* Things got a bit heated on the House floor yesterday when one member accused another of playing to the press box on the bill abolishing legislative scholarships…

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) accused the sponsor, State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) of simply trying for a “press pop” and of trying to impugn the integrity of lawmakers who, as Dunkin indicated he does, use an impartial committee to make the awards. Supporters of the bill, which passed by more than a two-to-one margin in the House, say the program has taken on too much scandal to survive.

More…

The idea drew a loud response from Crespo. “Stop right there,” he shouted. “Do not make it personal.”

“This is a media issue for you,” Dunkin said later.

* But Crespo went out of his way to thank the Chicago Sun-Times after the debate…

In January, the Sun-Times and the BGA revealed that state Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) awarded a $37,000 tuition waiver to the daughter of Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), a political ally who endorsed Rita for the statehouse and whose wife was employed by Rita as a $400-a-month staffer until he recently fired her after the Sun-Times reported on a probe focusing on her past employment in the secretary of state’s office.

Crespo credited the reporting for prompting action after years of debate.

“Kudos to you, the Sun-Times and the BGA, for sticking to it almost like a pit bull,” Crespo said. “That was a key. It would pop up in the past, then go away, but you guys did a very good job of keeping it alive.”

I received an e-mail from the Better Government Association this morning highlighting that quote and claiming they’ll be invited to the bill signing ceremony.

* Yes, this was indeed a major press pop. But that scholarship program was rife with problems and it had to be killed. So, sometimes good media is actually good government. I’m not sure how the Tribune is gonna feel about Crespo after that gushing praise for the Sun-Times, however. It’s gotta sting a little.

*** UPDATE *** Audio of the heated exchange…

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