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Yet another bad day for the governor

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Illinois

Since the governor didn’t deny yesterday that federal investigators have forced 15 state agencies to turn over hiring records, as the Tribune reported, we can safely assume that was the case.

We can also safely assume that the governor has a truly marvelous political ability to be absolutely shameless when he’s making stuff up.

“I think what you read today is an example of why we have continuously worked to fundamentally change things in state government,” Blagojevich said after a news conference promoting his All Kids health insurance program.

He said the edict to gather information shows his administration is trying to stay on top of hiring practices.

“We are always making sure that we are vigilant and constantly reminding our agency directors to follow the rules and to make sure that we stay on top of this,” Blagojevich said.

The Daily Herald noted the irony in the timing of the allegations. Yesterday’s press conference was designed to kick off All Kids.

Ironically, Blagojevich was in the same situation last October, when he first trotted out the All Kids program as a way to help middle-income parents get their children health insurance on the same day the first federal subpoenas were revealed.

And Joe Birkett, complaining about a $100 million no-bid contract to a company that employs the guv’s former chief of staff, claimed the investigation count was nine.

â€œIs that believable?â€ said Birkett about Lon Monkâ€™s statement. â€œI would say that in an administration thatâ€™s already under nine separate state and federal investigations has just invited investigation No. 10.â€

When asked about Birkettâ€™s comments, Blagojevich dismissed them by saying Birkett needed to lighten up.

He’s right about that one, of course.

Meanwhile, there was some more bad news.

A letter produced in court this week seeks to bolster a claim by top Illinois State Police officers that they lost a vacation provision because they declined to endorse Gov. Rod Blagojevich in his last election.

The non-unionized command officers filed a lawsuit in 2004 that claims unionized rank-and-file troopers kept the benefit after endorsing the governor, and the letter written June 14 by the union president reminds members of what their support meant.

“I believe that the speed in which we successfully negotiated our recent collective bargaining agreement, the most lucrative in Lodge history, can be attributed to the endorsement of the governor,” wrote L.H. “Buddy” Parker of State Troopers Lodge No. 41.

UPDATE: Currie has more. Read it.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 9:05 am

Comments

Would you like fries with that, sir?

Yes, and a supersize diet coke. But because I have changed business as usual at McDonald’s, the combo meal is now the same price as the burger alone, so I don’t have to pay any extra. Of course, after I leave office the roof of your restaurant will fall in, the parking lot will have sinkholes, and my kids’ happy meal will cost $47.

Comment by 919am Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 9:24 am
Four years later and he’s still blaming George. This is where I’d normally write “unbelievable,” but at this point just about anything is believable.

Thank you governor for setting the standard in Illinois for personal responsibility…

Comment by Wildcat Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 10:14 am
Illinois truly is a disgusting place. We have become the armpit of this country. Slime everywhere city,county and state. The public is burnt out from all the lies and corruption.

Comment by MAGGIE Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 11:40 am
Maggie - you are just mad because you think you are not benfitting from the corruption…but you really are.

Comment by Slash Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 12:52 pm
Rich,

You think everyone is getting tired of hearing about the Blago stuff? I mean even your self-selected interested folks can’t muster more than a handful of comments on this. Might that work to the gov’s advantage in the fall?

Comment by ChicagoCynic Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 12:55 pm
Cynic, I think they’re taking out their ire in today’s QOTD instead. I wouldn’t read too much into it if I were you.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 12:58 pm
After a quick read of that thread, I guess you’re right.

Comment by ChicagoCynic Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 1:18 pm
As a State Employee (on vacation today), it never ceases to amaze me the Alice in Wonderland thought process of governor hair do. That he can make such statements with a straight face is astounding.

Comment by "B Team" Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 2:39 pm
Rod’s face on FOX news last night was red. I’ve never seen him look so angry over the course of four years. He realizes that it’s hitting the fan.

Too bad he didn’t see it when we all did. Now he has to face the music. Hopefully, he’s clean.

Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Foundation Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 4:21 pm
Having spent a quarter century plus with the ISP, I can honestly say that this administration has done more to drive a wedge between the rank and file, the sworn and non-sworn, and the road troops vs the investigative troops, than any other since I’ve been there. Never have I seen politics in policework to the extent it is today. I never thought I’d have to sell my integrity for a pay raise or to keep the benefits I worked for all these years. I didnt then and I wont now. Charge ahead Command Officers!!

Comment by proud state copper Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 5:18 pm
Why would the Guv. have to remind the Agency Directors to follow the rules? Since the hiring freeze all hirings must go through the Guvs Office. Seems like he better remind himself of the rules.

Comment by Pie Co. Friday, Jun 30, 06 @ 11:47 pm