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* Democrat Ron Stradt hasn’t raised much money for his Sangamon County State’s Attorney race. He spent less than $11K in the last quarter and had less than $6K on hand at the end of September. As of this writing, his GOP opponent, an appointed incumbent, hadn’t filed his quarterly report, but his previous report showed he had far more cash than Stradt.
So what does an underfunded and definite underdog do? Try to create as much of a stir as possible, of course…
Stradt, obviously hoping to do something different to wrest the Sangamon County state’s attorney’s office away from the GOP, is also running a radio ad in which a conversation between a man and a woman includes how Stradt wants to empanel a grand jury to investigate misconduct of state legislators.
“With broken promises to state employees, he can start with Madigan and Quinn,” it says.
That refers to Democrats including Gov. PAT QUINN.
One participant in the ad wonders if Stradt is a Democrat, and the other says he is “a conservative Democrat for concealed carry” who will “clean up the Statehouse.”
* Over the years, local state’s attorneys have stayed as far away from the Statehouse as they could. Incumbent John Milhiser, for instance, refused to get involved after Sen. Mike Jacobs allegedly punched Sen. Kyle McCarter on the Senate floor. Most CapitolFax.com readers agreed with the decision, as did the SJ-R…
Cheers to Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser for introducing some common sense into a situation that never should have come across his desk. Milhiser said last week that no criminal charges will be filed as the result of an incident between Sens. Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon, and Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, on the Senate floor during the last hours of the spring legislative session. McCarter accused Jacobs of striking him following debate on a bill for which Jacobs’ father, former state Sen. Denny Jacobs, had lobbied. Whether it was a poke, shove or punch, this was not a police matter and should have been resolved accordingly.
But corruption is another story. I’m curious if you think local state’s attorneys should get involved in this stuff.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:05 am
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I wouldn’t expect anything to be substantive, just more nonsense like Buttongate.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:13 am
If the Attorney General of the State of Illinois doesn’t investigate Illinois corruption, why should lowly County State Attorneys?
Comment by Rufus Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:16 am
They should.
Comment by Cal Skinner Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:18 am
It would be a great if this office would take a small corruption investigation “bite” each year. With little resources to dedicate to this subject, the case/issue selection would have to be very strategic — as in a couple of easy wins from some of the the lower-hanging fruit that abounds on the second and third floors. It would only take an occasional indictment and plea to enhance the office — and send the message that maybe-just maybe, people might get caught. I always hoped for a few grand jury invistigations through the years, but the only one I can recall is way back in 1978 — the “Thompson Proposition” petition passing matter — but that was really a campaign issue. The challenge would be to do just a little bit and do it compentently, so as to not become known as a “nut punching way above his weight”.
Comment by Chad Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:31 am
Everyone should have at it in turns of uncovering misdeeds, as long as they don’t waste too much taxpayer money chasing nonsense. But let’s be clear who can best take the right legal actions. The AG’s office has a history of turning over what they uncover or suspect to the Feds, as have some State’s Attorneys.
Comment by walkinfool Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:31 am
For some strange reason, I hear Kevin Costner in a bad Nawlins’ accent repeating, “back, and to the left. Back, and to the left.”
So a pistol-packing conservative Dem wanna-be prosecutor is going after Quinn and Madigan for ……… what crimes, again?
I’m sure Sangamon County taxpayers will be falling-all over themselves looking to finance a 21st Century Jim Garrison on the trail of the corrupters.
Before they do, though, they might want to remember that there is a U.S. Attorney in Springfield with the resources of the IRS, FBI, etc., at its disposal.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:07 am
Is the chief Postal Inspector in the George Ryan investigation still in Springfield?
Comment by Cal Skinner Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:10 am
The problem is that most corruption charges come up at the Federal level. Illinois laws are far too weak to convict on anything within the power of local SA.
Also, do you really want a kid fresh out of a mediocre law school and hired as an ASA prosecuting high-level corruption cases?
