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* 12:54 pm - The governor sent a letter to the four tops today…
The Honorable Emil Jones
The Honorable Michael Madigan
The Honorable Frank Watson
The Honorable Tom CrossDear Legislative Leaders:
I am writing to invite you to a leaders’ meeting in my office in Springfield at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussions on a long-term transit solution for the Chicago area and an infrastructure bill for the entire state.
Last week, in order to prevent the RTA and CTA from cutting service, increasing fares and laying off workers, I provided the transit agencies with an additional $27 million to keep their operations running through the end of the year.
But the events of last week made clear there is no consensus among legislators on how to provide a long-term solution to the RTA and CTA. What was clear, however, was that a significant number of legislators of both parties and both chambers want to address the state’s critical infrastructure needs together with the needs of the RTA and CTA. That certainly is a reasonable approach and one that creates a bipartisan opportunity to pass a capital bill and find a long-term solution for mass transit in the Chicago area.
Now is the time to seize this opportunity. But to do that, we must all be willing to come together, put past differences aside, and work in good faith to solve these problems and meet these challenges. People across Illinois are counting on us to get the job done without further delay. Let’s avoid another transit crisis and make the needed investments in our aging infrastructure.
I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich
Governor
* 1:06 pm - Word’s going around that the governor wants to “turn over a new leaf” with the leaders - particularly Madigan. As someone just pointed out to me, the last time the governor sent out that message Tim Mapes’ wife was fired.
* 1:59 pm - The US Attorney’s office has filed its response to George Ryan’s emergency request for bail from the US Supreme Court. Read it here.
* 2:49 pm - The Illinois Green Party is filing a bunch of candidates today…
In the Illinois House, the Greens have filed in the 15th, 9th, 21st, 41st, 68th districts.
For Congress, Greens have filed in the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 16th districts.
And there’s still more than two hours to go.
* 3:00 pm - 10th Congressional District Democrat Jay Footlik is on the air with a new TV ad…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 1:57 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Blago must have seen his poll numbers - he’s trying to play nice.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:01 pm
OMG
Now is the time to seize this opportunity. But to do that, we must all be willing to come together, put past differences aside, and work in good faith to solve these problems and meet these challenges.
Everyone must rush their loved ones to the nearest shelter…the last time he used those words he had Fumbles Harris out firing people
Comment by GettingJonesed Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:07 pm
Wow..he’s criticized regardless of what he does.
Comment by anon Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:09 pm
=== Wow..he’s criticized regardless of what he does.===
That’s what happens when your word is no good.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:11 pm
- anon -
It’s because nobody believes what he says. He has lost all credibility. Let’s continue to “judge” him on what he actually does. Which is very little!
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:14 pm
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Comment by What's in a name? Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:22 pm
Go ahead Mike, trust him.
Comment by Compulsive Liar Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:22 pm
Rich-is AA off kilter or did the blog not change its clock on Sunday?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:24 pm
Rich - Don’t know if I missed it in a previous post - but do you know what Executive Order 0702 is about. It transfers functions of Revenue to HFS. - Can’t find details anywhere.
Thanks.
Comment by As A Mom Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:27 pm
“Now is the time to seize this opportunity. But to do that, we must all be willing to come together, put past differences aside, and work in good faith to solve these problems and meet these challenges.”
Why do I hear the voice of Tiny Tim? “God bless us every one!”
Comment by Rod sez I'm pork Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:28 pm
Wow the blog is an hour ahead
Comment by GettingJonesed Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:30 pm
I’ll change the time after work today. Changing it now would mess with the comments in a big way.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:31 pm
Rod said….> “Last week, in order to prevent the RTA and CTA from cutting service, increasing fares and laying off workers, I provided the transit agencies with an additional $27 million to keep their operations running through the end of the year.”
I, I, I. Did Rod forget it was our money?
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:35 pm
“I’ll be honest, I think it would be better if it was called the Jay Hoffman Expressway,” he said. “This would not be here today if it were not for Jay Hoffman being in Springfield and getting the money for this district.”
That mayor may want to know that so far Blaggo has not released one dime of member initiative money for anyone including Jay Magoo
Comment by GettingJonesed Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:35 pm
To the four leaders–Get everything down in black and white(even you Emil.) To Blagojevich–At the meeting, providing anyone shows up, apologise to each of the four leaders individually and try to be a Governor. I will be highly surprised if good cooperation comes off very successfully. Go get-um Frank and Mike!!
Comment by WARDOG Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:36 pm
What are they going to do… NOT show up to the meeting?
I hope there at least is some progress. I don’t see the Hamos plan getting passed. So, they need to coalesce around plan C(ross) rather quickly.
