|
Boland tosses hat in ring
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Worst kept secret this month. State Rep. Mike Boland announced Wednesday that he wants to replace Lane Evans in Congress. Now he just needs the support of hundreds of precinct committeemen from the sprawling congressional district. So, in other words, he’ll vote for the programs but won’t vote to pay for them.
|
|
Backfire?
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller I don’t think the Statehouse reporters took kindly to this move by the governor’s campaign. The campaigns clearly were moving into a more intense stage, with Blagojevich’s campaign taking the unusual move of having someone videotape Topinka’s news conference and distribute suggested questions for reporters to ask.
|
|
Quinn wants records released
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller ======================================== UPDATE: Topinka’s office claims they send the complete list to the governor’s office every month. ======================================== From the Blagojevich campaign: One day after Judy Baar Topinka said state government should be more open and transparent, Lt Governor Pat Quinn today called on Treasure Judy Baar Topinka to immediately release the list of banks that have state deposits.
|
|
Gone
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller The House just adjourned until next week. No budget meeting today. The House will return Tuesday and Wednesday next week, and Tuesday and Wednesday the following week. The Senate, of course, is gone for the next two weeks.
|
|
JBT joins chorus of questioners
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller From Topinka’s campaign: GOP nominee for Governor Judy Baar Topinka today called on Gov. Rod Blagojevich to answer a simple question he has been ducking for more than a week — “Governor, how many days have you been in Springfield since you announced your budget on Feb. 15th?†As I said in this morning’s Capitol Fax, since so many regular session days were canceled there is no additional overtime cost to taxpayers right now.
|
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Evans; Guv; DHS; DCFS (use all caps in password)
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Enter your password to view comments |
|
Question of the day
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Do you think Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s quick decision to investigate those anonymouse House Republican robocalls was the right thing to do? Should she have allowed the State Board of Elections to handle the issue first? Do you think the Repulicans will try to put AG Madigan in the middle of every little political spat from now on in order to even the score against the Democrats? Does this expose her to charges that she favors her father’s House Democratic organization? Explain. UPDATE: The Post-Dispatch has a story today.
|
|
Overtime and guv’s chutzpah prompts media backlash
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Best story of the bunch. Facing criticism that he’s not at the Capitol enough to be effective and instead spends his time campaigning, Gov. Rod Blagojevich dismissed it all as “baloney.†[Emphasis added.] The Tribune has more. Gov. Rod Blagojevich blamed Republican legislative leaders, who have been shut out of budget negotiations, for slowing down the legislative session Tuesday, even though he and fellow Democrats are in charge. And the Sun-Times has Emil Jones’ reaction. “We’re moving slowly,” Jones said after four hours of closed-door budget talks ended. Also, let’s avoid a debate in comments over what constitutes an “overtime” session. The session was scheduled to conclude April 7th. Period. Any session days after that is an overtime session. Those who are claiming in comments that overtime doesn’t begin until the end of May are just goofy and, more importantly, wrong. UPDATE: You’re not gonna believe this (OK, you might) but somebody in the governor’s budget office just tried to make this same lame argument that we’re not in overtime until June 1. These people are obviously not reality based.
|
|
Tribune blasts Alexi
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller I agree with every single word in this Tribune editorial about Democratic treasurer nominee Alexi Giannoulias. Giannoulias has been nothing but puzzling when he has been questioned about his ties to Michael Giorango, a convicted bookmaker and prostitution ring promoter. […] And the Tribune comes up with some good questions. Has the 30-year-old candidate for treasurer ever really been more than a junior officer at the family bank? If he had the authority his title implies, how can he claim he didn’t know about this bank business? Giannoulias has touted his banking experience as qualifying him for the treasurer’s job. He even said after the election that his experience is what got him the nomination, not the support from Barack Obama. Well, it’s time for some answers.
|
|
Mistrial ahead?
