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* 2:21 pm - From a letter sent by House Speaker Michael Madigan…
On Monday, December 10, I indicated to you that the House would return to Springfield next week to consider gambling expansion and mass transit legislation. However, in light of certain subsequent developments this week, the legislative process will be better served by holding session on these topics at a later date. Therefore, after having consulted with Leader Cross, next week’s session is cancelled.
The current environment underscores the critical need to create a genuinely independent Illinois Gaming Board. As of yet, only Leader Cross has offered his full support for the gaming regulation and ethics reforms detailed in House Bill 4194. Other legislative leaders and Governor Blagojevich have neither endorsed this proposal nor offered a sensible, equally stringent alternative.
To say the least, this is a puzzling state of affairs. Yet I have hope that there may be a new sense of urgency and appreciation for how important it is that, if we are to join the ranks of major gambling states, we agree to establish a regulatory structure commensurate with such scale and remove any concerns that casino operators, their agents and affiliates might have undue sway over elected officials. Again, to do anything less would be the height of irresponsibility and endanger our ability to improve schools, operate the nation’s second largest transit system and rebuild essential infrastructure that is critical for the state’s future and economic health.
I will continue to do my best to give you as much advance notice as possible when new session days are planned. In the meantime, I would ask that you encourage recalcitrant legislative leaders and the governor to embrace reform so that gambling in this state may operate in a completely above-board manner and without the slightest hint of impropriety, scandal or corruption.
*** 4:07 pm *** This is not unexpected, but a Cook County judge allowed a business coalition to join a lawsuit in that county to stop Gov. Rod Blagojevich from implementing his health insurance plans without an appropriation and despite a ruling by JCAR blocking them. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. The biz groups had been blocked from filing their own lawsuit by a Sangamon County judge, who cited the Cook County lawsuit’s preexistence as his reason.
Statement from Greg Baise and Ron Gidwitz…
“We are very pleased that Judge Epstein has granted our intervention into this important legal case. The judge very clearly recognizes the significance of the case and its potential impact on Illinois taxpayers and the state’s fiscal health. We look forward to a full and fair hearing and the opportunity to have our day in court.”
*** 4:28 pm *** I was told earlier this afternoon to “stand by” for any possible announcements from Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Here’s the press office’s response to Madigan’s letter and a hint of what may be to come…
In response, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich tried to steer focus back to the looming financial deadlines for the transit agencies. “Sadly, it’s not surprising that Speaker Madigan would, at the last minute, cancel a scheduled session to consider a plan to fund the CTA,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in an e-mail to reporters.
She indicated the governor plans to use his powers to order lawmakers back to the Capitol next week regardless.
The problem is that the Senate Democrats have some serious attendance problems for next week.
…From the AP…
A spokeswoman for Governor Rod Blagojevich says the governor plans to call lawmakers back into special session next week and will decide when after talking with other legislative leaders.
Spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in a follow-up e-mail that the governor’s office expects to talk to legislative leaders over the weekend and will be in a better position to talk about timing on Monday.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:21 pm
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Riiiight. Because this all was being held up because of the reform package.
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:25 pm
I love it. And he used “recalcitrant,” which is one of my favorite words.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:25 pm
You get the feeling that Brownie is doing a bit of campaigning today?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:26 pm
You have to admit - this is a very slick move. It keeps the Blago-Kelly story alive, and lays the blame for an agreement not being reached on that issue.
Then everyone forgets Rich’s reports all week that an agreement wasn’t close and nobody was going to show up next week anyway.
Pretty smart move.
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:28 pm
Madagin and Brown, ever the gentlemen and so diplomatic! Well written and directly to the point. Sometimes the right cards just fall into your lap!
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:29 pm
The real problem is that the state needs a lot of money to fix the “structural deficit,” and we do not have the leadership consensus needed to solve this long-term problem.
Casinos do not solve the big budget problems and adding more just allows the issue to be put off for a year or two. Of course, the reforms are a red herring, but so are the casinos.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:31 pm
I had to look recalcitrant up and after re-reading that line I find it hillarious.
Late Latin recalcitrant-, recalcitrans, present participle of recalcitrare to be stubbornly disobedient, from Latin, to kick back, from re- + calcitrare to kick, from calc-, calx heel
Date: 1843
1: obstinately defiant of authority or restraint
2 a: difficult to manage or operate b: not responsive to treatment c: resistant
synonyms see unruly
Comment by Been There Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:36 pm
Heh…wow, “subsequent developments”. That’s tremendous.
I hear George Mitchell is free. Maybe he can broker peace in Illinois. Might be tougher than Northern Ireland was.
Comment by the commuter once known as So Ill Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:38 pm
Hey, I just realized that this means I can stay out late Sunday night.
Sweet.
Unless, of course, the governor calls us in for special session.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:41 pm
“Unless, of course, the governor calls us in for special session.”
Ha! Like that would stop you!
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:49 pm
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:50 pm
In the meantime, the Federal government matching moneys come closer to being unavailable. It is not just taxes we are talking about, we are endangering the Federal grants which are sorely needed.
There not nay not be enough credit to go around but there is damn sure enough blame.
Comment by Truthful James Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:51 pm
Don’t worry about anything, all you lobsters from the gaming industry, the racetracks, schools, transit, all is well. BIG ROD IS BUYING WRIGLEY FIELD!!!!!!!
All will be saved. I hear when the sale is completed Patti Blago will be the listing agent.
Comment by ivoted4judy Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:51 pm
Perhaps there will be a special session Monday to talk Cubs Fukudome funding…
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 2:52 pm
Hey I thought we were still going to call it Wrigley …what’s all the Fuku Dome stuff?
Geez.
