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“Voters deserve to know if state hiring is shady”

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Illinois

The Pantagraph wants some answers and it wants them now.

Tell us before November’s election if Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been doing something illegal.

He didn’t use those exact words, but that’s the message state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, sent to Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

This is not personal, but Brady’s request for the information within 90 days will be viewed as political. Remember, Brady railed on Blagojevich during his campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in the contest won by state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, who faces Blagojevich in the fall.

Brady said his letter to Madigan was prompted by an Associated Press story saying the governor’s aides reviewed and approved hundreds of employment decisions by name, rather than merit.

Voters in Illinois deserve to know the truth before Nov. 7.

Madigan may be the state’s chief legal counsel, but she is also a Democrat. And the history of party loyalty - on both sides - in Illinois suggests she would withhold damaging information about our Democratic governor until after the election if it is possible.

It’s not mentioned in the editorial, but the US Attorney claimed that George Ryan wasn’t a target just weeks before the ‘98 election. That statement helped persuade voters that Ryan was on the up and up. Some direction from the G might be nice this time around.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 5:43 am

Comments

Lisa will open her mouth exactly one second after Daddy tells her to do so. Besides hurting her chances to be governor it looks like the state’s top law enforcement officer is doing NOTHING else to stop the rampant corrruption brought to Illinois citizens by the Democrat party and the Chicago Democrat machine.

Kinda like Blah-Blah’s ads about JBT doing NOTHING to stop that damned George Ryan. Of course that wasn’t JBTs job, but why let the truth get in the way now after 3 1/2 years of continous lies.

Lisa Madigan = Democrat corruption enabler.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 6:15 am
Lisa is a team player she wouldn’t say anything if she had absolute proof of wrong doing.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 6:21 am
I think it is hilarious. To avoid looking like a hypocrite, Topinka has to send everyone else out to ask questions and criticize.

First Joe Birkett is sent out to question the hiring list, now itâ€™s Billy. Judy doesnâ€™t want to explain why her name was on Fawellâ€™s list 12 times.

Jim Edgar has to question and criticize the funding plan because oleâ€™ pretty doesnâ€™t have one.

Sheâ€™s doing a fine job!

Comment by B Hicks Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 6:36 am
The GOP is playing with fire here. If they win there will be huge spotlight on anyone they hire or fire. They are the party that for 26 years held an iron grip on state jobs. Just keep it up GOP, you are going to burn yourselves sooner or later with this issue. If she would win, JBT had better not fire one Democrat that is working now. If she does, I hope the media turns on her and her gang of crooks who can’t seem to understand both the GOP and Dems. do this. It could make life hell for her if she would win.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:08 am
B -

A little nervous this morning are we? Go to Rich’s previous topic about one word descritions of Illinois. Notice the tone of those words? That’s what your boy Bamboozlevich has brought to Illinois - a general malaise.

I saw Mitt Romney on Charlie Rose’s show last night. I kept picturing ol’ Baitenswitch sitting next to Romney. The only comparison I could make is the Hilites magazine characters Goofus and Gallant

I went to Google to check the spelling of Goofus and, unbelivably, here is a Google response:

Goofus and Gallant. The second panel shows Goofusâ€™s well-groomed counterpart, Gallant, a promising lad at peace with his schoolmates and the rules. …

At peace with his schoolmates and the rules. Here’s betting we won’t see those words in any of the $25 million dollars worth of stupid television adsbrought to you by Goofus.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:21 am
ANON 7:21 — you’re the one who seems jumpy!

The point that AccordiOnGal is dragging out Brickhead,Edgar& Brady (LosersThree would be their baot name) to reannounce her lame claims is right on track.

The Pantagraph edit fails to note The AG was the first to go after this guy and how she has whacked on various issues. Trying to sleaze her up won’t get you very far. Just ask the Brickhead

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:35 am
The Pantagraph failed to make this kind of observation over the many years of Thompson, Edgar and Ryan administrations spoils system hiring. Is Blago hiring democrats - of course he is. Is he a hypocrite - maybe. Is he corrupt - no.

This is simply a partisan ramp up - The Pantagraph editorial/opinion page is not to be taken seriously.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:51 am
If it weren’t for the Rutan ruling (which incidentally was a D seeking relief against a corrupt R hiring system), this conversation would probably not be taking place.

Isn’t it ironic?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:58 am
Hey Mr. FBI man you need to look no further than IDNR and Washington County to see how Blago’s boys screw with epar’s and job descriptions.

Comment by dip wad Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 8:01 am
Slightly off-topic, but still shady: whatever happened with the hate-crimes commission?

Did Blagojevich get a “pass” on this from the press?

