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* Bombshell or just the usual? The lede…

The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative has been a political liability for Gov. Pat Quinn since a state audit tore apart the grant program in February, but newly released emails show top aides to the governor worried about its potential political cost as far back as 2011.

OK, but scroll down and here’s what you see…

That’s when former Quinn chief of staff Jack Lavin, the governor’s former chief operating officer Andrew Ross and the director of the Illinois Finance Authority, Chris Meister, worked to insulate the governor and help contain a brewing, NRI-related tempest involving Chicago Ald. Deborah Graham (29th) in her 2011 aldermanic race. […]

Ross’ emails show that Quinn’s cadre of advisors was focused on a campaign press release from Graham’s aldermanic opponents, who vowed to speak out jointly at a Feb. 15, 2011, news conference against the “questionable appropriation of anti-violence funding directly benefiting the incumbent alderman.”

“The potential exposure for the governor’s office from the factually incorrect press release alludes to a scenario where the governor and Alderman Graham made these funding decisions of [sic] their own,” Meister wrote, noting that four of Graham’s opponents had “received … either directly or through affiliated organizations state and federal funds.”

On the afternoon of Feb. 15, 2011, Meister circulated a statement from Graham in which she assailed her opponents’ “last-minute attack” as a move that “stoops to a new low.”

So, the governor and Graham both deny coordinating the grant. Why wouldn’t the governor’s office work to shoot this one down? Now, if they’re not telling the truth, that’s a whole other story. But if there was no coordination, then they do have a right of self-defense.

* Anyway, the Senate GOP says that live video of the 10 o’clock hearings will be available at the Legislative Audit Commission website (ADDING: It’s actually on the GA’s main page). Subscribers have access to our own exclusive live video here. And here’s the ScribbleLive thingy…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 9:54 am

Comments

There is a link on the ilga.gov home page.

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:01 am
One of the weirdest aspects of the article is that it shows how closely the Executive Director of the Illinois Finance Authority was involved in NRI. People always have known that Lavin’s surrogates at the Finance Authority, the Toll Highway Authority, and DCEO would do his bidding — what’s strange is that they apparently work on issues that don’t even relate to their agencies. As I noted in another post, this raises some other legal and auditable concerns, because an agency’s budget and its governing statute(s) both limit the manner in which its personnel may work. Phrase this another way: an agency has no legal or appropriation authority to pay its employees to do work that is beyond the scope of the agency’s authority and budget.

Comment by Chicago Publius Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:04 am
Dear GOP Audit members,

Don’t be combative, just to be combative.

They won’t read this, but I feel better typing it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:04 am
The Governor’s staff is exposing themselves as not innocent by their actions here. Innocent people don’t behave like this. Certainly not top staffers with real daily concerns to handle. They really got involved in some weak political criticism in a Chicago Aldermanic election?

Doesn’t pass the smell test.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:14 am
Holland testifying is helpful to all members, Ds & Rs.

Very good start.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:19 am
Barickman has set a great tone.

So far so good. Well done, Staff.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:25 am
If I recall, the election was in November 2010.

How do you sell a “vote-buying” scheme when all the money went out after the votes were already counted?

VMan, exactly what are the people you’re judging guilty of? At the very least, they’re spending their days on the taxpayer dime writing emails related to the jobs. Give it a try some time.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:32 am
Publius: Interesting point. You’re right about how senior directors probably should stick to their own knitting. This does look off base. Stretching it into a legal or technical violation is a bit much. As is “Lavin’s surrogates.” He wasn’t as powerful as you assume, IMHO.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:34 am
==How do you sell a “vote-buying” scheme when all the money went out after the votes were already counted?==

It’s called a promise. I know that no one believes politicians’ promises, especially those made during a campaign, but in most fields of endeavor, people will do things in exchange for a promise of payment.

Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:37 am
Chicago Publius and VM, in my experience in government, at a certain level you work on all the things all the time. The crackberry does not stop. George Ryan’s CoS once called a friend to scream at him because he was not praiseworthy enough of the Governor in a local non-profit newsletter. The folks at the top deal with their work, then they deal with details that people outside the system would not believe. In the paranoid world, no issue is too small for attention.

Comment by 100 Miles West Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:37 am
== deny coordinating the grant ==

Is there a need to coordinate the grant if you have structured a program to avoid doing so?

They do not deny setting up a program that improperly relies upon the recommendations of local aldermen and other ==non-state personnel== to award state money, avoids normal oversight procedures, etc. If I trust the local aldermen and my other allies have things covered, no need exists for me to intervene or coordinate anything.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:40 am
Reis - “why were you not here?”

Be careful…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:43 am
Why is Reis grandstanding again?

Someone ought to just trade him out for another member. He has been the lead weight on GOP credibility since the day he screamed about this in 2010.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:53 am
OW - Reis is my rep I am really surprised he can find his way to Springfield.

Comment by 618662dem Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:55 am
I love it! She lays it off (funding issues) on the legislature (and probably rightly so).

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:56 am
===Why is Reis grandstanding again?===

My hope is key him do what Dopey damage he’s going to do, and hopefully bring it back from other members. Having Reis first, if he has to question, there is still time to fix his mistakes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:56 am
“let him do”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:57 am
==improperly relies upon the recommendations of local aldermen and other ==non-state personnel== to award state money==

It’s not improper to have somebody from outside the state have input in awarding funds. It happens all the time. Alderman? Maybe. But outside personnel in general? No.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:02 am
- 618662dem -, think GPS…

Actually not too “bad” by Reis. Thoughtful. Shaw holding her own, not shrinking, answering and seemingly answering her “best”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:03 am
So basically the GOP is saying this NRI thingy is just like the nursing home thingy, except no one died, no federal tax dollars in the form of medicare/medicaid monies got funneled into Quinn’s pocket, and the bad parts of the program weren’t dumped on a confused elderly man with a fax machine so that victims would be unable to recover for the harm they suffered. Got it.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:06 am
Man, I hope BR wasn’t pinning all his hopes on this. Shaw is destroying these clowns.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:21 am
Oberweis asleep in 3..2..1..

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:22 am
In roomers say only 2 cameras left in the room
Charles Thomas was right

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:23 am
Yes. Reis is doing well so far. So is Shaw.

They are focused on violence prevention, and management/mismanagement of programs.

And he is smartly introducing the issue of using local elected officials to recommend who should get the grants, which became a key part of the selection process.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:25 am
“government, at a certain level you work on all the things all the time.” I think a way to express this is “Your job is to make sure the Governor gets re-elected.”

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:28 am
And boom.

The selection process was not competitive, but rushed and based upon recommendations apparently mostly from Aldermen.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:28 am
===Man, I hope BR wasn’t pinning all his hopes on this.====

“Emails and billing records? Please tell Bruce that you have something more, GOP Members. Bruce Rauner and Slip & Sue are in the race of their lives. Please tell them their Career Politicans haven’t pinned their hopes to some emails.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:31 am
“Reis: But, your Admin Rules stated reports must be on time.” But did it specify the new coversheet?

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:34 am
Usually legislative hearings seem like a grand inquisition, with arrogant inquisitor questioning scared, nervous witnesses.

This hearing seems like the questioners are hesitant, walking on eggshells, and the witness sounds confident and self-assured. The legislators sound like they’re out of their league compared to a very knowledgeable witness.

In other words, it’s sounding more and more that there

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:37 am
. . . isn’t very much of any “there” there.

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:38 am
I hope Reis has something more than late reports. What a bombshell!! Sheesh.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:40 am
Man, she’s killing it so far.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:45 am
===Man, she’s killing it so far.===

Agreed.

