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Monk is cooperating, and is investigation moving closer to Jackson?

Thursday, Apr 9, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ve heard more than a few people say they just don’t believe the federal allegations that Rod Blagojevich was conspiring as early as the 2002 campaign to pad his own personal pockets with ill-gotten gains from the governor’s office. Well, this little-noticed item might help those people get over their doubts…

Lon Monk [is] cooperating with the government

Monk was there right from the beginning. If he’s saying that Blagojevich was conspiring to send business to Tony Rezko, who would then bank the profits and split them later with Blagojevich, Monk and others, then I think that lends the story more credence than if it just came from Rezko.

* Filan and Brandt were interviewed by the feds…

The head of the state authority involved in talks about the possible sale of Wrigley Field said Wednesday that he and the authority’s executive director have been interviewed by federal agents in the corruption investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

William Brandt, chairman of the Illinois Finance Authority, said he met with federal agents in late January or early February to answer their questions about the Wrigley deal. Brandt said agents also separately interviewed the authority’s John Filan.

* And the heat increases on Congressman Jackson…

Federal authorities have questioned [John Harris] a former chief of staff to ex- Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other cooperating witnesses about an attempt by friends of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to raise funds for Blagojevich to encourage him to pick Jackson for the U.S. Senate, sources said.

A federal grand jury investigating alleged corruption in the Blagojevich administration is expected to hear from witnesses about the fundraising effort in coming weeks, sources said.

Federal prosecutors allege Blagojevich, who was indicted last week on corruption charges, was considering awarding the seat to Jackson in return for a Jackson associate offering $1.5 million in campaign cash.

Covert recordings of Blagojevich last fall allegedly captured the then-governor suddenly going from cold to hot on naming Jackson to replace President Barack Obama in the Senate. Prosecutors allege Blagojevich told aides he had been promised something tangible and immediate to name Jackson to the seat—namely money—and that he was leaning toward appointing Jackson.

* Congressman Danny Davis might have to eat these words…

“I think that everything there is to know in relation to Representative Jackson’s role in this is pretty much known.”

And how would he know that?

Jackson, by the way, says he’s cooperating and he’s innocent. Read his statement by clicking here.

* Speaking of people who say they didn’t do anything wrong…

- U.S. Sen. Roland Burris said Wednesday his legal expenses related to investigations of his contacts with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich have reached $500,000.

So, the legal bill is only up a hundred grand since January? That’s progress, at least.

Burris also gets the quote of the week…

“Rest assured,” he said. “I stand by my reputation.”

And an AP reporter who covered the southern Illinois Burris tour appeared to be critical of other reporters who covered that same tour…

But hundreds of miles from a Chicago press corps that at times has excoriated him and frequently urged him to step aside, Burris hit a comfortable stride.

Wouldn’t that be your fault, too? Just asking.

* Related…

* Bauman resigns: Although Mr. Bauman’s biographical profile on the system’s website states that his appointment followed a nationwide search, he was in fact promoted to the position on Aug. 9, 2001, when political appointees to the board of trustees gained a one-person margin needed to control the board. He was promoted to head TRS a day before interviews were scheduled with the finalist candidates identified through the nationwide search, when the politically well-connected faction outvoted elected active and retired teacher trustees, according to previous Pensions & Investments reports.

* Ill. pension head quits; nationwide search begins

* Bauman expresses pride, regret as he bids farewell to TRS

* Blagojevich arraignment set for April 14

* Lawmakers: What about Annie and Amy?

* Jesse Jackson Jr.: ‘I have done nothing wrong’

* Jackson: I’m cooperating with ethics inquiry

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More Blagojevich fallout: Feds interview Congressman Jackson

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Sun-Times reports today that federal investigators want to know why Rod Blagojevich believed he would get $1.5 million in campaign contributions from an associate of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. in exchange for appointing Jackson to the then-vacant US Senate seat.

Jackson and his lawyers met with the feds over a week ago, according to the paper…

Among the areas of interest, sources say, was what Jackson told his representatives to convey to the Blagojevich camp on his behalf last year — a time Jackson sought the Senate seat appointment.

And, in a signal that the probe into dealings involving a possible Jackson appointment is still under way, witnesses and possible evidence involved in that part of the alleged scheme were recently subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, sources say.

Jackson has repeatedly claimed that he is not a target in the probe, and even said he was tipped off by the feds in advance of Blagojevich’s early-morning arrest.

The paper also has some internal call logs from the governor’s office which appear to show the congressman’s interest in the seat…

“JJJr called 2nd time — LM Gov returned call @ 4:50 p.m. on 10/24-JJ on plane,” the log states. “JJJr called a 3rd time @3:30 p.m. on 10-29.”

Blagojevich’s people contacted the congressman Nov. 25 about scheduling a meeting. The next day, the Rev. Jesse Jackson left a message for Blagojevich, saying he wanted to speak to the governor.

A Dec. 2 notation in the ex-governor’s log indicates: “Will prob do JJJr next week. But do not call him yet.”

Rod Blagojevich and congressman Jackson eventually met Dec. 8 — the day before Blagojevich was arrested.

