Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Â· Watch this CBS2 video of the governor’s strange reaction when asked what the state can do about high gasoline prices.

Â· After you’re finished with that, head over to Jim Leach’s blog for this weird back and forth with Judy Baar Topinka about whether she thinks President Bush is taking the nation in the “right direction.”

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Ethics; Robocalls; Rockford

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

First, the setup:

One bumper sticker handed out in 2000 by a group critical of then-Gov. George Ryan may have best summed up the public’s often cynical view of Illinois politics: “Our governor is a bigger crook than your governor.”

Ryan’s conviction on federal corruption charges adds yet another chapter to Illinois’ already voluminous history of political missteps, shenanigans and scandal.

From Ryan’s subordinates barbecuing documents trying to cover their tracks to cash-filled shoe boxes in the hotel room of a dead secretary of state, Illinois - the state that gave rise to Honest Abe - is arguably best known for its less-than-honest political pedigree.

But are we really that bad?

“Yes” is the resounding answer from many, but not all, political reformers and pundits.

“I think that it’s important for people to step back and look at Illinois at this moment in history,” said Cindi Canary, the director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “The breadth and volume of the problem in this state is absolutely without compare. And it’s nothing to be proud of.”

Do you think Illinois is the most corrupt state in the nation? Why or why not? And what should be done about it?

42 Comments

Congressional stuff

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Rush blasted:

An Englewood community center founded by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), a key player on telecommunications legislation, received a $1 million grant from the charitable arm of SBC/AT&T, one of the nation’s largest phone companies.

The chief of a congressional watchdog group says Rush’s ongoing association with the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation and his role in shaping telecommunications law as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee is a conflict of interest. Using charitable giving as a backdoor way to curry favor with lawmakers is coming under increasing scrutiny, figuring in controversies associated with former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), who was forced to temporarily step aside as the ranking Democrat on the Ethics panel.

Â· McSweeney may have goofed:

Republican 8th Congressional District candidate Dave McSweeney put himself in an unusual political position this week. Newly-nominated congressional candidates tend to play it safe politically, staying above the fray in internecine conflicts. Not McSweeney. He waded into the battle over whoâ€™d become the next Lake County Republican Party chairman. McSweeney backed Tom Gooch, the Cuba Township highway commissioner, over Dan Venturi, the Lake Villa Township supervisor. McSweeneyâ€™s guy lost, and McSweeney loses a bit of face as a result. With even House Speaker Dennis Hastert admitting itâ€™ll be an uphill climb against Democratic U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean this fall, McSweeney needs every Republican vote he can get. Risking the ire of Venturi backers definitely did not follow the political playbook. I asked McSweeney Friday to explain the unorthodox move. He said he â€œmade some phone calls forâ€ Gooch. Loyalty, it seems, was the reason. â€œItâ€™s not a question of looking weak, Eric. Tom was one of my original supporters,â€ McSweeney said. â€œHe was there Day One for me.â€

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Guv: “Stay tuned” on tollway leasing

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Is the guv really thinking about leasing the tollways?

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday heâ€™s waiting to see how Indianaâ€™s experiment of leasing its toll road fares before deciding whether to act on a suggestion to do the same for the suburban tollway.

â€œStay tuned,â€ said Blagojevich Monday. â€œThis is an idea that weâ€™ve talked about for years, actually. Youâ€™ve got to explore all kinds of creative ways to utilize the assets of the state. It sure is better than putting more burdens on the hard-working people and asking them for their tax dollars.â€

Indiana is getting $3.8 billion for leasing its toll road to a foreign business group, and Blagojevich said heâ€™s â€œlooking with great interestâ€ at how it plays out. Critics blast provisions in the Indiana contract that will allow the new operator to raise tolls by 2 percent a year after 2009.

State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, an Evanston Democrat, has suggested the idea of leasing or selling Illinoisâ€™ tollway system, but Blagojevich said he wonâ€™t consider it until next year at the earliest. Schoenberg said heâ€™s working independently on the idea, asking a state agency to look at how much a tollway lease could bring into state coffers.

What do you think of this idea?

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Morning open thread

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Â· State awards $10 million for stem cells. More here and here.

Â· Topinka pumps plan to cap state sales tax on gasoline. More here.

Â· I hope he wins this case so we can finally open up this process, but I’m not sure why he’s bringing it: Parole officer sues to get report criticizing how he got his job

Â· They’d have more money if they stopped raiding the Road Fund: The escalation in oil prices is affecting virtually all aspects of how Illinois road-building companies bid for and carry out construction jobs, and the likely upshot for motorists is a delay in some much-needed projects because money will run out, experts say.

