This was covered elsewhere in the blogosphere last week, but now it’s official. From a press release…
Steve Sauerberg M.D., a 54-year-old successful family practice physician based in La Grange, Illinois, has entered the Republican primary for the United States Senate seat, currently held by Democrat Dick Durbin.
“ A lifetime of serving others translates well to curing what is wrong with career politician Dick Durbin and his out-of-touch liberal values,” said Sauerberg. “We need to cut taxes to help families and create jobs, cut wasteful pork barrel spending, oppose efforts to reward illegal immigrants with citizenship and taxpayer benefits, and we must develop alternative energy sources including bio-fuels to ensure both energy independence and our national security, while also providing affordable top quality healthcare for all our citizens.”
A loving husband, father of two, and life-long family care physician, Dr. Sauerberg has built one of the largest family medical practices in the western suburbs of Chicago. Steve is also a former medical school teacher, little league coach and was recently chosen to serve on the MacMurray College Board of Trustees, his alma mater. Steve graduated from MacMurray College, located in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1975 and later graduated the Chicago-based Rush Medical College in 1977. He opened his own medical practice in 1985, which he still maintains today.
Earlier this year, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin was rated the most liberal senator in the country by the National Journal, a respected non-partisan Washington publication.
“It’s troubling how non-partisan sources document that Durbin is the most liberal member of the United States Senate, a real liberal’s liberal. Dick Durbin does not represent our Illinois values,” added Sauerberg. “We need to bring real-life common sense to the national debate so we can find solutions and get results for the taxpayers, families, and seniors of Illinois. I believe I can be that voice and best serve the residents of Illinois here at home and in Washington, D.C.”
*** UPDATE *** Krol has more at Animal Farm…
Sauerberg is getting a late start in what promises to be an expensive race. He said he plans to put some of his own money into the contest, but “not enough to make any difference.” […]
As is common with doctors, a quick check of court filings show Sauerberg has been sued a few times for malpractice, but no details were readily available Monday. […]
Sauerberg has hired Campbell & Campbell as his general consultant. Mark Campbell, who owns the firm with his wife Eva, is political director for former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giu-liani’s campaign.
Sauerberg’s lone staff member so far is Patrick Carl-son, who worked as local po-litical director for former Speaker Dennis Hastert for six years and then on Judy Baar Topinka’s governor campaign last year.
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A little afternoon humor
Monday, May 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
“The Daley Show with Andy Plonka” blog has a funny little bit up about Gov. Blagojevich…
Besides being an avid runner, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is quite the Chicago sports enthusiast. In recent weeks, he’s been seen cheering and even participating at various contests.
Here, he helps Luol Deng track down a loose ball in a game against Detroit. The governor was whistled for a moving pick violation.
Cubs fans were in an uproar when they saw the governor mocking players for missing an easy fly ball. A spokesperson later said the governor was simply pointing out the ball so it wouldn’t get lost in the ivy.
There’s more. Go see the whole thing.
* Peoria’s 60th annual Gridiron show looked like it was pretty funny. Jennifer and Molly fill us in…
…Ameren Illinois CEO Scott Cisel was announced as the town’s most hated man, even drawing the ire of the devil. “Do you know how hard it is to heat hell? The power bill is insane.”
You may not have known that Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited Peoria recently to speak to his sole supporter for his gross receipts tax plan. That was Willie York, Peoria’s most prominent homeless man, who announced the governor is “really good smelling.”
* The Daily Southtown’s Howard Ludwig scored a FOID card for his 10-month-old baby. Yes, you read that right.
When it finally arrived, I found my application was approved, but Bubba was rejected. I was expecting an official letter that went something like:
Attention Father of the Year,
We are not issuing a FOID card to an infant.
Love,
The Illinois State Police
Instead, I was rejected on a technicality. I forgot to check the box confirming Bubba’s U.S. citizenship.
Undeterred, I filled out the form again and sent in another $5.
Create your own punchlines in comments.
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Question of the day
Monday, May 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
Today is “Unity Day” for Illinois libraries…
Libraries across Illinois are being urged by an industry association to shut off free Internet access Monday to protest a proposed state law.
At issue is the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act. The proposal was passed by a 63-51 vote in the Illinois House of Representatives last week and has been referred to the Senate’s Rules Committee.
