downplaying impeachment is almost as goofy as allegedly auctioning a US Senate seat. This is serious business. Take it seriously.
* Related…
* Pressure grows on Illinois governor
* Impeachment inquiry launched
* Committee to report on Blago’s offenses
* House takes first step toward impeachment
* Process to impeach governor starts
* Prospect of impeachment now looms over Blagojevich
* Illinois House votes unanimously to create impeachment panel
* Who’s on the House impeachment panel?
* Madigan: Governor Will Get Fair Impeachment Review
* House speaker spells it out for Blagojevich
* Quinn Says Impeachment can be Done by January
* Should the House explore impeachment?
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Morning Shorts
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Chicago factory where workers held sit-in files for bankruptcy
* At a crossroad on the economy
* Clean Coal Review Board to meet in Sparta
* Lawsuit: CN takes premature control of EJ&E
* Hoffman Estates agrees to deal with CN
* New mission for Pontiac Prison
* Olympic bid chief vows more jobs for minorities, women
Ryan was asking the Finance Committee to approve a sale of the Michael Reese Hospital site to the city.
It would be used first for the Olympic Village and later for a mixed-use development.
Aldermen said Ryan’s team had cut a sharp bargain for the 37-acre property because of its size and prime location close to the lakefront. City officials say they will have no trouble selling the property even if the city doesn’t land the Olympics.
“You couldn’t have made a better deal if you used a gun,” Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) told Ryan.
* Duncan has big job ahead
Chicago’s loss is the nation’s gain. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan as his choice for U.S. Secretary of Education today.
Word is that Duncan will be tapped at one of his showcase schools, the Dodge Renaissance Academy, one of the first failing schools that he shut down and reopened with great success. As Duncan departs for D.C. — one of a proud and growing group from Chicago — he will be remembered most for that effort: a radical program to shut down dozens of failing schools and replace them with 100 new ones.
Duncan stumbled while launching the program, dubbed Renaissance 2010. As he closed failing schools, students were dispersed temporarily to other schools for a year or more, stigmatizing many of those kids and leading to a spike in violence at some receiving high schools. Parents, advocates and kids rightly complained and, ultimately, Duncan took heed.
* Duncan to join Obama Cabinet
* About Arne Duncan
* Sources: Obama chooses Duncan for Education Secretary
* Commissioner pushed to get contract for pal
Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno pushed to get his friend and political supporter, Ronald Garcia, a piece of a multimillion dollar hospital system billing collection contract, the Sun-Times has learned.
Moreno denied trying to influence Bardis, a South Side native ,to give Garcia, who has given $10,250 to the commissioner’s campaign, a piece of the contract.
“He’s full of s—. I told him ‘I don’t care if you use Chicago Medical. All I care about is that you comply with the [minority participation] statute,’” Moreno said. “I was absolutely not trying to help a friend. I was looking forward to make sure the [minority business enterprise] statutes were being complied with. [Garcia] has the only company that I knew was a MBE at the time and did that work. It was merely a recommendation.”
* Cook County contract more pay-to-play?
* Video speeds up CTA repairs
* City bars work on U.S. Cellular Field ramp
* Chicago Rush blame economy for AFL shutdown
* Chicago is second city to none
* Will County: The land of high property taxes
* Skip the ‘balloons’ this tax levy season
School districts that balloon levy often frame it as a way to collect the tax money they’re entitled to. Without it, “that money would just be lost,” U-46 Chief Financial Officer John Prince said.
Actually, that money would be in taxpayers’ pockets.
This year, setting a tax levy based on true numbers and on conservative spending is one gesture suburban residents will appreciate.
And it’s a gesture that surely will pay dividends in good will for school districts in the future if, as Schuler assures us, this challenging economy doesn’t last forever.
* Lake County sheriff’s party switch offers opportunity to slam Democrats
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran’s announcement that he is switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party also served as a convenient stage Monday for prominent Republicans to criticize beleaguered Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other Democrats.
Among those taking a swipe was former Illinois Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan, who lost to Blagojevich in 2002. But Ryan had plenty of company, including a congressman
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* The House resolution creating the special impeachment committee can be found at this link. The committee will be allowed to administer oaths and compel testimony and documents “by subpoena signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.” That’s standard.
