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* 10:35 am - Today’s leaders meeting is at 1 o’clock.

* 10:53 am - Attorney General Lisa Madigan is not giving up her fight to represent the governor’s office in the Better Government Association’s FOIA case. The BGA wants to see the federal subpoenas that have been served on the guv’s office.

The AG filed two appeals with the Illinois Supreme Court yesterday. From the AG’s office…

One is asking the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Kelly’s ruling removing us [from the case], and the other is asking the Supreme Court to direct the Appellate Court to change their mind and accept our appeal.

The first [download here] asks the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Kelly’s ruling removing the AG from the BGA case, and asks that the Supreme Court deny the motion to appoint independent counsel in lieu of the AG.

The second [download here] is in response to the 4th District Appellate refusal to accept the AG’s appeal of Judge Kelly’s order. The AG is asking that the Illinois Supreme Court — by way of a Petition for Leave to Appeal - direct the Appellate Court to accept the AG’s appeal of Judge Kelly’s order.

* 10:56 am - I should’ve mentioned earlier that I’ve heard that the “budgeteers” made significant progress over the weekend on crafting a one-month budget. There are still a couple of big issues for the leaders to mull over before the end of the month, however. That almost always happens with the budgeteers. They do the small and mid-size things, and leave the big picture stuff to the tops.

* 12:33 pm - I tell you what, that intern of mine never ceases to amaze me. Check out what Paul wrote on Illinoize the other day - something I should have linked to right away…

I’ve noticed that overtime has strange effects on the statehouse gang. After May 31st, the senses of the capitol residents are altered. The marble floors seem harder on the feet. The air seems a little more stale. The tourists are peskier. As vacation plans fade into nothingness, I’ve seen more permanent scowls appear on once happy faces in the building. It reminds me of the Disney movie The Lion King…the once flourishing, ripe, and bustling pride lands of the African jungle are plunged into a barren field of misery with the mismanagement of its leader.

* 1:55 pm - Leader Cross just walked into Blagojevich’s office, so hopefully the leaders meeting is starting soon…. And now the rest are filing in.

* 3:23 pm - I hear that members were told today to expect to be in town until Saturday.

* 3:44 pm - The meeting is over.

* 4:34 pm - We’ll have the audio up soon. They’ve apparently reached agreement on a one-month budget.

* 4:50 pm - Audio following today’s leaders meeting:

Speaker Madigan

[audio:Madigan26th.mp3]

President Jones

[audio:Emil26th.mp3]

Leader Cross x 2

[audio:Cross26th.mp3]

[audio:Cross 26th2.mp3]

Leader Watson x 2

[audio:Watson26th.mp3]

[audio:Watson26th2.mp3]

* 5:30 pm - Here are some excerpts from the leaders comments:

-Madigan-

“Much of it [the one-month budget] is an extension of what we did in ‘07, but there are some changes.”

Regarding Paul Froehlich…”I would just rely on his statements that he felt more at home in the Democratic Party than the Republican Party; I’d leave it at that.”

On 12-month budget…”No, I don’t think it will happen this week.” …”I think we will be here for a long time.”

“We will adjourn on Friday. We will come back the 2nd week in July.”

-Emil-

“I resent all of the stalling that has been taking place as it relates to those [electric rate] negotiations and we just may, even though I am opposed to it, go ahead and have the freeze…I’ll see what happens when my members get here tomorrow.”

“A week off, then I plan on being the week following. I’ll call all my members in for five days, at least five days.”

-Cross-

“I think everyone is on the same page [on one-month budget]..It was as good a meeting as we’ve had.”

On Paul Froehlich…”Well its one less vote we have to put on in the emergency budget…If people that know Paul saw this as a move that was politically expedient for him, it’s kind of characteristic of his political career.”

“He actually met with our chief of staff three times, and all three times he said he wasn’t going to do it….I don’t accept it, I don’t agree with it, but there is nothing I can do about it.”

“He will be on a list with others where I think we can have success in the Fall of ‘08″

-Watson-

“It was just all talk about keeping the doors open and making sure people are paid…I would say that we are just taking it one month at a time, that’s the way it looks like.”

“There’s negotiations continuing on the whole electric rate issue, and I don’t know that that will be a sticking point before we vote on a temporary budget…I can’t believe that this issue is still going on…it just seems to me to be a lack of leadership.”

On Sen. Dillard in Obama Ad…”I have to say I was very disappointed in Senator Dillard and his judgment…He is a member of our leadership. He is a leader in the Republican party. I don’t think it was appropriate thing to do.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 10:34 am

Comments

I know I speak for everyone…I’m holding my breath in anticipation…

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 10:51 am
Is Lisa doing this for show? So it LOOKS like she is supportive while getting ready for her run for Governor after this one gets indicted?? Can’t see why she would be fighting to defend this Governors’ office from BGA ….. ???

Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:00 am
Thats hilarious!

The last thing Blagojevich wants right now is Madigan doing her job.

That life preserver she is trying to throw out to him is made of stone.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:05 am
What’s the name of that Green Day song? “Wake me up when September ends? Kind of applies here doesn’t it?

The minute a one-month budget is passed, I’m betting we won’t see legislators in Springfield again until July 20. Where is the incentive to finish the other 11 months? I can’t remember a time when legislators sent the Governor a more piece meal budget. They should all be ashamed of themselves - especially Governor My Way or the Highway.

Comment by Welcome 2 Hell Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:29 am
The Madigans are going after the Governor’s office on 2 fronts!!!

Comment by He makes Ryan look like a saint Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:34 am
Has I’ve said, I stand by my Labor Day Weekend prediction.

Comment by Northside Bunker Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:37 am
- Northside Bunker - Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:37 am:

Has I’ve said, I stand by my Labor Day Weekend prediction.
I pray you are correct!!!!

Comment by dan Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:42 am
North– she’s fighting for the right to represent the governor so she can fold up his defense. It ain’t gonna happen. The public/private distinction in her brief does not fly. A lawyer or law firm cannot represent a client when their positions with respect to an issue are in direct conflict. She’s gonna lose at additional expense to the taxpayers.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 11:49 am
Lisa is fighting to represent the State of Illinois, not Rod Blagojevich. It would be very good for Illinois if she prevails.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 12:09 pm
I’ve been unhappy in state government for a few years now. I also am more liberal in using vacation days because of how boring it is in a call center at CMS.

Comment by Crimefighter Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 12:55 pm
You better watch that intern or yours! He may start a competing operation someday. . .

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 1:21 pm
What a great post from your intern. Thanks for sharing.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 2:51 pm
Bill, did Rod fly down for the meeting? And did he use the airplane or his cape?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 3:05 pm
Bill(Rod) can’t answer. He’s at today’s dog and pony show.

Comment by jwscott72 Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 3:25 pm
Any idea what today’s lesson is on. Perhaps how to make Mac-n-Cheese, The Role of TIFs in local parks funding? Brylcream or hairspray?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 3:38 pm
Paul - love the observation.

Comment by Belle Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 4:08 pm
Some how I just can’t take it seriously that there is a “leader meeting” when they go into Blagozo’s office.

Comment by Papa Legba Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 4:24 pm
Nice comparison Paul. Blago is the perfect Scar. He lies (or flies) around and does nothing while blaming everyone else for the demise of the pride lands. Meanwhile he allows his hyenas to pick the oride lands clean.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 4:27 pm
Again, our illustrious leaders act like they have a case of “spilkies” (ask a Yiddish-speaking friend what this is) because they can’t seem to sit still in the Statehouse for five minutes. Come for an hour, take a week off. I wish I could perform my job like that. What a waste of taxpayer dollars and time. To quote Nike, sit down and “just do it.”

Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 5:35 pm
Rich, I didn’t get the Nix/Blago audio - was there one?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 5:45 pm
nope

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 5:46 pm
Those “pesky tourists” are mostly Illinois taxpayers. You should be a little kinder.

Comment by David Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 6:19 pm
> Attorney General Lisa Madigan is not giving up her fight to represent the governor’s office in the Better Government Association’s FOIA case.

I have some questions about how Madigan picks her FOIA battles. If the target is Blago she is all over it, but my Attorney General is completely uninvolved in FOIA issues with the City of Chicago.

Comment by Hugh Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 7:14 pm
She’s the AG of Illinois, not Chicago. So what are you prepared to do?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 7:58 pm
Yes, but isn’t she the FOIA enforcer against any unit of government in the state?

Comment by dirty rail hanging soul-less jerk Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 8:08 pm
- dirty rail hanging soul-less jerk - I have NO idea but where did you come up with that ID? Cracks me up.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 8:12 pm
My guess is that you have several steps to exhaust your administrative remedies (due process) before you would get to the AG, and then there would probably be a bit of a backlog considering this administration. Godspeed!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 8:21 pm
No audio from the gov, nor Nix, Bill’s quiet, so is drmgrrl. I smell a heads up on indictments!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 26, 07 @ 9:26 pm
What an embarrasment to the GOP with Dillard & all that. Frank, time to kick him to the curb. If he breaking ranks, especially with the small majority, what else is he capable of. Geezzzz what the hell is happening over at the GOP ??

Comment by annon. Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 6:36 am
I have it as “schpilkes”

http://www.milechai.com/hebrew-words-3.html

literally — pins: figuratively — anxiousness

Comment by Eric Zorn Wednesday, Jun 27, 07 @ 9:28 am