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This just in… No Weller announcement today * Governor to take action on assessment caps bill * Hearing set for 1:30 today on clerk suit * Judge denies Planned Parenthood motion * WJBC: Pol says Weller will run again

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Illinois

* 11:14 am - No Weller announcement today…

U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller will announce whether he’ll seek an eighth term in office in the next couple of weeks, a spokesman said Thursday. Combating rumors that the Morris Republican would be calling it quits Thursday, spokesman Andy Fuller said no such announcement was planned.

“Nothing is going on today,” Fuller said.

Fuller, however, would not confirm whether Weller is running again.

“That will be covered in that announcement,” Fuller said.

* 11:25 am - A lot of outlets jumped on the rumor that the announcement could be as early as today, but here is what the Tribune reported…

One of the sources said the announcement could come as soon as Thursday. Others said it would be early next month.

* 12:09 pm - Planned Parenthood of Aurora is live-blogging its hearing today on whether it can open its controversial clinic. You can find some of the filings in question here.

* 12:15 pm - From the governor’s public schedule…

On Thursday, September 20, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will take action in providing significant property tax relief for the vast majority of Cook County homeowners.

WHO: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Alderman Eugene Schulter, James Houlihan, Cook County Assessor, Mike and Linda Vacala, homeowners

WHAT: Gov. Blagojevich will provide property tax relief to Cook County homeowners.

WHEN: 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: 2221 W. Winona
Chicago, IL 60625

If Schulter and Houlihan are there, you can bet there’s gonna be a flashy amendatory veto involved.

* 12:22 pm - A hearing is set for today at 1:30 regarding the governor’s lawsuit against the House Clerk. Stay tuned.

* 12:32 pm - According to Planned Parenthood of Aurora’s blog, a judge has denied the group’s motion to force Aurora to allow it to open its new clinic.

12:18PM: The judge is saying that there is a dearth of evidence showing discrimination and that there was not enough time for a reasonable investigation.

12:20PM: In its present form, the judge is denying the motion. He is leaving the option open to refile.

12:22PM: The judge said that by no means is the case over. He said that the delay itself is not of constitutional magnitude, but that could change.

12:24PM: Court is adjourned. The judge has denied the motion on the ground that we haven’t provided enough evidence. We can reapply later when we have more evidence. But for now, the clinic has to remain closed.

* 1:09 pm - Congressman Weller told at least one county party chairman that he is planning to run for reelection…

McLean County GOP Chairman John Parrott tells WJBC, he talked with Weller last night and the lawmaker claimed reports he’s stepping down were strictly rumors and that he planned to announce his re-election campaign.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 11:16 am

Comments

[…] Nueva Información: Rich Miller reports Rep. Weller’s staff is indicating there will be no announcement today. Mr. Miller also points out the Tribune reported this morning that an announcement may not come til early next month (which is in a week and a half). Blogroll […]

Pingback by Señor Weller, le conocíamos apenas - Nueva Información « Illinois Reason Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 11:40 am
Good riddance to Weller. We can do a lot better in the 11th.

Now watch the hopefuls come out of the woodwork…

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:27 pm
BTW, yesterday someone speculated on Dahl. He lives in the 15th.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:30 pm
It said 2 pm on the Governor’s schedule? Let’s see… that should translate into a real time of about ten minutes after four. Hopefully, there will be some CTA riders waiting for him to tell him what his screwy ideas are worth to them!

As for Cong. Weller, I suspect he’ll make his announcement late on a Friday afternoon, perhaps in two weeks (at the start of the Columbus Day holiday weekend), to minimize the negative media coverage. As if that is going to matter any more.

Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:41 pm
Toddster can’t be to happy, less monopoly to play with.
Then again who paying for this so-called significant property tax relief for the vast majority of Cook County homeowners? The state, the county?
Thought the state and county were broke!

Comment by Northside Bunker Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:43 pm
I think Weller called it quits a long time ago. The question that now remains is if he will run for re-election to this office. It’s nearly impossible to reach the man; and unlike some other congresspeople, he doesn’t seem to WANT to be contacted by his constituents. I guess he’s too busy setting up Foreign Trade Zones in Elwood, so that U.S. Customs doesn’t become too much of a hassle, and can be bypassed, when importing goods into the American heartland. Thanks Jerry!

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:51 pm
Northside-
Business owners are going to be paying the brunt of it. Its not a property tax cap- its a property tax shift.

Comment by unbiased Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:55 pm
Northside: It’s my understanding that owners of commercial properties as well as individuals who don’t have rapidly increasing assessments pay for the property tax relief.

Comment by Independent Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:58 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Weller runs again. I hope he does, IF the Dems are willing to put some $$$ behind the challenger.

It’s a simple campaign: next September, they send out a post card a week listing Weller’s “accomplishments.” A “what was he thinking”-style campaign would work quite well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dems do not do this, but one can always hope.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 1:20 pm
It never has been “property tax relief” as previously stated, it is a shift in the property tax burden. Your giving relief to property owners who’s properties are increasing in value while making up the difference on individuals who’s values are about the same or are declining as well as all other non-residential property owners.

Looks like “fair and equitable” is out the window!

Comment by South of I-80 Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 1:20 pm
More smokin’ mirrors, the old switcheroo courtesy of Rod Blagojevich. Just so it doesn’t come out of Rod’s or his friend’s pockets.

Comment by Northside Bunker Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 1:52 pm
Have to admit I am a bit surprised on the PP thing, figured the city would have lost that…

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 1:57 pm
Any news on the Clerk lawsuit? Sure is a lot of Dem on Dem fights. I’m feeling sorry for some of these House Democrat members and I’m Republican.

Comment by Any news Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 2:54 pm
Dismissed per sj-r.com.

Comment by Mike Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 2:56 pm
Thanks Mike!

Comment by Any news Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 3:02 pm
JUST HEARD:

Amendatory veto to HB664, 7% Solution from 3 year sunset to permanent.

Comment by South of I-80 Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 3:08 pm
surprised on the PP thing,

Why? You can’t deceive a government entity when zoning. PP got a little too cute, and now their 7MM project is delayed. Boo hoo *^^*

Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 3:24 pm