The committee will also be able to punish those who don’t cooperate…
to punish any person for the neglect, refusal to appear, or failure to produce papers or documents or provide evidence commanded by subpoena or who, upon appearance, either with or without subpoena, refuses to be sworn or testify or produce papers, documents, or evidence demanded of him or her
* The House convenes at 3 o’clock. You can listen or watch by clicking here. There will likely be some speeches and such. Post breaking developments in comments, please.
The Senate convenes at 5. Listen or watch here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** [Posted by Kevin Fanning] 4:45 p.m. - Rich is reporting that the Speaker will make an announcement about the special election bill on the floor soon. Speaker Madigan has told reporters that the cost of the election is his caucus’ biggest concern.
* The special election bill will not be moved to the floor today.
* 5:00 p.m. - Leader Currie has moved for the adoption of the resolution to create an impeachment inquiry committee.
* 5:05 p.m - Rep. Bill Black has made a motion to debate the alternative Republican bill which would instead create a committee of 5 Republicans and 5 Democrats.
* 5:10 p.m. - Rep. Black withdraws his request.
* 5:18 p.m. - Leader Cross has inquired about a special election. Speaker Madigan said that “we want to take some additional time to attempt to reach a consensus on the issue. These are Democrats I’m working with… in terms of the timeline just keep me in your prayers.”
* Cross - “We can start the healing and rehabilitation of this state by having a special election. With all respect to the other side of the aisle, it leaves us hanging, and the people of Illinois hanging, on whether or not the current Governor is going to appoint our next Senator. … We’ve taken one good step tonight, but the other step is a special election.”
* 5:25 p.m. - Speaker Madigan nodded yes to the question on whether or not the House will leave town after the vote.
* 5:42 p.m - Rep. David Miller- “Now is the time more than ever for the people of Illinois to come together. Tomorrow there will still be a kid who needs to go to college, or someone who needs a state service.”
* 5:50 p.m. - House Dems on the impeachment inquiry committee: Reps. Currie, Hannig, Mautino, Hamos, Fritchey, Lang, Franks, Turner, Flowers, Acevedo, Monique Davis, Howard
* 5:57 p.m - No House GOP list yet
*** UPDATE 2 *** [Posted by Kevin Fanning] 6:09 p.m. The resolution to create an impeachment inquiry committee has passed 113 - 0.
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Obama/Blagojevich update
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The latest…
Federal investigators have said that nobody in the Obama transition team is the target of their probe.
Obama’s transition team announced Monday that his review of transition aides who had contacts with Blagojevich over the seat has been completed – but won’t be released until next week, at the request of federal prosecutors.
* The non-stop coverage has taken a toll. This is from a national Rasmussen poll…
How likely is it that President-elect Obama or one of his top campaign aides was involved in the Blagojevich scandal?
23% Very likely
22% Somewhat likely
35% Not very likely
11% Not at all likely
10% Not sure
* That compares to these Illinois results…
How likely is it that President-elect Obama was involved in the Blagojevich corruption case?
13% Very likely
13% Somewhat likely
37% Not very likely
32% Not at all likely
6% Not sure
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* Ed Genson hasn’t formally signed on yet as the governor’s defense attorney, but he expects to do so very soon, and he’s gearing up for battle…
Chicago defense attorney Ed Genson, who met with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich twice this weekend and who expects to be retained today, said that the case against the governor is “significantly exaggerated” and if he is retained, they will fight the charges.
“It’s like a snowball running down the hill and it’s gotten really really large. It’s an avalanche now,” Genson told reporters as he arrived at work Monday morning. “And… I think the case, the case that I’ve seen so far is significantly exaggerated. It’s just, it’s not what people think it is.” […]
Warned the attorney today, “If I’m trying the case, it’s going to be a fight.”
“Impeachment and criminal proceedings?” asked a reporter.
“Impeachment and criminal proceedings,” Genson replied. […]
One reporter said he had heard from a source that the wire-tapped recordings of Blagojevich’s conversations reveal “a guy there talking shop, but they don’t see any overt acts.”
