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Let’s see... First, they said they had a totally blind hiring system. Then, when we found out they didn’t, they blamed George Ryan. Then they said they fixed it. Then when that turned out not to be true, they said they fixed everything by the end of 2003. Turns out, that wasn’t true, either.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s office was approving candidates by name for state jobs as late as autumn 2004, nearly 18 months after aides said a “blind” hiring system was created, documents show.Well into Blagojevich’s second year in office, his chief of staff and personnel director continued to sign off on names of candidates for such jobs as secretary, auto mechanic and film office intern, nearly 300 employment forms obtained by The Associated Press reveal.
At least one-quarter of the forms relate to positions covered by laws and court rulings that prohibit hiring decisions based on political clout and give priority to veterans and minorities. Others might also be covered but are not immediately apparent. […]
But tracking candidates by name raises the possibility that Blagojevich aides could have influenced hiring decisions, and it contradicts the governor’s statements that he instituted safeguards early in his tenure to eliminate that possibility.
And then there’s this.
Nearly all the forms were sent to Lon Monk, Blagojevich’s chief of staff who now runs his re-election campaign, whose initials appear on most forms. Most were created by Joe Cini, the man in Blagojevich’s office in charge of hiring for the few thousand jobs the governor does control.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 5:14 am
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This ‘blind hiring’ is still going on. About a month ago, a temporary worker (political) was given a telephone interview for an ET I (Engineer Technician – level I) position that was never posted. In the past, an ET I position would have at the very least 10 people putting in their resumes for the position.
Comment by state worker A Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:12 am
You can’t handle the truth!
Comment by Bill Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:21 am
I saw a low-level job posting in my building for something that fit a friend’s qualifications very well. I copied the various job I.d. numbers down off the form and passed it on for the friend to try and apply. He went in to take the test, then asked the clerk about the specific job opening that was advertised. She claimed there was no record of it anywhere in the system. Thinking he’d made a typo witht he job I.D. number, he had the clerk scan for the job by title, region and description; nada. I still don’t know if it was filled. But I have a suspiction it has been, by yet another politial hire.
Comment by taxpayer A Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:30 am
Of course the term ‘blind hiring’ is a joke. ‘Eye’20-20 vision hiring’ will continue in this administration forever. It doesn’t seem like anybody cares about the constant law breaking involving hiring issues. NOBODY CARES ABOUT STATE WORKERS!!!
Topinka has to somehow make each voter feel the pain Rod is dishing out via their wallet. Billions and billions of dollars worth of new debt, unbalanced budgets, care givers and vendors not being paid, cutbacks on essential services all need to be explained in a way that everyone understands that Rod is screwing each and every one of them. The huge amounts of tax dollars being spent on Rod’s re-election campaign need to be detailed so every voter understands they are being suckered by this huckster.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:37 am
The administration has been totally truthful, even when they didn’t tell the truth.
Bring it on!
(Inspired by the Original Bill).
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:38 am
No, they get away with whatever they say. No one holds their feet to the fire. Sure a lot write about it but with something so blatant, why aren’t they dogged and followed and not allowed to come up for air without a camera and microphone shoved into their faces? No one demands an explanation from these people and after a little time passes, everyone seems to forget. The real question is “how do these people get away with blatant, repeated dishonesty?” They don’t have to tell the truth because they are not forced to do so at every media / news / press event.
Comment by North of I-80 Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 8:25 am
Topinka has NEVER done “blind hiring.” Why does she get a pass for her political hiring in her state office?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 8:59 am
Blagojevich made ethics an issue in 2002. He ran as the white knight. He promised reform. He got a mandate to clean up Springfield. He did nothing except use the very system he criticized to engorge himself on campaign funds. He raised over $2000 an hour as governor instead of governing. He delivered no reforms. He turned his back on us after we empowered him in 2002.
That is why this is an issue for him and not Topinka. There is a difference between a guy claiming to be a virgin and finding out he is the top hooker by the FBI, and a gal who is rumored to be easy.
If you want to defend Blagojevich’s obvious hatred of voters on this issue by claiming others do it, then you need serious counseling.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 9:14 am
Mr. Fitzgerald….are you paying attention???
Comment by Walking Wounded Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 9:54 am
State Worker A is absolutely right!
Governor Blagojevich and his administration are a bunch of bald-faced lairs. You wouldn’t believe how many democratic knuckleheads they’ve created positions for at the Illinois Tollway.
