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On this light blogging day, use this space to talk about whatever you want, post links to stories, talk about what you’ve been doing on your own blog (or introduce us to new blogs) but try to limit all of it to Illinois government and politics, please. Thanks.
UPDATE: Speaking of new blogs, Republican PR spokestype Dan Curry has joined the great Internet discussion universe with “Reverse Spin.”
UPDATE 2: Dan’s latest post turns out to be off base, however. It wasn’t Becky.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 3:57 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Long, link-filled question of the day
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Question - How long will it be before they have the Blagojevich trial?
Comment by girl friday Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 6:08 am
Why can’t Rod file his tax returns on time? What is he hiding now? What is he too embarrassed to show us? What possible political calculation could there be to justify ignoring this annual responsibility that, you know, is not a sudden surprise?
My wife and I have four children, both of us work 40 hours a week plus I work another 15-20 hours/week at a side job, our total earnings are $65k a year, and we completed our responsibility on time.
But, I guess you don’t ever see Rod’s name and any form of the word responsible in the same sentence.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 6:37 am
annon 6:37am…Yeah but you are not “running the state”, scaming money out of all the contractors wanting to do business with the state…so shut uo and go to your 8am-12pm job…ha ha ha Joke!!
However Rich, some of the articles talk about corruption reform, as far as the “ethics test” All the minions have to take it, but not the upper management, the ones who really need it, as well I would like to see the Gov’s score!!! Can you get that ??
Comment by dumb ol' country boy Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 7:02 am
What a riot. The same people who rail against higher taxes now are on the side of the IRS.
Who cares about whether Blagojevich got an extension, except Topinka’s press secretary? We’re all entitled to one.
I, for one, would favor moving the deadline for filing to June 30th and eliminating extensions altogether. For two-income families, small business owners, people with dependents, or those with investment income and losses, the ten weeks you have from when you get your W-2’s until taxes are due is hardly enough time. That’s why so many people rush to file their taxes on April 15th — my guess is, when they do, they miss alot of deductions that their entitled too.
Of course, the other option is to dramatically simplify the tax code. Not necessarily a flat tax, but as a small business owner, I think the U.S. has far too many accountants and tax lawyers per capita.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 8:01 am
A blast from the past–Carol Moseley Braun reinvents herself:
http://backyardconservative.blogspot.com/2006/04/
if-you-know-whats-good-for-you.html
There is an opening for real political leadership
in tackling Chicago school reform:
http://backyardconservative.blogspot.com/2006/04/
we-need-real-chicago-school-reform-now.html
Comment by Backyard Conservative Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 8:28 am
I usually have my taxes done by Valentines Day. Gets the refund back sooner. Rod’s excuse is lame and thin, everybody knows he’s just holding it back so as to avoid scrutiny until its too close to the election. Cowardly.
Reason 24 to get rid of Rod.
Comment by H L Brock Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 8:34 am
Let’s talk about something that is hurting us all.Gas prices.Why can’t all lawmakers,not just Blago,help us out.Maybe drop the gas tax for a couple of months.Blago is worried about kids well that sure would help Mom and Dad save money to support their children.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 8:35 am
Most folks wait until April 15th because they are procrastinators. If you move the date to June - they will just procrastinate further. The Gov. should have filed on time if he is a real leader. Let’s hope he’s just too busy getting that minimum wage increase introduced for passage. Why wait until after the election?
Comment by Mr . Ethics Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 8:36 am
We care that he files late because he is taking money from Tony Rezko, who is under federal investigation. Is that a good enough reason, YDD?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 9:05 am
To really help our economy, raise the gas tax to wean ourselves off our addiction to imported oil and boost locally grown ethanol! Use the tax increase to lower property taxes.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 9:06 am
JBT should make an issue out of this unless her taxes won’t stand up to scrutiny.
Would it be smart to refer to Rod as Public Offical A in every press release?
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 9:20 am
Assuming he files before the election, it just makes whatever folks think will be newsworthy more newsworthy.
Comment by Cal Skinner Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 9:20 am
Not to keep the Blago tax extension discussion going, but I believe Bush filed his taxes on time and he has to run an entire country (or at least try to appear like he is). What I don’t understand is that if Blago is trying to hide something, why not get it out now so that the voters forget all about it by November?
Comment by Bluefish Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 9:45 am
Perhaps Blago’s tax return was all ready to file when the Ryan verdict came down. I understand there were a couple of counts of tax evasion. Maybe Blago needs some time to think about what “perks of the job” need to be reported to the IRS? If I were a politician, I would certainly be questioning whether the feds expect every meal, golf outing, etc., to be reported as “income.” Another silly outcome of the feds effots to nail Ryan!
Comment by IVOTE! Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 10:14 am
I believe Rod is in the habit of normally filing his taxes with an extension, so this is nothing new and probably nothing to do with the election (otherwise he’d do it now so it would be forgotten by then). Just a sign that he’s human. Extensions are legal so I’m not sure how much hay people can make of it.
Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 10:23 am
http://sinnockforhighland.blogspot.com/
New blogger here from Highland, Ill (Metro East). I’m a city councilman sharing my point of view with the taxpayers.
Wayne
Comment by Councilman Sinnock Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 10:34 am
Brand New Rasmussen Poll:
Topinka extends lead to six points, 44-38.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/April%202006/Illinois%20Governor%20April.htm
This was conducted the day after the Ryan verdict. So much for the theory that she would be harmed by them.
