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The Tribune finally picks up on a Crain’s series from much earlier this month.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said Monday his decision to promote his daughter to a $112,000-a-year job and employ other relatives should not be compared to the corruption scandal that brought down his predecessor.White said he did not pressure anyone to hire at least five of his relatives and sees nothing wrong with his office employing them as long as they are qualified for the jobs.
“If I did something improper to hire them, there would be something wrong with that,” White said. “I did nothing improper.” […]
“I don’t know if this stuff is illegal, that’s for a U.S. attorney somewhere to determine, but it doesn’t pass the smell test,” Rutherford said.
Rutherford has tried and tried to get some traction. The White campaign is completely unconcerned about this relative stuff as long as nothing exposed is deemed to be illegal. But maybe the Tribune jumping on this will finally get the issue noticed, since newspaper editors and TV people slavishly follow the Trib’s lead.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:08 am
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Why would anyone waste his time running against Jesse White? Doesn’t he win by a larger margin than any politician in Illinois?
Comment by Bridget Dooley Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:39 am
I don’t think nepotism is illegal in Illinois.
The purpose of Rutan is to prevent political hiring into protected positions. You could argue that nepotism is a subset of political hiring, but that wouldn’t be a sure win in court.
In Illinois, Democrats see the hiring of relatives as legal as long as the relative meets
minimum job qualifications. This is one reason that under the Democrats, minimal job qualifications have been lowered (IDOT, DCFS et al) in a number of agencies. In other instances, the qualifications couldn’t be any lower. Practically anybody walking down the street would “qualify” for the job, thus facilitating the hiring of relatives and friends of modest or nonexistent abilities.
I would also point out that Ms. Jesse White Jr.’s compensation package is more like $150,000
if you count in pension and health care benefits.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:55 am
The way the Trib reported just gives White another “pass”. They didn’t mention his chief of staff hiring his family members for various jobs. The chief of staff’s wife is on “contract” making $25 an hour. White’s step grandson was hired as an “exempt” employee in the front office. That means he didn’t have to take any tests or even have any particular qualifications for the job. White may not think this is improper but it sure sounds unethical.
Comment by Walking Wounded Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:15 am
I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a guess that if any of you were in office, you would not hire any of your relatives, nor anyone you know…right?
Comment by WorkingGRL Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 10:59 am
It looks like Lisa’s in the hot seat!
I agree with Umholtz even if he doesn’t mean what he said. The Attorney General should take an agressive role in rooting out corruption in this state and should assist the Governor in upholding integrity in his office. However, the blind can’t lead the blind. Although it’s possible, at some point they’ll run into something or SOMEBODY.
Investigations of corruption should not all fall on the U.S Attorney as they’ll get tired of indicting everybody and will take a less agressive approach or become apart of the problem. In addition, the U.S Attorney only has jurisdiction when he indicts. And all ethical lapses of gov’t officials do not require indictments, simply ETHICS VIOLATIONS WITH A FINE ATTACHED.
Jesse White knows that hiring his daughter is an ethical lapse called nepotism. It shouldn’t happen in any office in this State. The reason speaks for itself. Look how many promotions his daughter received and how her salary took a major increase over the short time period. One would only say she got the promotions and raises as her father is the boss. And would they not be correct in assuming that?
Here’s what’s needed in the State of Illinois to combat corruption and ethical lapses as the aforementioned. Blagojevich had it right in the begining, however, he backed down because of so much pressure from his counterparts.
AN EXECUTIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL THAT OVERSEES THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT-THE ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
Each constitutional officer can keep his or her Inspector General, they just won’t be Executive Inspector Generals and they would report to the Illinois Executive Inspector General.
This way the Inspector Generals for the constitutional officer is accountable to the Executive Inspector General who submits reports to the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission and or a prosecutor.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 11:55 am
To Working Girl-Of course we would want some of our relatives to get good jobs maybe in state government if we could.
However, not in the same office that you govern. It creates conflicts of interest and it is unethical.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 11:57 am
This may be a good issue to go after but I’m not sure White is going to suffer for it.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 12:09 pm
After a few decades of US Attorney cleanup, Illinois might be ready to make a big deal out of ethical lapses. Right now, real corruption is taking up everybody’s time. Ethical lapses appear quaint by comparison.
Right now, if it’s only an ethical lapse in Illinois it’s not worth talking about except in
classrooms.
Ethics shmethics sayeth our leaders.
Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 12:32 pm
Aside from stealing yard signs what else can you talk about?
Comment by Charles Martel Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 12:37 pm
Are the voters going to wait until the fraud is MORE rampant in the SOS offices to dump Jesse White? Not many employees got 100% increases in pay during the past 8 years (ala White’s daughter). Not many felons were hired into $100,000/year jobs (like Cecil Turner). If there are these kinds of ‘appearances of impropriety’ making the news, what kinds of misdeeds are being hidden behind the doors of the Chief of Staff? The media is responsible for providing this information to the voters. Kudos to the Trib for starting to report this story.
Comment by Cat Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 1:23 pm
This one will be interesting. A lot of dirt, but no-one big enough to take it on. the 27th ward where jesse is committeeman made out real good on jobs ALL over the state. A big waste of tax dollars, many in $70+ jobs with no degree or experience. We’re still paying for the mistakes.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 2:59 pm
I’m afraid we’ll always pay for Jesse’s, and any other politician’s mistakes, as long as the electorate “doesn’t care” and the press continues to believe that the electorate “doesn’t care”. Rutherford would, no doubt, be an excellent Secretary of State. Question is, will those who buy their ink by the barrel take an interest in taking on Jesse White? I won’t hold my breath.
Comment by colt 45 Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:42 pm
Ryan strikes out and there’s one away. Coming to bat next against the red hot Fitzgerald will be Rod Badboyavich, and Jesse White will be warming up in the on-deck circle.
Now THAT’S what I call The Fall Classic!!!
Comment by Casey (Stengel?) Jones Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:47 pm
Dan Rutherford hasn’t scratched the surface on this one. He should check out Jesse’s girlfriend and cousins on the payroll in a few different offices.
Comment by Sick Of It All Wednesday, Sep 27, 06 @ 2:13 am
How about looking up the 62859 zip code of all jesse’s contributors on the state board of elections and looking at how many thousands and thousands of dollars came from a few citzens of this tiny little town. Take note of the ones who have jobs and contracts!! Interesting!!!
Comment by niagra falls Tuesday, Oct 31, 06 @ 10:02 pm