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Back when George Ryan’s secretary of state office was first investigated by the FBI, Ryan sent his lawyers out to interview his employees about what they might say to the feds. He was sharply criticized at the time for attempting to impede a federal investigation, but he claimed he was just trying to get at the truth and ferret out corruption.
Illinois’ largest public employees union has told Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration to back off an internal investigation of state hiring and to stop threatening workers who refuse to cooperate.Interviews being conducted by two law firms hired by the governor’s office could have a “chilling impact” on workers who may also be questioned in the federal criminal probe of state hiring, the union said in a letter to the administration this week. […]
Federal investigators on Wednesday expressed their own concerns that the questioning being conducted by the private firms could complicate their ongoing criminal probe.
In a statement Wednesday, Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the interviews being conducted by the firms of Schiff Hardin and Meckler Bulger & Tilson are part of an ongoing review of hiring to find out if irregularities have become widespread beyond the state’s main hiring agency.
According to the article, employees are told they could be fired if they don’t cooperate with the governor’s lawyers.
One other item of note: Meckler Bulger & Tilson has contributed about 125,000 to Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign fund.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:03 am
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I see nothing wrong with this, they are just trying to get to the bottom of things… and to HELP the feds…. what shredder? Oh, THIS one? That’s nothing to concern yourself about, citizen….
Comment by Dean Baur Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:27 am
You’re reporting implies Gov Rainman has done something wrong. He is just trying to get to the bottom of this matter, and if you try to impede him or his hired guns, you’re supporting terroism!
Comment by Dr. Yan Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:31 am
The arrogance from this gov stinks. To think he can do the same things as GHR and get away with it is amazing. I could save the Gov/er the STATE a lot of money. Just interview Blago’s inner circle.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:32 am
If they feds sent a letter to Lisa Madigan telling her to end her investigations why can’t they do this to Blago’s people.Wouldn’t this be considered Obstruction or interfering with the investigation and can they be charged.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:32 am
Anyone surprised? Sheesh. Don’t the feds have the power to intervene here?
Comment by This Guy Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:35 am
If Bruce Meckler is involved, anyone who knows him knows he is a bulldog lawyer, who isn’t afraid of anyone. He got his bones suing other lawyers who didn’t do their jobs. He’ll zealously work for his client, but he won’t whitewash anything.
Oh yea, and don’t play basketball with him. He throws a mean elbow. Even Blago would get it in the chops if he got in Bruce’s way.
Comment by Suburbanon Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:40 am
Yeah, Meckler is such an upstanding guy that even though his daughter got a public admin internship at Public Aid…you know, the positions the governor’s office has used to circumvent vets preference…he still has the testicular verility to ferret out Rutan violations. Give me a break. Let’s see…gives $125,000 in contributions to Blago, gets employment for daughter and contract to run cover for his buddies and find people in agencies to place the blame on. Yep, sounds upstanding to me. At least under Blago’s definition.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:01 am
Is this behavior by our elected [and appointed] leaders worse than ever before? It is almost daily now that we face items like this that make us think we’re really in New Jersey.
Comment by North of I-80 Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:10 am
Meckler’s law firm routinely defends management in labor-management disputes. Are we sure he’s a Democrat? Oh wait, there are no Republicans or Democrats in Illinois state politics, just Repubocrats and Demopublicans.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:18 am
North of I-80, you wish IL was as ethical as New Jersy State Gov.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:22 am
Curiously, has anyone in this administration read a newspaper or watched television news in the last 10 years?
The G Ryan “history” has played out publicly for anyone that wanted to learn from it what NOT to do and stay out of a federal retirement home. Maybe he should have hired an historian in his inner circle!
Anyone whose been around a while saw how the last chronology of events played out. This administration seems to be following recent history play by play (times 10). WE KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS!!
Those who do not learn from history…
Comment by Animous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:31 am
We’ve seen enough. But have the Democrats?
It seems that they don’t care what this guy does, as long as he “wins” next month.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:49 am
If I may throw in my two cents worth, I’d like to give a bit of sage advice to all state workers employed under Blago’s administration. If you know, see or hear of any illegal, immoral, improper activities at work, notify the Feds. Don’t wait till they come knocking at your door.
And for goodness sakes, don’t lie or omit anything to the Feds. They take it real personal.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:02 am
VM,
They don’t care now, but they will in a few years when his actions help “bring down” the party for decades (or until the next indicted governor comes along).
I can already see the “Blago’s Comptroller”, “Blago’s Attorney General”, “Blago’s Sec of State”, “Blago’s Speaker”, ads start rolling out.
I wonder how many future candidates have had their picture taken with him?
Comment by Animous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:06 am
The burning question will be: “Has anybody polkaed on camera with Blago????
Comment by one of the 35 Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:43 am
More like INTIMIDATION!
Than an investigation from Blagojevich’s administration’s internal investigation.
Where are the FEDS?
Comment by Guy Fawkes Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:54 am
guy
They are too busy right now tracking down IMs from pedophile Republicans.
You guys better all cleanse your hard drives!
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:01 pm
Why not let an indendent Inspector General investigate? Why must the investigators be under Blagojevich control? Sounds suspicious to me.
On that note, Rich Whitney has promised to appoint an Inspector General from an opposition political party. That is a far cry from what we are seeing now, and it is exactly the type of thing we need.
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:03 pm
schiffhardin and meckler ARE from an opposition party
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:11 pm
Buried at the back of the Tribune story was a few lines about how any information gotten by Public Offical A’s lawyers can’t be used. Talk about poisoning the Fed case.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:19 pm
I just want to know if we, the tax payers of IL, are going to be stuck with yet another one of Blago’s attorney bills.
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:25 pm
If this so-called internal investigation is on the up and up which many people doubt. Why is it that the Rod Blagojevich’s muzzled his clout-busting lawyer Mary Lee Leahy and Z. Scott.
More like a dictatorship than a democracy.
Comment by Guy Fawkes Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:36 pm
Bill @ 12:01,
I don’t have anything to worry about, but how does one cleanse a hard drive?
