* 2:52 pm - Lots of positive spin after today’s leaders meeting…
3 of the four legislative leaders met with the governor in his Chicago office this morning. The state’s top two Republicans then left to meet with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who skipped the meeting because of a scheduling conflict.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff says the plan is for legislative leaders to meet again Tuesday and then head back to Springfield next week to vote on capital and transit.
I’m told that House GOP Leader Tom Cross said it was one of the best meetings they’ve ever had. Senate President Jones’ spokesperson tells me that Jones believes “we are 99.9 percent there.”
* 3:01 pm - Senate President Emil Jones was on Chicago Public Radio’s 848 program last Thursday. He did an excellent job of defining and defending his position. Listen to the entire program at this link, or just listen to the Jones interview below…
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the date for the Special Primary Election and Special General Election to replace retiring Congressman Dennis Hastert. […]
Governor Blagojevich scheduled the Special Primary election on February 5th, 2008, Illinois’ regularly scheduled primary date, as requested by Rep. Hastert to minimize inconvenience to the voters in the counties in the 14th Congressional District. The Special General Election will be held on March 8th, 2008.
Not a lot of time between those elections.
*** UPDATE *** You can download the official proclamation here.
* 3:35 pm - The Tribbies make a good point about the special primary…
One task [the candidates will] have is explaining to voters exactly how to make sure they punch both ballots on Feb. 5, since the regular primary and special primary will be held simultaneously.
From the same, post, they point out this oddity about the special general election date…
That’s a Saturday. Elections in Illinois typically are held on Tuesdays. We’ve got a call into Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration to find out why.
Today in Iowa, Senator Barack Obama said: “I have not been planning to run for President for however number of years some of the other candidates have been planning for.”
Oh really? […]
In kindergarten, Senator Obama wrote an essay titled ‘I Want to Become President.’ “Iis Darmawan, 63, Senator Obama’s kindergarten teacher, remembers him as an exceptionally tall and curly haired child who quickly picked up the local language and had sharp math skills. He wrote an essay titled, ‘I Want To Become President,’ the teacher said.” [AP, 1/25/07 ]
If this doesn’t get Clinton laughed out of Iowa, I don’t know what will.
* I’ve been telling subscribers about this idea for several days now, and the Tribune buried this nugget at the very end of an article about the gaming expansion negotiations…
One of the sticking points in the gambling package is the involvement of minorities. Rep. Bob Molaro (D-Chicago), one of the leading negotiators, said many House Democrats now like the idea of setting aside up to 25 percent of the ownership in a new riverboat license for minorities and women. Shares would be priced at $5,000 to $10,000 and a lottery could be used to help determine who gets to invest, Molaro said.
This was actually Speaker Madigan’s idea.
* Question: What do you think of this plan to allow middle class minorities and females to buy into new boats, apportioned by a lottery? By comparison, the system used with the defunct Rosemont boat required minority and female investors to demonstrate that they had an extra million dollars lying around. Senate President Emil Jones wants that proposal implemented for any new boats.
* My syndicated newspaper column hasn’t been posted online yet [they posted it sometime this morning - here it is], but, as with most columnists over the past few days, it delves into the governor’s decision to attend a Chicago Blackhawks game while the House voted down his mass transit funding bill…
The decision by Governor Rod Blagojevich to attend a Chicago Blackhawks game last Wednesday night instead of remaining at the Statehouse while the Illinois House defeated his mass transit funding bailout proposal says a lot about the governor on several different levels, none of it positive.
Blagojevich knew that Chicago TV station CBS-2 was planning to air a report that same night about how he is often a no-show at his state office. As the report confirmed, he prefers to hang around his house all day.
The station’s investigative report was pretty hard-hitting, but the governor’s attendance at that hockey game made it a blockbuster piece. The move served to boldly underscore the point that Blagojevich simply isn’t committed to his job, and highlighted his preference for all things Chicago over his duties in Springfield. There he was, gleefully chatting with the team’s president while the hopes of millions of commuters were dashed on the sharp rocks of the Illinois House. Oops.
Frustration with the Springfield mess is at an all-time high in Illinois, and the situation in the Chicago area is the worst I’ve ever seen. After months of turbulence which saw local property tax bills delayed for weeks because of a fight between the governor and the House Democrats and then relentless coverage of never-ending “Doomsday” threats for public transit, voters are hopping mad and they want action.
Blagojevich left Springfield for Chicago around six o’clock last Wednesday evening, knowing that he would likely be at the game during the floor debate. What kind of insane doofus walks right into a trap like that? The station knew he’d be at the game because the Blackhawks promoted the grand “event.” It’s like he wanted to be caught.
The governor reportedly told his aides that he felt he had to uphold his commitment to the Blackhawks because he promised them he’d be there.
Let that point sink in for a bit.
Here’s a guy whose word is completely untrustworthy in Springfield. He’s broken his promises so many times that legislators don’t even believe him when he signs contracts - called “Memoranda of Understanding” in Statehouse lingo. His untrustworthiness is one of the more valid reasons for House Speaker Michael Madigan’s refusal so far to agree to a capital construction plan. Madigan figures that because of their yearlong feud the governor will shaft his Democratic members when it comes time to dole out the project funding, no matter what the governor promises. And considering the governor’s miserable track record at keeping his commitments, who could possibly blame Madigan?
But, hockey. Well, on that topic, Rod Blagojevich’s word is apparently his bond.
The full column is here. I’ll update it with the Southtown’s address when it’s posted.
Is there anyone left in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s inner circle who’s willing to tell him when he’s being stupid? Or do they tell him and he ignores it, convinced in his own skewed sense of reality that he can do no wrong?
…But Finke ought to know by now that the problem is not his staff. It’s him.
* Press Release: Anti-gambling forces to launch a new fight to keep a casino out of Chicago
* Carol Marin: Blago pits north vs. south in Illinois
*** UPDATE 1 *** We need a soundtrack for this “scandal.” The Blackhawks theme song “Here Come the Hawks” seems appropriate. You can download it here or just listen below…
[audio:herecomethehawks.mp3]
“Here come the Hawks, the mighty BLACKHAWKS!
Take the attack, YEAH! And, we’ll back you Blackhawks!
You’re flying high, now, so, let’s wrap it up!
Let’s go, you Hawks!
Move out!
Now, all look out! Here come the Hawks!”
A team spokesman said given the circumstances, [new Blackhawks president John McDonough] would have understood had Blagojevich canceled.
