Governor’s announcement on mass transit funding
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
Here’s the governor’s full press release announcing his actions. The guv’s press release is wrong, by the way, it’s House Bill 656, not Senate Bill 656…
Gov. Blagojevich vows to act quickly on long-term transit solution to avert CTA doomsday
Will accept Hamos-version of solution passed by legislature, but will insert change to protect seniors from impact of .25% sales tax increase approved by lawmakers
SPRINGFIELD – Soon after both chambers of the General Assembly approved a long-term mass transit funding bill today, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich was joined by transit officials and state Rep. Julie Hamos as he announced his intention to act on the bill as soon as it is certified and sent to his desk. While the Governor has been clear in his opposition to increasing the sales tax to fund mass transit, he said today he will accept the approach passed by the General Assembly in Senate Bill 656 in order to avert devastating service cuts and fare increases, but will use his amendatory veto authority to make sure seniors citizens can use public transportation for free.
“I’ve said clearly and frequently that I don’t think raising the sales tax is the right way to help the CTA and other transit agencies. People already pay too much in taxes; I believe they should pay less, not more. Even though the increase in the bill passed by lawmakers is small, people will still feel an impact. Despite my public support for an alternative bill that would address the CTA’s long-term needs without increasing taxes, lawmakers did not send me that bill. In the spirit of compromise, and with a keen awareness of what is at stake for millions of transit riders if a long-term funding solution is not in place by January 20, I will act on the bill passed by the General Assembly as soon as it reaches my desk with one important improvement,” said Governor Blagojevich. “I’m particularly concerned about seniors who live on fixed incomes and who don’t have the ability to absorb a higher sales tax without making cuts in other areas. That’s why I will rewrite the bill to allow all senior citizens in Illinois to take public transportation for free.”
The Governor’s amendatory veto will require transit agencies statewide to allow senior citizens, aged 65 and older, to use main line and fixed route public transit service for free. A senior who uses public transportation twice a week could save $176 a year on CTA fares, $156 a year on Pace fares and $405 a year on Metra fares. There are approximately 1.3 million seniors living in communities across Illinois that have mass transit service.
SB 656 provides over $494 million in new, recurring funding for the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace; and another $50 million for transit agencies in other parts of Illinois. With a long-term funding plan in place, the Chicago area transit agencies have said they will not cut services, raise fares or lay-off workers on January 20, as planned. The legislation also implements important pension and oversight reforms within the RTA.
As soon as the legislature sends SB 656 to the Governor, he will submit his amendatory veto to legislators for their approval.
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* 12:17 pm - The hour of 11 o’clock having finally arrived, the Senate is now in session. Listen or watch here.
* 1:10 pm - The Senate is now taking up the mass transit bill.
*** 1:25 pm *** The Senate has passed the mass transit bailout bill with 30 votes. It now goes to the House later today and then on to the governor’s desk, where an amendatory veto is expected.
* 1:42 pm - This is just the tip of the iceberg. There were more management layoffs today. Lots.
Dan Miller, the Sun-Times business editor, resigned today, telling his staff he expects the paper to be sold within a matter of months and wants to leave before he becomes a casualty of pending staff cuts.
Mr. Miller’s announcement comes days after the Sun Times Media Group began announcing newsroom layoffs as part of a $50 million cost-cutting effort.
One name circulating as a potential buyer is Denver-based MediaNews Group, led by William Dean Singleton. MediaNews Group was not immediately available to comment.
Miller is a great guy and I wish him nothing but the best. And the same goes for everyone else who got whacked today.
* 1:50 pm - Sen. James Clayborne changed his vote from yesterday’s “Present” to “Yes” today, which allowed the bill to pass. The roll call is here.
* 1:52 pm - Oops. I should’ve mentioned that the House is debating the transit bill.
*** 2:06 pm *** 62 House members just voted to send the transit bill to the governor’s desk.
*** 2:19 pm *** The House has approved the governor’s changes to the BIMP bill. The Senate did so yesterday. It’s done.
* 2:25 pm - The House has adjourned. Now, all we have to do is wait and see what the governor does to the mass transit bill.
* 2:35 pm - A new day? Sen. Rickey Hendon attended a press conference with House Speaker Michael Madigan a few minutes ago. Yes, you read that right.
Both men publicly demanded that the governor sign the transit bill without changes. Hendon, who recently all but called Madigan a racist, wouldn’t disclose what the governor said to him after the Senate action today. Hendon said during debate he planned to go to Blagojevich’s office and insist that he sign the bill without changes.
By the way, there were rumors from some insiders weeks ago that Blagojevich was signaling that he could change his mind on his sales tax veto pledge if he got a capital bill and perhaps healthcare expansion. But those rumors stopped.
* 2:44 pm - Statement from Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon…
“Organized labor strongly urges Governor Blagojevich to sign the legislation without making any adjustments to the language by use of his amendatory veto power.
“The workers, riders, and general public have suffered through this ordeal for far too long. State Senators and Representatives have listened to the people and come up with a solution. Now it’s time for the governor to do the same and put an end to the issue once and for all by signing it into law.”
* 2:56 pm - Stand by for the guv.
*** 3:24 pm *** The governor just said that he will, indeed, change the mass transit bill, but he won’t veto out the tax hike language. Instead, he will AV it to allow senior citizens to ride free statewide.
