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Guv skips prime media event

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Illinois

I’m told that Gov. Blagojevich skipped the opening of this open-road tolling link. He has been to all the others, even bringing in a famous Indy car racer to zoom through one of them. Some reporters were not pleased with the short notice of his pending absence, particularly since the campaign promised last week that they’d be more forthcoming about his schedule. A call and an e-mail to the governor’s press office asking for an explanation were not returned. What up, RR?

With the opening Thursday of a new Open Road Tolling plaza on the Reagan Memorial Tollway, drivers are entering the last lap of a two-year toll collection overhaul that has often caused significant delays.

The resulting free-flow will be well worth the past backups, transportation experts and tollway officials said.

“This is great news for long-suffering motorists,” said Joe Schwieterman, director of DePaul’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. “Too many traffic tie-ups have been attributed to the inefficient toll booth design.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 8:25 am

Comments

What the heck! Rod didn’t show for a prime PR event? Either it’s a cold day in H**L or Hot Rod is afraid he may have to face some unpleasant questioning from the big, bad, mean press.

I guess it’s the end of “Bring it on!”

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 8:43 am
Gov is in hiding, lol. Is he afraid t answer for a measily old $1500 check for his daughters birthday, Christening, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Festivus or whatever? Or is he afraid to answer numerous questions about federal investigations? At least there are probably huge new signs with his name on them.

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 8:45 am
Rod will be spending at least a mil a week, maybe a mil and half, on TV from here on out. If he doesn’t mess up, he wins for sure. If he talks to the media, he might mess up.

Don’t expect to see him in any free form or high exposure setting. Time to “play it safe” or “hide” whatever you want to call it.

Comment by Previously Anon Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 8:49 am
Considering the other construction on 88 right now perhaps he was concerend that some drivers might let him know he is #1

Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 9:02 am
So Mr. “Open Toad Rolling” decides to campaign from the TV booth. Saw one of his commercials last night, his hair was teased to a fairtheewell, the soft spot gave a reddish tinge to it. His mouth was still dirty, though.

Comment by Truthful James Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 9:03 am
He’s too busy putting out his “Press Release(s) Of The Day”. After the debate next week or whenever it is scheduled for, look for Elvis to go into hiding from the press. He’s going to take such a licking on the debate, he’s not going to know how to deal with it. And there will be one debate and one debate only - unless he can figure out a way to get out of it. My bet is he will be late showing up for it - at the very least.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 9:27 am
Hey Rich,

What gives?

Comment by Feed-Up Tollway Employees Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 9:36 am
All of those other grand opening celebrations he attended were paid for by the taxpayers, right? So those, of course, werenâ€™t campaign events but rather important State business. Now, what does that say about him skipping this one? Has he gone from too busy governing to campaign to too busy campaigning to govern, or what?

Comment by grand old partisan Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 10:22 am
From 12 debates, to 1 debate MAYBE! Bet Rod walks off the stage like a spoiled little child when things aren’t going his way. His press people should sign Rod up with “Dancing With the Stars” after Monday nights theatrics.

Comment by Guy Fawkes Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 10:23 am
Something big(bad)must be coming down the pike.

Comment by Bottom Line Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 10:30 am
This is way off the deep end but I’m going anyway—-

Is it because his Tollway Authority is under investigation by the Dupage County State’s Attorney?

Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 10:48 am
Looks like Milorad is in hiding from now until election day lest he opens mouth and plants foot firmly therein.
Many of his supporters are glad to see he’s hiding so our only way to observe him is through his slick Madison Avenue PR firm commercials. They don’t want us to get another glimpse of the real Milorad like his last outing. Every voter in the state owes it to themselves to go to YouTube and see his last pathetic display. Then they’ll all know the real Blagojevich.

Comment by Poor Milorad Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 10:51 am
There isn’t just one investigation, there are many. The Blagojevich administration has been fleecing the Illinois Tollway ever since they raised the tolls with no-bid contracts, almost more consultants than employees and a hiring frenzy. So much for their hiring freeze!
All under the watchful eye of Jack Hartman and company.

Comment by Guy Fawkes Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 11:04 am
Too bad HotRod lacks the “testicular virility” to face the media, the public, and the voters these days. Maybe he’s just busy cashing checks sent his way………..

Comment by KenoMan Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 12:23 pm
Did anyone check the weather? If the winds were high and the Gov was low on hairspray who could expect him outdoors? It is much nicer in the TV studio.

Comment by Eagle I Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 2:26 pm
Wonder if Blagoman will plaster his name over the first phase completion of the one billion dollar Dan Ryan construction project.

Comment by IDOT PRO Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 3:48 pm
Word is that his pal Rezko (as in Tony) is on the way home. Carol Marin just did a piece on that. Maybe that’s why Rod’s been hiding. The shoes are about to drop in the Levine case, methinks. Heck, I’d hide, too!

Comment by Angie Friday, Sep 29, 06 @ 11:21 pm