Villa Park police raided a “spray tan spa” Friday afternoon and arrested six people suspected of engaging in prostitution a day after a patron of the place told investigators that the business was supplying sex as well as tanning services, according to Villa Park Detective Sgt. Dan McCann. […]
The business came to the attention of police in February after the Tribune reported that a convicted prostitute who was the ex-girlfriend of Scott Lee Cohen, then the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, had worked for the operation when it was based in Glenview under the name Eden Spa.
Expect a press release soon: “Scott Lee Cohen boasts natural tan, cleans up crime!”
* Cohen’s enthusiasm knows no bounds. He recently trumpeted an endorsement from a tiny newspaper…
COHEN NETS FIRST MAJOR CAMPAIGN ENDORSEMENT
Kankakee City News Says Cohen Best for African American Voters
Chicago - Within two-days of being officially qualified for the November ballot, Scott Lee Cohen, received even better news when the Kankakee City News presented Cohen with its endorsement for Governor of Illinois.
“Needless to say, this has been a very good week for our campaign”, says Cohen. “I am honored to receive this prestigious endorsement from such a well-respected, African-American owned newspaper.”
In throwing it’s endorsement and considerable influence behind Cohen’sIndependent campaign for Governor of Illinois, the Kankakee City News and its Editor, James Taylor, explained that Cohen “best reflects the interests of the Illinois African-American electorate.” The newspaper’s endorsement went on to explain that Cohen is the only candidate in the race who “understands the many challenges facing Illinois residents in today’s economic environment.”
The paper has also endorsed Mark Kirk and Adam Kinzinger. It went with Kirk Dillard in the GOP gubernatorial primary. The only people to ever cover those endorsements were right of center blogs and the campaigns themselves.
Scott Lee Cohen, the affluent Chicago pawnbroker who is running for governor as an independent, might seem an unlikely candidate to receive financial backing from a Cook County judge. […]
Mr. Cohen apparently impressed Anthony Lynn Burrell, a Cook County judge who made three contributions totaling $650 to Mr. Cohen’s campaign committee, Citizens for Scott Lee Cohen. Mr. Burrell’s donations, on Aug. 12 and Aug. 14, 2009, were made public in an amendment to a 2009 campaign finance report filed Monday.
Mr. Burrell declined to comment.
Illinois judges are required by the state’s judicial code of conduct to “refrain from inappropriate political activity” but are not prohibited from making political contributions.
Judge Anthony Burrell is “Not Recommended” for retention as a Circuit Court Judge. Judge Burrell was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and elected to the Circuit Court in 2002. Judge Anthony Burrell has problems with punctuality and absences. In addition, Judge Burrell is poorly organized which affects his ability to run a high volume courtroom.
“President Obama’s hypocrisy is stunning — one minute you hear him attacking the ‘fat cat bankers’ and the next he is raising money for a mob banker in Illinois. As someone who promotes transparency and openness on a daily basis, President Obama should be condemning Mr. Giannoulias for his risky actions and associations, not raising money to support his campaign for U.S. Senate.”
Just a few weeks ago, the gun lobby was cheering the court’s decision to overturn Chicago’s handgun ban. All good people need is their own gun to fight off the bad guys, they said.
Right? Tell that to the family of Officer Michael Bailey. He had a gun. He knew how to use it. He did use it. But the bad guys had guns, too, and there were more of them.
Gov. Pat Quinn says he is disappointed with lawmakers in Springfield for not handing him a balanced budget.
Speaking with reporters in Chicago, Quinn said Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) has told him that there won’t be a vote on borrowing to balance the state budget until after the November election.
* The least cost-efficient team in baseball according to Forbes…
The Cubs rank last among 30 teams thus far in 2010, requiring $2.07 million in payroll per win, and underperforming their projected win total by 9 games.
* The Illinois Republican Party sent out a press release last week announcing some events at the State Fair’s annual Republican Day…
In addition, attendees can take in the music of The Brat Pack, a 1980s cover band. Songs such as, “Glory Days” and “Future’s so Bright” will fit in well with the overall theme of the day.
The Brat Pack? That band fits the “overall theme of the day”? Really?
* The Question: Which songs should the Brat Pack play during the Republican event? Snark heavily encouraged.