…Adding… Oops. Forgot about this one…

Tribune Co. would have received as much as $45 million and a 5 percent stake in a leased Wrigley Field under a deal involving a state loan of $300 million toward restoring the historic ballpark, a proposal found in state documents shows.

A Nov. 19 memo released Monday night by the Illinois Finance Authority, marked “strictly confidential — for discussion purposes only,” outlines a complicated deal in which a new owner of the century-old stadium’s tenant, the Chicago Cubs, would pay $25 million a year for 30 years. […]

The Nov. 19 agreement, released to The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act, shows the finance authority, through a complex venture, would retain 95 percent interest in a company set up to lease Wrigley to a new Cubs owner until 2039.

In addition to the upfront contribution, the Tribune would control the other 5 percent.

What’s almost never discussed is the curious timing of former (and now current) budget guru John Filan’s transfer to the Illinois Finance Authority just as these talks were heating up last year.

* On another front, Mark Brown looks at the “beauty” of the feds’ conspiracy charge strategy against Blagojevich…

The beauty of tying everything together as a conspiracy is that jurors will be able to see the totality of the pay-to-play practices carried out by Blagojevich: from fund-raising schemes carried to completion early in his administration — on which his own fingerprints may be less distinct — to the shakedown interruptus captured on the wiretaps where his involvement will ring through loud and clear in his own voice.

I found it telling that the accusations of Blagojevich’s attempting to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat, front and center after the governor’s December arrest, are practically secondary in his indictment. There’s just so much more coming at him now than the stuff on the wiretaps.

That’s going to be the biggest problem for his defense attorney. Any one of the charged schemes might be beatable from a defense viewpoint. But taken as a whole, it’s going to be difficult for Blagojevich to sell his story that he was an honorable public servant felled by his efforts to fight the political forces of evil.

* Related…

* Quinn nixes Blagojevich executive orderexecutive order on ethics

* Blagojevich Name Still Towers Over Far South Side

* He Can Run (To Disneyland)

* Zorn: Once again, Deb Mell puts family first

* Edgar: Burden of improving Illinois should fall on everyone’s shoulders

* Union wants TRS’s Bauman gone now

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Giannoulias rakes in mountains of cash, Burris raises none *** UPDATED x2 ***

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE 2 *** This is somewhat odd, but it probably can’t hurt…

The producer behind the “Barbershop” movies, “Soul Food” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” showcasing Humboldt Park, has found another family with a compelling story to tell — this time in documentary form.

His subject: Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by his mentor, President Barack Obama.

“He’s got an interesting story to tell. He’s young, and this is going to be an amazing political race,” says Mr. Teitel, who launched shooting at a small fundraising gathering for Mr. Giannoulias. The filmmaker arrived with camera and sound crew in tow.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Post-Dispatch blog…

This is from a written statement by Lance Trover, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. He notes that, four days ago, Moody’s downgraded the state’s rating on general obligation bonds from A1 to Aa3, and today, Fitch Ratings placed Illinois’ AA minus rating on a negative credit watch.

“While the Illinois bond rating tumbles, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been spending his time raising money for a U.S. Senate race,’’ Trover wrote. “. . . On the same day the State of Illinois appeared on a credit watch list, Alexi Giannoulias was busy trumpeting his fundraising numbers for a political campaign. … Blagojevich Democrats have created a fiscal crisis and instead of serving as financial watchdog for the people of Illinois, Giannoulias is focused on his next political move.’’

Um, how exactly is Giannoulias supposed to have prevented that downgrade?

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* Wow. Just wow. Giannoulias had hoped to raise about half of this when he started out. Considering the current economic climate, this is freaking huge…

He’s still just at the “exploratory committee” stage, but Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has already raised $1.1 million in the 28 days since he announced he was “exploring” a run for U.S. Senate.

He is eyeing the seat formerly held by his friend and basketball court partner, President Obama.

“It’s actually unbelievable on two counts: The sum of $1.1 million, in and of itself, is unbelievable, but the fact that it’s in the worst political fund-raising environment that, I think, any of us have ever seen, makes it all the more extraordinary and impressive,” said political activist and fund-raiser Michael Bauer.

The Washington Post reported a week ago that political donations are down 26 percent across the board from two years ago, presumably because of the economic downturn. Giannoulias supporters said this big a haul — with no Giannoulias personal or family loans, PAC or corporate money — in the 28 days before the March 31 quarterly reporting deadline appears to be a record.

Giannoulias told me last night that there is no personal money in that mix. That $1.1 mil may also be close to a one-month US Senate record, by the way.

And Bill Daley has been awful quiet lately, hasn’t he? He wasn’t using a threat of a US Senate run to leverage that ambassadorship to China, was he? Whatever the case, floating his name constantly in Sneed’s column didn’t seem to hurt Giannoulias’ fundraising one little bit.

* Meanwhile, appointed US Sen. Roland Burris said yesterday he still hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll run for real and added…

He has not raised any money for a run.

Surprise, surprise.