Responded Genson with a smile, “I have a lot of respect for whoever said that to you, but I don’t want to comment.”
* Meanwhile, the governor is still trying to portray a sense of normalcy. He just signed another bill that renews and broadens the state’s film tax credit…
“The Film Tax Credit put Illinois back on the film industry’s map and helped Illinois achieve record revenues of $155 million for 2007. By strengthening this tax credit, we’re holding on to our competitive position and will be able to continue create thousands of job opportunities for Illinois workers during these tough economic times,” said Governor Blagojevich.
*** UPDATE *** [Posted by Kevin Fanning] Defense Attorney Edward Genson confirmed today that he will represent Gov. Blagojevich in his criminal case:
Asked whether he had been hired to represent the governor, Genson said, “I have.” He declined to comment further.
[…]
Genson has been a fixture in Chicago courtrooms for decades. His most recent high-profile cases were the R. Kelly child pornography trial that ended last summer and the trial in federal court of disgraced media baron Conrad Black.
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*** 1:53 PM *** Quinn thinks impeachment can be wrapped up in a month…
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn says that if Gov. Rod Blagojevich does not step down he thinks the impeachment process could be completed by Jan. 14 - the day the new General Assembly takes office
* 11:48 AM - House Speaker Michael Madigan has scheduled a press conference for noon today.
* 12:04 PM - Madigan announced the creation of a select committee on inquiry. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie will chair. Justice Alan Grieman will serve as special counsel to the Speaker.
* Madigan says he wants the committee to meet every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Even and New Years Day.
The committee will establish the standards for impeachment, Madigan said.
MJM: The Governor will be afforded full rights under the state and federal constitutions.
MJM: We will attach the affidavit (to the record that’s sent to the Senate). We plan to ask the US Attorney to cooperate.
“We plan to proceed without delay.”
MJM: Abuse of power is one avenue they will pursue.
MJM: We’ve been reviewing grounds for impeachment for about a year. We never came to a judgment that impeachment was appropriate until the events of six days ago.
Madigan said that since he’s watched the governor operate for the past six years, he was not surprised at anything in the criminal complaint.
MJM said that the House Dem caucus would discuss a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat during a meeting this afternoon.
The impeachment committee will hold hearings in Statehouse Room 114 and the hearings will be open to the public.
MJM: We can’t give you a specific answer on the time line.
Madigan said they will ask for an “offer of proof” from people who testify to the impeachment committee.
An impeachment resolution will be voted on today. The resolution will create the committee of inquiry.
The committee will have 21 members. 12 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
Asked several times about his co-chairing of Blagojevich’s 2006 campaign, Madigan finally said: I can’t say I knew he was under intense scrutiny at the time.
We’re not going to trample anyone’s constitutional rights in the process.
Impeachment inquiry will be paid for out of the existing House budget.
Quite possible that impeachment could overshadow everything during the upcoming session, which is why he wants things started right away.
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“T.I.I.”
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My Sun-Times column…
If Gov. Rod Blagojevich winds up in prison, he’ll be the fourth out of the last eight governors to wear the orange jumpsuit.
As Jon Stewart noted on “The Daily Show” last week, just 48 percent of the people who commit murder end up in jail for their crime.
“You are more likely to end up in jail if you become the governor of Illinois than if you become a murderer,” said an astonished Stewart.
Why is Illinois so corrupt?
Lots of national reporters asked me that question last week during the intense media frenzy following Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s arrest. I don’t have a lot of patience for national reporters, and since I was extremely busy I eventually just started talking in shorthand.
“T.I.I.”
It’s an explanation derived from the 2006 movie “Blood Diamond,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio’s character was attempting to explain why a particularly awful thing happened in an African nation.
“T.I.A.” he said. “This is Africa.”
Well, “This is Illinois.”
Our politicians have always been corrupt.
US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said last week that Gov. Blagojevich’s behavior would make the sainted Abraham Lincoln “roll over in his grave.”
But Honest Abe saw a whole bunch of corruption when he was a member of the Illinois House. He even dipped his toes into the muddy waters ever so slightly.
Back then, when business owners wanted to incorporate, they had to first pass a law. The easiest and fastest way to pass their legislation was to offer corporate board memberships to state legislators. A lot of politicians made a ton of money off those deals.