I doubt that devil madigan had brown write the letter….he don’t know dem big words….sounds like some hyde parker had a hand in it.
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:01 pm
Brownie and Madigan have certainly earned their supper today! This one of the most polite, genteel forms of gloating I have ever read!
Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:04 pm
I hear Rod is planning on attending the CapFax party. Everybody better be nice!
Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:06 pm
Mitchell unleashed a process in Northern Ireland that led to Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness shaking hands. If he can do that, he can do Illinois.
Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:10 pm
Heck Bill I will by both of you a beer….
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:16 pm
Maybe Rich better move this party-quick.
Comment by Garp Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:20 pm
Do I hear a bomb threat call coming on?
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:29 pm
Dumber - c’mon, you of all people know that Madigan writes all these letters and press releases by himself. Don’t sell him so short!
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:36 pm
As usual, Bill has successfully pulled all your chains.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:39 pm
Maybe Blago won’t be there but he’ll have people writing down plates in the parking lot.
Comment by Garp Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:40 pm
I figured he would show up late and they wouldn’t let him after the curtain went up…
Comment by OneManBlog Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:48 pm
Abby lives close by and there’s been a lobbying effort all week to get her to show up. We’ll see if it worked Sunday.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 3:50 pm
Capt. Fax:
Sounds like the SpinSisters are bobbin’ and weaving around the independent gaming board.
Suprise!
NOT!
Could be Blaggo&HisBuddies are planning a special session next week. Maybe Madigan could hold a Committee of the Whole with DiceK as the lead off witness.
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:05 pm
Hey Dumber - your independent gaming board is funny.
It uses people appointed by the Governor to appoint a panel, who then appoint the gaming board.
Brilliant, I say. Brilliant.
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:11 pm
Hey, when Blago lobs ‘em right over home plate, MMadigan’s got no choice but to hit it out of the park.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:12 pm
I’ve seen politicians have bad weeks but Blago’s week really has to be one for the books. The sad part is he might not realize it.
Comment by Garp Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:19 pm
I was wondering if Gidwitz would had been able to join the Cook County lawsuit…
Comment by Crimefighter Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:26 pm
You know… it is getting closer and closer to Christmas.
We may actually see Zorn’s question of whether a Special Session can be called on Christmas morning become a reality.
That would be awfully prescient of him.
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:31 pm
GoBearsss, that is why I invited my family to my house for Christmas.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:34 pm
Rich, in the spirit of this weeks events surrounding gambling (both the pending legislation and CK’s indictment), can you look into launching some type of Illinois Politics Prediction Market? Your loyal readers, myself included, would love to put our fake money where our mouths are. Check out inkling markets. It’s free and fun, and all the posting prognosticators can have something to show for their accurate predictions.
Comment by Illinois Politics and Gambling Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:36 pm
Sorry, not interested in fake money.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:38 pm
trouble posting on this story today, so let me keep it brief.
Kudos to Rich Miller for being the only one to see this story coming:
Four years after Kelly was put in charge of overseeing a gaming expansion plan (which the governor suddenly and somewhat mysteriously dropped), Blagojevich has once again come out in favor of lots more gambling in Illinois. A Chicago-owned casino is planned, as is at least one new casino in the suburbs or Downstate, plus slots at horse racing facilities.
Doug Dobmeyer, a spokesman for the Task Force to Oppose Gambling in Chicago, says the whole situation should be enough to make legislators think twice before approving this new plan.
‘’It’s a real indication of the problems we’re going to face down the road,'’ Dobmeyer said Thursday.
Amen to that.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:40 pm
There was an inkling market created earlier this year and posted up on Illinoize.
I think the question was - When will this session end?
I think it only included July and August dates, though.
What an optimist…
Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:40 pm
This puts newspapers around the state in a tough spot. They love to hate the Governor, but Casinos spend alot of money advertising in their pages.
Editorial boards seem to have ignored the implication so far, lets see how they handle having Madigan point out the obvious.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:42 pm
You definately want Abby there in case the party’s a disaster she can tell everyone how great it is.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 4:52 pm
You guys want a real money political exchange, you let me know. Me or the guv’s guys. In all seriousness, though, the federal regulators will approve it in the next couple years. Then Rich can write (and more importantly, define) some contracts.
Comment by Greg Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 5:37 pm
Why use fake money? Haven’t you guys heard of futures and options? Right now, one would want to be very short Blago, long Madigan and Fitzgerald, and probably out of the market on Special Sessions.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 5:56 pm
Michelle….now that’s funny!
Comment by Fed Up State Employee Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 6:14 pm
If Blagojevich had Kelly involved in Gaming, how does he ever have the high road in making future gaming appointments and decisions. I know he is not indicted, but hasn’t he lost all of his credibility?
Comment by anon Friday, Dec 14, 07 @ 9:23 pm
I love the fact that personal attacks by Blago are so ridiculous. For example…“Sadly, it’s not surprising that Speaker Madigan would, at the last minute, cancel a scheduled session to consider a plan to fund the CTA,” spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said in an e-mail to reporters.
1) The session wasn’t necessarily about the CTA. He said he would possibly call the CTA bill, but the session meeting was going to mainly focus on gaming.
2) Where the heck is the Senate in all of this? It’s like we all of a sudden have a unicameral legislature. What about the fact that the House has TWICE attempted to pass a CTA package, while Jones has not only failed to even call ONE bill dealing with CTA, but has made it clear that he probably won’t call either because in his opinion the CTA doesn’t need the help.
Comment by NotABlagoFan Saturday, Dec 15, 07 @ 2:13 pm
NABF –
I suspect that Sen. E. Jones has been buried under the problems at his pet charity and job dump, Chicago State University
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Dec 17, 07 @ 11:17 am