* And in another race, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign fired off a blast e-mail to supporters yesterday asking them to vote in an online poll…

Right now the Chicago Tribune is hosting an online poll that asks if Lisa should run for governor. Cast you [sic] ballot and let your opinion be known by clicking on the link

Clicking on the link shows her efforts haven’t worked wonders…

Yes (1107 responses) 41.6%
No (1552 responses) 58.4%
2659 total responses (Results not scientific)

Maybe it was the typo.

* Related…

* Sweet: Madigan debuts in D.C. as state decision looms : Madigan, in a brown pants suit, flanked by men all wearing grey, was trying on the big stage to see how it fit. It fit fine.

* Illinois attorney general, feds crack down on mortgage scams

* Feds, states clamp down on refinancing schemes

* State’s attorney vows to change search warrant filing system

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The horses are approaching the starting gates

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Congressman Mark Kirk says he will make a decision about running for statewide office “by the end of next month.” He told NBC5 that he wants to read the Blagojevich indictment before making a final decision.

Asked if he’d made any downstate trips to learn more about the state, Kirk said he’s so far been to McHenry, DuPage and Champaign counties. [Hat tip: Team America]

* I asked a source close to Sheriff Tom Dart yesterday about whether Dart might be interested in running for statewide office. I’ll save the response for subscribers, but CBS2 talked to Dart himself…

Sheriff Tom Dart seems to be everywhere these days. He’s arresting sex offenders, tackling the dark side of the Internet and rescuing puppies. He’s gone after cemetery vandals, helped to run a sting aimed at burglars, and Monday, in another moment made for TV, specifically Dr. Phil, Dart took on prostitutes using the Craigslist Web site. He’s a media regular.

So, is he running or what?

“People have talked to me about other opportunities out there,” Dart told CBS 2.

If Lisa Madigan runs for governor, as expected, some Democrats want Dart to run to replace her as state attorney general. If that doesn’t happen, Dart may against Todd Stroger for Cook County Board president. […]

“I can’t think of a scenario where I would not be running for re-election,” Dart said earlier this month. “I couldn’t be more honest with you, if I wanted to.”

CBS2 asked Republican strategist and Cicero town/township/park district/TIF district spokesperson Dan Proft his opinion about Dart. Maybe they should’ve also asked Proft about the quite weird but oddly persistent and credible reports that Proft wants to run for governor. I just tried calling him, but there was no answer, so I left a message.

* The Illinois Republican Party responds to yesterday’s announcement by Alexi Giannoulias that he won’t take corporate PAC money or federal lobbyist cash in his US Senate bid…

In an attempt to hide his record of questionable loans to crime figures and willingness to look the other way on Rod Blagojevich’s flagrant corruption, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias announced today that his Senate campaign will refuse donations from corporate PACs and federal lobbyists.

“No amount of phony reform and renewal pledges from Alexi Giannoulias can hide his shameful history of bankrolling mobsters and convicted felons like Tony Rezko,” said ILGOP Spokesman Lance Trover.

The Giannoulias family bank, Broadway bank, made millions of dollars in loans to Tony Rezko as well as Michael Giorango and Boris Stratievsky, convicted felons and reputed mob figures. These loans were made while Alexi Giannoulias was the chief loan officer.

“If Mr. Giannoulias wants to kick off his campaign by talking about reform then he should begin by fully explaining why, throughout the last six years, he loaned millions of dollars to mob figures and endorsed Rod Blagojevich for re-election in 2006,” added Trover.

In addition, Mr. Giannoulias apparently has no problem with unions attempting to “buy a seat at the table”, as he neglected to ban the labor contributions that bankrolled his Illinois Treasurer campaign to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

* Sen. Rutherford is gearing up for treasurer…

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney is headlining a fundraiser for state Sen. Dan Rutherford, who’s interested in running for Illinois treasurer.

A downstate Republican, Rutherford says he plans to announce when the General Assembly is on Easter break that he will form an exploratory committee.

* Chicago Public Radio talks to state Rep. Julie Hamos about her future…

An Illinois state representative says she’s interested in running for two high-profile offices in next year’s election. But Evanston Democrat Julie Hamos says everything is in a “holding pattern” for now.

As we’ve discussed before, Hamos is thinking about running for attorney general or Congress, if Jan Schakowsky defies expectations and runs for US Senate.

HAMOS: Some musical chairs have to take place. People are judging where the state’s going, how well we can solve the problems facing us, and nobody’s quite jumping in to anything quite yet.

With a primary election in Illinois just ten months away, Hamos needs to organize and start lining up contributors - efforts, she says, that are already underway.

Petitions go out just over four months from now. Time’s a-wastin’.

Hamos is avoiding any firm position on possibly the most politically explosive issue right now in Illinois: Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed income tax hike. She says she wants more answers about the state’s finances.

That does put her in a bind.

…Adding… Ald. Preckwinkle appears to be using her vote against the Chicago parking meter contract to her advantage in the county board presidency bid.

* Related…

* Giannoulias to decline special interest cash

* Treasurer says he won’t accept lobbyist cash

* Editorial: Quigley for 5th District seat : A brief word about Pulido. She is the founder of the Illinois Minuteman Project, a far right group that battles illegal immigration. The national Republican Party is offering Pulido no help, which speaks volumes about her candidacy. She is well outside the mainstream.

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