* 10:58 am - Chicago TV stations 2, 5 and 7 have all sent crews to Springfield. The Chicago TV people think something is about to happen. They’re gonna be sorely disappointed [or maybe not - see the next post]. Still, they did manage to get interviews with the governor yesterday, so the trip hasn’t been a total loss. Perhaps that’s why there was no leaders meeting yesterday. The guv may have been just too busy with the TV guys.
* 11:37 am - The Senate just waived posting requirements so that the cigarette tax hike bill (HB 556, SA 1) could be heard in the Senate Revenue Committee at 12:45.
Also, Senate Public Health Committee will meet at 1:15 today to take up the governor’s retooled health insurance bill.
The Senate Dems will hold a caucus later today on the health insurance bill, followed by session. If they have the votes, we could see some action today. I’ll bet that will be a pretty rough caucus meeting.
* 11:50 am -LOL. No wonder the governor’s campaign spokesman didn’t return a message I left about this item…
Only days after Antoin “Tony” Rezko was indicted on federal corruption charges last fall, Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign moved quickly to try to limit the fallout and gave to charity political donations directly linked to one of the governor’s former top advisers and fundraisers.
But one charity eventually turned down the tainted money and sent the Blagojevich campaign a check back in March for $44,846.03, according to state-mandated campaign disclosure reports the governor recently filed.
Officials for the Texas-based Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, now known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said they returned the money because they do not accept political funds. […]
Despite the Komen foundation’s explanation, state campaign disclosure records for the past seven years show the foundation and its Illinois affiliates previously accepted $2,110 in politician’s cash, ranging from an ad in a program book to fundraising tickets to outright donations.
* 11:56 am - The IL GOP has a new blog. What do you think?
* 12:25 pm - The governor has already said (to me, at least) that he will back a cigarette tax increase. The Tribune just got his spokesman on record as well…
“Yes. We support it,” said Rebecca Rausch, Blagojevich’s spokeswoman. “We’d like to see the money raised from the cigarette tax go to something like education or perhaps even health care.”
* 12:31 pm - The indispensible Billy Dennis, aka Peoria Pundit, is having serious computer problems and could use some help. If you have a few extra bucks, drop it in his tip jar. Thanks.
* 1:26 pm - There will be no leaders meeting today. They haven’t had one of those in awhile.
* 1:39 pm - Not exactly a huge surprise…
Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado Announces his Candidacy for Congress
“During my twelve years as a Cook County Commissioner of the 8th District (which includes nearly half of the 4th Congressional District), I have championed legislation that brought homeowners tax relief, won workers a living wage, and passed numerous initiatives, including a mail order prescription drug program, that have opened the public health system for uninsured and underinsured families and seniors. I have successfully secured passage of several measures supporting immigration reform, and, recently, I claimed victory in declaring Cook County a “Fair and Equal County for Immigrants.”
*** 2:06 pm *** The Senate Revenue Committee just approved the cigarette tax hike6-3 on a straight party line vote. One Republican (Sen. Murphy) was absent.
The governor’s revamped health insurance plan is up next in the Public Health Committee, which is meeting in the same room.
* 2:35 pm - The Illinois Republicans have posted the video from last night’s “Chicago Tonight” episode featuring House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Senate GOP Leader Frank Watson…
* 3:00 pm - Paul had this scoop the other day and I didn’t have room for it. Sorry, buddy…
With the formal announcement last week by Chicago attorney Jim Capparelli that he was throwing his hat into the ring, it appears Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) will have two opponents in the Democratic primary race set for Feb. 5, 2008.
About 250 people turned out to hear Capparelli make his official declaration of candidacy at a party held last Thursday evening at the Argo-Summit American Legion Post, 6050 S. Harlem Ave.
Western Springs resident Mark Pera, a Cook County assistant state’s attorney, had already declared his candidacy in the district, which takes in many of Chicago’s southwest suburbs, including Burbank, Bridgeview and Oak Lawn, in addition to several neighborhoods on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Republicans on the committee opposed the bill. They were skeptical about the revenue estimates, especially since studies show higher cigarette taxes prompt people to quit smoking.
Bill Fleischli of the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores said higher cigarette taxes in Illinois will cause more people to stock up in neighboring states.
*** 3:42 pm *** The Senate Public Health Committee is still taking testimony on the governor’s revamped health insurance proposal, but some Senators had to leave so they took a roll call. It passed, along party lines, 7-4.
* 3:48 pm There’s a bit of a tussle at the committee hearing now because the vote was taken before opponents had a chance to testify. Not that it would’ve mattered.