Weird, eh?
Apparently, I should have put more stock into those rumors all those weeks ago that he would not veto the tax hike. Such is life, I suppose.
* 3:51 pm - The Tribune headline writer’s take isn’t so kind: “Blagojevich holds up transit funding”
The governor’s unusual move capped a frenetic 24-hour round of legislative negotiating that raised hopes of an agreement to end the months-long funding fight and avert service cuts and fare hikes scheduled for Jan. 20. But the governor’s decision will send the legislation back for further consideration in the House and Senate.
“We can’t say that all’s well that ends well, because this is not over yet,” said Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor.
*** 3:57 pm *** People are wondering in comments why the governor would make such a change, rather than simply ask Senate President Emil Jones to include the language in the original bill.
One theory might be that the governor has relentlessly attempted to expand his executive authority. So, if he makes an unconstituionally excessive amendatory veto of a bill that is such a hot potato, Speaker Madigan will be put in a box. Accept it and give the governor some precedent for future AVs, or strike it down and suffer the wrath of seniors and transit riders.
Food for thought.
Madigan, by the way, is flying home at the moment and can’t be reached.
*** 4:03 pm *** From the guv’s people…
Some clarification on what the Governor’s Amendatory Veto “costs” for downstate. The bill that passed includes $50 million for downstate transit systems. The Governor’s amendatory veto will allow seniors anywhere in the state to ride for free. The total statewide cost of this change is approximately $20 million. The approximate cost for downstate transit (collectively) is about $1 million. So, $50 minus $1 million the cost of the program means downstate transit is still getting $49 million. [Emphasis added]
*** 4:47 pm *** Speaker Madigan’s spokesman, Steve Brown, just called. Brown said Madigan wants to “congratulate the governor for breaking his promise” not to raise taxes. Brown added that this was probably the last campaign promise left to be broken. Oof.
More importantly, according to Brown Madigan thinks the Legislature will accept the changes. The House staff is currently srveying members to see when they might be able to return to Springfield.
* 5:16 pm - Sun-Times…
“I’m not going to adjust or change at all the funding mechanism,” he told reporters at 3:15 p.m. “The revenue source the Legislature chose. But what I will do is essentially take what I believe to be a lemon and turn it into lemonade. I’m going to sweeten the bill. I’m going to improve the bill.”
* 5:21 pm - Crain’s…
Even if all of the original “aye” votes hold firm, it will be no easy task to get both the House and Senate back to Springfield on short notice at this time of the year, [Rep. Julie Hamos] added.
“There’s logistical difficulty in getting everyone back, in the middle of winter, two weeks before an election,” she said. “I hope” it happens.
Ms. Hamos said Mr. Blagojevich’s proposed free-ride plan came as a “total surprise” to her and other sponsors.
When she heard of the plan, Ms. Hamos said she asked Blagojevich aides if such plan would be approved later in a separate, “trailer” bill — an action that would allow the subsidy bill to become law immediately.
But the governor’s office replied no, she said.
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Let’s welcome the new intern
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
You may have noticed that there’s a new name on Morning Shorts. Kevin Fanning, from the U of I at Champaign, started work today. He’s heading over to the Statehouse in a few minutes to cover the Senate while I write my Sun-Times column. So, it’s gonna be trial by fire on his first day.
Last year’s intern Paul Richardson, who recruited and helped train Kevin, will still be around. He’ll occasionally write pieces for the blog and for Illinoize.
Anyway, I thought you might want an opportunity to welcome Kevin to the fold and wish Paul luck.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
My Treo is on its last legs. It’s been dropped too many times on the marble floors at the Statehouse, not to mention it once got caught in a ceiling fan blade and was sent hurling across a room.
I like the functions, but the Treos are big and heavy as a brick. So, I’m thinking about a Blackberry.
Question: If you’re a Blackberry user, would you recommend that I get one? Explain if you would, please.
Also, how’s your cell phone carrier’s service? I’d consider switching from Verizon if there’s something better out there.
Thanks.
…Adding… Thanks for all the suggestions so far. For those who have wondered, my requirements are:
* QWERTY keyboard (I post to the blog from my Treo during session days and need to continue doing so)
* Strong battery life (for those long Statehouse days and nights)
* Mac compatibility (That’s why I’m looking at the BBerry - there are programs to convert it to Apple)
* Camera (You just never know when that’ll come in handy)
* I don’t use the phone much for appointments or other applications. Calls, Internet, texting and e-mail make up 99.9 percent of what I do.
Thanks again.
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Train wreck
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I told you yesterday that the House passed two different versions of the mass transit bailout bill. A similar bill came up short in the Senate. Republicans were under severe pressure to vote against the proposal in the Senate, but three ended up voting for it. The problem in the end turned out to be Democrats…
A mass transit bill passed the Illinois House Wednesday night, but fell one vote short in the Senate. Because three senators abstained– the bill’s sponsor is expected to bring the bill back for another vote Thursday.
* More details about the Senate vote…
“We’re still working, trying to get the votes,” said Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago.
[Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson] was not on the Senate floor to cast a vote when the Senate plan fell short of approval by one vote.
Halvorson had voted for the amendments, but took a walk on the actual bill.
