* The governor tried to talk about transit today, but his message was drowned out by questions on the ongoing federal investigations…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich today denied allegations made in a federal court document that he offered to help two political insiders who have been convicted in a corruption investigation of his administration.
But the governor largely avoided questions about the investigation in his first news conference since federal prosecutors indicated they are seeking to tie Blagojevich directly to a scheme to wring campaign donations and kickbacks from companies seeking state business.
Blagojevich was hit with investigation questions during a noon news conference at the James R. Thompson Center in which he called for the General Assembly to quickly pass a bill that funds mass transit. Lawmakers returned to Springfield today in response to the governor’s latest call for a special legislative session to deal with the looming threat of transit service cuts and fare increases.
At one point, in answering a question about why he does not use his bully pulpit as governor more forcefully to solve the transit issue, Blagojevich said he has tried to do that, but implied that his message was not being heard in the media.
Listen to the governor’s remarks about transit below…
* Quite a few of the year-end editorials and columns demanded that legislators finally start getting along in the new year. I wasn’t so positive in my syndicated column…
I was on a TV show the other day and the host asked me what I thought could be done to bring the Democratic leaders of this state back from “the brink of the abyss.”
Too late, I said. We’re already in the abyss, and we’ve been there for a while.
But maybe…
Illinois has forever been a “can-do” state, so it’s difficult for many to believe that all hope is lost. “Something” can always be done. So, why not here?
I was thinking about that very question when former Gov. Jim Thompson phoned.
Thompson had called to bust my chops about something I had written on a proposal that he helped pass in Springfield. We merrily traded insults back and forth, never taking anything personally. I whacked him but good on his goofy idea to have the state buy Wrigley Field and lease it back to whomever buys the Chicago Cubs. He upbraided me for allowing my hatred of all things “Cub” to undermine my judgment. We laughed and had a good ol’ time, hurling insults at each other in the spirit of the holidays.
And then it hit me.
Thompson was one of the most can-do governors we’ve ever had. Love him or hate him, he got things done. During his final re-election campaign, after 10 years in office, he was endorsed by both the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois AFL-CIO. He has a knack for bringing people together, and he can charm the fangs off a rattlesnake.
Big Jim’s law firm represents Blagojevich’s campaign fund, so he has a relationship there. Thompson also chats regularly with Speaker Madigan and Senate President Jones. Both men still have respect for the old man.
So, I asked Thompson if he could do something about our immovable object meets irresistible force dilemma.
Apparently, I wasn’t the first to make this suggestion, and Thompson didn’t come out and say he’d do it, but he did seem intrigued.
But I couldn’t possibly end the column on an “up” note…
Then again, I’m not sure that a hundred Jim Thompsons could solve this intractable problem. But, hey, it’s the holiday season. I’m allowed a little hope.
If you live in Springfield and read the Illinois Times, you didn’t see that last graf. That’s unfortunate because it never pays to be an optimist in Springfield these days.
* Meanwhile, House GOP Leader Tom Cross was interviewed by the Daily Herald during the break…
A. It’s got to the point where we can’t get everybody in the room. Nobody’s willing to sit down together or there are certain folks who won’t sit together. And when they do, the animosity quickly appears. The sad thing is we’ve covered a lot of ground on capital and mass transit and the ingredients are there to get it done. But it’s pretty hard to close it when you’re not in a room together … close the deal.
Q. Do you see an end to this?
A. No. I really don’t. I see this going on for the next couple years. I don’t see the will on those who are fighting to stop. And it’s gotten to a point where it doesn’t even seem to be about policy, it’s more about personality. I think that’s unfortunate because I think everyone loses.”
Q. A construction deal, do you not see one in the near future?
A. I’m going to continue to remain the optimist in all of this. But I think the observation is it’s just difficult to have any finality to this. Everybody says they want to do one. We have narrowed the issues to just a few, but it’s a matter of whether people are in a mood to and willing to work out differences that still exist.
* At first when I saw the excerpt, I thought this SouthtownStar editorial was supposed to be ironic…
Twenty-five years from now (heck, five years from now), we will be looking back and wondering how it could have been questioned, not unlike school segregation, women’s right to vote or discrimination based on skin color or religion.
What was the editorial referring to? The statewide smoking ban that took effect yesterday. And the editorial writer was not being ironic.
* This response from a smoker interviewed at Harrah’s casino in Joliet was equally over the top…
“It’s too much government regulation,” said Marlin Raddatz, of New Lenox, while he stood outside Harrah’s. “If I want to kill myself by smoking, let me.”
Mark our words: The day will come — sooner than anyone now would ever guess, we believe — when we look back with curious wonder on the days when smokers were allowed to light up in restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The idea that we demarcated “no smoking sections” within the same rooms as smoking sections will soon be recognized for the silliness it always was (at least to those who chose the no smoking side of the room).
Even more unbelievable in the near future will be how long the relatively few smokers managed to retain the upper hand in the clean air debate. It took years of battling by health groups and private citizens to get where we are today. This despite the vast majority of Illinoisans being non-smokers.