The questioning “voice” is starting to show the frustration, the frustration Shaw is up to this “challenge”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:46 am
Shaw isn’t taking being painted in a corner lightly;

“Measuring”

Shaw seems prepared for the traps, that also helps and it’s showing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:50 am
So far, no “ICYMI” e-mails from Rauner or state GOP. Telling.

But there could very well be much more interesting stuff later today with those new e-mails submitted last night. We’ll see.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:50 am
I agree with Rich, she’s killing it so far.

If the Republicans on this panel were truly interested in the waste of taxpayer money (which of course they aren’t), they would put Rauner on the stand to talk about the misappropriated medicare/medicaid funds at the long term care facilities during his watch at GTCR.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:53 am
Careful, Rep. Sandack…

Ask, just don’t be snarky…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:56 am
Battle of wits Reis came unarmed
Now Slugger Sandeck steps to plate

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:56 am
Sandack just can’t NOT be cute about this…

This is where the train wreck usually starts..

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:01 pm
== But outside personnel in general? No. ==

True. I am going off the audit’s findings regarding the use of outside personnel in this case. iirc, that is one of the main bullet points and concerns highlighted in the early pages.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:04 pm
Sandack interrupting is bad optics.

Do you want answers, or do you want a “gotcha”?

I am seeing a “gotcha” peppering.

Tread carefully.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:10 pm
The audit was about management and documents related to the program. Not the results. They’re missing that.

Comment by WWMJMD Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:12 pm
Sandack, trying to walk her through the doorway, isn’t getting her there.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:15 pm
Is it just me, or does Rep. Sandack always seem to be auditioning for a “Law and Order” spin-off?

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:18 pm
Wow, it seems like this thing is about to catch fire — just like the Great Chicago Fire Festival last weekend. (Cue video of flames sputtering out…)

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:19 pm
Chastising by Shaw on the word “exclusion” is in a nutshell why My Party is failing in questioning Shaw.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:25 pm
So according to Sandack, is the problem with NRI not that it was too big but instead that it was not big enough?

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:26 pm
A break…helps or hurts the Inquisitors? Might need a re-think on some aspects.

Shaw is holding up her end and then some…

I give a “Pass” overall to the Inquisitors, no train wreck yet, but the train did fuel up a bit in the last 10 minutes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Soccermom -

These guys can’t even muster any smoke.

The best they seem to have is the “revelation” that grants are not competitively bid.

Um, that is why they are called ‘grants.’

Publius comes closer to making a point than any of the committee members so far.

Except that every job description for every state appointee includes “other duties as assigned,” and when someone is accusing the Executive Branch of doling out gifts, it is all hands on deck, regardless of whether the accusation is made by a campaign, a newspaper, or the BGA.

If it weren’t legitimately state business, newspaper reporters wouldn’t be calling state offices to inquire about it.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:31 pm
there is certainly need out there in the land of much violence. and she’s giving a tough performance. but I sure would not have constructed and conducted the program in the manner things went down.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Former Chief of Staff Jack Lavin sure was consumed with the political ramifications of the Neighborhood REcovery Act. It appears that all attempts to insulate Governor Quinn failed. #listenupillinoiscitizens

Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:50 pm
DHS

Department of Human Right Services

Good one, Sandack

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:58 pm
Fair enough @FKA. I was just pointing out that it’s not unusual.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:58 pm
Sen. Barickman…”He who loves emails”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:01 pm
Sandack gives Lavin’s email address?

C’mon man…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:06 pm
“Can I have a moment to read?” lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:07 pm
LOL, that would make them the “NRA” hearings, Black Ivy? When you’re trying to cast aspersions on the governor, it works out better if you don’t slip up and blame the GA.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:08 pm
@Black Ivy:

Who cares?

Where are the emails demonstrating this was a GOTV effort?

The governor’s policies were under attack by a political campaign.

As Rich notes, the Office of the Governor has not just a right, but a duty to defend itself.

As for the whole relying on aldermen to recommend grantees…

I doubt there is a lawmaker on that committee who hasn’t written a letter of recommendation for a grant application.

