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* From a press release last week…
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called on U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) to honor the decades-long tradition of bipartisanship in the selection of U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshals, and Federal District Court Judges in Illinois. Rep. Shimkus has delayed reestablishing this bipartisan process in order to consult with the Trump Administration—a process that is more urgently needed since last Friday when Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired all sitting U.S. Attorneys, including the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Zach Fardon. By longstanding Senate practice, both U.S. senators in a state must give their consent, on a form called a blue slip, before federal nominees in that state will be considered by the Judiciary Committee.
“It has now been nearly two months since President Trump’s inauguration and over one month since Attorney General Sessions was sworn in on February 9. We are prepared to continue our discussions with the goal of reestablishing a bipartisan process to identify and recommend candidates for whom we would be willing to sign affirmative blue slips,” the senators wrote. “We also note that you invited a representative of Governor Rauner to participate in our January 17 conversation. The Governor of Illinois has no authority when it comes to choosing federal prosecutors and judges. In fact, recent history suggests we should make every effort to avoid even an appearance of impropriety when it comes to the selection of federal prosecutors.”
* Rauner isn’t the only one attempting to influence the appointment. The mayor has also chimed in…
However, it turns out Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has also spoken to the congressman about a replacement for Fardon, who stepped down last week amid a Trump administration purge of top prosecutors nationwide. Other politicians are likely to reach out to Shimkus, as well. And none of them are immune from federal prosecution.
So at the end of the day, Shimkus spokesman Jordan Haverly said any recommendation to President Donald Trump will be made by his boss, alone.
“It’s not going to be the governor,” Haverly said. “It’s not going to be the mayor. It’s not going to be anyone else. It’s going to be the congressman.” […]
But later, the congressman issued a separate statement praising the governor’s counsel.
“The governor has been an agent of change in Springfield, ushering in unprecedented ethics reform to state government,” Shimkus said in a statement. “I value his input, and I will continue to solicit advice from him and other state leaders as I work to make the best recommendations I can to President Trump.”
If you want the new US Attorney to focus mostly on corruption, then it’s probably best to bring in an outsider and ignore the insiders like Peter Fitzgerald did with Patrick Fitzgerald. If you want the new person to primarily be a crime-fighter, then it’s probably OK that the governor and the mayor have their say.
Your thoughts on this?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:39 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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As long as it’s not the Philly D.A. Yowzers.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:46 am
An outsider please. Especially with the shenanigans that have occurred recently at CPS, and now with the exam cheating scandal allegations at CPD.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:47 am
As has been reported elsewhere, Rauner is angling to get one of his people in. It wouldn’t take a great leap of imagination to figure out how a Rauner loyalist might use the powers of that office to target Rauner’s political enemies heading into 2018. All in the service of the Koch/Rauner cause. Rauner is an honorary Koch brother.
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:48 am
You must follow the money, and you asked for it when all you guys think this big brain was the great white hope.
Comment by Red Rider Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:49 am
===“We also note that you invited a representative of Governor Rauner to participate in our January 17 conversation. The Governor of Illinois has no authority when it comes to choosing federal prosecutors and judges. In fact, recent history suggests we should make every effort to avoid even an appearance of impropriety when it comes to the selection of federal prosecutors.”===
Rauner may want a say, not unlike Rahm, but both Rahm and Rauner would be better served by passively having discussions and allowing Durbin, Duckworth, and Shimkus to be the visible faces and the actors in the discussions for this recommendation.
If a governor or mayor had good relations with members of Congress, there would be no worry about transparency and with that overt influences.
Putting in writing the Governor wants wasn’t helpful or accidental.
Neither was that grab I took.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:52 am
Doesn’t sound like an outsider is in the cards, and I would guess the focus would be on a crime-fighter given Trump’s statements about Chicago. The Senators can cool their jets just a bit though, since the ND IL spot has been open only a week or so and a new vetting process has to be established. Obviously a bipartisan choice would be preferable. I don’t see the need to go outside the state, though, and frankly think it’s a bit insulting to the fine legal community in Chicago to do so.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:53 am
Tired partisan rhetoric for Duckworth and Durbin! Every new President changes the US attorneys when assuming office. The “purge” language is over the top.