“Sure. Absolutely. Understandably, everyone’s busy,” said Guy Chipparoni, a team spokesman.
Ouch.
*** UPDATE 3 *** On second thought, maybe the Gear Daddies’ “Zamboni Song” would be a good choice…
“What we really need is a political Zamboni,” said David Dring, spokesman for House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, “to clean up this mess that’s been the 2007 legislative session.”
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) told me this morning he’s quite serious about trying to outfit state lawmakers in hockey jerseys for the next “ridiculous special session” Gov. Rod Blagojevich calls.
* For months, Aurora has been an exciting and contentious hotbed in the battle over abortion rights. As you may know, the row began when Planned Parenthood built a clinic in the city. Abortion opponents argued that the group violated city zoning ordinances when it built the clinic by allegedly hiding the facility’s true nature. The clinic was eventually opened, and has since been the target of protests, with the local police threatening to arrest protestors who violated city ordinances.
Anyway, city leaders have been looking for a way to mollify the pro-life activists and voters and try to calm everyone down a bit. They came up with this…
Aurora City Council members passed a resolution [last] week that urges state legislators to enforce a decade-old parental notification law.
The Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act, passed in 1995, requires a physician to tell a parent, grandparent or legal guardian at least two days before someone younger than 18 gets an abortion. […]
The law has been held up in federal litigation since 1996 and never enforced. […]
“Right now children who can’t even drive can come to Aurora and have an abortion performed on them without their parents even knowing,” said Julie Van Domelen, a St. Charles resident. “I don’t see this as an attempt to foster communication between parents and children; rather, parental notification gives parents the chance to do what is expected of them.” […]
Investment and dairy magnate Jim Oberweis, a Republican from Sugar Grove running for Dennis Hastert’s 14th congressional district seat, and state representative candidate Terry Hunt, a Republican from Big Rock, spoke in favor of the law, citing teenagers’ underformed cognitive skills as reason enough not to trust them with major medical decisions.
On the heels of Aurora’s passage of a parental notification resolution this week, Naperville City Council members likely will deal with the same item.
During discussions of the controversial resolution, two Aurora aldermen indicated Naperville could jump into the fray and debate a similar motion. Councilman Richard Furstenau said he has been in touch with elected officials in Aurora and intends to bring forth a similar resolution at Naperville’s second meeting in December.
“There are a number of Naperville councilmen who are concerned about this issue since they put that new venture (a Planned Parenthood clinic on Aurora’s far East Side) over there.”
* I’ve been hearing reports that Dan Lipinksi’s campaign has been calling some ward organizations in his district several times a day. Panic appears to be setting in over his primary race against Democrat Mark Pera and two others.
Larry at ArchPundit ran some results from Pera’s benchmark poll of Democratic voters several days ago which appears to show that Little Lip’s district ain’t nearly as conservative as some people have claimed, particlarly in the primary…
82 percent Less likely to vote for Lipinski on the issue of choice once they learn that he opposes a woman’s right to choose and supports criminalizing abortion even in cases of rape or incest
83 percent Less likely they would vote for Lipinski after they learned that he voted for the Bush energy proposal and voted to allow drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge
76 percent Favor a mandate calling for a pull-out of troops from Iraq beginning immediately with all troops out within a year as well as a cap on war funding to ensure the Bush Administration meets that goal
* Ray Hanania, however, claims that Lipinski is far more liberal than Pera has been portraying him…
Lipinski is 100 percent with the AFL-CIO, Children’s Defense Fund, Breast Cancer Coalition, and Alliance for Retired Senior America. He’s 92 percent with the League of Conservation Voters…
The National Journal analyzed all the voting records and concluded that Lipinski is “more liberal” than 71 percent of other members of Congress, and that puts him in the mainstream of America.
AFSCME endorsed Lipinski on Friday, by the way.
* I’m still skeptical of Pera’s chances. There are two other candidates in the primary race, both with their own bases of support. The general rule of thumb in primaries is “The more, the merrier” for incumbents. Pera won the ballot lottery, so his name will appear first - giving him a slight edge if the race is close.
Lipinski can probably expect an onslought of hostile media coverage for the remainder of the primary. His elevation to his daddy’s seat still rankles the media, and reporters appear eager to pile on.
Remember how Mayor Daley forced his petition circulators sign affidavits swearing that they wouldn’t trade their efforts for government jobs or contracts? Well, Fox Chicago ran this story the other day on how a third of Lipinski’s circulators were government employees - and all of them appear on the infamous Robert Sorich “clout list”…
The bottom line, though, is that those precinct workers will make a big difference come election day.
* More congressional stories, compiled by Paul…
* Shimkus adjusts to his new role in Congress… “I think I’ve been even more outspoken,” Shimkus said. “I get to vote no. We don’t move the agenda. I don’t have (Shimkus’ mentor, the former House Speaker Dennis) Hastert saying, ‘Hey, you may not like 25, 30 or 40 percent of this bill, but this is where we’re at as a conference and we have to move this forward.’ I think you’re a lot freer in the minority, a lot freer.”
* Will Reynolds: Durbin supports McMenamin for Congress against Shimkus
* TeamAmerica: Looks like Dan Seals may be looking for a new day job
* ILGOPNet: YouTube interview with 18th-CD candidate Jim McConoughey
*** UPDATE 1 *** One of Pera’s people took a look at that National Journal study cited by Ray Hanania above.
Hanania claimed that the numbers showed Little Lip was “‘more liberal’ than 71 percent of other members of Congress.”
But Pera’s folks note that if you look at the results for just congressional Democrats, you find that Lipinski’s voting record is “more conservative” than 78.5 percent of his fellow Democrats. Download the spreadsheet here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Interesting news from Pera’s campaign…
A trio of political mavericks - Chicago Aldermen Manuel “Manny” Flores, 1st Ward; Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward; and Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward - are supporting Democrat Mark Pera’s bid for Congress by hosting an upcoming fund-raiser. […]
Joining Flores, Reilly and Waguespack in their efforts are state Rep. John Fritchey, D-11th, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, Stephen Blandin, Emilia DiMenco, Amy Evans and Gail Morse.
* Purchase tickets here for the December 16th performance of “No-El or How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas” - Our Capitol Fax holiday party
* Role of minority-owned firms in Dan Ryan construction project lagged state goal…
Minority- and woman-owned businesses landed 20 percent of the $933 million in construction, design and engineering contracts from the Dan Ryan reconstruction project, falling short of the state’s 22.7 percent goal.
