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* Sneed…
Bye, Abdon . . .
Gov. Pat Quinn snagged the Chicago Sun-Times’ award-winning political reporter Abdon Pallasch to be Illinois’ assistant budget director.
◆ Let’s hope his 25 years dissecting federal, state, county and city budgets for the Chicago Sun Times and other publications will help him sort out the state’s financial mess.
Abdon replaces Kelly Kraft, who recently became the governor’s new communications director.
* Pallasch and I are old pals, and we were both at a benefit concert for Carlos Hernandez Gomez on Friday night…
I’ll try to convince Abdon to buy the winner a beverage.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:02 am
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Abdon all hope, ye who enter here.
Comment by phocion Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:12 am
Good luck Abdon…the “dark side” is not as bad as some suggest:)
The Caption
“If I don’t let go he won’t be able to scribble anything and PQ will still believe I have control. Ouch! He pinched my rear.”
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:24 am
Pat Quinn is a lucky man! abdon is a great guy, a good reporter, and this is wonderful for government.
Comment by amalia Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:29 am
Mr. Pallasch quickly began to wonder if hanging with this Miller guy was going to be net positive.
or
“Come on, would a guy who leaked that to CapFax have been pictured with Rich?”
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:33 am
I guess I just don’t know enough about the guy. Using the logic here, John O’conner should be the next Director of Corrections.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:35 am
Keeping with policy in that position, this is the last time we will see or hear from Abdon until he is promoted.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:37 am
“There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to shame the devil—remain detached from the great.” — Walter Lippmann (1889–1974)
“Who said anything about ‘the great’? I’m gonna work for Pat Quinn.” — Abdon Pallasch (attributed)
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:44 am
“They tried to make me go to rehab but I said ‘no, no, no’”
Comment by Constantine Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:46 am
Abdon, with this three best friends…
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 9:51 am
Check your wallet, Mr. Miller. Vultures! Vultures everywhere!
Comment by Anonymice Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 10:11 am
He appears experienced with those in the red.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 10:13 am
Pearson and Pallasch - together again.
Comment by Hon. John Fritchey Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 10:45 am
Can someone say Man Crush
Comment by Humble Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 10:47 am
‘Why Abdon almost didn’t pass the security check for his new job … ‘
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 10:57 am
Brokedown Pallasch.
Comment by Reality Check Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:16 am
“No Ma’am, we just want them for questioning at this time…”
“When these two individuals try to enter State Fair, take them… quietly … away from the beer tents.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:21 am
“First, let me say, a picture does NOT mean we are GOOD friends, it just means someone had a camera a pointed it at us …Your Honor …”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:31 am
This is a joke. He may be a fine reporter, but this is another example of Quinn hiring a friend instead of doing a thourough search for the best qualified person. Pallash would not have been selected for the deputy budget position in any fortune 500 company. He is not a CPA. He does not have a MBA. He’s another example of why Illinois’ fiscal house is burning.
Comment by anon Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:32 am
Abdon Pallasch wins the 17th Annual State Journal-Register’s Picture Scavenger Hunt, with the winning “find” of “Rich Miller”.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:39 am
“Rich, we’re bigger than US Steel…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:42 am
I’m with others here who are scratching our heads wondering how a career journalist is qualified to be assistant budget director. This is nothing against Abdon — he’s a smart guy and good reporter. But don’t we want “financial” guys as budget directors?
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 11:54 am
===But don’t we want “financial” guys as budget directors?===
He’s not the director. He’s an assistant. And that role requires lots of media work. CPAs are usually not all that media savvy.
And frankly, the more “astute” one is with numbers, the more games they tend to play with those numbers. Rod’s budget director was a very experienced financial guy. Look what happened there.
Your belly aching is just that.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:04 pm
“The tall one wants white bread, toasted, dry, with nothin’ on it…And the other one wants four whole fried chickens and a Coke”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:19 pm
“He’s not the director. He’s an assistant. And that role requires lots of media work. CPAs are usually not all that media savvy.
And frankly, the more “astute” one is with numbers, the more games they tend to play with those numbers….”
Must be nice to have Capt Fax flacking for the flack BEFORE he gets on the payroll. NIce coup Abdon.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:26 pm
If that guy has 25 years experience he must have started working when he was 3 years old.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:28 pm
Rich, if you keep up the spirited defense you might find yourself with an “assistant director” title.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:34 pm
“You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, “You’re gonna like this guy. He’s all right. He’s a good fella. He’s one of us.” You understand? We were goodfellas”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:38 pm
Abdon’s hiring proves the Quinn administration is serious about defending the celebrity harness race title at the State Fair.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:43 pm
Um no. Don’t want it. I vowed long ago to live my life in a way that would preclude me from ever taking a flak job.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:44 pm
Rich: Because we have been in the fraternity together for so long, he thinks he’ll get great treatment. LOL
Abdon: Because we have been in the fraternity together for so long, he thinks he’ll get great treatment. LOL
Comment by The Speaker Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:44 pm
Abdon was I thought the most pro-Kirk for Senate reporter in 2010-a big big plus for me- and I’ve always enjoyed his serious demeanor on chicago tonight (while wondering where the name abdon came from). Too bad he’s joining the government, and this is a horrible horrible loss for the sun times and people who like serious journalists.