Illinois was also opening up the wilderness to private development. Since state lawmakers were at the center of that push they had the inside track to buy up the land. Rep. Lincoln tried his hand at this state-enabled scam once, but he lost money.
See? Even our greatest state heroes aren’t totally clean.
But as I’ve tried to explain lately, Rod Blagojevich is different.
He’s not former Gov. Len Small, an Al Capone henchman who pardoned a Capone bootlegger after he killed a state policeman. He’s not former Gov. George Ryan, whose staff shook down trucking companies for campaign contributions. He’s not former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, who got busted stealing postage stamps.
The difference between Blagojevich and all of those politicians is that those guys actually got a lot of things done. They were all successful at the the jobs they were elected to do.
And that, basically, is what has made Illinois so different from most other states.
Illinois has almost always valued “getting things done” over partisanship, or ideology, or regionalism or whatever. Corruption was part of that “whatever.”
So, we’ve tolerated corruption because our corrupt political leaders have mostly been competent, able people. You go with what works, I suppose.
Blagojevich has been so incompetent, divisive and goofy, particularly since his reelection two years ago, that he would’ve been universally reviled even if he hadn’t been an alleged crook.
The same pretty much goes for Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. His sheer incompetence enrages people far more than putting half his genealogical chain on the public payroll.
Maybe Blagojevich’s arrest will finally make the scales fall from our eyes, in much the same way as people all over the nation have reacted to “too big to fail” corporations since the international financial meltdown.
But voters may not like what they see. The real problem hasn’t been with our politicians. The problem has been us.
* Related…
* With latest scandal, is Illinois the most corrupt state in the nation
* Blagojevich Calls to Mind Clarence Darrow and Chicago Corruption
* How Blagojevich fits into Illinois history
* What would Lincoln say?
* We’re No. 18
* Pining for the days of Al Capone
* Not just Chicago-style
* Not exactly a contest for bragging rights
* Chicago’s karma
* Studs was right: ‘The big boys are not that bright’
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Guv tries to appear normal
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Reporters are following him everywhere…
Embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich is headed to work again as he continues to ignore calls for his resignation.
Blagojevich told reporters Monday that he was going to the office to sign a bill to give tax credits to film makers if they come to Illinois. […]
The governor also was asked if he saw “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, where there was a parody about him. Blagojevich said he hadn’t seen the show.
You can use this as a breaking news open thread, as well as comments on this story.
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Question of the day
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The setup…
In 1996, John Fritchey, a Democrat who shared a campaign office with Mr. Blagojevich, was told that his stepfather had suffered a serious stroke. He walked over to Mr. Blagojevich, who was making fund-raising calls, and shared the news.
“He proceeded to tell me that he was sorry, and then, in the next breath, he asked me if I could talk to my family about contributing money to his campaign,” recalled Mr. Fritchey, now a state representative and a critic of the governor. “To do that, and in such a nonchalant manner, didn’t strike me as something a normal person would do.”
* The Question: Have you ever had a direct conversation(s) with Gov. Blagojevich? Describe the conversation and your impressions of him in person. This QOTD is only for people who have talked to the guv. Thanks.
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Did the Trib deprive Fitz of biggest prize?
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hmmm…
Conventional wisdom holds that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald ordered the FBI to arrest Rod Blagojevich before sunrise Tuesday in order to stop a crime from being committed. That would have been the sale of the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
But the opposite is true: Members of Fitzgerald’s team are livid the scheme didn’t advance, at least for a little longer, according to some people close to Fitzgerald’s office. Why? Because had the plot unfolded, they might have had an opportunity most feds can only dream of: A chance to catch the sale of a Senate seat on tape, including the sellers and the buyers.
The precise timing of Tuesday’s dramatic, pre-dawn arrest was not dictated by Fitzgerald, nor was it dictated by the pace of Blagojevich’s alleged “crime spree.” It was dictated by the Chicago Tribune, according to people close to the investigation and a careful reading of the FBI’s affidavit in the case.