But the shortfall could be larger if Rohar Trucking — awarded roughly $20 million in contracts on the recently completed project and identified as a black-owned company — was a front for a majority-owned business.
* Georgia ruling on sex offenders prompts other states to reexamine laws
The Georgia court struck down its residency restrictions last week, giving opponents of such buffer zones hope that other state laws will be reviewed and possibly overturned.
“It certainly sends a message that creating laws that render people homeless is not in anybody’s best interest,” said Jill Levenson, a professor at Florida’s Lynn University who has done extensive studies on the effect of residency restrictions. “In theory, I believe this could pave the way for a U.S. Supreme Court case.”
* Hilkavitch: Free or fee? Air pump tiff flares on tollway
* An explanation of the smoking ban and who it will affect
* McQueary: Nuns on the stand — that would be a challenge
Too bad a certain political challenge concluded. I would have paid to watch a high-brow election attorney quiz Maria High School nuns about whether they really signed a candidate’s petition or whether the signatures were fraudulent.
That scenario never played out, however, because Cook County state’s attorney candidate Howard Brookins dropped his challenge to opponent Anita Alvarez’s signatures.
* Report: IL ranks near the bottom in screening problem teachers
* Towns await word on FutureGen project
The competition has been fierce.
Illinois offered $80 million in grants, low-interest loans and tax breaks, while Texas has promised $260 million in cash and tax credits. Both have offered developers protection from liability in the event that carbon dioxide leaks from the ground.
Economists say the project is an attractive economic target for small towns, and a big improvement on the kinds of low-wage jobs they tend to chase.
“Everyone talks about kind of the big score of attracting a Honda plant,” University of Illinois economics professor Fred Giertz said in an interview earlier this year. “The way the economy actually works is hundreds of thousands of small gains and small losses.”
* Sun-Times Editorial: Chicago is No. 1 in nation in dangerous subprime loans
* Editorial: Leadership, not insults, needed at county
* Tony Peraica: Enough with politics, lets talk about talk about the taxpayers
The vitriol and personal attacks that have surrounded the Cook County budget discussions are unfortunate, and accomplish little but damage the faith of the taxpayers in our government.
The members of the Cook County board don’t have to love each other.
They don’t have to get along. But we do have to pass a sensible budget that serves the residents and taxpayers of this county.
While they hurl insults, I will continue to discuss the budget.
* Grundy Co. groups hopes to determine what needs people have
Bizarro World - otherwise known as Illinois politics - can wait for a while. I’m planning to forget my cares at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s 50th Anniversary fundraiser Saturday night in Chicago.
If you wanna keep talking, head over to Illinoize. They never stop…
Jeff Tweedy is one of the performers at Saturday’s fundraiser, so let’s kick off the weekend with a tune by the man himself…
I’ve already deleted several comments which speculated on Michael Sneed’s top story today…
Sneed hears rumbles a former top adviser and close friend of Gov. Blagojevich is this/close to being indicted soon. Stay tuned.
As most of you know, I don’t allow commenters to speculate on rumors like this. Today is no exception. You may think you know what’s going on. Maybe you’re right. We’ll all find out soon enough whether it’s true or not. Be patient. And be responsible.
Unless and/or until this rumored action occurs, keep your idle speculation to yourself or go someplace else.
From the company that brought you the critically acclaimed holiday spectacular Requiem for a Department Store, or how Jesus taught me to shop at Macy’s, comes the latest in holiday satire!
Santa and the Mrs are on the outs, the Vick brothers are up to no good, Grandma won’t stop singing and to top it all off it takes forty five minutes to go two blocks on the CTA because a certain Governor lost that holiday spirit.
Tickets are only ten bucks a head, so I’m thinking this should be our Capitol Fax and The Capitol Fax Blog holiday party.
* Question: If we chose Sunday, December 16th, could you - and would you - attend? The show is at seven o’clock. Gorilla Tango Theater is at the corner of Western and Milwaukee.
* The governor’s decision to skip the House floor debate on the mass transit bailout plan in favor of attending a Blackhawks game sure looks like it has “legs”. The SJ-R editorializes today…
As these and many other initiatives blew up in Blagojevich’s face, the governor withdrew more and more. He calls special sessions without showing up. He attends hockey games in Chicago while important votes are taken in Springfield. And, according to Flannery, he spends much of his “work” time at home. He is not connected to the process — and that is untenable. But why?
We are not trying to be flippant when we say this — the governor appears afraid. But you can’t govern scared. And if you can’t govern, you should not be governor.
I don’t think he’s afraid. I just think he prefers the bunker. In the bunker, you can’t hear anybody scream at you.
* Blagojevich tried to explain his attendance, but nobody really bought it…
The governor said he had been invited to the first home game under new Blackhawks president John McDonough and that he chose to attend as a favor to McDonough, “an act to help him as a friend.”
Blagojevich wouldn’t say if he would consider reimbursing the state Treasury for the $5,800 it cost to use a state plane to shuttle him from Springfield to Chicago and back again to watch a sporting event on a day he ordered lawmakers to be in Springfield.
He was ridiculed in the House, where Rep. Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein) brought a hockey stick to the House floor to make a point.
“If he’s truly up there working on commerce, that’s one thing. But this is him going to a hockey game to enjoy himself at the expense of the people of the state of Illinois. You can’t get any more plain than that,” said Sullivan, who called on the governor to cut a check to the taxpayers for his airfare.
* The Republicans picked up on it, as did just about everyone else at the Statehouse…
Politically embarrassing visual evidence of Blagojevich watching the Blackhawks at the United Center dominated conversation Thursday in the Statehouse, where lawmakers were perplexed by the governor’s lack of support for a solution he publicly endorsed.
“Perhaps a stint in the penalty box would be appropriate,” said Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville).
Senate Republican leader Frank Watson of Greenville, who is working with the governor on a multibillion-dollar public-works program, said Blagojevich’s absence is a failure of leadership that hurts the state.
“The governor has a way of governing that baffles me,” Watson said.
* Speaking of the Republicans, the Illinois Republican Party has announced a new contest: “Governor for a day”. From a press release…
In light of the recent expose on the carefree lifestyle led by Governor Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Republican Party is conducting a special drawing across the state to make one lucky Illinoisan Governor for a Day.
“While we can’t give you a $155,000 taxpayer funded paycheck to do nothing, we will attempt to come close by giving you what we believe one day in the life of Rod Blagojevich might be like,” said ILGOP Spokesperson Lance Trover.
