* I posted some video of Attorney General Lisa Madigan yesterday, but we left part of it out.
AG Madigan starts out joking about the fact that she has no GOP opponent as of yet. But then she notices my intern Mike videotaping the interview and begins talking to him. She kinda/sorta praised his performance on the blog during my vacation, but then teases him about something he wrote here…
* My old and dear friend Brian Monahan was in town this week and volunteered to help with the video duties yesterday. He got stuck taping all the speeches. Neither Mike nor Brian are in town today, and Mike accidentally took both of my video cameras back to Champaign last night, so, unfortunately, we won’t have much in the way of videos from Republican Day. I do have my iPhone, though, so I may do something.
* Sen. Matt Murphy has unveiled a new TV ad during the State Fair which whacks a fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Kirk Dillard. From a press release…
The ad contrasts Murphy’s record as a fiscal conservative with one primary opponent, Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), whose votes have contributed to the state’s financial woes. In 2008, Dillard voted to raise the sales tax in Cook County as well as the collar counties and in 2003 he voted to give then Governor Rod Blagojevich $10 billion in bond borrowing. The ad also calls the Hinsdale Senator a “long-time insider” highlighting his 30 years in state government, a point Dillard himself is making on the campaign trail.
Except, the ad never actually mentions Dillard by name…
According to the Tribune, the ad is currently running in the Springfield/Champaign cable market. It’s more of a symbolic act, but it does indicate that Murphy will not allow Dillard to emerge unscathed.
***UPDATE : 4:30 pm- Dillard Responds***
[posted by Mike Murray]
***End of Update***
* Meanwhile, the Democrats are planning to take a swipe this morning at GOP US Senate candidate Mark Kirk before the Republican Day festivities kick off at noon. From a press release…
Before the start of the Illinois Republican Party’s rally today at the State Fair grounds, local Democratic and community leaders will join together to ask Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk why time and again he has supported corporate special interests and President George Bush’s failed policies over what is best for Illinois’ economy and working families.
DATE: August 20, 2009
LOCATION: West Side of the Goat Barn, State Fair Grounds
TIME: 11:45 AM
PARTICIPANTS: Margaret Blackshere, former President of the IL AFL-CIO
Jim Moody, Sangamon County Chair
Special Guests
It’s probably a safe bet that the goat barn was chosen for a reason.
Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes announced Wednesday that he is entering the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, challenging U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk for the party’s banner.
Hughes, 40, says he was part of a grass-roots push to lobby against Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed income tax hike. The attorney has never run for public office before.
HUGHES: [President Obama’s] popularity has faded significantly. I think that the policies that people are looking for are policies of limited government, of fiscal responsibility, and the Obama administration, particularly with their stimulus plan, and with the cap and trade energy tax legislation and with the health care legislation has shown to the American people that they’re not committed to limited and to effective government and fiscal responsibility and to low taxes.
At least five other Republicans are vying for the Senate nomination. The biggest name among them is Congressman Mark Kirk. But Hughes says Kirk is out of the mainstream of Republican thinking.
* Related…
* Senate Hopeful Mark Kirk facing Upward Battle for Immigrant Votes
* Illinois Rep. Kirk Gets Another Senate GOP Primary Opponent: At least six other Republicans have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the seat of retiring Democrat Roland W. Burris. They are John Arrington, a former alderman from Harvey; Tom Kuna; Don Lowery, a former state circuit judge; political activist and frequent candidate Andy Martin; Eric Wallace, who was decisively defeated in a 2006 bid for the Illinois state Senate; and Robert Zadek, a businessman.
* U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin wins court settlement in lawsuit with Republican Party
* Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom. 2pm-ish.
Abes Trading Post
2704 Peoria Rd.
* Sen. Dan Rutherford, candidate for Treasurer. 2:00 -3:30 PM (Following the GOP Luncheon)
Cold Refreshments on Republican Day
Franny’s Tavern
Corner of 8th & Sangamon Avenue
Outside State Fair Gate 11
* Sen. Kirk Dillard for Governor. 2:30-4:30 pm.
Reception @ the Miller Tent
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Live Music and Refreshments
* Frank Edwards for Governor. 2-4 pm.
Free Pizza & Beverages
Fulgenzi’s
Corner of 9th & Sangamon
* Adam Andrzejewski for governor. 2-5 pm.
Vic’s Pizza
Beer/wine and wings.
* Senator Bill Brady Republican Candidate for Governor 2010. 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Free Illinois State Fair Republican Day Reception
Sangamon County Republican Party Headquarters
1132 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield
(just east of the Fairgrounds’ Main Gate)
* Sen. Matt Murphy for Governor. 2-4pm
Stadium Sports Bar
2300 N Peoria Rd
Springfield
Beer and pizza
[McKenna] said he was leaving in advance of the end of his term next year to give Republicans a chance to pick a new leader before the Feb. 2 primary election.