Maybe you or someone in the gov’s front office could give us a little online training on the best way to do it.
Bill @ 12:11,
If a firm donates over 100K to the gov’s campaign fund, I think they cease being the opposition…
Comment by Animous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:40 pm
Bill, stick to parroting the talking points. You’re in over your head on this one.
Meckler also bought a Board appointment for one of his law partners with those Blago contribs. The partner has been interviewed by federal investigators trying to ferret out corruption in the Blago administration.
Face the facts, Bill. No matter what happens in DC, the noose will continue to tighten around the neck of the mop-headed moron. Till then, spin away.
BTW, I’m not a big JBT fan. I actually supported Blago early on.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:46 pm
All of us state workers (yes, I am on my lunch hour) need to take heed in what Walking Wounded says at 11:02. Get directly to the feds, do not pass go, do not collect your $200. The blagos are looking in the agencies for people to blame for THEIR job rigging and hack hiring schemes. With their new “shared services” plan to consolidate personnel, fiscal, etc, they are looking to lay off 1,100 state employees in those areas. Given this administration’s track record, be certain if they think you have “leaked” anything, you’ll be on that lay off list. Get up front with this stuff, go straight to the feds and let’s get ourselves covered with whistleblower laws, fellow state employees!!!! Behind the scenes whispering to the person sitting in the desk next to you won’t protect you.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 12:49 pm
Well, Arthur,
We all can’t be as smart, superior, elitist, and well connected as you are.I guess if you say that those union busting shysters are democrats it just must be true.
You better get to work on your hard drive.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:01 pm
I’m beginning to suspect that Bill is either Sheila Nix or Abby Ottenhoff or Bradley Tusk or maybe all three.
Comment by Guy Fawkes Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:03 pm
bill is right until he is wrong. i dislike his point of view, but they are up by 10 points and have been forever. get it together topinka people and hurry up or they are going to continue with this madness. let his arrogance motivate you to get involved. email the youtube clip to everyone in your address book and plead with your people to do the same. don’t crawl into a hole and die now. take the fight to them. again and again and again.
Comment by to the north Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:08 pm
The only thing that Milorad’s supporters care about at this point is getting him re-elected so they can hold onto their lucrative state positions and contracts.
Many Democrats despise the governor, mistrust the governor and hold a general contempt for him; however, they are saying they will vote for him because it is their best chance of keeping those jobs that he provided to them. His supporters are in self-preservation mode only wanting to retain their appointments. The best interest of the state has nothing to do with it and they really don’t care if Milorad gets indicted once he’s re-elected because the governorship will stay in Democrat hands and they’ll keep their employment.
Sad, sad day for our once great state.
Comment by Milorad Supporters Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:23 pm
Bill, who do you think you’re fooling? According to the Chicago Tribune, Schiff Hardin has donated more than $10,000 to Blagojevich and Bruce Meckler’s law firm nearly $125,000.
It’s bad enough that this is yet another example of Blagojevich campaign contributers getting no-bid contracts for state business, but why is Blagojevich choosing to jeapordize the ability of prosecutors to use the information discovered?
“Under the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Garrity vs. New Jersey, such statements are viewed as involuntary and cannot be used in a criminal prosecution. A criminal defense could have a foothold down the line if it can be shown that a defendant or witness began talking about criminal behavior under those conditions, sources said.”
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:26 pm
Guy,
Thanks for the compliment.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:26 pm
Squid,
Just because they contribute to the governor doesn’t make them democrats.
It is just another example of the governor reaching out to both parties, democrats and republicans, to work together in a bi-partisian relationship, to move our state forward. ..just like Pres. Bush does at the national level.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:31 pm
To the north,
I guess youtube clips are better than dirty emails to teenage boys.
Did McGovern resign yet?
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:36 pm
I think what Bill really means to say is that Milorad can be bought off by anyone with the money not just a Democrat. Blagojevich doesn’t care where the source of the money comes from as long as he keeps gettin it, you know kinda like the world’s oldest profession.
Comment by Milorad Supporters Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:38 pm
Bill, we dont have the opportunity before us to vote for or against the dirty e-mail guy, but we do have the opportunity before us to vote against a dirty and corrupt governor.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:46 pm
I think all state employees who have read these postings need to pay attention to what Walking Wounded has said. There’s an FBI office in Chicago, Springfield and I think there may be one in Marion. Nevertheless, don’t get caught up in a situation with Blago where you can be laid off because you haven’t held your mouth correctly when you answer a question posed by one of Elvis’ attorneys. Let these people know you can have protection of the law. I’d love to see the faces of these attorneys after they question a couple dozen state employees who say, “I’m not at liberty to answer your question based upon the counsel of the FBI.” BRING IT ON State Employees. You have more power than you think you have.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:51 pm
Rich, the Blagojevich campaign has again done an about face and has stated that they will not do a debate in Springfield.
Local news in Springfield today showed a clip from when the governor was at the state fair this year. The governor was asked about a debate in Springfield and then he looks towards the camera and states “am I on the news now?†When he is told that he is on the news he then states that yes he would love to debate his challenger in Springfield. He goes on to say how he looks forward to the debate and would still like to have 12 debates in all. Now the campaign is backing out.
Guess one more example of his lying ways.
Comment by Sound Reasoning Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:51 pm
Uh,Little e,”Bring it on” has been copyrighted.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:58 pm
And furthermore, does this idiot of a governor not know that this is obstruction of justice? For crying out loud, he went to law school. Even if you graduate last in your class and barely pass the bar exam, anyone would know you don’t mess with the Feds, especially when they are already investigating you. There have been multiple people interviewed by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office, people have handed over files and records to the Feds, one of Elvis’ employees for crying out loud has WORN A WIRE, the State Auditor General has found countless problems with this governor, the check issue where the wife goes to the Feds FIRST, and now he has hired attorneys to interview employes. So even if he finds employees who have already been interviewed by the Feds, what is he going to do with the information? It will just prove that the Feds have a rock solid case against him. If employees start getting laid off before going to the Feds, you can bet that will cause a stampede to the FBI. Blagojevich is Dumb and Dumber rolled into one. WHAT IS HE THINKING!!!!