It is pretty standard fare for state, federal and foundation grants to require some sort of demonstration of local support.

The city of Chicago is a massive partner in funding long term social service projects, so if you want it to be sustainable, you do want to make sure the local alderman is on board.

Make sense, I hope.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:09 pm
lol, You aren’t on the emails…

Then how us she suppose to know Lavin’s take?

- MrJM -, thus is his audition tape.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:09 pm
AG’s office approved HR issues for the program? pretty thick plot.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:10 pm
Sandack is starting the train, brick wall in sight…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Or.. He’s got her…Moment of stupidity…

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Money out now quickly… then money later…Uh oh.

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Who better than local official, including aldermen and legislators, know their communities well enough to recommend possible grantees for funding such as this?

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:13 pm
@Walter Mitty

That would have more of an effect if it wasn’t already reported….

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:15 pm
“When in doubt, lawyer-up”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:16 pm
Nope. Shaw is able to handle this clown.

Comment by Toure's Latte Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:17 pm
She didn’t think it was political… But now she does?

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:17 pm
“Sen. Raoul”…

For re-direct! lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:19 pm
Sandack gets a Pass. If he would cut out the dramatics and the interrupting, it would have been much better optics of the responses that had impact.

A slow-play questioning, instead of interrupting and snark can “get” a witness just as easy…if that’s the goal…”getting”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:22 pm
Were those emails from Lavin’s state account? And was the campaign sending to that email account as well?

Comment by quick question Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:24 pm
Raoul trying to rehabilitate

“Gotcha!!” - Sen. Raoul…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:33 pm
The “R’s” shoulda had the Sun-Times do their questioning.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:38 pm
Raoul doing fairly well rehabbing, framing to the “personal” - family, friends, neighbors and experiences.

Bringing it away from the politics and the governing…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:41 pm
For Shaw, Sen. Raoul helping frame the discussion to the political and “gotcha hearing” versus people and goals.

Next GOP Inquisitor will need to use the Audit more, and less opinion of email tones. The Audit is not under dispute, it’s the interpretation of the “why” that is putting My Party behind.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:46 pm
OW, the personal IS political.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:48 pm
===OW, the personal IS political.===

It’s the framing, not the motive.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:49 pm
This hearing is great.

Starting to wonder why Quinn isn’t running on NRI.

What else you got Bruce?

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:53 pm
I have been in and out of this all day but from my quick takes on what has transpired so far, these hearings could actually end up helping Quinn. But there is still the rest of the day to go.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 1:59 pm
Raoul able to backtrack so Shaw could clarify a response as final questions from Raoul are answered.

The focus needs to be the failings seen by the Audit, Shaw is holding up pretty well

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:00 pm
Barickman - trying to regain focus on the Audit. Good tact. Tread careful as not to seem callous.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:02 pm
Barickman wants names, Shaw corrects to the amount if monies she can speak to.

“Who”…”Who”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:16 pm
Shaw seems to be doing everything possible not to throw the Governor under the bus even by innuendo. And it’s believable.

Not what many expected when she chose to testify.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:20 pm
===Not what many expected when she chose to testify. ===

Yep.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:25 pm
When Sen. Raoul was re-directing, and Shaw was speaking to the passion and the beliefs she had in what the program(s) were trying to do, the rehabbing helped herore as she hasn’t hurt Quinn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:31 pm
Bruce Rauner is having a terrible, terrible week.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:33 pm
It would really help if the Republicans on the LAC didn’t appear to be taking their marching orders directly from the IL GOP’s press releases.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:37 pm
===Bruce Rauner is having a terrible, terrible week.===

Meh. This is only the first witness.

They really do need to move along now and try to forget that Barbara Shaw ever existed, however. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:39 pm
You know, if the GA is going to get all huffy about its budget authority being undermined, maybe they should rethink that whole “lump sum appropriation” idea…

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:42 pm
IL GOP’s press releases are getting increasingly desperate. They need to take a breath and try another day, another witness.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:44 pm
Soccermom: amen to that

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Shaw has somehow managed to get Barickman, with Holland’s help, to dive into the weeds on whether the fund transfer was an “expenditure ” or not.

