* He still can’t admit that he did wrong. He still says he believes he “always” did right by the people. Such bunk.
* This is turning into yet another campaign speech. He’s talking about all of his alleged accomplishments in office. All Kids, free rides for seniors, no income tax increase.
* I can’t help but wonder if those people chanting “Free our governor!” were paid to be there.
* Dismisses his crimes as mere “political horse trading.”
* “I’ve been putting off the thought of what that’s going to be like,” he said about his future prison life. Typical Blagojevichian denial.
* OK, that was weird. Somebody tried to drape Rod and Patti in an American flag. “Please take that thing off,” Patti said.
* It’s very difficult to admit this because I don’t consider myself a hard, or unfeeling man. But I found myself actually sneering while Blagojevich’s voice started to crack as he talked about his family.
* “The truth ultimately will prevail,” he said, saying he was confident in his appeals. He was also confident he would be exonerated.
* OK, that’s all I can take. If you want to watch the follow-up interviews, feel free to comment about them below. My stomach turned and I need to walk away from this for the rest of the night.
* Tom Bowen over at the mayor’s campaign listened to some new radio ads I posted in the subscriber section this afternoon and has now taken it upon himself to persuade me to release the spots to the Interwebtubes public. I like Tom, always have. And I just hate to see him look so silly on Twitter, so I am relenting.
These radio ads were produced by former state Sen. Rickey Hendon for state Sen. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago) and Napoleon Harris (D-Flossmoor) in their respective Senate primaries. Hendon’s black radio spots are legendary.
* As we’ve discussed more than once before, there is a longtime gentleman’s agreement here in Illinois not to challenge rival presidential primary nominating petitions. The presidential primary has never meant anything here anyway, so there was no sense in making unnecessary intraparty enemies over something as silly as meaningless delegate filings.
* It’s not about who wins the beauty contest, it’s about who wins the delegates. Back in January, Mitt Romney’s campaign decided to challenge everybody else’s petition signatures. This was the explanation that Treasurer Dan Rutherford supplied for challenging Santorum’s petitions when the other campaigns complained…
The Senator Santorum campaign in Illinois filed slates in 14 of the 18 Districts. Of the 14, only 4 had 600 signatures. No objection was filed for any District that had the required 600. One District had only 614 signatures and no attempt was made to vet signatures to bump them to be below the 600. There will be candidates for Delegate/Alternate for Senator Santorum on the ballot.
Rutherford decided that discretion might be the better part of valor, and since he is a statewide official who wants to keep the peace with his party’s various factions, especially if he runs for governor in 2014, Rutheford negotiated a truce…
Leadership from the Romney campaign (Dan Rutherford), Gingrich campaign (Bruce Hansen and Nick Provenzano), Paul campaign (Chris Younce) and Santorum campaign (Al Salvi and Jon Zahm) have agreed today to withdraw all petition challenges in Illinois against one another’s statewide and delegate petitions.
* Flash-forward to now, when Romney’s campaign is struggling for every possible delegate. Treasurer Rutherford and Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady explained that January decision this way to the Daily Herald…
“That’s when I visited with the Boston folks (Romney’s national campaign), and we said, ‘OK, let it be,’” Rutherford said.
Jon Zahm, Santorum’s Illinois director, also had filed a challenge against Romney, on the basis that his statement of candidacy was notarized in Massachusetts, not Illinois, as well as challenges to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
But soon after, Zahm said, Illinois campaign leaders began talking.
They agreed to a “mutual nonaggression pact,” Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady said.
“I don’t think it benefits the party as a whole if people are whacking each other off the ballot,” Brady, of St. Charles, said. “We don’t want to fight with Republicans.”
* But Buzzfeed is trying to make some hay out of this, and in doing so ignored all historical (recent and otherwise) perspectives…
The decision produced a quiet storm of outrage among Romney’s allies in the state, who were bewildered by the decision to make a slam-dunk race competitive, and to grant an opening in the desperate scramble to reach the 1,144 delegates required for the Republican nomination.
“When there is a challenge filed because a campaign doesn’t file the required number of signatures, it’s pretty much a no brainer,” said a senior Romney supporter in Illinois. “The conservative folks started screaming bloody murder, and Rutherford caved.”
“This isn’t about Romney, it’s about Rutherford,” he said.
Rutherford is thought to be planning to seek his party’s nomination for governor in 2014, and Romney’s other local allies accuse him of putting his interests above the candidate’s, and ingratiating himself to Santorum-supporting conservative activists.
“Either man up or get out of this game,” said another top Illinois Republican. “If Santorum picks up delegates downstate then shame on them.”
Romney’s local supporters say Rutherford acted on his own, but he and Romney’s aides in Boston are playing down any difference of opinion.
“We decided to be spirited and let it go,” Rutherford told BuzzFeed today, reached while on a day-long fly-around the state with former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert to support Romney delegates. “The decision was a combination of ours and Boston’s.”
Romney campaign press secretary Andrea Saul told BuzzFeed that it was incumbent on them to force Santorum off the ballots in the states where he fell short of the required number of signatures. “We decided against doing that,” she said.
* So, you’ve got a couple of anonymous Illinois Republicans complaining two months after the fact about a decision made by Rutherford and Romney’s Boston HQ which was also approved by the state party chairman. We don’t know who these anonymous IL Republicans are, but I’d be willing to bet they’re not on board with Rutherford’s personal ambitions.
Either way, they should’ve stepped up two months ago with their objections (if they even had objections then) rather than Monday morning quarterback everybody now.
* It’s not Rutherford’s fault that Romney can’t close the deal in other states. And Republicans will be here in Illinois long after Romney passes through next week. What Rutherford did was try to build a tiny bit of party unity in a state that hasn’t had any such unity in years. He was right then, and he’s right now.
* As you already know, Rod Blagojevich will be making a brief statement today before he reports to federal prison tomorrow. This is from Blagojevich’s publicist…
Because some media outlets may be taking it live, a “two minute warning” will be provided via Twitter before former governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich begins his statement, Blagojevich’s spokesman announced today.
That statement is scheduled to begin at 5:02 p.m. Central / 6:02 p.m. Eastern outside his Ravenswood Manor home.
The news media is encouraged to monitor @publicityagency (http://twitter.com/#!/publicityagency), the Twitter feed from The Publicity Agency, the PR firm that has represented Rod Blagojevich for more than three years.
The Agency will provide a five minute and a two minute warning Tweet for stations, networks and other news outlets covering the event.
“This will be one of the most important moments of Rod Blagojevich’s life. The governor never memorizes, does not use a script or a teleprompter. He speaks extemporaneously. He will speak from the heart,” says Glenn Selig, the former governor’s spokesman.
FAQs regarding the statement:
Q: Will there be an opportunity for the media to ask Rod Blagojevich questions?
A: No. This will be a statement only. This is NOT a news conference.
