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*** UPDATED x3 - Quinn speaks - Schilling responds - Wolf responds *** Durbin: Thomson prison finally sold to US

Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* President Obama reportedly bypassed a congressman’s objection and agreed to buy the long-vacant Thomson prison from Illinois, according to US Sen. Dick Durbin…

“Finally, the Department of Justice this afternoon is going to present the $165 million check in the Northern District court of Illinois in Rockford to pay for the transfer,” said Durbin, who acknowledged it was a “rare” move to bypass a high-ranking House Appropriations Committee member. “At this point, the president had to intervene and do this directly. I hope people understand he’s doing it for his state.”

Veteran Virginia Republican Rep. Frank Wolf had long blocked the federal Bureau of Prisons purchase of the prison from the state of Illinois, saying he did not trust the Obama administration’s vow not to transfer suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into the facility despite a federal law that prohibits such moves. Wolf also said he did not trust Attorney General Eric Holder, whom the GOP-led House found in contempt for the failed Fast and Furious gun-walking program. […]

Durbin, the state’s senior senator and No. 2 Democrat in Washington, said funds for the purchase came from unspent money in the Department of Justice budget for the federal fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

The Thomson prison issue also has been at the forefront of the highly competitive 17th Congressional District contest between freshman Republican Rep. Bobby Schilling and Democratic challenger Cheri Bustos. At one point, Schilling urged the state to renegotiate the sale price to $75 million in an effort to try to get the support of his fellow Republican, Wolf. But citing the state’s fiscal problems and its previous negotiations with Justice Department officials, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s office rejected Schilling’s effort to lower the price.

Durbin despises Schilling (Bustos is Durbin’s candidate all the way) and wanted this thing done before the election. Schilling can’t take any real credit now because he wanted the price lowered so much. That was never a good move on Schilling’s part because the state really needs that cash.

Durbin wins this round. Big.

*** UPDATE *** The DC obstructor responds…

Wolf says he’s deeply troubled by the sale. He says it’s an “unprecedented directive” to “circumvent Congress.”

Pshaw.

It was a legal maneuver to circumvent a single, obstinate, delusional congresscritter.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Sour grapes? Looks like it…

Congressmen Don Manzullo (IL-16), Bobby Schilling (IL-17), and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) today released the following statement on the Obama administration moving to purchase the Thomson Correctional Center from the state of Illinois:

“The bottom line is that this is a welcome development for our region, particularly those who have been struggling to find good jobs. Thomson Correctional Center has been sitting empty for 10 years, costing the residents of Illinois millions of dollars in upkeep and keeping many Illinoisans and Iowans out of work each year.

“We have been working together towards the same goal of reaching across the divide, finding a solution, and bringing these jobs to our area without moving detainees from Guantanamo to U.S. soil. If the Administration was willing to move on Thomson without closing Guantanamo all along, we question why they waited this long before taking action. But as the old saying goes, ‘There’s no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.’”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Gov. Quinn and Sen. Durbin talk to reporters…

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Duckworth trying to pull attack ad off the air

Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This TV ad by the Now or Never PAC attacking Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth is causing some controversy…

* According to the Duckworth campaign, WLS TV has refused to run the ad. From a press release…

Chicago area television station WLS has refused to air a false television ad produced by the far right-wing SuperPAC Now or Never. The shadowy Super PAC funded with secretive donors from outside of Illinois placed over $1 million in television ads in the Chicago market in support of Congressman Joe Walsh. WLS reviewed the ad which makes false claims about Tammy Duckworth’s record and determined the content not to be accurate.

Duckworth Campaign Manager Kaitlin Fahey said, “It’s not only concerning that we know nothing about this secretive SuperPAC and where it gets its funding, it’s become clear that they will stop at nothing to help Joe Walsh stay in Congress, up to and including lying about Tammy Duckworth.”

The campaign says they didn’t ask WLS to pull the ad. The station, the Duckworth folks say, made the decision on its own. They have, however, used that decision to convince other stations to pull the ad down.