Â· Remember Mongo? His owners were so mad at how they were treated (the guv called their daughter a cheater) that they’ve taken their case to the appellate court and won: Mongo the steer wins on appeal

Â· Editorial: Prison plan shouldn’t be hard cell

Â· Brown: 11th Ward election high jinks have John Daley crying foul

Â· Sneed: No names

Â· Your turn

7 Comments

Madigan responds to impeachment resolution

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Many of you have pointed out in comments that Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) has sponsored an impeachment resolution of President Bush. The Sun-Times covered it this morning.

I’ve been trying to get a comment from House Speaker Madigan’s office since late last week, and it finally arrived in my e-mail inbox a few minutes ago. This is from Madigan’s PR guy Steve Brown:

The Speaker said the resolution cleary reflects the groundswell of growing discontent with Bush Administration policies and programs.

As for his position on the resolution, Madigan said it is “under review.”

He did note that he had not voted for Bush

As to the fate of the resolution, I will stick with my far sighted, two decade-old tradition of “no predictions”

I wouldn’t bet on this moving too far, but one never knows with Springfield.

UPDATE: Senate President Emil Jones has a long-standing policy of not commenting on House proposals unless and until they reach the Senate. There have been a few exceptions, but this one is no exception. No comment.

33 Comments

Lane Evans open thread

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

From the Passing Parade blog:

17th District Committeeman Don Johnson, who with committeewoman Mary Boland, is steering a path through the unknowns in a never-before-used nominating process, said he hopes the vote can be held shortly after the third forum.

He said his work so far indicates that 394 of the district’s 721 precincts elected a committeeman in the March 21 primary. Only those 394 have a vote in the selection, he believes, though there still hasn’t been a firm refutation of the suggestion that county chairman can appoint someone to the vacant posts, with the appointees then being able to vote.

[Hat tip: Inside Dope]

What else have you heard about this race?

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Dueling press releases

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Topinka:

State Treasurer and GOP nominee for Governor Judy Baar Topinka today called on Governor Rod Blagojevich to get to work on easing motoristsâ€™ burden from escalating gas prices. While Blagojevich has had time to shoot campaign commercials and host lavish fundraisers, he hasnâ€™t lifted a finger to help motorists.

On June 18, 2001, candidate Rod Blagojevich blamed the sitting Governor for doing nothing on gas prices when prices were $1.99 a gallon â€“ he even described the problem as â€œlethargy.â€ Now as Governor, Blagojevich canâ€™t find the energy to do anything to help the public on gas prices.

â€œHeâ€™s hiding behind TV commercials and not doing his job,â€ Topinka said. â€œHeâ€™s not in Springfield working at the Capitol, and taxpayers are now paying for the legislature to go into overtime. He says he doesnâ€™t have time to file his taxes, and wonâ€™t disclose them even though in the past heâ€™s received family income from Tony Rezko. Now, with prices for gas rising more than a dollar higher than when he complained, the absentee Governor is nowhere to be found.â€

â€œI support taking a look at easing the burden on motorists. One idea I talked about today was suspending the sales tax on gasoline when prices reach $2.50 per gallon. That may work, or perhaps there are other good alternatives. But clearly we need some leadership on this and Rod Blagojevich is nowhere to be found.â€

Blagojevich:

Topinka Rhetoric: She â€œsupports stem cell researchâ€.

Topinka Reality: Topinka wonâ€™t take action to make stem cell research a reality in Illinois.

While she says she supports the concept of â€œstem cell researchâ€, she does not support Governor Blagojevichâ€™s work to make stem cell research actually happen in Illinois.

Governor Blagojevich has shown leadership in helping Illinois overcome President Bushâ€™s strident opposition to stem cell research. While Governor Blagojevich worked to fund $10 million in stem cell research in the state budget, Topinka has said that she has an â€œobjection to Governor Blagojevichâ€™s recent action.â€ She also ignored the Governorâ€™s letter asking her to support the State of Illinois in a lawsuit challenging the state stem cell research plan and she refused to sign a letter send by all other state wide elected officials that called on lawmakers to pass legislation funding stem cell research.

From Alzheimerâ€™s to heart disease, stem cell research represents real promise to millions of Americans and Illinoisans struggling with serious illness. Supporting something in theory doesnâ€™t provide hope for people suffering from disease. Governor Blagojevich has taken action on stem cell research; Treasurer Topinka is offering more excuses and double-talk. […]

Todayâ€™s questions for Judy Baar Topinka: Will you stand up to President Bush and fully support the stem cell research grant program announced today by Governor Blagojevich? Will you join Governor Blagojevich in fighting the lawsuit filed to stop this important research?

24 Comments

Rasmussen: Topinka by 6

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

This makes four post-primary polls in a row with a lead for JBT.

In the race for Illinois Governor, Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka now leads Democratic Governor Rod R. Blagojevich 44% to 38%. In March, Topinka led 43% to 41%.

Topinka has now led in three of the four polls we have conducted of the race, albeit modestly for the most part. Our three-poll rolling average continues to show a tight race, with Topinka barely ahead 41%-40%. However, over the course of those three surveys, Topinka has gained ground each time.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of the contest was conducted April 18, a day after voters learned of a former Republican Governor’s conviction on corruption charges. Blagojevich’s administration is also being investigated for corruption, which the Topinka campaign has been eager to point out.