How was it, we will wonder someday, that smokers consistently prevailed with the argument that if you didn’t want to breathe others’ secondhand smoke, you should stay home?
With so much of society having given up cigarettes in the last few decades of the 20th century, why was it that the convenience of the 20 percent or so who chose to smoke took precedence over the ability of the nonsmoking majority to breathe clean air?
Mostly, though, we think the big question in the near future will be this: What was the big deal about asking smokers to take their habit outside?
OK, that’s not so bold considering that starting today, smokers in Illinois who want to light up in most public places, including restaurants with bars and taverns, will have to do it outside. In the cold. You already know how we feel about this law. We’re enthusiastic supporters. It’s hard to imagine a law that carries so much potential to change lives — to save lives — than this one.
And now it’s your turn…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Is a statewide ban on leaf burning next?
Fresh off urging lawmakers to ban most indoor smoking in Illinois, the American Lung Association might turn its efforts toward pushing for a statewide ban on burning leaves next year.
American Lung Association of Illinois spokeswoman Kathy Drea said a ban on leaf burning is an issue they regularly think about. With a victory on their coveted smoking ban out of the way, she said the group might consider turning some attention to leaves.
Many Illinois communities, including most all of the state’s larger cities, already ban leaf burning. But several attempts to do the same statewide have failed.
Drea said she probably will look for a lawmaker to sponsor a leaf-burning ban soon. If someone agrees, they’re assured a tough fight, Drea said.
When Steve Kahn got a $26,000 tax bill on his airplane, he thought Maine Revenue Services had made a mistake. Kahn lives, works and keeps his plane in Massachusetts.
It turns out the bill was no error. It was part of the agency’s efforts to collect taxes on aircraft owned by out-of-staters, even though they bought their planes elsewhere and brought them to Maine only to visit.
States are in rebellion over Washington’s actions — and inaction — on some of the nation’s most pressing problems.
Disgusted with federal gridlock, states are carving out their own global-warming and immigration laws and are warning they simply may ignore Uncle Sam’s costly plan for tough national standards for driver’s licenses.
* Utilities, state make plans for interim power purchase period
The ad is running on broadcast TV stations, said Jack Quigley, Allen’s media consultant. The campaign bought daytime slots, which cost less, and some newscast slots, where the thinking is news viewers might be more likely to vote.
Quigley said they expect their media buy will exceed $500,000 of what will be a $1 million primary campaign. If that’s spread out over the five weeks left until the Feb. 5 primary, the ads could have a small audience. Blanket coverage on Chicago TV stations can run anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million a week.
The 2007 legislative session won’t be remembered for what lawmakers accomplished for Illinois. A year of overtime infighting and bickering has assured it will be infamous for all that didn’t get done.
Still, legislators can point to some achievements. From a statewide smoking ban and electric rate relief to a bevy of new license plates and protection for horses, more than 700 measures –both significant and obscure–became law.
Here’s a look at what happened under the Statehouse dome that might affect day-to-day life in Illinois.
* Illinoize: New year, new rules, new server–A couple of thoughts on the coming of the new year from ICPR
* Animal Farm: Illinois gridlock quotes of the year
* 6:01 pm - As expected, there’s little more than a gubernatorial press pop on this week’s agenda…
“We are not going to vote for anything this week,” said Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), who has led two failed efforts to find money for the region’s transit agencies.
Though Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued his call for a special session before Christmas, many lawmakers are not expected to show up for Wednesday’s scheduled meeting. Included on that list is Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who has tickets for the Rose Bowl pitting University of Illinois against the University of Southern California in Pasadena. Jones’ spokeswoman did not return calls. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) also is not expected to turn out Wednesday.
As for the governor, he’s planning on holding a news conference in Chicago Wednesday to talk up the mass transit issue before heading to Springfield. Blagojevich has not yet scheduled any meetings this week with legislative leaders, his spokeswoman said.
“We’re in a position now where it is only going to take a simple majority of Democrats to pass a bill, but it is really going to require Democrats coming together,’’ said Abby Ottenhoff, Blagojevich’s spokeswoman. “That means everyone needs to show up and be prepared to work because this time we’re facing a very real and serious transit crisis if something is not done until Jan. 20.” [Emphasis added]
They can’t come together if they’re not even present. The earliest we can likely expect anything “real” will be next week, and maybe not even then.
* Also today, the governor used his amendatory veto power on SB 120. No veto message was available at 6 o’clock Monday night (when I happened to check my e-mail), but here’s the bill synopsis…
Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that for personnel under the jurisdiction of the State travel control boards, the allowance rate for automobile travel mileage reimbursement, which is the same as the rate set by federal regulations, shall be increased or decreased during the State’s fiscal year as of the effective date of the federal regulations (now, increases do not take effect until the next July 1).