* But the Sun-Times reports that the station hasn’t yet made a final decision…

At least one other station is planning to run the ad. Larry Wert, NBC-Universal general manager, told the Sun-Times that it is airing the same commercial that is under dispute.

“We cleared the spot; it will air tonight,” Wert said.

WLS, however, has not yet publicly said whether it has indeed decided not to run the commercial. And a spokesman from Now or Never said that WLS hasn’t sent a confirmation that the station is considering pulling it. “They are required to give us notice,” said spokesman Tyler Harber.

A Duckworth spokeswoman, Kaitlin Fahey, initially said a “source” from WLS said it would be pulled.

* One of the claims in the ad…

As a Blago appointee, an audit found Duckworth was guilty of misusing or misreporting $4 million of taxpayer money.

Audits don’t find people “guilty,” juries do that, but this is a TV ad, so whatever. The Trib explains…

A state audit did find that receipt of a $4.4 million grant that improved the LaSalle Veterans’ Home was never submitted for inclusion in a state audit report. Department officials at the time said it was an inadvertent omission and that reporting the grant was the responsibility of another state agency.

It really wasn’t a big deal.

* And what about this claim in the ad?…

Duckworth supported Governor Blagojevich’s budget that increased taxes and spending by billions.

GFX: The Pantagraph: Duckworth: “It is so important to me that the Governor’s budget get passed.”

* Duckworth claims that there was a false date cited on the news story and then offers this further explanation…

Ad Took Duckworth Statement Out of Context–Her Statement of Support in this Case was Based on VA Jobs.

On April 1, 2007 Duckworth’s responses to a question and answer session with the Pantagraph were published. When asked about veterans’ homes, she stated “They are well run but they are understaffed. It is so important to me that the governor’s budget get passed because there is an additional 104 positions for staff that will go out to my four veterans’ homes.” [Pantagraph, 4/1/07]

Even so, she did back the budget at the time, which was funded by the Gross Receipts Tax proposal.

* Meanwhile, the Trib takes a quick look at that cookie cutter ad broadcast in some Illinois districts by the US Chamber…

The commercial’s cookie-cutter format would look familiar to voters in various other congressional districts where the organization has bought similar spots.

Each ad starts with a Minnesota businesswoman suggesting that uncertainty over tax rates and health care costs has prevented businesses from hiring. In the 10th District version, a voice-over follows the businesswoman’s appearance as slow-motion footage of Schneider plays on-screen.

“Brad Schneider? He supports government-mandated health care, a scheme that will raise taxes and hurt job creators,” the ad says. “And he wants to hit our small businesses with higher taxes, preventing them from creating new jobs.”

The Schneider campaign called the ad “deceptive.”

On the tax issue, the ad is vague, as was the Schneider campaign’s response. Campaign spokeswoman Staci McCabe said Schneider supports “targeted tax breaks for small business to invest in new products, new processes and new people.”

* But there’s more to it than that. The Democrats sent over an analysis that I’ve posted online…

Darlene Miller, the star of the new Chamber ad, is the CEO of Permac Industries, in Burnsville, Minnesota. image here: http://permacindustries.com/_mod_files/ce_images/header/newsevents.jpg

On its “Outsourcing Management” page, Permac Industries states:

Today’s complex manufacturing often necessitates the participation of more than one player in a project. That’s why Permac offers outsourcing management, a process where Permac teams up with other global suppliers – inside the U.S. as well as offshore – to get the job done. But from the customer’s vantage point, they’re only dealing with a single source: Permac. http://www.permacindustries.com/about/services/unique-services/outsourcing-management/

She also received some Small Business Administration loans and stimulus money.

