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A potential scandal, more TV ads and a big campaign roundup

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* Back in the day, lots of politicians had what was called a “flower fund.” Their government employees kicked into the fund every payday and were told their cash would be used to buy flowers for funerals, weddings, retirements, etc. But, of course, not all the money was used for those purposes. Dorothy Brown has apparently put a modern twist on the concept. Fox Chicago’s Dane Placko has the story…

It’s called “Jeans Day” – when employees of Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown pay for the privilege of wearing jeans at work. […]

“Jeans Day” has turned into nearly a year-round fundraising operation within the massive clerk’s office.

Yet, we’ve been able to find little accountability as to where the cash goes.

Employees are allowed to wear jeans if they pay $3 a day — or $10 per week– cash only.

The money is collected by managers, stuffed into brown manila envelopes.

Employees are told it goes for charity and employee functions like picnics and parties.

But our repeated Freedom of Information requests for more details about the program– written guidelines, how much money is raised, who’s getting it — have been rebuffed, as were our requests for a sit-down interview with Brown.

Placko will have more tonight. Don’t miss it.

Brown had a big lead in the last Tribune poll. I’m hearing that the Trib is in the field again. So far, none of the negative stories on Brown have really been burned in, so she may still be ahead. Somebody better go negative soon, because she could be a disaster in November, even against Roger Keats.

* The Daily Herald picks up on something interesting in Gov. Pat Quinn’s scheduling…

A review of the governor’s campaign and official public schedules shows his handlers scheduled blatantly political events on the political docket - avoiding the use of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes.

But it also shows far fewer events on the campaign side so far this year, despite an increasingly intense primary campaign that has dominated the headlines.

For all five workdays last week, Quinn had not one public campaign event. But he had eight public government events. […]

In all, there were six days in the last 18 that lacked any public event on taxpayer time compared to 11 days void of events on campaign time.

Not a huge scandal, but definitely worth a look.

…ADDING… We missed this one today. From Sneed…

• To wit: Sneed is told [Rep. Art Turner] spoke at the recent funeral of his former chief of staff Bea Smith — and intoned if Smith were here today she would tell you to vote for Art Turner [for lt. governor].

• Upshot: “Everyone in the church was a gasp, without a doubt,” said a Sneed source who was there. “You just don’t do that — self promotion at a funeral.”

• The response: “I was in campaign mode,” Turner tells Sneed. “If I offended anyone I apologize. Bea was a friend of mine and a neighbor. I worked with her for more than 15 years. And her family has been strong supporters.”

* In other campaign news, Democratic comptroller candidate state Rep. David Miller has a new TV ad. It’s quite good. Watch it…

* Republican US Senate candidate Mark Kirk has a new radio ad featuring Jim Edgar. Listen.

One of Kirk’s primary opponents, Patrick Hughes, has a new TV ad. Rate it…

* WSIL TV analyzes the gubernatorial ads, and actually has somebody on air saying that Hynes’ early release ad isn’t resonating. Oops. Have a look…

* And here’s your gigantic campaign roundup, courtesy of my two new interns, Dan Weber and Barton Lorimor. Dan is from UIUC and Barton is from SIUC…

* Gun Owners of America endorse Hughes for U.S. Senate

* Hynes urges Quinn to rescind DOC memo

* Hynes: IDOC ‘gag order’ shows need for changes in whistleblower laws

* Quinn best choice for the Democrats

* Republican candidates’ positions on taxes, budget

* Bill Brady touts ag tax breaks, competitiveness at campaign stop

* GOP Candidate for Governor outlines plans for jobs

* GOP’s Bob Schillerstrom runs on his 11 years of chief executive experience

* GOP governor hopeful McKenna outlines plans

* Pritchard endorses McKenna

* O’Malley endorses Andrzejewski

* Brady asks Dillard: Which Obama do you think we have now?