Under the act, every library would need filters on public computers to prevent child pornography and other obscene images from appearing. Libraries would have to annually certify compliance or risk losing state grants.
The idea was initially bottled up in committee…
But last Wednesday, the Illinois House passed a new measure inspired by a December incident during which a man appeared to be looking at child pornography on a computer at the Mount Greenwood Public Library on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
The man turned out to be a sex offender.
Opponents are not pleased…
“This is designed to take away local decisions,” said Kip Kolkmeier, lobbyist for the Illinois Library Association. He added that it would require libraries to “spend money on technology that doesn’t really work.”
Some proponents are outraged at today’s blackout plan, including the Illinois Family Institute…
Part of ILA’s lobbying strategy is to have local libraries “turn off the Internet,” (or in other words, do not provide library patrons with the services they paid for with their tax dollars) and in the process, recruit outraged members of the public to their misleading cause by telling them that HB 1727 will cause them to lose Internet access at their library.
What does this say about the ALA, the ILA and various local library directors and boards — that they are they willing to completely shut out patrons from using tax-payer funded Internet computers to promote a pro-pornography-access agenda — yet they are unwilling to filter out degrading sexual images to protect the children and families they serve?
* Question, Part One: Where do you stand on state-mandated Internet filters for libraries?
* Question, Part Two: Do you think the Illinois Library Association is going too far, or is it justified in promoting this day of action?
(Ironically enough, my filter software may temporarily block some of your comments and my spam filter may block out others, but Paul will be checking comments throughout the day to unblock them. lol)
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Site news
Monday, May 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
We’ve finally switched over to our new Internet host, and things seem to be proceeding pretty well so far. Not everyone will see the site until probably later today, as the notification of the new DNS address makes its way through the Intertubes. But by tomorrow morning it will be completely accessible to everyone.
I’ve added a couple of things besides the new header to “celebrate” our departure from PowWeb. Several people asked for links to traffic and weather reports. You can find them in the pull-down menu entitled “Quick News Links” at the upper right side. There are also direct links to access live House and Senate debates in that same pull-down menu.
Enjoy.
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* Former Gov. Jim Edgar told Lee Newspapers that he has ” never seen a tax proposal be more dead on arrival,” than the governor’s gross receipts tax. Here’s more from the interview…
“Nobody’s ever for a tax increase until the last minute when it passes. It’s always kind of misleading to bank everything on what people are saying before they actually vote for it.” […]
“When [Blagojevich] came into state government, the state already had a serious financial problem, and it’s just gotten worse since. Not that he ever asked me, but my advice would be that you deal with this early instead of later because of two things. One, it’s going to get worse. And two, it’s your problem.” […]
“I think if you don’t do it this year, things are just going to continue to get a lot worse. And it just means what you do is going to have to be more massive. If they don’t do it this year, I think the state is in very, very serious financial trouble. The problems aren’t going to go away.”
Go read the whole thing.
* My syndicated newspaper column describes the “slow-motion train wreck” of a session and takes a look ahead. Subscribers know that I’ve since altered my view somewhat, but here it is…
There are at least three possible outcomes to this circus of a session, although things have a way of changing fast around here:
The three leaders finally put their animosity aside, sit down and cut a deal on a scaled-back version of the gross-receipts tax and add in things like gaming expansion, a lottery lease and a few other magical tricks to boost the total revenue package.
Failing that, Madigan sends the Senate some sort of income/sales tax increase to boost education spending and provide property tax relief and Jones has to decide whether he wants to abandon the governor — with whom he’s been allied all year — and then risk a summer-long fight with Blagojevich after the governor vetoes the tax hike.
Maintenance budget. The governor warned last week that a “do-nothing” budget would result in a billion dollars in spending cuts. But this option is starting to look good to some Democratic legislators who would rather be on the anti-tax increase side of a summer argument. The governor didn’t convince many legislators that this was a bad move by warning that some high school football teams wouldn’t be able to afford new jerseys if legislators tried to leave town without a tax hike. First of all, the vast majority of high schools don’t use taxpayer dollars for things like jerseys (that’s why they sell candy); and secondly, if that’s the worst thing that could happen, then why bother raising taxes and freaking out the voters?