* Senate President Jones blamed Republicans for the bill’s defeat, but he was obviously surprised by the result. Here’s some of his rationale…
The veteran leader said he thought he would get more suburban Republican votes on the plan—there were three—and that he couldn’t get enough votes from his fellow Democrats because so many Downstate senators held out for a statewide construction program. The legislation got 29 votes. There are 37 Democratic senators, so that means Jones got 26 of them to go along.
“I knew it was going to be difficult getting a bill out of the Senate,” Jones said. “I have a block of downstaters … who didn’t’ vote for the bill because of capital. There is nothing new.”
* Meanwhile, Sen. Hendon guaranteed that the governor would sign the transit bill last night, even though the governor has long said that he opposed any sales tax increase, which was included in the Senate proposal. Blagojevich has also said he would “improve” the bill with an amendatory veto if it contains a tax hike…
State Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the bailout, said he believed Blagojevich would sign the sales tax plan if lawmakers could get it to his desk.
A Blagojevich spokeswoman begged to differ.
“Nothing about the governor’s position has changed,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.
* Hizzoner made a good point about those promised gubernatorial “improvements“….
…any change [Blagojevich] would make through his gubernatorial authority to rewrite legislation still would need to return to the legislature for acceptance or rejection, a risky maneuver after months of gridlock. If lawmakers couldn’t agree with the governor’s actions, they would go back to square one, leaving commuters in the lurch and literally out in the cold as they wait longer for public transportation in January.
In Chicago, Daley said Blagojevich should not stay quiet. “Why doesn’t he improve it now?” the mayor asked.
* More from the mayor…
Daley is exasperated that the governor would talk about ways to use his amendatory veto power to “improve” the bills after the fact. Why not do it before, the mayor said.
“It’s unfair to everyone,” Daley said. “You don’t do business that way.”
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Don’t hold your breath
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As I told you yesterday, a judge has ruled that Gov. Blagojevich must hand over federal subpoenas requested through the state’s Freedom of Information Act. But we’re not gonna see them for quite a while…
[Sangamon County Circuit Judge Patrick Kelley] did not order the governor to immediately hand over the documents to the Better Government Association, which sued to get them.
He will not order that as long as there is an appeal pending. Blagojevich lawyer Thomas Londrigan said an appeal was certain.
* Even so, it seems doubtful that the governor will ever prevail…
Kelley ruled that Blagojevich aides showed no ‘’competent evidence'’ that secrecy remained vital, despite a standard statement that accompanied the subpoenas saying disclosure could hamper an investigation.
* Their case stinks…
In defending Blagojevich, Londrigan said releasing subpoenas violates federal criminal laws. He said the BGA was trying to circumvent federal law by asking a judge to use state public-access law to decide the matter. But answering a question from Kelley, Londrigan acknowledged that a witness who has received a subpoena can’t be reprimanded for revealing it. And he pointed out that Blagojevich is a public official, so documents he receives become public records under the FOIA.
Oops.
* The BGA’s Jay Stewart was not pleased with the prospect of an appeal…
“If the governor actually believed any of his rhetoric about ethics, there wouldn’t be any appeal,” Stewart said. “The last thing he really wants to do is level with the public and let them know what’s going on with his administration.”
* The bills from these FOIA cases are piling up…
The governor’s quest for secrecy is getting expensive for taxpayers. According to the state comptroller’s office, the state has paid more than $150,000 to private attorneys who are representing the governor’s office in FOIA lawsuits aimed at prying loose the subpoenas.
The state has paid more than $33,800 to Londrigan, Potter and Randle, a Springfield law firm that is representing the governor in the BGA lawsuit. Taxpayers have paid another $124,850 to Bell, Boyd and Lloyd, a Chicago firm that is representing Blagojevich in a pending FOIA lawsuit filed in Cook County by Judicial Watch, a Washington, D.C., government watchdog group seeking the same subpoenas.
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Nuke proposal “in jest”
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Rep. Aaron Schock now claims that his goofy idea to sell nuclear missiles to Taiwan was “in jest.”
On Tuesday, he told the Journal Star editorial board, “When I made the statement, the tone in which I made it was more in jest.”
After he made the comment, his campaign manager told the press that it was a “deeply thought-out policy,” but the ensuing uproar forced Schock to back down. Reaction to his latest twist in reasoning was, understandably, not favorable…
“It’s irresponsible, it’s reckless and it’s downright frightening to discuss nuclear warfare in jest,” said Matt Bisbee, spokesman for Jim McConoughey, one of Schock’s opponents. “It’s unbelievable to me that you can discuss something with such severe consequences in a campaign for U.S. Congress in jest. It just doesn’t make any sense and screams irresponsibility. That is absolute poor judgment.” […]
“It all seems a little slippery. I don’t care what he calls it, I just wish he would stick with one story,” said John Morris, who is also seeking the GOP nod for the 18th Congressional District seat being vacated by Ray LaHood. “Congress is a big job, and what you say matters and has an impact on the safety and security of the American people.”
* Regardless of the hooplah, Schock is still considered the frontrunner and scored a major endorsement this week…
The Sangamon County GOP is getting behind state Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, for the U.S. House seat in the 18th Congressional District. […]
“I guess one of the things you have to take into account is that all of the polls that we have looked at and studied indicate that he … is in the lead and will probably win the nomination,” [party chairman Tony Libri] said.
“It was a tough decision, because I’ve got to tell you, I like the other two candidates very much.”
