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Illinois

Sun-Times:
* Fed: Not so fast Eddie

* Vrdolyak trusted no one

* Five things to know about Vrdolyak

* Eddie Vrdolyak timeline

* Sneed: On Vrdolyak

Tribune:
* Feds catch up with “Fast Eddie”

* John Kass: Vrdolyak always a good judge of power

AP:
Democrat Vrdolyak charged with bribery, fraud

McQueary: Feds catch Vrdolyak

His indictment marked yet another shift toward the criminalization of acts once considered customary — although highly illegal — among Illinois’ white collar establishment. Set up a cozy real estate deal, a state contract or some pension business, and expect a “consulting fee” for your grease. A commission. A kickback.

CBS2:
Vrdolyak indicted on fraud and bribery charges

Crains:
“Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak indicted

* Governor’s Dunkin Donuts pal could wind up on tollway

* Auditor: State employees were paid even after they left job

* Should state regulate roadside memorials?

* Illinois National Guard readiness scrutinized after Kansas tornado

* Editorial: Illinois needs tougher rules for teen drivers

* AG Madigan investigates claim against Olympia school site search

* Editorial: Dupage Co. reforms that would save tax dollars

* CTA cuts 45 jobs, says riders won’t notice

Rather, the cost-cutting measures are part of Huberman’s strategy to convince state lawmakers that the CTA is well-managed and deserving of additional funding to plug a $110 million hole in its 2007 budget.

* CTA chief clips 45 jobs for now

* Some on Cook Co. Board wary of corruption plan

* County stalls its overhaul of inspector general’s office

* Peraica, Beavers ethics duel ends friendly

* House to vote on Peoria airport tax bill

* House OKs early tax start for Rockford

posted by Paul Richardson
Friday, May 11, 07 @ 7:43 am

Comments

Those 49 jobs that Ron says he cut over at the CTA weren’t just low hanging fruit, they were rolling on the floor.

31 of the 49 positions Ron says he cut were already vacant. One of the great games in public bureaucratic life is unfunding and funding vacancies to make it look it like you are doing something. Are those jobs gone? Of course not.
Just “unfunded” for the moment. Should a sufficiently connected jobseeker appear, they’ll be “funded” again.

Meanwhile, Ron says the incumbents of the 18 occupied positions may have opportunities elsewhere in the CTA. In other words, they aren’t leaving the CTA, they are going down the hall, perhaps to previously “unfunded” positions that have been, presto, refunded.

Will the legislators buy this. Well, they probably would like to. Most of them have relatives and contributors they need to get on the state payroll. If Ron is too successful in getting rid of payrollers over at the CTA (at the moment, not to worry guys) what might happen to opportunities for legislators’ relatives and pals in Illinois state government.

It’s all about fooling us, the ordinary taxpayers.
Let’s try to keep our eyes a little bit open here.
12.5 million is a teeny amount–if it’s even real.

Comment by Cassandra Friday, May 11, 07 @ 8:04 am
criminalization of acts once considered customary â€” although highly illegal

While in general I like the Southtown’s columnists (even though I live 50+ miles away) this is a silly sentence which should not have made it past an editor.

Maybe she meant “the routine prosecution of acts once considered customary”. You can’t criminalize that which is illegal already!

Comment by Pat Collins Friday, May 11, 07 @ 8:46 am
I wonder though, are we truly reducing the corruption that seems an inevitable part of any government; or are we just cutting off the heads of a hydra capable of infinite regeneration of new heads?

Since power seems to lead to corruption, perhaps it is just part of the necessary cycle of a republic form of government for us to periodically sweep away the inevitable build of of corruption.

Comment by Ghost Friday, May 11, 07 @ 8:53 am
Cassandra,
I seem to recall the Illinois Tollway doing the same thing with jobs/positions since Blago took office. Sure the tollway, eliminated 50 positions, then turned right around and hired 200.
Internally and externally, it’s a Huge Shell Game compliments of Blago.
Sure would be funny if donuts got Blago indicted!

Comment by Eff Word Friday, May 11, 07 @ 12:03 pm
Based on the length of time that it has taken since the feds indicted George Ryan and his current proximity to a prison cell after having been convicted, my guess is that Eddie Vrdolyak is not losing any sleep over his future fate. Instead, he is probably down in Kankakee sipping a scotch & water with George Ryan by the pool and laughing.

Comment by Beowulf Friday, May 11, 07 @ 2:39 pm
malodorous

Comment by i d Friday, May 11, 07 @ 3:57 pm