*** UPDATE *** Here’s the veto message…
on page 2, line 10, after “rate.”, by inserting “However, in the event the rate set under federal regulations is an increase of 3% or greater, the effective date of the new rate shall be the July 1 immediately following the change in the federal rate.”
Gov. Blagojevich told a prominent Democratic fundraiser that the governor “could award contracts, legal work and investment banking to help with fund-raising,” according to a federal court document released Friday.
The court filing offers a detailed overview of the evidence federal prosecutors expect to introduce in the upcoming trial of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a former key fund-raiser and adviser to the governor. […]
Blagojevich allegedly told [prominent fundraiser Joe Cari] he “had a lot of ways of helping his friends and that Rezko and Co-Schemer B were his point people in helping his friends and coordinating fundraising,” according to the court document.
“Co-Schemer B” has previously been reported as being Chris Kelly.
Comments are closed because I’m shutting down in a few minutes.
*** UPDATE *** From Abby Ottenhoff…
No such conversation ever occurred. This Administration does not do business that way.
* 1:17 pm - AP: Kelly to remain free and was ordered to get treatment…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s chief campaign fundraiser pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges Friday and was allowed to stay free on bond provided he gets treatment for his gambling problem.
Christopher Kelly, 49, a roofing contractor who was Blagojevich’s chief fundraiser in both of his campaigns for governor, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier to enter his not guilty plea.
* 1:39 pm - Kelm & Kirk at WMAY radio have recorded one of the songs that won Eric Zorn’s parody songwriting contest. “Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich” was written by John McHugh and is sung to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”…
[audio:KELMKIRK.mp3]
Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich
The state’s in disarray
The Tribune wants you unemployed
At least by Christmas Day.
The TV pundits want your head
Could there be pay to play?
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.
Good riddance Rod Blagojevich
Your Elvis look’s inane,
The Senate’s mad, so’s Lisa’s dad.
You drive us all insane.
Our transit’s broke, the state’s a joke,
The Tollway’s one big pain.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.
Good luck old Rod Blagojevich
The feds have quite a place.
Fitzgerald’s poked his nose around
And if he has a case,
George Ryan’s moving stuff around
Creating extra space.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.
* 1:52 pm - 3rd Congressional District Democrat Mark Pera has a new mailer that whacks incumbent Dan Lipinski for siding with “Big Oil.” Click the pic for the full mailer…
By the way, some of the Daley people are much more worried about Jerry Bennett’s Democratic candidacy in this district than Pera’s. Bennett has lined up a ton of suburban mayors and that’s grabbing plenty of attention.
* 2:17 pm - The IL GOP has announced the schedule for its “Governor For a Day” contest winner, Mike Messuck…
GOVERNOR FOR A DAY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
9:40am
Arrive Kiva Day Spa
196 East Pearson Street, Chicago
10am
50 minute Deep Tissue Massage for Mike Messuck
Manicure for Ms. Messuck
11:30am
Lunch at RL – Ralph Lauren Restaurant
115 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago
Free time to browse Michigan Avenue
2pm-5pm
Metropolitan Limo Tours
Driver will meet Messucks at the Wrigley Building circle
410 N Michigan Ave., Chicago
7:30pm
Chicago Black Hawks vs. Nashville Predators game
United Center, 1901 W Madison St., Chicago,
They’ve included Messuck’s daughter in the festivities, which may end up being characterized as an unnecessary cheap shot at the guv’s family.
UPDATE: From a pal at the IL GOP…
We allowed Mr Messuck to bring a guest - he chose his daughter. Simple as that.
Christmas should be a joyous occasion, but sometimes life throws you a nasty curveball.
* My brother Doug lost one of his best friends this week. I feel terrible for my bro. I wish I could hug him right now, but he lives in Texas.
* Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey just had a baby, but the little guy had all sorts of problems…
The baby boy born prematurely 10 days ago to Mayor Larry Morrissey and his wife, Stacy, suffers from a rare heart defect and a chromosome disorder that likely will result in moderate to severe mental disabilities and other physical challenges for the child.
Michael Joseph Morrissey has a rare heart defect known as Ebstein’s Anomaly, the mayor said Monday in a letter to the City Council. The tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart is misplaced, making it difficult for blood to be properly pumped through the heart, oxygenated and distributed through the infant’s body. After performing genetic tests, doctors also discovered the baby has a chromosome abnormality called an “18q deletion.”
“Right now, baby Michael is hanging in there, but he is in a very tough fight, and he has already been through a tremendous struggle,” Morrissey said in the letter. “We appreciate and cherish every moment we have with our baby.”
* And then there’s my friend Brian Cross. Brian’s wife Sandy died shortly after giving birth to their baby girl, Kennedy Catherine. KC is doing fine, and Brian is doing his best to carry on, but his heart is broken. So is mine.
Here is little KC…
Info on KC’s trust fund…
Kennedy Catherine Cross Trust Fund
c/o Chase Bank
11211 Cermak Road
Westchester, IL 60154
* And then there are my friends at the Daily Southtown, including my longtime editor Ed Koziarski, who are facing the grim reality of unemployment in the new year because of staff cutbacks, and my friends at the Sun-Times who might get laid off next year. Chin up, everybody, and don’t hesitate to call if you need help.
