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* Sanity is starting to rear its head as a legislator who stood with Gov. Blagojevich at NIU when he made the announcement about knocking down Cole Hall backs away…
A $40 million plan to demolish and replace the Northern Illinois University building that was the scene of last month’s massacre is “off the table,” a GOP lawmaker said Monday.
But a campus official said the plan remains an option that will be discussed among “university family” along with other ideas for Cole Hall. And Gov. Blagojevich, who first announced the plan, will follow NIU’s lead, his office said.
The Republican legislator, Sen. Bradley Burzynski of Downstate Clare, whose district covers NIU, said he does not favor knocking down the building after being inundated by voters who universally believe it would cost too much and who criticized Blagojevich for bursting out of the gates to announce the plan amid great fanfare.
“I’d say this has generated more mail, e-mail and phone calls in my office than any other local issue has in 18 years that I’ve been in Springfield,” Burzynski said.
“It’s off the table for now,” he said.
* The Rockford Register Star broke this story, and here’s its take…
Burzynski said that after he got over the excitement of the governor’s announcement at NIU, he decided the plan for the state to borrow $40 million on behalf of the university was not fiscally prudent.
“Everyone got caught up in the governor’s announcement and willingness to try to help the university,” Burzynski said.
NIU officials did not respond Monday to requests for comment. And Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch would not say whether Blagojevich remained committed to the plan.
“We stand by President Peters and the NIU community and will continue to support their decisions on how best to move forward,” she said in a statement.
1) Propose something big without consulting key legislators
2) Get lots of press coverage
3) Legislators hear from unhappy constituents
4) Legislators tell legislative leaders that they can’t be with the program
5) Proposal falls apart
6) Attack legislators
7) Find a new press pop opportunity and repeat
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 5:25 am
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Previous Post: Never a dull moment
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Clare, IL is downstate? That line keeps getting moved farther north, next thing you know it will be the WI-IL border.
Comment by Chillimon Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 8:46 am
I would guess that NIU has a Master Plan that outlines capital improvements and projects and prioritizes them. That is what should be followed.
The Gov.’s method of leadership by press conference is not the way to run a state.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 9:03 am
Blagojevich is deperate to best Schwarznegger. Blagojevich is frustrated that Arnold gets a 12 page feature in ‘Esquire’ magazine while Blagojevich is relegated to a Dick Mell hatchet-job in ‘Chicago’ magazine.
I remember back in his first term when Blagojevich crowed how he could do what he wanted since he was the most popular governor in the nation.
How the mighty have fallen.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 9:11 am
Sanity prevails, at least for the time being
Comment by Bruno Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 9:48 am
Great instructions Rich on how to govern Rod Blagojevich.
Funny how the Sun-Times calls Burzynski a “downstater” yet his district has NIU in it ? Great job Sun-Times, those job cuts haven’t impacted your quality at all !
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 9:58 am
I’m proud of the thoughtful citizens of my town, my university and my state for injecting rationality and dignity into this situation. And here’s to The Northern Star, year after year, a fearless check to power.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 10:02 am
Napoleon, I guess it depends on how you define “downstate.” Does it mean “ANY part of Illinois not in the Chicago metropolitan area,” or does it apply only to areas SOUTH of the Chicago metro area? This might make a good QOTD
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 10:05 am
Could the governor have made another political blunder here?
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 10:36 am
When I first heard the plan I thought, hmm, that sounds a bit extreme. On the other hand, I thought, perhaps they had been planning on replacing it anyway with a newer, bigger building. I mean, if that was in the works, now would probably be a good time.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 10:49 am
Am I missing something here? The earlier reports described this as NIU’s plan and request to the Gov, to which he agreed, and now it’s his plan? Most of the commenters appear to be under that impression. Which is true?
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 11:55 am
Steve, you know better than to look for the truth in Illinois government, especially this Illinois government. What was true a week ago may no longer be true today, yesterday or tomorrow. We may never know who called whom to suggest what when barring a federal investigation.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 12:59 pm