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* Rep. Jack Franks’ call for an impeachment investigation yesterday was more than a little breathless and over the top, but the administration had an absolutely ridiculous response…
But the Blagojevich administration responded with a 2003 memo that Franks sent to a personnel official listing a dozen people he’d like to see get state jobs or be appointed to state boards and commissions.
The list includes family and key players within the McHenry County Democratic Party.
“This memo shows, two months into the administration, he (Franks) was playing the politics of insider baseball - the hypocrisy to go out and talk about impeachment,” said Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero.
* The governor’s office was requesting hiring lists from Democrats back then. Franks sent in his list. Pretty simple. And how did it go for him?
Franks said three of the 12 were appointed to posts or got a job, including his father, who was named to an unpaid post on the Illinois Courts Commission. Franks’ father is the former president of the Illinois State Bar Association and Rep. Franks said he’s “eminently qualified.”
* Guerrero was right on top of that Jack Franks investigation. Too bad the administration has such trouble managing non-payback items such as following the law….
The Illinois Department of Corrections missed a deadline Wednesday to outline its plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center.
The agency, which has threatened to close the maximum-security facility and move 1,600 inmates to a new, unused prison in Thomson, asked a legislative panel for a two-week extension to compile the report.
It wasn’t clear Wednesday whether lawmakers would go along with the delay, which the department blamed on the state’s lingering budget impasse.
Let’s see, they have enough staff to pull Franks’ files, but not enough to outline a plan to close a prison that was announced months ago? Priorities, people. Priorities.
* Meanwhile, the press office is confused again…
The Blagojevich administration, not known for straight answers, is at it again.
It seemed like a simple question — if the Illinois Department of Transportation’s division of traffic safety moves to Harrisburg as proposed, how many division employees will still be based in Springfield?
But a couple of people who speak for the state gave what seemed to be less-than-complete answers Wednesday.
Bernie asked whether management would be transferred with the staff. We were told weeks ago that management would stay in Springfield, but now nobody’s all that sure.
Typical.
* Related…
* New Effort To Impeach Blagojevich
* Legislative special session sparks call for study to impeach Blagojevich
* Shimkus opposed to moving IDOT jobs from Springfield
* Commission gets info on IDOT move — won’t release it yet
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:14 am
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Blagojevich’s priorities are quite clear, aren’t they?
Politics first, governing second - or third - or fourth - or fifth, depending on anything else which comes before governing for this governor.
Or is it that Blagojevich isn’t surprised by calls for an impeachment committee, but surprised by being asked regarding what he previously promised to do in office? What does that tell you about his priorities?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:20 am
Paraphrasing: ‘Priorities, people. Priorities.’ actually seems closer to ‘Incompetence, people. Incompetence.’ ?
Comment by ol' timer Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:24 am
The inability for this administration to
‘block and tackle’ are become legendary.
You know it might be a good idea to govern once in a while and not just plan the ‘next big thing’.
Also looking forward to seeing the doc on the IDOT move, hope we can get it as a pdf.
Comment by OneManBlog Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:25 am
It will be interesting to see what is left out of the IDOT move. Data Line cost, phone cost, Mail cost and Mail and Messinger (Fuel) Cost are going to be a LOT higher that if they simply move all the staff into the Handly building in Springfield.
Also, don’t forget to supply the staff with Hip waders so they can get to work when the Levee breaks again. If you have not seen the picture of the building during the flood in the spring, it is PRICELESS.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:35 am
==”It’s refreshing he admits he’s trying to put his family on the payroll,” Guerrero said==
Every Dem legislator had such a list prepared and sent to the governor’s office…do you remember the excitement among them after Rod won? It was ‘party time, Italian style’.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:41 am
The legislators might just as well study the option of impeachment, since a good number of them are planning to tell Gov. Sleazy to go take a hike by skipping the festivities in Springfield next week. I suspect there will still be a quorum to call the meeting of the Illinois House to order, but should only 75 of the 118 Representatives show up, it would only take 19 of those who are there to vote “No” or “Present” on a final vote to deep-six any of Rod’s screwy schemes.
Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:42 am
Anyone in the private sector that had a job performance like this Governor would be on the unemployment line and should be. Time for that to happen here.
Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:43 am
If every legislator indeed sent in such a memo, the impeachment proceedings should be interesting if the administration decides to start going public with them. Oh, I’m sure all the recommendations are on the up and up.
Comment by Frank Booth Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:49 am
I would love to see those lists, then cross-reference them against campaign donations to see who scored. It would be interesting to see which legislators had a better track record than Franks’ 25% at landing the plum….even counting unpaid posts.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:54 am
Not till November, I bet.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:57 am
I mean impeachment committee.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:58 am
Let see, the First Ammendemnt completly protects Franks (and other politicians) right to submit names for positions.
However nothing protects the Governor from demanding contrators, prospective contractors, potential employees and others hadn him or his campaign money in exchange for jobs.
So gov; engaged in Illegal activity responds by saying, but look at this lawful thing franbks did?
Franks is right /shudder, its time to impeach.
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:59 am
Blago’s new spokesman,Guerrero is nothing but a “hack”. He is the same guy that was Assessor Houlihan’s spokesperson until Houlihan approached his “good friend Blago” to hire Guerrero.
This cozy relation between Blago and Houlihan is further proof that people tend to associate with their equals. Both Blago and Houlihan are like “two peas in a pod”. Blago is screwing the States residents while Houlihan is screwing the Cook County homeowners. It is time to impeach them!
Comment by MOON Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:59 am
After 20 plus years out the governor’s mansion we should have anticipated a few fumbles at the begining of the Blago administration. When you’re on your second term as the chief executive these rookie mistakes like not responding to legislative commitees should not happen. Blago and crew have demonstrated that they are incapable of governance. Impeachment based on a general lack of competance should proceed.
Comment by Leave a light on George Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:02 am
Does MJM really want to impeach a Democratic Governor during the time HE is the Chairman of the State Dems? Would this not be a black mark on him?
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:07 am
===He is the same guy that was Assessor Houlihan’s spokesperson until Houlihan approached his “good friend Blago” to hire Guerrero===
I wouldn’t assume, if I were you, that Jimmy was all that thrilled with his guy going to the guv’s office.
Also, tone it down a bit. Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:13 am
RICH
I know for a fact that Houlihan was the one who recommended Guerrero for the job!
I will follow your suggestion and “tone it down a bit”; but the facts are the facts!
Comment by MOON Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:17 am
He may have recommended him, but he wasn’t thrilled.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:18 am
Jeez Moon, can’t you Madigan people get along with anyone?
Seems like the foot and mouth disease runs through that entire office.
Comment by GoBearsss Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 10:28 am
When “regular” state employees travel they charge their expenses and wait the customary 3+ months to be reimbursed for their travel expenses.
RodBlo should have to secure his flights on a credit card, just like every other state employee, and wait for reimbursement.
You’re elected by the people Rod, try living like them for a while.
Comment by divotman Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 11:28 am
Moon: OK what if he is a “hack”. The gov is also taken to task for hiring members of the media as spokespersons. Just who do want to do act a spokesperson the night manager at mental health treatment center?
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 11:38 am
Has Shimkus ever done one thing that deserves recognition or re-election?
Comment by Chanson Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 11:57 am
GIVE ME……….
I will take the night manager…..at least you will get a truthful answer; and in fact some of the answera have the possibility of being correct.
Comment by MOON Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 12:08 pm
Chanson,
Let me help you out a bit. I have an edit on that statement.
“Has Rod ever done one thing that deserves recognition or re-election?” If he passed the capital bill through, it would indeed be the first. Sure Shimkus doesn’t have a good record, but the last I checked, he didn’t have the Feds breathing down his neck.
Comment by iPhone Thursday, Jul 3, 08 @ 9:07 pm
Franks top 3 qualified candidates for jobs or influencial positions were members of his immediate family? He shouldn’t be casting stones. Too bad he didn’t find qualified people who were facing hard times or rising stars that needed a little help.
Comment by Dorian Gray Friday, Jul 4, 08 @ 10:09 am