Q: Will the governor be doing any interviews?
A: There are no plans for any interviews with anyone.
Q: Will you release more information about the governor’s plans for departing Chicago?
A: No, for security reasons we will not release detailed information.
* The Question: What would you like to say to Rod Blagojevich today?
* Carol Marin looks at the contested Supreme Court primary and yesterday’s federal judicial decision striking down some of the state’s regulations on independent expenditures…
Abortion is front and center in the Illinois Supreme Court race thanks to a federal court ruling Tuesday that gave the bipartisan, pro-choice Personal PAC a giant victory. And opened the way for unlimited fund-raising for pro-choice candidates.
That kindles a firefight over the open seat on the March 20 primary ballot. Some background:
Candidate Mary Jane Theis — an incumbent, appointed Supreme Court justice — has attracted the most money, $1,141,385.36, and endorsements from the Democratic Party and Rahm Emanuel. But, until a recent TV ad blitz, she’s been a virtual unknown.
Opponent Aurelia Pucinski, an appellate court justice, has the least — $33,529.68, but huge name recognition.
The mailer, while silent on Theis’ stand on abortion, lists endorsements by pro-choice organizations along with the highest endorsements by bar associations.
Pucinski plans a news conference Wednesday to address the Personal Pac issue. A Pucinski spokesman responded to the mailing by reiterating the ethical canon that judges may not assert a position on issues that may come before them.
Subscribers saw the mailer yesterday.
* Meanwhile, Theis’ big TV ad buy is pushing up her poll numbers, and the Personal PAC mail will only help that effort…
Theis leads Pucinski 29 percent to 25 percent in the poll of 400 likely Democratic voters. With a margin-of-error of 5 percentage points, that means a statistical dead-heat.
Pucinski has a name Cook County voters have come to know over the half a century that Aurelia Pucinski and, before her, her father, U.S. Rep. Roman Pucinski, spent in elected office.
Theis has a name most voters could not even pronounce (It’s pronounced TICE, rhyming with “rice.”) a month ago though she has been a judge 28 years.
In a poll Feb. 6-8, Pucinski had 32 percent of the vote; attorney Thomas Flannigan had 13 percent; Appellate Justice Joy Cunningham had 12 percent and Theis — who has served on the high court by appointment for the past year — brought up the rear with 7 percent.
Just a month later, in a poll conducted March 11-12, Theis now leads with 29 percent. Pucinski is four points behind at 25 percent. Cunningham has 13 percent. And Flannigan has 11 percent.
Theis’s campaign commissioned both of the polls, which were conducted by GBA Strategies.
What has happened between the two surveys is close to half-a-million dollars of television commercials boosting Theis.
Theis’s name recognition now stands at 45 percent, compared to 60 percent who recognize Pucinski’s name and 26 percent who recognize Cunningham’s name, according to the poll.
Cunningham, who would be the first African-American woman on the high court, has had a more limited television presence.
* Related…
* ADDED: Supreme Court to hear Batavia online scam case: The Illinois Supreme Court will hear arguments in a fraud lawsuit against a Batavia woman who is accused of conducting an elaborate, 18-month online hoax to make a California woman believe that a firefighter she’d met in a chat room and fallen in love with had died.
* Federal judge throws out part of Illinois campaign finance law: But the watchdog group that helped establish the state campaign-finance law said Aspen’s ruling would bring “super PACs” to Illinois. “As we have already seen at the federal level, super PACs open the door to a risk of corruption by allowing enormous donations from one contributor to be dedicated to the candidate of their choosing,” said David Morrison, deputy director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.
* Congressman Shimkus went to see Sen. Kirk Sunday night and filed this report…
Family and close friends have pitched in to support him, and he was surrounded by “get well” notes from Illinois and around the world. I added to the collection with a card recently signed at the Clark County Republican Lincoln Day dinner and another from wounded warriors, organized by Bert Caswell, who is a red-coat tour guide at the United States Capitol.
Mark was sitting up with a smile on his face. His short hair reminded me of Sgt. Carter from the TV show Gomer Pyle, USMC. […]
I told him I was reading the book “Lone Survivor.” As a graduate of the Army’s Ranger school, I could not believe what the Navy Seal school put these students through. I reflected on my 52 day experience. Surely it was not that bad. Mark talked about a weapons qualification test he took led by a Navy Seal. He griped about the ungodly amount of rounds he had to send downrange over a two day period.
But he said that nothing he has done has been as difficult as this road to recovery. Every day, Mark pushes himself through tough physical therapy sessions, on a treadmill and walking the hallways. Some days are better than others but his progress is consistent, and he knows we are cheering him on.
Mentally he is sharp. I believe he could cast knowledgeable votes today. But he is in a critical time to continue to focus on improvement and strengthening his body and soul for the important work he looks forward to resuming.
We did talk about faith and he pointed again to the window ledge where his Bible sits. He mentioned the daily visit of the rehab center chaplain and time spent in prayer. How quickly I and many others have dropped Mark off our prayer lists. I would ask that we all continue to pray for his speedy recovery.
[VO] Governor Quinn’s new budget plan takes our state in the wrong direction. He’s trying to push hundreds of people with severe disabilities out of the place they call home – and he’s ignoring the voices of their loved ones.
[Guardian] I don’t know why they would want to close this place down, ‘cause there’s so many people that depend on the care and the love that they get here.
[VO] At the same time, law enforcement officials say Pat Quinn’s cuts would make our streets less safe.
[Sheriff] Closing the toughest prison we’ve got, where the worst offenders go, and letting other people out to make room, doesn’t make sense.
[VO] In all, the Quinn budget would wipe out 3,000 Illinois jobs. Governor Quinn just gave huge new tax breaks to big corporations. Now he says we can’t afford to save the jobs of thousands who protect public safety and care for the most vulnerable.
It’s time for our legislators to stand up for us. Say no to Pat Quinn’s plan.
Visit NoQuinnCuts.com.
Discuss.
* Related…
* Illinois lawmakers start petition to stop closures
* Hearings on Illinois enterprise zones start Thursday: Hearings aimed at extending a long-running tax incentive program get under way this week as part of a push by state lawmakers and business groups to keep Illinois competitive with other states. In a year marked by the General Assembly and Gov. Pat Quinn scrambling to offer tax incentives to companies threatening to leave the state, the hearings are designed to clear a path for an extension of the state’s existing 97 enterprise zones for another 25 years.
* Public invited to meeting regarding state budget: he local public employees union will hold a public meeting Thursday night to discuss what it says are the deleterious effects of Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget plan.
* This conversation between the federal government’s cooperating witness and Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) pretty much seals the deal. The witness is handing Smith $7,000 in a cash bribe that Smith “earned” by writing a letter of support for a daycare center grant…
During the meeting, CS-1 stated, “You thought I was bulls…’ didn’t you?” (CS-1 and SMITH laugh) CS-1 then stated (while counting the money), “One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Damn, stuck together. Six. Seven. (UI) Talk to you later.”