* JS Endorsement: Illinois comptroller - Democrat Krishnamoorthi

* Comptroller candidates vow fiscal responsibility

* Cook County Board president candidates square off at debate

* Cook County Board president candidates rack up campaign contributions

* Reports shed light on donors in Cook County Board race

* For Cook County Board president, Republican: Keats

* For Cook County president, Democratic: Preckwinkle

* Preckwinkle continues fundraising dominance

* Jesse Jackson Jr. backs Toni Preckwinkle for Cook presidency

* County briefs: 20 mayors endorse Stroger, while Brown gets backing of Cook women’s group

* Fritchey bucks tradition in bid to leave Legislature post

* Similar positions, different priorities in Cook County board race

* Water district election affects local projects

* Eyes on the prize in DuPage race

* Olson focuses on DuPage County local issues

* Candidates for sheriff tout their strengths

* For Lake County sheriff, Democratic: Roberts

* Kinzinger pledges to make route 30 expansion top priority

* ACU endorses Hultgren in 14th CD

* Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches New Interactive Political Website

* U.S. HOUSE: 7TH DISTRICT Danny Davis on healthcare, gays and immigration

* U.S. HOUSE: 7TH DISTRICT Jim Ascot: Dealing with change

* 8th Dist. candidate wants ‘Don’t Ask’ policy tossed

* Wondering who to vote for? Just ask

* U.S. HOUSE: 10TH DISTRICT Dan Seals: Will the third time be the charm?

* Gun rights group backs Meers in 11th Congressional District contest

* For the Illinois Senate

* Illinois Senate Democrats claim $2.8 million on hand

* 54th House GOP primary could oust incumbent Bassi

* 56th District GOP rivals disagree over gambling

* Three vie for Democratic nod in 98th District

* Voters to decide on sales tax hike in Stark County

* Many state seats unopposed in primary

* Of primary importance: Voters need to show up at the polls

* Do you look for the union label on your pols?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:04 pm

Comments

Hughes just comes across as a blowhard.

It’s an odd world to live in where you actually believe that Kirk is a Pelosi ally.

Comment by E Pluribus Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:21 pm
Too bad the Southern Debate didn’t get more statewide press. My opinions of Hoffman, and to a somewhat lesser extent, Jackson, went up last night.

Comment by Ray del Camino Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:38 pm
I can’t see the WSIL-tv video. Is it on youtube or something else? until i see it and understand the conrtext, my first impression is that someone is trying to confuse (downstate) voters and keep them at home to give an advantage to the incumbent.

The miller ad is cute because of all the kids. but last year when the GA was in session and Quinn was trying hard to get the house dems to support his 50 percent tax increase, wasn’t it David Miller who emerged from a closed-door meeting with Quinn and/or other house dems crying? If my recollection is correct, i have been dying to know why he was crying. Does anyone know?

i already voted, and i did not vote for miller. i saw this weekend that he would have signed off on more short-term borrowing, which the state simply cannot afford, so i’m glad that i did not vote for him. does he not understand how irresponsible and reckless it is to continue short-term borrowing in illinois right now? illinois is in the bind it is in because of over-reliance on short-term borrowing and no means to pay linger bills/debt.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:44 pm
We have a new rating system for how the Govenor is doing…. the number of interns Rich has on staff.

The higher the intern count the worse the governing

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:52 pm
Ghost, if that was the case, I would’ve had ten of them the last three years. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 12:59 pm
The reality is, I was just working my previous interns too hard. I thought the job might kill Kevin at one point. It’s just too much for one person. We’ll see how it goes, but I am excited to be working with SIUC’s people now, even though I whacked one of their guys in this very post. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:01 pm
When is Fitz going to get around to Dorothy Brown?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:05 pm
If the Dorothy Brown “Jeans” story ends up being as shady as it looks at first glance then she really is too clueless to be elected. Last night she got grilled pretty hard on Chicago Tonight and did not come across particularly well, either.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:14 pm
The stuff Dorthy Brown blatantly does and gets away with is astounding. Chicago Tonight was great last night, they went after her pretty good and she gave some terrible answers. Hopefully this gets across to voters. There were a couple other interesting tidbits. Brown & Stroger couldn’t say the last time they took public transportation, god forbid they ride with commoners. Stroger said he visits Amazon.com frequently, perhaps to avoid the Cook County sales tax?