*** UPDATE *** Abdon Pallasch at the Sun-Times was able to get the quarterly figure from both campaigns…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady raised more money than Gov. Quinn in campaign contributions for the second quarter of the year, bringing in $3 million to Quinn’s $2.8 million. […]
Brady had to wait until March 5 when Kirk Dillard conceded the razor-close Republican primary to start fundraising in earnest. So most of Brady’s money came in the last three months, spokeswoman Patty Schuh said.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Subscribers already know about this. From a press release…
The Quinn/Simon campaign announced today that it raised nearly $5.1 million in combined campaign contributions in the first half of 2010.
The campaign had nearly $2.3 million cash on hand on June 30th. Semi-annual financial disclosure reports for the two campaign committees – Taxpayers for Quinn and Quinn/Simon for Illinois – will be filed July 20, 2010.
“The people of Illinois realize how much is at stake in this election,” said Ben Nuckels, Campaign Manager. “Our contributions show voters know that Pat Quinn and Sheila Simon are the right leaders to keep growing our economy and bring jobs to the state.”
The total released by the campaign does not include contributions made after June 30, such as the IEA’s public commitment of a significant contribution during their endorsement last week.
That $2.3 million is the same as Bill Brady’s cash on hand.
So, why did Gov. Pat Quinn close the gap with Republican state Sen. Bill Brady in Rasmussen Reports’ latest poll? There’s a one-word answer: Women.
Rasmussen’s newest poll had Brady ahead of Quinn 43-40. That’s a pretty hefty swing from the firm’s June poll, which had Brady with an 11-point lead, 47-36.
Many political observers were stunned back in March when Rasmussen’s first poll had Brady trouncing Quinn with likely female voters 50-33. Quinn had a horrible time with women voters during the Democratic primary against Dan Hynes, particularly after the news hit that his administration had released a bunch of violent criminals from prison early.
Women voters were still upset with him after the primary, it appeared. Subsequent polling backed up Rasmussen’s numbers. An April survey by Public Policy Polling had Brady leading Quinn among women by 10 points.
Quinn ranks high on so-called “women’s issues,” but Brady is 100 percent pro-life, even in cases of rape and incest. Brady also has taken dozens of votes in the Illinois Senate that quite a few women, particularly in the all-important suburbs, won’t love. Some folks have been saying that Brady’s lead in all the polls was artificial because women just didn’t know what Brady stood for.
They were right. By June 7, Rasmussen had Brady leading Quinn among women by just three points, 42-39. Public Policy Polling’s June survey had the two men tied among women.
And the latest Rasmussen poll, conducted July 7, has Quinn completely turning the tables on Brady and now leading among women by 11 points, 47-36. Word appears to be gradually getting out about Brady’s very conservative stances on abortion, guns, etc.
That movement by women was totally behind Rasmussen’s latest 43-40 overall results, which is the narrowest margin that any poll has recorded in this race to date. Quinn launched a TV ad in the Chicago area last week that whacked Brady good on abortion and his vote against requiring insurance companies to cover mammograms with no out-of-pocket expenses. That ad probably will put Quinn’s numbers to where they should’ve been all along.
Meanwhile, Quinn’s signature this month on legislation creating a temporary “back-to-school” sales tax holiday dovetailed nicely with that same new poll by Rasmussen, which shows Illinoisans by a two-to-one margin believe tax cuts are a better way to create jobs than increased government spending
Every article and editorial about the upcoming sales tax holiday included the official budgetary cost estimates of $40 million to $60 million, which isn’t much, but is a definite issue during the state’s worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression.
Yet 55 percent of Illinoisans, including 60 percent of independents and 47 percent of “moderates” believe that cutting taxes is a better way to create new jobs than increasing government spending. That’s less than Rasmussen’s national result of 69 percent favoring tax cuts, but to be expected considering Illinois’ more liberal bent. With the budget in sorry shape, tax cuts are few and far between, and with Brady advocating broad tax cuts, Quinn had to do his best to get the word out.
This sales tax holiday probably will get more publicity than any other pre-election tax cut Quinn could’ve devised. Retailers usually advertise quite heavily during back-to-school season, and they’ll surely include the automatic 5 percent discount from the sales tax holiday in their nonstop pitches to consumers. Broadcast and print news will do plenty of stories during the Aug. 6-15 tax holiday.
Not to mention all the mothers who will be thankful for a break on their purchases. Quinn knew what he was doing there, or at least stumbled into it.
But before the Quinn campaign can celebrate any victories, there is a very ominous warning sign in the latest Rasmussen poll for their guy.
Back in March, Quinn and Brady split the 65-and-older crowd with 45 points each in Rasmussen’s poll. By June, Brady had a three-point lead with seniors. Rasmussen’s July poll has Brady widening his lead to 11 points.
