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Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* It’s been a good week, but I’m ready for the weekend. You should be checking Illinoize every day, but if you’re not, head over there this weekend. Also, don’t forget to post an ad at InsiderzExchange, our new classified and calendar website.

Today’s featured InsiderzExchange ad… Looking for Springfield office space?

* The Soledad Brothers will play us out…

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No respect

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Apparently, horrible poll numbers and multiple FBI investigations detract from a governor’s sexiness…

No love for the gov? Guess whose name did not show up on Playboy’s sexiest governors poll? Tremendously tressed Gov. Blagojevich did not make the list.

To wit: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger topped the charts and was followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The kicker: Even former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer made it. He came in at No. 18.

* I understand why Spitzer made the list because it was put together by “high-priced Los Angeles call girls.” They know a rich pigeon when they see him. Ahnold is a former movie star, so I get his ranking, even if he has really let himself go since being elected…

My eyes! They burn!!!

* But then there’s this…

North Dakota’s John Hoeven ranks No. 12

* Gov. Hoeven’s official state pic…

This guy is sexier than Rod? And he’s from North Dakota! Is there anything sexy at all about that state?

* Even Bill Richardson made the list…

Yuck, man.

* Perhaps our governor would have made the list if the “judges” had been shown this pic…

* Despite all the risquée stuff in this post, let’s try our very best to keep the comments clean. Thanks much.

…Adding… I’ve asked for an official response from the Spin Sisters about the unconscionable exclusion of our governor from this list. Perhaps you could predict what they’ll say in comments. “The ‘Broken Heart’ of Rogers Park” already did.

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Question of the day

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The setup, which is from the Tony Rezko trial…

During deliberations Thursday, U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve received two notes from the jury. […]

The second note requested a transcript of testimony from a prosecution witness, which was denied. As is typical in such requests, St. Eve sent back a note telling the jurors to “rely on your collective recollection of the testimony” for all witnesses.

* Question: Is this policy wise?

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Budget intrigue

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ve been telling subscribers about these developments since last week…

[Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson] said the Senate should pass a “bare bones” budget and only pay for what the state can afford.

Rep. David Miller, a Lynwood Democrat, said the budget process in the House is being conducted to give individual members the chance to make a case for increased funding for particular departments so that the budget “reflects the needs of the state.”

The disconnect between the feuding budget proposals could indicate a “long, hot summer” like last year, said Rep. Mark Beaubien, a Barrington Hills Republican. “Everyone’s going their own separate ways. … The normal process of the budgeteers has totally broken down.”

Beaubien said the breakdown is by design — House Speaker Michael Madigan is pushing an overly optimistic, wish-list budget “designed to fail.” As a budget negotiator for his caucus, he said he believes Madigan may want to pressure the governor to accept an income tax increase to pay for increased funding for state agencies and new programs.

“The scenario being set up by Madigan is showing: ‘This is what we all want. We can’t get there. Let’s raise taxes,’” he said.

* The Senate and House Dems are going in opposite directions. Last year, Madigan wanted a bare bones budget and the Senate wanted more. This time, the roles are reversed, at least for now. Madigan wants a huge budget increase, and Jones wants a more modest proposal.

* Related…

* State: Food stamps, WIC at highest level ever in Illinois

* IDOT kills roadkill cleanup

* Editorial: Legislators, governor, start talking now

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The politics of violence

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* As some commenters have noted here before, it’s a wonder that more people haven’t really tried to directly tie the recent surge in Chicago violence to Gov. Blagojevich’s veto last year of funding for the CeaseFire program. No doubt, there are problems with that program (philosophical as well as budgetary), but it has been a media darling and continues to get good press…

Friday, Northwestern University released a 229-page report concluding that gun violence dropped 17 percent to 24 percent in six of seven neighborhoods where CeaseFire mediators were in place.