SMITH then asked, “You don’t want me to give you yours now?” CS-1 answered, “Holla’ at you later, man. I get at you later man. I just want you to know I ain’t playin’ no games wich you, serious.” SMITH said, “Alright, man.” CS-1 stated, “Do what you gonna do to keep your word. Holla at you later man.” SMITH said, “Alright. Get yours. When you want it?. . . When you want it?” CS-1 answered, “I’m gonna call you.” SMITH said, “(UI) pick out ya’ car first?” CS-1 said, “Yeah, I’m gonna get my car. . . but I got th, I, you know, your campaign now, you got to come on. Do what you gonna do man.” SMITH said, “Man, we gonna. I (UI) sh*t.” CS-1 said, “Do whatever you want me to have for the campaign, jus, just let me know.” SMITH said, “I’m gonna get you your two man!” CS-1 said, “Alright.” SMITH said, “You know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. You know, and we said we gonna, we talk about it.”
“I’m gonna get you your two man!” refers to Rep. Smith’s promise to kick back $2,000 to the witness for his help in obtaining the bribe. The bribe was paid by the federal government, acting in the guise of a fictitious daycare center owner.
Smith grew up in Cabrini Green with [Ald. Walter Burnett], who handpicked him to be 27th Ward Superintendent.
But Smith was fired from the $72,528-a-year job in 2005 amid allegations he used city equipment and personnel to do private landscaping work and improperly used state-financed Earnfare workers to lighten the load of city employees.
“In my job with the city of Chicago, I did nothing wrong,” Smith has said through a spokesman.
At the time, Streets and Sanitation officials refused to explain why Smith had been fired. Smith served as a precinct captain in the 27th Ward Regular Democratic Organization run by Burnett and Committeeman White.
“It’s painful. He’s like a brother to me. If it was my brother, I’d feel the same way,” Burnett said in 2005. “Anyone who loses their employment is painful to me. I know they’ve got families to feed. . . . Whatever happened, he has to deal with it with his lawyer.”
Smith was employed in the secretary of state’s office under White from December 2006 until March 2011, when White helped engineer his appointment to the House to replace Collins, who had moved to the Senate.
The case also confronts Democrats in Smith’s mostly West Side district with an impossible choice. Come Tuesday, do they nominate a man charged with public corruption? Or do they nominate his challenger, Tom Swiss, who has shown considerable disrespect for them?
Right here we need to interject that, on March 7, this page endorsed Smith over Swiss. That’s an endorsement we hereby retract. Federal prosecutors will have to prove Smith guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before he’s declared guilty. Political endorsements don’t have to meet that high burden. We aren’t convicting or acquitting Smith; we’re trying to guide voters in their choice of representation. Specifically, we’re looking at every word of the government’s 23-page criminal complaint and concluding that we do not want Derrick Smith in the Illinois House.
That said, we’re also uncomfortable with the challenger. As we wrote March 7, “Say this for Tom Swiss, a former director of the Cook County Republican Party running as a Democrat: He’s honest about what he thinks about his would-be constituents. He’s targeting what he calls ‘low-information voters.’ One campaign billboard in this racially mixed district features his name and image — he’s white — and another billboard features his name … and the image of a black construction worker.”
The political complications here are enormous, to say the least.
* Here is that complete e-mail Swiss sent in May of last year about the “extremely low information voters”…
From: Tom Swiss
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:53 PM
Subject: RE: Re-Map
Jim,
I was thinking about running for State Representative because there is an excellent opportunity in Chicago.
After Sen. Ricky Hendon resigned, my State Rep., Anazette Collins, was selected to replace him. Subsequently, an unknown, Derrick Smith, was selected to fill the State Rep vacancy. He is a member of Jesse White/Walter Burnett’s organization.
The boundaries of this district barely changed. The vote will be fragmented into many sections with Anazette Collin’s daughter Angelique, Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins, and Smith all running with probably another 4-6 people. It is a very poor district with previous candidates only raising $40k to $100k. It would probably take a plurality of only 4,000 votes to win.
I would run as a Democrat. My political service company (Ogden & Fry) could provide artwork, yard signs, data, and robocalling at cost. My cost would be 1/3 would the other candidates would spend.
The people of the district are extremely low information voters. I would emphasize 3 paths to victory - branding (yard signs/door-to-door lit drop, get-out-the-vote (early and election day door to door activity), and hiring people’s yards to place a yard sign for $5.
It would be an extremely aggressive campaign. It could possibly be the least expensive State Rep seat pick up for conservatives.
I have been analyzing the maps, D-2’s, and opponents for 3 months. There is truly a very unique opportunity here, so I am seriously considering this race.
Let me know if this is something your team would be interested in knowing more about…Tom
* And here is Swiss’ response to the Sun-Times about my reporting and about his billboard featuring a photo of an African-American…
When Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax website wrote about Swiss’ candidacy last year, Miller quoted an e-mail Swiss sent out saying many of the voters in the district were “extremely low-information voters.”
Swiss said Thursday most voters in Illinois are “low information voters” as evidenced by Rod Blagojevich’s two elections as governor.
“I kind of resent that — because of all the work I have done working with Africans [and the disadvantaged in America] — white journalists implying there is something racist in that,” Swiss said.
The reason Swiss chose a black man in a white hard hat to put on his billboard is because as construction jobs come to the district, he wants to make sure they go to district residents, he said.
* But here is an e-mail sent by the President of Illinois Log Cabin Republicans about the Swiss campaign last October…
From: Caitlin Huxley
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 4:12 PM
To: Caitlin Huxley
Subject: Petition signature volunteers needed this weekend!
Chicago Republican Volunteers,
As Republicans, we have a problem. Democrats in Illinois run Plants for slots as Republican Committeemen, and all too often as the Republican Challenger against themselves. With a little funding, and slow republican turnout, they can assure they will not be challenged. This happens all too often, and has done damage to the party structure. In fact, not too long ago, Illinois was a Red State.
It’s time to turn the tables and use their same tricks against them! This year we have a lifelong republican supporter running as a Democrat. Tom Swiss is fighting fire with fire & needs your help. this weekend we’ll be doing a massive push to get him on the ballot. If you’re available this Saturday and/or Sunday we could use your help to collect petition signatures. We need 1500, and with 5 to 10 volunteers we could easily reach that goal in 2 days.
Please email me back 7 let me know your availability.
Thank you,
Caitlin Huxley
Organizer
* And a photo of Rep. Smith leaving the federal courthouse. Caption?…
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2012 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
ComEd is providing $50 million dollars in relief funding over the next five years to eligible customers in need. This support is made directly through the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act Trailer Bill passed last fall, and funds will be provided through the following three programs:
· Residential Special Hardship: Supplementing state-sponsored programs such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan,eligible customers can receive a grant of up to $500. The program began March 1 and will provide $8 million to eligible recipients in 2012.