Bill, you really don’t need to comment on each and everything that is said here. Sometimes you just need to suck it down and realize your boy is in BIG trouble. He may win the election (battle) but he definitely is not going to win the war (indictment + trial + guilty verdict + sentence = Hello George). Can you say “Governor Quinn?”
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:07 pm
OK Bill, what’s your boy’s excuse for not debating in Springfield? I’m betting it has something to do with a television camera.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:10 pm
I say it all the time my friend.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:11 pm
to busy being Governor…
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:12 pm
Welcome to Illinois, where we don’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican, because around here, EVERYONE goes corrupt!
Sad.
Comment by Angie Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:17 pm
I truly hope than the majority of you who write in your opinions do what I do and forward some of the things that Rich writes about to your friends and family in other parts of the State. I live in Springfield and I know that many of my friends and relatives in Southern Illinois really don’t know how bad it is.
Comment by Weary State Worker Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:25 pm
No matter what we’ve said in the past, present or the future. All Bill can come back with is what he/she thinks are just quick witty retorts that discount everything that is discussed on this blog.
Comment by Guy Fawkes Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:31 pm
It’s surprising that these law firms are dumb enough to get entangled in this charade, particularly Schiff Hardin. Money talks, I suppose.
Comment by Bubs Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:42 pm
Hey, Bill, Grammar lesson. It’s “TOO busy being governor.”
Comment by Um, check your grammar Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:46 pm
First: I believe Bill is Rod….
Second: These inquiries by his attorneys are for INTIMIDATION only
Third: What is all of this costing taxpayers???
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:52 pm
I am on the Boards of several local non-profits. They both just went through a series of state required checks for conflict of interest. We had to show that as Board members we would not gain from being on the Board in any way. Guess $125,000 given to the Gov and getting a contract is not considered a conflict of interest. The local agencies were very concerned about any issue that would get them in trouble for future funding under ethical issues. Glad to see the playing field is equal and required for everyone when it comes to ethics and following the same rules. Must be nice to do as you please.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 2:58 pm
Bill’s funny. He livens up the blog with his sense of humor. We all know he really doesn’t mean what he says because no one is that blindly devoted to anyone.
Comment by Poor Milorad Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:01 pm
Bill can’t be Rod. Bill is too witty.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:02 pm
Good one Buck.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:27 pm
Bill
Put your money where your mouth is- start paying Blago’s attorney’s fees and let us tax payers off of the hook.
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:33 pm
Shallow,
They are not “blago’s attorneys”. They are working for the state of Illinois rooting out the bad apples that are either Repub holdovers or misdirected dems who somehow went astray.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:39 pm
Did anyone catch in the Trib article that Schiff Hardin could not investigate DCFS because they are suing DCFS???? Why would you hire someone who is suing you?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:42 pm
State workers unite? How about state workers unite to come in before 8:30, stay after 4:30, and maybe even come in over the weekend, like those of us in the private sector do, to get their work done!
I love it when I read about the “backlog” at various agencies, or the “strain” they’re under. When I have a backlog in my office, I work until midnight to resolve it. I don’t ask for comp time, I’m not protected by 20 pages of work rules and I don’t get a coded position — I get it done or I’m gone.
When is the last time you saw that happen on anything more than an incidental basis in state government? The most dangerous place in Springfield or Chicago is 4:30 (sometimes earlier) outside a state office or the JRTC. The stampede is underway.
I hope the next administration, either hairdo, decides to cut another 10,000 jobs so we can stop paying for inefficient mediocrity and the golden parachutes of state pension and benefit plans.
Comment by Little Egypt Native Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:48 pm
Bill - not Blago’s attorneys? Thanks for the laugh today my friend. There are days you really outdo yourself.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 3:49 pm
Way to go Little E, we’ll blame the state workers for Blago’s corruption. I know, you like to capitalize off of the state worker stereotypes. The fact is, if you want corruption to be rooted out of the governor’s office, maybe it shouldn’t be the governor’s people doing the investigating. If you want a ridiculous dog and pony show, I am sure the governor’s people are doing a fine job. But don’t blame state workers for our gov being corrupt.
Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:00 pm
It isn’t necessary for Blago’s administration to hire outside attorneys for “rooting out the bad apples”. In case Bill missed the class, the Governor’s office has an Inspector General who is supposed to do that job. I agree that bringing in these outside attorneys is just a heavy handed form of intimidation.
BTW, any state worker who is represented by a union should refuse to give a statement about “administrative issues” until a union rep is present.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:04 pm
Bill,
It’s “TOO busy being governor.” Maybe you should keep a dictionary close by for your posts.
Comment by Lil Maddog Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:31 pm
Lil,
Thanks for the help!
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:32 pm
“Federal investigators on Wednesday expressed their own concerns that the questioning being conducted by the private firms could complicate their ongoing criminal probe.”
RESPONSE: Then U.S Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald needs to act quickly to perserve evidence and witnesses and protect those employees from intimidation by their employer, Rod Blagojevich.
What gives the Governor the right to hire an outside firm with state money to defend the allegations of hiring improprieties?
If the U.S Attorney “asked” the Attorney General to forward her investigation to his office, what and who gives them the legality to use our money to defend their alleged hiring improprieties?
The only legal way for the Governor’s office to question these employees is by way of his Executive Inspector General!
One of the employees should hire their own lawyer to defend them in the Governor’s offices efforts to intimidate them.
This is the result of the procrastinations by the federal government which the employees of the state are taking the heat and who knows how many illnesses these employees can encounter for fear of threats of loosing their jobs.
No one looks at the bigger picture only in protecting themselves.
Patrick Fitzgerald should speak now as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the State of Illinois and look out for the interest of the USAO investigation and the employees of the State of Illinois.