An amazing shift from trying to paint this as a vote buying scandal.

It’s as if the GOP didn’t even prepare.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:51 pm
What are we talking about again? I thought this was about quid pro quo, slush fund, vote buying before the 2010 election.

When do we get to that part?

It would be nice if the legislators paid any attention to what Holland said.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:53 pm
“Who, who, who?”

===They really do need to move along now and try to forget that Barbara Shaw ever existed, however. lol===

Boy is that right.

“Aldermen” ain’t Quinn

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:56 pm
Likewise, @Demoralized. I wasn’t trying to disagree with you or anything like that, just clarify my own mangled comments lol

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:56 pm
OWLS INFEST ILGOP GA - “WHO, WHO?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:01 pm
“This is only the first witness.”

Very true.

But so many gleeful Rauner supporters rubbed their hands together in anticipation of this witness’ testimony — and they got exactly what they didn’t want.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:02 pm
Audience seems to be…thin…now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:04 pm
===It would really help if the Republicans on the LAC didn’t appear to be taking their marching orders directly from the IL GOP’s press releases.===

ILGOP - Owned & Operated by Rauner for Governor…

Dots, connect the dots, “follow the money!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:20 pm
Uh… she just stepped in it… Time sheets are not important.. Oh wow..

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:42 pm
It’s 3:40 pm. Barbara Shaw is still testifying. Will she be leading off tomorrow as well?

My god, she’s like the Oliver North of these hearings.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:43 pm
Every state office has to do what she is saying she didn’t do… Audit… You need the back up..

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:43 pm
And the real information just came out IlPundit…

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:44 pm
No, she’s explaining very clearly how grant management actually works within state government. Everyone would do well to listen closely, because the problem of understaffing is creating oversight shortfalls everywhere.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:49 pm
And that’s why you don’t throw that much money that quickly.. All other state agencies are able to do just that… The difference, they don’t get the windfall…I am sorry, it’s not a valid excuse.

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:52 pm
==Every state office has to do what she is saying she didn’t do==

I’ll bet you $100 that there are very few audits done by state agencies of grantees. They are asked to keep the info on file for a certain period of time in case questions arise. Nobody has the time or the resources to go out and audit these people. The GA needs to look in the mirror if they want that sort of work done. They’ll have to appropriate money for an army of people to go out and look at these things.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 3:59 pm
Yes demoralized… Also, don’t take the money in your program if you can’t keep the records… Look at the auditor generals page and see the findings of multiple agencies that didn’t do a great job and had findings.. None at this level. Every agency plays by the same rules. To have time sheets for pay is basic accounting. There is no excuse you can make, as best as she tries. It was your money too by the way…

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:02 pm
Mitty-Every state agency that monitors grants confronts the exact same issue. And I think I speak for a lot of long suffering, overworked, state workers when I say that Shaw’s exchange with Holland was not only long overdue, but downright heroic.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:04 pm
Seriously, Walter, time sheets are your smoking gun?

Wasn’t this supposed to be about buying votes before the election?

Wake me up when we get there.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:06 pm
I am very impressed by Ms. Shaw. She has controlled the entire day. Unshakeable. Believable.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:06 pm
Word.. Great point!

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:07 pm
@Walter:

I’m not arguing that the program wasn’t screwed up. I’m telling you that audits aren’t done by agencies because they don’t have anybody to do them. In all of the grants I’ve ever dealt with not one audit has been done. Not one. That’s not ideal but it is what it is.

And enough with the righteous indignation.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:08 pm
Many grantees are required to provide an audit if their grant is above a certain dollar amount. The audits are supposedly reviewed by agency accountants. Grant managers review budgets and scopes of work, etc. I don’t know of any agency with the staff or knowledge base where they would ever be able to “audit” a program they fund. There are desk reviews, invoice and checks matched to grant funds, but the state workforce would have to double if people want an actual CPA signed audit completed. The cost of staff, and travel, to do this would be staggering.