The move, he said, also will give him “the freedom to be involved in primaries”—something he said he has avoided as state Republican chairman. McKenna also will run a newly formed “victory fund” for state and federal candidates under the auspices of the state GOP.
***UPDATE***
[posted by Mike Murray]
* 2 pm - Here is some video Rich shot at the fair…
* There was some actual news yesterday during the annual State Fair festivities, but it was mostly ignored…
The [Democratic] party’s county chairmen’s association voted to endorse Alexi Giannoulias in next February’s primary for U.S. Senate. […]
Some downstate county chairmen wondered why the other Senate candidate, Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson, did not politic at this year’s state fair.
“She hasn’t called, hasn’t said nothing, hasn’t been around, hasn’t introduced herself,” said Rocky Raikes, Lasalle County chairman.
Just months after insisting that a new state ethics law prohibits the Illinois Democratic Party from endorsing or giving financial support to candidates in a primary, Gov. Quinn plans to attend a closed-door meeting of Cook County Democratic officials today to seek their support in next year’s election. […]
Asked about the Cook County slatemaking Wednesday at the Illinois State Fair, Quinn told reporters: “I’m going to go up there to talk to them. I believe in talking to everybody. What they do is up to them.”
Seeking clarification, I called Quinn’s campaign finance chairman, Don McNeil, who said the governor plans to ask for the Democratic committeemen’s support “as individuals,” not a party endorsement.
McNeil said Quinn continues to favor an open primary and to oppose spending party resources on any candidate in a primary contest.
But he specifically won’t join Dan Hynes in asking that the county party avoid slating statewide candidates.
And what’s his campaign finance chairman doing answering reporters’ questions?
* The news that Speaker Madigan won’t convene the state party until after the February election was picked up by Bernie Schoenberg…
Madigan also chairs the state Democratic Party, but said Wednesday that the central committee plans no endorsements and doesn’t plan to meet before the Feb. 2 primary.
* Instead, the media coverage was mostly about slight digs thrown at each other by Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes and the “spectre” of Rod Blagojevich…
Though he’s been gone almost seven months, the shadow of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich hovered over the Democrats’ annual rally at the State Fair on Wednesday as early tensions surfaced in the primary race for governor.
As the memory of Blagojevich forced party leaders to walk on political eggshells, Gov. Quinn and his top primary rival for governor — Comptroller Dan Hynes — traded barbs.
“I respect Pat Quinn, and I find him to be a decent man. But this nomination must be earned, not bequeathed or signed or transferred. It must be earned,” Hynes said.
Quinn paid tribute to the legislative handiwork of three of the four Democratic statewide officeholders — Secretary of State Jesse White, Lisa Madigan and Treasurer and U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias — but snubbed Hynes. […]
“Those are people who want to work together. If you don’t want to work with our office, go your own way,” Quinn said, when asked if his snub of Hynes was deliberate.
* Quote of the day goes to potential gubernatorial candidate Rep. Jack Franks…
“I’m not a Chicago politician. I’m a farm boy from Marengo and I rely on common sense. And I think we need a change,” said Franks.
Farm boy? Really? Actually, he’s the son of and partner with a very successful trial lawyer. Here’s his official General Assembly bio…
Attorney; law firm of Franks, Gerkin & McKenna; Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin/Madison; law degree from the American University Washington College of Law; a member of several Chambers of Commerce in McHenry County
Nothing about being a “farm boy.” And he doesn’t sit on the Ag Committee, either.
Elementary students posted modest gains on the 2009 exams, continuing an upward trend. But high school scores tumbled, according to data released Wednesday.
Last year’s junior class posted the lowest pass rate — 51.6 percent — ever recorded on the math portion of the Prairie State Achievement Exam, given this past spring. Barely half of the students got over the bar in science, a slight drop from the previous year.
More than 30 percent of single-family homes in the Chicago metropolitan area had mortgages that were greater than the value of the home at the end of June, according to a report from First American CoreLogic. That’s 550,572 Chicago area homes with negative equity.
Statewide, 29.4 percent — 650,720 properties — had negative equity, also known as having an “underwater” or “upside down” mortgage.
The state and metropolitan area fared slightly better than the nation, which had 32.2 percent of properties with negative equity, the report said.
Union officials here are projecting a $7 million loss of taxable income to the Logan County economy if pending cuts of more than 100 state Department of Corrections employees take place at two local prisons.
That’s prompted the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees to launch a public campaign against the cuts announced recently by Gov. Pat Quinn. The campaign included a town hall meeting at the Knights of Columbus hall Wednesday night.
According to a press release on Wednesday afternoon, the mayor met Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to ask for increased efforts at the federal level to crack down on gang-bangers and drug dealers.