Seniors vote in high percentages, so Quinn needs to scare yet another demographic into retreating from Brady. Maybe a tax holiday on electric scooters?
Rod Blagojevich’s attorney Sam Adam Jr. said that White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett will not take the stand, but that the defense would try to still call White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to testify. “All she can say is what [Tom] Blananoff said,” Adam said of Jarrett. Balanoff previously testified about conversations he had with Barack Obama’s aides about the U.S. Senate seat.
We’re going through Robert’s history — and resume — quite closely. With at least one veteran on the jury, Ettinger is paying special attention to Robert’s expansive military history.
Ettinger asks Robert about his political affiliation — Republican, all his life — and experience with fund-raising. He never did any, he said, until he started volunteering for the Red Cross.
Robert looks serious as he answers questions, doesn’t smile much, if at all. He’s giving the answers straight.
Quoting a refrain from “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” attorneys for Rod Blagojevich in his corruption trial Sunday filed a 41-page memorandum in support of a motion for acquittal.
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data,” the motion quotes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. “Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”
Quibbling with the conspiracy charges against the former governor, his attorneys write: “Attempt to conspire (conspiracy being an inchoate offense) is not a crime. Likewise, conspiracy to attempt is not a crime.”
Noting that the prosecution decided not to call convicted political fundraisers Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine, Blagojevich’s lawyers claimed that the government failed to establish its RICO case, while it also prevented the defense to ask Rezko about conspiracy allegations made by former Blagojevich Chief of Staff, Lon Monk.
* This is a classic version of the old saying that begins “One man’s pork…” The Southern Illinoisan wants the state to spend money to upgrade the Hayes House, which is known as the Southern Executive Mansion…
Unlike the Springfield mansion, the Hayes House doesn’t host any events unless Quinn is in the residence, as it does not meet the necessary requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. And the house will stay that way. “It’s going to remain a residence,” Bourland said. “For ADA, it would need an elevator, and that’s not going to happen.”
Well, we beg to differ.
The General Assembly should find the money to bring the house tastefully into ADA compliance, and it should become another focal point for Southern Illinois events and culture.
And, heck, we’d like the governor and other elected statewide officials to stop down and stay for a few days more often. Have an open house. We’d like to say hi.
Why is this such a classic? Here’s a Southern Illinoisan editorial from the end of May…
There really are only three things, and they must be done in combination, that can get Illinois out of this sucking financial black hole.
The state must first commit to launching no new projects and then making responsible cuts in spending. Then it can ask for more revenues (yes, taxes).
To pretend otherwise is nothing less than posturing for election or re-election.
(T)he poll found only 37 percent of city voters approve of the job Daley is doing as mayor, compared with 47 percent who disapprove. Moreover, a record-low 31 percent said they want to see Daley re-elected, compared with 53 percent who don’t want him to win another term.
Then again, just 41 percent wanted to see Daley re-elected in the Trib’s poll before the last mayoral race, but Daley took 71 percent of the vote in that contest.
About 80 percent disapproved of the mayor’s handling of the parking meter lease debacle, down from 90 percent a year ago, but still in the serious problem territory. More trouble spots…
On other issues, 68 percent of voters said they disapprove of Daley’s efforts to curb City Hall corruption, and 54 percent disapprove of the mayor’s handling of crime. Only one-third of voters approve of Daley’s crime-fighting efforts.
Daley just doesn’t seem to be all that engaged on the crime issue, which is getting worse. A police officer in uniform was murdered recently by people trying to rob him…
“The man was in uniform,” said Marcus Burks, 35, a bricklayer and a father who was one of the first to run to Bailey after he’d been killed in the 7400 block of South Evans Avenue.
“A Chicago police officer gets shot to death outside his house, he’s in full uniform, and he gets killed because some thugs want to rob his car on Sunday morning?” Burks asked me.
But those who think Chicagoans are begging to buy pistols to defend themselves might want to think again. 56 percent support Daley’s push to ban handguns in the city. Another positive…
Three-quarters of city voters approved of his efforts for more Wal-Marts in Chicago
And Daley is still popular in the suburbs…
In the six-county suburban area, 56 percent of voters approve of the job Daley is doing, while only 26 percent disapprove.
* The Sun-Times looks at some who think they might want to challenge hizzoner…
Freshman Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said Friday he’s seriously considering running for mayor — whether or not Mayor Daley seeks a seventh term — because he’s fed up with the corruption, waste and mismanagement that have dogged the Daley era. […]
Aldermen Robert Fioretti (2nd) and Tom Allen (38th) are also considering running. So is the mayor’s former corruption-fighting inspector general, David Hoffman, and retiring Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan.