· C.H.A.M.P (ComEd Helps Active Military Personnel): Active military and veterans experiencing hardship may be eligible to receive a grant of up to $1,000. Other benefits may include: deposit refund, forgiveness of late payment charges, deferred payment plans and budget payment plans. The program will provide $500,000 to eligible recipients in 2012.
· ComEd will launch its Non-Profit Special Hardship program for non-profit organizations in May 2012.
Since 2007, ComEd has distributed more than 930,000 grants to eligible customers who need assistance paying their electricity bills, and our commitment remains unwavering.
Customers may apply for these grants at their local Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) agency. More information is available by calling 888-806-CARE or by visiting ComEd.com/CARE.
* 3:37 pm - US District Judge Marvin Aspen has just ruled that parts of two Illinois campaign finance statutes are unconstitutional and has permanently enjoined their enforcement. Read the opinion here.
The pro-choice Personal PAC had sued because Illinois law prohibited it from setting up a separate political action committee to conduct independent expenditures. State law limits PACs to one fund each. The group also objected to the contribution caps to political action committees that are set up to run independent expenditures.
The court agreed based on the infamous Citizens United case and the lesser known Wisconsin Right to Life ruling (which had pretty much exactly the same circumstances as this Personal PAC suit) and those two state laws are now gone.
Defendants additionally assert that if we enjoin the contribution limits in § 5/9-8.5(d), and allow Personal PAC to accept unlimited contributions after converting to a independent- expenditure only PAC, we could avoid reaching the constitutionality of the one-PAC limit in § 5/9-2(d). We disagree that this solution would result in a narrow ruling that still vindicates Personal PAC’s constitutional rights as it would prevent Personal PAC from managing two PACs, one for direct contributions and one for independent expenditures. Such a result is not warranted.
* 4:33 pm - From Personal PAC…
Earlier today, United States District Court Judge Marvin Aspen issued a ruling striking down two provisions in Illinois’s campaign finance law on the ground that both are clear violations of the First Amendment. The first challenged provision limited contributions to political action committees, including placing a $10,000 limit on contributions by individuals. The second provision prevented any person from establishing or maintaining more than one political action committee. Judge Aspen held that both provisions are flatly unconstitutional following the United States Supreme Court’s landmark campaign finance decision in Citizens United v. FEC and the Seventh Circuit’s recent decision striking down a similar law in Wisconsin Right to Life State Political Action Committee v. Barland.
The Court granted Personal PAC’s request for a permanent injunction against enforcement of the provisions as applied to PACs that only raise and spend money independently of public officials, candidates, or political parties. This decision will enable Personal PAC and its donors to fully participate in the Illinois election contests in 2012.
Terry Cosgrove, President and CEO of Personal PAC, stated, “Personal PAC sought to bring Illinois campaign finance law into compliance with what the First Amendment supports. We are thrilled that the Court ruled quickly and in our favor, which will allow us to raise the necessary funds to effectively advocate for the rights of women and girls in Illinois.”
* Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. canceled a scheduled debate with his Democratic primary opponent this morning. It’s pretty clear why. As subscribers already know, Jackson’s latest poll has him leading Debbie Halvorson 59-23. From pollster Celinda Lake’s narrative…
A recent Lake Research Partners survey conducted among likely Democratic primary voters in Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District shows that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has solidified his support and is leading Debbie Halvorson by 36 percentage points. With a strong majority of likely voters viewing Jesse Jackson, Jr. favorably and approving of his job performance, the Congressman has significantly expanded his already strong lead since the last Lake Research Partners (LRP) poll, conducted in December 2011.
He’s also doing very well with women, so his ads must be working…
Among African American women, a key constituency in the district, Jackson Jr. leads his opponent by 54 percentage points, with 69% of African American women expressing their support for the Congressman, versus 15% for Halvorson. His support among all women is also very strong, with 60% planning to vote for Jesse Jackson, Jr., compared to just 22% of women planning to support Debbie Halvorson.
More…
A strong majority views Jackson Jr. favorably and approves of his job performance, while few Democratic primary voters connect with Debbie Halvorson. Seventy-one percent of likely voters say they have a favorable view of the Congressman and just 21% view him unfavorably. The favorability is up from the December poll, when 61% said they had a favorable view of Jackson Jr. and 29% viewed him unfavorably. Furthermore, 61% of likely voters approve of the Congressman’s job performance, saying that he is doing an excellent or a good job. Twenty-three percent say his job performance is just fair and just 11% believe that Jackson Jr. is doing a poor job. In today’s political environment when very few Americans approve of the U.S. Congress, Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s favorable numbers are exceptionally high.
Meanwhile, just 41% of voters say they view Debbie Halvorson favorably. While it marks a three percentage point increase from the December poll, Halvorson’s negative numbers have almost tripled over the last three months – up from 8% in December to 22% in March. Furthermore, 23% of voters do not know Jackson Jr.’s challenger well enough to have an opinion of her and another 14% say they have never heard of Debbie Halvorson.
Methodology…
Lake Research Partners designed and administered this telephone survey, using professional interviewers, with 406 likely March 2012 Democratic primary voters in IL-02. The survey was conducted March 8-11, 2012. The margin of error for the total sample is +/-4.9 percentage points and greater for sub-groups.
* Meanwhile, this is probably one the harsher press releases I’ve ever seen. It’s from Cook County Board of Review candidate Dan Patlak and blasts his GOP primary opponent Sean Morrison…
Just to review, Morrison has refused to answer questions about mob connections to his Las Vegas “security” company, lied about having a college degree when he doesn’t, lied to the voters by saying he would lower property taxes when he knows the Board of Review can’t, refused to reply to the actresses he stiffed in his failed reality TV “skimpy bathing suit” fight show. And that’s just the start.
Worst of all, no one except Morrison and his secret donors know who is funding his campaign. Morrison uses a campaign finance loophole to funnel thousands to his false and deceptive ads.
That last part is apparently about a a $127,000 loan that Morrison made to his own campaign. Patlak’s campaign is wondering where he got the money.
* From Tammy Duckworth’s campaign…
Several weeks ago, I asked my opponent to join me in a pledge to reject Super PAC support. I believe that unlimited, anonymous contributions threaten our democracy and should have no place in our political system. To our surprise, my opponent refused to sign the pledge.
Now we’ve found out why. A Super PAC run by his former campaign staff just bought TV ads in the Chicago area in a last ditch attempt to change the outcome of the primary on March 20th.
We can’t let a few wealthy individuals drown out our thousands of grassroots supporters. Contribute $10 now to tell my opponent he won’t get away with trying to buy this election.
But the Super PAC in question doesn’t appear to be all that super. So far, it’s done a $20,000 cable TV buy with maybe another $10K later this week, according to the person running the thing That ain’t much.