An Illinois tollway board member had been pitching his company to do land consulting work on other tollway systems and for construction companies, which a top ethics group says is an apparent conflict of interest.
David Andalcio, who was appointed to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2003, has a company called Wynndalco Enterprises that was offering services on its Web site as a consultant for tollway and other transportation projects.
Allan Ackerman, a onetime mob attorney whose specialty of late has been crafting appellate arguments, said Wednesday he will formally join the ranks of the former governor’s legal team.
Ackerman referred to himself Wednesday as a “maven,” an expert who will organize the evidence, including more than 3 million documents in the case, and have it ready for the June trial.
Attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich say they’ll need three more weeks to listen to secret recordings that’ll feature prominently at his corruption trial.
Federal prosecutors and defense lawyers attended a 10-minute status hearing Wednesday where Judge James Zagel asked how preparations for a trial were going. Blagojevich didn’t attend.[…]
The next status hearing is set for Sept. 22. A trial isn’t expected to start until next year.
Burr Oak Cemetery’s remaining eight workers have been laid off since Friday, when the cemetery’s receiver learned in court he couldn’t make payroll, the SouthtownStar has learned.
Roman Szabelski, the appointed receiver charged with running the beleaguered historic cemetery in Alsip, said none of the money he’s requested from a Cook County judge to operate the cemetery has been released. The cemetery’s assets all have been frozen in the wake of a grave-reselling scandal in which four employees are charged with multiple felonies, including dismembering human remains.
UPDATE FROM RICH: Some things to look for in the videos below…
Speaker Madigan said he has no plans to endorse any gubernatorial candidates in the short term. He did endorse Rep Art Turner for LG, though.
Gov Quinn evaded questions about whether the Cook Co. Dems should slate statewide candidates. Dan Hynes has asked that the party not slate. Unusual for Quinn, who has opposed slating in the past.
Tornado siren at the fairgrounds so that’s it for now.
* 2:05 pm - We have some pre-speech video for you from the state fair: Speaker Madigan, Sen Link, Gov. Quinn, and AG Madigan all spoke with the media prior to the Gov’s day rally. I should have video up shortly…
* 2:13 pm - Here is Speaker Madigan answering a variety of questions. Most notably, he discusses his personal decision to endorse Rep Turner for Lt. Gov. Again the endorsement was not made in the Speaker’s capacity as State Dem. Party Chair. Of course, Madigan is his usual coy self with the media…
* 2:18 pm -Sen. Link responds to Speaker Madigan’s endorsement of Rep. Turner and notes that he expects Sen. President Cullerton to endorse him for Lt. Gov in the near future…
* 2:25 pm - Gov Quinn also spoke with the media. Initially, the conversation focused on the U of I trustees situation, but eventually Quinn addresses his view of Hynes as a primary challenger…
In late July, after almost four months, trustees at a Town Board meeting considered his request but denied the permit, citing safety concerns, though Montes had reduced the expected number of protesters to 80. Trustees, however, recommended an alternative location for the protest: a parking lot in an isolated part of town across from the recently demolished Sportsman’s Park near 3300 S. Laramie Ave., a mile from [state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s] office.
“They are stonewalling me,” said Montes, who declined the offer of the alternative site. “The town is violating my civil liberties.”
Cicero police and town trustees told Montes at a Town Board meeting that the sidewalk in front of Sandoval’s office, 5807 W. 35th St., is too small to accommodate 80 protesters. Town Collector and Trustee Fran Reitz also told Montes that it would be “terribly disruptive to our residents in the community.”
“There are always a lot of senior [citizens] walking up and down 35th Street,” she said, adding the parking lot “would be much more conducive for what is being requested.”
* The Question: Should municipal permits be required for protests? Explain.
* As with yesterday, if you have an event that’s not listed, add it to comments. Here’s today’s list…
* Illinois State Senator and Candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard Pre-Republican Day Reception. 6:00-9:00 P.M.
D H Brown’s
231 East Monroe
Refreshments provided
RSVP: 630-571-0390
or rsvp@dillardforgovernor.com
* Reception and pizza party for State Rep. Mike Boland. 5 - 7 pm.
Joe Gallina’s Pizza
432 East Monroe
Donation: $20.00
For more information call 630.251.1538
* Thursday…
* Gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom. 2pm-ish.
Abes Trading Post
2704 Peoria Rd.
* Sen. Dan Rutherford, candidate for Treasurer. 2:00 -3:30 PM (Following the GOP Luncheon)
Cold Refreshments on Republican Day
Franny’s Tavern
Corner of 8th & Sangamon Avenue
Outside State Fair Gate 11
* Sen. Kirk Dillard for Governor. 2:30-4:30 pm.
Reception @ the Miller Tent
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Live Music and Refreshments
* Frank Edwards for Governor. 2-4 pm.