* More congressional stuff…
* Biggert challenger downplays ‘04 arrest
* Predictions on Hastert, Weisner, and Oberweis
* WurfWhile: Chris Lauzen Celebrates Pastoral With Dead Cows In Jim Oberweis Hit Piece IL-14
* Laesch handouts on Oberweis investments in China
* Right-hand men: A look at the 18th District GOP primary’s campaign chiefs
* 11th CD GOP candidate Jimmy Lee kicks off district campaign tour
* Seals, Footlik tell differences at 1st debate
* 8th District candidates spar on education
...By the way… I should have pointed out earlier today that the reporter who wrote the “in jest” story is one I’ve criticized in the past for being too easy on Schock. This time, she did one heckuva good job. Welcome to the game.
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Smoking rules blocked *** UPDATED x1 ***
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules overwhelmingly rejected the administration’s proposed rules to implement the statewide smoking ban yesterday…
At Wednesday’s meeting, members of the panel said the proposed rules neglected an important aspect of the smoking ban: the due-process rights of anyone who is accused of violating the ban.
Lang said the rules don’t spell out a process for appealing a violation of the smoking ban. An individual who stands accused of a violation has just two choices, paying the fine or fighting the matter in circuit court, he added.
“Lack of due process threatens the public interest and welfare,” Lang said.
He and other lawmakers urged Department of Public Health officials to spend another 30 days drafting the proposed rules, but agency officials said they didn’t want to do that.
So, the department refused to add due process requirements into the rules, passed on taking another crack at it, then watched as JCAR voted 9-1 against implementing its draft.
* More…
Under the law, an individual who violates the ban can be fined between $100 and $250. A business that fails to comply can be fined at least $250 for the first offense, with higher fines for additional offenses.
“The rulemaking contains no process by which an accused violator can argue that no violation occurred, appeal a finding of a violation or appeal the amount of the imposed fine. An alleged violator’s only options are to pay the fine or challenge enforcement action through the circuit court,” said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
But Marilyn Thomas, chief legal counsel for Public Health, said the fact that violators can seek redress in the state court system does provide due process.
* And more…
But lawmakers had other problems, particularly with the 15-foot, smoke-free zone.
State Sen. Brad Burzynski, a Sycamore Republican also serving on the committee, offered one example of uncertainty on violations of the 15-foot rule — smokers waiting at a bus stop outside a restaurant or business’ door.
“Is that the shop owner’s responsibility or liability?” Burzynski said.
Hultgren added he’s concerned businesses may be investing in outdoor smoking shelters, patios or beer gardens to make smoking patrons happy only to have those investments jeopardized by the uncertainty over the 15-foot zone.
* DPH can now either rewrite the rules and resubmit them to JCAR or, as it has done before, simply ignore JCAR and order the rules implemented without approval. No word yet on what will happen.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From a reader…
Overlooked in all the publicity about the smoking rules was the fact that JCAR issued ANOTHER filing prohibition yesterday against yet another HFS attempt to expand healthcare services (preventive care services for adults 21 and older) with NO explanation of how they were going to pay for it. The HFS rules coordinator indicated that the agency would take the prohibition “under advisement,” meaning, of course, they will probably ignore this one too.
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Morning shorts
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Rep. Jim Watson to serve in Iraq with the Marines
* House members wish Watson well
* Phone on, mind off, task force is told - Panel on distracted driving meets for first time
* State tax auditors charged with taking payoffs from attorney
* Voter registration soars in Illinois
About 10,000 people registered in the week leading up to Tuesday’s deadline — roughly triple the figures from past presidential primaries, said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
* Illinois to play bigger role in the primary
* Richardson drops out of race
* Unions put chips on Obama
* Daley wants earlier curfew for teens; more here
Daley wants to turn back the clock by 30 minutes to prevent what happened last year, when 24 Chicago Public Schools students were gunned down. Chicago’s homicide rate stands at a 40-year low. But, all too many of the 442 murder victims in 2007 were young people.
* McQueary: A tribute to Bert Docter
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This just in…
Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 4:30 pm - The House just passed the mass transit bailout bill that diverts $400 million from the state budget with no backfill.
There’s trouble in the Senate for both versions, however the version without the backfill might be closer to fruition. Don’t get your hopes up because the SGOPs may be completely against anything..
* 5:10 pm - Sen. Terry Link prevailed today in Cook County court. His former Dem opponent had appealed a State Board of Elections ruling that kept Link on the ballot.
* 5:20 pm - Uh-oh. From a press release….
“In a victory for the public and its right to access information, Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Kelley ruled that the Better Government Association (”BGA”) and Dan Sprehe, the BGA’s Chief Investigator, have a right to copies of federal subpoenas served upon the Blagojevich administration”
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Question of the day
Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As you probably know by now, the Sun-Times is cutting staff to patch a $50 million budget hole…
The Chicago Sun-Times plans 40 layoffs at month’s end, including as many as 35 newsroom staffers.
The Sun-Times itself reported that as many as 27 Newspaper Guild-represented copy editors, designers and reporters will be laid off, although none of those targeted will be sportswriters covering major beats or the newspaper’s photographers.
The Sun-Times currently has 188 Guild-represented positions. It also represents editorial assistants and other newsroom personnel. […]
Crain’s Chicago Business reported that the newspaper’s efforts to increase revenues in the past year fell flat. Instead, Crain’s reported, Security and Exchange Commission filings show that ad revenue fell 10 percent during the first nine months of 2007, to $214.9 million.