The most heavy handed series of dismissals in recent memory occurred under President Clinton. He called for the dismissal of every US Attorney.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:54 am
@Moe Berg:
Great nickname from MLB.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:56 am
I wouldn’t be too sure that the new president will observe non-statututory, informal recommendation traditions of any kind. He didn’t get the gig by observing traditions, or even common civility.
His own inner circle cling to him all day, every day, like barnacles because they don’t know what he’ll do from one moment to the next.
Comment by words Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:00 am
==The governor has been an agent of change in Springfield==
Yes, Bruce Rauner has been an agent of change. Horrific change. A bill backlog of 13 billion and climbing. Unprecedented gridlock. Failure to make progress on a budget, a capital program or any meaningful progress in fighting violence or poverty.
Public universities withering on the vine. Social service agencies being shredded into oblivion.
He’s a change agent of the worst sort - sowing chaos and harm in the lives of vulnerable people across Illinois.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:06 am
@10:54 - The last president to replace all the USAs was Bill Clinton. Obama kept some, including Fitzgerald, and Bush II did, too. Purges like the recent calls for resignations are in fact pretty rare
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:09 am
I’d imagine Shimkus has more pull with
Trump than any of these other guys, including Rauner. From all reports, Trump values loyalty and those who will say nice things about him, and Shimkus fits the bill.
Rauner has been overtly shunning Trump at all turns, refusing to say his name or risk having his picture taken with him. Clinton won Illinois by 16, and Rauner couldn’t protect two GOP statewide incumbents.
So, what’s his clout?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:11 am
The US Attorney should ideally be someone with a wide skill set: an accomplished lawyer with unquestioned integrity, a good manager, the ability to initiate and manage public corruption and gun and drug trafficking and fraud investigations, and the familiarity with public speaking to be the face of the Office. There are many lawyers in the District who would do a good job, and some who would be excellent. Many have Republican backgrounds.
The U.S. Attorney also needs the resources to do his job — prosecuting without having to sacrifice the office’s emphasis in any area.
The key will be whether Shimkus (and his colleagues) will choose someone with all of those skills. As we have seen over the years, Chicago and State politicians have a strong interest in favoring some skills — and resources — over others.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:17 am
Yet my Congressman John Shimkus, being the longest serving Republican in DC, will be the ultimate arbiter of who gets the nod to take over these very important positions.
Why do I not feel comfortable with this new power and influence that he now has??????
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:19 am
Just hearing Dick Durbin utter the phrase bipartisan is enough to inspire puke.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:26 am
Too bad Jason doesn’t have a law license.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:28 am
Jason who?
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:39 am
@ArthurAndersen - Jason would be a perfect fit for John if only…..
Time for Willy to pick up on this!
Comment by i Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:40 am
If one who is intent on fighting corruption in Illinois is chosen, that would be a gigantic upset to the power elites. Dudley Milktoast, the amiable fellow, would be their perfect guy for them.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:41 am
Sorry - “i” at 10:40 was me - bad fingers today.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:49 am
Gee, Guy, if you’d only bothered to educate yourself over the years on the joint process Durbin/Kirk followed on federal appointments, your tummy wouldn’t be so ouchy.
I’m surprised that given how tight you are with
GOP movers and shakers that you weren’t aware of that, and other praise from Kirk as to Durbins bipartisanship — like Durbin carrying Kirk’s water after his stroke.
Durbin helped Kirk out when
ambitious GOP types were trying to push him out. You didn’t know that?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:49 am
@FakeJasonPlummer - I’m in military intelligence. I have my hands full with decoder rings and the hidden pictures things in “Highlights”. No time to be an attorney for nobody #CareerMoves
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:49 am
Anita Alvarez is available.