This should be the Governor’s offices’ final straw and whomever initiated this internal investigation should be immediately fired.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:50 pm
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:01 am:
Yeah, Meckler is such an upstanding guy that even though his daughter got a public admin internship at Public Aid…
CORRECTION:
THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AID IS NOW THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES
Don’t ask no questions why cause you won’t get the real answers.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:55 pm
- Walking Wounded - Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:02 am:
If I may throw in my two cents worth, I’d like to give a bit of sage advice to all state workers employed under Blago’s administration. If you know, see or hear of any illegal, immoral, improper activities at work, notify the Feds.
I DISAGREE, NO A STATE EMPLOYEE SHOULD NOT NOTIFY THE FEDS UNTIL THEY OFFER SOME PROTECTIONS SUCH AS WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS!
NO WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS NO INFORMATION!
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 4:59 pm
I suspect a number of those employees are already represented by counsel.
Bill is getting desperate, using the bad apples defense, just like George.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:04 pm
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 1:51 pm:
I’d love to see the faces of these attorneys after they question a couple dozen state employees who say, “I’m not at liberty to answer your question based upon the counsel of the FBI.â€
JUST A LITTLE CLARIFICATION, FROM THE U.S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE THEMSELVES:
THE U.S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND NEITHER THE FBI DO NOT REPRESENT PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS. YOUR STATEMENT IS NOT TRUE ACCORDING TO THE U.S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT REPRESENT PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS.
HOWEVER, PURSUANT TO WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS, THEY DO REPRESENT WHISTLEBLOWERS AND THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND THE INFORMATION THAT THE WHISTLEBLOWER BLOWS THE WHISTLE ON.
LEGAL MATTER THAT NEEDS CLARIFICATIONS!!!!!!!
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:06 pm
Guess the Gov continues to be too busy with all the jogging around his neighborhood around noon and the necessary reading in the library all afternoon. That meeting or two in the morning is just sooooooo stressful!
Comment by In the Sticks Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:20 pm
Arthur,
You are a little over your head on this one. The “bad apples” defense is Rod’s and we are sticking with it.
One man can make a difference,
Chill on the capital letters dude!
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:42 pm
WHERE IS U.S SENATOR BARACK OBAMA?
Comment by JUST AN INQUIRY? Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:42 pm
One Man Can Make A Difference, please, you don’t have to use all caps to make your point, it’s akin to shouting. I understand your view, it would be good for a state employee to get whistleblower protection prior to talking to the Feds. In the real world, making demands and suggesting you’ll withold information from the US Attorney/FBI/etc. isn’t a very good idea. They get these strange ideas, like Obstruction of Justice, in their minds. Unless you (OMCMAD) have actually sat across the table and had a nice chat with the US Attorney, you don’t have the experience to judge.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:47 pm
Lovie, PLEASE don’t confuse me with Little Egypt Native. Both me and my spouse have been State employees. LEN apparently has not been and has no clue what he/she is asking for in suggesting cutting another 10,000 jobs. However, that could happen if enough employees get fed up with their workload and decide to throw in the towel. That would make narrow minded people like LEN very happy, until they did not get their professional license in time, or their hunting permit, or their Medicaid check, or their PayDay loan, or their child’s assessment test in time (oops, forgot that’s already happened), or their Senior discount on their prescriptions, or, Heaven forbid, their income tax refund check. No, it’s not me complaining about how the State workers slack off.
One Man CMAD, what side of the bed did you get up on this morning? I would have absolutely no hesitation to sit down with an FBI agent or one of the US Attorneys’ staff members and spill my guts IF I knew there was corruption going on and I WAS NOT A PART OF IT. There is absolutely nothing to be lost if you are not a guilty party.
I went back and re-read my posts today and am trying to understand why your post was SCREAMING at me and giving me some legal clarification. I said “Let these people know you can have protection of the law.” Perhaps I should have more of a legal mind and commented more specifically. I would assume that if an employee has some real good rock solid information of corruption and goes to the FBI, they would be entitled to and offered whisleblower protection. And probably they would do this via their own personal attorney. How unfortunate though that one would have to run up a legal bill just to blow the whistle. I do wonder if AFSCME would step in and offer legal help to employees who are being intimidated.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:52 pm
Why doesn’t someone {namely the FEDS} say “We’ve had enough” & insist of &/ or indict Rod Blagojevich, his staff & those suspected or involved. This is nuts ! They need to start moving in on this clown & stop this insanity affectionatly call the “Blagojevich Administration”. Oh I don’t know …can you say “Obstruction of Justice”. Theats & intimidation of employees ??? I guess what better way to keep an eye on the Feds than to have your guy pre-empt or follow them around. When will this calamity end….hopefully November 7.
Comment by annon Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:54 pm
Can anyone post names of attorneys who have represented whistleblowers in the past? It might be good to get that information out for State employees.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:54 pm
Someone in the “B Team” Is going to correct me if I’m wrong, but here goes - In all the training on the OEIG, state employees under threat of discipline, up to and including firing, are required to answer any and all OEIG questions, we are not allowed to discuss any OEIG conversations.
From the FBI website:
FBI Chicago
2111 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608-1128
chicago.fbi.gov
(312) 421-6700
FBI Springfield
900 East Linton Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62703
springfield.fbi.gov
(217) 522-9675
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 5:55 pm
Good point, Huh? Now, since the outside legal firm is asking questions and NOT the OEIG, then technically, can’t the State employee(s) decline to answer? Wish I had the name of a good whistleblower attorney, Little Egypt, but I haven’t found one yet.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:06 pm
I agree with “Weary State Worker - @ 2:25 pm:. I live in the Southern region and I have family in Chi-town. Unfortunately, my family has had their blinders on for the past 2 years. Every chance I get I inform them of what is going on in the ‘inside’. It is truly a sad day when the word around the office is “I would prefer Ryan then what we currently haveâ€.
Comment by disgusted Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:12 pm
WW, who was Tammie Raynor’s attorney? I’m sure she had one. If memory serves me correctly, she was GRyan’s original whistleblower. I don’t need the info for myself but I believe lots of State employees read this blog and sure would like to have the name of a good attorney in the wallet.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:14 pm
Joseph Powers (sic) worked with Tammy Raynor. He also represented the Willis family, who had lost their six children due to an accident involving an unqualified truck driver. I don’t know if he or his associates would be interested in helping out any other state employees, unless it involved a big case such as that one.