* The Wall Street Journal editorialized on the GRT today - unfavorably, of course - and slipped in this little gem…
Illinois Senator Barack Obama has been silent on his Governor’s tax implosion, but someone should get him on the record.
Not a bad idea.
* More GRT links, compiled by our faithful intern Paul Richardson…
* Editorial: Governor’s tax tactics too much
* Editorial: Now will Blago get the message
* Laney: GRT is a death threat to Illinois business
* With governor’s tax plan near death, other options get look
* Martire: Stage set for compromise to reach Governor’s goals
* Statehouse Insider: Rough times for Rod, Madigan moving forward
* Dr. Young: Illinois needs a single payer public insurance plan
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Symbolism and Senate President Jones
Monday, May 14, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
The Tribune’s editorial page, which doesn’t carry the political punch it did when newspapers ruled the roost, demands today that Senate President Emil Jones allow a vote on House Bill 1. The legislation, according to the synopsis…
Prohibits a business that makes a State contract bid or proposal from making contributions to the officeholder responsible for awarding the contract, or a political committee established to promote the officeholder’s candidacy, during the period from the date the bid or request for proposals is issued through the date the contract is awarded, if the bid or proposal exceeds $25,000 or the aggregate bids and State contracts of that business exceed $25,000.
The Tribune sees the bill as a chance to clear up some of the questions surrounding his recent past…
He’s had to defend himself against published reports about lucrative state jobs held by his wife and son, and a utility company contract given to his stepson. He shocked and undermined some of his fellow Democrats by pulling a rare parliamentary maneuver to stymie a statewide electric rate freeze.
The paper also sees the vote as an important opportunity to show that he’s not completely beholden to Gov. Blagojevich this year…
“The one person who has an interest in bottling this ‘pay-to-play’ legislation up is the governor, because this would be unilateral disarmament for the governor’s fundraising operation,” said the chief House sponsor, Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago).
Gov. Rod Blagojevich has raked in hefty campaign contributions from vendors that do business with the state. Federal investigators are scrutinizing the practice.
So what’s known as House Bill 1 will serve as an important loyalty test: How wedded is Jones to the governor’s interests?
I noticed in Friday’s Question of the Day that Jones may be more unpopular with commenters here than Rod Blagojevich, which is really saying something. Some of that is way overblown, but there’s no doubt that Jones’ public reputation has been damaged by all the revelations this year and his closeness to Blagojevich.
The bottom line, though, is that the perception questions won’t go away if this one bill passes, despite the Tribune’s framing. (It may have even been sent across the hall by Speaker Madigan to deliberately put Jones on the spot.) But it is certain that the worst will continue to be assumed by editorial writers, columnists and pundits if he continues to bottle up the legislation.
Thoughts?
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Mother’s Day thoughts
Saturday, May 12, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’ve always had a very cool mom. Here she is with my Dad around the time they were married in 1961…
She wore a miniskirt in the early 1970s, which didn’t go over too well with the nuns at the Catholic high school where she taught briefly in Kankakee. She was just too cool for that school.
We eventually moved to Europe in the late 1970s, and here’s a pic from then…
Everybody loves their mother, and I am no exception. She had five children, but she made each of us feel special in our own way, even though family finances required that she work full-time pretty much all the time.
She started her adult life as a teacher, so all of us were well ahead of the other kids our age. Inheriting her intelligence - Mom’s IQ has been tested at the genius level - probably didn’t hurt either.
But she taught us more than reading and writing. She made extra sure we all understood that coming from a working-class background meant we would all have to strive much harder than others to get ahead in life. No matter how bad things got in those days, she never gave up, never panicked and never lost her keen sense of humor. Mom has always been a great role model.
Here’s a photo from last Christmas…
I’ve always believed that I get my story-telling ability from my paternal grandmother. This is Grandma around the time she was first married in 1938…
Here she is many years ago with my daughter Vanessa, who will turn 21 this summer…
Grandma rode a horse to school when she was growing up in the Kentucky backwoods. She had a hard-scrabble upbringing, but she’s always made the best of any situation she has found herself in. I can listen to her fascinating stories for hours on end. And her biting humor never fails to crack me up.