To pull the trigger on a mayoral campaign, Waguespack said he would have to raise about $2 million.
“Everybody’s worried about polls in the United States, and all politicians worry about polls — they should worry about their actions,” he said, speaking at a march against violence in Woodlawn. “I do this six days a week — I’m passionate about it — you have to be passionate about your job, and there’s ups and downs.”
* More smart divide and conquer by striking road workers. From a press release…
Local 150, Will & Grundy County Contractors Reach Agreement
Many south suburban projects to resume
Countryside, Illinois-This morning, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and the Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties (CAWGC) reached a tentative three-year agreement, which will allow many projects affected by the strike to resume. The agreement calls for annual increases of 3.25 percent, which will go toward healthcare and benefits.
“This significance of this agreement cannot be overstated,” said James M. Sweeney, President-Business Manager of Local 150, “because you will see projects that have been stopped for more than two weeks start up again.”
Some of the projects that will resume include:
· Interstate 55 construction
· Interstate 55 & Route 59 Interchange
· Route 59 construction
· Larkin Avenue from Route 30 to Route 52
· Weber Road from Lily Cache Road to Interstate 55
· Olivet Nazarene University improvements and chapel construction
Another result of this agreement will be the availability of construction equipment and materials that have not been available for many projects throughout the strike. Many projects held up because of their reliance on struck MARBA contractors for this equipment and material can now look to any of the 55 contractors signed to this agreement to provide what they need.
“What we are proposing to contractors is completely reasonable,” said Sweeney. “MARBA disagrees, but they are the only ones who do. These other associations have chosen fair contracts over needless stalling.”
“MARBA has said that agreements such as this don’t affect them, but if MARBA doesn’t want to return to work, these associations represent many contractors who can take over for them.”
The Laborers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity reached an agreement with CAWGC on Tuesday.
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 is a labor union representing more than 23,000 working men and women in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Local 150 represents workers in various industries, including construction, construction material production, concrete pumping, steel mill service, slag production, landscaping, public works and others.
* The contractors association isn’t budging, however. From a Thursday letter to its members…
It is unfortunate that the locals are attempting to pit companies against each other, but it is transparent and does not weaken our resolve one bit. In fact, it unites us even stronger.
We are attempting to put the union men and women back to work on jobs for which we are finally getting the opportunity to bid. While we were attempting to negotiate in good faith, the unions’ leaders declared a strike.
The unions have continued to demand a nearly 14 percent increase in wages and benefits over three years—their last offer was 4.55 percent per year for three years. Meanwhile the rank and file union members are out of work, unable to earn their $53 to $66 dollars an hour, while their leaders posture for the camera.
The projects that truly are of concern to people—the Eisenhower Expressway; downtown buildings like Roosevelt University’s tower; hospitals like Silver Cross in New Lenox—are still not resuming work and the vast majority of men and women represented by the locals are still out of work.
This strike may go on for a while until the unions get serious about recognizing today’s economic realities to help us secure work and put their members back on the job, and until that happens we may have a long way to go.
* That section in the union’s press release about how materials and equipment will now be freed up relates to this story…
A two-week-old construction workers strike that halted many Chicago-area roadway projects is now forcing the Illinois Tollway to set deadlines for the total suspension of three major projects, despite a written agreement prohibiting work stoppages, officials said Friday.
Construction crews on the tollway system are showing up for work. The problem is that the construction companies they work for cannot obtain the materials and equipment they need because union drivers are honoring the picket lines of striking laborers outside asphalt plants, concrete-mix facilities and quarries, officials said.
As a result, officials at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority have stopped the removal of concrete on pavement-patching jobs on several interstates because of difficulty receiving materials to complete the work. In some cases, other work is continuing, but at a slow pace, officials said.
The toll authority also set deadlines Friday to fully suspend all work on the Edens Spur, the Veterans Memorial Tollway and the Tri-State Tollway/Reagan Memorial Tollway interchange–likely until next construction season.
Republican Congressman Mark Kirk ranked 8th in the nation with his $2.3 million quarterly haul. Kirk raised just $100,000 less than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Impressive. Giannoulias’ $900K ranked him at 28th. Kirk finished 15th in the country for his cash on hand of $4 million. Giannoulias ranked 37th.