I’d also like to say that it’s been an honor to work with Koziarski over the years. He’s a great guy and I’m gonna miss him terribly.
Sorry to be such a downer on Christmas, but keep all these people in your thoughts and prayers, please. Thanks.
* I’ve long believed that the best way to beat Sen. Chris Lauzen in the upcoming Congressional race is to poke, poke, poke at him until he loses his temper. His temper is infamous among people in the know at the Statehouse. And that temper was on full display this morning when the Tribbies asked him about scoring Rose Bowl tickets (see below for more on this subject)…
Lauzen called it “horrible” that “you would judge that there is anything inappropriate.”
“If you’re asking a question, it becomes a story,” Lauzen said.
Lauzen said he made a mistake running for office 16 years ago, saying politics is a “crappy business” that has cost his family millions of dollars.
“So I’ll, I don’t want any more trouble for me or my family,” Lauzen said. “This is really a horrible, horrible business. This is horrible.”
Lauzen also referred to his Republican opponent, Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove, in the race to succeed former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) in the 14th Congressional District.
“Just think what Oberweis will do with this,” Lauzen said.
Saying he was a “little bit sensitive,” Lauzen provided his home phone number to a reporter who asked how to reached him with any follow-up questions.
“Why don’t you call me at home and then maybe you can talk to one of my family members who won’t be going?” Lauzen said.
He called back later and softened his approach, but the damage was already done.
* This isn’t the first time that Lauzen has gotten snippy on the congressional campaign trail. Remember his somewhat weird press release after Denny Hastert endorsed Jim Oberweis?
At first, I was very concerned that your health was failing somehow, and I sympathized with you and your family. But, you have assured us repeatedly that there is no health problem and we are relieved on your behalf.
Discuss.
*** UPDATE *** In another congressional race, Billy Dennis has a post this morning on Aaron Schock’s latest poll. The following is from a press release which is posted in full at PeoriaPundit…
1. Aaron Schock has an excellent image among Republican primary voters.
Eighty-six percent (86%) of likely Republican primary voters have heard of State Representative Aaron Schock, with 64% having a favorable impression of Schock and 4% having an unfavorable impression. Encouragingly, Aaron’s name recognition and image have grown since August, when his image was 59% heard of/49% favorable/1% unfavorable.
Even more encouraging is that Schock’s favorables are more than twice that of his nearest Republican opponent. Jim McConoughey’s image is 65% heard of/25% favorable/2% unfavorable, while John Morris’s image is 42% heard of/15% heard of/3% unfavorable. McConoughey and Morris face an uphill battle trying to match Schock’s name recognition and favorables in the final weeks of the primary campaign.
2. Schock holds a commanding lead on the Republican primary ballot. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Republican primary voters back Aaron Schock on the ballot. McConoughey polls 14%, followed by Morris with 4% of the vote. Twenty-three percent (23%) of primary voters are undecided. By intensity, 35% definitely vote for Schock, while just 3% definitely back McConoughey and 1% are committed to Morris.
Illinois GOP state senator Chris Lauzen declined to commit to endorsing his primary rival, dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, if he emerges as the party’s nominee in the February special election to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).
“He should not take anyone’s goodwill for granted,” said Lauzen in an interview with Politico.com. “I believe that both of us need to conduct ourselves in a way that makes easier for us to support each other.”
Sen. Lauzen is really getting into the holiday spirit, don’t you think?
Blagojevich also appeared to try to put some pressure back on Mayor Richard M. Daley, saying he’d discussed with Daley the idea of tapping into the city’s cash reserves from selling the Skyway as a way to stave off the Jan. 20 CTA cuts.
* I was out of the office yesterday afternoon when the guv’s office called to ask that I put up a “clarification.” I told them to send it to Paul, and this is what they wrote…
The Governor didn’t say he’d discussed with Daley the idea of tapping into the city’s cash reserves from selling the Skyway as a way to stave off the Jan. 20 CTA cuts. He said downstate lawmakers have been grumbling about how Mayor Daley keeps insisting the state should bail out the CTA and not tie it to funding for downstate infrastructure projects; but meanwhile the city of Chicago - which has millions in the bank from the Skyway deal - hasn’t stepped up to help meet the CTA’s needs.
* But then the Tribbies put this Blagojevich quote up on their website…
“Perhaps the mayor and I could do something unilaterally,” the governor said. “The mayor has $500 million in his budget from the Skyway. We’ve looked at some alternatives, if the legislature fails to act.”
A Daley spokeswoman threw cold water on that idea, saying that spending the Skyway reserves could “jeopardize the city’s financial footing and credit rating.”
Jodi Kawada, Daley’s deputy press secretary, added that the CTA also provides service to 40 suburbs.
“Given the way public transportation is structured in Illinois, only Springfield has the ability to provide the long-term funding solution that is needed. No city or county can do that,” Kawada said.
Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said there are still talks under way among legislative staffers, but he said there remains no agreement on the massive proposal, which could generate enough cash to bankroll a $20 billion-plus statewide construction program.
Brown described some of the talks as “circular,” meaning some of the same issues that have stymied progress throughout the year remain sticking points.
Among them are details on how money from the gambling expansion would be divvied up by lawmakers for use in local construction projects.
Postponing action until the calendar flips greatly alters the political dynamics of transit funding negotiations. Come the new year, it will take just a simple majority to pass legislation. If action was taken this year during a special session, a super-majority would be needed to approve a bill.
All of which means that Republicans, who had been actively involved in negotiations since June, would effectively lose their seat at the table. Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governor’s mansion, and they could provide all the necessary votes for passage of a bill.
That last line is a hoot. Don’t get too wrapped up in this simple majority stuff. The lowered passage bar means that the Republicans will be under pressure to reach a deal or get cut out. But the Democrats, particularly in the House, will want to put as many GOP votes on the gaming bill as possible, and the Repubs know this.
Asked Thursday whether parents who stood in long lines trying to buy their kids tickets to the Dec. 8 “Hannah Montana” concert at the Allstate Arena should be upset that he and his daughters ended up with free tickets and a backstage visit — all courtesy of his buddy, state Sen. James DeLeo — Gov. Blagojevich said:
“I have two daughters and being a good dad is a heck of a lot more important to me than being a good politician. And when my little girls ask their dad how to find a way to get them to see Hannah Montana, I do everything I can to get them to see Hannah Montana. […]
“I got tickets the way a lot of people get tickets: You call a friend and say, ‘Hey, can you find some tickets?’ In that particular case, Sen. DeLeo did. I said, ‘How much do I owe you for the tickets?’ He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. You can get dinner next time.’ That’s what friends do.”
I know that some parents may be furious that he was able to score good seats while they got frozen out. But, I don’t have much sympathy. Regardless of his standing in the polls, he is the governor and he had a legit reason. Plus, he didn’t directly clout his way to the show. He asked a friend to help score some tickets and his friend (who has a longstanding relationship with the Rosemont folks) complied.
I did have a big problem when then Gov. George Ryan and a big entourage snagged a ton of tickets to see the Rolling Stones play a small venue in Chicago. It’s not like George was a huge Stones fan or anything.
* Overall, this isn’t a problem for me, either, but there are exceptions…
When tickets to the Rose Bowl went on sale to the public, they sold out in half an hour.
But a bevy of public officials and donors who hold the University of Illinois’ purse strings managed to get to the head of the line, and trustees — including Gov. Rod Blagojevich — didn’t have to pay a penny for seats at the hottest game of the year for the state’s football fans.
Administrators made sure there were tickets for Senate President Emil Jones (4), House Minority Leader Tom Cross (6), state Sen. Chris Lauzen (6), and 17 other public officials who paid face value. When contacted by the Tribune, Lauzen said he would rescind his request. […]
Blagojevich was offered four complimentary tickets for the game against the University of Southern California, but a spokesman said he will be staying in Illinois for a legislative session Jan. 2. But the governor’s general counsel used the connection to buy four $135 tickets through the university president’s office.
The governor’s general counsel should give those tickets back. [See the update below for explanation.]
As for the elected legislators, this is a bit of a gray area. They are VIP’s, so if other bigshot alumni are getting preferential treatment they should as well. And it appears that’s the case…
In all, the university set aside about 500 of its 26,000 tickets for use by the offices of the president, chancellor and development. Some of those were designated for purchase by major donors, lawmakers and other VIPs.
People often like to use these sorts of news events to tee off on politicians they don’t like. Try your very best to avoid that in comments today. Stick to the topic at hand. Overly zealous partisans and complete cynics will be deleted. I mean it. Don’t test me. It’s Christmas and I’m not in the mood for goofy drive-by commenters. Thanks.
*** UPDATE *** I just received the following statement from the guv’s office. Apparently, Quinlan, the governor’s chief legal counsel, didn’t score his tix as part of the governor’s deal, so I’ve changed my mind about his situation.
Bill Quinlan, an alumnus, was invited by the University of Illinois. He paid full value for the tickets, but doesn’t think he’s going to be able to go.
* Chicago Pubic Radio: Study says state homeless youth need better resources
* Deadline for certain veteran tax breaks quickly approaching
* Editorial: Illinois town chosen at spot for experimental plant
Research indicates energy produced through the FutureGen process would be significantly more expensive than current energy production prices - perhaps 20 percent to 40 percent more expensive. But as oil prices continue to rise and the wars in the Middle East continue to apply upward pressure, investment in alternative, cleaner energy research needs to continue.
That includes sources such as wind and solar energy, as well as efforts like FutureGen’s to find ways to use traditional fossil fuels without exacerbating global warming.
