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* Gov. Pat Quinn went all Popeye on the General Assembly yesterday over tax hikes…
“Sometimes politicians of both parties want to wait ’til after the election. I’m not one of those. I wanted to do it before the election. But now it is after the election … you gotta eat your spinach. You gotta eat your spinach to grow-up big and strong.”
* He also talked about the upcoming inauguration…
Gov. Pat Quinn has a reputation as a spendthrift, so he’s promising a “frugal” but not “chintzy” inauguration next month.
Quinn says the celebrations will be meaningful, yet “thrifty,” when he and the other state constitutional officers are sworn in to office Jan. 10 in Springfield.
The full Q&A is below. At the end, reporters asked if he would be dancing at the ball, and also asked if he could dance. Listen…
Can he dance? Of course he can dance…
Not exactly inaugural ball dancing, but whatever. The man can boogie!
* Speaking of the Inaugural Ball, Eric Zorn thinks it should be canceled…
Isn’t it time to dump the entire idea of inaugural festivities at all levels of government? Take your oath, go out to dinner with friends, then get the heck to work. Ask those “private donors” to fund a few inaugural commemorative reading tutors or buy a few thousand inaugural commemorative library books.
* Remember this quote last month from Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe?…
As lawmakers talk about big plans to expand gambling, the man charged with regulating the industry in Illinois called the proposal “overloaded” Wednesday. […]
Jaffe criticized the legislation as having “everything for everyone” because it calls for casinos in Park City, Ford Heights, Chicago, Rockford and Danville, along with 1,200 slot machines at Arlington Park.
Well, check out this recent quote from Gaming Board spokesman Gene O’Shea…
The gaming board doesn’t deal in hypotheticals or comment on pending legislation, according to board spokesman Gene O’Shea.
Oh, really? Maybe somebody should clue in the chairman.
* On to Cook County government…
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle made it clear Thursday that she and Assessor Joseph Berrios remain political allies, even if she’s not keen about him putting relatives on the public payroll.
“Joseph Berrios is my friend,” Preckwinkle said. “He is the chairman of the (Cook County) Democratic party, and I’m a Democratic committeeman.”
Preckwinkle was reacting to the news that Berrios hired his sister and son within days of being sworn in Monday. The family members had long worked at the county property tax appeals board, where Berrios was a commissioner.
“I never hired any family members,” Preckwinkle said at a news conference to introduce top aides. “And I think it’s inappropriate.”
* Now, to the city, where Carol Moseley Braun just announced that she’s heading to New York for a fundraiser. There’s a bit of a problem, however…
Last month, Moseley Braun criticized mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel for “hanging out with bankers and billionaires” at a Hollywood fundraiser.
“Moseley Braun is going where necessary to raise money in order to compete in the race for mayor,” said spokeswoman Renee Ferguson. “As a senator, she built a national constituency and there are many who would like to continue to support her policies of fighting for working people.”
* And to Champaign County, where longtime County Clerk Mark Shelden has accepted the chief of staff job for Congressman Tim Johnson…
“I’ll generally be here [in Champaign County]. I will go to Washington quite often, but I’m going to be working out of Champaign-Urbana and making some trips to D.C.,” he said. “I think early on there will be more of them than later. I will definitely spend the vast majority of my time here.
“I think this will work out pretty well because one of the big changes the Republicans are making is to reduce the number of days Congress is in Washington, D.C.”
Shelden, who makes about $87,000 a year as county clerk, will get what he called “a substantial raise.”
“Chiefs of staff out there make in the 150s and 160s,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m going to make, but it’s going to be a substantial raise.”
A chief of staff who doesn’t live in DC?
Shelden, by the way, is replacing Jerry Clarke, who is moving over to freshman Congressman Randy Hultgren’s staff. Jerry ran Bill Brady’s campaign. Our old friend and former Illini Pundit blogger extraordinaire Gordy Hulten is in the running to replace Clerk Shelden. Good luck, Gordy.
…Adding… I forgot to post a very good online essay by Will Caskey called “Annoying Our Way to Victory.” Go read the whole thing.
* Roundup…
* State slow to fix All Kids problems
* Fewer people gambling in Illinois; numbers challenge expansion plans
* Jackson urges action on south suburban airport: “I fear if this is held up until after the Chicago (mayoral) election, it’ll be put off,” Jackson said. “Our state is almost insolvent. It’s a unique opportunity to spread economic growth. Let’s take this project to its logical conclusion.”