“I am honored to call Ron Paul my colleague and most importantly my friend. I have always admired Rep. Paul but my respect for this great man’s leadership grows more all the time. He is one of the most principled men I have ever met.
“Whether it be advocating for troop withdrawal, reducing the reach of our government or reforming the tax code and our health care system, Ron Paul has been unwavering and an ideological champion for all of us.”
* Roundup…
* Hinz: Biz group plans to spend $1 million on lawmakers who back pension reform
Illinois State Rep. Derrick Smith (10th District) was arrested today on a federal bribery charge after an undercover investigation for allegedly accepting a $7,000 cash bribe to write an official letter of support for a daycare center that he believed was seeking a state grant. Since December 2011, Smith and an individual identified as CS-1, who works on Smith’s political campaigns and who, unbeknownst to Smith, was cooperating with the FBI, had numerous conversations about helping a fictional daycare owner obtain a purported state grant in exchange for a political contribution, according to a criminal complaint unsealed after Smith’s arrest. On March 2, Smith provided CS-1 with an official letter of support for the daycare owner to obtain a $50,000 Early Childhood Construction Grant from the state’s Capital Development Board. In return, during a recorded meeting this past Saturday, CS-1 gave Smith $7,000 cash, purportedly from the fictional daycare owner, the complaint alleges.
Smith, 48, of Chicago, was charged with one count of accepting a bribe, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Smith will appear at 3 p.m. today before Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan in U.S. District Court. Smith was appointed state representative for the 10th District, which covers portions of Chicago’s near west and near northwest sides, in March 2011, and is a candidate for the General Assembly seat in next week’s primary election.
According to the complaint, the FBI began receiving information concerning Smith from CS-1 in December 2011. CS-1, who has known Smith for approximately six years, primarily distributes literature for Smith’s campaign and worked on Smith’s unsuccessful 2010 campaign for Cook County Commissioner. CS-1 told agents that almost immediately following Smith’s appointment as a state representative, Smith agreed to present CS-1 as a contractor so that CS-1 could apply for and receive a state grant, which would be used to pay CS-1 for his/her campaign work. In turn, Smith would take a “fee” for approving the grant, but CS-1 declined the offer.
CS-1 further told agents that since his appointment Smith has talked about his need for assistance in campaign fund-raising, and told CS-1 last fall that he wanted donations in the range of $5,000 to $7,000. CS-1 said Smith stated that he was willing to accommodate donors’ requests so long as they were reasonable.
Acting in coordination with law enforcement, CS-1 met with Smith in December 2011 and told Smith that CS-1 knew a woman who was the owner and a silent partner in a local daycare center, who might be willing to contribute to Smith’s campaign. CS-1 told Smith that the daycare needed repairs and the owner might be looking for a state grant. According to CS-1, Smith said he would help the daycare owner with obtaining a state grant in return for a $5,000 political contribution. Later, Smith told CS-1 that if the daycare owner was “legitimate,” she could come up with a $7,000 contribution.
The complaint affidavit states that the daycare owner was, in fact, fictional, and the daycare center, while a real business, was not applying for a state grant, nor was it seeking to bribe Smith. The Capital Development Board administers an Early Childhood Construction Grant program, which provides funds to assist early childhood centers with the renovation and expansion of their facilities.
The complaint alleges that during multiple consensually recorded in-person meetings and telephone calls since Jan. 24, 2012, Smith agreed to write a letter of support for the purported grant application in exchange for a $7,000 bribe. On Jan. 26, Smith and CS-1 toured the daycare facility and Smith was given information about its purported expansion plans.
Throughout February, Smith and CS-1 had multiple conversations in which CS-1 told Smith that the daycare was applying for an Early Childhood Construction Grant, and confirming that Smith would provide a letter of support in exchange for the daycare owner’s payment of $7,000. On Feb. 28, Smith directed CS-1 to have the daycare owner draft a letter for Smith to sign, adding that his office would fix it with the correct language. Later that day, law enforcement sent a draft letter of support to Smith’s office via email. On Feb. 29, a campaign worker in Smith’s office requested additional information to include in the letter, and after receiving a second draft from law enforcement, replied that it would be ready the next day. On March 2, CS-1 retrieved the letter, which was written on Smith’s official letterhead and was addressed to the Illinois Capital Development Board.. The letter stated in part:
“As a State Representative for the West Humboldt Park neighborhood, I support [Daycare Owner’s purported organization] in their application for a $50,000 Early Childhood Construction Grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board.”
Between March 2 and March 8, Smith and CS-1 discussed how Smith wanted to receive the $7,000 from the daycare owner, and Smith rejected payment by cashier’s check because he didn’t want any trace of the money. Ultimately, Smith allegedly told CS-1 that he wanted the $7,000 in cash, and agreed to give CS-1 $2,000 for arranging the deal.
Just before 3 p.m. on Saturday (March 10), CS-1 met with Smith in Smith’s vehicle and CS-1 counted out the $7,000 – all in $100 bills – for Smith during their recorded meeting. The next day, Smith called CS-1 and told CS-1 to meet him in his car in an alley behind CS-1’s residence, and according to CS-1, Smith gave CS-1 $1,000 in cash, consisting of $20 and $50 bills, which CS-1 gave to agents. In a subsequent phone call on Sunday, Smith said he would pay CS-1 the remaining $1,000 later by check.
The bribery charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine and restitution is mandatory. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Deis.
The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. [Emphasis added.]
Rep. Smith is scheduled to appear at 3 pm before Judge Nan Nolan in Courtroom 1858 of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Smith is running against Tom Swiss in the Democratic primary. Swiss is the white Republican pol who is operating as a sort of stealth Democrat in the race. Smith is Secretary of State Jesse White’s candidate and worked for White’s office before he was appointed to the House last year.
* 2:40 pm - Tom Swiss says Rep. Smith should resign…
Swiss, has attracted attention for his billboards that feature an African-American construction worker instead of Swiss
“It’s a sad day in Illinois,” Swiss said. “I would call for Derrick Smith to both resign and not continue the race any further. This demonstrates a significant character flaw. I would call on [Speaker of the House] Mike Madigan to withdraw any support of him. He has weighed in with $50,000 or $60,000; staff members and mailings.”
* 2:50 pm - From a press release…
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Calls on Madigan to denounce Representative Derek Smith Demands that Smith resign, remove name from ballot
Following the arrest of State Representative Derek Smith on federal bribery charges, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady called on Madigan to denounce Smith’s candidacy and cease all political and financial support.
“Another blemish on Illinois today,” said Brady. “And yet business as usual for Mike Madigan & Co. In light of Mr. Smith’s arrest today, he should immediately step down as State Representative and put an end to his campaign. If he does not, the Chicago Board of Elections office should refuse to count any ballots cast him.”