The winner of Governor for a Day will begin the day at the hour of their choice. From then, they will be ushered to a salon for a haircut and massage. Following their time at the salon they will be treated to a first-class lunch which will be followed by a tour of the City of Chicago including visits to the Sears Tower and other Chicago landmarks. Ensuring they are treated just like our current governor, the winners will end their day by attending a Chicago Blackhawk’s game.
“While it is clear this sort of lifestyle is normal for Rod Blagojevich on any given day, it’s far from normal for the average Illinoisan,” added Trover. “Hopefully this day will give one hardworking Illinoisan the opportunity to live like the Governor they help fund with their hard earned tax dollars.”
The special drawing will kick off at noon on Friday, November 30, in front of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago and the Illinois Capitol in Springfield. ILGOP staff will be present handing out free drawing tickets at both locations.
To ensure all Illinoisans have a shot at being Governor for a Day, anyone can email their name and contact information to GovernorforaDay@ilgop.org and they will be assigned a specific number for Wednesday’s drawing. One entry per person.
The winning number will be announced on WeAreIllinois.org at noon on Wednesday, December 5, 2007.
Best of luck to all entrants. And just remember: being Governor of Illinois is not hard work, as long as you don’t show up.
* Yesterday, “Illinois Shadow” had this to say at Illinoize about congressional candidate Jim Oberweis and his history of strange behavior. So far, Oberweis has remained fairly quiet, but IS didn’t think it would last…
But Oberweis will soon insert his size 10 shoe into his size 12 milk hole, as he has done in all his quests for mediocrity. As always, the best person to slay Oberweis is Oberweis, and that will be the most satisfying part of this sequel.
* Little did the mystery blogger know that Oberweis had already displayed some of his old habits. Oberweis appeared this week on “Politics and Issues,” a show produced by Elgin’s WRMN radio and hosted by Tom Sandor…
I believe that voters are tired of the typical politicians… My main competition for this office is somebody who has been part of the Ryan-Blagojevich Springfield culture for the last 15 years.
He was referring, of course, to state Sen. Chris Lauzen. Now, say what you will about Lauzen, but he’s no insider, and he’s no “typical” politician. He’s definitely an outsider and, um, he’s about as far from typical as you can get.
The statement has a nugget of promise, however. Voters are almost as flabbergasted with the Statehouse crew as they are with Washington, DC. Still, it’s way beyond the pale to connect the dots between Chris Lauzen and Rod Blagojevich.
Listen to Oby’s comments…
[audio:lauzenblago1.mp3]
* Meanwhile, in yet another clear example of the utter disgrace that is our national political media, the Washington Post ran a story yesterday that mentioned just about every single “Barack Obama is a Muslim” rumor without once noting that the rumor is completely false, except to print some denials from Obama’s campaign.
* The Sun-Times, on the other hand, took the journalistic route on one of Obama’s claimed strengths: Ethics…
Seven years ago, Sen. Barack Obama was on the board of a Chicago charity when his former boss, Allison S. Davis, came looking for money.
At the time, Davis was a developer represented by the law firm where Obama worked, as well as a small contributor to Obama’s political campaign funds. He wanted the charity to help fund his plans to build housing for low-income Chicagoans.
Obama agreed. He voted with other directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago to invest $1 million with Neighborhood Rejuvenation Partners L.P., a $17 million partnership that Davis still operates.
It’s not clear whether Obama told other board members of his ties to Davis, whose family would go on to donate more than $25,000 to Obama’s political campaigns, including his bid to be president of the United States.
“Let me get back to you on that,” Obama presidential campaign spokesman Bill Burton said when asked about that two weeks ago. He never did.
‘’The case is over with as far as I’m concerned,'’ said Aaron Jaffe, chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board. The board will soon begin the process of auctioning the license off to a new casino company, he said.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan said the decision moves Illinois ‘’a significant step closer to being able to reissue the license to suitable owners and generate much-needed revenues.'’
But here’s what Yelton said, according to the newspaper.
“One of our advantages to Illinois is they, historically, seem to do everything wrong. Everything they seem to do has backfired, and it’s been to our benefit.”
I’ve stated the same thing in this column, but hearing Indiana officials giving our state lawmakers the horse laugh ought to make the competitive hairs of every taxpayer in Illinois stand on end.
I mean, we’re talking about Indiana here, the land of fecal greaseballs. This is the state that has slimed Lake Michigan with its industrial and biological waste products.
* Michael Sneed: Sheriff Dart begins ‘hotbunking’ program
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is “hotbunking” it these days.
Explanation: Taking a page out of the military’s handbook to solve jail overcrowding, Dart has instituted a new pilot program at Cook County Jail.
Translation: In the new sleeping arrangement at the jail, three inmates, assigned to one bed, will now sleep in eight-hour shifts … hence, the term “hotbunking” — ‘cuz the bed is always hot due to continuous use.
Brookins, a Democrat, learned of the lawsuit from the Chicago Sun-Times, but said he and his landlords at 100 N. La Salle had been “going back and forth” about the rent owed and he was surprised it had advanced to legal action.
“I need to go talk to them and figure this out,” Brookins said. “I’d been working with those guys and I was not aware of this.”
* Editorial: Beavers is wrong on facts and political tactics
* McQueary: Policy, not racism, causes Stroger’s budget failure
Why is Todd Stroger obeying his inner Blagojevich — trying to revive a dead-on-arrival tax plan that infuriates voters? Why is John Daley complicit in Stroger’s game of “chicken” with the Cook County Board? And why do these two officials expect taxpayers to give one more cent to an agenda that Stroger advanced, Daley echoed and both of them failed to deliver?
Officials say releasing a detailed tally before submitting their bid plan in February 2009 for the Games would put it at a competitive disadvantage with other cities also vying. Chicago officials said they would make the bid book public only after it is submitted to the International Olympic Committee.
British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, speaking at a downtown business luncheon, put the London Games price tag at about $18.5 billion — a figure that is almost three times the cost estimate submitted in 2004.
*** 11:29 am *** I told subscribers this morning that it looked pretty clear to me that Speaker Madigan wanted to wait until January before moving any more legislation, including the mass transit bailout. Come January, he’ll only need a simple majority to pass everything except a bond authorization bill. And so it goes…
House Speaker Michael Madigan adjourned the special session this morning called by Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Madigan said there is nothing more for lawmakers to do so he’s sending them home until January. But he told them they’re on call to come back to work if legislation develops. […]
A Blagojevich spokeswoman says the governor hasn’t decided whether he will call another special session to keep lawmakers working.