Free Pizza & Beverages
Fulgenzi’s
Corner of 9th & Sangamon
* Adam Andrzejewski for governor. 2-5 pm.
Vic’s Pizza
Beer/wine and wings.
* Senator Bill Brady Republican Candidate for Governor 2010. 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Free Illinois State Fair Republican Day Reception
Sangamon County Republican Party Headquarters
1132 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield
(just east of the Fairgrounds’ Main Gate)
* Sen. Matt Murphy for Governor. 2-4pm
Stadium Sports Bar
2300 N Peoria Rd
Springfield
Beer and pizza
* It’s just amazing to me that so many people are lining up to run for lieutenant governor. I can’t ever remember this much interest in an office that means almost nothing.
Steve Rhodes has a partial candidate list today, including Sen. Rickey Hendon, Sen. Terry Link, Ald. Sandi Jackson, Rep. Kevin Joyce, Justin Oberman, Scott Lee Cohen, Thomas Castillo and Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole.
Others include Democratic Reps. Art Turner and Mike Boland, Republican Rep. Dave Winters, Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, Goran Davidovac, Randy White and most likely some others that I can’t remember at the moment.
Rhodes thinks we can blame this intense interest in a nothing job on Pat Quinn…
Blame it on Pat Quinn: the job formerly known as Lieutenant Governor of Bored Out-of-My-Mindistan is suddenly drawing interest from a wide-range of pols vying for a post once seen as a booby prize.
We can only surmise that Quinn’s accidental ascendancy to the governship has given a few folks some new ideas about the least consequential position among state constitutional offices.
There’s more to it than that, of course. I mean, can they really be thinking that this office is now a springboard because a governor was impeached and removed for the first time in Illinois history? Really?
I’d love to get all these people into a room and ask them what the heck is going through their minds.
Merchandise Mart mogul and political heir Chris Kennedy told supporters Tuesday he isn’t running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Roland Burris.
“In the end, I did not want to have to leave the state in order to serve it,” said Kennedy, the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy. “They say love conquers all, and in my case, it conquered ambition. I realize that I would rather be a good husband and a good father than a good Washington politician.”
And I probably should admit that I’d been privately goading Kennedy to run for the past few months. Why? Because I consider him smart and well-spoken, because I thought he might win (what, you think you’re reading the neutral report of the Jedi Council? Wrong). Because I feel that Illinois could use a second effective senator and not some 33-year-old gee-whiz whelp like State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the putative Democratic candidate, nor a sour little crab apple like Republican Mark Kirk, coupled to a suspicion that a Kennedy campaign would enliven our often tedious political process and his victory might even be good for the country.
Kennedy is rich enough not to be beholden to anybody, and a smart, independent man with new ideas would stand out in the U.S. Senate, if only for his novelty.
I told Kennedy I was disappointed.
“I think it’s the right decision,” he said, explaining that, basically, he wasn’t willing to spend time on the campaign trail that a successful Senate campaign requires.
Kennedy would’ve been a much better campaigner than I think some expected. But this party savior thing is a bit much. And it’s not confined to liberal-leaning Kennedy-loving types, either. I found the end of this column about Illinois Republicans a tiny bit disturbing…
We just need to be reminded that our state’s best days are ahead.
All that’s left is for a leader to come along with that message, the credibility to challenge us with it and the ability to grab our attention. If he or she can raise our heads, we’ll get going again.
If we’re gonna depend on politicians to “raise our heads,” we’ll be waiting around forever. Put your faith in God (if you believe, of course), not people. People will always disappoint. Hey, I love people. But we’re all humans and are therefore flawed creatures.
* Meanwhile, a Sun-Times guest columnist thinks Todd Stroger is a lock for reelection, then proceeds to declare voters stupid…
So don’t be surprised when Stroger pulls off the re-election win. Heck, it will be so bizarre that it could lead to a book deal. There’s even a working title being kicked around in certain circles — Cook County Voters are Dummies.
One wonders if this columnist will declare him/herself (there’s no name on the online version of the column) a dummie if Stroger is defeated.
* The Daily Herald thinks there are two “central questions” in the upcoming election campaign…
First: Given the political turmoil in Illinois so far this decade, why would anyone vote for Democrats?
Second: What alternative will Republicans offer?
But Cullerton makes a good point in the same story…
State Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, said he believes the GOP won’t be able to mount an aggressive take-back of the state despite the scandals of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and discontent over proposed tax hikes.
“We kind of benefit somewhat with the dysfunctionality (of the GOP),” Cullerton said. “They are split. They have a real conservative (wing) and moderates who are fighting each other. They don’t agree. … So, they haven’t taken advantage.”
“Our brand is bad, their brand is just as bad,” he said.