Comment by NIref Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:16 am
Should they take an interest in it? - yes
Will they? - no
Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:33 am
Not exactly corruption, but Milhiser’s predecessor, Republican John Schmidt (now a judge), refused to file charges of perjury against Roland Burris. Although, he did review the case.
One of the people in the the Stradt ad I heard seemed to think he might get that money back for the taxpayers. That money? The pension money? I don’t know.
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:49 am
Wow for a moment there on Sunday it seemed like Ole Bernie was giving a D some space — didn’t know the doctor allowed that.
Then it became clear he found a D whack job. No cause for alarm over at the Celini Foundation for Political Action (aka Sangamo GOPies)
SA could prosecute anyone they want, but usual voters/taxpayers are counting on them to put the robbers, rapists and other bad guys in the clink first.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:56 am
If Stradt thinks there is a GOP conspiracy to rig his divorce case against him, he might not possess the judgment to determine what is really public corruption.
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1782330705/Bernard-Schoenburg-Stradt-feels-family-dispute-being-politicized
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:05 pm
Other than these trivial ones like Buttongate, the Jacobs finger and the Burris testimony, I can’t think of another situation in the fairly recent past that it would have been plausible (having both jurisdiction and some sort of PC) for the Sangamon County State’s Attorney to bring in a case. I’m sure there are some, I just can’t think of any.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:11 pm
Well, assuming most prosecutions involve a police investigation some point (usually the beginning), who’s going to send their report to the State’s Attorney? The Capitol Police? LOL.
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:20 pm
I absolutely thing SA’s should be investigating/prosecuting corruption… I would also like them to investigate and prosecute FOIA and OMA violations. That being said, they should be focused on local officials. I’m not quite sure its the role of the Sangamon SA to be focused on the GA.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:35 pm
I don’t know if they should get involved in this or not - they have a lot on their plate already and it seems like asking for a witch-hunt by someone with higher office aspirations. But there is one thing I do know: Ron Stradt needs to stop campaigning on state property! Last week, he (or a surrogate) papered every car in the Illinois State Police building parking lot on 7th steet with political fliers.
Idk if it’s illegal, but it’s not cool. Stuffing this crap in my mailbox is one thing, covering my truck with it is different. C’mon Man!
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:53 pm
==If the Attorney General of the State of Illinois doesn’t investigate Illinois corruption, why should lowly County State Attorneys?==
Contrary to popular opinion, the Attorney General’s authority in this area is very limited. The State’s Attorney, however, has primary jurisdiction in all criminal matters occuring within his/her county, with very few limitations.
Comment by Agricola Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:54 pm
Most State’s Attorney’s offices have little, if any, investigative staff. They prosecute what the police have investigated. Stradt is clueless. That said, am I the only one old enough to remember when Sangamon County State’s Attorney Bill Roberts prosecuted a lobbyist (for the Equal Rights Amendment, no less) for attempting to buy the vote of a legislator by giving him a business card that said “$1000 for your support”?
Comment by girlawyer Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:06 pm
Oh, yeah. Norb Sandstrom. (sp?) He wouldn’t have voted for that or taken amount of dirty cash.
Ron Stradt’s bosses at the IEA must be pleased as punch with his ad campaign.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:30 pm
Except for the feds nobody seems to be willing to point out the elephant in the room! If a state’s attorney wants to take a whack at it, more power to him. And Good Luck.
Comment by BMAN Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:58 pm
Is there a law against “broken promises to state employees?” If so, throw the book at PQ and MM. You’ll also have a long list of others.
Seriously, this candidate is desparately hoping that angry state employees will buy into this garbage.
While I’m an angry state employee, I’m not buying this sorry ploy by a desparate candidate.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 2:35 pm
Agree with Chad - if Stradt goes after some smaller cases like the $7,000 alleged bribe of a now booted out state legislator, I think that would be a great signal to those in the capitol to watch out you might get caught.