* Editorial: Mattoon site selection is a giant Christmas present for all
* Sun-Times Editorial: Let states take lead on boosting mileage requirements
Though Illinois has not yet decided whether to adopt the California standards, it will be among the states joining in the lawsuit. “We do like the flexibility individual states have been able to have under the Clean Air Act,” Illinois EPA spokeswoman Jill Watson said. “It’s like when you try on your brother’s pants, they may not fit. Not every state is an industrial state. Not every state is an agricultural state.”
The federal government is no longer in a state of denial about global warming. But in holding back efforts to fight the threat, the EPA remains in a sorry state of suspension.
* Illinois tollway board looks down road to new projects; more here
Among these major projects are the Prairie Parkway in Kane, Kendall and Grundy counties; the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway; and the extension of Illinois Highway 53 through Lake County, some of which have been on the drawing board for decades.
Illinois law already bars sexual predators and con artists from plying the Internet, but the latest measure, filed in Springfield last week, would attempt to expand those protections to include virtually any kind of potentially damaging Internet conversation with a minor. It would make it a felony for an adult to have any electronic contact that “demonstrates a knowing disregard for the health, safety and welfare” of the child
* Editorial: Smoke-free will soon be the law, ready or not
* Every Blog Has Its Day: Politically-interested Internet Users’ Perceptions of Blog Credibility
This study employs an online survey to examine U.S. politically-interested Internet users’ perceptions of the credibility of blogs. The article focuses on the influence of blog reliance compared to motivations for visiting blogs in determining blog credibility.
The study found that blogs were judged as moderately credible, but as more credible than any mainstream media or online source. Both reliance and motivations predicted blog credibility after controlling for demographics and political variables. Reliance proved a consistently stronger predictor than blog motivations. Also, information-seeking motives predicted credibility better than entertainment ones.
You’re probably wondering how a guy with half a fevered brain could be so certain that the mayor is telling the truth when so many don’t believe him.
They don’t know the mayor like I do. As a teenager, Daley used to shoot spitballs from a booth in my uncles’ restaurant on Halsted Street. I know his ways. The last thing the mayor of Chicago wants is his son making an easy score. Scarfing up taxpayer money in City Hall deals, that’s what cousins and brothers and nephews and lots of friends are for — but not your own kid.
Last year, Ald. Ed Smith (28th) launched into an anti-corruption tirade that spoiled unanimous City Council approval of Mayor Daley’s election-year budget…
Either all has been forgiven or Daley wants Smith out of his hair in the City Council.
Governor Rod Blagojevich says he’s calling lawmakers back into session on January 2nd to work on finding a way to pay for the Chicago Transit Authority.
Blagojevich says he considered calling lawmakers back into session this week but decided to wait until after the holidays on the advice of some legislative leaders.
The advice was: “Nobody’s gonna show up and don’t mess with our holidays.”
“They need to come back and get to work and fund the CTA,” Blagojevich told reporters at a news conference. […]
“They need to be prepared to be there every to work,” Blagojevich said.
The political dynamic changes in Springfield come the new year, when once again a simple majority is all that’s required to pass legislation. That also means the influence of Republicans, who’ve had a seat at the table since the start of June, once again wanes. Democrats control the House, Senate and governor’s mansion.
He also had this to say, which I find very interesting…
Blagojevich also appeared to try to put some pressure back on Mayor Richard M. Daley, saying he’d discussed with Daley the idea of tapping into the city’s cash reserves from selling the Skyway as a way to stave off the Jan. 20 CTA cuts. [Emphasis added]
*** 2:07 pm *** Statement from Speaker Madigan’s spokesman…
“The governor has not informed the office of this decision. I am certain the members of the House will be ready to fully consider all the legislation he plans to introduce for this special session.”
*** 2:25 pm *** Letter the Governor sent to legislators…
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SPRINGFIELD 62706
Rod Blagojevich
GOVERNOR
December 20, 2007
Honorable members of the General Assembly:
As you know, despite the immediate and growing need to fund the Chicagoland mass transit system, Speaker Madigan decided to cancel session this week. This delay leaves millions of people waiting in uncertainty. I had hoped to receive legislation on my desk before the end of the calendar year. I considered calling a special session this week, but was informed by the legislative leaders that many of their members would be unavailable, and that it would be counterproductive to call them in right before their holiday break.
It has been ninety-two days since the Senate approved a capital plan with bipartisan support. That plan also provided for $200 million in interim relief for mass transit. In the three months since, the House has taken no action. Additionally, twice in the past four months I have been forced to bail out the Chicago Transit Authority to avoid crippling service cuts and fare hikes. In the absence of a permanent funding source, these bailouts have totaled almost $100 million.
Transit riders deserve better. The people of this state deserve better. As such, I am writing to notify you that I will call for a Special Session after the holiday break, beginning January 2, 2008, and to ask you to work quickly to pass a statewide infrastructure plan, so that there is also sufficient support for a long-term solution to mass transit funding. As I have said before, I support Representative Saviano’s plan, or a comparable plan, to provide mass transit funding by redirecting the sales tax on gasoline in the RTA region. This legislation received a near-majority of 57 votes on November 28, even though many members were absent or failed to vote on the measure.