The three-year study, commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, offered the most striking proof yet that CeaseFire’s trained peacemakers—”violence interrupters,” who are often former gang members themselves—really do save a significant number of lives

After Blagojevich cut funding to CeaseFire in August, 96 of the program’s 130 conflict mediators lost their jobs, according to founder and director Dr. Gary Slutkin, a University of Illinois at Chicago epidemiologist. CeaseFire’s analysis of police data suggests this has resulted in 170 additional shootings since September.

* CBS 2 did a story yesterday on the program as well…

A spokesperson for the governor’s office says CeaseFire could be funded through a bill that the governor is pushing.

* So, maybe he’s backing off from his veto? But, what’s that bill they’re talking about? It couldn’t be this one, could it?

The ineffectual governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, announced on May 6th a $150m scheme for which there is no $150m.

* That Economist story makes no mention of CeaseFire, but does have some details of another anti violence initiative called Project Safe Neighbourhoods…

Chicago’s PSN includes tough gun policing, federal prosecutions and—most important, or so researchers found—meetings with former felons to deter them from returning to crime. Over PSN’s first two years, the districts it targeted saw a 37% drop in quarterly homicide rates. The challenge now is to help PSN expand. Chicago’s leaders must use many tools to fight violence. One is right under their noses.

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House votes to ban guv’s billboards

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This bill is probably not going anywhere in the Senate, but it’s still a good idea…

Two years after motorists complained about the cost of big blue tollway signs displaying Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s name, the House approved legislation Thursday that would ban the governor and other officials from putting their names on billboards aimed at promoting state programs. […]

[Rep. Elizabeth Coulson’a] bill would broaden an ethics law Blagojevich pushed in 2003 that bans state officials and lawmakers from appearing in public-service announcements on television, radio and in print media.

* There was one “No” vote…

Blagojevich’s aides have explained their belief that the signs are part of the governor’s duties, merely informational about the new tollway systems and do not violate the law.

One lawmaker — Chicago Democrat Kenneth Dunkin - agreed.

Dunkin said Thursday the public should know what elected officials are accomplishing and saw no problem with the Blagojevich tollway billboards. He described the proposed prohibition as a “vendetta toward one particular individual.”

* You can listen to Rep. Dunkin’s comments to reporters by clicking this link.

Thoughts?

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Morning Shorts

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning

* After system meltdown, Pace chief promises better for disabled riders

* That’ll show ya!

If you think back to the good old days of 2006, when the City Council was flexing a little muscle, there were two insurrections that drove Mayor Daley batty: the foie gras ban and the living wage bill.

* On the clock

* Plan Commission OKs Children’s Museum move

* Did cougar kill spark arson at Daley’s Mich. home?

After local police found out about the threatening note, they brought in outside investigators — including the Michigan state fire marshal — to take a second look at the fire, Bailey said

* Politics; Edgar to stump for Darin LaHood

* What does gay marriage ruling mean for Illinois?

* Good news for gays; bad news for Dems

* AT&T planning to boost wireless service

* Bill boosting traffic control for firefighters wins backing

* Horse racing bill heads to Senate

* Democrat Joe Heneghan, IL-48th House Dist, Launches Website

* Froehlich zinged by GOP

Poe was having none of it, and given his accuser’s party-swapping background quickly fired back, much to the delight of GOP members. Here’s a link to the audio.

* McAloon Calls For State Budget Process To Be Open to the Public

* Some senior unable to get IDs for free rides

* Ozinga to face questions in downstate feud

* Friday Beer Blogging: Smuttynose Edition

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax

Friday, May 16, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Featured classified advertiser of the day

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

InsiderzExchange is growing every day. You really should get over there.

Today’s featured advertiser: Dan Johnson-Weinberger is looking for a political communications intern.

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Topinka: A constitutional convention is the way to go

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Judy Baar Topinka says she’s for a con-con….

I am distraught over state politics, which is why I am encouraging all of you to vote to create a constitutional convention come this November. […]

In the past, it has been voted down because just about every entrenched interest does not want it to happen due to the little sacred cows each has hidden away or approved by the constitutional currently in play. After all, those sacred cows might go to slaughter if the public got into the constitutional convention mode.