The GOP “brand” is still not good in Illinois, but if Mark Kirk’s polling numbers show us anything, it’s that the party isn’t as far into the wilderness as it’s been in recent years.
Teachers and advocates for students are taking hits at the new Chicago Public Schools budget.
CPS is holding hearings on the $5.3 billion budget. Speakers at the first hearing blasted the city’s use of Tax Increment Financing districts—saying the TIFs are costing the public schools hundreds of millions of dollars in forgone property tax revenues. Others criticized CPS’s investment decisions.
A new law in Illinois that aimed to help give homeowners facing foreclosure more time apparently led to a spike in problems during July, according to data released today by RealtyTrac.
The state ranked No. 5 nationwide for the number of foreclosure filings of 14,524 for the month, which includes default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. That overall foreclosure activity was boosted by an 86 percent surge in default notices, which bounced back from low levels in May and June, said RealtyTrac spokesman Daren Blomquist.
“The law just delayed the inevitable for some people,” said Blomquist. “And we’ve seen this pattern in other states that enacted similar laws.”
An Illinois state law enacted April 5 gave delinquent borrowers an extension of up to 90 days before the start of the foreclosure process.
The Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization will file suit against the City of Chicago Wednesday alleging that the deal to lease the city’s parking meters is illegal and should be voided.
Clint Krislov, of Krislov & Associates, Ltd. and IVI-IPO’s attorney on the suit, will be available at a press conference following the filing. Copies of the suit will be available at the press conference. [10:30am today]
Citing financial mismanagement in a long-troubled office that Cook County Board President Todd Stroger now controls, state officials have cut off access to $2.35 million in federal job training grants and demanded the county return another $1.8 million.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity also is requiring its approval for the county to spend the rest of a $5.7 million grant for summer youth jobs as part of the federal stimulus package.
Pappas estimated the village would have the potential to add more than $800,000 to its coffers. Trustee James Dodge, who opposes expanding gambling in Illinois, said he is skeptical of the revenue numbers, especially since the state estimates 45,000 video machines will pop up in Illinois, reducing the demand.
Nonunion wage freezes, the elimination of 17 city positions, and cuts in temporary positions, training and overtime expenses highlighted a laundry list of proposals the city’s department heads introduced to the City Council on Tuesday.
* Union files unfair labor charge against Oak Lawn
* Beggars don’t need mayor’s approval in Ill. city
Panhandlers in the southwestern Illinois city of Belleville will no longer be required to get the mayor’s written permission before asking for spare change.
One of the oldest churches on Chicago’s South Side is slated for demolition. Vandalism, squatters and fires helped ruin the building. But some preservationists are blaming the Chicago Housing Authority.
Before Chicago organizers close their sale to the IOC, they need to close their sale to Chicagoans. The best way to do that is to shower Chicago in all of the financing details — and to create a rock-solid protocol for sharing future information with citizens as well. That isn’t too much to ask, given that there will be no Chicago Olympics unless the City Council obligates taxpayers to an open financial guarantee that the games will succeed. The city has already provided a $500 million guarantee; the state has committed to $250 million in the event the Games lose money.
* 5:15 pm - Gov. Pat Quinn has just filed several amendatory vetoes, including one of the procurement reform legislation. Quinn’s changes to the procurement bill are mostly minor, but this might foreshadow a broader AV of the much-maligned campaign finance bill, which is still on his desk.
The governor proposed some changes to a couple of other bills which started new programs. The amendatory vetoes of HB2445 and HB2547 (a proposal to give the Department of Human Rights jurisdiction to “consider charges of severe bullying”) would enact the programs subject only to legislative appropriations. Seems reasonable.
Quinn also AV’d legislation which creates a commission to maximize federal Medicaid dollars, claiming that the deadline for appointing members (which has already passed) “is too soon to allow for a thorough vetting of candidates.”
* The governor signed another ethics bill into law, this one pertaining to lobbyists and state employees. Bethany has the complete list, but here’s the lobster stuff…
New lobbying rules:
* People who lobby state boards, commissions or retirement boards now will have to register as lobbyists.
* All lobbyists will have to abide by stricter disclosure requirements, including listing all expenditures related to lobbying activities, their clients and the subject matter of lobbying activities. The reports will have to be filed with the secretary of state on a weekly basis when the legislature is in session and monthly during the off-season.
* Many will have to pay a higher $1,000 fee, which is the way the state is expected to pay for more inspectors to monitor lobbying activities. House Speaker Michael Madigan previously said he would consider lowering the fee for smaller nonprofit groups in the future.
* 12:42 pm - Rep. Beth Coulson (R-Glenview) just confirmed a report earlier this morning that she is preparing to announce for the open 10th Congressional District seat. Coulson told me she’s planning an announcement this coming Monday.
Coulson is a moderate Republican who should fit that district pretty well. Several other candidates are already in the race, or saying they’re in the race, but Rep. Coulson should probably be considered the frontrunner.