Over in the House, Republican Bob Dold ranked 22nd in the country with his $564,000 raised last quarter. His 10th CD Democratic opponent Dan Seals was two notches below with his $556,000 total. Democratic Rep. Bill Foster ranked 21st in the nation for his $1.6 million cash on hand. Rep. Debbie Halvorson was 8 slots lower with her $1.4 million. Here’s the Illinois list…
State
District
Candidate
Party
Cash on Hand
Amount Raised in Q2
Ill.
8
Rep. Melissa Bean
Democrat
$1,200,000
$300,000
Ill.
8
Joe Walsh
Republican
$30,000
$101,000
Ill.
10
Dan Seals
Democrat
$792,000
$556,000
Ill.
10
Bob Dold
Republican
$725,000
$564,000
Ill.
11
Rep. Debbie Halvorson
Democrat
$1,400,000
$302,000
Ill.
11
Adam Kinzinger
Republican
$480,000
$325,000
Ill.
13
Scott Harper
Democrat
$198,000
$143,000
Ill.
13
Rep. Judy Biggert
Republican
$869,000
$264,000
Ill.
14
Rep. Bill Foster
Democrat
$1,600,000
$461,000
Ill.
14
Randy Hultgren
Republican
$245,000
$307,000
* Back in June, the state’s entire Republican congressional delegation held a fundraiser for three House GOP candidates, Adam Kinzinger, Bob Dold and Randy Hultgren.
House Republican Leader John Boehner was a featured guest, as were House Republican Whip Eric Cantor, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions and Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy. Click here to watch raw video of some of the men arriving at the funder.
The money contributed at the fundraiser was supposed to be split up equally between the three candidates, with part of the bigger checks going to the NRCC. The reason for this split is that the three campaigns had formed a “Joint Federal Committee” with the NRCC called the Illinois Majority Fund.
The event was a financial disaster. It was put together in just ten days, a bunch of other Chicago fundraisers were scheduled around the same time and a mere $16,000 was raised.
Even the split got screwed up. Bob Dold didn’t get a single dime. Adam Kinzinger received $1,000. Randy Hultgren got $2,500. It cost about $1,300 to put on the event at the Chicago Club while much of the rest was split up between three consultants. The split was apparently messed up because some attendees had already maxed out to some of the candidates, I’ve been told by two people close to the disaster.
My questions about the uneven split and the botched funder were referred to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Cabell Hobbs, the NRSC/NRCC Victory Committee treasurer, is the treasurer of the Illinois Majority Fund. Here’s the NRCC’s non-response…
“I think our candidates’ stellar performances this quarter speak for themselves. Robert Dold and Adam Kinzinger were just two of the many Republican candidates outraised their Democratic opponents. Part of being a candidate is finding out what works and what doesn’t through trial and error or when it comes to raising money.” – Tom Erickson, NRCC spokesman
Apparently, bringing in just about every big gun in the world didn’t work.
* US Sen. Roland Burris actually showed up at a Chicago media event today. Mary Ann Ahern obtains our quote of the day…
Senator Burris, embattled ever since his appointment by former Gov. Blagojevich, spoke bitterly about his time in office and his inability to run for his current office again.
“You took 30 years of a great career and smashed it,” Burris said of the media. He added that if there is a special election for the seat, “I’m running.”
Burris mentioned he was upset with Congressman Mark Kirk for using Burris’ photograph in a TV ad which accuses the Democrats of being corrupt.
Burris refused to comment on the Blagojevich trial.
Yeah. He’s running. Sure. Then again, considering the flaws of the two major party candidates, he might not do too badly.
“You took 30 years of a great career and smashed it,” Burris said of the media. He added: “If there is a special election, I’m announcing my candidacy right now. I will run.”
“Why don’t you all report the truth for me?” Burris asked. “All this stuff about Burris is ‘Pay to Play,’ Burris ‘lied’ to get seated. I haven’t done anything wrong — that’s the truth.”
Would he have liked a full term in the Senate?
“I would love to spend one term in the United States Senate as I was hoping to do but your colleagues in the media made that almost impossible [with] what they put out to the public of Illinois: They took 30 years of my great career and just smashed it into ‘Burris is some type of a…’ How shall I say it? “… some type of a dishonest person.’ I’ve never been dishonest.”
*11:18 am - Subscribers already knew about this. The governor is attempting to ease the widespread and sharp criticism over his big raises for 35 staff members by doubling last year’s 12 unpaid furlough days to 24 for every non-union employee. Here’s the announcement via press release…
Governor Pat Quinn today directed his Budget Office to issue an administrative order to cut the state budget by reducing the salaries of his staff, state managers and policymakers. Administrative Order #1 requires the Governor’s staff and the state’s merit compensation employees – largely managers and policy staff – to take 24 unpaid days off.