Comment by Tollway Insider Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 10:03 am
VanillaMan-
Thank you for the comparison. I rarely agree with you, but that made my day…
Comment by anon Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 10:12 am
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his administration are are still hiring their minions to this very day.
Now all the state agencies are undergoing re-organizations to cover their tracks.
Mr. Fitzgerald - we hope your are listening.
Comment by Timbuktu Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 10:28 am
Tick, Tick, Tick.
As Joe Louis said about his opponent in a boxing ring, “He can run, but he can’t hide.”
Comment by Bubs Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 10:52 am
thump, thump, thump.
Comment by chinman Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 10:54 am
So when does AP start checking the hiring practices of the State Treasurer’s Office.
That’s the next big shoe to drop. Would love to see the list of “blind hires” that have occurred there in the past few years.
Comment by values matter Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 11:02 am
I’m sure I not only speak for myself when I say this but, I’m tired of hearing and reading about the improprieties in the Office of the Governor.
It is time for the government to act and I believe that “Walking Wounded” hit the nail on the head.
Everyday almost, we read similiar stories that prove that the OOG does not have a care in the world.
This is my last comment about the improprieties in the Office of the Governor until I see that some has taken some physical actions to began accountability.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 11:06 am
It’s not a lie if you believe it.
Comment by George Costanza Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 11:18 am
Vanilla Man - you hit it out of the ballpark once again. I love your analogies.
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 12:10 pm
Most of the “re-organizations” are so they can justify raises for their cronies. DNR, IDOT, Employment Security just to name a few. Anyone ever notice how they jump form one agency to another…..MORE MONEY!
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 1:11 pm
Only in Illinois. I would think these guys would understand that these activities lead to jail time. I am still convinced Blago is going to need to conserve at least $4-$5 million to defend his inevitable convictions and appeal.
I guess they can’t change their spots.
Ashur Odishoo
Candidate
State Representative 11th District
Comment by Ashur Odishoo Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 1:26 pm
I wonder if we can file a compliant with the Inspector General’s Office against Abby Ottenhoff, the Goobernur’s spokeswoman, for consistently lying to the People of Illinois?
Comment by Anon. Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 2:30 pm
Why did Rod give up his law license? Does it have anything to do with all the investigations?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 3:06 pm
Rich, would you look into what Gov employees where making 2 to 3 years ago and what they make now, their increase should just be 4%. But I bet they make more , because I’m sure their postions where reviewed and it show their position needed to be elevated. I’m sure that is what Abbey would say.
Comment by Believe Abbey Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 3:10 pm
to simply answer your question, Rich…no, they cannot tell the truth. What’s even worse is that their cover stories are so not credible.
Comment by Minion Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 3:52 pm
It should be enough is enough, but that would only happen if, besides the folks that speak out on this blog, the rest of the voters in Illinois would step up to the plate and demand(honest if that is possible) answers and/or an escalation to the investigations. Honestly that is not going to happen they are too complaisant!
Tollway Insider is correct none of this media attention has stopped the flow of newly created positions to either get one of Blago’s flunkies a job or a nice healthy raise (wait there is a wage freeze-what am I talking about there was never a real wage freeze now was there?). Freedom of Information is a beautiful thing, but if you happen to be one of the employees making in the low 20s (there are alot) and haven’t seen a raise in 2 years and then a 4% in the 3rd year-a FOIA of salaries at the Tollway over the last 3 years can be a nauseating experience!
I am waiting for Blago to address the public in front of City Hall (Springfield is out of the question) with a line (shades of Czar Nicholas) “Igornance is bliss!”
I agree One Man Can Make A Difference-enough is enough!
Comment by angry and outraged Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 6:23 pm
The Treasuer’s Office does not have to follow the personnel rules that the state agencies under the Governor are required to follow.
Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 7:33 pm
During an election year, is lying the job of gubernatorial press secretary? I remember George Ryan’s flacks told some whoppers in 1998. Now Ottendorf claims politics has not influenced hiring in Blago’s administration. Is there anyone who believes that?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 24, 06 @ 11:07 pm
Oh it’s gonna be a long, puffery summer,
but governor, I’ll promise you this:
I’ll send you a surprise, an October subpoena…
Sealed with a kiss.
Comment by Fitzwilly Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 12:48 am