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What’s up with the hit pieces?

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Illinois

Jilted applicants for the next round of pot shop licenses called on Cook County leaders Tuesday to probe former pot regulator and current Commissioner Bridget Degnen’s potential ties to the cannabis industry.

Rickey Hendon, a former Democratic state senator and dispensary applicant, said officials should hold a hearing to question whether Degnen is connected to any group that applied or became a finalist for the 75 upcoming dispensary licenses. Degnen, the former deputy director of medical cannabis at the state agency that issues dispensary licenses, pitched herself as an expert last year as she offered paid application help to two individuals tied to a group seeking dispensary licenses, the Sun-Times has learned.

Degnen, who didn’t respond to requests for comment Tuesday, has refused to answer any questions about her alleged work in the industry.

I’ve read both of the stories about this and I just don’t get it.

* And “flooded” with $19,200? Really?…

Companies and individuals involved in the weed business have flooded her campaign coffers with at least $19,200 in donations, according to a Sun-Times analysis.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:21 am

Comments

That is so over the top!

Hendon says this may be “the greatest scandal that ever hit Illinois”. Seriously? Where’s he been?

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:40 am
==Rickey Hendon, a former Democratic state senator and dispensary applicant==

Did his proposed dispensary have the word “Hollywood” anywhere in its name?

Comment by Chatham Resident Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:41 am
Outrage clicks. Everything is a “scandal.” Fits with well-established narratives. (Not that there aren’t real scandals and wrongdoing.)

And, I think that with some reporters, Dan Mihalopoulos springs to mind, there’s a kind of jealousy at other’s perceived good fortune masquerading as solely a concern for morality and ethics. And, a political agenda disguised as just seeking the truth.

Jealousy is a tug we all feel, if we are being honest. It can be resisted - with effort.

And, some journalists want to shape events, not just chronicle them. Which, also isn’t necessarily always bad.

Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:42 am
So someone with expertise in a field where there is currently limited expertise, offers to share that expertise for money. I see nothing to suggest there is any wrongdoing of any kind. Nothing suggests Degnen improperly influenced anyone.

Comment by Sooo Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:48 am
Journalists don’t help the profession when they make these kinds of claims.

Comment by waste of time Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:52 am
This has been going on for a while. When someone gets a “no” they typically react by attacking someone. It is never about their performance or lack of qualification and always about some personal issue on the part of the other party. It is tiresome.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:52 am
I would look for someone who wants to get back a Degnen.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 10:57 am
BREAKING NEWS: person with some expertise and experience tried to get some consulting work using her expertise and experience.

Comment by SaulGoodman Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:08 am
This story fits in under the theme of “insiders play by a different set of rules than everybody else.” But only if you don’t think Rickey is an insider (he is).

The revolving door thing combined with the elected official-as-lobbyist are a little extra sizzle. Sour grapes? Yes. Steak? Not much.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:08 am
“”The greatest scandal that ever hit in Illinois”"
well maybe the greatest that ever hit in his own pocketbook.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:33 am
“Outrage clicks. Everything is a ’scandal.’ Fits with well-established narratives.”

I agree to a degree…

This kind of story serves the financial needs of the paper/channel/network.

I don’t believe that consideration is the sole determining factor of what is presented as news — or even a dominant factor in the legitimate press — but it undoubtedly makes a difference on the margins.

tl;dr- one is more likely to try to sell something that looks like the type of thing that sells.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:46 am
===tl;dr- one is more likely to try to sell something that looks like the type of thing that sells.===

Or even more succinct: Yellow journalists gonna yellow journal.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 11:49 am
For anyone who wants to read a real story:

https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/dispensary-guilt?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email_news&utm_campaign=100720_us_wed

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:15 pm
Seen this?

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/illinois-governor-to-pardon-more-people-for-marijuana-in-the-coming-months/

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:31 pm
Ricky has a radio show on a station I often listen to when driving.

Sound and fury signifying nothing

Would be a great motto for him.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:39 pm
Degnen had insider knowledge of the application process. She seems to have gained that insider knowledge after leaving state government.

The insinuation is that one of her former colleagues or someone else within state government was providing her with insider info.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:39 pm
=== Yellow journalists gonna yellow. ===

If Shuba is guilty of papering up public figures, he is certainly not the worst offender.

On the bright side, Degnen’e phone is probably ringing off the hook with new clients. Bad publicity is still publicity.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 12:43 pm
===Degnen had insider knowledge of the application process. She seems to have gained that insider knowledge after leaving state government.===

The application criteria and process was statutorily defined from the beginning, everyone was working with the same set of information, state even hired a neutral 3rd party to grade these things. Sounds like Hendon is sour after not putting together a competitive application that met the aforementioned criteria, Schuba is also sour after getting snubbed by Degnen in public after asking for a comment on what is looking like a non-story.

Comment by Cannabis Professional Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:28 pm
===application criteria and process was statutorily defined from the beginning===

This is correct. With the proper background knowledge of government and a close reading of the statute, it’s pretty easy to figure out what the application will look like.

But, you know, that wouldn’t be a salacious story.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 1:29 pm
Degnen is allowed to sell her services as a cannabis consultant as county commissioner is a part-time job. She has a deep background and expertise as a former regulator, and that is valuable. Her problem is that she ran as a typical north side reformer: no outside income, work full-time, focus on process, etc. This isn’t a great look. I’m sure it’ll be disclosed if she has an ownership interest in a group after licenses are released, and she will have to declare consulting income on ethics disclosure.

I will say there would be more outrage if Degnen was a BIPOC. That’s the world we live in.

Comment by North Side Reformer Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 2:35 pm
–Cannabis Professional —
Schuba might be mad that Degnen snubbed him, but that just means he is going to keep digging. Degnen should give an interview to a more friendly reporter, clear things up, and everyone can move on.

Comment by North Side Reformer Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 3:13 pm
Rickey Hendon is … Ricky Hendon.
Totally sui generis.

Comment by Titan Wednesday, Oct 7, 20 @ 4:44 pm