These cuts come on top of previous mass layoffs at its other properties and others announced yesterday, plus a reduction in the paper’s size.
Question: Will the Sun-Times still be alive a year from now? Two years from now? Explain.
Also, do you care?
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* I broke this story for subscribers yesterday, and now the Tribune has it today…
Speaker Michael Madigan predicted the House will pass two mass transit funding solutions Wednesday to help Chicago-area bus and train riders, a move that would pressure Senate President Emil Jones and Gov. Rod Blagojevich to act fast.
Madigan indicated Tuesday he plans to move forward with legislation to raise the sales tax in Chicago and the suburbs and a separate proposal to divert gas tax funds to the Regional Transportation Authority as a Jan. 20 deadline looms for service cuts and fare increases. “I expect that both bills will pass the House,” Madigan said.
* Maybe, maybe not…
Rep. Skip Saviano (R-Elmwood Park), the architect of the gas tax diversion, cast doubt on its passage because his Downstate colleagues may want to know how the funds would be replaced. Saviano also said he would not support the sales tax package but expected it to pass.
The big question has been what Senate President Emil Jones will do, but his spokesperson said Jones “will call it for a vote and look for Republican support,” according to the Trib.
* Meanwhile, there was finally a spot of good news. Madigan seems to be OK with the governor’s amendatory veto of the BIMP bill…
Madigan also will determine whether the House votes to accept Blagojevich’s budget-bill changes. If he does, schools could start getting their extra funding by the end of the month.
Asked about the budget bill Tuesday, Madigan said, “I’ve read the governor’s press statement. From what I read in his statement, I see no problem.” […]
The Senate also will be the first chamber to consider the budget bill. A spokeswoman said Jones will ask the Senate to approve the changes.
* More session stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Clout Street: House Dems cool to casino operators complaints
* House committee listens to testimony on gambling expansion
* Tribune Editorial: Mass transit bill…just do it
* Editorial: Legislature should not follow the governor’s example
* Jaegar and O’Brien: Transit on the move
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Morning shorts
Wednesday, Jan 9, 2008 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Dem candidate Foster goes after Bush, Oberweis
* Illinoize: Lauzen negative mailer on Oberweis
* 9 counties, Aurora plan suit in race to replace Hastert
Robert Saar, director of the DuPage County Election Commission, said the suit is necessary because there are only 32 days between the Feb. 5 primary election and the March 8 election. That is not enough time to meet normal legal requirements for such matters as accepting absentee ballots and preservation of election data, he said.
* Center affected by state’s unpaid bills
* Jim Ryan to lead campaign for sales tax increase
* Officials fume at lab cuts
* Sun-Times Editorial: Police Supt. looks like a good fit
* New student driver law thwarted due to privacy
Truant or not, a student’s right to privacy has stopped enforcement of a state law that would prevent dropouts from driving until they attend school.
* Safety net hospitals would get extra $600M under plan
“This plan would be more redistributive, from institutions that have an abundance of resources to those who do not,” said state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg, D-Evanston, chairman of a key appropriations committee. He has joined County Board President Todd Stroger and several commissioners in backing the proposal, which needs approval from the County Board, the Illinois General Assembly and the Bush administration.
At issue is how to replace a program that has pumped an extra $1.8 billion in federal Medicaid dollars into Illinois over the last three years. That money will dry up June 30 unless a new one is approved.
* Local hospitals facing class war
* Editorial: Gaps in state law on problem teacher puts students at risk
* Rezko lawyers fear ethnic bias on jury
* Rezko lawyers fail to delay trial
* Mark Brown: A few choice words about banning swearing in taverns
But then I remembered reading years ago about all those far-flung places that were banning smoking in bars, never believing it could happen here, and decided that I didn’t want to get caught behind another hot trend.
The way I figure it, if they ban swearing in bars, the next thing you know they’ll ban swearing in restaurants and then office buildings, and before long, I’ll be out there on the sidewalk in the cold with the smokers, walking in circles and cussing up a blue streak. I don’t smoke, never have, but my mouth has failed to delete a few expletives.
* Phil Luciano: Smoking ban picks a tough fight
Here’s how it’ll shake out. In the downtowns of cities (Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield), smoking will vanish because of high visibility. No police force will allow blatant violations in the heart of a city.
But in cities’ neighborhood bars and in small-town saloons, smoking will continue. I’m not saying that’s legally right, it’s just how it is. The bleeding hearts will have to learn to deal with it. Not everyone wants to be saved by the government.
* Downstate drivers have toll troubles too
* Sun Times debuts smaller paper size; more here
The revamped tabloid, published by Sun-Times Media Group Inc., is about 12 inches tall, roughly an inch shorter than its earlier editions.
Spokeswoman Tammy Chase said the change is part of the media company’s efforts to trim operating costs by $50 million this year.
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Just in case you want to talk about tonight’s results.
*** Watch live coverage on MSNBC or CNN or follow it on Fox. ***
*** Results are here ***
*** 9:33 pm *** NBC projects Hillary Clinton is the winner. It’s about time. She’s been ahead all night by 4 to 5,000 votes.