Comment by Untouchable Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 4:01 pm
In other news, he also promised not to prosecute people who violated the state’s prohibition on concealed carry, if the law breakers were “otherwise law-abiding”. Usually in races where I don’t know either candidate, i just push “R”. Now here’s a real reason to do so. Are bank robbers, other than the instant act of robbing the bank, “otherwise law abiding”? Aren’t most criminals criminals in the sense of the law they are violating, but otherwise law abiding? Jeez I’m ready for some version of concealed carry to pass, but I’m not ready for individual prosecutors to decide what is and isn’t against the law.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 4:01 pm
Milhiser properly exercised prosecutorial discretion by not wasting his limited resources, funded to a great extent by my property taxes, by not getting involved in the dispute involving Jacobs. There is a long history of legislators engaging in fisticuffs. I remember Bus Yourell and some other rep in a fight one year toward the end of session.
Comment by Just the Facts Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 4:06 pm
Schnorf, as a conceal and carry proponent, you are aware aren’t you that there are two US Supreme Court cases. Stradt is following the law as decided the US Supreme Court and he isn’t deciding the law.
Comment by Untouchable Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 4:21 pm
Ron Stradt is a honest fair and intelligent man who will do the job and will not be beholden to the republican machine in Sangamon county. Its time we replace some of the people who are giving away gifts to fellow republicans like candy to children. I think a debate at a local union hall at night would help the local people of Sangamon county decide this race and not the thousands of dollars that is flooding into his opponents war chest. Believe me this man that is running against Ron Stradt is corrupt. If you want truth and honesty then vote for Ron or if you want lies and fraud vote for the other guy.
Rick Hargett
Comment by battolescaredandworn Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 5:07 pm
“He spent less than $11K in the last quarter and had less than $6K on hand at the end of September.”
Probably a good enough reason to vote for him.
Comment by sal-says Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 5:29 pm
I think it would behoove whomever the State’s Attorney is - hopefully Ron Stradt - to commence putting an end to corruption locally first. That task would take many, many years to complete.
Comment by ethicslover Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 6:12 pm
Go ask the good taxpayin folks of McHenry County what happens when the locals go on an ethics jihad. Teaser alert: they get stuck with the bill.
Court rules McHenry County must pay special prosecutor fees Costs for Bianchi cases top $800K; new law steers counties to public agencies first rather than private attorneys September 29, 2012|By Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune reporter 20 An appellate court upholds $265,000 in legal fees for special prosecutors who unsuccessfully went after McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi (pictured). To avoid a repeat of legal fees of about $865,000 in the case, under a new law, such cases will first be routed toward public, rather than private, prosecutors. An appellate court upholds $265,000 in legal fees for special prosecutors who unsuccessfully went after McHenry County State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi (pictured). To avoid a repeat of legal fees of about $865,000 in the case, under a new law, such cases will first be routed toward public, rather than private, prosecutors. (Chicago Tribune) A court ruling requiring McHenry County to pay six figures to the men who unsuccessfully put the state’s attorney on trial — twice — highlights the motivation behind a new law that would limit the use of private special prosecutors.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 6:41 pm
Schnorf, you make too much sense.
Stop it, you’re screwing it up for the visionaries out there.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 8:29 pm
==Stradt is following the law as decided the US Supreme Court and he isn’t deciding the law.==
You can’t be stupid enough to actually believe what you wrote can you?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 8:50 pm
UT-utter BS, I think. Does that mean no one in Illinois can be prosecuted for violating the laws in this state prohibiting concealed carry? Why don’t you give it a try in a few urban counties, UT?
Comment by ut Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:30 pm
sorry, last post is me
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 10:32 pm
It’s about time we get someone who is serious about frustrating the professional politicians. From what I observe, Milhiser is eager to stay “among the boys” and be a crony.
Sometimes change is good! The more I read about this Stradt fella the more I like him.
Comment by Scota Tuesday, Oct 16, 12 @ 6:46 am
Why should corruption ever be a political issue anyway? I don’t think that Milhiser is a professional politician but he was appointed by the “good ole boy” system who want to keep politics as usual here in Sangamon County, which means to prosecute the heck out of the east side residents and let west side residents who are friends of the establishment keep getting free rides.
Comment by ethicslover Tuesday, Oct 16, 12 @ 8:16 am