Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Morning Shorts

Posted in:

Illinois

* Police office claims that Harvey Mayor forced him to return gun to suspect

* Human Services Dept. Chief of Staff scandal infuriates legislators

* Harassment charges dog Governor’s trade office chief

* Republicans try to ensure that state won’t sell tollway

The Republicans said the idea, originally floated last year, was “still on the table” and might be resurrected by Blagojevich or other legislators as a tempting “quick fix” for the state’s budget problems.

* Editorial: Stem cells not a state issue

* Contractor wants $11 million for work done before being fired

IPAM argues it wasn’t given a chance to remedy any mistakes and was fired only after public criticism of Blagojevich and his department.

* Stroger uses first veto on sulfer-dioxide tax

* Editorial: Turn away the convicted corruptors in today’s election

* Editorial: Crosstown plan ignores reality of current needs

* Phil Luciano: Raise driving age to 18

As USA Today noted in a lengthy report on teen driving, “Evidence is mounting that a 16-year-old’s brain is generally far less developed than those of teens just a little older.”

* Critics say Springfield psychiatric hospital would harm downstate facilities

* Neal Williamson: Now is the time to revamp state juvenile justics system

posted by Paul Richardson
Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 8:19 am

Comments

Watch for the DHS administration to crumble- soon. This sad show has gone on too long. DHS hires a high-school drop-out with three criminal convictions to be a “liaison to DHS administrators, conducting site visits, research and as a policy-making advisor,” (agency spokesman Tom Green said). Sorry for Tom that he was made to say that. $70,000 for a driver?? Who else in state government gets a driver??

Comment by Jack Jacksonville Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 8:26 am
A little checking might show that there are a number of heads of agencies that have “drivers”. DHS does - which would raise the question, why should the head of the agency AND the chief of staff both have overpaid drivers?

Comment by gotta be anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 9:11 am
The DHS scandalette, in addition to providing some comedy relief, also prvoides a fascinating peek into the world of state patronage employment under our Blago.

High-level staff member shenanigans occur everywhere, but where but in a Democratic patronage bureacracy would you find a state
employee without a high school degree doing “research and policy” in addition to his driver duties. Of course he was mad when they fired him. There are few $70,000 opportunities for high school dropouts in the private sector.

The state should settle this lawsuit. Even if Ms. Wertz did nothing improper and the complainant is lying, there is definitely an appearance of impropriety in sharing a hotel suite with a subordinate during a state-funded business trip. This incident raises serious questions about Ms. Wertz’s judgment but I suppose over at DHS, competence and good judgment are not a hiring priority.

The Blago administration, however, could look even sillier and more corrupt during a protracted and well publicized trial
regarding this matter.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 9:18 am
Kudos to the Daily Southtown for recgonizing the need for better public transportation! How about a few carpool lanes on those expressways while we’re at it? In other words, in terms of roads, build smarter–not wider.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 9:49 am
Why does she need a driver? Our IDOT Regional Engineer does not even have a driver. I though the state was in financial ruins and to think that several engineers were fired in order to reduce headcount yet we are able to hire drivers and personal assistants. When will it be enough â€“ this is absolutely ridiculous.

Comment by state worker #1 Tuesday, Feb 27, 07 @ 5:08 pm