* City could save on pension reform - New Police, firefighters could retire at 55 instead of 50
* Rahm’s “No Show” Next Week
* Long questioning of Emanuel on residency ‘inevitable’
* Sullivan discusses Myers, politics
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:02 pm
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Asked for clarification Quinn said..
“I am what I am”
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:05 pm
OneMan, wouldn’t that be: “Iyam what Iyam”?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:07 pm
Quinn used that “big and strong” line over and over on the campaign trail telling people to vote. It was like he was talking to grade school kids to eat their vegetables.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:09 pm
Rich,
The “follow-up” … with Jerry going to work for Randy Hultgren, is he still going to be State Central Committeeman for Tim’s district, and further, is Jerry going to live in Tim’s district, while working in DC, but working FOR another Congressman, in obviously, another district?
Randy is now my Congressman, so if he has employees that claim residence outside the district, and political concerns outside the district too, and consider DC their workplace as well … I would be a bit interested.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:10 pm
So would Mike Madigan be Bluto?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:10 pm
Oswego, I would guess virtually every politician in DC has employees who do not live in the district they represent.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:12 pm
What did Popeye serve at Thanksgiving with the turkey …Iyams!
Sorry ….
I guess we can “cast” the Popeye bunch … we need a Bluto, Olive, Whimpy, what was that Baby’s name?, ….
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:13 pm
Anonymous-
So true, but Jerry was the polical committeeman for his boss’ district for the state party … now he is working for another congressman, and to be the committeeman, Jerry needs to claim Illinois residence, and also his workplace is out of state, so I am aksing because how much of what Hultgren’s district is going to be on Jerry’s plate, if he is still claiming downstate residence so he can STILL be State Cental Committeeman (SCC) … so yeah, it may not seem big at 1st blush, but there is a lot of out-of-district priorites for Jerry if he is still claiming residence downstate and a SCC in another district.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:17 pm
“Our old friend and former Illini Pundit blogger extraordinaire Gordy Hulten is in the running to replace Clerk Shelden.”
Is this confirmed? What are his qualifications?
Comment by T.J. Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:18 pm
Yes. And he’s breathing. Seriously, what sort of qualifications does it take?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:25 pm
Clerk Qualifications:
Be “clerk-like”, talking “clerky” … shuffle pages efficiently, and yet frugally. Able to print calendars, some with “special dates” for “clerky” things ….attend meetings to do, and be, “clerky” …
oh … and be a regesterd voter.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:29 pm
===A chief of staff who doesn’t live in DC?===
Halvorsons chief of staff stayed living in Illinois with frequent trips to DC.
Then again maybe that didnt work out too well.
Comment by South of 80 Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:29 pm
Wow
What will GOPs do not for their voter suppression seminars which MarkieMark tied down with all those federal laws that limit the politics. Can’t let Willard out on her own. And just as we get to remap and the Voting Rights Act
Oh my Oh my.
Good luck to Jerry. He almost dragged NoTaxBill over th goal line. If they had just got CommandoMakeItUp to say one nice thing about NoTax they would have won
What a shame.
And good look to Goober or Gomer — MarkieMark’s repalcement– What time you want the first student march on your house?
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:30 pm
You’re right Circular, I forgot.
A major qualification for GOP Champaign county clerks is making it as tough as they can for students to vote.
Only half snark there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:32 pm
We expect local government employees with a lot less pay to live in or close to the community they work for. Sure Jerry walked Elgin 12 years ago, but a lot has changed. Denny’s Chief of Staff came from the district, as did all of his local staff. The 14th has issues that are no-where similar to Johnson’s district. Since the congressmen elect lives in DuPage and really not the heart of the district it would be nice to have someone in DC that might understand the issues of the municipalities of Kane County as well as the growth concerns of Kendall and DeKalb.
Comment by frustrated GOP Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:37 pm
“what was that Baby’s name?, ….”
Sweet Pea.
Comment by Leave a light on George Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:41 pm
frustrated …
My concern is the same as yours, however, if Jerry has significant politcal responsibilites that he needs to take care of for another congressional district, how much can Jerry give to Randy’s district … If he is going to claim downstate residence AND still be the SSC for Tim Johnson’s district … I just want to know.
More power to Jerry if he can do it … but we all need to realize he has items on his plate, politically, that are not part of the focus of the 14th district. And, we should be able to know it too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:46 pm
thanks … Sweet Pea!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:49 pm
Any new clerk can’t be as lousy as the outgoing one. Shelden took voter suppresion to an All-Star level.