*** 8:49 pm *** Hotline blog…
Exit polls of the NH Dem primary show a 39%-39% tie between HRC and Obama, with Edwards at 16%.
*** 8:35 pm *** I’m getting word from the Obama campaign that college towns and other areas that favor their candidate have not yet been tallied, while Manchester (which Clinton dominates) has been mostly counted.
Also, from MSNBC, of those who made up their minds in the past three days…
Obama: 39
Clinton: 38
*** 8:26 pm *** From CNN…
Forty-five percent of female Democratic primary voters picked Clinton, compared to 36 percent who went for Obama
Age is also playing a big factor. Older voters are overwhelmingly outnumbering younger voters, a proportion that is clearly benefiting Clinton. Sixty-seven percent of Democratic primary voters are over the age of 40, and they are breaking heavily for Clinton over Obama.
*** 7:54 pm *** The Nation…
Written off just hours ago as a political “dead woman walking,” Hillary Clinton is running far better than expected in early results and exit polls from the critical first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential primary. […]
Exit polling shows that, while young voters came out in big numbers, older voters — especially women over 50 — came out in far higher than expected numbers.
*** 7:02 pm - MSNBC just claimed the Dem primary race is “too close to call” judging by exit polls and current results. ***
From Fox News…
Early exit polling of Republicans showed McCain with 35 percent compared to 30 percent for Mitt Romney and 13 percent for Mike Huckabee. Of those voting in the Democratic primary, 39 percent were going for Obama, while 34 percent were going for Hillary Clinton and John Edwards was at 18 percent.
CNN…
Self-styled independents, who made up 43 percent of all voters polled, said they voted for Obama by a margin of 45 percent to 26 percent for New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama’s chief rival.
* 5:19 pm - CNN is starting to get exit poll results…
New Hampshire Republican primary voters
Should the next president:
Generally continue George W. Bush’s policies – 18 percent
Change to more conservative policies – 51 percent
Change to less conservative policies – 24 percent
And this…
Eighteen percent of Republicans and 15 percent of Democrats said they settled on a candidate on Election Day.
One more on exit polling…
Preliminary exit poll results indicate that just over four in 10 voters in the New Hampshire Democratic primary are independents, compared with 48 percent in 2004 and a record 50 percent in 1992.
In the Republican primary, preliminary results indicate again that about four in 10 are independents, similar to the previous high of 42 percent in 2000.
Preliminary exit poll results indicate that more than half of voters in the Democratic primary are saying they’re most interested in a candidate who can bring about needed change — a mantle all the candidates have been reaching for since the Iowa caucuses..
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Who is this guy?
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
This quote in yesterday’s Daily Herald story regarding Barack Obama’s somewhat misleading claims about his health care accomplishments in Illinois jumped out at me…
Robert Rich, director of the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs, considered it a stretch and questioned Obama’s credentials as a health care reformer.
“He was not the prime mover and shaker for health care in Illinois,” Rich said.
If I was on Hillary Clinton’s campaign, I’d cherry pick that “He was not the prime mover and shaker for health care in Illinois” quote and put it on TV. Heck, I’d do it if I was on John Edwards’ campaign, or a Republican campaign.
But here’s the rub: Robert Rich is a virtual unkown at the Illinois Statehouse and appears not to have been involved in the push to expand health care.
I talked to Sen. Willie Delgado (D-Chicago) last night about Rich’s quote. Delgado worked on health care legislation with Obama and chaired the House Human Services Committee at the time.
“I’ve never heard of him,” Delgado said about Rich. In all his years traveling to health care conferences, sponsoring bills, chairing his committee, Delgado never once ran across the guy.
Jim Duffett of the Illinois Campaign for Better Health Care is pretty much the health care guru for the Blagojevich administration. When asked today whether Professor Rich was involved with the health care legislation that Obama is taking credit for, Duffett said: “Not at all.”
Sen. Carol Ronen, who sponsored the governor’s massive health care expansion bill last year, said today that she has never heard of Rich either.
Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Republican who is also involved in health care legislation, has heard of Rich, she thinks, but doesn’t know what he has done to pass health care bills in the state other than perhaps testifying occasionally on legislation.
Rep. Mulligan agrees with Rich’s assertion, by the way, and I also think that’s still open to question.
But my problem with this whole thing is that Rich is presenting himself as some sort of insider expert when most actual honest to goodness insiders say they’ve never even heard of the guy or that he wasn’t involved in the process.
I’ve long had a problem with college professors who think they know what’s “really” going on in Springfield but who never show their faces at the capitol. Paul Green is an exception because when he was regularly pontificating on state issues he kept in regular contact with many of us, including myself.
I tried calling Professor Rich today, but he’s out of the office. I left a message and sent him an e-mail. I’ll post his reply if he ever responds.
In the meantime, here’s some unsolicited advice: If you’re clueless, don’t act like you’re an expert.
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Question of the day *** UPDATED x1 ***
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
I’m working on an Obama post for later today, but in the meantime let’s discuss this question…
How does Hillary Clinton stop Obama’s momentum? Can she? What about Edwards?
*** UPDATE *** This is something to think about. Here’s the setup…
A federal judge refused Tuesday to delay the fraud trial of businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a key fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other Illinois politicians.
U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve told defense attorneys that they have enough time to prepare for the trial scheduled to start Feb. 25 even though they are still sorting through 1.5 million documents in the case.