Comment by Angry Republican Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:49 am
Trump would be well served by a focus on government corruption. In Illinois that will catch more Democrats than Republicans. Not a difference in honesty, more a numbers game.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:24 pm
===Gee, Guy, if you’d only bothered to educate yourself over the years on the joint process Durbin/Kirk followed on federal appointments, your tummy wouldn’t be so ouchy.===
Don’t act the goof here Sling. Durbin is among the most partisan people in the Senate. Kirk was more bipartisan, which by the way, did not endear him to the GOP.
Durbin is among the phoniest BSers I’ve ever met in politics. He’s so magnanimous that he was passed over without even a second thought from his Senate colleagues. He’s a complete hack. He’s as insincere as politicians get (that’s saying something). If you love the guy, pardon me. I dislike him more than any other politician I’ve ever met, known or witnessed. He’s a disingenuous creep.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:35 pm
And by the way Sling, that “process” you’re discussing was an Alan Dixon invention, not Durbin.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:37 pm
Guy, I pointed out some facts, You responded with a fact-free tantrum of personal insults.
In other news, the sun came up in the east today.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Well “a guy” has it right 3 times and as to Patrick Fitz he turned out to be a real bad apple in the end by indicting Scoter Libby when he knew the answer in the Plame (sp) case…. just another political hack like DD. Should not be on the U of I board period.
Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:38 pm
Yep Sling, that’s what happened. Jeesh dude.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:05 pm
A Guy: You seem to have fallen off your bar stool with this rant. I had no idea you have dealt so often and closely with Durbin to make those detailed judgments.
My dealings with Durbin, on both a personal and professional basis, have led me to like and admire the man. Not a saint by any stretch, but not even close to the “creep” you describe.
As to your “most partisan” judgment — more partisan than Schumer, Franken, Warren, others we could name?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:12 pm
Guy, it’s all in writing. Easy enough to see who pointed out facts and who had a tantrum of insults.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:23 pm
@AGuy - “… an Alan Dixon invention…”
I have absolutely no idea what this is supposed to be about. Be more specific.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:35 pm
Could bi-partisan and appoint Scott Drury. Wasn’t he a former Assistant US Attorney?
Comment by CLJ Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:47 pm
===As to your “most partisan” judgment — more partisan than Schumer, Franken, Warren, others we could name?===
Walk, he’s right there with ‘em. I recognize it’s possible for someone to like him, as you do. I wouldn’t detail the height of the dis-ingenuousness with him, from my point of view, but maybe sometime we’ll meet and I’ll share it privately. Has to do with an event at Walter Reed Medical Center- I’ll leave it there.
==@AGuy - “… an Alan Dixon invention…”==
Illini, the idea of Dems and GOPs working together on these appointments regardless of which party controlled the White House was a collegial gesture on the part of Alan Dixon. He always sought consensus with colleagues in the state about these Federal appointments. Paul Simon, less so, but somewhat, Peter Fitz (not at all), Durbin and Kirk were more congenial as the White House changed parties twice. But, it was Alan Dixon who thought it was vital that the other Senator, Congressional Delegation, Governor and Mayor all had some input.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 3:08 pm
Would be nice if they gave the Southern District ten percent of the attention the ND gets. St.Clair County needs some Good Fedkeeping.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 9:29 pm
Patrick Collins should have been the last U.S. Attorney in Chicago, but he was blackballed by the Rahm element within the legal community. A strong prosecutor who would go after public corruption and police criminals was not what they wanted, so they spun the matter as “we need a prosecutor who will go after violent crime in Chicago.” Gang members don’t usually incriminate politicians when they get convicted.
Did Zach Fardon indict or convict a single cop during his term? Fitzgerald finally put away Jon Burge after thirty years, and Burge is still drawing his police pension in federal prison.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 8:36 am
CLJ, I truly hope that was sarcasm. If not, my only response is, Drury, get off this blog
Comment by Robert Lincoln Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 9:24 am