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Hey, chief, this ain’t Communist China - And is Randle really leaving?

Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Check out this bizarre story of the Antioch police chief who allegedly tried to attack a state representative candidate after the candidate’s son and two friends were harrassed for - get this - campaigning without a permit…

Antioch Police Chief James Foerster is on paid administrative leave while officials investigate accusations he tried to attack state representative candidate Scott Pollak, village officials confirmed Tuesday. […]

Pollak, running as a Democrat in the state House District 61 race, said Foerster had to be restrained by Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson and a police officer during the July 27 meeting in the chief’s office. […]

Pollak said the meeting stemmed from a confrontation earlier that day between a police officer and Pollak’s 18-year-old son and two 16-year-old friends over whether a permit was needed to campaign door-to-door in the Hidden Creek subdivision. […]

He said the officer told the group they needed a permit, which the teens disputed. When Pollak’s son called him to explain the situation, Pollak said he could hear the officer yelling and using profanity. When he arrived at the scene, the officer had left, but his son had copied down the license plate number. [Emphasis added]

Hidden Creek subdivision is a nice place, but I checked with the village administrator and was told it is not a gated community. Why anybody in law enforcement would think that American citizens would need a permit to campaign door to door is simply beyond me. The fact that the police chief allegedly got all hostile doesn’t reflect well on the community, either…

In a written statement presented to the Village Board Monday, Pollack said, “the chief was very blunt and direct and very defensive of his officer and how he had handled the call.”

Pollak said the chief became visibly angry. “The chief suddenly rose from behind his desk and started to fiercely come at me and yelling,” Pollak’s statement read. ”At that time all three officers that were present in the room and also the mayor had to restrain him.”

Pollak said the chief stormed out of the room.

Foerster was placed on leave July 28.

* In other campaign-related news, the man who almost sank Gov. Pat Quinn’s primary hopes may be out after the election, Sneed says…

He let the prisoners out. Now it seems he will be out.

• To wit: Word is Illinois Department of Corrections Director Michael P. Randle, who spearheaded the early inmate release program that caused major headaches for Gov. Quinn, is sending out resumes.

• Quoth a source: “He’s still got his day job with IDOC, but word is he will be replaced after the coming election.”

We’ll see. I was hearing the same thing before the primary. But if he does get out after the election, it’s still too late. Way too late. And he might manage to tube Quinn in the general, so he’ll be looking for another job anyway.

* Meanwhile, the Illinois Civil Justice League doesn’t have much cash in its campaign account yet, but that isn’t stopping it from attacking Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride, who is up for retention this November. From a press release…

llinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride has a record that is hostile to Illinois law enforcement.

He voted in favor of the rights of convicted felons — and ruled against the police — in 81% of the split decision cases on which he has ruled.

That’s not just weak on crime — it’s an insult to the law enforcement professionals who risk their lives every day to protect our families.

Justice Kilbride’s father passed away last Saturday, by the way - about five days before that press release was issued.

* Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was met with some “pro-testers” today during the president’s visit. From the NRSC…

* And here’s your Campaign 2010 roundup…

* Governing Magazine on Illinois state legislative control: The Democrats ought to be in worse shape than they are in Illinois, considering the black eye the party has gotten from the saga of ousted Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich (now on trial for corruption-related charges) as well as the failed-bank travails of the party’s U.S. Senate nominee, Alexi Giannoulias. But the GOP has longstanding corruption baggage of its own, and the electorate in the populous Chicago area is sufficiently moderate-to-liberal to keep the Democrats in the driver’s seat. It’s possible that eight years of unified Democratic control could grate on voters and push them to vote Republican this fall, but for now anyway, the Democratic margins in the legislature seem big enough to withstand the storm.

* State Rep Greg Harris will not run for Helen Shiller’s 46th ward seat, mum on endorsement: Though he will not be a candidate himself, Harris has also no plans at the moment—or if at all–to endorse any of the currently declared candidates or any candidate that may yet emerge. “One day at a time,” said Harris. “I’m focused on what I’m doing today.”

* Walker, Larson engage Stroger on red-light cameras

* Press release: Candidate Bill Brady Wasting Taxpayer Dollars for Personal Gain: Bill Brady and the Illinois Republican Party are behind the petition challenges to several legitimate candidates who have filed to run for office in Illinois. The “binder check” process has revealed countless examples of completely bogus objections to petition signatures. Election office employees threw out tens of thousands of those bogus objections from Brady and the Republicans because the signatures were obviously valid.