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:05 am
So anyway, on the way over here - we stopped at a red light. I rolled the window down for some fresh air and when I did that I saw a little black girl on the corner. She saw me and got really excited. She shouted, “Hey! When are you going to stop blaming old George Ryan?”

Comment by Governor Blagojevich Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:15 am
How can the media be so clueless as to miss the obvious fact that Judy’s state hiring is at least as political as Blago’s. Judy has many fewer positions to fill as the lowly Treasurer, but she’s probably using politics in 100% of the cases. Everyone knows it.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:24 am
No one cares that Judy’s name was on the Fawell list. That matters not!

This deal is about illegal hiring practices, not names on a list.

Comment by shelbyville Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:32 am
heck, Dip Wad they need to look at this in all levels..IDOC, DHS, IDNR, CMS shall we go on…..

Comment by ironman Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:58 am
Hey Reddbyrd - Although Mikey’s daughter is quick to start an investigation, which in your world is evidence that she is doing her job, I would like to ask how many of them has she ever finished?

Hmmm? What’s that you say? Look over there? Look over there?

You and Abby need to take a class in credibility, because neither of you have any.

Comment by Mad at Mikey Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 11:58 am
I wish some of the folks working in HR and PR positions with the State - the agency doesn’t matter - would speak up and let the “every day Joe” know what kind of illegal, immoral, unethical and plain incompetent crap that has been going on since Hot Rod was elected. The epars, the tampering with job descriptions, the tampering with job postings, interviews, the levels of “approvals” needed for each and every hire - are all vehicles through which they have tried to bring on-board people who would otherwise NEVER be qualified. And when all that fails, let’s look at the number of personal contracts that have been initiated under this Gov. - there are certainly no grades (and very few approvals) needed to hire someone under contract! As someone who worked for the State for over 12 years, folks are right - patronage has gone on forever - democrat or republican. But the unbelievably disgusting level it has hit with Hot Rod simply has to be brought to light.

Comment by ANON Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 12:05 pm
I don’t think this US Attorney is going to issue any statments clearing the governor or his administration. That fiasco was voisted upon the citizens of Illinois by the same US Attorney who sent Maria Santos to jail and the next week went on a business trip with the Mayor of Chicago.

Fitzgerald is a whole new animal. Things will be jumpn after this hiring corruption trial ends next month.

Comment by Merlin Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 12:34 pm
Bill Brady is simply speaking out on what he feels his constituency wants. And, that is complete disclosure as to the allegations and implications that our governor is under scrutiny by the feds or that he is not. Being under investigation does not mean that Blagojevich is guilty of anything.It simply means that someone has evidently accused him of improprieties or illegalities.

I wish someone in the federal Justice system had said that they were investigating George Ryan when they were doing so. I probably would have withheld my vote for him if I had known that. You might say that since Ryan was only being investigated, that should not have influenced my vote. I say, “What I choose to do with my vote is entirely up to me.”

Comment by Beowulf Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 1:28 pm
Lets be clear, political hiring is not new or necessarily illegal. Rod’s problems are:
1. He promised to end this type of practice.
2. Unlike the republicans, rather then wait for people to retire and fill positions with qualified people, he fired qualified people and filled positions with unqualified hacks.
3. and this is where jail time comes in…He took money to give people jobs. This is called a bribe and why he and George will become close friends.

4. Lisa’s problem is she hammered Jim Ryan for never indicting George. Anything less then an indictment of Rod and she is a political hack just the same plus a hypocrite.

You can complain all you want about who is talking, but the fact is, she is effortlessly staying in the race while he is spending a lot of cash. It is called a Rope a dope. Just make it into the late rounds and hope your opponent has nothing left in the tank. Each day she keeps the lead in single digits is a good day until about mid september when she needs to start to move.

Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 1:32 pm
Who was the only major state politician to attend George Ryans retirement party? Who was the one politician who stood up after Ryan was out of office and called him a great governor? Hey suprise it was Topinka!

Comment by HANSKTER Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 1:39 pm
I think the foundation of this issue has less to do with the fact that the GOP has done this in the past (they’ve admitted that) and more to do with Rod breaking a promise. Everyone knows that this kind of thing happens, but when you come right out and say you aren’t going to do it, and then do, well that creates a problem.

Comment by YNM Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 2:23 pm
Lisa Madigan needs to step up to the plate and address this issue immediately. If she does not, voters will remember.

The citizens of this state are tired of living in a corrupt environment. It is obvious the Goobernor’s hiring practices are illegal. The scapegoats would not have gone to the FBI. The investigation needs to be completed prior to November 7th.

