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Recall roundup and what to watch

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Illinois

* As you already know, the Senate is expected to vote today on the proposed constitutional amendment providing for recall of state and local officials and judges. Here’s a roundup of news and a few things to watch…

On Wednesday night, Blagojevich’s press office released a letter from the AFL-CIO that urges lawmakers to oppose the proposed recall amendment.

I tried calling an AFL-CIO official last night, but didn’t get a response. Labor’s opposition could give a few Democrats some political cover, but it won’t help much if this thing passes and those Democrats have to face a potential recall attempt of their own.

Read the letter by clicking here.

* I’m kinda suprised that the governor’s 11th Hour release of millions of dollars in state funds for 4-H and other programs wasn’t connected to the recall issue by reporters, but there’s little doubt that it was…

Illinois’ soil and water conservation districts, along with University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service offices, apparently will get the millions of dollars they need to stay open through June 30. […]

“The Senate president (Emil Jones of Chicago) came on the floor today and told us we could go ahead and start making notification of our soil and water districts and extension offices,” Demuzio said.

* As if the pressure wasn’t intense enough, what with voter anger over Rod Blagojevich and Todd Stroger (two very likely and immediate targets of any potential recall efforts), the Compensation Review Board recommended yesterday that legislators and statewide officials get another big pay raise…

Fresh off a hefty pay increase last year, state legislators are in line for another raise — and they’ll have the final say this time on whether they and other top officials get the extra cash.

Under a recommendation from the state’s Compensation Review Board, lawmakers would see their base salary jump by more than $7,000 — to nearly $73,000 a year — by next summer. Pay for legislative leaders would top more than $100,000.

* Zorn thinks recall is unlikely to pass by Sunday, and has another prediction…

But even if that proposal makes it through both chambers before a Sunday deadline—unlikely, for reasons that would infuriate you if I had room to go into detail—and even if voters OK the idea, and even if they then vote to oust Blagojevich, the fastest anyone thinks that could happen would be about 15 months.

* Related…

* Impeachment dust kicked up by recall talk

* Madigan says House could work weekend on recall

* House Lawmakers Could Face Long Weekend on Recall Measure

* Pat Quinn puts principle over self-preservation in backing new recall bill

* Capital deal could be months from completion: “Most believe nothing is going to happen until the veto session,” said Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, on Wednesday.

* Lawmakers in line for another pay raise

* Illinois legislators may get another raise

* Public defender: Stroger gave me unqualified workers

* Palatine Mayor: Secession From County Is Possible

* Stroger: Secede if you want to, but it’s ‘not really practical’

* Palatine residents attend gathering despite Stroger’s decision not to go

* In Todd Stroger’s absence, Palatine talks of absenting itself from Cook County

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:32 am

Comments

I can only hope that the House and Senate will have enough common sense to NOT accept the pay raises. With the current state of our State and finacial crisis State Government is in, to not do so is just absolutely irresponsible.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:40 am
Rod and Emil will be to busy dealing with self-preservation this weekend and making calls to abandon the recall.

Comment by Guaranteed! Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:49 am
I’ll say it again, we ought to be pushing for impeachment.

This recall circus is a cop-out on the part of the Legislature. They ought to step up and do take their responsibility seriously.

Begin the impeachment process.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 9:57 am
No Ethics, Recall, Impeachment!
Trust In Rod & Emil

Comment by New Illinois Bumper Sticker Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 10:11 am
Take a look at what Illinois has suffered through over these past several years and wonder how anyone could believe that giving governments more of our money and more responsibilities over our daily life choices is a good idea.

How could these people complain about greedy businesses, and trust greedy politicians?

How could they put their faith in bureaucracies that over-spend, over-regulate, and mismanage the money we give them without any accountability?

How could anyone believe that something as individualistic as one’s personal health care could be handled by any organization as incompetent as this government?

How could anyone in their right mind believe that a government solution is the right solution?

How could anyone believe that the problems we face regarding government failures is due to a lack of money?

It has taken years of useless screaming by legislators, businesses and voters to finally get this General Assembly to discuss getting rid of Rod Blagojevich.

It has taken years of federal investigations, indictments, trials, and a failed ‘reform’ governor to get this General Assembly to discuss meaningful ethics reform.

Yet they still do not get the message. They still set themselves up for a raise! They cannot pass a budget, they cannot pass effective legislation, but they believe they’ve earned more?

Politics is the art of doing what is possible with all the stakeholders participating in issues and solutions. Politics isn’t wants killing Illinois.

It is politicians. They twist every issue to their advantage, regardless of the cost. They promise changes, regardless of the cost. They support corrupt and broken bureaucracies, regardless of the cost. Politicians are more focused on politicizing and trying to find the lowest common denominator to wiggle under, instead of trying to find solutions.

Illinois. Look at what we’ve been through! Pass the recall, pass the ethics reform, pay the bills, fire the idiots - get this state back on track! You people have not earned your salaries! We would be better off allowing random selections of Illinoians from phone books and empowering them to run this state, than you fools.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 10:17 am
According to the AP story in our local paper, the Compensation Review Board ’said the cost-of-living increases were especially needed because every year they are skipped amounts to a pay cut for officials, resulting in a “significant drop in earning power.”‘ Ah, duh. Don’t all the community based human service providers, education services, medical providers, and other groups getting significant funding through the state have the very same issue? Where are their scheduled increases? Most of them have seen no increases for 3-4 years while the state pays itself.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 10:34 am
Two scenarios, based on absolutely no insight:

1. Structured Dem/GOP vote where they protect as many members as they can and take the raises.

2. Everyone goes all fiscally responsible and righteous and they strongly reject them.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 11:44 am
They will take the money. They will not pass a recall bill. Neither reps or dems have any ethics.

Comment by Chanson Thursday, May 1, 08 @ 12:50 pm