Anyone else have the name of a good attorney?
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:21 pm
Come on down to IDOT – Collinsville, we have a ‘sprint’ office (friends and family of every politician in the surrounding counties). The count is easily 50-60 political hacks by now (since the last 4 years). To be fair, some of them actually work, however, the other 45-50 are to the point now where it’s hysterical. A couple of weeks ago we caught a ‘frequent napper’ with drool on his chin at his secluded desk in Operations. There are several who come and go as they please and no one knows what job duties they do or who they report to. Also, it’s especially entertaining when even the Bureau Chief doesn’t know about employees that are assigned to them.
Comment by state worker #2 Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:36 pm
You can’t establish yourself as a whistleblower BEFORE you become one. LE is right. If you have information, you should go to the feds now.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 6:39 pm
Some advice to the whine bag state workers who post on this blog. Keep your state job because you would never make it in the private sector.
Comment by (618) Democrat Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 7:49 pm
Throwing around terms like “violating Rutan” and “buying appointments” seem so inappropriate to me. Folks on here post opinions as facts. Try saying “in my opinion” or “I think it looks like” unless you have real, substatiated knowlege, and if you do, share it with us and cite the sources.
Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 7:58 pm
I’m with 618. Little Egypt, we could cut even more than I suggested and no one would go without their hunting license, etc. So much of that is now available (or should be) on line or through other means of technology.
You are right about the fact that I have never worked for the state. But I sure have been the recipient of the “service” provided by many of the critical workers you support and protect. I agree with 618 — get out in the real world where your performance is graded according to competitive standards and where if you have a bad quarter, or maybe even month, you’re gone. The crybaby attitude about these state workers who don’t like anyone telling them what to do, when to do it, to take less time to do it, or anything else, is amazing.
Comment by Little Egypt Native Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:03 pm
It looks like Blagojevich’s lawyers are trying to bully around some state employees. Nobody should have to put up with that BS. The best way to deal with a bully is to stand up and punch them in the mouth. Call in the US Attorney. Mr. Fitzgerald, make a fist.
Comment by Truth Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:05 pm
Walking Wounded & One Man,
First and foremost, hire an attorney who specializes in Employment Law. This is from experience. I had a real good one until a very unfortunate incident occurred. They are not easy to find, but they are out there. Start with a trusted friend, neighbor or relative who may practice law to help you find one.
AFSCME will not help much, but they can buy you time in pinch.
The attorney’s are not cheap but it is worth it if you don’t want to become a pinata.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:08 pm
Lovie’s Leather, read again. I’m not blaming state workers for corruption. I’m saying all of these posts about “state workers unite” etc. is enough to make you sick. LE is so proud that he and his wife are BOTH state workers. Wow, that’s about as close to white collar welfare as you can get!
Add up all the vacation days, the holidays, the sick days, the restrictive work rules, and the general attitude of doing just enough to get by of most state workers (those who are not at-will employees, who work until the job is finished, like the rest of us in the REAL WORLD) and it’s a pretty sweet scam.
All of this drivel about essential services and people going without their licenses or checks is nonsense. If you could tear down the infrastructure of state government employment, and make people work according to the standards of performance in the private sector, you could do with HALF the workforce we have on the dole now.
Comment by Little Egypt Native Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:10 pm
Wow, 618 and LEN, you both are coming across as very sour. When I worked for the State, I worked my tail off. I did come in at 7am and left at midnight on many a day and got no overtime, no comp time, no pay raises because I was expected to get my work done. Also, it seems you both feel the private sector employees work harder, earn less, and are better workers. Not so fast there with your opinions. I then went to the private sector and watched many employees play Solitaire every single day, all day long. And it would surprise you to know who I worked for. And at least one of the employees was extremely well connected. Rich can vouch for what I am saying. And from my experience in the private sector, a company car, a company provided cellphone, an expense account, and not a whole lot of supervision equals a whole bunch of playing around with the opposite sex and cheating on your monthly expense report. Don’t tell us the grass is always greener on the other side or that private sector employees have more morals and values than State workers. You obviously don’t have a lot of personal experience with State workers to be making the statements you are. My spouse was a State manager and I can tell you there were way more contractual employees to supervise than State employees. Perhaps you should both look into that situation - contractual vs. state employees. Yet another subject.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:19 pm
Little Egypt: All I am saying is if you don’t like your job, Quit, no one is forcing these whine bags to work for the state. Come join the many more millions of us in the private sector.
Comment by (618) Democrat Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:28 pm
LEN, you better pick on someone else before you accuse me and my spouse of being a part of white collar welfare. You know absolutely nothing about me or my spouse and before you post here with a personal attack, you need a real attitude adjustment. You can keep to yourself what has made you so bitter, but there is no place on this blog for your personal attacks. If it continues, I may have to sick Bill on you.
My spouse and I have spent more time in the private sector than as State employees. If you want someone to beat up for raking in the benefits, why don’t you beat up on your state legislator and state senator. Perhaps you are clueless about THEIR sweet retirement package.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:28 pm
618 - Morals, values, virtues, and integrity IS the answer, whether you work private or government.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:31 pm
Every state employee I know is a dedicated public servant. They work nights,weekends,whatever it takes to get the job done. I am very impressed by all of them.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:32 pm
Message to 618 and LEN: I am a state employee. I have worked in the private sector. I thought it was racist, I thought it was sexist and I thought the work was stupid and meaningless.
Comment by Emily Booth Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:40 pm
Little Egypt Native and (618) Democrat — I am a state worker who has worked late almost every night and has been in the office virtually every weekend since February, trying to keep up with and produce quality work. Many of us are working in agencies with half the staff we had just a few years ago. And in response to your comment, (618) Democrat, that we should all just quit our jobs and join you in the private sector, let me say that I and many others would love to work in the private sector; unfortunately, many of the hiring managers in the private sector have your same crappy attitude and have already written us off as “lazy state employees” as soon as our resume hits their desk.