Comment by Lincoln Parker Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:23 pm
Welcome new interns, great job on the roundup today.

Poor Adam Andrewzdqieski. Who was Patrick J. O’Malley?

Dorothy Brown is a nightmare wrapped inside of a disaster. I hope the Cook voters wake up. I think Preckwinkle will beat her. Preckwinkle’s TV ads are very impressive, best I’ve seen this season.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:25 pm
{she could be a disaster in November, even against Roger Keats.}

Hmmmmmm;my bias detector went off when reading this.

Any of the Democratic primary candidates could be classified in the same category here; but just to greater or lesser degrees, since eventually whichever D was elected would fall into line; and John Daley would see to that.

The only possible way for this to change would be for Roger Keats to get elected. Even that is no guaranty, mostly because the entrenched operatives would play a monumental game of hide and seek with him for four years, and certain R-Commissioners would likely be compliant in their hi-jinks.

Keats could beat Stroger or Brown, would be far less likely to beat Preckwinkle, and would not have a snowballs chance against O’Brien, unless the African American Community were to rally around him in a fit of retribution.

Regardless of what happens, I sure hope you were not negatively comparing the integrity or the competency level of Roger Keats to these other buffoons. The D Primary does not automatically dictate the “winnner”, but rather it is a more accurate determinant as to which “loser” we will be stuck with for the next four years.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:29 pm
Pat Hughes’ ad is boring and is not good. In my view one of the least effective campaign strategies for anyone to use is to say how they “woulda” voted had they been in someone else’s shoes at a different time, in a different situation, with different information and while holding a different office with a different constituency. That’s really pretty weak tea. Cap and Trade IS a potential Kirk negative but Hughes’ ad makes it sound like the bill as voted in the House is already a done deal when pretty much everybody knows Cap and Trade is dead in the water.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:32 pm
Interns are doing a great job! Thanks and keep it up.

Comment by Geneseo Gent Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 1:37 pm
actually has somebody on air saying
—————

The somebody is the esteemed David Yepsen. While he know Iowa better than anybody, I wonder if he still needs a few IL lessons. That being said, I didn’t believe the Trib’s crazy Pat Quinn lead when it came out, but I also don’t believe that this race is only a few points apart either. Incidentally, I think McKenna’s ads on the tax increase have hurt Quinn far more than any Hynes ad.

Comment by Niles Township Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 2:03 pm
So what is Anita Alvarez going to do about Dorothy Brown now? I got a twenty-four year old intern sitting right next door that is more likely to take this to a grand jury.

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 2:05 pm
“Brown….could be a disaster, even against Keats”

Yeah, Keats is a lousy candidate; keep telling yourself that Miller (sarcasm).

Comment by Conservative Republican Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 2:28 pm
The interns missed out on the Fox News story last night pertaining to the misuse of Cook County funds by an elected official.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/politics/flier-campaigning

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 2:41 pm
Ray,

My opinion of Hoffman also went up, but not Jackson. I think she’s out of her league. Alexi’s already running against Kirk, which is probably not a real good idea and may cost him the nomination. Meister, well, I thought he did a pretty good job. But all in all, I thought it was a snooze fest. Alot of pandering to Southern Illinoisans and the “future” of the coal industry. One of these days, we’re gonna realize the coal industry has no future. And of course everyone was for jobs. I mean who’s against jobs.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 2:45 pm
With no disrespect intended …did anyone see the flower fund story? on the air doesn’t sound that way

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 3:22 pm
Why did Dorothy Brown hold her Bible to the window? Is she trying to indicate that she reads the Bible or was she uses it as a talisman to ward off reporters?

Comment by Red Bird fan Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 3:30 pm
You’re so right Ray. Coal’s future should be limited, but until we build more nukes and other alternative sources - those coal plants are still burning it.

I like David Miller’s ad, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t win.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 3:39 pm
Wow $500 a year if you want to wear jeans every day. That’s messed up….

that pays for a lot of picnics

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 3:44 pm
Somebody has a got to take a big chomp out of Dorothy soon. The stories that have come out get written/produced by one outlet and then stick right there without taking off… For example, the story about how she’s got an army of private attorneys that serve at her pleasure while the courts are short qualified attorneys.