Today’s special session was called last night. It was supposed to deal with transit and a capital bill. You can view the official proclamation by clicking here.
I’m told that a leaders meeting is scheduled for noon. No idea yet whether Madigan will show up. Rumors are rampant that Blagojevich will call another special session for tomorrow or next week. Stay tuned.
Unemployment in the Rockford region jumped more than in any other U.S. metro area over the past year. A report from the U.S. Department of Labor shows the unemployment rate in Rockford almost doubled since October 2006. Eight-point-one percent of workers there are listed as unemployed.
Sears Holdings Corp. reported a 99 percent drop in third-quarter profit Thursday on weak sales at its Sears and Kmart department stores and continuing investment losses under hedge-fund manager Chairman Eddie Lampert.
The mortgage crisis will cost the Chicago area almost $4 billion next year in lost economic activity, according to a report. The report, released Tuesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors , measures the effect of the crisis on employment, consumer spending and other indicators of economic output. In Chicago, the ripple effects will result in a $3.9-billion drop in gross metropolitan product, a measure of overall economic activity in the area.
*** 4:21 pm *** It was quite the press conference. Here’s a very brief summary…
Blagojevich says he’s meeting with legislative leaders early next week. If negotiations continue to produce nothing, the governor says he’ll call daily special sessions until Christmas to try to force action.
“Now, you ask me about a hockey game last night. You could say, in fact, I’ll say, I prefer to actually go to a game that wasn’t rigged. In other words, let me say it another way, um, I prefer to watch a game that wasn’t rigged,” Blagojevich told reporters. “That vote last night, unfortunately, if you look carefully at that roll call, where some leaders of the Democratic caucus voted against it, suggested to me it wasn’t a serious effort to pass it.”
New stats in Washington, D.C., suggest that drivers are largely ignoring the District’s three-year-old ban on using hand-held phones while driving […]
But is this a surprise? When New York City first instituted a similar ban, cell-phone use by drivers dropped by 50 percent. But the numbers steadily increased after that, even as the number of citations increased as well. Same thing apparently happened in D.C. — an initial falloff, but then a return to pre-ban levels of cell usage.
And this is the question that Governing asked their readers…
Should cities and states drop these laws that aren’t being enforced or followed? Or should they, for example, increase fines to make this a more serious offense?
* The Sun-Times takes up the debate today over Cook County Commissioner Bill Beavers’ statement that County Board President Todd Stroger can’t get his tax hikes approved “because he’s black.”
The editorial was unnecessarily harsh. Entitled “Clash clown,” it excoriates Beavers from the get-go…
Cook County Commissioner William Beavers likes to call himself “the hog with the big nuts.” We think he’s nuts, all right, especially for injecting race into the county tax debate.
The editorial even quotes a random black person who agrees with their perspective…
“That’s ridiculous. There’s a big backlash against Todd Stroger. He came in and cut a lot of people then went back to the old patronage system and put in his own people,” said Alan Holman, 40, who is black and from the South Side
Bill Beavers says Todd Stroger can’t get his county budget approved “because he’s black.”
That would be the budget that contains about $900 million in tax increases.
Does anybody think that might be part of the problem?
* At the risk of being flamed on my own blog, I’d say that the editorial is way out of bounds and that anyone who thinks that race plays no factor in Todd Stroger’s treatment in the press and his difficulties in passing a tax hike while (white) Mayor Daley has his own tax increase agenda is fooling himself.
* Mary Mitchell makes some excellent points in her own column today…
Still, there is a longstanding perception that what Beavers said is a sad fact — that if a white man were sitting in the president’s chair, commissioners would have passed the 2 percent sales tax increase without a ruckus rather than force Stroger to take a meat cleaver to the departments funded by the county.
She goes on…
Still, the perception that race is relevant when it comes to who heads up local government didn’t start with Beavers or Todd Stroger. It was no secret that the elder Stroger, who supported the regular Democratic Party in the face of a steamroller like the late Mayor Harold Washington, was installed in the top slot at the board because he was a loyal Democrat.
But contrary to off-repeated criticisms, patronage didn’t start with John Stroger, either. Black politicians didn’t invent patronage. They inherited it and learned how to make it work for their own constituents.
Interestingly, when the political pie was carved up, one of the region’s most powerful black politicians got the branch of government that primarily provides services used by people in the lower-income brackets.
Now, the old rules don’t apply — at least when it comes to the County Board.
So while Beavers’ comments were rude, he likely struck a chord with some blacks. After all, isn’t this the type of thing that happens all too often? As soon as a black person is in charge of something, the scope of his or her authority is challenged.
What’s going on at the Cook County Board is that kind of power grab. Stroger may have won his father’s seat, but his foes will be darned if they let him have even the amount of power his father had — or his clout.
The fact that many of Stroger’s harshest critics are angry white men has given Beavers’ outlandish remarks room to fester, and that will make it even harder for Stroger to pass a budget.
That’s unfortunate, especially since it will be Beavers’ constituents who will suffer.
* Look, there’s no doubt whatsoever that Todd Stroger is not the most competent politician in the world. But some of the criticisms have been far over the line, and Mitchell is right to point them out.
Are Stroger’s tax hikes excessive? Absolutely. Is Beavers a supreme goofball looking for an advantage in his nearly hopeless committeeman’s race against Sandi Jackson? Undoubtedly. But everyone needs to take a deep breath here and stop denying the reality that’s right in front of their faces.
Beavers certainly deserves criticism, but to say racism plays no role in this theater is patently absurd and flies in the face of how Chicago politics has operated forever.
* I’m not quite sure what to make of the list published in today’s Sun-Times. These are the current annual property tax bills of some Chicago heavy hitters….
Cook County Assessor James Houlihan (Lake View) $23,226.63
Mayor Daley (South Loop) $13,056.65
City Council Finance Chairman Edward M. Burke (Archer Heights) $8,631.55
Gov. Blagojevich (Ravenswood) $7,996.85
Cook County Board Finance Chairman John Daley (Bridgeport) $5,242.51
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (West Lawn) $3,565.19
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger (Avalon Park) $1,296.02
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones (Roseland) $872.75
* Apparently, there was a huge pushback from Gov. Blagojevich’s office against CBS 2’s attempt to broadcast a story about his work habits. But if you didn’t watch it last night, it’s still worth a look, particularly the last bit about how Blagojevich was at a Blackhawks game while the House was voting on the transit bill he supported.