* In about ten days, attorneys from both sides are supposed to present to Judge St. Eve a list of people whose names may come up at trial.
I just got off the phone with Rezko’s defense attorney William Ziegelmueller. I asked Ziegelmueller if he had any indication that either the feds or Rezko’s defense would bring up Barack Obama’s name during the trial. Ziegelmueller refused comment, but it didn’t seem overly likely.
The trial won’t get underway until long after Super Duper Tuesday, but if Obama’s name is on that list, there could be a big blowup in advance of February 5th.
And then there’s this, from the same article…
Defense attorneys… want to know something about the political views of jurors.
“This case is about politics — there’s no other way around it,” Ziegelmueller told the judge.
Even if Obama’s name isn’t on that list (and it may not be) and even if his name isn’t mentioned if the defense is allowed to question jurors about their political views, this trial is set to heat up just when reporters - perhaps stung by critics for their overly glowing portraits of Obama - are looking for a way to even the score.
As an example, here’s how MSNBC’s “FirstRead” blog led their Rezko blurb today…
A federal judge denied a request to delay the fraud trial of businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a one-time key Obama fundraiser and friend while the now-presidential candidate was in the Illinois state senate and during his U.S. Senate run.
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* This guest column by Jay Stewart of the Better Government Association is spot on…
Firmly perched on his high horse, Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently chastised the media for focusing on the corruption scandals that threaten to swallow his administration. “You want to cover tangential, collateral things that have no impact or relevance to people,” he said.
It’s amazing how time changes one’s views. A 2002 candidate named Rod Blagojevich issued a never-ending stream of press releases, statements and attacks on then-Attorney General Jim Ryan for failing to stop the culture of corruption that flourished under George Ryan when he was secretary of state. […]
However, campaign commercials cannot hide the reality that the parallels between George Ryan and Blagojevich are becoming more pronounced every day. Both suffered from aggressive federal investigations of their administrations. Both had close colleagues indicted. Both increasingly hunkered down to avoid the media. Both have appeared as “Public Official A” in federal prosecutors’ court filings.
Whether the parallels continue to include an indictment and conviction on Blagojevich’s part remains to be seen, but only the foolhardy would dismiss it as an impossibility.
Blagojevich should drop his cheap media criticism, stop his pointless and mindless attacks on the General Assembly and instead come clean with the public about the roles his indicted friends, Chris Kelley and Tony Rezko, had in his administration and his campaigns.
According to Blagojevich, corruption is only an important and central issue when it involves someone else. When it’s about him, it’s “tangential.”
* This is from my syndicated newspaper colum this week regarding that press conference when he slammed the media for focusing on stuff that supposedly doesn’t matter…
Chicago reporters wanted to ask [Blagojevich] about the latest allegations contained in a federal proffer that Blagojevich had bragged about how he could use state contracts to raise campaign cash. The governor was forced to spend most of his time denying that he was a crook and slamming the media for focusing on the negatives while he was trying to do what’s right for Illinois.
It was a real George Ryan moment. And we all know how that story ended.
Rod Blagojevich demanded action from Jim Ryan. Now, it’s his turn to act. Come clean, governor. Now.
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* I don’t know how many times I have to write this, but for the edification of some reporters, particularly in Chicago, let me make this perfectly clear: An amendatory veto is not a signature.
When the governor AV’s a bill, several things must happen before it can become law. The General Assembly can accept the changes in both chambers with a simple majority and then the governor must certify that the changes match his AV. The GA can override the veto and restore it to its original language with a three-fifths majority in both chambers. Or they can do nothing and the bill dies.
For years, the House Rules Committee has also subjected AV’s to constitutional scrutiny. If an AV drastically rewrites legislation, the action is ruled unconstitutional and it’s allowed to die in committee.
Whatever the case, an AV is not a signature, regardless of what you read in stories like this. The original AP stories on the governor’s amendatory veto of the BIMP bill also erroneously claimed that the governor had approved the measure. Not so.
* I say this because yesterday the governor said he wanted the General Assembly to send him a transit bailout bill so he could “improve” it…
Asked if he would sign legislation that increased the sales tax, Blagojevich hinted he might be able “to improve” a bill so that enough constituencies are satisfied. If it’s a bill that includes an increase in sales taxes to fund transit, then so be it, the governor said – just send it his way.
“If, however, the legislature believes in that (sales tax) bill, they ought to pass that bill and give me a chance to improve it,” Blagojevich told reporters in Chicago.
“There are a lot of creative things you could with the ability to rewrite legislation and I’ll leave it at that,” he added. “If they believe in that bill, they ought to pass that bill. We want them to pass something and give me the ability to act.”
* The headline over at Chicago Public Radio was “Blagojevich Softens on Transit Tax Bill.” Not true…
Another Chicago-area transit doomsday scenario is at hand, and the Illinois Governor appears to be softening his stance against a bill he fought last year.
* CTA Tattler blog, which is usually pretty good, also fell for it: “Gov: No more temporary bailouts; door open to sales tax hike”
Even more positive is the news that Blago might sign a bill that contained a tax hike, such as the 1/4 of 1% sales tax hike that SB 572 calls for.
Oy.