Comment by GoBearsss Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:41 pm
It’s all politics. He just received good press for single handedly averting the CTA crisis. Now he is trying to get more good press by bringing the leaders together and solving the states problems. If anything is worked out, he’ll take credit. If not, he’ll blame the tops. It’s better than letting Madigan and Cross put a plan together and then they get the credit.
Comment by Silent Majority Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:53 pm
When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight,it concentrates his mind wonderfully. Samuel Johnson
reason for the change?
Comment by Madame Defarge Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 2:55 pm
This is the same way that he has operated since before even being Governor. When his ears get pinned back, he decides that we wants to ‘work together’. He now needs to find a way to claim victory out of an impending defeat.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:04 pm
I’m reminded of a quote from Warren Buffett, “What the wise do in the beginning, fools do in the end.” Blago is a little late comming to the suck-up table. No matter what he proposes, how he says he will change, or who he compromises with, HIS WORD IS WORTH NOTHING, not even the paper it’s written on. A person’s word is their bond, their promise, their integrity, their reputation. When you have lost that, you will never regain it. Too bad he didn’t think about that when he was signing all of the MOUs and thought there would be no consequences to blowing them off. I refuse to give this man credit for trying to change. I would be really disappointed if any of the leaders fell for this, except Jones, who has lost his “word” as well. I’m sure Blago has seen the poll numbers and is responding as a result. However, his character account is empty and unfortunately for him, it now always will be.
Comment by Litle Egypt Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:17 pm
Unless he has a proposal to be considered, this seems like another political stunt. its no different that ordering special sessions without legislation. If he has a proposal on the table, and wants to invite everyone together to go over it that makes sense. But just demnading a round table is a meaningless stunt. He just want to complain when the inviation is not accepted, or nothing is produced.
Perhpas he can restore Browns wife and restore the money he cut to get things rolling.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:21 pm
Ghost -
I think it has become pretty clear that he prefers the Cross proposal.
Comment by GoBearsss Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:23 pm
The Cross proposal is only half a proposal so far.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:34 pm
Another grandstand by Blago. The people of Illinois are beginning to see him as a do nothing obstructionist. He needs to do something positive to help his image.
Why doesn’t someone sneak into the Guv’s office and steal all the “I” keys from the computer keyboards. That way we wouldn’t hear about his “greatness” for a few days.
Comment by Papa Legba Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:38 pm
Great brief by the government. Ryan’s petition will be denied . . . Fitz has the law and facts in his pocket on this one.
Comment by gulag Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:43 pm
This is just begging for some kind of riff on “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops (the group, not the legislators).
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 3:44 pm
I agree with Ghost. If you really want to “make nice”, then do it privately and over an extended period of time. Don’t do it by public letter. Otherwise it is just another stunt in a long series of failed stunts.
Comment by 2for2 Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:00 pm
Wonder why the Greens waited so long to file? Enough of them file may have several playing spoiler and elect more conservatives.
Comment by Crimefighter Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:03 pm
what about republican presidential candidates? do they not need to file petitions to get on the february 5th ballot?
Comment by bored now Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:17 pm
My advice to “The Honorable Emil Jones, The Honorable Michael Madigan, The Honorable Frank Watson, & The Honorable Tom Cross” is a line from a very famous General, General Ackbar from the Rebel Alliance, “It’s a trap!”
Have a nice day.
Comment by Concerned Voter Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:20 pm
Looks like GRod finally read his poll numbers. He’s probably figuring out he’s going to be a lame duck, and hoping to get a decent job when he’s done. Maybe he can sell real estate?
Comment by 312 Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:22 pm
It doesn’t appear to be making nice when the gov says “I provided the tax payers with an additional $27 million”. I would think the tax payers provided that money. There is still no “we” from the gov.
The point , however, is mute. I am convinced that Madigan has decided that this governor is not worth working with. He will not allow any face saving if he can prevent it. It is override or fair increase-that’s it.
Comment by Garp Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:24 pm
Sorry, I meant “I provided the transit agencies” not the tax payers. Can’t do to many things at once.
Comment by Garp Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:26 pm
Moot.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:32 pm
I thought the $27 million was from the Feds?
Comment by OTL Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:41 pm
I have printed Blagojevich’s letter and placed it under a banner of a flying pig. Good grief…..anyone believe this guy?? Wow, the writers aren’t on strike in his office, and should be!
Comment by Justice Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:43 pm
Yada, Yada, Yada………..
I was wondering when the Greens would show their hand.