* The Sun-Times has more on the guv’s absence last night…
After being at the Capitol much of the day in pursuit of a mass transit bailout, Blagojevich quietly slipped out of the building with his press secretary and boarded a taxpayer-funded jet to get to the hockey game. He had been invited as a guest of new Blackhawks team president John McDonough.
Blagojevich “went there in his official capacity as governor at the invitation of the president in an effort to promote the Blackhawks,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.
The decision drew scorn and sarcasm for the unpopular, second-term governor.
“It certainly would have shown a little more interest in what we were doing if he’d have stayed in the Capitol,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).
Rod Blagojevich is truly the gift that keeps on giving. As a Chicago TV station prepares to air a report that he is AWOL from his state office, he heads to a hockey game while his transit funding proposal goes down in flames. And after promising to deliver all his House Democratic votes on the transit bill, he winds up putting just two votes on the thing. Oops.
I really don’t know what I’d do without this man. There’s just no way that I could make nearly this kind of money with a responsible, even-tempered governor in charge. I may just endorse him for another term. Rod Blagojevich, governor for life!!! I haven’t checked, but I’ll bet that my CPA agrees.
* Using a sports analogy while preparing to fly to Chicago to see a hockey game during the roll call was another beaut…
For Blagojevich it’s another political defeat. Earlier Wednesday he appeared outside his Capitol office trying to put a positive spin on the state’s lingering political gridlock, comparing his work on the mass transit bailout to the Bears recent overtime victory. That was when he apparently thought the plan would pass.
But this plan’s fate was sealed even before the House voted. Had it passed, it would have gone to an Illinois Senate where opponents had rounded up enough votes to ensure it went nowhere unless tied to a statewide construction spending program worth billions and likely financed with gambling expansion.
[The mass transit bill’s defeat] came just hours after Gov. Rod Blagojevich predicted the bailout would be approved.
“This is a big step forward,” Blagojevich said during an afternoon press conference.
He’s a true Cub fan. That statement was akin to predicting a World Series sweep before a single playoff game had started.
* The Tribune includes this exchange in its story about the mass transit flameout…
Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), the bill’s sponsor, told her colleagues the money is “desperately needed” to avert fare increases, service cuts and layoffs. She implored lawmakers to support the proposal because of an array of pension and health-care reforms.
But she also sought to lay the groundwork to cast blame on Republicans, noting she and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) were embracing a gas tax idea that was first brought up by Cross. Hamos complained she had assumed House Republicans who had first promoted the idea could support the proposal now, drawing taunts from Republicans who complained that calling the bill for a vote was a just a political game.
“Oh, Julie, come on. You know this is all a bunch of baloney,” said Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-Des Plaines).
* State worker who leaked report questioned by FBI
* In These Times: Hounding the Bush dogs- the candidates who are taking on conservative democrats
Lipinski’s backers contend that his voting record aligns with his district’s socially conservative residents. But evidence suggests the district is no longer the Reagan-Democrat hotbed of his father’s time. John Kerry won 59 percent of the vote in 2004, and an influx of Latinos, who now make up 20 percent of the district’s population, has further solidified the seat as a Democratic stronghold. “It’s a lot more progressive than people realize,” says Larry Handlin, who has been blogging about Illinois politics at ArchPundit since 2002.
A lump of coal wasn’t going to cut it for a clerk in the Cook County recorder of deeds office who hung photocopies of $1 bills above Christmas stockings next to cashier stations in what looked like a solicitation for tips.
The eight burgundy stockings, hung from green garland and emblazoned with the words “Joy” and “Peace,” gave the appearance the cashiers were seeking a little holiday appreciation.
* Outsider top choice for Chicago police superintendent position
The guy is not a cop and he’s not African American.
Word is J.P. “Jody” Weis, the special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Philadelphia, may be Chicago’s next top cop.
* Clout Corner: Mole’s dumper gets $55 million city deal
* Editorial: Prevent diversion of our water supply
Henry J. Hyde — known for his courtly manners, oratorical skills and historical knowledge during 32 years as the conservative voice of the western suburbs in Congress — died today, according to the office of House Republican Leader John Boehner. He was 83.
While often seen as a throwback to a more genteel era in Washington, Mr. Hyde was a key figure in one of the capital’s most divisive episodes, leading the House Republicans in their successful impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Click here or on the the promo pic below to watch tonight’s live broadcast of CBS 2 News at 10…
If you need a refresher on what this is all about, here is the promotional script for the story we’re tracking…
How would you like a job which pays you $155,000? You don’t have to talk to co-workers, very much, or attend important meetings. And you don’t even have to go to your main office every day.
Sorry, job’s taken by Rod Blagojevich.
CBS2’s Mike Flannery tracked the governor to see how he’s conducting the State of Illinois’ business. And we’ve got one question: If the governor’s not governing, what’s he doing?
“Exposing Blagojevich” tonight at 10, only on CBS2 News
*** UPDATE *** In case you missed the live broadcast, click here for the full script and the video.
* 1:10 pm - I told subscribers about this problem earlier in the week, but Senate President Emil Jones just confirmed that he doesn’t have enough members in town to even bother calling the mass transit bill, if it somehow makes it out of the House…
Senate President Emil Jones says its outlook is not good.
Jones says the Senate will have too many members gone today and tomorrow to approve the plan if the House passes it.
He also says downstate senators are refusing to support mass transit help unless a deal for road and school construction projects statewide is also reached.
* 1:27 pm - Republican presidential filing begins today in Illinois. Rudy Guiliani and Ron Paul didn’t file delegates at all, and Fred Thompson only filed delegate slates in five districts: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 19th. More from the SJ-R.…
State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, who heads the Thompson effort in Illinois, said his candidate’s late entry into the race didn’t leave as much time to collect signatures as some other candidates had.
Joe Becker of Denver, chief legal officer of the Ron Paul campaign, said Illinois delegate and alternate slates will be filed later.
* 1:32 pm - If you’re wondering why session hasn’t started yet, it’s because the leaders are meeting in the governor’s office.
Rep. Jay Hoffman, the governor’s House floor leader, is reportedly at the meeting. Hoffman was telling people yesterday that he would vote “No” on the new transit bill, but the governor’s been putting the arm on him, so he’s now said to be in the “undecided” camp.
As I told subscribers this morning, if Hoffman votes “No,” practically nobody will ever believe that Blagojevich really worked on behalf of this bill.
*** 1:41 pm *** The governor reportedly told the leaders today that all of his House Democratic loyalists will vote for the transit bill. The House will likely go to caucus soon.
