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Procedural rules and the same ol’ same ol’

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Illinois

* From the Southern…

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, says he was turned down in multiple requests to visit the Hardin County prison work camp, which Rauner said will close if a deal to balance the state budget isn’t forthcoming. […]

“This is the first time I’ve ever been turned down,” Forby said. “I’ve been in every prison in my district. Once or twice a year I try to get around to talk to people at those facilities. I guess the governor doesn’t want me to talk to those people.”

* Perhaps this is a reason?…

Sen. Forby made his thoughts known the day after the governor’s visit to Marion by putting a T-shirt on his chair on the Senate floor that read “Not for sale” on the front and “Can’t be bought” on the back.

* Or maybe it’s more benign…

“Senator Forby has not made a request to visit through the legislative liaisons at the department or the governor’s office, which is standard operating practice for all legislative requests to ensure visits go smoothly and without interruption,” [Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Nicole Wilson] said. […]

And, it comes three years after former Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration barred a Republican senator access to a youth prison in Murphysboro that Quinn was trying to close.

In the Murphysboro incident, state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said barring him entry took him by surprise because there was a longstanding tradition that local lawmakers could visit state facilities without a formal agreement from the governor’s office.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:45 am

Comments

This is starting to get a Jr. high school feel to it.

Comment by IAFF Mike Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:50 am
=== This is starting to get a Jr. high school feel to it. ===

Is not!
Is too!
Is not!

…sorry, couldn’t resist that.

Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:51 am
This is purely a publicity stunt by Forby. Very blatant. No one expects to be able to walk on to IDOC grounds and just have a look and walk around. Gimme a break Gary.

Comment by hot chocolate Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 11:51 am
“but how I am supposed to visit all my former colleagues and friends?” /s

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:04 pm
= This is purely a publicity stunt by Forby. Very blatant. =

No doubt, but it’s another way the Ds can keep chipping away at the Governor’s transparency talking points.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:08 pm
==Forby, D-Benton, says he was turned down in multiple requests==

after years of receiving permission to visit facilities.

Not a stunt of some kind by Forby.

But it is just the kind of thing Governor Quinn did — tighten up the procedures and make sure they ran thru his office in each case.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:26 pm
It’s like the little things are being lost;

Have a “beer” with Forby, campaign in his district. Talk about wooing Democrats, deny access to Democrats that they had before.

Also;

You ding the man, welp, decisions have consequences.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:27 pm
““I’ve been in every prison in my district.”

You don’t hear that one everyday! LOL

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“I’ve been in every prison in my district.”
- Thus begins the worst real estate marketing campaign ever.

“Sen. Forby made his thoughts known the day after the governor’s visit to Marion by putting a T-shirt on his chair on the Senate floor that read “Not for sale” on the front and “Can’t be bought” on the back.”
- Said the man who in 2014 received $15K from IEA, $5K from IFT, $8K from Foresight Energy (Coal)…

Comment by nixit71 Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Legislator visits are an expected action. If you institute new procedures you have to tell them. Of course, non-snarky communication seems to be a problem with Rauners office.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Blago’s office used to either notify or send last minute notices about troop deployments and “coming home” ceremonies. My old office was once told the night before 100+ troops were coming back to an area that my old boss represented. That was clearly done on purpose. If the local Guard office hadn’t been proactive, local officials would’ve missed multiple ceremonies and would’ve faced the gauntlet for no reason.

I understand the control, but it’s unseemly to deny an official entry into a state-run entity or ceremony unless the official waits until the last minute (which also wouldn’t surprise me).

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:59 pm
==- nixit71 - Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 12:43 pm:==

By donating $400K is Rauner buying the GOP caucuses?

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:10 pm
Wait, Rauner is playing by the standards his predecessor set and people here are crying and insist on a double standard. I’m not surprised, really.

Comment by Yobogoya Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:18 pm
- Yobogoya -

1) Rauner is suppose to be doing things not business as usual.

2) Being petty can be considered business as usual too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:21 pm
First time a Republican has gone out of his way to keep a Dem out of prison. Perhaps this is good news.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 1:38 pm
MIchelle F. I sense this will be the first compromise in a break thru. Allowing the Democrat to go to prison unfettered. lol

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 2:47 pm
Sure, play some good ole country Hard Ball…that’s the ticket to success, for us ALL!

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Wednesday, Jun 17, 15 @ 4:02 pm