Chairman Brady went on to say the bribery charges against Smith reflect poorly on Democratic leadership and that Madigan must take firm and swift action. Madigan as already contributed over $63,000 to Smith’s campaign, according to the Illinois Board of Elections.
“Let’s not lose sight of the fact that Smith has taken 9 times as much money from Speaker Madigan than he is alleged to have received in bribes,” said Brady. “I urge Speaker Madigan to immediately end any and all financial contributions to Mr. Smith, and also to join me in asking for his resignation as State Representative and remove his name from the ballot,” said Brady.
Brady added: “Where is Lisa Madigan?”
* 4:00 pm - Rep. Smith waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was released on his own recognizance. No new dates have been set.
* 4:38 pm - From Secretary of State Jesse White…
“I am very disappointed with the conduct alleged in the charges. I am confident this case will be handled fairly and justly by the judicial system.”
* Several people were frustrated when tickets for my charity event sold out in just 13 minutes. As I’ve already told you, I’m turning 50 later this month, so I’m hosting a charity roast of myself to benefit Lutheran Social Services of Illinois on March 31st.
After the tickets sold out so quickly, Maggiano’s Restaurant expanded the room so we could fit another 110 people, but those tickets sold out pretty fast as well. Tickets were only offered to subscribers, they weren’t cheap and the event is being held in Chicago, so some people just couldn’t go.
* Therefore, we’ve decided to hold another party in Springfield. This one will be less expensive and, like the Chicago event, will benefit Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
The party date is Wednesday, March 28th. Boone’s Saloon is the location. It’ll start after session ends that day and will run until they kick us out. We’ll have a band and a DJ. Cash bar, of course, and some finger food.
This event won’t be a roast. We’ve been kicking around a few ideas for the theme, decorations, etc., but we’re starting to run out of time, so I was wondering if you had any ideas. While the Chicago party is more exclusive and “upscale,” like the subscriber Fax, we’d like to make this party more “interactive,” like the blog.
Any help would be appreciated. Your ideas, please.
* Bob Sirott praised Gov. Pat Quinn this week. I hope his station doesn’t mind, but I’m reprinting the whole thing…
You don’t normally hear anything positive about an elected official on the news – and historically, when it comes to the office of Illinois governor, that’s especially true.
That’s why I thought I’d give a little credit where it’s due tonight: to Pat Quinn.
He’s not running for anything right now, but he was certainly winning over the folks in southern Illinois recently.
By the time news cameras reached tornado ravaged Harrisburg, Illinois, Governor Quinn had already been on the scene. There was something about his demeanor that seemed different from the usual politician making speeches at the site of a natural disaster.
Not slick, but it seemed real. After the cameras went away, Quinn stayed.
It wasn’t on the news, but the governor was in the stands in the gym at that weekend’s Harrisburg Bulldogs high school basketball game. He talked to the players at half-time.
The governor said he was proud of the people in Harrisburg and southern Illinois - the strength, love and spirit of service they showed during that week.
With Rod Blagojevich reporting to federal prison Thursday, giving our state the distinction of having two former governors in prison at the same time, at least we can feel some pride in the way our current governor conducted himself.
His critics will tell you they’re not happy with the way he flip-flops on issues, especially the state income tax.
But like Gerald Ford after Richard Nixon, he has brought a much needed sense of honor back to his office. I think that deserves a mention.
And I think Bob is right. Too often, we’re just too harsh on our leaders. There’s nothing wrong with criticism. I do it all the time. But, hey, every now and then a lighter touch is warranted.
* Wisconsin’s governor has been working hard for a year to snag a big corporation from Illinois. So far, he’s had no luck, and he’s probably been telling lots of fish stories about the big one that got away while he sips white wine next to the Duraflame log.
On Sunday, a fisherman from Wisconsin ventured about 20 miles south of the state line on the Pecatonica River and caught a walleye that tipped the scales at 15.08 pounds.
The record was set to be verified Tuesday afternoon, but Jim Zimmerman of Beloit said he was confident he’d be declared the official state record holder after the weigh-in that was witnessed by conservation police and others.
“The wardens came and met me and we certified it on a scale (and) right then and there it was certified,” he said.
As the old Wisconsin saying goes, “If you want to really be a success in life, you gotta go to Illinois.”
* Things took an ugly turn during a Republican congressional candidates’ forum when Jason Plummer alleged that a major pro-life PAC’s endorsements were for sale to the highest bidder…
Cook, who served as Belleville mayor from 1993-97, said he’d been endorsed by the Family Political Action Committee, in suburban Chicago, which Cook described as the state’s largest pro-life group.
Plummer fired back, alleging that, based on his experience running for lieutenant governor in 2010, the FamPAC endorsement is obtained by paying for it.
“Rodger, I am offended you tried to trick people like that,” Plummer said.
Cook glared at Plummer.
“The truth will set you free,” Cook said. “Rodger Cook didn’t pay anything to Family PAC.”
“To say that i’m not happy about it would be the understated quote of the year,” Family PAC director Paul Caprio said this afternoon. “We have never sold an endorsement to anybody. We’ve never asked for any amount of money in return for an endorsement.”
Caprio also claimed that after the group endorsed someone else for lt. governor two years ago, Plummer called him and said, “I’m going to get you.” Caprio, who called Plummer a “miserable excuse for a candidate,” said the outburst demonstrated Plummer’s immaturity and temper problems, as well as highlighting Plummer’s reputation as “entitled.”
“We’re a giver, we’re not a taker from the candidates,” a “stunned” Caprio explained, adding that we would be hearing more about this soon. “We can’t allow that to stand,” Caprio said, adding that he would be taking “appropriate action” on “this defamation” unless he received an apology from Plummer.
* Meanwhile, there was yet another remote control endorsement of J3 over the weekend…
Gov. Pat Quinn endorsed U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson over primary challenger Debbie Halvorson today, but did so in the way other prominent Democratic leaders have backed the incumbent — through a statement rather than appearing with him in person.
Tammy Duckworth’s congressional campaign raised concerns Friday that supporters of rival Raja Krishnamoorthi have started up a “SuperPac” to raise money to run television commercials in support of his bid for Congress in the northwest suburbs.
Duckworth’s political strategist Pete Giangreco asked in a conference call with reporters Friday whether the SuperPac — “Suburban Voters for Choice” — might solocit money from “Big Oil” or “Wall Street” to run negative ads against Duckworth. That would be “unprecedented” in a Democratic primary in Illinois, Giangreco said.
* From Raja’s campaign…
Duckworth’s campaign made some pretty bold claims about SuperPACs today that amount to blatant lies. Raja has nothing to do with the creation of any SuperPAC and our campaign certainly did not “launch” a SuperPAC. Where is the evidence to support such a claim? There is none, and the claim is a flat-out lie.