* 1:49 pm - Rep. Gary Hannig, who is sitting in the Speakers chair, was just asked whether the House would conclude business today after caucus and committees, or tomorrow. Said Hannig: “I’m advised that there will be an effort to try and conclude tonight, but that’s not for certain.”
* 1:57 pm - Rep. Mautino just brought up a big issue for Downstate House Democrats: Project reappropriations. Lots of projects didn’t get reappropriated in the final enacted budget this year. It’s just another log to throw on the gigantic pile of what members are demanding for a final solution to this session.
The House has now recessed for caucus and committees.
*** 2:06 pm *** Rep. Jay Hoffman has now confirmed to someone else that he and the governor’s other four ducklings will be voting “Yes” on the transit bill today.
That means all eyes are now on House GOP Leader Cross. If he succecssfully pushes for the bill, then it will likely pass the House and the mess will arrive in the Senate.
*** 3:46 pm *** It looks like we’ll see a gaming bill tomorrow. The House Democrats are planning to caucus on Madigan’s new expansion proposal after the 10 o’clock session.
The plan today, so far, is to run the transit bill after caucus and committees. Right now, it looks like there will be enough HGOP votes to pass this thing, but one can never be certain in this climate, so stay tuned. The Repubs are still caucasing as I write this.
*** 7:25 pm *** Members have been dropping off like flies for the past few hours, and it now appears that not all the governor’s minions are going to be on board as promised, and that several other House members of both parties are turning against the bill. I’ll have more on the “why” in tomorrow’s Capitol Fax.
Leader Cross, who predicted a couple of minutes ago that the transit bailout bill would fail in the House, got an earful in caucus about the absence of a capital bill agreement and has now called for a special session on the topic. Cross’ people say they want the governor to keep members in session as long as it takes until the capital/gaming issue is resolved.
…Adding… I was a bit in haste when I wrote that House Dems would see a gaming “bill” tomorrow in caucus. They will discuss Speaker Madigan’s proposals. The draft is not yet finalized.
* Bruce Ramsey of the Seattle Times had this to say in today’s column….
A few weekends ago, I was flown to the old Virginia House of Burgesses in Williamsburg to be a representative in a kind of assembly. McNeil/Lehrer Productions had chosen 47 people from around the country as part of a program on America in the 21st century. Each of us arrived with the thought, “Why me?” […]
The McNeil/Lehrer folks divided us into four groups to debate resolutions. They further divided us into twos to write the resolutions. My co-conspirator and I were assigned to write a definition of citizenship. In five minutes we came up with this:
Citizenship means to take responsibility for ourselves and our families so that we are not an unnecessary burden on others; to keep abreast of public questions, participate in public deliberations, to speak out when necessary and serve our country in time of need; to live exemplary lives and pass on our values and wisdom to the next generation.
That would be bland enough for unanimity, I thought. But I was wrong. I have read the italicized statement to several folks and asked them to pinpoint the offending clause. So far, none of the conservatives has been able to find it. Liberals see it right away. I think of it as a kind of litmus test.
The offending phrase is, “an unnecessary burden on others.”
That grated on the ear of Lisa Madigan, the Illinois [Attorney General]. It put an unfair onus on the acceptance of help. She moved that the words be taken out.
* While others may have slobbered over Mayor Daley’s endorsement yesterday of the Blagojevich/Cross mass transit bailout plan, Kurt Erickson kept his head and asked questions…
As the General Assembly returns to action Wednesday to deal with a financial bailout of Chicago-area public transit systems, observers say the lack of agreement on other top issues makes it a virtual certainty that the already record-setting overtime session will drag into December, and perhaps beyond.
Along with the mass transit funding, lawmakers are pressing for passage of a statewide construction program. But, there remains no consensus on how to pay for either of those proposals. […]
But, its prospects in the Senate remain dim, with a bloc of downstate lawmakers pledging to reject the bailout if a separate statewide construction program isn’t put on the table.
“I refuse to support one without the other. We need jobs. We need to fix our crumbling schools and bridges,” said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, who is running for a seat in Congress.
* But when Daley talks, the Chicago media always plays it up. Don’t get me wrong. Daley is very important. But the actual roll call is much more important, and it’s not there yet…
Mayor Richard Daley Tuesday came out in favor of a measure in Springfield that aims to provide enough money to keep the Chicago Transit Authority running , insisting he’s optimistic about its passage despite questions surrounding its feasibility.
Now that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) has folded his hand in the legislative poker game that has stalled long-term funding for mass transit, so has Mayor Daley.
Following Madigan’s lead, Daley today endorsed a plan by Gov. Blagojevich and Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) to redirect at least $385 million a year in state sales taxes on fuel to mass transit. The mayor said he’s optimistic the plan will pass both legislative houses at Wednesday’s special session.
* Listen to all of Daley’s press conference at Chicago Public Radio, or just hit the button below…
[audio:cityroom_20071127_newsintern_Chic.mp3]
* To get a small idea of how politically volatile the new bailout proposal is, read this commentary by former state Rep. Cal Skinner…
Say you are from Downstate, also known as anything outside of the six-county Chicago metropolitan area served by the Regional Transportation Authority.
$385 million [GRF transit bailout] divided by the state’s population of 12,831,970 (Commerce Department figure) is what?
$30.
So, an opponent could send a mailing to a Downstate legislator’s district saying anyone who voted for this deal voted to force a family of four to send $120 to Chicago.
Or robo calls could be made. Even cheaper.
Whatever you may think of Cal, he’s right.
* More transit and session stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Blagojevich’s CTA ‘rescue’ took from other programs
* Editorial: Capitol…your tax dollars at work or maybe not
*** UPDATE 1 *** Metro Networks‘ Springfield bureau chief Ben Yount has an excellent analysis that you can listen to at the Illinois Farm Bureau site or below…
[audio:LegisforIFB1126_14278.mp3]
*** UPDATE 2 *** Fox Chicago’s Senior Political Editor Jack Conaty scored an exclusive interview with Speaker Madigan yesterday that I just noticed thanks to a commenter here.
Madigan told Conaty that it was “very, very sad for Illinois government” that some leaders demand a “linkage” between a mass transit bailout and a capital casino plan. Madigan also patted himself on the back for making “a major concession” on the transit issue.
Conaty asked Madigan if we are now “at the end of that unfortunate legislative drama or is this simply one more act?” Madigan’s reply…
“This is simply one more act because of the politics of Rod Blagojevich. The politics of Rod Blagojevich is not a politics of conciliation. It’s a politics of confrontation, conflict.”