Last year, Governor Quinn took 12 days without pay and required his staff and merit compensation employees to do the same. This year, Governor Quinn and his staff will take 24 unpaid days off.
Governor Quinn urged members of the Illinois General Assembly and their staffs to take 24 unpaid days off. He also called on the state’s union employees to take additional days off without pay.
“Today’s Administrative Order is the first directive under the Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 aimed at further cutting state spending,” said Governor Quinn. “We must take continued actions to reduce state spending and strengthen the Illinois economy.”
Today’s Administrative Order #1 is an across-the-board salary reduction that will result in a 9.2 percent salary cut for the Governor’s staff and state managers and policymakers. This plan will save the state approximately $18 million in fiscal year 2011.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures, and I thank our hardworking state employees for their dedication in getting Illinois back on track,” said Governor Quinn. “Today, I am calling on all state employees – not just managers and policymakers, but the Illinois General Assembly, their staffs and union members as well – to join us in taking the necessary steps to further cut the state budget.”
Governor Quinn also called American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the state’s largest collective bargaining unit – back to the bargaining table to negotiate additional unpaid days off in fiscal year 2011.
…Adding… While the press release refers to the governor’s staff, state managers and policymakers, the order specifically says “All non-bargaining unit state employees.” Then again, just about everybody is in a bargaining unit these days.
The time off from work required here, and resulting reduction in compensation, is not considered a change in salary and shall not impact pension or other benefits provided to those employees.
Translation: The furloughs won’t hurt the pensions of Quinn’s staffers who just got those big pay raises.
…Adding Still More… A friend of mine tells me her sister, who makes $45K a year and is not in a union, is just about at her wit’s end right now. She simply cannot afford this new furlough order and is not allowed to join a bargaining unit. The original Quinn plan was reportedly to apply this new furlough to those making over $50K a year. No such luck for my friend’s sister.
Gov. Pat Quinn is reducing the salaries of his staff through unpaid days off, just weeks after it was revealed he’s been giving raises as high as 20 percent.
AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said union members have already made “tremendous sacrifice to help the state get through the tough times, including agreeing to defer $200 million in scheduled pay increases. He said the union is still willing to work with Quinn to find ways to save the state money.
“We have an obligation and we’re willing to listen to what the governor has to say, but we also know that Illinois has the nation’s smallest state work force per capita, that the demand for public services is higher than ever in this recession and that our members are working harder than ever to provide those vital services.”
Quinn is holding an afternoon news conference, where he is expected to field more questions about the pay cuts.
“Today’s fourteen hundredths of one percent reduction out of a $13 billion-budget gap shows Governor Quinn protects big government at all costs, and only responds after pressure from taxpayers and the media. After Blagojevich-style pay hikes for cronies, his bizarre canoe czar, and secret criminal releases, this is yet another slap in the face of taxpayers.”
COHEN CAMPAIGN LANUCHES STATEWIDE “LISTENING TOUR”
Cohen Plans To “Listen and Learn before Legislating”
Chicago – Scott Lee Cohen is taking his Independent Campaign for Governor of Illinois on the road. Beginning Monday, July 19, 2010; Cohen will set out to hear the voters’ concerns firsthand and what they want their governor to do about those concerns. “I firmly believe that in order to be a good and effective leader, you
have to listen, learn and then legislate the concerns and expectations of the people of this state.”
During his weeklong “Listening Tour”, that runs through Friday July 23, Cohen plans to meet with dozens of local officials and hundreds of residents in at least ten (10) Illinois counties including DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, Randolph, Will, and Kankakee.
“I will meet with mayors, village managers, small business owners, military veterans, farmers and others. I look forward to what they have to say because I value their opinions,” says Cohen.
* The Question: Besides asking whether he can spell “launches,” what question(s) would you have for Scott Lee Cohen if you attended one of these events?
* Could there be a mistrial in Rod Blagojevich’s case? At least one appellate justice thinks so. An appellate court ruled earlier this month that Judge Zagel should reexamine his decision that kept Blagojevich juror names a secret. But Judge Richard Posner has since filed an opinion blasting the ruling and defending Zagel…
In his opinion, Posner quickly came to Zagel’s defense. In the first sentence, he wrote: “An experienced trial judge made a reasonable determination that the release of jurors’ names before the end of the trial would expose the jurors to the widespread mischief that is a daily if not hourly occurrence on the Internet.”