Comment by Scooby Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 1:53 pm
has ALNAC lined up any carriers interested in gates there? or freight carriers? this country sure doesn’t need another empty airport — and i don’t think there are too many jobs associated with an airport that does have flights coming and going…
Comment by bored now Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:09 pm
Poor Eric Zorn doesn’t want to party. He must be suffering from Obama Remorse.
Comment by amalia Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:45 pm
How old is Shelden? I can’t remember. Any chance he runs for Johnson’s seat when Johnson retires?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:45 pm
Sounds like Jerry Clarke is jumping off the Johnson wagon before he is out of a job in an election cycle or two.
Comment by huh Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:45 pm
I know he’s using it as a metaphor, but spinach doesn’t seem to be a staple of the governor’s diet. Unless McDonald’s has a McSpinach burger that I’m not aware of.
The Peotone Airport would be an environmental travesty. Fortunately (though sadly), I think the concept has just been a cash-cow for endless studies and consultant work. Let’s hope it ends there.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:46 pm
Let’s just say that old Jerry wasn’t welcomed back by Tim “The Invisible Man” Johnson if we use the Pat Quinn cartoon analogy. They didn’t see eye to eye on many issues.
Suppose that means Jerry won’t be running for the Congressional seat that he has long coveted if he moves. Not sure why Hultgren would want a CoS who lives well outside the district.
And, if Quinn is so “frugal” why is he asking for donations of $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 to help pay for the inaugural?
Comment by 4 percent Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 2:53 pm
the gaming board guy shoupd quit if he is unable to do his job. What a cry baby. It’s time to replace this do nothing!
Comment by rand Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 3:21 pm
Yes, ban the inaugural festivities. If you want a party, as suggested, have it yourself, pay for it out of campaign contributions.
Comment by Concerned Voter Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 3:41 pm
Hultgren does not care about representing 14th district as one can see from his poor choice of CoS.
Hultgren said elected positions are people’s seat during his congressional campaign. Now he said he won’t give up HIS SEAT in State Senate so that he can get his pay checks in Nov and Dec while not doing his job of representing people. What a hypocrite!
We don’t get paid when we don’t show up to work. Hultgren wants to get paid while not showing up to work in November and December. Instead he is spending his time in DC raising money for his campaign coffer from special interest groups and big corporations. Shame on him.
He should return his 2 month paychecks back to citizen of Illinois. State of Illinois is broke and don’t have money to pay for people who are not doing their job.
Comment by From 14 Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 3:49 pm
If Jerry were to move, than I am sure he would have to resign as SCC, but if he stays in that district to continue to be the SCC, (even after the re-map, what is the dynamic politically for my 14th district with a SCC on the staff, that doesn’t represent the 14th politically.
I wonder about how that will play, this time, with Jerry being the SCC, in the district he is NOT working in, and Jerry’s POLITICAL OBLIGATIONS for his SCC district, while trying to balance what a Staff member needs to do on the POLITICAL end and will one of those districts suffer politically?
Its a fair question.
Now that it’s now out there, what Jerry will do in regards to being the SCC in one district, Staffer in another, and where Jerry will live and the status of his SCC position. Jerry should be able to answer that question pretty easily.
As a constituent of the 14th district, I am interested how Randy is going to be served staff-wise and politically in this decision.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 3:56 pm
I’d be interested in Quinn’s explanation of why someone making $10 an hour should pay higher taxes to fund a retired school administrator’s six-figure pension.
Comment by Rambler Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 4:03 pm
Lots of folks who don’t know anything about how congressional offices operate. But that’s not too uncommon here.
Many congressional chiefs keep residence in their member’s district (or home state as there is no requirement for staff to live in a district) and travel to DC as needed. Denny Hastert’s chief did so, Bob Michel’s chief (Ray LaHood) did so.
Everyone needs to take a breath. Randy made a great choice here. He has a chief who will help him be more effective both in DC and in his district. Jerry is moving from working for a member who would have to be promoted just to get to the back benches to someone with a much brighter future.
Frankly, I scarcely think Jerry gives a rat’s *** about the state central committee. Everyone down Champaign way can have food fight over that meaningless job.
Comment by Adam Smith Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 4:55 pm
The AP writer is using the word spendthrift to mean its opposite. Pat Quinn has a reputation as being cheap, frugal, a pinchpenny- these are all the opposite of spendthrift. Didn’t the AP used to have editors?
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Dec 10, 10 @ 8:11 pm