“Despite the optimism in Chicago,” Conaty says, “the funding crisis at the CTA is likely to continue.”
Click the pic for Conaty’s full story…
…Adding… Many thanks to Fox Chicago for their prominent placement of my blog on their political news page.
*** UPDATE 3 *** The Tribune editorialized on gaming expansion again today. Take a look.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Cogent analysis from the SJ-R’s editorial board…
For some reason, and we suspect it is about as straightforward as a long Russian novel, Madigan now has decided to abandon the Hamos plan and sign onto a measure being pushed by Blagojevich and House Republican Leader Tom Cross. That plan would rely on about $385 million in existing sales tax money from gasoline receipts in the Chicago area to bail out Chicago transit. But that money is already in the state budget, which means it would either need to be replaced or blow a big old hole in that budget. No one seems to have a plan for replacing the money. The plan is opposed by many for that reason and by others because it does not deal with a capital plan.
We suspect Madigan knows he signed onto a poison pill of a bill. It’s almost sure to die. And, so, if you were hoping for a resolution of this mess as a Christmas present, you better go to the second item on your list. We’re asking Santa to give the feds extra patience in dealing with our screwed-up state so they don’t yank that $6 billion from our stocking.
* The governor will probably want to talk about how he’s “saving” mass transit today, but reporters will probably want to ask him about this development as well…
A state employee fired for leaking an internal investigative report critical of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration testified Tuesday that he was recently interviewed by FBI agents.
Matthew Magalis, who is trying to win his job back through a civil service proceeding, did not say what federal agents had asked. But he said an FBI investigation is exactly what he was seeking when he decided to give a copy of the report in October 2006 to Christi Parsons of the Chicago Tribune. […]
Magalis said he gave the report to the press instead of the FBI because he feared for his job if it became known that he was cooperating with outside investigators.
“People are retaliated against in my department, so I didn’t want to be part of whatever investigation there was going to be,” said Magalis, who was fired in October from his $82,000-a-year job as an agency administrator after an investigation by the state’s Office of the Executive Inspector General.
* The General Assembly could be in session two days this week. If that’s the case, then reporters will likely press the governor tomorrow about a story which will appear at 10 o’clock tonight on CBS 2. Click the pic for the station’s promo, which is running in heavy rotation…
How would you like a job which pays you $155,000? You don’t have to talk to co-workers, very much, or attend important meetings. And you don’t even have to go to your main office every day.
Sorry, job’s taken by Rod Blagojevich.
CBS2’s Mike Flannery tracked the governor to see how he’s conducting the State of Illinois’ business. And we’ve got one question: If the governor’s not governing, what’s he doing?
“Exposing Blagojevich” tonight at 10, only on CBS2 News
Oof.
I’ve been hearing about this piece for weeks. Apparently, the station staked out the governor’s home and monitored his work habits. We’ll have to wait and see if the hype matches up to the substance, but I’m sure it will be a fun viewing.
I’ve asked the station to provide me with a live link to tonight’s broadcast. So, if you’re outside the Chicago area, check back tonight and you’ll probably be able to watch it right here.
*** UPDATE *** I have the link ready to go and will post it later tonight, so check back.
A suburban man filed the first lawsuit against Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s unilateral expansion of state-subsidized health care.
Richard Caro of Riverside charged in his complaint, which was Monday filed in Cook County, that Blagojevich’s expansion of the state’s FamilyCare program is unconstitutional because lawmakers never agreed to appropriate that spending.
* It’s time, once again, to play “Rate the campaign TV ads,” campers. First up, Jay Footlik’s first second TV ad of the season. Footlik is running against fellow Democrat Dan Seals for the right to take on GOP Congressman Mark Kirk…
* Next, we have Democrat Bill Foster’s new ad. Foster is hoping to challenge whatever GOP candidate emerges in retired Congressman Denny Hastert’s district…
* And, finally, Republican Kevin Burns, one of the Republican candidates in the race to replace Hastert…
Many Metro East educators will continue opening each school day with a moment of silence, rather than trying to predict the outcome of a constitutional showdown over the new state law that may or may not require it.
The DuPage County Board voted Tuesday to adopt a “doomsday” budget that calls for cutting 240 jobs, but passed a moratorium that will prevent any layoffs until the results of a Feb. 5 ballot referendum to add one-quarter percent to the county sales tax.
* Stroger floor leader says budget would pass if Todd ‘were a white man’
Commissioner William Beavers said “if Todd was a white man, he wouldn’t have half these problems,” further alleging “this is a remake of the Harold Washington days” at City Hall, where racially fueled votes often ended in 29-21 decisions.
“Who’s gonna control the county — white or black — that’s all this is,” he said.
* Filing for special election to replace Hastert has already begun
You’d better already be putting together your campaign. Although no one knows yet just when the special election will be held to replace Hastert in the 14th Congressional District, it’s likely already well into the pre-filing period when candidates should be getting their petitions and paperwork together, state election officials said.
So far, the only concrete information anyone has about the special election is that there will be one. Hastert’s resignation on Monday assured that — his exit with one year left on his term demands a special election to replace him for the remainder of that term.
Van Der Hooning said he was ordered to cut back the program out of concerns over cost and the worry among some on campus that admitting dozens of “jar heads” would dilute the quality of the MBA program.
The university has disputed Van Der Hooning’s version of events, and denied any university officials made references to jar heads — slang for Marines.
The scholarships, university officials have said, were never meant to be awarded at once, nor all in the Chicago-based executive MBA program. Some of the recipients have been on the Champaign-Urbana campus.
* Opinion: Public suffers if aldermen fail to debate
* Top cop candidate threatens to withdraw if name goes public
Is a U.S. ambassadorship in the offing for former U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert?
Maybe, maybe not: But Sneed hears rumbles President Bush would like to reward Hastert for his exemplary tenure in office.
Meanwhile: Hastert, who submitted his official resignation Monday, is devoting his time to the Hastert Center at Wheaton College and raising money for incumbent Republican candidates facing a tough race. Example: U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk.
* Tollway to hold hearing on tentative 2008 budget
The $236 million operating budget shows a 5 percent increase over 2007 and provides funds for new customer-service and public-safety projects, as well as additional spending for new road and I-PASS construction.
An additional $230 million in revenue, combined with bond proceeds and other capital reserves, will provide $1.4 billion for the fourth year of the tollway’s rebuilding and widening program.
* Editorial: Checks at casino good way to keep addicts out