Her decision to run will likely give the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee some serious heartburn. Like incumbent Republican Mark Kirk, she’s been able to win time and time again in a Democratic-leaning district in strong Dem years.
This is a major loss for the Illinois House Republicans, who will have a big, expensive fight on their hands to hold onto that district.
At last night’s Lake County Republican Central Committee meeting, State Representative Beth Coulson told the assembled crowd that she’s in for the 10th District race to succeed outgoing Congressman Mark Kirk. As we noted a few weeks ago, Coulson has been mulling jumping into the race, and told Team America that she plans to make a formal announcement this coming Monday, somewhere in the northern part of the district–perhaps near Rosalind Franklin University (formerly the Chicago Medical School) where she previously was a professor of physical therapy. Health care, as you might expect, will be a primary focus of her campaign.
* Despite a little rain, last night’s White Sox Caucus event was a rousing success. Of course, winning certainly helped. Thanks to all who showed up. Here’s a brief video of some of the happy participants…
Sometimes, I can get a little carried away.
* Gov. Pat Quinn showed up to shake some hands and was mobbed by photo and autograph seekers…
* Totally unrelated, here’s a brief video I shot at the top of the Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota during my vacation, which finally ended a few hours after last night’s ballgame…
I hadn’t visited the monument in over 20 years, so I was pleased to see the progress they’ve made. If you ever get out there, you should definitely try to get one of the guided tours to the top. That face is 80 feet high, and the best view is up close.
* Here’s what I have so far. If you are hosting an event not listed or know of any other events, put them into the comment section. If you want to get on this list tomorrow, e-mail me at capitolfax (at) aol (dot) com.
* Today…
* Springfield Open House for Dan Hynes. 5-7 PM
Hilton Springfield, Vista Rooms 4, 5, & 6 (29th Floor)
700 East Adams Street
To RSVP, please contact Ian Roberts at 312-266-2010, or info@friendsofdan.com.
* Walmart will present a considerable donation to a program that helps Illinois kids learn about agriculture. The donation will occur during a luncheon Tuesday at the Director’s Lawn. The event also is expected to include Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Tom Jennings and Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson. The luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. and the formal program begins at 1 p.m.
* US Sen. candidate Alexi Giannoulias. 7-9pm.
3rd Annual Eve of Democrat Day Celebration
The Alamo.
* Rep. Mike Boland free reception at Celtic Mist Pub. 7 - 9 pm.
117 S. 7th Street
Springfield, IL 62701
For more information call 630.251.1538
* Wednesday…
* The Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association is proud to announce that Iowa Governor Chet Culver, one of the fastest rising stars of the national Democratic Party, has committed to be the keynote speaker for the annual Governor’s Day Brunch on Wednesday, August 19th… The Governor’s Day Brunch is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2009. The brunch will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. In addition to Iowa Governor Culver, all of Illinois’ statewide constitutional officeholders will speak at the brunch, including Governor Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Jesse White, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Comptroller Dan Hynes. Also speaking at the brunch will be State Senate President John Cullerton and State House Speaker and Democratic Party of Illinois Chairman Michael Madigan. Many of the Democratic candidates for statewide office in next year’s Democratic primary election are also expected to attend the brunch.
* Illinois State Senator and Candidate for Governor Kirk Dillard Pre-Republican Day Reception. 6:00-9:00 P.M.
D H Brown’s
231 East Monroe
Refreshments provided
RSVP: 630-571-0390
or rsvp@dillardforgovernor.com
* Reception and pizza party for State Rep. Mike Boland. 5 - 7 pm.
Joe Gallina’s Pizza
432 East Monroe
Donation: $20.00
For more information call 630.251.1538
* Thursday…
Senator Bill Brady Republican Candidate for Governor 2010. 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Free Illinois State Fair Republican Day Reception
Sangamon County Republican Party Headquarters
1132 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield
(just east of the Fairgrounds’ Main Gate)
* Sen. Matt Murphy for Governor. 2-4pm
Stadium Sports Bar
2300 N Peoria Rd
Springfield
Beer and pizza
THE LOVE TRAIN: Gov. Quinn, besides trying to deal with the state’s budget crisis, has made other changes in his busy life. His longtime, 17-year courtship with Cheryl Byers, a Southern Illinois resident, came to a sudden and unexpected end this past March. I understand that she was often referred to as his “significant other” and was very much a part of his life. Byers, who has been with him through all of his political campaigns, is said to be heartbroken … and rightfully so. After all, she was with him waaaaaay before he became the governor. … My sources tell me that Quinn is now allegedly very friendly with Monica Walker, an accomplished exec at Holland Capital Management.
The two were recently spotted sitting next to each other at the 100th anniversary of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Council event at Navy Pier, and apparently Quinn had a friendship with her dating back to when he walked her down the aisle when one of her kids got married years ago.