My maternal grandmother, Nettie Akers, passed away many years ago, but I spent a large part of my childhood at her house on a farm in rural Iroquois County. Some of my best memories are of Grandma Akers. She doted on her grandchildren. I don’t think she ever so much as scolded me once, and I still think about her all the time.
Grandma grew up in southern Illinois, moved to Pontiac with my grandad, then to a farm in Milks Grove Township after they were flooded out. Here she is with two of her four children…
Happy Mother’s Day to Mom, Grandma and everyone else out there who has children and grandchildren. We all love you dearly.
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READER COMMENTS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND
Friday, May 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
OK, kiddies, that’s it. Let’s call it a week. Good job in comments. I enjoyed reading them.
If you hadn’t noticed yet, Bethany Carson and Deanese Williams-Harris from the Illinois Issues blog have begun posting over at Illinoize. A hearty welcome to both!
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Question of the day
Friday, May 11, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
What one word would you use to best describe your feelings about Gov. Blagojevich? Speaker Madigan? Senate President Jones?
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A grow your own bill which would legalize medical marijuana was defeated in the Senate yesterday…
Illinois lawmakers rejected a proposal Thursday that would have legalized medical marijuana, snuffing the first attempt in nearly 30 years to allow a drug some say is their only relief from the painful symptoms of debilitating diseases.
The measure failed 22-29 in the state Senate […]
As proposed, anyone with cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS or similar weakening conditions would have been able to use the drug. Caretakers could have access to it for their patients as well.
* The rationale and a bit of history…
Many such patients have reported marijuana eases pain, spasms and encourages appetite. A 1978 Illinois law allows using medical marijuana but it’s never been implemented. Today’s tally was the first floor vote for the issue in three decades. Cullerton says he will talk to members who weren’t present to rally support.
* The floor vote and debate…
Only one Republican, Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, voted for the bill, while 21 of the 37 Democrats voted for it.
“(This bill) relies on a false premise. It treats marijuana as a medicine,” said Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon. “We don’t know what the long-term effects of smoking marijuana, in whatever quantities to be allowed under this bill, may be, in which case, I think calling this a medicine is very much a misnomer.” […]
“I don’t think sick people should be treated like criminals,” said Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-Moline. “This is a choice a doctor ought to have” if there’s demonstrated benefits of the drug for patients.
* There are some nonsensical reasons to oppose the bill, including Sen. Righter’s comments. The Illinois Family Institute supplies another red herring…
With drug addiction a serious moral, criminal and social problem in our State, legalizing marijuana even for certain medical conditions is the wrong message for the Illinois General Assembly to send to our young people.
Hooey.
(UPDATED, see below) But the IFI does make a valid point in the next sentence of its position paper…
12 cannabis — marijuana plants can produce with each harvest up to 12 pounds of marijuana that can produce 14,112 joints/cigarettes! A person would have to smoke 38 marijuana cigarettes a day, each day for one year to use all of those!
If that’s true, and I have no idea whether it is or not, then the bill went too far.
The rollcall can be found here. Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** I should’ve know better. Evidence seems to indicate that the IFI’s estimates on crop yield are hugely overblown. Never mind.
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Ameren’s profits for Illinois were way up over the first quarter of last year. Part of that was from the cold weather in January, but it’s obviously the rate hikes that are driving the bottom line…
Ameren’s Illinois regulated business segment, which includes the electric and gas distribution utility businesses of AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS and AmerenIP, contributed $29 million to Ameren’s net income in the first quarter, the company said, compared to $9 million in the same period a year ago.
The company’s non-rate-regulated electric generation segment contributed $70 million to Ameren’s net income in the first quarter, or $43 million more than the same period a year ago.
Shelley Epstein, spokesman for Ameren’s Illinois utilities, said if the proposed rate rollback legislation had been in place on Jan. 1, the Ameren Illinois utilities revenues would have been reduced by about $100 million.
I think they could’ve afforded it. Either way, nothing good will happen to Ameren this year, unless the General Assembly totally melts down and leaves without doing anything.
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* The governor’s grasp of reality, or lack thereof, was on full display yesterday when asked about the overwhelming House vote against his gross receipts tax…
“There’s ups and downs, but (I) feel good about it,” Blagojevich said after an appearance in Chicago. “Things went pretty well today.”
