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* Quite a few of the year-end editorials and columns demanded that legislators finally start getting along in the new year. I wasn’t so positive in my syndicated column…
I was on a TV show the other day and the host asked me what I thought could be done to bring the Democratic leaders of this state back from “the brink of the abyss.”
Too late, I said. We’re already in the abyss, and we’ve been there for a while.
But maybe…
Illinois has forever been a “can-do” state, so it’s difficult for many to believe that all hope is lost. “Something” can always be done. So, why not here?
I was thinking about that very question when former Gov. Jim Thompson phoned.
Thompson had called to bust my chops about something I had written on a proposal that he helped pass in Springfield. We merrily traded insults back and forth, never taking anything personally. I whacked him but good on his goofy idea to have the state buy Wrigley Field and lease it back to whomever buys the Chicago Cubs. He upbraided me for allowing my hatred of all things “Cub” to undermine my judgment. We laughed and had a good ol’ time, hurling insults at each other in the spirit of the holidays.
And then it hit me.
Thompson was one of the most can-do governors we’ve ever had. Love him or hate him, he got things done. During his final re-election campaign, after 10 years in office, he was endorsed by both the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois AFL-CIO. He has a knack for bringing people together, and he can charm the fangs off a rattlesnake.
Big Jim’s law firm represents Blagojevich’s campaign fund, so he has a relationship there. Thompson also chats regularly with Speaker Madigan and Senate President Jones. Both men still have respect for the old man.
So, I asked Thompson if he could do something about our immovable object meets irresistible force dilemma.
Apparently, I wasn’t the first to make this suggestion, and Thompson didn’t come out and say he’d do it, but he did seem intrigued.
But I couldn’t possibly end the column on an “up” note…
Then again, I’m not sure that a hundred Jim Thompsons could solve this intractable problem. But, hey, it’s the holiday season. I’m allowed a little hope.
If you live in Springfield and read the Illinois Times, you didn’t see that last graf. That’s unfortunate because it never pays to be an optimist in Springfield these days.
* Meanwhile, House GOP Leader Tom Cross was interviewed by the Daily Herald during the break…
A. It’s got to the point where we can’t get everybody in the room. Nobody’s willing to sit down together or there are certain folks who won’t sit together. And when they do, the animosity quickly appears. The sad thing is we’ve covered a lot of ground on capital and mass transit and the ingredients are there to get it done. But it’s pretty hard to close it when you’re not in a room together … close the deal.
Q. Do you see an end to this?
A. No. I really don’t. I see this going on for the next couple years. I don’t see the will on those who are fighting to stop. And it’s gotten to a point where it doesn’t even seem to be about policy, it’s more about personality. I think that’s unfortunate because I think everyone loses.”
Q. A construction deal, do you not see one in the near future?
A. I’m going to continue to remain the optimist in all of this. But I think the observation is it’s just difficult to have any finality to this. Everybody says they want to do one. We have narrowed the issues to just a few, but it’s a matter of whether people are in a mood to and willing to work out differences that still exist.
* More gridlock stuff, compiled by Paul…
* Editorial: Hope for progress in the year ahead
* Sun-Times Editorial: Not too late to do it in 2008
* Editorial: Results are what counts
* Schoenburg: Can’t we all just get along at statehouse in 2008?
* Lawmakers finally hope to resolve transit crisis
* Another possible CTA doomsday looms
* GOP leaders see little hope in 2008
* Editorial: Some unique resolutions
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 10:46 am
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Setting up for CTA press conference at JRTC now.
Comment by Ahem Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 10:49 am
“Hopless”? As in no beer? That really is a downer.
Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 10:52 am
when it has come down to personalities, instead of the issues, it is time to recall them. it is that simple. if they want to act like children, let’s get them the heck out of there. period. and don’t counter with the “special interests” will be able to get people recalled whenever they want to argument. please. when the situation has deteriorated to this point we must demand accountability from the goof balls supposedly elected to lead us and make the tough decisions. so let us DEMAND the children “take their ball and go home”
Comment by b-dogg Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:01 am
Blagojevich has managed to peeve off just about everyone in his own party as well as most Republicans. He lost the trust of the people, because somehow we just don’t trust those who break promises. He will likely be hiding most of the year because of the increasing heat brought down on him by the many indictments of those who were close to him, wondering rightfully so if they will give him up to shorten their own potential time in prison. He needs to resign in order for things to move forward. Jim-a-knees, his office is still making idiotic appointments of inept and unqualified directors, the latest being at the IHPA of Jennifer Tirey. And we expect change? Ain’t happening! Gambling is not the answer, cutting spending is, starting with the governor. On a nicer note….Happy New Year!