With the RTA prepared to implement drastic layoffs, service cuts and fare increases on January 20 if no agreement is reached, our time is running out. You must focus on passing legislation in this short timeframe. There will be only 18 days to work before the transit doomsday, so you should be prepared to meet as often as needed during that period.
I am providing this notice now so that all members of the General Assembly can make arrangements to be present, and be prepared to vote. Let’s start the New Year on a great note by passing a long-term solution for mass transit. The citizens of Illinois are relying on us to get the job done.
Sincerely,
Rod Blagojevich
*** 5:05 pm *** Email thoughts from Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff commenting on the line in the Tribune story…
The Governor didn’t say he’d discussed with Daley the idea of tapping into the city’s cash reserves from selling the Skyway as a way to stave off the Jan. 20 CTA cuts. He said downstate lawmakers have been grumbling about how Mayor Daley keeps insisting the state should bail out the CTA and not tie it to funding for downstate infrastructure projects; but meanwhile the city of Chicago - which has millions in the bank from the Skyway deal - hasn’t stepped up to help meet the CTA’s needs. We are pushing for passage of a long-term solution for mass transit, but the City-state funding disparity combined with the City’s reluctance to back a statewide capital plan, contributes to the challenge of winning support for transit funding in Springfield.
* Here are the winners from our final round in the annual Golden Horshoe contest…
* JoAnn Sullivan was an easy winner in the “Best legislative secretary” category. She always gives above and beyond the call of duty and is one of the nicest human beings you’ll ever meet, which is somewhat ironic considering that she works for Speaker Madigan.
* I’ve met Beth Goncher from Rep. Tim Schmitz’s district office and dealt with her on various matters and she definitely lives up to the hype in comments yesterday. She gets the “Best district office administrator” award hands down.
Thanks to all who voted.
By the way, Linda Brown, Dan Brady’s Springfield secretary, is retiring at the end of this month. Her party is at the Pasfield House tonight.
* Someone asked yesterday for a list of all our winners. Here it is…
* State legislator who best empitomizes public service: Tie - Rep. Frank Mautino and Rep. Julie Hamos
* Most effective local mayor of a city with less than one million people: The late Rosemont Mayor Don Stephens
* The Illinois US Congressman who shows true statesmanlike qualities of putting country over party: Ray LaHood
* The Illinois union, association, etc. that has the most positive impact on Illinois government: CUB
* Best political bar/restaurant in Springfield: Boone’s Saloon
* Best statewide officeholder: Lisa Madigan
* Best state legislative staffer: Tie - Ellen McElroy-Kenworth and Liz Brown
* Best press spokesperson: The “Spin Sisters” (Abby Ottenhoff and Rebecca Rausch)
* Best lobbyist: Bill Anderson
* Best Capitol Fax Blog commenter: “Bill”
* Best legislative secretary: JoAnn Sullivan
* Best district office administrator: Beth Goncher
* Mayor Davlin mentioned this idea to me a week ago, but it didn’t seem like it was going anywhere, although Davlin was very hot on the concept…
[Rep. Raymond Poe], a Springfield Republican, is pushing the idea of holding harness races — and the betting that goes with them — at the Illinois State Fairgrounds beyond the limited run of the 10-day fair itself.
“The facility is there,” Poe said. “Someone could come in and make it work. I think it would be a great revenue source.”
Poe’s idea has already been raised in gaming discussions between House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.
“I brought it up with the speaker,” Cross said Wednesday. “It was not rejected.”
But neither is it on the front burner, Cross said. A number of other gambling issues have been on the table longer, and negotiators think they are closer to resolving those without injecting a new element into the debate.
The racing wouldn’t be year-round, but I’m wondering whether they’d put a year-round “racino” at the facility, with slot machines, etc. They could really upgrade the fairgrounds with revenue like that. Plus, it would give us somewhere else to go after long session days.
Experts will tell you gambling is a lousy way for the state to raise money. It’s not stable, doesn’t grow with the economy and isn’t progressive. But gambling is the only revenue-raising plan with a prayer of passing, and even then, it’s a long shot. Unfortunately, our hopes have to rest on a gambling boom to avert the CTA’s day of doom.
* Remember during the 2001 holiday season when Corinne Wood was running for the GOP nomination for governor? She ran a TV ad of her sitting in what I remember was her beautifully decorated home, wearing a red dress. I don’t remember all she said, but she ended with something like: “And have a merry Christmas”
Pundits jibber-jabbered over the appropriateness of wishing voters “Merry Christmas” in a political ad. Some were shocked, as I remember it, some were underwhelmed with Wood’s presentation.
Well, the extremely early Iowa caucuses have prompted several presidential candidates to run their own holiday season ads. Let’s look at some of them, shall we?
…Adding… As I write this, there’s a slight problem with YouTube. Just hit the “play” button and the videos will load.