Yes, it will be expensive, and, no, it won’t come quickly or easily. The last time we had such a constitutional convention was in 1976. After that, opposition always managed to vote it down: Democrats and Republicans, management and labor, special interests all. […]

It can be argued that all of the extremists and zealots will be energized by the thought that they can get their issues into constitutional form. But, like all things, it will take voting majorities to make such things law, and the better the delegates to the constitutional convention, the better the final result will be.

As Thomas Jefferson once said, to paraphrase, we all need a little revolution from time to time. It is time. One cannot help but be frustrated by the paralysis in the state legislature, where personal egos trump the public good and nothing gets done.

Go read the whole thing.

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Softball photos; Garrett; Winters; Violence; Lightford; Schools; Hunting; Strokes (use all caps in password)

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Sneed says Rush on way out, Rush’s office flatly denies

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I have no idea who is telling the truth here…

Sneed hears ailing U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who’s battling cancer, is being urged to resign so a successor would be in place before the November election.

The stunner: Sneed hears rumbles Ald. Sandi Jackson is on the short list and could make history by becoming, along with her husband — U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. — the first couple in Illinois to represent separate districts.

The stats: Sneed also hears those angling for the position (those who have been lobbying Dem committeemen) are Ald. Freddrenna Lyle — and Sneed is told Congressman Rush’s wife, Carolyn, would also be interested in replacing her husband if he had to step down due to health reasons.

* Reaction…

Sharon Jenkins, the director of national media relations for Congressman Rush, says the report is “not based on reality.”

And Jenkins says no one is urging Rush to resign. […]

A statement from Rush’s office, quoting Rush, says, “I am and I remain a candidate for re-election in the November general election and look forward to serving the people of my district.”

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - New Statewide Poll: George Ryan vs. Rod Blagojevich (I kid you not)

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Question of the day

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Bernie had a piece today about yesterday’s WMAY rally in front of the Statehouse. He noted that Jim Leach, who has a talk show but is also the station’s news director, spoke at the rally…

T-shirts that were handed out at the event had the station logo on the back and the words “impeach him” on the front. This didn’t exactly seem like something for reporters to participate in if they want to show even a hint of fairness in the future. How can you seem to rally for impeachment and then expect the governor — if he ever takes your question — to believe you’ll handle his answer fairly?

But Leach said he wasn’t being that kind of advocate. He said the message on the shirts was “a stand the people are free to take,” and in producing the rally, “We are providing a forum for the community.”

This is a free country, so Leach, as an individual, can do whatever he wants. I’m curious about another aspect…

* Question: Should commercial radio stations, which operate on the public airwaves, be prohibited from sponsoring political advocacy events like yesterday’s protest rally? Explain.

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Workers go, bosses stay

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’m not opposed to moving state jobs out of Springfield into depressed areas. There is a cost factor to consider, as well as the need, but it’s not a terrible concept.

But this IDOT move raises more questions than answers…

The number of state transportation jobs Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to move from Springfield to Southern Illinois may be shrinking.

After originally saying 148 Illinois Department of Transportation workers would be moved out of Springfield to an undisclosed location in southern Illinois, the agency confirmed that number now may be closer to 110 workers.

OK, another overblown promise. No surprise.

* But this is the weirdest part…

Those who may be staying in Springfield include the director of the Division of Traffic Safety and some of his top staff.

So, you move the rank and file workers far away, but their bosses will remain in Springfield? That’s bizarre.

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A different way of looking at civil unions bill

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I hadn’t thought of this angle, but Rep. Greg Harris explained yesterday that his civil unions bill might help a whole lot of senior citizen couples…

Harris’ House Bill 1826 would let couples opt for civil unions, rather than marriage. Each partner in a civil union would have legal protections and obligations that already are available to married people. For example, one partner could make crucial decisions, such as those involving medical care, on behalf of the other.

The issue is especially relevant to senior citizens who have been widowed and have entered another relationship, Harris said.