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:06 am
Good article, but I think you missed a critical problem with brining everyone together, TRUST. Jones went back on his word on the budget deal, and Blago has gone back on his word on many a deal legislators thought they had struck with him. At the end of the day, how can your reach a “deal” or compromise with blago or jones when their word is worth no more then used toilet paper?
Madigan worked to reach a compromise with Jones back on the budget; only Jones did not feal constrained to comply with the deal. As they say, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
So how does Madigan strike a deal with Blago/Jones when yah can’t trust the word of either? I think this is the real heart of the issue. To call it egos is an oversimplification. At the end of the day a meeting between leaders is only useful if the leaders are trustworthy. Since neither the gov or Jones can be trusted, what point is their to obtaining more empty promises. We are frozen upside in the Ice of Hell, Blago/Jones keeps promising to stop beating its wings and freezing us in the ice, but never fullfils its word, leaving us entombed in the ice blago/jones has created.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:12 am
===Good article, but I think you missed a critical problem with brining everyone together, TRUST.===
True, but I only get 750 words (less, apparently, in the IT) and can’t cover every angle.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:32 am
Can someone point out which deal Madigan should strike?
— A Hollywood Hendon gambling scam which gets all hands mucho trips to Dearborn street…
— a poorly conceived GRT …
— a poorly thoughtout health care scam….
— RTA funding which digs bigger whole in state deficit…..
—All of the above….
Seems like Madigan staying the course might be best for IL and Chicago in ‘08. Let the pundits talk to the hand for 12 months.
BTW the Score on Blaggodiots Public Appearences during the holidays appears to be zero —- that was my over/under, so I win the new Jag rag top.
Happy New Year
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:40 am
I’m inclined to agree with Dumber. It seems to me that Madigan of the Three Dems is the only one whose priority is to achieve some sort of rational compromises. There were a number of instances in the past when he compromised with both Thompson and Edgar after long standoffs.
“Getting along” for the sake of getting along serves no purpose. The question to me is, what are the endgames of Blago and Jones? What can Blago possibly win now after frittering away any perceptions of competence or even concern.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:48 am
Justice, 31-year old Tirey has been something of a bad joke among the pros at IHPA ever since she was appointed to the Lincoln museum at an astronomical salary. The most cynical in Springfield have predicted that she would take over as IHPA director ever since rumors began to circulate that the position was about to open up. There is much talk of closing various historic sites due to lack of funding and for this sort of work the governor perhaps wants one of his “own” in charge. This touches on what seems to me to be a serious gridlock issue that seems to be getting little press: State government is dying. Springfield is buzzing over talk of historic site closings, more massive layoffs at agencies repeatedly targetted by the governor such as IDNR, of agencies such as CDB having no funds left to pay construction contractors, of state owned facilities unable to pay utilities, of case-workers at DCFS who have not received reimbursement checks for travel and per diem expenses since last August, etc., etc. Even if by some miracle the leaders cut some sort of deal to solve the Chicago transit problem and get some construction bonding in place, the everyday functions of State government will continue to disintegrate in this environment, and it will take many years to rebuild.
Comment by Skirmisher Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:55 am
Rich, is the special session still on for today or did Elvis Himselvis come to his senses and realize half of the GA would be flying back today from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena or from skiing in Colorado or sunning on the beach in the Bahamas? And is Elvis, himself, even in the Midwest?
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:59 am
Perhaps we should have added
—-Blaggo/Houli permanent tax giveaway for $1 million homes….
— Kilowatt Clayborn utility giveaway
— ATT’s first consumer rip-off….
The list will get longer. Just let CaptFax know which swindle Madigan should accept so everyone can stop the hand wringing about getting along
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:01 pm
===Seems like Madigan staying the course might be best for IL===
Staying the course? Is that what obstructionism is called nowadays?
Madigan staying the course is what got Illinois $45 billion in unfunded pension debt.