* Dold starts radio ad campaign in 10th Dist. race

* Halvorson slams profits from death of veterans

* Bernard Schoenburg: Rangel donations an issue in Schilling-Hare race

* Congressman Hare Visits Two Local Fire Departments

* Maher, Gorman race refining loyalties in Orland Park

* Sen. Roland Burris’ rough day in the Senate

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Emil Jones on impeachment; More Senate candidates surface

Sunday, Dec 14, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is poppycock…

[Senate President Emil Jones] wouldn’t say whether he thought Blagojevich should resign, instead taking reporters to school on the impeachment process – a process lawmakers could take up next week and until then Jones says state legislators should not be commenting on the charges against Blagojevich.

“The legal quandry that they find themselves in is that any articles coming out of the House cannot include the charges in the complaint filed by the U.S. attorney’s office because the U.S. Attorney is not going to turn over to that House all that evidence and witnesses because it would jeopardize the investigation. So that’s the dilemma that we’re in, understand what I’m saying?” Jones said.

The sole constitutional requirement for impeachment is 60 votes in the House. The sole constitutional requirement for removal is a 2/3 vote by the Senate.

Understand what I’m saying?

* Mark Brown is thinking impeachment is a criminal trial…

For instance, all that juicy “evidence” from the FBI wiretaps that has us all worked up against the governor isn’t really evidence at all for an impeachment case. State lawmakers wouldn’t have access to the real evidence against Blagojevich, only the prosecution’s allegations, and the governor wouldn’t really have a fair opportunity to defend himself.

Impeachment is a political act. He can be impeached and removed for crossing the street with the light.

* In other news, some people just don’t know when their time has passed..

A former Illinois politician and statewide office holder is expressing his desire for the now vacant Senate seat. CBS 2’s Suzanne Le Mignot reports.

Roland Burris was surrounded by supporters Saturday – supporters who are backing the former Illinois politician to fill the U.S. Senate seat, once occupied by President-Elect Barack Obama.

“Many of these are really my friends; I mean, I know them,” Burris said.”I am more than happy and willing and able to come to the call of my friend and to try to be able to bring some sanity and help to the people of this state and the people of America, in the United States Senate.”

* And I seriously doubt this will ever happen…

Is Chris Kennedy, the son of the late, great U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, a possible entrant on the list to fill Presidentelect Barack Obama’s Senate seat?

• • To wit: Sneed hears Kennedy’s name has been wafted into the inner circle of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who would be the guy who chooses Obama’s replacement if Gov. Blagojevich resigns.

• • Quoth Dem politico Jay Doherty, a Kennedy confidant: “It would give Pat Quinn the answer to the puzzle before him if he becomes governor.”

• • The upshot: Word is Kennedy, who is also the nephew of Sen. Ted Kennedy, a major Obama supporter, is likely to accept if asked.

• • Hmmm: Wouldn’t that be something: An offspring of the legendary Kennedy line as a senator from Illinois? Stay tuned.

I like Chris Kennedy. He’s a great guy. The man has the Kennedy charisma in spades. He’d probably be a heckuva Senator. But wouldn’t three Kennedy’s in the US Senate be too much?

* Other stuff…

* Daley: Blagojevich should look “deep in his heart”

* Is it too little, too late from George Ryan?: “I don’t know how else to say it. My dad is looking for redemption. This came from him. This is from my dad’s heart,” said the younger Ryan. “… He told me: ‘I want to make this right.’ He said it was time for him to say something.”

* Indian Americans linked to Illinois scandal

* Many in Serbia amused, even proud, as Blagojevich defiant in corruption case

* Blago turmoil set to shake up statewide politics for years

* Blago’s wife fair game for shame, but will he try to protect her?

* Bernard Schoenburg: Story of Blagojevich abounds with contradictions

* Analysts lay down some reform guidelines

* Marin: Voters must demand campaign fund reform

79 Comments

Selling the Senate seat

Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* So, who is “Senate Candidate 5″? Let’s go to the federal complaint…

Later on November 10, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A discussed the open Senate seat. Among other things, ROD BLAGOJEVICH raised the issue of whether the President-elect could help get ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife on “paid corporate boards right now.” Advisor A responded that he “think[s] they could” and that a “President- elect . . . can do almost anything he sets his mind to.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will appoint “[Senate Candidate 1] . . . but if they feel like they can do this and not f___ing give me anything . . . then I’ll f___ing go [Senate Candidate 5].” (Senate Candidate 5 is publicly reported to be interested in the open Senate seat). […]

Later on November 10, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A again discussed the open Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A discussed leaking to the same particular Chicago Sun-Times columnist that ROD BLAGOJEVICH is seriously considering Senate Candidate 5 for the open Senate seat, in order to send a message to the President-elect that there are options for the Senate seat beyond Senate Candidate 1. At the end of the conversation Advisor A agreed to call the Sun Times columnist to leak the story (believed, based on other intercepted conversations, to be untrue), that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a “long, productive discussion” with Senate Candidate 5 regarding the open Senate seat.

Since the “long, productive discussion” statement is believed to be untrue, that person could be Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Congressman Jackson didn’t talk to the governor about the vacant seat until just recently.