Often, such couples struggle with the decision of whether to remarry because their Social Security and pension benefits could be cut, he said at a state Capitol news conference. If they don’t marry, they lack the legal standing to make health-care and other decisions for one another. […]

“This is not just a civil union bill for same-sex couples,” [Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria] said later. “Most people, when they react to it, only react to the same-sex-couple issue.”

There’s no word yet on when Harris will call his bill.

We’ve had several civil union debates over the years, so I’m wondering today what you think of this particular angle.

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Clergy access bill sails through House

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This would have been a better idea if legislators actually provided some funding…

The Illinois House unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would ensure immigrant detainees in county jails have access to priests, rabbis, imams and other religious workers. The bill, which could go to the Senate for a vote next week, comes as more raids and deportations have boosted the number of immigrants at facilities in McHenry County and Downstate Pulaski County.

Like other supporters of the bill, Sister JoAnn Persch, a nun with the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform, says detained immigrants face depression and anxiety as they await deportation or asylum hearings. Persch said she helped spearhead the legislation after she had trouble gaining access to the McHenry County Jail in Woodstock. […]

Greg Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, said the bill codifies practices for religious access that are already in place. But, he said, in some cases it can be difficult to fulfill requests, such as finding imams or rabbis in rural counties.

The feds merely require that detainees have access to all religious services. This bill takes it a step further. There are those who oppose the effort, but the bill passed unanimously, so it’s hardly radical.

* Illinoize blogger Cal Skinner has some stuff on another unfunded state mandate: driver education.

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Goodbye, Spin Sister

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Rebecca told me about this last month, but asked that I keep it a secret. Her departure from the administration is no surprise, considering the stresses of her daily gig, and the length of her tenure…

“I have accepted a public affairs position with a public relations firm in St. Louis,” said Rebecca Rausch, the governor’s Springfield-based deputy director of communications.

Rausch said her last day at her current job is May 31 — the deadline by which a normal session of the General Assembly would end.

While the new job, which she’s waiting to announce on that company’s timetable, pays more than the $80,000 annually she’s making at the state, Rausch said her leaving is bittersweet.

“I like this job,” she said. “I like the governor. I like working for him. I like the people I work with, specifically Abby (Ottenhoff, the director of communications) and (Deputy Gov.) Sheila Nix.

* Eighty grand may sound like a lot to some, but she was never paid as much as some other press staffers, despite the fact that she had to live in the very center of Anti-Blagojevich Country. Rausch was a former local TV reporter, so everybody in town knows who she is. I can’t imagine what that must have been like.

I respect what I cannot do, so I respect all the Spin Sisters for their on-message tenacity. They can’t have an “off” day because it would be disastrous for their boss. So, just imagine the pressure.

Rausch and I had our differences over the years - to say the least - but let’s give her a classy sendoff today. One of her more arduous assignments has been to keep track of what’s posted on this blog, so try to keep that in mind when you comment.

…Adding… I’ve had to delete a few comments already. If you want to express your anger in a stupid drive-by comment, go to the SJ-R. They publish almost anything. Otherwise, I’m gonna delete you. Resistance is futile, and if after I leave the office and discover later that you’ve slipped through somehow, I’m gonna ban you.

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Morning Shorts

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning

* Lawmakers mourn death of state’s first openly gay legislator

* Illinois discrimination activist dies

* Feds hit back at Rezko as case goes to jury

* Rezko calling…

* Daley gets Council to drop Iran resolution

* Daley says Iran invasion ordinance could cause problems for Obama

* Daley special: foie gras back on menu

* Let Them Eat Foie!

* Snub of Stroger draws cheers, mayor’s ire

* Both sides predict Plan Commission will endorse Children’s Museum move

* CTA’s report card mediocre but improving

On CTA performance, the transit agency is failing to meet its goals in reducing train delays, bus-bunching and equipment breakdowns, although improvements are being made, according to the first indicators released at Wednesday’s CTA Board meeting.

* Aurora may mellow on pot possession penalties

* Birkett: Press account of son’s arrest ‘excessive’

* IDOT buckling down on seat belt enforcement

* Democrat Foster hires ex-St. Charles mayor as district director

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller

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