Comment by anon38 Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:45 pm
===I thought the $27 million was from the Feds?===
State funds replaced fed funds that were used to fill the hole.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 4:51 pm
I think the proper response to the gov/leader is “You First” if you have any leadership in you at all! Let’s see some compromise from you, gov, then we’ll talk.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:15 pm
How about a compromise, to pay for mass transi we put gambling cars on the trains and put slot machines in the bus stops. Heck since gameing is such a gold egg laying goose we can set fares to 0.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:16 pm
“Dear Legislative Leaders:
I am writing to invite you to a leaders’ meeting in my office in Springfield”. The governor has an office in Springfield????????
Comment by one of the 35 Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:22 pm
I think we should go back to the GRT. Seriously.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:24 pm
Perhaps they should all attend the meeting, then ask him to leave so they can get something accomplished!!!
Comment by ABolt243 Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:24 pm
The greens turning into a real party. This could be interesting.
Comment by FED UP Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:32 pm
The Greens are the biggest unreported story of the election year so far. It seems like nobody talked about how they could now get on ballots with relative ease, and how that will play in the election next fall.
Comment by winco Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 5:58 pm
GRN’s have filed 3 candates in MWRD races.
Comment by Gang Green Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 6:02 pm
And a whole bunch of committeemen.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 6:14 pm
Greens typically file late because Democrats typically challenge Green petitions. The less time the Dems have to look at the petitions, the better. Last time the Democrats challenged petitions at random, even getting Whitney’s own signature dismissed.
Comment by Zeleni Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 6:14 pm
I’ll take the Greens seriously when they start receiving competitive numbers in the polls. Until then though it is fun to watch the dems spend trying to negate their spoiler affect. Go Greens!
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 6:59 pm
Let’s see what happens next.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 7:03 pm
go to his meeting….don’t worry about taking credit……my God get it done.With the exception of his staff, everyone knows he’s incompetent and not trustworthy. Actually his staff knows it too, tough to find another job with Blago as a reference.
Comment by downhereforyears Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 7:30 pm
In the wild, wild 26th with a Madigan-backed incumbent (Jefferies), a Jones backed opponent (Burns) and a Jesse Jr. backed opponent (Johnson) and a few other thrown in for good measure, there was a late addition - “JUNEBUG”. All hail JUNEBUG!!! I hope JUNEBUG becomes viable so we can try and work in as many I’m Gonna Git You Sucka references.
Also “Little Pam” filed against Bob Rita, apparently Little Debbie couldn’t get her petitions finished. I think we need to come up with an all name slate.
Comment by How Much for a Rib? Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 7:46 pm
Also, the return of Robert Shaw to run against David Miller is kind of interesting.
Comment by How Much for a Rib? Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 7:58 pm
Good for the Greens. We need more choices, especially in Illinois.
As in terms of the spoiler factor, the Democrats need to stop whining and institute Instant Runoff Voting. It will pretty much defeat the spoiler argument. Kinda makes you wonder why you don’t see the two major parties pushing for IRV…
Comment by Going, going, gone Green Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 8:18 pm
The Greens filed late because some of them just got back from Burning Man.:-)
As to the Blagojevich open letter to the 4 tops, this was a weak PR effort at best, at worst, he’s delusional and thinks they’re all going to come to his “sit-down” and just roll over for him.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 8:38 pm
Gov. Rod Blagojevich wrote, “But the events of last week made clear there is no consensus among legislators on how to provide a long-term solution to the RTA and CTA.”
What these guys need is an expert in consensus. I am sure that the Illinois Green Party would be happy to provide these folks with a trained facilitator who will sit down as a neutral “third-party” and lead them though a formal consensus process.
Crimerfighter wrote, “Wonder why the Greens waited so long to file? Enough of them file may have several playing spoiler and elect more conservatives.”
You make the false assumption that people who vote for Green candidates would otherwise vote Democratic, and that’s simply not true. Greens energize NEW voters, who would not have otherwise voted; and even in 2006, we saw that Rich Whitney’s vote came nearly equally from Republicans and Democrats. Get educated.
anon38 wrote, “I was wondering when the Greens would show their hand.”
Don’t assume that you’ve yet seen the full hand. Remember, the Green Party can now APPOINT candidates where ever there is a “vacancy in nomination” and that includes cases is which a petition might be successfully challenged.
FED UP wrote, “The greens turning into a real party. This could be interesting.”
We’ve been a real party for quite some time.
winco wrote, “The Greens are the biggest unreported story of the election year so far.”
Thankfully we’ve got principled and fair journalists, like Rich Miller, that do cover us.
Gang Green wrote, “GRN’s have filed 3 candates in MWRD races.”
Say, isn’t that the machine’s patronage contract engine? My goodness, what might become of Deep Tunnel and the Illinois Waterway, if Greens were elected to MWRDGC? Very interesting indeed.
Rich Miller wrote, “And a whole bunch of committeemen.”