Posner then began a scathing review of Easterbrook’s decision, calling it “unsound and confusing.”
He attacked the presumption of media access. “Jurors are entitled to be treated with respectful regard for their privacy and dignity, rather than as media prey.”
He said the panel ignored the consequences of Zagel having to possibly renege on a promise made to jurors and argued that there’s no need for a further hearing. “The jurors may well be upset, concerned for their privacy, fearful of the prospect of harassment and angry at having been induced by false pretenses to agree to take months out of their life to perform jury service.”
Posner even went so far as to say that Zagel might have to declare a mistrial.
Let’s hope not.
* Judge Zagel apparently didn’t want this tape played in court, but I, for one, am quite curious about what the heck was going on…
[Blagojevich attorney Aaron Goldstein] is arguing that some of the blocked calls point to Blagojevich’s state of mind when he was allegedly bartering over the Senate seat. Zagel said he was surprised the defense would want some of the calls played to the jury.
“The state of mind he is discussing is shutting down state government and blaming somebody else,” Zagel said of one conversation. “If you tell me he wasn’t serious, I believe you.”
Goldstein said it showed what Blagojevich was dealing with in Illinois in 2008.
“We don’t have an objection to the part about shutting down state government,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar said with a smirk to the judge, who said he would make a final decision about the call after hearing Blagojevich on the stand.
Blagojevich was planning a government shutdown and then blaming somebody else for it? Madigan? But what was the premise? Fascinating.
* Blagojevich loved to ask lobbyists if they were making lots of money back when he was governor. He made a few of his friends quite rich…
John Wyma, a chief of staff during Blagojevich’s congressional career, testified this week that he made “better than $1 million” in his first year as a Springfield lobbyist.
Alonzo “Lon” Monk, a former chief of staff to the governor, testified he got $750,000 in his first year as a lobbyist after successfully running Blagojevich’s 2006 re-election campaign. Former campaign spokesman Doug Scofield, who briefly served as Blagojevich’s first deputy governor, also took on a host of lobbying clients. […]
Though his firm wasn’t as large as Wyma’s or Monk’s, Scofield still became a lobbyist for Blagojevich’s biggest campaign donor, the Service Employees International Union, and came back to work for Blagojevich’s re-election bid in 2006. One of his first clients also was the Illinois Math and Science Academy, which state records show paid Scofield Communications more than $283,000.
Jennifer Janasie, [Green Party gubernarorial nominee Rich Whitney’s] campaign manager, says Whitney has raised about $29,000 dollars since December, but points out the campaign is significantly ahead of the $16,866 Whitney reported for the same time period last time he ran for governor.
“We have a lot more people sending in donations this time,” Janasie says. “The numbers in no way suggest we can’t be competitive.”
[Green Party US Senate candidate LeAlan Jones’] campaign manager reports only about $1,500 in the bank. He blames, in part, people he says told Jones in private they’d support him, but have been unwilling to make it official.
* The FEC quarterly filing deadline always produces more spin than a ceiling fan in August. This week was no exception (and, considering the heat, the same goes for ceiling fans). From Republican congressional candidate Adam Kinzinger’s campaign…
The Kinzinger for Congress campaign announced Thursday that the campaign raised more than $325,000 in the last three months – $20,000-plus more than incumbent opponent Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson – and has more than $480,000 on hand to invest in communicating its message and reaching out to voters in every corner of the IL-11 Congressional District.
Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson has about $1 million more than Republican Adam Kinzinger in their race for Congress, the campaigns reported Thursday.
Halvorson, a first-term representative from Crete, reported having about $1.4 million in the bank, money she’ll be able to spend on television ads and other expenses in the coming months.
* From Democrat Dan Seals’ congressional campaign…
In another clear show of support from Illinois voters, Democratic Congressional Candidate Dan Seals today announced a consecutive strong fundraising quarter in the race for the open seat in Illinois’ 10th District.
In the second quarter FEC reporting period that closed on June 30, Seals received $556,156 in contributions. Seals will also report having $792,000 cash-on-hand.
What isn’t mentioned is that his opponent got his own “clear show of support” with an almost identical FEC report…
Wilmette Democrat Dan Seals and Kenilworth Republican Robert Dold are neck-and-neck in campaign fundraising in their nationally-watched race for an open north suburban congressional seat.
Both candidates report having nearly $800,000 in the bank to start July in what’s expected to be a costly contest by the time 10th Congressional District voters hit the polls Nov. 2. Seals and Dold are vying to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, who held the Democrat-leaning district for a decade. Kirk is now running for U.S. Senate.