Comment by Swami Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 4:15 pm
I don’t remember Jim Ryan being criticized by Lisa Madigan re: George. Rod was the one who brought up that criticism during one of the debates with his “asleep at the switch” line.

Comment by Napoleon Dynamite Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 4:29 pm
I wonder if Billy-Boy ever went to bat for a friend, relative, or lover in order to help get a state job. I wonder if he ever sent letters of reference out from his office. Made calls recommending people. If he did, he is using his position to influence a hire. Why else would a Senator or Representative place a call?

If he wants to know whatâ€™s up with Rodâ€™s hiring practices, he needs to ask Tom Cross. Oleâ€™ Tommy-boy was on the clout list. Iâ€™m sure that heâ€™ll take a call from Billy.

Oh, by the way, Iâ€™m not jumpy; Iâ€™m having fun.

Anyone catch Britts cartoon today?

Comment by B Hicks Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 4:30 pm
Example - at IDOT, a 20 year professional engineer was fired and replaced with the girlfriend of big time political figure. The girlfriend has a GED and no experience but was in charge of an entire bureau. She did not have a clue and often referred to the workers as ‘the staff’.

Comment by state worker #1 Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 5:09 pm
I have worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations and must say that hiring practices have been the most blatant in the past few years. Example: about a yeat ago a person showed up at a “department” and said that he was to start the following Monday. Needless to say, no one knew a thing about it. He let everyone know that his brother is a state representative and he is a “personal friend of Dick Durbin”. Yahoo, that and a buck will get you a cup of coffee in most places. Anyway, he shows up between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. every day and is supposedly assigned to “special projects”. A TOTAL WASTE OF SPACE AND MONEY!!!!!!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 6:55 pm
Your right dip wad……IDNR got some of the most incompetent dems working there……

Comment by old capital Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 7:06 pm
What’s with Judy keeping Martin Noven as her No. 2?

Supposedly, he’s a Dem.

Comment by Anono Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 8:16 pm
Say, HANKSTER, or HANSKTER: Actually, among the “major state politicians” at George’s portrait ceremony at the Capitol and speaking fondly and publicly of him and his service: Emil Jones, Jim Thompson, Mr. Speaker, Judy Topinka, and, 30 min late and to a welcome of more boos than applause, Rod Blagojevich. Nice try.

Comment by NumbersGuy Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 8:17 pm
I agree with anonymous 6:15 regarding Lisa keeping her mouth shut until Daddy tells her otherwise. I recall an alleged conversation between JBT and Mikey where JBT told MM that if she got 4 years in the Gov’s office she would step aside in 2010 leaving the door open for Lisa.

From the recent rumblings from MM I think it may be true. MM being on GRods re-election *team* gives him a bigger inside advantage to stab GRod when the correct time arrives. MM keeps his friends close but his enemies closer. Should be an exciting next few months.

Regarding political hires, Holy crap, all you have to do is look at DCEO to find quite a few (dozen) political hacks. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a few.

Comment by Papa Legba Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 8:35 pm
Oh, Pappa Legba…please, what is it that you have against dead cats?

Comment by Walking Wounded Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 9:44 pm
Keep looking into wardens and assistant wardens, both in the adult and juvenile divisions. Their resumes will make you chuckle.

Comment by Wonderful Marvelous Tuesday, Jun 6, 06 @ 10:04 pm
I think we need to separate the different issues in this question to honestly evaluate them.

One, I believe it’s absolutely legitimate for Brady to ask the question, as it would be for many other people. I’m sure Brady isn’t the only person, Republican, or Democrat, wondering about this and seeing the resemblance to ‘98.

Two, the fact that the hiring issue is being investigated is no proof that anyone did anything wrong. And, even, if it turns out some people did violate Rutan or state Civil Service rules, that’s no proof the Governor knew anything about it.

Third, the assumption that Lisa Madigan would overlook something that was her responsibility because of partisan politics is a great leap. My personal experience with her is that she is extremely independent and very willing and able to do her job wherever it takes her. To assert that she might give someone a pass for partisan reasons without supporting evidence that it’s true is off base.

I’m guessing that the larger question to her will be whether the request is within the scope of her authorities as AG. I’m sure attorneys in her office are looking at that question now

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jun 7, 06 @ 9:55 am
[…] Non-profit from MA listed here and a private corporation in VA (K12) trying to make some moola off IL taxpayers doesn’t seem to jibe with the Law, as I read it. But hey, I had to look at our current governor’s mug (shot?) on the Illinois Virtual School site, so what do I know about how the Law works in IL? Continuing with the Law: (3) The enactment of legislation authorizing charter schools to operate in Illinois will promote new options within the public school system and will provide pupils, educators, community members, and parents with the stimulus to strive for educational excellence. […]

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