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller UPDATE: You can find the WLS transcript here. Oy. A Chicago radio station has been hit with a federal subpoena in the latest twist involving jurors in the corruption trial of former Gov. George Ryan.
|
|
Rev. Meeks meets with Cardinal George
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller I’m glad to see that the media is finally starting to realize that Meeks is not just bluffing here. There’s more going on than the political cynics have believed. State Sen. James Meeks recently met with Cardinal Francis George about Meeks’ possible third-party run for governor — the strongest indication yet the Baptist minister is serious about the idea and intends to use his conservative beliefs to attract voters. Take it from someone who has spent a lot of time with Meeks in the past few weeks, the guy is serious. Will he run? I don’t know. But he is a lot further along in his plans than most people realize.
|
|
Morning shorts
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · Audit: Budget office fails to seek competitive contracts · “After months of balking, tollway officials backed off controversial I-PASS rule changes Tuesday that lawmakers and watchdog groups said were too broad and too harsh.” · Capitol Fax readers heard about this possibility days ago: State panel rejects ban on school junk food · Cunningham narrow winner in appellate race · Bibo: Few spaces for mentally ill inmates · Brown: Why does City Hall audit only go after little guys? · Luciano: Legislators’ wallets are fat enough · Advocates say power plants are making fish poisonous · Parrillo defies Ibendahl, blogs about smelt fishing. · Tuition going up
|
|
This just in… John G supports Hare
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Rock Island County Dem Chairman John Gianulis told his fellow county chairmen today that he is backing Lane Evan’s choice to replace the retiring congressman - Phil Hare. This is really no surprise whatsoever, but John G teased the media last week about his announcement and it was a big local story. 12 out of the district’s 23 chairmen attended today’s meeting with Gianulis, but there was reportedly a lot of support for state Sen. John Sullivan from chairmen in the district’s southern section. More in tomorrow’s Capitol Fax. Also, the Quincy Herald-Whig has a story about the vacancy today. Unrelated, but Kos has a piece up today about Melissa Bean that’s definitely worth a read and Larry has more. Consider this a congressional elections open thread.
|
|
Senate leaves town without a budget deal
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller AP: With a state budget deal proving hard to reach, the Illinois Senate has decided to take two weeks off. UPDATE: From Topinka’s campaign: GOP nominee for Governor Judy Baar Topinka today said Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s unwillingness to come to work in Springfield has pushed lawmakers into overtime session, and his campaign fund should pay for the new overtime expenses taxpayers are now forced to pay. UPDATE 2: The House will be in session Tuesday through Friday next week.
|
|
Should be an interesting event, but I can’t make it
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Kristen McQueary asked me to post this. Doesn’t look like I’ll be able to make it because of session, but head on over tomorrow if you can. Join the Chicago Headline Club for a free and inspiring event featuring Gary Post-Tribune political reporter STEVE WALSH, Chicago Tribune reporter JAMES JANEGA and Capitol Fax creator RICH MILLER for a lively discussion, “Reporters Notebook: The War in Iraq.”
|
|
Question of the day
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller For as long as anyone can remember, legislative leaders and the governor have met behind closed doors to hammer out a budget agreement. Do you think this is healthy? And if not, what alternative would you propose?
|
|
Busted
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Apparently, the governor was against a capital bill when he was in the House. As a loyal member of the Democratic political minority in the Illinois House during the mid-1990s, Rod Blagojevich helped block millions of dollars worth of spending on roads, universities and dilapidated state prisons the ruling Republicans wanted.
|
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Enter your password to view comments |
|
AG probes House GOP calls
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller The House Republlicans claim they’re well within the law, but Madigan is investigating anyway. State Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is investigating whether a telephone campaign paid for by House Republicans that targeted Democratic lawmakers violated state election rules.
|
|
Romney touts Topinka
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller JBT is said to be one of the top five to eight targeted races. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Monday that getting Judy Baar Topinka elected this fall is a top priority for the Republican Governor’s Association.