* There’s something about Mike Huckabee that I really like. Yeah, I know there are issues with his background, but the man is a born communicator. Still, anyone who knows anything about bigtime television ads knows that every tiny detail is taken into consideration. So it bothers me that Huckabee would so obviously lie that there is no Holy Cross in this spot when his TV Cross is as visible as that gigantic Cross near Effingham off of I-57. Anyway, here’s the spot…
* Giuliani wishes for “Peace with strength” and “secure borders” in his ad, which is a bit weird, but here it is…
…Adding… I used the wrong ad. LOL. Oops. Here’s the “real” one, sans pentagram…
Sorry about that, and thanks to a commenter for setting me straight. That ain’t always easy.
* Obama’s is next. Is that the word “Christmas” in a liberal Democrat’s ad? What will the atheists say?
* And, finally, Hillary Clinton, alone with her presents…
* Jim Thompson called yesterday to bust my chops about something. I gave as good as I got, as you might imagine, but it was mostly in fun. I really let the profanity fly, though, about his goofy idea to have the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority buy Wrigley Field and then lease it back to the billionaire(s) who buy(s) the team from the Tribune Co.
One of Big Jim’s arguments was to point out that the state helped subsidize the Soldier Field renovation (a publicly owned stadium, by the way), helped build the United Center and, of course, there was that White Sox deal that Thompson, himself, played such a large role in bringing to fruition. So why not help the Cubs?
What I didn’t know at the time was that taxpayers are already subsidizing the Cubs. From Mark Brown’s column today…
I can’t tell you what Wrigley Field is really worth, but I can tell you what the team claimed it was worth earlier this year in an appraisal submitted to the Cook County assessor’s office: $12.3 million.
Yep, that’s all, barely more than the $7.9 million that former Sox slugger Frank Thomas got on the sale of his Oak Brook mansion a few years ago, or almost equal to the $12 million the Cubs will pay new Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome for his salary for each of the next four seasons.
The assessment was submitted to Cook County Assessort Jim Houlihan, whose own laughably low assessment of just $20.5 million ought to be remembered by every property tax payer in the county whenever they write that annual tax check.
And how much did the Cubs pay in property taxes this year? $1,151,487, according to Brown.
The park is essentially off the roles, no matter how much Mother Tribune whines about its assessment. The team is already heavily subsidized by taxpayers. They don’t need and shouldn’t get another subsidy.
If the state were paying its bills on time, if its roads were in decent shape with a long-term plan for keeping them that way, if its school system had a fair method of doling out tax dollars and if there were adequate funding for mass transit systems, maybe — maybe — we could find some merit in this plan.
Yet all we see is another error in the score book.
Thursday, Dec 20, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Steroid tests for students could happen next year
The high school football teams vying for state championships next fall may be the first ever tested for steroids in Illinois.
IHSA officials say they expect a final decision as soon as next month on whether to begin steroid testing, with the first such tests likely administered during state playoffs in the 2008-09 season.
* State hiring goes online, but doubts remain about clout
* FutureGen developers wonder what they can do next
* Federal lawsuit filed over Chicago’s cell phone ban
* Duncan defends closings as best course for Chicago school district
“While generally I’m a fan of small schools, you have to have some critical mass to run a viable school. When you get down to 150 or 175 students, you don’t have enough students in each grade to run a full menu of activities,” Duncan said. “Educationally [consolidation is] the right move.”
* McQueary: All I want for Christmas is pension reform; more here
A report released this week by the Pew Charitable Trusts, a respected Pennsylvania-based policy institute, describes Illinois’ pension liability as among the worst in the nation. The report is significant because it compares the pension health of all 50 states, providing context to the political kaleidescope through which Illinois’ pension health often is viewed. Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s office will give a sunny perspective of the state system; his opponents’ view couldn’t be more bleak.
So here is what Pew said:
“Illinois has double the trouble of most states: a severely underfunded pension system and some of the steepest bills in the country for retiree health care benefits. On the pension side, Illinois has one of the poorest-funded systems in the country.”
Rezko — the indicted businessman and political fund-raiser accused of demanding kickbacks from state contractors — owes $76,864.60 in property taxes on his home, which is in foreclosure.
* Ald. Stone’s son says even he can’t get a fair shake because of city hiring
* Tribune Editorial: Patrick Daley’s investment doesn’t pass the smell test
Oh, and the day offered one New Year’s present from John Daley. He wants a report on how much money officials have spent over the years to modernize the technology in their offices. Which suggests that, come 2008, Daley will ask those officials two crucial questions:
How many actual jobs have you eliminated because of all the automation money you’ve spent?
And how much new revenue has all that new technology generated for Cook County?
* 10% budget cuts would be a disaster, Cook Co. officials tell board
One by one, Cook County officials on Wednesday described a dim future for the public if the County Board forces them to cut spending by 10 percent.
Patients will die, the head of the health system warned. Criminals could run free, State’s Atty. Richard Devine said.
