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* I’m pretty sure that this Sneed item is on the money…

Sneed hears rumbles that Gov. Blagojevich, whose administration has been beset by a phalanx of federal probes, still owes the law firm of Winston & Strawn big bucks.

• • The buckshot: Word is that the law firm’s partners are none too pleased. Last January, it was reported Blago’s campaign had paid the law firm $1.1 million — but he still owed the firm $1 million. “I’m told it’s now bigger than that,” said a source.

Warning to all potential Blagojevich campaign contributors: Your cash is going straight to Winston & Strawn.

* But, as with some Blagojevich contributors, some people just never learn…

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said Gov. Rod Blagojevich mentioned Lincoln Estates, formerly the Lincoln Developmental Center for the developmentally disabled, about eight times during a Senate Republican caucus a few weeks ago.

“The governor admitted that he had not lived up to his commitment to me,” Bomke said, referring to a promise Blagojevich made that the facility would be reopened.

Shortly after he was elected, the governor promised Bomke, in writing, that he would reopen the state-run LDC if Bomke voted for a pension-funding bill. Bomke kept his end of the bargain; Blagojevich has not.

Blagojevich also promised to reopen LDC — one of Logan County’s largest employers — during his initial campaign for governor less than six months after the facility closed in 2002.

That governor’s renewed interest in the matter could be significant, Bomke said.

So, the guv admitted he lied and now Bomke believes him? I’m sure that’ll work out fine.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:31 am

Comments

rich, which potential gov candidate asked you for the bold disclaimer to blagojevich donors? Or did you do it out of a sense of responsibility to protect the money of wealthy donors who like the governor? I cant wait to hear your rationalization as to why this is justified.

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:36 am
LOL. You’re wrong on both counts. Kindly remove tinfoil hat.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:39 am
Well, if Blago (and Emil — can’t forget about Emil) gets his payraise, then that’ll help a little bit.

What happened to this guy’s multi-million dollar warchest? I remember several years ago that Blago had millions and millions and millions of dollars — and raising money like crazy.

So that’s all gone?

Comment by Macbeth Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:39 am
As I said yesterday, Cross and the other Repubs who think they have a budget deal with blago, and they they will see the fund released to other repub counties need a massive relaity check. If the repubs turst blago to both negotiate and keep his word on a budget deal and capital plan the repub party is in worse shape then I ever imagined.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:42 am
Rich

Not related to this post topic, but I feel obliged to say this somewhere. Thanks again for the phenomenal Capital Fax publications and blog updates throughout session and the end of session this year. I ripped on you slightly tongue in cheek last Friday, but seriously great job and thanks for keeping us all current and in the know.

Great job to the interns too.

Okay, enough niceness for one day. I must now go back to writing about how much of a liar the Governor is.

Comment by Napoleon has left the building Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:42 am
rich, you’re getting as good as the governor at not answering the question.

so when will you be announcing your plans to run for public office? before you do, I have one important question: will you live inthe mansion, or will you snub the people of illinois as this governor has?

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:43 am
Gov: Larry — hey, hi — you know maybe we can do something with that LDC thing. All I need is your vote on cancelling state worker pensions. Can I count on your vote Larry?
Bomke: You had me at “hey, hi.” And again at “LDC”

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:45 am
I would never run for governor. But if I ever change my mind I promise you that I wouldn’t live in the mansion. Never. I’d move back to Chicago just to get the goat of people like yourself. Heck, I might move to Wisconsin.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:46 am
Wisconsin = great boating.

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:48 am
Now why would Winston & Strawn object to Blago owing a big bill? They already represented one IL governor as a pro bono charity case , why don’t they want to do it a second time?

If they really want to avoid this problem, W&S should set up a prepaid legal plan for Illinois office holders. That way, the money’s in the bank and the office holder knows they have representation when indicted.

Comment by South Side Mike Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:51 am
After this much time, would it not be worse for the people that moved out of the LDC to be moved back in, it disrupts their lives once again.

Bomke needs to GIVE UP on the LDC and concentrate on stopping the IDOT move to So. Illinois. Make a deal with the Gov on that Larry it affects more people than the LDC.

You should know better than to believe anything that comes out of this Governor’s mouth and his administration.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:53 am
===Now why would Winston & Strawn object to Blago owing a big bill? ===

Because the firm is under new management. And the new guys were the ones who complained the loudest about the Ryan freebie.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:55 am
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 9:55 am:

=== Because the firm is under new management. And the new guys were the ones who complained the loudest about the Ryan freebie. ===

So is it conceivable that Big Jim may be moving to some other Chicago firm?

Comment by tubbfan Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:06 am
He says one thing and he does another. Yeah no wonder no one trusts him down there.

Comment by Levois Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:06 am
===So is it conceivable that Big Jim may be moving to some other Chicago firm?===

No. He retired as chairman. He’ll be at WS forever.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:10 am
You are right on the money with regard to W&S partners being upset about money being owed to the firm. It was one thing when it was a GOP Gov with close/close ties to the Firm’s leadership and quite another when it is our current Gov. Mark my words, there is no doubt - none whatsoever - that the Governor will switch law firms shortly. He does not have the money to continue using W&S (few do) and they rarely continue doing work when they are owed a substantial amount of money. Lastly, W&S has always been known as a GOP firm. I am sure the Gov has few fans there.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:14 am
I would think that some of the ‘renewed interest’ in LDC by Blagojevich to Bomke also has something to do with trying to get Bomke off his back about the TS move.