* The Question: Should Gov. Quinn’s dating be fair game for columnists, reporters, etc? Explain.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a recommendation letter to a principal last spring on behalf of a staffer’s relative who had been rejected entry to one of Chicago’s most elite public high schools.
News? Really?
At least the Tribune’s lede was relatively bloodless. The Sun-Times, however, took a different approach with its lede…
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin — the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate — is getting drawn into the growing investigation of how some students get admitted to Chicago’s selective-enrollment high schools.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s tollway executives were ready to give millions of dollars in breaks to the failing operator of the glass-lined oases until the attorney general squashed the plan, citing a “very troubling” history of insider deals, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Herald. […]
The letter reveals the attorney general stopped tollway officials last summer from forgiving $1.4 million in back rent and unpaid fees Wilton owed the state agency.
The settlement proposal also would have changed the contract with Wilton by limiting the amount of fees from advertising sales and other business due to the tollway under the original contract, according to the letter from the attorney general’s office to then-tollway board Chairman John Mitola.
In rejecting the settlement proposal, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s staff cited a long history of questionable deals between Wilton and the tollway and it found the principal partner of the project was “not credible.”
* State worker salary site lacks prominent officials: Alka Nayyar, spokeswoman for the state Department of Central Management Services that is setting up the Web site, said the state isn’t required to get all the salaries up until Jan. 1, 2011, one year after the law signed last week takes effect. For now, she said, only employees under the governor’s control have salaries posted.
How would you rate the job Pat Quinn has been doing as Governor… do you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job he’s been doing?
9% Strongly approve
38% Somewhat approve
32% Somewhat disapprove
17% Strongly disapprove
3% Not sure
Quinn’s 47 percent approval rating is down 10 points since Rasmussen’s June survey.
…53% have a favorable view of Quinn, while 43% see him unfavorably.
State Comptroller Daniel Hynes, a fellow Democrat, is challenging Quinn for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He has 46% favorables and 26% unfavorables.
State Senator Bill Brady polls best among several GOP hopefuls for the governor’s office, with 29% favorables and 21% unfavorables. But 50% of voters don’t know him well enough to have an opinion.
The GOPs are unknown to voters.
* Without crosstabs, this doesn’t tell us all that much, except that the damage to Democrats may not be hugely severe…
When it comes to voting in the 2010 Elections has the state budget crisis and the Blagojevich scandal made you more likely to vote for a Democrat, less likely to vote for a Democrat or will it have no impact on your vote?
7% More likely
29% Less likely
60% No impact
3% Not sure
It’s basically just not an issue for 70 percent of voters, but who those 29 percent are could be key if they’re independents.
I’m going to read you a short list of people in the News. For each, please let me know if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression. […]
8* Okay, Pat Quinn
11% Very favorable
42% Somewhat favorable
23% Somewhat unfavorable
20% Very unfavorable
4% Not sure
9* Next, Dan Hynes
6% Very favorable
40% Somewhat favorable
22% Somewhat unfavorable
4% Very unfavorable
28% Not sure
10* Okay, Kirk Dillard
4% Very favorable
18% Somewhat favorable
23% Somewhat unfavorable
4% Very unfavorable
51% Not sure
11* Fine, Matt Murphy
2% Very favorable
15% Somewhat favorable
20% Somewhat unfavorable
4% Very unfavorable
59% Not sure
12* Next, Bill Brady
4% Very favorable
25% Somewhat favorable
16% Somewhat unfavorable
5% Very unfavorable
50% Not sure
13* Okay, Dan Proft
4% Very favorable
13% Somewhat favorable
16% Somewhat unfavorable
4% Very unfavorable
62% Not sure
14* Robert Shillerstrom
4% Very favorable
14% Somewhat favorable
13% Somewhat unfavorable
8% Very unfavorable
62% Not sure
…Adding… Related…
* Will Todd Stroger seek re-election? : Sneed hears rumbles that embattled Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has been conferring with top Dem leaders — and word is that his resolve to seek re-election is weakening big-time.
* Rasmussen Reports has Kirk leading Giannoulias 41-38…
In thinking about the 2010 Election for the United States Senate, suppose you had a choice between Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. If the election were held today would you vote for Republican Mark Kirk or Democrat Alexi Giannoulias?
41% Kirk
38% Giannoulias
4% Some other candidate
17% Not sure
And Kirk has a much bigger lead over Jackson…
Okay, what if the Democrats nominate Cheryle Jackson. If the 2010 election for United States Senate were held today would you vote for Republican Mark Kirk or Democrat Cheryle Jackson?