* And…
“Today, I think, was basically an up … I feel good about it,” he said.
* And…
Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said her boss’ tax remains alive despite not getting a single vote of support.
* My Sun-Times column takes a look at the alternative realities that both the governor and President Bush have constructed for themselves and have attempted, without much success, to impose on the rest of the world.
Both men appear to have constructed their own realities, where all results are predestined to succeed because they fervently wish it so, regardless of the actual “real world” realities where the rest of us reside.
* But, like with Bush, things are changing fast around Blagojevich, despite his insistence that everything is fine and dandy. The Tribune and I both reported this morning that Senate President Emil Jones met with House Speaker Michael Madigan yesterday to discuss the tax situation. The Tribune also offers up this tidbit from Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, which is a big signal that the ground has shifted…
Afterward, a top Jones deputy, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete), suggested it is time to consider a “Plan B,” which might be a mixture of other taxes.
* But the governor says he isn’t budging…
Blagojevich told the crowd that big business lobbyists in “Gucci loafers†were trying to kill his plans for expanded health care. And he warned that a final deal on the state budget may be “even months†away.
* Jay Hoffman, however, signaled a possible alternative…
Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, a close Blagojevich ally, said lawmakers also could look at closing business tax loopholes or imposing a minimum corporate income tax to ensure large companies pay some income tax in Illinois.
“I wouldn’t say that a modified revenue increase on the largest corporations is off of the table,” Hoffman said.
* And Speaker Madigan plans to ask his members next week for new ideas…
Madigan later announced a House Democrat caucus on Tuesday morning to discuss a different tax plan, but no details were available today.
More GRT news, compiled by Paul…
* House rejects governor’s GRT plan
* Governor’s tax proposal suffers resounding defeat
* No surprise as tax plan voted down
* House unanimously turns down GRT
* Sun-Times Editorial: Uplifting ideas alone won’t raise needed state revenue
* Tribune Editorial: Debating what Illinois needs
* Eric Krol: Governor gets his Armageddon but loses first battle
*** UPDATE *** Halvorson more fully explains “Plan B”…
Senate Majority Leader Deborah Halverson says Democrats know there’s a health care crisis, and schools need more money. Halvorson says it’s time for the egos and testosterone to be put aside. She says Governor Blagojevich should recognize there’s little support for his Gross receipts Tax and consider plan B. And the Crete Democrat says that doesn’t have to be a hike in the state income tax. She says there are gambling proposals and a plan to lease the Illinois Lottery among those that should be considered.
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Morning Shorts
Friday, May 11, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
Sun-Times:
* Fed: Not so fast Eddie
* Vrdolyak trusted no one
* Five things to know about Vrdolyak
* Eddie Vrdolyak timeline
* Sneed: On Vrdolyak
Tribune:
* Feds catch up with “Fast Eddie”
* John Kass: Vrdolyak always a good judge of power
AP:
Democrat Vrdolyak charged with bribery, fraud
McQueary: Feds catch Vrdolyak
His indictment marked yet another shift toward the criminalization of acts once considered customary — although highly illegal — among Illinois’ white collar establishment. Set up a cozy real estate deal, a state contract or some pension business, and expect a “consulting fee” for your grease. A commission. A kickback.
CBS2:
Vrdolyak indicted on fraud and bribery charges
Crains:
“Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak indicted
* Governor’s Dunkin Donuts pal could wind up on tollway
* Auditor: State employees were paid even after they left job
* Should state regulate roadside memorials?
* Illinois National Guard readiness scrutinized after Kansas tornado
* Editorial: Illinois needs tougher rules for teen drivers
* AG Madigan investigates claim against Olympia school site search
* Editorial: Dupage Co. reforms that would save tax dollars
* CTA cuts 45 jobs, says riders won’t notice
Rather, the cost-cutting measures are part of Huberman’s strategy to convince state lawmakers that the CTA is well-managed and deserving of additional funding to plug a $110 million hole in its 2007 budget.
* CTA chief clips 45 jobs for now
* Some on Cook Co. Board wary of corruption plan
* County stalls its overhaul of inspector general’s office
* Peraica, Beavers ethics duel ends friendly
* House to vote on Peoria airport tax bill
* House OKs early tax start for Rockford
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