Read the release and check out the internals. Bad news for Blago all around……
Comment by Establishment Republican Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 11:10 am
Who is this Amy Stockwell running to replace Lane Evans? Is she a token or what? Where is her support?
Comment by anon Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 11:14 am
I am sure Blago’s taxes are fine, but he is drawing attention to himself. YDD, you are a riot. Just because people oppose high taxes does not make us support not paying them.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 11:47 am
There will be no gas tax reduction in IL. While higher taxes theortically would ween us off oil, unless all states do it, IL would just lose business to other states. We already lose enough because of high taxes. We get rid of the Gas tax. Blago’s people have bee pretty frank that they are counting on higher gas prices to bring in more money in taxes to pay for his socialism.
My preferred thread, which I have been on for a while but no one comments on is, where is Lisa Madigan? Four years ago she pranced around the state calling Jim Ryan all sorts of names for not prosecuting George Ryan. Fact 1: she has never filed an indictment of George 4 years later. Fact 2: Knowing Blago, at best has questionable practices in his adminstration she is again SILENT! She is showing she is propped up by Daddy and does not have what it takes to make the tough decisions of a state wide leader.
Comment by the Patriot Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:07 pm
Just heard the news at OpEdNews.com that Rep. Karen Yarbrough has drafted Illinois House Joint Resolution 125, a bill of impeachment of George W. Bush, President of the United States of America. I don’t know the status of the bill, but don’t you all go and choke on your lunch.
Comment by Shaw Kenyaw Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:10 pm
What if Mayor Daley retires next Spring? Question: What white candidate will emerge as the favorite to stop Jesse Jackson Jr?
Sheriff Sheahan (he needs a job), Assessor Houlihan, State’s Attorney Dick Devine, Ald Tom Allen, Rep John Fritchey. Any other names or favorites??
Comment by Northshore ward Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:19 pm
I wonder how much support Yarbrough is getting
among non-wacky fellow Democrats, those same folks who want to see a huge Democratic victory in 06 and 08. No calls for impeachment from Hillary, I note.
Impeachment bills, however ridiculous, will provide the Dems opponents with all kinds of
opportunities to slam the Dems about national security, an area where they continue to be extremely weak politically. And rightly so.
Where is the Illinois Dem leadership on this stupid move. Not paying attention or no control?
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:44 pm
Re: Shaw Kenyaw,
Rep. Yarbrough (and two of her colleagues) are simply taking advantage of an old provision in the rules and precedents of the U.S. House (we know it’s an old provision, since it was written by Thomas Jefferson). This provision allows for an impeachment resolution to be presented to the U.S. House by resolution of a state legislature. Of course the U.S. House is then free to act upon said resolution any way it wishes, so a vote by the Illinois General Assembly (controlled by Democrats) for an impeachment resolution to be sent to Washington does not mean the U.S. House (controlled by Republicans) will follow suit. But Yarbrough and her colleagues are perfectly within their rights to propose this measure.
Comment by Randall Sherman Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:44 pm
Check out the Will Reynolds for Sangamon County Board blog: http://www.thereisaway.us
Comment by Will Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:45 pm
Of course Randall old bean, I read the article. I realize the severe odds of this effort leading to the actual removal of der Fuhrer from office, but unlike some cold blooded reptilians, I am encouraged by and applaud those who exhibit genuine political courage.
And as poor old Cassandra with her nearly empty glass ponders the reaction of the “Regular” one-size fits all Democrats to these wacky ones, I instead will raise a glass in tribute to Yarbrough, Washington and Feigenholtz for trying to do something to prevent the decider from doing something we will all regret later.
In fact, let me toast them with a fine California wine, seeing as how an impeachment bill has also been introduced there. And I think I’m starting to smell smoke.
Comment by Shaw Kenyaw Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 2:21 pm
[…] UPDATE: Now we are getting somewhere. Rich Miller says it's not Becky Carroll. Maybe he knows who overbilled taxpayers nearly $10,000 and will share the name. The Auditor General did not include the name in his audit, but the OMB response said the employee is a woman. […]
Pingback by Reverse Spin » Eat, drink and pocket $8,474 Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 5:48 pm
Dumb O Country Boy: You are wrong, even at the Deputy Dirctor level, they are, and have for three years been taking the test. But don’t let the facts get in the way here. I suppose JBT will campaign on stopping the test for state workers. Maybe that will restore their self esteem and make them feel loved again after their four years of hell and being made to feel bad. Grow up state workers, get a new (real) job if you have it so bad.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 10:10 pm
If Blago lived in Springfield, the IRS would have automatically given him an extension to May 28 to file his taxes. Since Sangamon County is declared a federal disaster area, the IRS gave every taxpayer in the County the option to defer filing…no questions asked. Another reason Elvis should have made the Mansion his home.
Comment by Springfield Resident Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 11:20 pm
It is appalling to me that Mr. Curry would name Becky Carroll on no further evidence than, “Uh, Becky lives in Chicago.”
It is true that Ms. Carroll is a stalwart defender of Governor Blagojevich’s policies. (This is, I believe, a major part of her job description.) However, she has never been accused of trying to enrich herself at taxpayer expense. Mr. Curry owes Ms. Carroll an apology. She may be a public figure, but that should not make her fair game for slanderous speculation.
Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Apr 25, 06 @ 11:04 am