Comment by Princeville Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:20 am
All of Springfield is taking bets as to whether or not Blago can roll Bomke a second time over LDC.

Comment by Skirmisher Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:24 am
Skirmisher,
Has he only rolled him once? (First pension bond deal).
I was thinking he’d rolled him at least twice on LDC and/or state layoffs

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:46 am
It is going to get worse for the partners at W&S!!!!! within a few months the G will indict the campaign committee, freeze whatever assets are there. This will mean that Rod, Patti, and others will have to pay for their own legal bills. WATCH THE SINGING begin then!!

Comment by ivoted4judy Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:54 am
The Governor’s future fundraising is likely to be seriously constrained. Consequently, he may not have the means to fund a “no hold barred/fight to the bitter end” legal defense ala George Ryan. This makes the Agnew scenario, suggested by Tom Roeser (linked in yeaterday’s blog), plausible. On the positive side, notwithstanding the family estrangement,I think Dick Mell will rescue his daughter and grandkids financially, but maybe not his ingrate son-in-law

Comment by Captain America Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:59 am
A quote from the SJ-R story: “There is no money in the budget beyond (maintenance funding) right now,” Bomke said. “Unless the governor adds it.”

Now how does the Governor ADD money to the budget? He can accept or reduce, but there is no “addition veto” that I am aware of.

Comment by anon Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 11:28 am
I hope and pray that every legislator who is now hearing “I’m sorry” from Blago will remember those words are just lip service to get support for the Capital bill. A Capital bill CANNOT ever become law, money CANNOT be appropriated for this as long as Blago is governor. He will spend the money the way he wants, he will award contracts to whom he wants, he will take campaign money in exchange for contributions, he will snub his nose at whatever rules the GA puts into this bill, HE WILL DO HIS OWN THING. And shame on each and every legislator who falls for this BS. Yes, this state needs a lot of infrastructure work, roads, bridges, sewers, schools, etc. So are we going to give Blago a blank check? This is someone who has no trust, cannot keep his word, will not abide by written Memorandums of Understanding, nor will he adhere to his constitutional obligations. No, not now, not until after 2010 when he is not re-elected, or perhaps slightly before when he resigns (yeah, like that’s gonna happen).

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:20 pm
I wish I could feel sorry for W&S. They were probably laughing all the way to the bank when they were being paid. The joke is on them now. So how does it feel Former Governor Thompson to be treated like the rest of us taxpayers?

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:21 pm
Okay, Michelle, I am corrected. Maybe the bet is “How many more times can Bomke be had on LDC?” He needs to install caller ID and not answer the phone when it shows a Chicago area code.

Comment by Skirmisher Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:24 pm
I don’t want Senator Bomke to appear resigned to his powerless political position, but he needs to find a better answer for a public that sees his powerlessness and wonders how he could include Rod Blagojevich as a solution to anything.

“Although we have tried to work in good faith with Blagojevich, we cannot depend on him to fulfill his promises. So I and my staff are exploring other ways to bring about the reopening of Lincoln Estates.”

(This will work at least for now.)

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:24 pm
The cartoon: Blago with football, dressed like Lucy Van Pelt. Bomke, or any legislator, dressed as Charlie Brown, about to try yet again to run up to the ball and kick it.

Comment by Gregor Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:30 pm
Now how does the Governor ADD money to the budget? He can accept or reduce, but there is no “addition veto” that I am aware of.

Well it seems he sure tried it with that Healthcare trick last year!

Comment by Kevin Highland Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:40 pm
Hasn’t Bomke ever heard “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.” If he gets fooled three times, then it should be Bomke’s time to go.

Comment by Chanson Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 12:51 pm
Don’t forget that WS was also payed approximately $2 million in state funds to defend the state in wrongful dismissal suits from terminated employees early on in the Blagojevich administration. The exact total will probably ever be known for certain.

Comment by One of the 35 Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 1:20 pm
Ok, so this is border line criminal if not actually criminal. Anybody that does believe that we should move to immediately impeach the current governor of Illinois is not living and participating in life!

Comment by I-R-B Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 2:13 pm
When the Gov. makes a promise to a legislator, I think: “When monkey fly out of my…whatever”

The Gov. thinks he does have the power to add things. So why pass any bills with money in them? Budget or capital, the gov will slice what he wants, move the money to other programs and the districts of his “friends,” and it will all end up in court. We should probably just turn the budget and Capital bills over to the Judicial Branch and let everyone who wants money sue for it.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 4:02 pm
I like Bomke as a person (he is my rep) but he strikes me as a little too cherry at times. For someone that has been around as long as he has he is a little too trusting at times.

Most people here KNEW the governor was lying through his teeth on the LDC / Lincoln Estates deal. He never had any intention of going through with it and it seemed the Bomke was the only person in Logan County who didn’t see it coming. This was particularly surprising considering the shafting that George Ryan handed to the county a few years back. Rod to my mind is cut from the same sheet of cloth - he just not as good at being crooked as big George was.

Comment by NRA Endowment Life Member Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 4:40 pm
All of this is precisely why we don’t want a Con Con while this fool is in office. He will change the IL Constitution into an insane playground.

Comment by Disgusted Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 10:14 pm