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Still think the Mell/Blagojevich fight was a mutual conspiracy?

The explosive accusation that top jobs in Gov. Blagojevich’s administration may be for sale took a dramatic turn Thursday when Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cook County State’s Attorney Richard Devine announced a joint investigation into the matter. […]

On Monday, Madigan’s office requested from the governor a roster of all appointees he has named to the dozens of state boards and commissions under his control since taking office. Also sought were the names, job titles and agencies of all other state employees that have been hired “in any capacity under the jurisdiction of the governor” since January 2003.

Blagojevich, who has $10.2 million in his campaign fund, has named numerous donors to key posts, including two former members of the state’s scandal-plagued Health Facilities Planning Board, who each gave $25,000 about two weeks before being appointed. The governor denies any quid pro quo.

Because of Mell’s big mouth, Lisa Madigan is now on a far-reaching fishing expedition that will explore just about every nook and cranny of the governor’s administration. While she’s at it, she ought to look at contracts, too.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 8:30 am

Comments

Look at Contracts. Amen Brother, Amen.

Not trying to sound redundant to all the press we read on a daily basis, but am I alone in thinking this “campaign contribution for access” issue is so obviously true? Not defending the man, but it is all legal (the way the Governor’s office went about the appointments, unless there are some recordings or e-mails somewhere), but so not ethical. And this is the guy who pushed for all these ethical rules to be passed and implemented. And the very company that developed the ethics test (what a joke that test is) is connected to the Governor’s campaign war chest as well!

Blagonnamakemepuke.

Comment by Bo Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 8:50 am
It’s no secret that he cleaned houe. Most agency directors, most appointees — everybody who was affiliated with Ryan or appointed by Ryan has been forced out. In theory, I suppose, this is how it works.

Obviously, it’s politicized nearly every agency and every board but has also — for the most part — demoralized most state staff who actually do the work. Ironically, these are the folks — the non-appointed staff — who Blago *also* seems to want to get rid of — not so much for political reasons but just because they cost money (and by getting rid of them, he’s able clear the way for his new agency directors to make high-five and six-figure salaries.)

It seems like normal politics. It’s repugnant if you’re a part of it — or if you’re just trying to get by on your state job — but it’s my understanding that that’s how things work now. And so long as Blago is in charge, this is how it will work from now on.

Now, a real “reformer” — someone who cares less about how morally superior he or she is and is interested in actually solving complex problems — probably wouldn’t be so quick to clean house and suffer the inevitable brain drain. But the brain drain has occured — the early retirement folks are gone, agency appointees with knowledge about how things work are gone — and the folks left are 24 year old campaign bus drivers suddenly turned chiefs of staff and 16 year old IT interns who happen to know the right people.

Whatever.

Perhaps the next gov can rebuild public confidence in the agencies that serve the public.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 9:11 am
Add one more to your list Rich. Look into shaking down lobbyists with a threat to veto a bill, or a minor but important portion of, for major contributions. How many big checks come in right after session when all those bills are sitting on Blagomoneygrabber’s desk?

Is that legal too Bo?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 9:12 am
Here’s a bit of unsolicited advice to our Dear Governor: wouldn’t it be quite the public relations coup if you returned the contributions made by people that you appointed to serve on Boards and Commissions? Doesn’t that nip things in the bud, politically at least?

“I made these appointments on the basis of merit, not because of political contributions. However, I some people are questioning the qualifications of my appointments when they are also contributors. So, I am returning the contributions of any person who has received an appointment for a state position to make clear to the people of Illinois that state jobs are not for sale.” (G-Rod has better wordsmiths, but you get the idea.)

The Governor can do this — actually, he should do this — and still have a bunch of money sitting in his campaign account. I’m not holding my breath, though.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 11:36 am
Good idea, except once he starts down that road he may have to give most of his money back.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 11:41 am
Absolutely check on contracts. I have heard that that would be a fruitful place to look. Unfortunately, with some of Blag-jago’s appointments, merit gets crushed and Chi-style politics win out. One ‘anon’ poster said: “It seems like normal politics.”, but Blag-jago has always said: “It’s not business as usual”. Apparently he meant that it’s far worse than usual. Also, the ‘anon’ poster hoped that the next Gov can ‘rebuild public confidence in the agencies that serve the public’; what’s unfortunate here, is that many of the ‘agencies’ will have been severely damaged for years to come. Ain’t politics great?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 14, 05 @ 2:54 pm