Comment by Anonymous 38 Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:42 pm
If I may take a moment and change the subject drastically. I have just read on the Tribune where two of our young men from around the Peoria area were killed in Iraq. Our son is a Captain (soon to be Major) and is serving in the worst part of Baghdad. Can we all take a moment and pray for these two families and for the safety of all of our troops? What goes on in politics pales in comparison to the worry a parent endures with a child in a war zone.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 8:47 pm
Bill,
Why, thank you. That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me and my cohorts that I’ve ever seen.
You’re right, Little Egypt. When I consider the sacrifices your son and all other soldiers are making in this time of strife, well, all this controversy seems pale in light of what their mission is. Semper fi. God bless them all.
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:09 pm
Amen
Comment by Bill Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:21 pm
To (618)democrat…
I’m an engineer (hopefully you know what that is) who used to work for IDOT. I was totally disgusted with the new hacks showing up (only the first day…many where unseen after that) and not having a clue…and the fact that many were making more than me. I left and am doing fine in the private sector. It pains me to see what IDOT has become; it will be sweet to see many of these hacks (from the Govenor and Sec Martin on down) sharing the jail “campus” with the last governor.
Comment by I'm mad as h*** Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:36 pm
LE, your fine son and all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are in my prayers every night. “AA” Jr. is currently in NROTC and will soon be a Naval Aviator. Fourth Generation to proudly serve his country. Best to you and family.
AA
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:53 pm
Pardon me…but I have to be snarky here for a second.
LE, you’ll like this.
So, our pal Bill says Rod is too busy being Governor to debate. What a twist. For most of his term, he’s been too busy campaigning to govern. Now, it’s time to campaign, and he’s too busy doing what?? Keep bringing it on Bill, you’re the best!
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 9:58 pm
Saw the first billboards for Blago in the Chicago area yesterday. They all all had a web address that I thought read “www.rodilillinois.com”.
While certainly appropriate, I must have had a Freudian Slip since it is www.rodforIllinois.com…
Comment by Link Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:17 pm
Sorry, I thought it read “www.rodINillinois.com”. I can’t even type it let alone write it down while doing 55 MPH.
Comment by Link Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:19 pm
Check Sneed in today’s Sun-Times. Supposedly “high-profile” indictments related to Stuart Levine are close to being announced. As in “several.”
Wow. Wonder how high up they go? (sound of Jaws theme)
Comment by Angie Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 10:22 pm
Bill, how do you explain Blagojevich wasting taxpayer money, to the tune of $300/hr., for private law firms, when we have an Inspector General that is already paid to do exactly this job?
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:00 pm
One other thing Bill. Bipartisan is a dirty word–it just means that that the governor isn’t willing to work with everyone. For example, he refuses to debate Rich Whitney; and he certainly doesn’t seem to care about the spoiler effect, because he’s done absolutely nothing to implement Instant Runoff Voting in Illinois–something in the platform of both the Green and Libertarian parties. Why am I not surprised?
Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:02 pm
Just a great big FYI, but there’s zero point in voting for a third party unless you’re really trying to show (on the record, via the percentage of votes that gets broadcast to everyone) that you’re so ticked off at the other two parties that you’re voting in a generally hopeless direction.
Seriously. Do you think a third party candidate will ever win anything?
Comment by Angie Thursday, Oct 5, 06 @ 11:48 pm
“…Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the interviews being conducted…are part of an ongoing review of hiring to find out if irregularities have become widespread beyond the state’s main hiring agency.” What I can’t figure out is if the “main hiring agency” Baghdad Abby is referring to when making this statement is CMS or the Governor’s Office…
Perhaps a more accurate comment from the Mistress of Misinformation would have been “The interviews being conducted are part of an ongoing attempt to find out if knowledge of hiring irregularities has become widespread among state employees.” That I can save the Gov some time and the state some legal fees on. The answer is EXTREMELY, and it has largely to do with the arrogance of many of those who have been hired. They brag proudly about who their connection is, describe in detail exactly how Rutan was bypassed in their particular case, freely admit their lack of qualifications, and talk openly about getting the call that they have been hired from their precinct committeeman rather than from CMS or the department or agency they are joining. The merit compensation types are generally quite vocal about the salaries they have been given, and frequently complain loudly that it is less than they expected or should have gotten. This last is really amusing and truly serves to endear both our new colleagues and Blago to us all, as what they are in fact often revealing is that they have been hired not at entry level wages, but rather at salaries which are equal to or higher than those of existing employees with years of experience.
So there is no real need to devote any effort to determining how many of us know - we all do. Perhaps that has made Mr. Fitzgerald’s task easier…at least we can hope so!
Comment by Public Employee Z Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 12:49 am
I know I’m jumping into this late in the game, but I think this whole “look behind” Blago is doing is a waste of money and time. Let the Feds do their job and look for corruption. Let the OEIG do their job and look for corruption. We don’t need an outside firm hired to look at Rutan covered positions to make sure that hiring practices were properly done, unless someone has something to hide. Hmmm, could that be the “hiring freeze and every hire has to go through the Gov’s office”. That’s where they need to start looking. Not with front line, hired by the book employees.
I also read the posts bashing state employees. That’s a tired old rap we get. Telling us to leave if it’s so bad is tired too. I’ve been on both sides and they both have ups and downs. I work through lunch (they don’t know it and I can’t get OT for it), they won’t let me be at work outside of work hours to do my job, so I can’t work extra and not get paid. I do my best to keep up. I love it and I won’t leave because I know they won’t replace me and I can’t let the people I work with down.
I’d love to be requested for an interview. And I’d contact AFSCME or my own attorney to go with me. I’m not stupid.
Comment by Tessa Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 6:26 am
Several people seem to question why State Employee’s are not reporting corruption, suggesting that they go to the FBI - step up and do the right thing.
Very few employees really work for the “better good”. We work for paychecks - we don’t care who runs the government - we just want to do our job and get a paycheck.