Seals, who is making his third run for the seat, raised more than $550,000 from April through June, spokeswoman Aviva Gibbs said this afternoon. Dold collected about $560,000 for the same time spokeswoman Kelly Klopp said.
An NRCC press release was entitled: “Dold Outraises Seals In Obama’s Backyard.” Is the 10th CD really Obama’s back yard?
* On the other hand, Republican congressional candidate Randy Hultgren kinda/sorta admitted that his quarterly report wasn’t up to snuff…
The Hultgren for Congress campaign announced today that it raised $309,080.00 in the quarter ending June 30 and has $244,669.00 cash on hand.
“I am pleased with the strong support I continue to receive from throughout the 14th Congressional District,” said State Senator Randy Hultgren.
“I realize that we have a long way to go to match the hundreds of thousands of dollars that special interest groups have poured in to my opponent’s campaign,” said Hultgren. “Therefore, I am pleased to announce the addition of Lisa Wagner, of Lisa Wagner and Company, an expert in fundraising with a long track record of success, to my finance team.”
In the 8th CD where an underdog favorite pulled out a surprise GOP primary upset for businessman Joe Walsh, Walsh’s not been able to raise more funds than he’s spent in the second quarter, FEC filings show today.
Walsh, who raised a little over $100,000 in the second quarter, spent $114,000, leaving him with $30,292 on hand. With $88,000 in outstanding debts, the campaign committee as of this week’s reports, stands nearly $50,000 in the red, not boding well — at this point — for Walsh to run a viable campaign against Democrat incumbent Melissa Bean.
* In related news, sometimes, it’s best just to let your opponent twist in the wind.
Yesterday, Alexi Giannoulias held a press conference to slam Mark Kirk for taking corporate PAC and federal lobbyist money, but had to answer embarrassing questions about how his fundraising totals were so pathetic. As we’ve already discussed, Giannoulias raised just $900,000 raised and had $1 million cash on hand, leaving Kirk with an almost four-to-one cash advantage.
One of the stories about the Giannoulias presser included this section…
The Kirk campaign countered that Giannoulias does accept money from state lobbyists. Giannoulias, while not denying the claim, said he has barred lobbyists who solicit the Treasurer’s office from donating to his Senate campaign.
Kirk’s campaign had apparently salted the question before the presser, so it pounced via press release just minutes later…
Fact Check: Giannoulias Lobbyist Contributions
Misleading Claim: Alexi Giannoulias told reporters today he does not accept campaign contributions from state lobbyists registered to lobby the Treasurer’s Office.
Get the Facts: As of March 31, 2010, Alexi for Illinois accepted $87,626.35 from registered Illinois State lobbyists – including $28,326.35 from lobbyists registered with entities that lobby the Treasurer’s office in the same year as their contribution. (Sources: Federal Election Commission; State of Illinois Lobbying Information Search) The total as of June 30th is not yet available. Lobbyists registered with entities that lobby the Treasurer’s office who contributed to Alexi for Illinois include:
Trouble is, Giannoulias never actually said that he didn’t take state lobster cash. Video…
Female reporter: You don’t take federal money, but the Kirk folks are saying that you do take state lobbying money. Have you said ‘No’ to any kind of lobbyists who lobby for the state and especially to your treasurer’s office?
Giannoulias: And again, I understand the congressman is trying to put up smokescreens and trying to change the subject from the fact that he’s raised millions of dollars from federal lobbyists. The truth of the matter is my first day in office I ended pay-to-play in the state treasurer’s office. We don’t take money from anyone who does business with the state treasurer’s office. We don’t take money from banks. And if individuals want to donate, that’s fine. We have a complete firewall between myself and federal lobbyists.
Female reporter: What about state lobbyists? Other state lobbyists, maybe they don’t lobby your particular office, but state lobbyists. Is there a ban on those?
Giannoulias: Well, they don’t – and again, this is about the decision with regard to the U.S. Senate race, and with regards to the United States Senate. And they have no impact on that legislation.
This is basically the same policy that Barack Obama had in his presidential campaign. No federal lobster money, but he will gladly take state lobbyist donations. As I already pointed out to subscribers this week, Giannoulias is no Barack Obama. Copying Obama’s policy has cost him dearly.
Anyway, the Giannoulias campaign responded to the Kirk press release…
In a continued effort to desperately distract from Congressman Kirk’s problems with the truth, the Kirk campaign…stretched the truth. Ironic and not all together surprising, considering the source.
Like I said, sometimes it’s best just to let well enough alone.