Madigan staying the course is what got Illinois to be 49th in the nation for the state’s contribution to k-12 education.
Madigan staying the course is what got Illinois a ten year utility rate freeze followed by skyrocketing bills, followed by the infamous downstate electric bailout.
Madigan’s ‘08 budget is woefully unbalanced and the state will have run out of money by late Feb..That sure did stay stay the course!
It is about time that members of the Legislature begin to vote for bills that benefit their constituents rather than their respective “leaders”. Why should a guy from a small, insignificant district that most Illinois citizens don’t get to vote for or against be allowed, year after year, to hold up the progress our state should be making? Nobody voted for Madigan to run this state.
The Speaker should learn to compromise and accept some of the Senate initiatives that have also been supported by the Governor.
Transit bill? Health care? education funding reform? Property tax relief? capital?
Take your pick! The time is now.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:04 pm
In the debit column, let’s not forget the $48 billion the state reportedly owes for state retiree health care per early estimates. New accounting regs will require a more precise accounting and plan for meeting these expenses shortly. And this may be on the low side, given that medical expenses in general are always going up.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:05 pm
====True, but I only get 750 words (less, apparently, in the IT) and can’t cover every angle.===
Just use verbs and nouns
treat conjunctions as implied.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:05 pm
Yeah, that’ll just encourage the IT to edit me even further. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:08 pm
BILL
Your latest posting not only shows your bias, but also your lack of knowlege and understanding. Your “list” doesn’t even consider that these actions were voted on by both the house and senate, but were also signed by the Gov.!
It’s time for Bill to ingest a “Truth Serum”.
Comment by MOON Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:30 pm
Skirmisher, I notice your mention of the CDB. Heard from a reliable source that the director there was to take over the IHPA slot but the person replacing her was at IDOT and his brother had millions of dollars in contracts with the state. They caught this potential embarrassment at the last minute and held off on the appointment of the IHPA director. They ‘temporarily’ put one of their own in and she will appoint from a bimbo or bimbob list. As to layoffs, yes there is a plan in place for significant layoffs. And yes again to the fact that none will be people like Tirey, who simply wouldn’t be missed. We think ‘Overtime in Hell’ was a sad highlight of 2007, I’m afraid we’re in for a ‘Giant slide into layoff hell’ in 2008.
Comment by Justice Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:41 pm
i think the nerve gas has gotten Mr. Bill…he forgot to blame Madigan for the lack of ethics…forcing the Blaggodiots to appoint Stu Levine…help Wyma find a condo and making Hanah Montana tickets so hard to get
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 12:43 pm
I agree with Ghost that trust is the big issue here. Notice Ghost’s reference to Dante’s Inferno, in which the deepest part of hell is (literally) frozen over… and is reserved for persons guilty of particularly egregious (hope I spelled that right) treachery against those to whom they owed special loyalty — family, country, guests, hosts or benefactors.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:03 pm
I wondered if I was being to vague with that reference, glad yah liked it
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:15 pm
Layoffs are coming - this fiscal year.
Comment by Leave a light on George Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:16 pm
Please don’t give my friend Bill truth serum. He is our best window to truth as to what the guv is up to and how he “thinks”!
Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:18 pm
Bill tries to pin everything on Madigan and also claim that Madigan is nothing when it comes to being a leader. Nonsense. If everything IS his fault, then how can he NOT be a leader, Bill? Your logic - isn’t. Being called an obstructionist is what losers call leaders who do not follow.
We only have ONE governor. The Office is supposed to be held by an adult that overlooks partisan bickering and takes the hits when things go wrong. Citizens always give a governor many breaks when tough decisions make few happy. Like a parental figure, a governor is recognized by voters as the one in charge - “the big guy”. That doesn’t describe Rod Blagojevich, does it?
After five years, we don’t see a governor like this except in press briefings justifying new taxes or social programs. Instead of a governor who unites, Blagojevich has intentionally divided Illinois right down to his own political party. Instead of showing up for work, Blagojevich has publically demonstrated his dismissal of work. We have a governor who boasted of being a “C” student, and seems to love being played as a victim who rises above challenges. So he makes everything a challenge - the greater the challenge, the better he looks when he “wins”. The problem is that this is NO WAY to run a government. We didn’t elect Blagojevich to turn everything into a crisis.