Furthermore, Raja offered a pledge to Duckworth to take the influence of SuperPAC money as well as all PAC money out of this election. Duckworth refused to even respond to such a pledge, not surprising since Duckworth received a total of $102,847.96 in Washington special interest PAC money since she has entered race through February 28, 2012.
“It is pretty clear that Duckworth’s campaign is trying to make hay out of nothing in order to throw the spotlight off of all the special interest money backing their campaign,” said Deputy Campaign Manager Mike Murray. “Voters deserve better than the same old Washington political tricks.”
Superpac Treasurer Michael Vainisi, who served as Finance Director of Krishnamoorthi’s run for state comptoller two years ago, laughed at Giangreco’s suggestion.
“This is going to be individual contributors, no corporate money,” Vainisi said. “Some of Raja’s supporters were interested in leveling the playing field since Tammy has outside money coming from Washington.”
* ADDED: Joe Walsh’s cash drying up: The Illinois freshman — and potentially most vulnerable House Republican in the country — raises just $38,300 during the first two months of the year, pre-primary Federal Election Commission reports show. A Democratic sources notes that number is barely enough to cover the $24,015 he still owes in legal fees.
* Bustos Leads Schilling In Fundraising During Last Filing Period
* Kinzinger, Manzullo face off in 16th Congressional District - Republican primary race’s outcome is in question for the first time in two decades.
* Schneider Mailer Featuring Obama Pic Making Waves In 10th District Race: In the mailer, Schneider lists his endorsements, highlighting former congresswoman Melissa Bean and the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald as supporters. Right next to those endorsements is a picture of a smiling President Barack Obama, who has not endorsed Schneider or anyone else in the 10th congressional district race.
* Voter Registration Down, Early Voting Numbers Up: Voter registration is down in Illinois from both the 2008 and 2010 elections, according to the State Board of Elections. As of yesterday, there were 7.28 million registered voters in the state, down from the 7.3 million who were registered for the 2008 election. There were 7.6 million registered voters for the 2010 elections.
In Illinois, 42 percent of voters described themselves as born-again or evangelical Christians. Of that group, 42 percent are backing Santorum compared with 26 percent for Romney. Of the 54 percent of voters who do not consider themselves born-again or evangelical Christians, Romney leads Santorum, 43 percent to 22 percent.
Further marginalizing the rest of the field, Illinois Republican primary voters view Romney and Santorum very favorably, while voters are almost evenly divided in their feelings toward former House Speaker Gingrich and more have an unfavorable view of Paul than not.
Romney was viewed favorably by six in 10 GOP primary voters, while 19 percent looked at him unfavorably. Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, was considered favorably by 54 percent of primary voters, while 17 percent had an unfavorable view. […]
Fully 61 percent of those preferring Romney say their minds are made up, compared with only 51 percent of Santorum voters. In addition, 52 percent of Downstate voters say they could change their minds.
In Mississippi, Gingrich leads with 33% to Romney’s 31% and Santorum’s 27%, according to a survey by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic firm based in Raleigh, N.C. The firm’s Alabama survey found the race there to be even closer: Romney has 31%, Gingrich has 30% and Santorum has 29%.
The southern primaries had been viewed as a battle between Gingrich and Santorum for the party’s more conservative wing, but conservatives’ inability to choose between the two has created an opening for Romney.
Get ready to see a lot more of those television commercials slamming Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
The Restore Our Future Superpac — which supports former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president — has purchased nearly $1 million in airtime in Illinois.
Romney’s national staff begins arriving in Illinois this weekend, said State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who chairs Romney’s campaign here. […]
The new ads blast Santorum, who runs to Romney’s right on most issues, as a big-spender who voted for pork while Romney was cutting taxes in Massachusetts and presiding over the Winter Olympics in Utah.
* The Question: If you could use just one word to describe Illinois’ role in the Republican presidential nomination race, what word would that be?
*** UPDATE *** Not much of a surprise. There will be an appeal. From a press release…
Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding the state’s efforts to secure federal assistance for people affected by the Feb. 29 tornado.
“Today I spoke with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and informed her that we intend to appeal FEMA’s denial of our request for much-needed individual assistance for the people of Southern Illinois. I urged Secretary Napolitano to reconsider FEMA’s decision. We are doing everything possible at the state level to help these devastated communities, but some of the assistance that our residents need to begin rebuilding their lives is only available through a federal disaster declaration.
“I met with local officials, spent time with residents and saw firsthand the devastation and damage caused by the tornado in Southern Illinois. FEMA underestimated the impact this deadly tornado had on small towns like Harrisburg and Ridgway. We have already begun work on our appeal of this decision in order to secure federal assistance.
“I am grateful to Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk and the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their vigorous support of our efforts to bring assistance to the people whose lives were ripped apart by the Feb. 29 tornado. We are hopeful our joint efforts will help FEMA understand that a full recovery from this disaster cannot happen without their support.”
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* The state applied for a federal disaster declaration after a devastating tornado hit Harrisburg. It was thought to be a routine request, particularly since President Obama himself had expressed his concern about the tragedy. FEMA sent this letter to Illinois on Saturday…
Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the State, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental Federal assistance is not necessary. Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied.
Hey, FEMA, I got news for you clowns: Anything that costs more than about $1.85 is beyond Illinois’ capabilities right now. Sheesh.
Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg said he was confused by FEMA’s denial and questioned what criteria the agency used to evaluate the damage.
“How was the decision made, who made the decision and why was it made? I think that’s a fair question that needs to be answered, of course, to those that lost everything. I think there are going to be a lot of discussions in the days ahead,” Gregg told WSIL-TV.
Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk also issued a statement Sunday denouncing the ruling and seeking a meeting with FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate to discuss the decision, which they called “unacceptable.” […]
“I can’t believe this,” Durbin said Sunday in Springfield, according to The State Journal-Register. “I’ve never seen worse tornado damage. We owe it to the people to make sure … everything was accounted for.”
* From a Gov. Pat Quinn press release…
“I am extremely disappointed that FEMA denied our request for federal assistance that is needed to help people in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities devastated by this deadly tornado. After personally surveying the damage and talking to many residents who lost their homes, I firmly believe federal assistance is crucial to help them begin the recovery process.
“I support Senator Dick Durbin’s efforts to encourage federal officials to reconsider their decision. In the meantime, I have directed Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken to continue working with local officials to ensure that we do everything possible to secure critical assistance.”
* Oy, what a weekend. After a long week of session, a buddy of mine and I drove up to Chicago Friday night for the Alabama Shakes show at Lincoln Hall. Great concert. Just great. Lincoln Hall is nice, but it would be a lot nicer without all those Lincoln Parkers who snag tickets to see bands they aren’t interested in just because they can. There were way too many talkative idiots at that show. But, hey, I got to meet a member of my new favorite band and I also talked with two very charming and witty music bloggers. After that, we took a trip to Joe’s on Weed St., but we just missed the music.