* Also, while we’re on the subject, if the governor does AV the transit bailout bill to simply transer regional gasoline sales take money from the state budget, he needs to be pressed hard about this new development…
Illinois ended 2007 with a record amount of unpaid bills, Comptroller Dan Hynes’ office said in a report issued Monday.
According to Hynes’ office, the backlog of outstanding bills stood at more than $1.7 billion. At the same time last year, the number was $1.33 billion.
Moreover, it is taking the office 34 business days to pay bills once they come in the door, compared to 22 days a year ago.
“Both the backlog volume and the number of days delayed represent record levels for the mid-point of the fiscal year,” the report says.
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* So, what’s going on here? From the Trib…
In an unusual move, the Stroger administration has sent notices to Cook County’s employee unions warning that layoffs are coming and casting the blame on commissioners who reject the tax increases in his stalled budget.
Some of the nine board members singled out by name for opposing “new revenues” called the notices a scare tactic and said they are counterproductive to working out a budget deal with Board President Todd Stroger, who has failed to win passage of a 2-percentage-point increase in the sales tax. […]
Anders Lindall, a union spokesman, called the letter “factually inaccurate,” noting some of the nine commissioners have supported new revenue although they oppose Stroger’s sales-tax increase.
* The Sun-Times reads between the lines and comes up with a possible answer…
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger believes he’s just one vote away from passing a higher county sales tax, according to a letter sent to union leaders this weekend. […]
The letter names those nine in assessing blame for layoffs. Noticeably absent is Commissioner Earlean Collins, who has been publicly mum about her tax position.
* Meanwhile, in county political news, the Sun-Times ran a story today with the blaring headline: Brookins faced slum landlord suits…
Before Ald. Howard Brookins had trouble as a tenant, he got into trouble as a landlord.
Brookins, seeking the Democratic nomination for Cook County state’s attorney, faced three lawsuits filed by the City of Chicago in the late 1990s arising from his ownership of properties on the South Side, records show. The suits alleged Brookins failed to provide heat and committed other infractions of the municipal code — nearly a decade before he allegedly failed to pay rent on his downtown law office.
But is it a bum wrap?
Brookins (21st) said although he was listed as the property’s owner at the time of the violations, he had actually sold it to a man named Joseph Miller.
“At the time those lawsuits were filed, I no longer had control of the building and did not own the building,” Brookins told the Sun-Times.
Why even bother running a story if he wasn’t responsible for the buildings?
* One more note of interest: Ald. Ed Smith will receive the endorsement of the IVI-IPO today. Smith is running against incumbent Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore. Moore has been slated by the county party, but Smith has Mayor Daley’s endorsement.
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Morning shorts
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Democrats huddle in search for a congressional candidate in 18th district
* 18th CD hopefuls hold foreign policy debate
* Press Release: Lee calls for debates in 11th Congressional district
* Editorial: Solve major problem in toll collection
Boudreau said she had not been aware that her credit card had expired and that it wasn’t paying the tolls. But let’s assume the worst — that she willfully blew through the tolls without paying.
Even if that were the case, would the penalty fit the crime? For $179.50, would $4,619 be fair? Would a two-week deadline to pay be little more than heavy-handed coercion?
Would $15,739 be fair? For $179.50 in unpaid tolls?
No, it’s outrageous.
* Toll officials draw a blank on cheats tally
* Interchange has good news and bad news
The long-awaited, long-stalled plans for an interchange between Interstates 57 and 294 will enter the new year with a whopping new price tag.
In the works for nearly two decades, the project now is expected to cost at least $480 million, state transportation officials disclosed at a hearing Monday in Oak Forest. The figure is twice as much as previous estimates.
* Phil Kadner: Solutions, not slogans needed for public schools
This is a battle for the hearts and minds of our children. The ultimate cost to the country is beyond computation.
While taxpayers complain about teacher salaries, they are willing to pay billions of dollars to fight crime. Each year the costs increase for police officers, judges, prosecutors, prison construction and prison guards.
More money is spent on social programs to help children who give birth to more children. Businesses find it more difficult to hire competent employees.
* Short end of funding for U46 school district
Prince estimated that U46 will see an increase of $3.5 million in general state aid, only about a fifth of what $400 multiplied by U46’s approximately 40,000 students would equal — $16 million.
U46 is shortchanged by the state because of the large amount of dollars the school district collects through property taxes, Prince said. During the 2006-07 school year, U46 collected nearly three times as much in property taxes as general state aid, according to district documents.
* Bush boosts Olympic bid; more here
Bush said Chicago has “a great plan,'’ adding, “I can’t think of a better city to represent the United States.'’
Ryan said “we didn’t really get involved” in how the federal government could help. The feds typically help pay for security and some transportation costs during Olympic games held in the United States.
* State looks into Canton plant’s bankruptcy
* Mary Mitchell: Aldermen give Weis a free pass; more here
* Governing.com: The origins of lethal injection
* Smoking ban may cause more litter
* Fired up over smoke free law
* Some Brand-Name Bloggers Say Stress of Posting Is a Hazard to Their Health
“The trouble with a personal brand is, you’re yoked to a machine,” said Paul Kedrosky, a friend of Mr. Malik’s who runs the Infectious Greed blog. “You feel huge pressure to not just do a lot, but to do a lot with your name on it. You have pressure to not just be the C.E.O., but at the same time to write, and to do it all on a shoestring. Put it all together, and it’s a recipe for stress through the roof.”
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