Governors set the tone of an administration. This tone defines how subordinates relate to one another, and mirror priorities. This tone is contagious within an administration. An optimistic as governor will bring a “can-do” spirit throughout an administration and government. A governor who ignors laws and secretly deals will end up with guys like Rezko and Kelly crafting and influencing state policy.
Blagojevich sets the tone for his administration. This tone had created an administration that is ill-informed and careless, amateur and boastful. This tone shows contempt for legislators and civil servants. This tone shows contempt for Springfield and state government. This tone shows contempt for traditions and importantly, shows contempt for any level of personal trust. This is the tone for his administration, so nothing is getting done.
I read once that as a boxer, Blagojevich didn’t do very well because he didn’t want to take any risks to his face. This kind of person shouldn’t have ran for governor. Governors are supposed to be punched, kicked and slandered, but be big enough to rise above the daily knock-down. Had Blagojevich looked at the governorship as more than a political stepping stone in his White House wetdreams, he would have recognized the facial costs of being a governor, and the uselessness of sucker punching until the clock runs out.
Madigan has been around decades. This hasn’t happened before while he was in office. Logic dictates that he is not the problem. What changed is the guy in the governor’s office and the tone of his administration. Rod Blagojevich is our governor. That is why we are in the Abyss, businesses are scrambling away from Illinois, and we are risking everything like Chris Kelly at Las Vegas.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:35 pm
This is probably not going to be the year to increase taxes on the citizenry. Many are predicting at least a mild recession including an increase in unemployment. The housing market is unlikely to recover significantly until the fall, if then. Oil is up over $100 a barrel, at least partly due to increased demand from developing countries, which is unlikely to slacken much. So we’ll feel it at the pumps and in our airline ticket prices. Food prices are higher.
With all this going on, it doesn’t seem like a good time to raise taxes on the middle class, which pays the bills in this state.
So, just in case, those math and management wizards in the guv’s office and other state agencies should get out the budgets and their calculators and try to figure out how to do more with less. Just in case. Even if you have to put off hiring a few friends and relatives that somebody sent.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:40 pm
It’s an election year, but some of our tax hikes have come during recessions.
When the economy is roaring we’re told that tax hikes would kill the expansion. When it’s in recession, we hear that tax hikes will make things worse.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 1:43 pm
Tee Hee —- Look at the story AP is running. They do not mention that my “hostages” will keep the gas tax diversion bill from passing…
“(AP) — Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he still favors a proposal that would shift state gasoline sales tax money to help Chicago’s mass transit systems.
Blagojevich held a news conference Wednesday in Chicago before a special session that’s supposed to start Wednesday evening in Springfield.
The governor called lawmakers back to Springfield to once again take up the transit funding issue.
The governor wants legislators to pass a long-term funding plan for mass transit before a Jan. 20 deadline.
That’s when the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace say they’ll have to increase fares, lay off workers and cut service if no permanent funding solution is reached……”
v
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 2:12 pm
Subject: San Francisco should not buy Sequoia
CALIFORNIA: I would like to make this statement before San Francisco County meets to discuss the purchase of Sequoia Voting Systems equipment. This meeting is to be held December 5th 2007.
My Name is Gerard Gonzalez, Visalia CA.
I worked as a WinEDS support, training and prelate expert working in many states.
My opinion is that San Francisco CA and every other State and County should not purchase WinEDS Election Management software because of non disclosure of a critical piece of software used by the Vendor and misleading statements in contracts when describing the functionality of WinEDS Election Management software.
The reason is all instruction manuals seem to describe the election creation process as a simple and quick process using only the WinEDS Election Management software.
The contracts do not mention Sequoia’s need to use a (tool) which imports the basic ballot data (text, contests, and candidates). But also at the same time processes all other calculations necessary to create a DRE image of a paper ballot. This software used by Sequoia (the tool) does not work and has never been certified or disclosed to the public. Major changes where made to the code of this software (the tool) after the completion of the databases for the Primary 2006 elections. These changes affected every database in every state for the General 2006 elections. What this means is Sequoia completed work for counties and delivered data with major errors. Sequoia then had to make changes to correct theses errors and reinstall data over and over again before beginning the 2006 General Elections. We also replaced final sets of data without the customer knowing of our actions. The prior sets of data had major errors.