The Blagojevich campaign, for its part, has stressed Topinka’s past service under the convicted governor, from whom she has sought to distance herself.

How the charges and counter-charges will play out in the minds of voters will be reflected in coming polls, but Governor Blagojevich is clearly in a vulnerable position for an incumbent. He has yet to rise above 42% support, let alone 50%, when pitted against Topinka, and enjoys only 64% support from fellow Democrats.

Only 43% of likely voters view the incumbent favorably; 57% disapprove. Topinka is viewed favorably by 58%, unfavorably by 39%.

However, opinions on both candidates are fairly soft. Just 17% have a “very favorable” opinion of Topinka while 15% have a “very unfavorable” opinion.”

For the Governor, 14% have a “very favorable” opinion and 29% hold a “very unfavorable” opinion.

Sixty percent (60%) of Illinois voters say tax increases hurt the economy; 19% say they help. Fifty-four percent (54%) say tax cuts help the economy, while 25% say they hurt it.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of likely voters agree that controlling the border and enforcing current law should have priority over further reform. Fifty-eight percent (58%) say our national policy goal should be to welcome immigrants generally, except for criminals and those who pose a security threat or would try to live off welfare.

Forty-nine percent (49%) disagree that all illegal aliens in the country should be forced to leave. Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree that the child of an illegal alien should automatically become a citizen of the U.S.

Discuss.

17 Comments

Open thread

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

On this light blogging day, use this space to talk about whatever you want, post links to stories, talk about what you’ve been doing on your own blog (or introduce us to new blogs) but try to limit all of it to Illinois government and politics, please. Thanks.

UPDATE: Speaking of new blogs, Republican PR spokestype Dan Curry has joined the great Internet discussion universe with “Reverse Spin.”

UPDATE 2: Dan’s latest post turns out to be off base, however. It wasn’t Becky.

30 Comments

Long, link-filled question of the day

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Expect light blogging today. I’m speaking at the Union League Club tomorrow morning and I have a lot to do before I leave today. I’ll post some stories later this morning.

I’ve decided to cover up this lack of blogging with a somewhat long question about WalMart.

As this Washington Post story shows, the company and the opposition are hiring consultants right and left (lilterally) and girding for a major battle in DC, the states and all the way down to the store level.

Unions and others have geared up in a big way to oppose the giant retailer. The UFCW won’t endorse any candidate who accepts campaign contributions from the company, for instance.

WalMart has responded in kind.

Under fire, Wal-Mart turned to Reagan adviser Michael Deaver, Bush-Cheney political director Terry Nelson and several Democrats, among them civil rights leader Andrew Young and campaign strategist Leslie Dach.

But it has also changed some of its practices.

After Maryland’s legislature passed a labor-backed bill requiring companies â€” Wal-Mart in particular â€” to spend more on workers’ health insurance, the Arkansas company came out with improvements in its health care coverage.

Amid criticism, Wal-Mart also has announced plans to:

_Help competing local companies stay in business.

_Expand its share of the Hispanic market.

_Sell more environmentally friendly products.

_Increase diversity in its work force

Where do you stand on all of this? Should politicians avoid contact with WalMart, or is this just an overblown issue? Is WalMart a bad company, a good company or somewhere in between? Should local governments stop WalMart from expanding in their areas? Should Illinois require WalMart to pay more for its health insurance plan so that workers can avoid going on Medicaid? Should government just get the heck out of the way and maybe even praise the company for hiring and training workers that few other companies may want? Should both candidates for governor be asked about this topic as well?

Let’s try to avoid sloganeering, bumper sticker logic and the like in comments today. Tell us what you really believe in your own words, without all the goofy borrowed phrases from blogs, talk radio, etc. Also, try to note in your comments whether you shop at WalMart or not.

55 Comments

Monday Ryan roundup

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

UPDATE: The Beachwood Reporter has a good roundup here.

Â· My syndicated column on the verdict.

Â· Transcripts

Â· Sun-Times: Plenty of turmoil — but no mistrial ’silver bullet’

Â· Fornek interviews Dan Walker: When a governor goes to jail

Â· AP: Experts hold out hope that Illinois can shed corrupt image

Â· Belleville News-Democrat editorial: No, everyone isn’t corrupt

Â· Tribune: The U.S. Department of Justice will not discuss whether it is investigating one of its officials who testified in the trial of former Gov. George Ryan.

Â· Tribune: Jury leader faced grilling

Â· Ousted juror arrested on ‘96 warrant

Â· Tense trial had bits of unintentional comedy

Â· Finke: Cleanup may not follow conviction

Â· Copley: Former secretary didn’t want to testify against Ryan

Â· Brown: Did defense set stage for Ryan jury turmoil?

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