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All eyes on Levine * Updated x1 *

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Illinois

I’m told that WGN TV reported last night that more indictments will be handed down today. For now, here’s a look ahead at the Levine stuff. This was posted last night at the Tribune’s site:

Political insider Stuart Levine is expected to plead guilty in federal court Friday to kickback schemes stemming from his activities on two state regulatory boards.

The guilty plea by Levine, reappointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the two state posts, could reverberate on the campaign trail a little more than a week before the election.

Levine is accused of scheming to extort kickbacks from investment firms seeking to do business with the state while he was on the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System board. He also plotted to share in a $1 million kickback in his duties with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, prosecutors charge. Levine is expected to plead guilty to both schemes, his lawyer has said.

Sources said Levine’s plea agreement would closely track the 65-page indictment against himself and Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a Blagojevich confidant and fundraiser.

I assume the Sun-Times will have more today. I’ll update as appropriate.

*** UPDATE *** People, try not to get your expectations up too high, OK? I’m tired of deleting speculation about who could be indicted.

It is Stu Levine’s guilty plea, after all. There could be some Republicans in big trouble, too. Just sit back and wait. We’ll know this afternoon.

[Comments now closed. Go here instead.]

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 1:05 am

Comments

Go Fritz Go! Perhaps if enough heads roll, we can take this state and our government back from the exploitive greed we have all been subjected to. If Blago isn’t indicted - I will be beyond surprised. The wagons are circling. And the Fat Lady will sing soon. And not a minute too soon.

Comment by Sick Of It All Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 1:36 am
la-la-la-la,la,la,la. I’m warming up. I’ll be singing any minute now.

Comment by Disgusted Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 3:58 am
Rich, you will have to keep this running all weekend now. Maybe start a pool for who will be indicted, in what order, how many charges, etc etc. Or a board game !! called Risk: The Game of Illinois Domination; complete with strategies for shaking down as much $$ as you can without getting indicted; stripping basic services of the state as you redistribute the wealth to benefit your friends and contributors….
Or Illinois Checkers… the game with colored marbles and a board in the shape of a funnel where all the marbles roll downhill into your campaign war chest, also called the General Fund.

Comment by North of I-80 Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 4:19 am
I can see it now, Judy supporters and Rod haters lighting candles, casting spells, meditating, et al all in hopes for the “smoking gun.” You guys probably all have a little extra pep in your step today, don’t ya. What happens if you don’t get what you want and are hoping for today? Illinois GOP 2006 strategy “forget GOTV, pray for indictments.”

Comment by wndycty Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 6:28 am
There will probably not be much work done in state offices today,even by Friday standards, as state employees anxiously await the long awaited indictments. Afterwards they will be drowning their sorrows and toasting their misfortunes as they look forward to four more years of Rod.
We the real people shall prevail!
11 more days, then
4 more years!

Comment by Bill Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 6:53 am
Bill,
You obviously aren’t a frontline state worker or you would be right there with them.

Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 7:11 am
Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely (Attributed to Lord Acton or Patrick Fitzgerald - there have been so many indictments lately, I can never remember who said that!).

Comment by ...if it walks like a duck Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 7:17 am
So Bill, Wyndy, are you going to commit to putting YOUR houses up to post bond for your guy when the time comes?

Oh, I know; you’ll switch to “he was framed, it’s a put-up job, etc.etc.”

I can hear the governor now, sounding like Jake Blues talking to Carrie Fischer in the tunnel:

“I ran out of gas…I had a flat tire…I didn’t have enough money for cab fare…My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners…an old friend came in from out of town…someone stole my car…there was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts! it wasn’t my fault, I swear to GOD!!!!”

Comment by Gregor Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 7:26 am
I told four or five of my best friends that there would be five indictments prior to election. I have to admit, I am a tad puckered that five was a bit aggressive. Now, today (Friday, October 27,2006) could go down in history as one of the best days of my life. First, more indictments. Second- the Cardinals win the world series. I would settle for half of that happening today/tonight.

Bill/Wndy- are you puckering yet?

Comment by Roy Slade Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 7:48 am
Just questioning. What happens if he is elected and indicted before he is sworn in for the second term? Will the ceremony take place? Or can Chief Justice Bob Thomas whisk the bible out from under the hand of Rodster?

Comment by Truthful James Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 8:06 am
I’m gonna close comments on this post if these stupid indictment “predictions” don’t stop now.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 8:20 am
The cops would have to handcuff the gov and take his mug shot before the voters will change their minds. His supporters don’t care if he is corrupt, as long as: 1. He is not a republican. 2. He delivers on the feel good social programs, 3. Takes care of Cook County.
I hate to admit it, but he will win the election unless his mug shot ends up on the front page of the tribune but Roy you are right…..What a great day it would be. Go Cards.

Comment by Hank Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 8:33 am
Even if there are republcians indicted, so be it. If they are guilty, suspicious of being guilty, indict anyone, regardless of party.

Comment by Wumpus the Free Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 9:08 am
I don’t follow the logic here. Levine is supposed to plead guilty on a plea agreement. What part of this court proceeding would include any indictment today? Maybe indictments will be pending down the road as a result of Levine’s testimony, but today is just a court hearing. I could be mistaken, but it’s going to take quite a while for Fitz to get all the information together for where ever he’s taking his investigations.

Comment by Walking Wounded Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 9:18 am
Wonder if the guy Reddbyrd calls Brickhead will finaly return his Levine cash so Stu can pay his fines?
Anyone heard from jRYAN lately. There is a great GOP leader who has been MIA for this cycle.

Comment by DuPageDandy Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 9:57 am
Is it just me or does it feel a little like Christmas Eve, your waiting for something you have been hoping for, but you just don’t know if you are going to get it. Someone must know what is going to happen today, how come the good guys never leak?

Comment by leigh Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 10:33 am
What time does everything start going down?

Comment by OneMan Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 10:35 am
In addition to who was involved, I hope the plea document clarifies how long the shakedowns have been going on with each board/commission.

Comment by Anon2 Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 10:47 am
OK, kids, let’s close this one up for now and go here instead.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 27, 06 @ 1:10 pm