Blago has been under investigation for years with no real outcome. Going to the FBI or reporting the vast amount of unending corruption simply makes you a target of your employer and tool for the press. It will likely result in ending your job and probably your career.
The cost is too high. If the Feds, or the public or anyone seemed to care enough to make something happen to the people engaged in public corruption I think more people would step up.
Between the relentless corruption of the administration or the brainless pursuit of a paycheck without work from the unions I predict collapse of the state within two years.
Just so everyone knows - I’m a life long democrat - who is just so sick of it all I could puke every day!
Comment by Scared Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 6:48 am
SS @ 7:58: (…unless you have real, substatiated knowlege, and if you do, share it with us and cite the sources.)
Steve, its a nice theory, but the reality of the situation is where exactly does one go? The history of the Inspector General in this administration SEEMS to indicate their only duty is to identify problems for the administration, not to deal with them (can you say Dean Bauer). Its interesting when employees you know go the IG with a complaint and then “coincidentally” loose their job (and the complaint is never dealt with). REM: When a complaint is filed you must give your name and work area.
If there was a true Inspector General that investigated misconduct, went after ALL violators (no matter how high up the food chain), and truly did it with the support of the governor these problems would end. Its called REFORM.
And before you say it, if I add specifics HERE I essentially identify myself, coworkers and work area–none of these are good for the agency or for career longevity. With the various “reorganizations” hanging in the air, the admin can wipe out entire sections to avoid future problems for themselves.
The other option suggested is going to the feds. Then what? Waiting months or years until they “get around” to finishing their investigation/prosecution. You could loose your job for YEARS before the issue is resolved. At the end of the road you still may not get your job back.
I think if the feds were serious they would start showing some whistleblower-type results. If that was the case the floodgates would open on the administration.
But until then what do you suggest?
Comment by Animous Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 8:18 am
Animous
I don’t know. I think if you have first hand knowlege of a “crime” you have an obligation to report it, either to the Inspector General, to the Illinois State Police, to your local State’s Attorney, or to the feds. That may be too easy for me to say and much harder for you to do.
I know the working definition of “crime” has evolved substantially over the past 20 years. 20 years ago, if I saw an employee walk up to a co-workers desk during work time and sell them a fundraiser ticket, I would have considered that a violation of policy, and would have considered them subject to administrative discipline, such as a wriiten warning or suspension, but wouldn’t have thought of it as a “crime”. That and many other things have definitely changed.
But I do know its too cheap and easy to come on sites like this one and make very serious charges against people, and because its almost all done anonymously, we have no way of separating the wheat from the chaff. My inclination, then, is to consider it all chaff, and motivated by partisanship or ego needs rather than civic responsibility.
That’s a big part of the reason I post under my own name. I know I have the luxury of being semi-retired. But, believe me, I have seen too many cases where accusations I knew were absolutely untrue have damaged people and careers.
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 11:02 am
I’ve always said I’m not a Blago fan because I think he is part of the Chicago Democratic Machine which considers the sale of jobs and contracts in exchange for political support and campaign contributions to be the way to do political business. Daley, Blago, Stroger Sr and their ilk believe only extremist do-gooders think this is wrong.
Having said that, assuming they have gotten most of their politically connected people in place and now want to get honest, what should they do.
Send out a memo reminding people of Rutan? Wait possibly years until the feds finish their investigation? Or send out a semi-independent
contractor like Schiff H to do some kind of investigation and hope that by doing so they rein in the political troops. If Schiff nails a few overeager political types who thought they were doing what was expected of them by handing out contracts and jobs to the politically connected, well that’s politics. Sometimes somebody has to take the fall.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 11:31 am
SS,
Thanks for the response. I just wanted to point out what a difficult situation most state employees face these days. It is truly “Rock & A Hard Place” time.
As you noted, it is a very gray area to define what is actually a crime vs. ordinary misconduct. Reporting a “crime” is a little more straightforward and assures more protection. Its the area less than criminal, but more than what is appropriate that is hard to call.
Reporting borderline misconduct or questionable action was seen in previous administrations as a way to reign in overzealous appointees, and keep the administration from going down the “slippery slope”. As long as it was done professionally, it was never a career threat.
This administration sees anything other than “Yes Sir/Ma’am” as disloyalty punishable by termination. Its this attitude that has them in the situation they’re in today (investigations, employee mistrust, etc.). A little bit of professionalism would have gone a long way…
No easy way out, that’s why most employees just keep their heads down and hope for better days.
Comment by Animous Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 12:08 pm
Angie, yes, third-party candidates win elections all the time. In, the Green Party won 25% of all races in which it participated last year. Remember, you only need 34% to win in a three-way race.
Comment by Squideshi Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 12:55 pm
- Scared - Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 6:48 am:
Several people seem to question why State Employee’s are not reporting corruption, suggesting that they go to the FBI - step up and do the right thing.
Very few employees really work for the “better goodâ€. We work for paychecks - we don’t care who runs the government - we just want to do our job and get a paycheck.
Blago has been under investigation for years with no real outcome. Going to the FBI or reporting the vast amount of unending corruption simply makes you a target of your employer and tool for the press. It will likely result in ending your job and probably your career.
The cost is too high. If the Feds, or the public or anyone seemed to care enough to make something happen to the people engaged in public corruption I think more people would step up.
AMEN!
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 1:33 pm
- Animous - Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 8:18 am:
All I can say again is Amen and I’m glad that others have seen and experience the true issues.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 1:36 pm
Experiencing the Blago Brown Shirts for two years, I can tell you that what I have read on this thread is true. I have yet to read an exaggeration. These “appointees” came in, treated the old timers like moronic piles of dog crud and then did anything they wished to. There is no accountability for these people. They come and go as they please, take 2-3 hours lunches in between breaks and DO brag about the pay, position etc.