Comment by 100 Miles West Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:18 pm
For about six years I served on the IVPA Board, and used to come away from their quarterly meetings amazed and impressed with the amount of work Barbara Shaw and her VERY small staff accomplished with so few resources. She was thoughtful, logical, and nobody’s fool. I don’t know her political leanings, but my tenure was during two Republican administrations. She wasn’t given the tools or the staff to accomplish a successful NRI.

Comment by Former State Employee Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:31 pm
One reason Shaw hasn’t thrown PQ under the bus:

Caught on live mic, “It’s my heart’s work.”

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:35 pm
For her, this isn’t about PQ.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Sen. Brady: “Ms. Shaw, could you do me a solid, and just say ‘there’s a cancer on the govnernorship?’”

Woof, deep in the weeds here.

So what’s Plan B, now that the highly anticipated LAC hearings have come-a-cropper?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:42 pm
Somebody tackle Sen. Brady…

He is coming off just angry, leading the “parliament of owls”

“Who…who…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:51 pm
This whole process has left a bad taste in my mouth. Ms. Shaw has dedicated her life to this work. Now, she has been before this committee, with only a few short breaks, while legislators line up to question her. She is on for the entire day, while these republicans sit patiently waiting sir turn to pile on. Seriously, why would anybody want to work in government? Maybe this is the secret long term republican plan to eliminate govt all together. I would ask: if no government, who will check the time Sheets?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:17 pm
Whatever they thought they were going to get from Ocasio, they sure aren’t getting it.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:27 pm
Brady reading Ben Nuckles email that mentions Brady in a bad light, make it look a tad personal

Comment by PoolGuy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:28 pm
Ocasio is playing the ole “Clambake” game

They put on the heat to steam you, you clam up, give up nothing.

You seem useless enough, they move on…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:32 pm
In fact, Ocasio has done a fair job of reinforcing the reminder of the violence in the summer of 2010 in Chicago and the sense of urgency at the time to do something NOW.

Comment by PolPal56 Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:33 pm
Shaw’s exchange with Holland was..overdue, and a bit heroic.”

Oh, come on, man.

As much as some folks might like it, even Olivia Pope ain’t gonna get Ms. Shaw the white hat in a face-off against Bill Holland.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 5:54 pm
did she really say “Agencies can’t properly audit grant recipients.” ?

and what does that mean? in my experience there are regular reports which are read and checked and money records that must be provided to get funds. if she means they can’t go back and audit, that is one thing. if she means they can’t track things…which I think she alluded to re the number of staff needed, that is another.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 6:01 pm
Weems takes the mic…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:17 pm
Weems-”grants are often based on subjective things.”

Whoops.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:06 pm
Would like to ask Mr. Weeks if the program saved life’s that’s fantastic, so how many more would have been saved if the program was run correctly?
A great idea but others priorities ruined it, what a shame!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:27 pm
Most of the predictions about this hearing from the commenters on this blog were way off base. People in the public eye, like Barbara Shaw, as assumed to be tools of some political entity (Quinn, Madigan, whatever) and not genuine human beings in their own right.

“She’ll plead the fifth” “She’ll lawyer up” “She’ll throw Quinn under the bus” were some of the types of recent comments.

Yet she comes across as a very intelligent, thoughtful person who clearly cares about preventing violence, having spent many years of her professional life in this field. Clearly she doesn’t see her career or this particular episode only in terms of what might help or hurt Quinn. She acknowledges mistakes but no one could walk away assuming the she manipulated this grant program for political reasons.

Real people are way more complicated than political cartoons. I have to admit that in the brief parts of the hearing I was able to watch I was quite impressed with her presentation.