Comment by Shore Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:49 pm
Sorry to see Abdon leave journalism. He made a real effort to get stories right, instead of to make a cheap headline at someone else’s expense.
Comment by reformer Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 12:56 pm
Wow, that’s an impressive hire by the Gov. Abdon Pallasch gets the details right, and that’s a job where his talents will be crucial.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 1:43 pm
“Rich, never quote me for attribution again. But I will give you background if you’re buying the drinks.”
Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 1:44 pm
“After new reform legislation opened up adoption records, Rich Miller was reunited with his long-lost biological son.”
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 1:57 pm
=== He may be a fine reporter…He is not a CPA. He does not have a MBA. ===
Um, change the “he” to “she” and you would be talking about Judy Baar Topinka.
Speaking of hiring practices, any idea how our State Treasurer got his start? Apparently, being a campaign coordinator for Ronald Reagan qualified you to work for Governor Thompson.
Abdon isn’t a CPA, true. But he’s proven himself more than capable at forensic accounting. Which will help him cut through any BS from state agencies about budget cuts, and also help him connect the dollars to programs that are doing demonstrable good for the people of Illinois. And, as Rich points out, clearly articulate the difference to the people of Illinois.
Anyone can understand what an asset he will be to the administration. Preckwinkle is probably kicking herself.
That said, the transition from journalist to government is a tough one. Not every journalist succeeds. If I remember correctly, Blago chewed through at least a couple.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 2:10 pm
Quinn Budget Aide Touts Plan to Boost Slump in Whiskey Sales
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 2:13 pm
Abdon Pallasch dives into his new role by trotting out a human metaphor to illustrate the shape of the Illinois state budget– bloated, soft and rudderless.
Comment by Natch Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 2:16 pm
Abdon and Miller. Special show this Friday at Donnie B’s. 8:00 pm and late shift at 11:00. Four drink minimum.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 2:26 pm
“The Chicago Tribune’s Rick Pearson (L) and Talk Soup Host and “Community” actor Joel McHale (R) discuss politics, Hollywood, and what REALLY is a Chicago style hot dog, only in in Sunday’s Parade Magazine…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 2:45 pm
=== Your belly aching is just that. ===
I don’t think it’s belly aching to raise legitimate concerns about someone’s qualifications. Some people’s comments on here have raised some valid reasons why Abdon may be a good a fit and asset to the state — but I’m not convinced yet.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 3:07 pm
NEWS of the World!: Hector and Erffenheimer Hardowitz the conjoined twins from Terra Haute were seen partying last Friday night with gal pals Lindsay Lohan and Barbara Walters. Witnesses say the duo were in rare form…..tipping all the servers at least a sawbuck each. Whoa boys! Better watch your bank account!
Comment by Bitterman Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 4:08 pm
The guys from “Magic Mike” take a break at the premiere after party.
Comment by Bonsaso Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 4:20 pm
Ok Rich, I’ll give you a tip now and then, but you have to promise to keep killing those comments that call him “Felon,” instead of “Filan.” The people over there are still touchy about that.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 6:22 pm
I have long been a fan of Oswego Willy and I’ll buy him a beer whether or not he’s chosen the winner. Rich once accused me of being Oswego Willy. I like Natch’s comment too but I don’t see Rich giving that one the ribbon. The full title is something like Assistant Budget Director/Director of Communications Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. Kelly and most of her predecessors I think were drawn from the media, but generally those of us who have proven an interest in dissecting budgets. I’ll aim to do my best but when I mess up you’ll read about it right here as Rich reports it with relish.
Comment by Abdon Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 6:35 pm
I start Aug. 27. If you guys could take care of that little pension reform issue Aug. 17 while you’re convened anyway, that would make my job a lot easier.
Comment by Abdon Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 6:38 pm
I dunno Natch, but I can’t be more impressed that that 2:16PM comment is still up!!
Comment by Madison Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 7:28 pm
===Rich once accused me of being Oswego Willy.===
Being accused of being Oswego Willy - It’s either a blessing or a curse …
Appreciate the “Beer”, but I owe Rich one beverage first, and if we go have a cold one before, I may get the “banned for life” Velvet Hammer, but I will take a rain check if that works.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 7:38 pm
… and - Abdon -,
Good luck with your new Spot. From all accounts, it appears you are a great fit for the position.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 7:43 pm
Don’t know personally either of the guys pictured, but the one on the right doesn’t look like he is three sheets to the wind…
Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Jul 23, 12 @ 8:03 pm
Let me get this straight. It’s the guy on the right who is getting down in the trough of Illinois politics? Huh.
Comment by Full Circle Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:09 am