You noticed that, huh? I didn’t think that many people would. What you are seeing here is part of the result of work that has been going on in the background since the last election. I can tell you that there is VERY serious precinct organizing going on, and I don’t think that is something that the other parties expect–there will be a Green primary ballot, voter data will be acquired, precincts will be walked, doorbells will be rung, literature will be hung, telephone calls will be made, and people WILL vote Green on election day.
Zeleni wrote, “Greens typically file late because Democrats typically challenge Green petitions.”
That’s true; but remember, this time around a Democratic objection means nothing–the party can simply APPOINT anyone that gets removed as it’s candidate. It’s not like being a new political party, where there is no recourse once you are removed. Basically, they can’t do anything.
Zeleni wrote, “Last time the Democrats challenged petitions at random, even getting Whitney’s own signature dismissed.”
Yeah, that was a bunch of baloney. It’s pretty obvious that something is done in bad faith when you use a checkoff template and object to signature 11 on several pages, when each only contains 10 signatures. I still think that this unsuccessful challenge, which cost the taxpayers more than $800,000, was frivolous; and someone should file a taxpayer suit to recover this objection filed in bad faith. At the very least, the Whitney campaign should file to recover costs before the statute of limitations runs out.
See this story for a similar lawsuit.
A Citizen, “I’ll take the Greens seriously when they start receiving competitive numbers in the polls.”
You’ll have to be more specific. Greens have been receiving competitive number in polls throughout the world for quite some time, including actually winning many elections here in the United States and abroad. The pattern of growth that we are now seeing here in the United States exactly tracks the growth of the party in other countries. We Greens are no strangers to being a newcomer in a resistant and entrenched political system, and we know exactly how these things progress. We have a baseline to determine if things are working well by looking at other countries in which we have started parties–do Democrats and Republicans?
Going, going, gone Green wrote, “As in terms of the spoiler factor, the Democrats need to stop whining and institute Instant Runoff Voting. It will pretty much defeat the spoiler argument. Kinda makes you wonder why you don’t see the two major parties pushing for IRV.”
Double, quadruple, super plus-kudos on this comment. The Democrats have the solution to the so-called “spoiler” problem; but with a Democrat controlled House, Senate, and Governor’s mansion, they refuse to use that solution. I think it’s pretty obvious they WANT to keep the system broken so that they can use this as an excuse to limit their own competition. THIS is why Democrats deserve the blame as spoilers–not Greens.
Hey Republicans, want to win some Green votes? Get out there in front of this issue and start actively pushing for Instant Runoff Voting!
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 9:13 pm
If they don’t come they are probably making a tactical mistake. They could then become viewed as the obstructionists they accuse him of being.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 9:26 pm
Steve, I think we are beyond the time when he can spin the web of Wonder. Even the man on the street reads the editorial opinions or hears about them. He is either incompetent or delusional but regardless of which he is ineffective and a waste of several more years.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 9:45 pm
AC,
you may not be taking into account the fact that the citizenry frequently seems to have a memory of about 24 hours.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 11:12 pm
Sadly, you may have a point. But hopefully someone will remind the sacrificial lambs of where they may be headed.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 11:23 pm
The fact that Blagojevich can write a letter like that bothers me ( I hope Bill doesn’t read this). He truly is a corrupted official that is always trying to sugar coat the real Rod Blagojevich. Now I am not saying that I know the real Rod Blagojevich, but why does he have to act so phony? Why hasn’t anyone brought up the fact that when Fmr. State Streasurer Topinka brought up an expansion of gambling plan he attacked her like a dog. Now all of a sudden an expansion of gambling plan is a good idea especially for the RTA. However I won’t put too much of the blame on the Gov. because the Illinois House should be doing more to work on a bill for the RTA. It’s funny how everyone elects the people from the same party (DEM) and yet they still can’t get along.
Comment by JakeCP Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 11:26 pm
So how long has it been since Fitz said “Pay to Play on Steroids” and had Lisa Madigan turn over her investigation(s) to him? Wow! That’s a pretty interesting level for the “Fix to be In”.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Nov 5, 07 @ 11:32 pm
Footlik!?! That is an odd name. I wonder how many votes he gets due to name recognition.
Comment by Papa Legba Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 1:57 am
Hey is it true the 10 a.m. meeting will be at 3 p.? Words was Madigan and Cross told Blaggo TTFN
Comment by GettingJonesed Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:16 am
Has anyone suggested the possiblity of the governor being effected by multiple personality disorder? He has one personality when he’s campaigning. Another during his first term, another this past year, and now a yet another one to write this letter. Hmmmmm
Comment by PJ Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 9:22 am
Yup
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 6, 07 @ 10:01 am