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 9:10 pm
===“She’ll plead the fifth” “She’ll lawyer up” “She’ll throw Quinn under the bus” were some of the types of recent comments.===

The fact that Ms. Shaw didn’t come out as many thought made her an exception, not the rule…

Further,

She did lawyer-up.

Why?

Because any intelligent person facing questioning on a program that the Auditor General of Illinois gave his audit report to the United States Attorney.

Your high horse, the one you are sitting on, looking down at people, fails to see that those beliefs you mock are rational legal positions. Because any witness decides to answer questions doesn’t make the beliefs of self-incrimination beyond a legislative hearing any less wise or any more human.

Ms. Shaw did herself well. Doesn’t mean she saved Quinn, doesn’t mean she blamed Quinn. It means she was true to herself, warts and all to whatever this hearing is trying to prove, which now has lost a great deal of steam until Lavin faces this committee.

That’s where we are, and no one more surprised and confused and even dumbfounded than me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 9:29 pm
Willy what is it that you are dumbfounded and confused about may I ask?

Comment by Leprechaun Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:18 pm
- Leprechaun -,

Seemed as though Shaw was far more prepared then the Inquisitors.

They know what they want to ask, they know where they wanted to take her, they even knew, the the Audit report, where were the weak spots…

But Shaw held her own, took some Inquisitors to task, and even knew the follow-up question before the Inquisitors did.

Completely dumbfounded that Shaw was obviously more prepared.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:30 pm
What’s tomorrow’s headline again? Shoddy time sheets? Personal emails on company time? Four years ago?

Back in August, did the cheez-whiz kids really sell Rauner that these LAC hearings would be game-changers?

lousy strategy, lousy tactics, lousy execution.

Stealing.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:34 pm
word, looks like they’re going to have to settle for “New Federal Grand Jury Subpoena Uncovered” which is a fairly decent, if lucky, recovery from the massive fail that was falling into place a few hours ago.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:50 pm
Yes I agree completely. Shaw helped Quinn’s campaign today for sure. However all that might be lost on the newly surfaced Lavin Emails. The new supena for more emails also will hang over PQ till the 5th.
My thoughts on the whole day was none of it matters if Rauner can’t take advantage and his campaign has shown zero ability to message anything correctly.

Comment by Leprechaun Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:51 pm
===“New Federal Grand Jury Subpoena Uncovered” which is a fairly decent, if lucky, recovery from the massive fail that was falling into place a few hours ago.===

The Feds bailed out the ILGOP GA…

Where are all those saying Washington DC is trying to save Quinn?

===Shaw helped Quinn’s campaign today for sure.===

Shaw helped by only not laying it at Quinn’s feet, giving Rauner the perp walk and adimission.

===However all that might be lost on the newly surfaced Lavin Emails. The new supena for more emails also will hang over PQ till the 5th.===

I gave the Rauner Crew the play months and months ago, and here we are waiting for tomorrow. I have little faith in a direct pivot, Rauner’s Crew might accidentally find it!

===…his campaign has shown zero ability to message anything correctly.===

Spot On.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:56 pm
When you break down the Shaw testimony, not in quotes, or facts, the most impressive person was Sen. Raoul.

Raoul’s rehabilitation of Shaw was masterful. Raoul took Shaw back to re-answer and clarify, and then allowed Shaw to make it about people and pivot off the scathing Audit.

If you watched Shaw before Sen. Raoul got to question her, and then watched Raoul just re-direct with the skill of a surgeon, cutting and healing, and allowing Shaw to do the easy lifts to Raoul’s assists.

Then when Sen. Barickman got his turn, going right to the Audit was the best play, because Raoul healed enough of Shaw, and Shaw helped herself with her prep work, Barickman needed to change the discussion back to the framing away from the personal.

Sen. Raoul impressed me most. That was impressive to watch.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:07 pm
So far, it’s Al Capone’s Vault.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:30 pm
====So far, it’s Al Capone’s Vault.===

Painfully true…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:04 am