At Fitzgerald’s request, the paper had been holding back a story since October detailing how a confidante of Blagojevich was cooperating with his office. […]
There appear to have been fears in Fitzgerald’s office that those caught on tape might now seek to “undo” other “things.” Hours were logged over the weekend. Paperwork was pounded out. And before sunrise Tuesday, Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested simultaneously. At that same moment, FBI agents also knocked on the doors of witnesses. These were just a few of the people agents wanted to interview before cellphones started ringing across the city and others who had been caught on tape had a chance to get their stories straight.
Had it not been for the Tribune’s Dec. 5 story, the meeting Blagojevich’s brother was arranging might have proceeded. Mr. Blagojevich is quoted as citing the story, in the affidavit, then calling off the meeting. At a minimum, the FBI’s recorders would have been rolling when he reported back. The feds also probably would have tried to bug the session live, or at least to tail the participants and secretly film or photograph them. That’s what feds do. Jurors love video.
Go read the whole thing.
Thoughts?
* Semi-related…
* Catch-22 in Trib-Blago Reporting?
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Guv may sign special election bill
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told subscribers that this was possible late last week. The governor is leaning in favor of a special election…
Should he stay in office, Gov. Blagojevich is warming to the idea of holding a special election for President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
The governor — facing criminal charges that he put the seat and other state-government decisions up for sale — was optimistic at the start of the weekend that he would sign a bill that would strip him of his power to name Obama’s successor, a Blagojevich source said Sunday.
* Meanwhile, Dick Durbin has flip-flopped…
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, for instance, was an early supporter but is now calling for Blagojevich to resign so that the lieutenant governor could appoint a senator.
* Cullerton leans against…
“The most immediate solution to the short-term problem is if the governor could step aside, which the constitution allows, and Pat Quinn would become the acting governor and he (Quinn) could appoint the U.S. senator and that would be acceptable to the U.S. Senate,” said Cullerton (D-Chicago), who assumes the leadership of the chamber next month. […]
In his radio interview, Cullerton didn’t directly address what plan he favors, noting only that “with a special election, it’s very complicated because it’s very costly.”
“We need a senator immediately. We need a senator to be there to be voting in the first week of January to support…our incoming president, one of our former colleagues,” Cullerton said.
* House GOP Leader Tom Cross appears to be leaning towards the “hybrid” plan discussed yesterday by LG Pat Quinn. A temporary appointment followed by a special election…
A spokesman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), who expects to meet with Madigan possibly today, endorsed the package that was making the rounds.
“We feel the best way to restore any confidence the citizens of Illinois have in their government overall and in particular who the United States senator will be is to have a special election. The very preliminary language we’ve seen seems to accomplish that task,” Cross spokesman David Dring said.
* Jim Edgar is against the special election…
Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar says the last thing the state needs right now is another partisan political battle.
EDGAR: I would much rather see that some, I don’t…blue ribbon committee or something come together and try to come up with a name of someone maybe who just would serve two years even and try to take this out of the political realm quickly.
* But the IL GOP is full steam ahead…
Illinois Republican Party leaders are launching a television campaign to push their position that a special election should be called to fill the vacancy caused by President-elect Barack Obama’s depature, a move to prevent a Senate appointment by scandal-scarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich or Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn if he takes over the top job.
With Blagojevich hanging onto office despite last week’s arrest in a corruption case, Republicans are seek to seiz the political advantage of a reeling state government headed by Democrats at every level.
“Blagojevich Democrats like Pat Quinn did nothing to stand up to Governor Blagojevich and his ethical lapses,” said Joe Birkett, the DuPage County state’s attorney.
Birkett questioned why “Pat Quinn stood silent” when they ran together in 2006, when it was known that Blagojevich was the “eye of the storm”
* Related…
* Black leaders see Senate seat being hijacked
* GOP sees hope for revival amid scandal
* Quinn a good man, but voters should pick senator
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* The Sun-times had an excellent piece this morning…
Late Sunday night, [Gov. Blagojevich] said he would not resign, according to another person close to Blagojevich.
“He’s decided not to,” the source said. “He has no intention of resigning at this time.” The source cautioned, however, that the governor could change his mind as he continues to contemplate his situation.