* But here’s what Michael Sneed at the Sun-Times (she is apparently the columnist referenced above) reported on November 14th…

Sneed hears Gov. Blago, who will choose Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate, privately feels there may be only one choice that makes sense: His buddy, outgoing Senate President Emil Jones.

• • To wit: Jones is this/close to Blago, who may pay his pal back for being such a staunch ally. Jones would also be a strong ally in the Senate for his political godson — Obama.

* So, is SC5 Emil Jones? He has a ton of money in his personal campaign account that would be useless to him as a US Senator.

And check this out…

On December 4, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke to Advisor B and
informed Advisor B that he was giving Senate Candidate 5 greater consideration for the Senate seat because, among other reasons, if ROD BLAGOJEVICH ran for re-election Senate Candidate 5 would “raise[] money” for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, although ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he might “get some (money) up front, maybe” from Senate Candidate 5 to insure Senate Candidate 5 kept his promise about raising money for ROD BLAGOJEVICH. (In a recorded conversation on October 31, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH described an earlier approach by an associate of Senate Candidate Five as follows: “We were approached ‘pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator.”)

* One more bit…

Later on December 4, 2008… ROD BLAGOJEVICH noted he was going to meet with Senate Candidate 5 in the next few days…

ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Fundraiser A to tell Individual D that Senate Candidate 5 was very much a realistic candidate for the open Senate seat, but that ROD BLAGOJEVICH was getting “a lot of pressure” not to appoint Senate Candidate 5. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Fundraiser A to tell Individual D that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a problem with Senate Candidate 5 just promising to help ROD BLAGOJEVICH because ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a prior bad experience with Senate Candidate 5 not keeping his word.

As Ambinder reported earlier, that dateline matches up with Jackson’s planned meeting with the governor. Also, I’m not aware of any instances of the governor complaining that Emil Jones had broken his word. It’s time for somebody to come clean. So far, there’s still no response from Congressman Jackson’s office.

* Meanwhile, Blagojevich apparently publicly floated Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s name for the US Senate in order to try to cut his best deal with Obama…

On November 6, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Spokesman. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Spokesman to leak to a particular columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, that Senate Candidate 2 is in the running for the vacant Senate seat. According to ROD BLAGOJEVICH, by doing this, he wanted “to send a message to the [President-elect’s] people,” but did not want it known that the message was from ROD BLAGOJEVICH.

Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Spokesman discussed specific language that should be used in the Sun Times column and arguments as to why Senate Candidate 2 made sense for the vacant Senate seat. A review of this particular Sun Times column on November 7, 2008, indicates references to the specific language and arguments regarding Senate Candidate 2 as a potential candidate for the Senate seat, as discussed by ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Spokesman.

On November 7, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Advisor A about
the Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he is willing to “trade” the Senate seat to Senate Candidate 1 in exchange for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services in the President-elect’s cabinet.

* This is from Michael Sneed’s column of November 7th…

The latest from Blagoville: Is Gov. Rod Blagojevich toying with tossing Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who wants Blago’s job?

- It’s his pick . . . and it would get rid of a rival.

- It may endear him to powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan, Lisa’s dad, who is Blago’s political foe.

- It would enable Gov. Blago to choose a new Illinois attorney general.

- Hmmm: Even though this sounds like looneyville . . . stay tuned.

* “Senate Candidate 1″ is most likely Valerie Jarrett. This is what Greg Hinz wrote way back in early November…

If I read the smoke correctly, Ms. Jarrett backed out of the Senate derby at least in part because G-Rod overplayed his hand, insisting that Mr. Obama more or less publicly request the favor of a Jarrett appointment. Mr. Obama, who’s not about to seek favors from a governor who is under investigation in a federal corruption probe, ended the boomlet.

* From the tapes…

ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that the consultants (Advisor B and another
consultant are believed to be on the call at that time) are telling him that he has to “suck it up” for two years and do nothing and give this “motherf___r [the President-elect] his senator. F___ him. For nothing? F___ him.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will put “[Senate Candidate 4]” in the Senate “before I just give f___ing [Senate Candidate 1] a f___ing Senate seat and I don’t get anything.” (Senate Candidate 4 is a Deputy Governor of the State of Illinois). ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he needs to find a way to take the “financial stress” off of his family and that his wife is as qualified or more qualified than another specifically named individual to sit on corporate boards. According to ROD BLAGOJEVICH, “the immediate challenge [is] how do we take some of the financial pressure off of our family.”

Later in the phone call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that absent getting something back, ROD BLAGOJEVICH will not pick Senate Candidate 1. […]

Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and others on the phone call discussed various ways ROD BLAGOJEVICH can “monetize” the relationships he is making as Governor to make money after ROD BLAGOJEVICH is no longer Governor.

What a guy, eh?

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