The layers of Deputy Director’s, assistants to Deputies, Chief of Staff, Asst. Chief’s of Staff etc. is unbelievable. I wouldn’t doubt if they created an Office of Paper Clip procurement in each agency by now.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 2:56 pm
To: - Buck Flagojevich - Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 2:56 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more, it’s happening at the ILLINOIS TOLLWAY too. Around here old-timers (the ones who do the work) are guilty with no recourse.
We sure hope the FEDS read this blog!
Comment by Illinois Tollway employee Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 4:09 pm
Can you all imagine what hell it would be if all the blagojevich hacks showed up everyday for their “jobs”? Thank goodness they only show up 2 maybe 3 days a week to take those 3 hour lunches. It would be unbearable if we had them for the 37.5 they are being paid for.
Comment by Tired of it all Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 4:17 pm
Ghost pay rollers? Isn’t that illegal? The list is long………
What arrogance!
Comment by Guy Fawkes Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 4:27 pm
Squid- “Angie, yes, third-party candidates win elections all the time. In, the Green Party won 25% of all races in which it participated last year. Remember, you only need 34% to win in a three-way race.”
So we can run Yogi Bear as third choice? Hell yeah!
This whole state is so sad. I think the only real solution is to keep having one term governors until someone truly proves they deserve to be elected again. Famous political satirist PJ O’Rourke has joked (he’s probably only half-joking, mind you) that “Term limits aren’t enough. We need jail.”
Hey, at least the faster we speed this thing up, the faster the crooks go to the slammer!
I’m voting JBT. We’ve already seen the NON-improvement in Illinois under Captain Hairdo, that’s my opinion.
Comment by Angie Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 6:31 pm
To Steve Schnorf: Come on! Discipline for selling Republican fundraising tickets on State time? Who’s kidding who here? You mean discipline for not BUYING tickets, don’t you? Its amazing how many “good government types” are popping up on this blog. Steve, I know better. I worked there. Also at IDPH where Republican tickets were regularly sold. At least this administration doesn’t do this! That’s one consolation in this whole sorry mess.
Comment by Sick Of It All Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 2:45 am
I agree with “Scared - Friday, Oct 6, 06 @ 6:48 am:†Unfortunately, there are many in upper management who do not have the backbone to ‘buck the system’. They too have seen other ‘upper management – including District Engineers, Program Development Engineers and other Civil Engineers fired or force to resign because they questioned the ‘new system’. It truly is a sad day when upper management goes along with a bad decision because they are fearful of being considered ‘anti-Blago’. Most have been there more then 20 years and are going through the motions trying not to be seen. I think it is pathetic that long time employees no longer go to upper management when they have problems instead they go to the upper level politically connected because they are the ones making the decisions.
Comment by state worker Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 5:48 am
Angie, you could only run Yogi Bear if he met the legal qualifications for the office; and since he’s not a real person, he does not.
Comment by Squideshi Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 9:06 am
Hiring probe interviews halted
Governor to answer concerns of union
Advertisement
By John Chase
Tribune staff reporter
October 7, 2006
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration has temporarily stopped interviewing some state employees about personnel practices after the workers’ union complained the interviews were coercive and might interfere with an ongoing federal criminal probe of state hiring, officials said Friday.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, the state’s largest public employees union, requested that the interviews be stopped in a letter delivered this week. The union contends the interviews may violate their contract and wants the administration to explain details, including how many union employees have been interviewed and what they have been asked.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said the lawyers would not interview any more union employees until the state answers AFSCME’s questions, sometime next week.
“We can discuss the terms with the union, but we have no intention of stopping our internal review,” she said. “Our goal is to follow the investigation wherever it takes us.”
The Blagojevich administration hired two law firms–Schiff Hardin and Meckler Bulger & Tilson–to find out whether there are hiring problems beyond the state’s main personnel agency. As part of the assessment, attorneys for the firms were asking union and non-union employees about their experiences with the hiring process.
State records show Schiff Hardin has in the last year been paid more than $874,000 for legal services. The bills have been paid in a recent flurry of activity because as of early August the firm had only been paid less than $100,000.
The Meckler firm was paid more than $180,000 in the last year and stands to receive at least an additional $200,000 for legal services to the state by the middle of next year, state records show.
AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said the administration is right to halt the interviews.
“We hope it’s a sign they’re reconsidering this entire approach,” he said.
U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said this year that his office’s ongoing investigation into allegations of endemic hiring fraud in Blagojevich’s administration had uncovered evidence implicating state agencies.
Comment by Update Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 11:00 am
I love Rod keeps spinning things so that if corruption is rooted out, it is because he’s the one pushing for the reform, and so we’re going to see some bad apples falling from the tree from time to time.
Come on, Rod. The Ryan administration had everyone crawling all over the place, so anyone who would’ve been left to get busted would’ve been busted back then. That was such a lame argument in the debate, along with insinuating that the ‘A’ in “Public Official A” means “absent” or “asleep at the switch.” Gee, isn’t it dreadfully obvious that Topinka came OUT of the whole investigation of the Ryan crew unscathed? If anything, the fact that she’s one of the few Republicans in power that were left standing should make voters feel much more confident in her as fas as ethics goes. She doesn’t have her pal Rezko slipping out of the United States as the heat gets turned up in the Stuart Levine scandal.
Terrible terrible argument from Rod there while he tried to push this Ryan mess off on Judy. His premise was so shaky, it was probably measuring high on that earthquake Richter scale. That’s the best his Pepperdine legal education could teach him to come up with? Pathetic.
And then of course, there’s this issue with the interviews of the employees. What a mess. Get the guy out of here come November.
Comment by Angie Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 5:54 pm
“As part of the assessment, attorneys for the firms were asking union and non-union employees about their experiences with the hiring process.â€
Let me get this straight, Blago’s hired attorney’s will interview the most recent hires and ask them questions about their experience with the hiring process. What the heck and I missing? The most recent hires are more than likely the ‘political hacks’. Are they supposed to say that “dude, I never really interviewed, I just showed upâ€, “Where exactly is Whiteside Countyâ€, “No, I don’t have any real experience but I am a fast learnerâ€.
Comment by state worker A Saturday, Oct 7, 06 @ 8:13 pm