* But there may be a mutiny afoot if he doesn’t leave soon…
A source says some of top deputies in the governor’s office have already written letters of resignation, but have not yet turned them in, fearing their departure would further paralyze a state in crisis.
I’m hearing pretty much the same thing.
ABC7 News has learned some of the governor’s dozen or so top staff members are considering resigning. Others in the group fear a mass exodus at the top would leave the state further adrift.
One top aide says staff members are encouraging Blagojevich to step-aside, at least temporarily. In that scenario, the governor would still collect a paycheck, but the legislature would be able to block him from returning to office.
* From the latest Rasmussen Reports poll…
* Should Rod Blagojevich resign as governor?
84% Yes
9% No
7% Not sure
And…
* How likely is it that Rod Blagojevich will resign as Governor?
18% Very likely
22% Somewhat likely
34% Not very likely
19% Not at all likely
7% Not sure
* More…
There is a growing push by rank-and-file lawmakers to impeach Blagojevich. House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego is expected to meet with Michael Madigan to discuss it on Monday. Jones has not taken a position on impeachment, which could culminate in a trial in the Senate. He has cautioned against a rush to judgment against the governor.
* More…
Madigan, a Democrat representing Chicago, hasn’t taken any public position beyond saying Sunday that he will talk to the House Republican leader about the issue Monday.
David Dring, spokesman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross, said Republicans will step up the pressure on Democrats to remove Blagojevich, perhaps raising the issue on the House floor.
“If they won’t work with us, you’ll probably see some good theater,” Dring said.
* Related: Impeachment raises questions for lawmakers
* Earlier: Legislative survey on impeachment, resignation; Plus: Which state is the most corrupt?
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* A strong majority of Illinoisans appears to understand that, while we may be a corrupt state, Blagojevich is a special case. From a Rasmussen Reports poll taken last week…
Is Rod Blagojevich more ethical, less ethical, or about as ethical as most politicians?
4% More ethical
59% Less ethical
31% About as ethical
7% Not sure
* And 69 percent believe that Obama kept his distance…
How likely is it that President-elect Obama was involved in the Blagojevich corruption case?
13% Very likely
13% Somewhat likely
37% Not very likely
32% Not at all likely
6% Not sure
From the narrative…
Among Republicans, 20% say it is Very Likely Obama was involved in the corruption case, and another 26% say it is Somewhat Likely. Only seven percent (7%) of Democratic voters think it is Very Likely, with four percent (4%) saying it is Somewhat Likely.
Fifteen percent (15%) of unaffiliated voters rate Obama’s involvement as Very Likely, while 14% say Somewhat Likely.
* Not quite sure what to make of the split on this one, but it appears that people are still trying to wrap their heads around the events…
Were Blagojevich’s attempts to get large campaign contributions in exchange for political favors pretty typical of how most politicians operate?
39% Yes
35% No
26% Not sure
* And this is my favorite result from the poll…
Should Blagojevich go to jail for his actions?
79% Yes
8% No
13% Not sure
No need to clarify that result. Oof.
* From last week: New poll says 84 percent want guv to resign *** 73 percent want him impeached ***
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Blagojevich’s sycophants
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
*My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
I spent a few hours re-reading the federal criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich and chief of staff John Harris late last week. As I did, one image kept coming to mind again and again: Howard Hughes.
Hughes, of course, was the kabillionaire whose aides allowed him to die an emaciated, bedsore-ridden mess. Instead of really taking care of him, they indulged his insanity, mainly for fear of losing their jobs.
The federal complaint is far from a complete document, but it paints a picture of a bunch of enabling hangers - too timid to tell the man “no.” I always knew they were sycophants, I just never realized that they went to such extremes.
For instance, one of the governor’s Washington, D.C., consultants whom Blagojevich has paid millions throughout the years, is caught on tape actively indulging the governor’s mad fantasy of a deal that involved appointing President-elect Barack Obama’s preferred Senate replacement in exchange for a job heading up the Change to Win organization, a splinter group of the AFL-CIO. The consultant apparently didn’t discourage Blagojevich’s bizarre plan to have Obama-connected billionaires fund a 501(c)(4) organization that Blagojevich eventually could run.