Saturday was politics day. West Side and Out South. Lots of fun stuff that I’ll be sharing with subscribers. Then, back up to a friend’s place in Bucktown for a rooftop gathering, back down to the south suburbs for a party at Balmoral Park Racetrack and then on to my favorite blues bar (Lee’s Unleaded on South Chicago Ave. at 74th St.) for some wild times and excellent music to finish out the night/morning.
Sunday morning began early with a phone call from a friend who we were out with the night before…
Me: [Rough voice, just waking up.] “Hello?”
Friend: “So, you’re alive. Good.”
Then it was down to the South Side Irish Parade with old and very dear friends. The event was attended by lots of exceedingly polite and mostly sober people. After a post-parade party, it was up to the Lakefront, back to the West Side (Note to self: Next time, make sure to fill the tank so you don’t end up driving aimlessly around the West Side looking for a gas station as the gauge drops below “E”) and way up the North Shore for a drive in the gorgeous weather and some dinner. We arrived back in Springfield sometime around 1:30 this morning.
Anyway, as you might imagine I had a blast, but I’m moving a little slow today. Living in Springfield has got me too accustomed to a more sedate pace of life.
The point of all this is to tell you a friend snapped a pic at Balmoral which I thought you might get a kick out of…
* Cutting Medicaid eligibility isn’t going to be easy, or perhaps even possible in some cases…
Medicaid paid for 89,621 Illinois deliveries in 2009, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That was nearly 54 percent of all births, according to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The total cost was $890 million. Medicaid plays an even bigger role in births to teen mothers, paying for nearly 94 percent of teen deliveries in 2009.
Since 1989, the federal government has required states to cover pregnant women whose income is at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. That’s the equivalent of about $14,800 annually for a single-person household. That’s the minimum states must do.
Illinois goes beyond that, covering pregnant women who make up to 200 percent of federal poverty, or about $22,300 for a single person’s annual household income. Teens who are pregnant are covered up to 300 percent of federal poverty, or about $33,500 for a one-person household.
And a newer federal requirement has tied Illinois to those higher eligibility levels.
The federal health care overhaul, President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation, requires states to keep their Medicaid eligibility stable, barring Illinois and other states from saving money by lowering income ceilings for pregnant women and other groups.
So, eligibility cuts to this particular progam are off the table, according to the AP.
Not only does Gov. Pat Quinn’s state budget proposal call for shoehorning more inmates into fewer prisons, it also would reduce drug counseling and job training programs for prisoners.
Critics say that combination of cuts could make the state’s overcrowded penal system more dangerous and could result in more inmates returning to prison because they lack job skills and still suffer from substance abuse problems.
“If you remove those programs, you’re essentially adding more people to the prison system,” said John Maki, executive director of the John Howard Association, a prison watchdog group.
Quinn defended his call for statewide officers to cut their budgets by at least 9 percent, despite opposition from fellow Democrats Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White.
Madigan has said cutting her budget any further will make it harder to keep qualified attorneys and peruse legal action that actually brings in money for the state.
White has said such cuts would force him to close several driver’s license facilities, where he has long worked to cut waiting times.
Quinn took specific aim at Republicans Treasurer Dan Rutherford and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, saying they should be on board after traveling “up and down Illinois saying we need to cut spending.”
“It’s not easy, I know that,” Quinn said. “It’s very hard. But if we don’t do it, we’ll never get our budget back in the shape that we want it to be. We’ve got to have a better budget and everybody’s got to participate.”
Despite a long Illinois tradition of supporting them, it’s not exactly news that Republican members of the General Assembly no longer like voting for taxes of any kind. And that attitude created a couple of somewhat absurd positions last week.
Let’s start with the “roll your own” bill. Legislation has been proposed to tax a growing practice of allowing people to use commercial machines to roll their own cigarettes in convenience stores and gas stations.
The stores sell their customers loose, bulk tobacco and then the customers dump the product into special rolling machines, which cost several thousand dollars each. The result is a per carton sale price that is about half the price of a pre-rolled carton of brand-name cigarettes, mainly because the taxes on loose tobacco are much lower than on commercial cigarettes.
Several states are confronting the issue after the machines started appearing in stores throughout the country. Legislatures in Indiana and Virginia are considering bills to up the tax on loose tobacco used in the machines, for instance. Wisconsin’s Department of Revenue told the stores in October to start paying taxes on the tobacco as if they were selling actual cigarettes.
Critics say these stores with the machines are little more than cigarette factories set up to avoid high cigarette taxes. Defenders say they’re not doing anything different than coffee shops that allow customers to pick specific blends, grinds and brands.
Tobacco giant Philip Morris is just one of the companies backing the Illinois bill. The company is worried that the roll your own machines will eventually eat into its profits. The tobacco company’s lobbying team is also warning that if the bill doesn’t pass, Philip Morris and other tobacco companies likely will jump into the machine-rolling business themselves, which could potentially cost the state hundreds of millions of tax dollars a year.
But the Republicans on the Senate Executive Committee balked at backing the measure, and it was “shelled out” last week by an amendment and moved to the Senate floor as basically an empty bill. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), said last week that he doubted he could come to an agreement with the opponents and likely would propose similar language in the next few weeks.
Republicans admitted privately that they backed away from voting for anything that might look like a tax increase. They also say they’ll probably support the bill after the primary ends because of the negative revenue consequences for the state.
Then there’s state Sen. Toi Hutchinson’s (D-Olympia Fields) proposal to charge a $5 per head entrance fee tax on strip clubs that sell alcohol. The money generated would be sent to the state’s Sexual Assault Prevention Fund. The proposal sailed out of the Senate Public Health Committee last week on a unanimous vote, but there was a catch. Actually, there were two catches.
The bill has generated a bit of controversy, but it apparently presented a unique dilemma for a couple of Republicans who sit on the Public Health Committee. Possibly harming the business interests of “immoral establishments” might be a plus. But voting to tax those establishment still meant voting for a tax.
So two Republicans in hotly contested GOP primaries, Sen. Shane Cultra (R-Onarga) and Sen. Christine Johnson (R-Shabbona), discreetly left the hearing room just before the committee began voting on what some wisecrackers have called the “pole tax.” The bill passed unanimously, but without those two votes.
Johnson’s primary opponent Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) also sits on the Public Health Committee, but he voted for the bill. Johnson has been running television ads blasting Syverson for favoring tax hikes and touting herself as the true social and fiscal conservative in the race.
The other walkout, Sen. Cultra, is also the more socially conservative candidate in his Republican primary race against state Rep. Jason Barickman (R-Champaign).
As I mentioned earlier, things are expected to calm down a bit after the March 20 primary. The Republicans still will oppose most taxes, but the mere mention of the word probably won’t spook them so badly once they get past their elections. Maybe then everybody can grow up and start acting like adults.
