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Sunday wrap-up

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I thought I’d do a brief news wrap-up since the General Assembly is in session later today (although don’t expect huge crowds)…

* Schock will run for Congress…

State Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, is in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood in Congress. Saying he’s seen an “outpouring of support” from constituents and leaders throughout the 18th Congressional District, Schock told the Peoria Journal Star on Saturday he plans to run for the U.S. House next year.

* California Secretary of State Restricts Voting Machines…

Ms. Bowen took her toughest action against touch-screen machines, in which a voter’s ballot is generated by a computer. She said the machines made by Diebold Election Systems and Sequoia Voting Systems could be used only in early voting and to meet voting-access requirements for the disabled.

Another touch-screen model, made by Hart InterCivic, can be used more broadly, she said. But all three of the systems can be used only under rigorous security procedures, including audits of the election results.

Ms. Bowen said optical-scanning systems, in which voters mark their choices on paper ballots that are then counted by computers, also were barred but re-certified under the new security procedures.

* Bowen also banned “all modem or wireless connections, regardless of their purpose, in order to prevent connection to an unauthorized computer or network or to the Internet – all of which would present significant additional security risks”

* As I told you Friday, it’s all about how you define the word “deal”…

llinois lawmakers have agreed on a framework to fund critical day-to-day operations of state government but are still split on a multibillion-dollar construction program, House Speaker Michael Madigan said Saturday.

“On an operations budget, there’s a good, solid agreement. But there are some people who want to link capital to an operations budget. That’s why I keep on saying my focus is on an operations budget,” Madigan said. […]

House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) said House Republicans back a state budget that doesn’t increase taxes and relies on natural growth in existing taxes to fund more than $400 million in new spending on schools and pay for essential state services. “That’s all we want to do,” he said. […]

Madigan’s statements Saturday, while interpreted by some at the Statehouse as possible signs of movement, were later undercut by aides to the other leaders and by uncertainty over Senate President Emil Jones’ stance.

Jones has been aligned with Blagojevich and has resisted calls for a budget that doesn’t infuse big money into schools, capital or health care.

* Tribune: Governor searches for exit, friends…

With friends and foes leaving him behind, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has little time left to find a new exit strategy or risk further weakening his stewardship of state government.

Critics say the Democratic governor is losing credibility every day he pushes for his expensive and expansive health-care proposal, but he has vowed to pass it even if it takes all year.

* Marin: We pay for gov’s poor leadership - While pols sit idle, other services — like the CTA — neglected

* Finke…

Illinois State Fair officials insist the show will start on schedule Friday, despite the budget impasse. That means the fair’s Twilight Parade in Springfield will be held the night before.

Blagojevich has been part of the parade every year. His staff said there’s no reason to think he won’t march in it again this year. That could be more entertaining than the fair itself. The governor walking in a parade route lined with hundreds of people facing payless paydays because of him.

Be sure to bring the kids. They can learn some interesting new words.

* Schoenburg: Feuding Democrats’ plans for fair are up in the air… Renovation reunion….

* Once again, the governor’s hype didn’t measure up to the results…

Flu vaccine that the state of Illinois donated to Pakistan never made it to earthquake victims that it was intended to help, according to a published report.

The Chicago Tribune reported in its editions today that Pakistani health officials crushed and burned the quarter-million doses of vaccine, worth $2.6 million, because the expiration date had passed.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration ordered the vaccine from overseas in 2004 during a shortage in Illinois, but the U.S. government refused to let it into the country. It was refrigerated for months before being destroyed in November 2006, according to documents Pakistani officials released to the newspaper.

* Director: It’s up to legislators to get Ceasefire

posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Aug 5, 07 @ 1:06 pm

Comments

“Bowen also banned ‘all modem or wireless connections, regardless of their purpose, in order to prevent connection to an unauthorized computer or network or to the Internet – all of which would present significant additional security risks’”

That’s great, as long as the Election Judges actually bring (Microsoft Word Document) all of the memory sticks or cards to central tabulation, as required by law.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:53 am
The Tribune article about the flu vaccine debacle is a great bit of investigative reporting. The Tribune was able to confirm what most people suspected. The Governor put us on the hook for nearly $3 million without legislative approval for a big press pop that provided no real benefits to any Illinois citizen nor any citizen of Pakistan. BTW - The AP has just picked up the story and credits the Tribune.

The only element missing from the Tribune story was the fact that in the end there was no true shortage of vaccine and we didn’t need the extra doses here in Illinois even if they were allowed in to the country. Governing by press conference, brought to you by Rod Blagojevich.

Comment by Napoleon has left the building Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 12:09 pm
The California officials are right in getting rid of Diebold and Sequia.
Bad machines.
Also, the internet and modem transmissions not being used is also good to not be used.

The 2006 primary was not fair nor accurate.

This should be done in Illinois.

Comment by Dave O Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 4:49 pm