Blagojevich and Harris are on tape discussing the idea of appointing the estimable Deputy Gov. Louanner Peters to the Senate seat. Blagojevich said that if it looked like he was going to be impeached, he could count on Peters to give up the seat “and let me parachute over there.” Replied Harris: “You can count on (Peters) to do that.”
Almost the entire complaint reads like that. It was “Yes, governor. Yessir. Okeedokee,” to the goofiest schemes imaginable. “Deputy Governor A stated that it is hard not to give the Secretary of Energy position to a Texan, but with Rod Blagojevich’s coal background it might be a possibility.” Like Barack Obama ever would make Rod Blagojevich his energy secretary.
Instead of telling the governor his plots were not just silly, but flat-out crazy and maybe even illegal, they humored him right until the end.
There are a couple of mild push-backs. “Adviser A,” a former deputy governor who now is a lobbyist (and I’m pretty sure I know who he is), suggested that appointing a certain controversial wealthy person to the Senate in order to help Blagojevich raise money might not be a fantastic idea. “Adviser A responded that it would be hard to put Senate Candidate 6 in the Senate seat.”
But by the end of their discussion, Adviser A and the governor allegedly were talking about finding somebody close to this possible appointee. “Adviser A agreed to find out who is close to Senate Candidate 6.” (Just to be clear here, there is no indication whatsoever that “Senate Candidate 6″ was ever informed of this conversation.)
Their guy, the man who made them what they are today, was falling off the deep end and endangering them all, yet they allowed him to carry on. Blagojevich is to blame, of course, but his so-called friends ought to be absolutely ashamed of themselves.
There are some other interesting little tidbits in the complaint that haven’t come to light. For instance, the governor and his D.C. consultant discussed appointing Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the U.S. Senate as a way of “getting more done as governor.”
Independent sources say the governor was convinced he could cut a deal with House Speaker Michael Madigan, Lisa’s father, on the appointment that would allow him to pass a capital bill, enact grand new health-care programs and do all sorts of other wonderful, pie-in-the-sky things. One very well-placed source claims the governor even settled on the Lisa Madigan appointment idea the day before he was arrested.
Mike Madigan hasn’t returned the governor’s phone calls in years, and Lisa Madigan did not enjoy life as a legislator. How the governor even could imagine such a scheme could succeed is beyond all reason.
And John Wyma, who made millions lobbying the governor, is seeking immunity, according to the complaint, “in exchange for (Wyma’s) truthful information.” The footnote claims that Wyma (identified as “Individual A”) is a “subject, but not a target, of the criminal investigation concerning activities at the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.” That gives you some idea of what might possibly have brought Wyma into the fold.
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Morning Shorts *** UPDATED ***
Monday, Dec 15, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Republic: It’s all Bank of America’s fault
* Colleges give new aid to keep students afloat
“Each student comes here with the goal of achieving their dream of a college education,” said Evelyn Burdick, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “We would love not to ever lose a student because of financial reasons.”
* School Tries to Beat Drop Out Odds
* Students nominated to U.S. Service Academies
* CTA also rehabs Web site
* Winter of our discontent
When Mayor Richard Daley released his 2009 budget on a mid-October day with the temperature in the high 50s, he said that one way he intended to close a $420 million shortfall was to cut back on snow removal. Main arterials might not be plowed as quickly as in years past, and some side streets might not be plowed at all.
* City Responds To Weather With Snow Fighting Trucks
* Chickens earning their keep in Chicago backyards
* Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran Switching to Republican Party
* Northwestern Hospital in probe
* U.S. investigating Northwestern Memorial
In the Northwestern probe, the government has focused on the relationship between the hospital and its primary affiliated doctor practice, the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation. The doctor group has 600 physicians and generates more than $400 million in annual revenue, according to its web site.
* Illinois Bar Foundation honors SIUC law dean
* Anonymous donor’s funds keep historic site in Vandalia open
“We have a one-time donation of $35,477 from one person that would keep the doors open through June 30, 2009,” said Gottman.
Gottman said he can’t imagine the state turning down the proposal, which was made to Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Director Jan Grimes.
“I don’t know how they could turn down free money,” Gottman said.
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