The situation I’m describing, could have been a disaster in many states.
My experience is with the state of NV. All Counties in NV had to reinstall data and prelate (setup) their machines as many as three times before the data was correct in order to begin the General 2006 Elections in that State.
I would like to speak more in detail as to what type of errors would have occurred because of this uncertified piece of software used by Sequoia. Sequoia also sells this product (the tool) to counties that produce their ballots in house.
I feel since this (tool) is sold openly to Counties, that we would have the right to review the source code and it no longer would be considered a secret proprietary piece of property.
-Gerard Gonzalez
Visalia CA
Comment by Are our elections fair and accurate? Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 2:18 pm
VanMan, you have just proven exactly why you should have been “Blogger of the Year”. You make more sense than the rest of us put together. Keep up the good writing. I’m looking forward to reading your postings in ‘08.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 2:24 pm
Could someone arouse Bill from the nerve gas injection and explain what the heck Blaggodiot meant by this…
….CHICAGO (AP) - Governor Rod Blagojevich is dismissing questions about a federal corruption probe as “tangential,” saying it isn’t relevant to the people of Illinois.
Blagojevich made his comments during an afternoon news conference where he tried (and apparently failed) to keep the attention on mass transit funding and off a federal corruption probe that’s moved closer to him.
A court document claims Blagojevich boasted to a key witness about awarding contracts and other work to boost campaign fundraising.
Blagojevich, however, said no such conversation took place……”
Comment by DumberThanYouThink Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 2:47 pm
“Illinois has forever been a “can-do” state…”
Now, THERE’s an idea, Rich. New State slogan.
ILLINOIS: THE CAN’T-DO STATE !
AND WE’RE PROUD OF IT !
Comment by Ah Haaaa. Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 3:18 pm
The voters of Illinois, and not the governor, will ultimately decide which questions are tangental and which are relevant. This is just one more thing Balgojevich does not understand.
Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 4:49 pm
Huh…? They’re gonna bail out mass transit in Chicago and shut down downstate historic sites w/layoffs? I’ve just about had enough of this nonsense! Time for a tea party.
Comment by Downstater A Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 5:33 pm
For someone who boasts about getting C’s in school, Elvis Himselvis is using pretty adult words - TANGENTIAL (divergent, digressive, touching lightly, incidental). Find another word Elvis (or better yet, press people). This one doesn’t fit.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 6:21 pm
Justice - what state agencies are planning lay offs? Tell me, what do you know?
Comment by Herself Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 7:01 pm
Moon–12:30 p.m. I love your post especially your comment, “It’s about time for Bill to ingest a truth serum”.” That is hilarious!!! Happy New Year Rich and to all.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 7:53 pm
Bill, you defend the Governor well, even though sometimes with tongue in cheek. I do too when I feel he is being unfairly or dishonestly attacked, just as I defend Frank Watson, or Debbie Halversen, or other Rs or Ds in similar situations. I applaud what you do.
But, to move from defending your guy to criticizing someone else (in this case, Madigan) as the evil Rasputin, the obstructionist, is beneath you. I think you, like most of us, see what’s going on here. It has long since stopped being funny (though it is fascinating). There’s plenty of blame to go around, as is the case most of the time. Putting the jacket on Madigan is intellectually dishonest. There are four leaders and a governor. each elected by his fellow citizens or peers. They all will have to be thyere when this is finally solved, and I suspect they will be.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 10:05 pm
It is difficult to believe that there can be no compromise. People need to have faith that elected officials, can put personal enmities aside, and do the peoples business. It is sad, that in this state, that is naive.
Comment by Loyal Whig Wednesday, Jan 2, 08 @ 11:06 pm
Steve,
Your right, as usual. There is enough blame to go around. At this point all parties should be at the table working out solutions. I’m very disappointed in our elected leaders on both sides of the aisle but, in particular, Democrats who blew a golden opportunity to change the way this state does business and address the priorities that the citizens of Illinois need to have addressed. The Governor is treated pretty poorly here while the Speaker is treated as some sort of saviour (check out Dumber’s comment that I was responding to). There are more than two sides to this story. It is not all Rod’s “fault.” Ask any female citizen who can now, for the first time, afford to have a mammogram.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 3, 08 @ 8:05 am