47% Kirk
30% Jackson
6% Some other candidate
17% Not sure
* But more Democrats are undecided than Republicans and independents are leaning strongly towards Kirk at the moment…
In a race against Giannoulias, Kirk gets 71% of the Republican vote. Giannoulias earns 63% Democratic support. Voters not affiliated with either party prefer Kirk 45% to 18%.
Kirk picks up 76% of Republicans in a match-up with Jackson, who has the backing of just 51% of Democrats in the state. Unaffiliateds break for Kirk again, this time by a 51% to 12% margin. […]
Among those who favor the health care reform plan, Giannoulias leads Kirk 68% to 17%. But Kirk has an even larger lead – 67% to nine percent (9%) – among voters opposed to the plan.
The electorate is still fluid.
Also, keep in mind that Rasmussen tends to skew GOP in its national polling.
I’m going to read you a short list of people in the News. For each, please let me know if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable impression.
First, Mark Kirk
10% Very favorable
45% Somewhat favorable
24% Somewhat unfavorable
4% Very unfavorable
17% Not sure
6* Next, Alexi Giannoulias
13% Very favorable
38% Somewhat favorable
22% Somewhat unfavorable
11% Very unfavorable
17% Not sure
7* Okay, Cheryle Jackson
13% Very favorable
23% Somewhat favorable
23% Somewhat unfavorable
14% Very unfavorable
26% Not sure
And…
Generally speaking, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and the congressional Democrats?
The bathrobe bloggers are already chattering that Giannoulias has the nomination wrapped up.
Let’s hold on a minute. Here’s Jackson’s playbook:
Rake in some heavy green. While her profile will attract some soft-focused free media, this political unknown needs money big time for TV commercial time.
Jackson’s got to play the race and gender cards. She is assiduously wooing Emily’s List, the powerful national PAC that backs women candidates. As Giannoulias has done in the Greek community, she must cultivate a national profile among prominent women and monied Democratic liberals.
The black “keep-the-seaters” are an unpredictable bunch, but they could come in handy, as well.
Bathrobe bloggers?
Whatever.
* Related…
* Will Chris Kennedy run for Senate? ‘He’s been basically underground for three weeks’
Eight months after the filing, two sources familiar with the process said creditors are working on a reorganization plan that elbows Zell aside. The creditors, including investment banks owed $8.6 billion from Zell’s Tribune takeover, would stage a takeover of their own and sell off the company’s newspapers and broadcast stations as they see fit.
“The banks will be in charge,” one insider said, adding that they are growing impatient with Zell’s stewardship. The bankruptcy court on Monday granted Zell extended time, until Nov. 30, to be the first to file a reorganization plan. Creditors have to wait at least that long before filing their own plan with the court.
Tribune Co. creditors are turning up the heat on Sam Zell by threatening an investigation of the leveraged buyout he used to take over the company.
The creditors asked the federal bankruptcy court for authority to hire an outside law firm to probe Zell’s $8.2 billion deal. Zell took on debt to fund the takeover of what had been a publicly traded company, but the worst market for advertising since the recession forced the media conglomerate into bankruptcy last December.
But there won’t be regular garbage-pickup service Monday and there won’t be any street sweeping.
Most city offices are closed. That includes public libraries and City Hall.
As part of the 2009 budget, three reduced-service days were planned for 2009. The City Council recently approved moving one of the days from New Year’s Eve to Aug. 17.
Officials say the reduced-service days should save more than $8 million.
Uptown neighborhood residents concerned with violence confronted Ald. Helen Shiller Monday outside of an Olympics 2016 bid meeting at Truman College.
Shiller (46th) avoided the crowd, which had complained she’s ignored their concerns. Shiller told news reporters she was on vacation when video surfaced about what appeared to be a street gang fight at Sheridan and Leland last week. Three men also were shot Sunday morning in the 1200 block of West Leland.
About 90 individual resurfacing projects worth more than $194 million are under way this summer on major arterial streets in Chicago and across the six-county region under the direction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Work is more than 90 percent completed on 18 of those projects, according to IDOT spokeswoman Marisa Kollias.
Nearly one in five Americans (17 percent) say they’ve switched to prepaid cell phone service from a contract-based cell phone service in the previous six months because of concerns about their jobs and the recession, according to the latest research released in March by the New Millennium Research Council, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank focusing on technology and telecommunications.
Fewer than half (48 percent) say the extras on their cell phone “such as Internet connectivity, e-mail and texting” are delivering a “great deal” or “some” value, the research showed. About a third (34 percent) have no such extras on their phones.
Insurance giant Allstate did not acknowledge wrongdoing but settled the case, Strasen v. Allstate, in Madison County, Ill. Circuit Court.
The plaintiffs alleged that Allstate used a computerized system to review medical bills that failed to correctly calculate medical expenses from home and auto claims.
Allstate settled the case for an undisclosed amount, to avoid the continued “burden” of legal expenses, it said.