|
|
Morning shorts
Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · Hundreds rally in Illinois for immigration reform · Sneed: How come the Abraham Lincoln Museum has not found a new executive director to replace Richard Norton Smith? · What kind of sentence is George Ryan facing, if convicted? · Brown: Patronage alive and well · Illinois, Minnesota leaders ask oil companies to make E85 available · Feds: Patronage chief had files destroyed. More here. · Ryan Jurors Enjoy Break In Warm Weather · WBEZ change strikes sour note · Officials tout biotech future · Shortest. Courtship. Ever. · Editorial: Question those state job-creation figures
|
|
Afternoon politics open thread
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · My latest weekly newspaper column examines that Glengariff Group poll from last week. · The Rezko beat: Real estate developer Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s plan to extricate himself from another soured deal has hit a snag. Unable to get a 24-story River North condominium tower off the ground, Mr. Rezko and partner Daniel Mahru decided last year to sell the development site at Chicago and Hudson avenues. The problem: They signed a contract to sell the property for $9 million, but they owe the property’s lender, Chicago-based Broadway Bank, about $12 million. · Christian Coalition shrinks as debt grows · Chicago draws college grads · SJ-R has apparently begung running columns on the front page. · Supremely Meek Media · Rep. Hoffman makes good · Puerto Rico Governor Celebrates Midwest Office in Chicago · Hundreds Rally For Immigration Rights At U Of I · Protested Bean Defends Immigration Stance · Ontario officials must have talked to Illinois legislators because they’ve obtained a “memorandum of understanding” from Gov. Blagojevich. Have at it… ![]()
|
|
Question of the day
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller First, the setup: Before a film industry boon goes bust in the Chicago area, Illinois lawmakers are debating whether to extend additional tax incentives to filmmakers being lured to other states that offer even better breaks. Now, the question: Do you think this tax break is the right thing to do?
|
|
Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Pay Hike; Left on the plate; Teachers; Dick Kay; Mahoney; Pensions; Verschoore; Calls; Revenues; Dummification; Scofield (use all caps in password)
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Enter your password to view comments |
|
More trouble for Alexi
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller The Tribune hasn’t given up just because Alexi Giannoulias won the primary.
And the best quote in the entire story: Asked in the recent interview if he thought it was acceptable for the state treasurer to lend money to crime figures, Giannoulias said the state treasurer must get “the best rate of return for taxpayers to create jobs.” Oy. Read the whole thing. There’s plenty more.
|
|
Yet another Lane Evans open thread
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Does John G have it sewn up for his guy or not? The
[Hat tip: Inside Dope, who has more] What have you heard lately? UPDATE: Just got this e-mail: Rich: True story. ![]()
|
|
Statewide campaign roundup
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller The Pantagraph reports that Mrs. Blagojevich says her husband isn’t yet looking at a White House bid. Illinois’ first lady says her husband isn’t looking for a job in the White House - yet. Meanwhile, the AP reports, without specific polling data to back it up, that women Democrats are split between Blagojevich and Topinka. Many female Democrats like Donovan are drawn to Topinka, in part because she’s a woman but mostly because she’s a moderate. Topinka also slammed the governor over the weekend over his conservation record. State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka offered stinging criticism of Gov. Rod Blagojevich during a speech to more than 100 leaders of environmental and conservation groups gathered at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Saturday. And the Illinois Times ran an interesting column about why downstate black Democrats could embrace Meeks’ candidacy. Go check it out.
|
|
Morning shorts
Monday, Apr 10, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller · What she said. · Tribune: “Friday wasn’t supposed to end this way, with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones quietly leaving Springfield with their work undone.” · Chambers, as usual, gets it right. · “The state agency managing health care for the poor began its last budget year $860 million in the hole. By the time it finished the year, it grew that hole nearly twofold to $1.5 billion.” · Governor feels effect of spring storms — in Chicago · Government investigating if Big Oil thwarting biodiesel · City desk interview with Tony Peraica (video only). · Finke: Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH showed up in Springfield Tuesday - four days before the General Assembly’s original adjournment date - to begin negotiating a budget. · Bernie: Some Republican lawmakers have been spinning their wheels while in Springfield - literally. · Job recruiter frustrated by state · Let’s make a deal, Comptroller · Meeks to 9,000 regulars: Stay home on Easter · Doyle signs with Biden · Marin: Spread sunshine on Supreme Court picks · Vets director reiterate governor’s plan to give low-income veterans medical coverage · Editorial: Increasing driving time for minors makes sense · Charities battle to stay alive on state tax forms · Sweet: Possible ‘08 candidates look to Illinois · Suit slams school league breakup
|
| « NEWER POSTS | PREVIOUS POSTS » |





On the way to his March primary victory, Democratic candidate for state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias found himself defending multimillion-dollar loans his family-owned bank made to a Chicago crime figure.
Rock Island County Democrats may not be the king makers of the 17th Congressional District, if party bosses in other counties get their way.