* The ad…

* Let’s look at some more ads, shall we? First up, Bill Foster contrasts himself with “millionaire” Judy Biggert…

* The House Majority PAC continues its attacks on Bobby Schilling…

* Aaron Schock…

…Adding… The DCCC’s new ad attacking Congressman Schilling…

A commenter noted yesterday that one of the people in this ad, which is about job loss, worked for former Congressman Phil Hare. So, Schilling did actually cause this man to lose his job.

Script…

You lose your job, it a, it’s a real bellringer.
Congressman Bobby Schilling voted to keep tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas.
I just see the jobs being sucked away.
Bob, is your goal to eliminate the middle class in this country?
You are pulling the rug out from under us.
Bob, you don’t understand what you’re doing to families.
It doesn’t make any sense.
It’s just not right.

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*** UPDATED x1 - Quinn’s office responds *** Emanuel turns thumbs down on Kraft

Tuesday, Oct 2, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Kelly Kraft, who was the governor’s budget spokesperson, then elevated to deputy budget director, then moved up to Gov. Pat Quinn’s press secretary this past July has applied to be the executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The position has been vacant for a year.

Trouble is, Mayor Rahm Emanuel doesn’t like the idea at all…

The Quinn administration contended Monday that Kraft’s “extensive experience” with bonds and budget policy make her “well-equipped to manage (the agency) in a way that is fiscally prudent.” Further, spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said, Kraft’s marketing experience would be an advantage in promoting the ballpark, which in turn would “draw in more revenue for the state.”

Emanuel remains unconvinced.

“Mayor Emanuel has appointed three financial titans — Norm Bobbins, Jim Reynolds and Richard Price — to the ISFA board to ensure the Chicago taxpayers are being protected, and he believes the executive director position should be filled by someone with the proven experience of managing large organizations to find cost savings and efficiencies,” his office said in a statement when asked to react to the possibility of Kraft as the agency’s new executive director.

Bobbins is the retired former LaSalle Bank Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. Reynolds is chairman and CEO at Loop Capital. Price, whom Emanuel appointed last week, is chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial. [….]

By trying to install a top aide at the sports agency, Quinn may be attempting to keep closer tabs on the [Wrigley Field renovation] issue [contemplated by Emanuel].

Quinn has a habit of appointing his friends to positions instead of looking outside his circle. I’ve asked this question before, but when was the last time Quinn did a national search to fill a major position? Ever?

That’s not to say that Kraft wouldn’t do a good job. I don’t have any problems with her. I’m pretty sure she’d be fine. But would she do the best job?

*** UPDATE *** From the governor’s office…

Governor Quinn believes an honest, well-qualified, hard-working woman with strong marketing skills and proven experience implementing budgets and reducing the operational costs of state government is just what the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority needs.

Kelly Kraft has extensive experience with bonds and budget policy from her three+ years working in the Office of Management and Budget, as well as having served as Assistant Budget Director - she would be well-equipped to manage ISFA in a way that is fiscally prudent. Kelly also has strong marketing experience and has developed key relationships in the business and media communities, which would help promote the stadium for other opportunities to draw in more revenue for the state.

More Background about Kelly Kraft

As Director of Communications, Kraft plans and oversees the execution of the administration’s internal and external communications, manages staff, and helps to develop policies that impact the people of Illinois and move the state forward.

Kraft has served as Assistant Budget Director, helping to guide Illinois’ Budgeting for Results, pension reforms, Medicaid restructuring initiatives as well as helping to reduce the state’s discretionary spending to 2008 levels. She had broad experience in government affairs and strategic planning. She has also managed complex subjects like debt issuance, financial reporting, contract negotiations, and budget policy. Prior to her career in public service, Kraft was an award winning and Emmy nominated journalist. She worked as a news anchor, reporter, producer and editor in major television markets such as Las Vegas, Buffalo, San Diego and Chicago. Kraft has also hosted and narrated the award-winning PBS documentaries “Kids in Peril” for law enforcement agencies and students in criminal justice programs. Kraft earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She also studied at Thames Valley University in England. She grew up in Peru, Illinois in La Salle County.

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