It’s so close to the election that this particularly egregious one will probably take off.

Her answers last night on WTTW … To me it’s like she makes going to court sound like going for a walk in the park. Getting documents at the courthouses is a complete pain and the Web site is garbage. I can’t imagine being tied up in the legal system and dealing with people there on that level …

There is a disconnect between the fact that our court system is a total mess and she’s the one in charge of it. People may know her name, but why don’t they attach it with what is probably one of the more awful experiences of their or a friend’s or neighbor’s or relative’s life: Going to court?

Comment by P. Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 3:49 pm
“Jeans Day” is a common school fund raising method. Jeans are not an approved clothing item, but over the past several years, it has become rather common among school teachers due to this fund raising device.

So, Brown’s use of it isn’t odd at all. But, demanding an accounting of where the money goes - IS. These funds are not normally audited, they are considered petty cash for small purchases. Expecting Brown to cough up audit trails for this fund is misunderstanding what the “jeans day” fund is about.

I find this fund to be unprofessional. It justifies a sloppy dress code. But to make this a political issue, just isn’t right.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:00 pm
–I find this fund to be unprofessional. It justifies a sloppy dress code. But to make this a political issue, just isn’t right.–

Are you kidding? It’s a shakedown, nothing more.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:06 pm
VM — Doing it on Friday’s only for a month is a fundraiser.

Having the option to do it every day and the money goes into a brown envelope is not a fundraiser and not something an elected official with half a brain would let happen.

Even if it brings in $100 a day, in a decent sized office that is real money…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:27 pm
VM,

Being an apologist for stupidity and graft does not become you.

Comment by Stop Pulling Our Legs Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:34 pm
I’m surprised the union hasn’t been all over this? ….and how about the FBI? If this isn’t extortion, it’s extortion’s sister! Setting policy based upon on one’s ability to pay for the privilege of avoiding a dress code is serious enough for immediate termination.

Comment by Justice Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:39 pm
Having attended several previous fora, I found both Dorothy Brown and Cheryle Jackson to have been terribly unprepared — to the point of being vacuous.

Clearly they take, and don’t give, orders.

Comment by Saw It for Myself Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:42 pm
VM, I’m honestly surprised at you. Aren’t you just a little curious at what happens at County Hall to cash in plain brown envelopes? Certainly, I’m less likely to trust this practice in county government than I am at a school. You’re dealing with a much bigger workplace, and a much stronger tradition of political patronage, and a more hierarchical office structure. In other words, a lot more opportunity for abuse.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:42 pm
Rich, as the provider of the office futon upon which Capitol Fax interns have been known to sleep one off, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the job that was threatening to kill Kevin.

Comment by John Patterson Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:46 pm
Just saw the cheesiest spot of the season. Toni Preckwinkle uses “a penny saved is a penny earned” theme. At the end of the spot, a dude dressed like Ben Franklin comes in and shakes her hand.

I couldn’t believe it. The spot was fine until then.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 4:52 pm
Three things. Has Todd made good on his IRS debt yet? The BOE site did not crash this year, although it got slow for awhile. It is past the 5 pm deadline and Stroger has not filed his semi-annual report.

Comment by Insider Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 5:40 pm
As far as Quinn using the public earned media events schedule to replace his campaign schedule, this is not a surprise.

Every governor does a little of this, to an extent it is unavoidable and comes with the office.

Blago however was doing it FULL TIME, twice a day, every day, also using the public events as the excuse for far-flung state plane flights on the people’s dime, which just coincidentally would put him in towns the same day where they were also having a fundraiser, fancy that? Those flights were all on our dime, not charged to the campaign. I hope that comes up at his trial.

And it is a number of Blago people still in there in Quinn’s offices, setting the schedules and planning the Quinn events, in what is a more transparently obvious politically motivated manner than usual. This is all they know how to do, they think this is standard procedure.

Comment by Advanced guy Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 5:50 pm
How could Dorothy Brown be leading in the polls? What is wrong with the voters in Cook County?

Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 6:11 pm
I’m looking at the transcript from the debate last night and this really scares me, Should DB be using the LEADS system to do background checks on employees, that really scares me that DB may be using the leads system at all, I dont’ have a high level of trust in her, here is the transcript in question

> Todd Stroger: I NEED TO ASK YOU, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT?

THAT’S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER?

>> Dorothy Brown: YES, WE DO HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS DONE WITHIN MY OFFICE.

I HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS DONE OF ALL OF MY HIRES.

>> Todd Stroger: THAT’S BECAUSE THEY COME THROUGH OUR H.R.

YOU DON’T DO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS.

>> Dorothy Brown: YES, WE DO.

>> Todd Stroger: AND THEY COME THROUGH US.

>> Dorothy Brown: NO.

>> Todd Stroger: LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> Dorothy Brown: WE DO OUR OWN BACKGROUND CHECKS.

WE HAVE ACCESS AND CONNECTIONS TO THE LEADS SYSTEM OF THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE AND THE FBI.

SO WE DO DO OUR OWN BACKGROUND CHECKS AND WE CAN GET THEM DONE NOT JUST IN A DAY BUT WITHIN A FEW HOURS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY RUSH IT THROUGH.

SO IT DOES NOT TAKE FIVE MONTHS LET ME JUST SAY THAT.

Comment by The Truth Shall Set you Free..... Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 6:46 pm
I think the quality of the WSIL analyses can be summed up when the anchor from the station said there was a “biological” element to Mark Kirk’s ad.

Comment by Rubbernecker Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 6:55 pm
I am a Democrat but I try to be objective, thus the name. If Dorothy Brown wins the democratic nomination, I’m voting republican or third party.

Comment by Objective Dem Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 7:55 pm
My passing familiarity with “Jeans Day” was that it was supposed to be for some charity, albeit obscure.

Don’t forget “Po’” Fridays, the Fridays in between paychecks when people brought potluck dishes for lunch. I consider this to be innocuous, but in the light of Placko…one never knows.

Also, some of the participants in “Jeans Day” should not have worn jeans, and stuck to their everyday fashion for reasons that do not have to be articulated here. (I would not pay for the right to wear jeans; if I’m working anyway, that sounds like Tom Sawyer or something.)

Finally, I have to say, for the largest unified court system in the world, they make surprisingly few mistakes. Excellent work. I don’t know if DB can take credit because it was essentially the same under Aurelia, except with a few more responsive and friendlier employees then. But not too many more.

How much did Diane Shapiro lose by?

Comment by Pablo Picasso Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 8:48 pm
VM, if we lived in a vacuum, your point would be salient.

If you understood Dorothy Brown’s penchant for passing the envelope around the office, you’d understand how serious this is. It ain’t the same as selling Girl Scout cookies on the job. And the union isn’t going to file a grievance because it isn’t unionized employees paying for…whatever it is being paid for. One thing I’m certain of, however, is that no one is paying for the privilege of wearing jeans to work.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 9:58 pm
lol. I have to agree with John Patterson re: Kevin. (And remember all of the “free press” he managed to get you, too, Rich!)

Welcome interns! You’re doing a great job! Thank you!!!

Comment by The REAL Anonymous...fka Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 10:01 pm
We don’t know Dorothy Brown is in first place; that was the last public poll, and it was a long time ago. Toni Preckwinkle has been winning the endorsement / media war in the meanwhile.

Still, in a low turnout / low attention election, don’t discount voter name recognition. I think it would almost have to be now a two-person race between Brown and Preckwinkle.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 10:19 pm
Monday’s Sun-Times asked the candidates for Governor who their favorite musical artist was.

Not tht it matters, but Adam Hinsdale selected Huey Lewis and the News.

I have it on even paper that even Huey Lewis would not have selected Huey Lewis and the News as his own favorite.

I think Adam is climbing Jacob’s Ladder.

Comment by Pablo Picasso Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 10:41 pm
Or, he’s hoping for a “couple of days off”? lol

Comment by The REAL Anonymous...fka Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 20, 10 @ 11:06 pm