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* Remember the other day when the Blagojevich administration smeared Rep. Jack Franks by revealing that he had asked for jobs for friends and family back in 2003, when everybody was asked for their lists? The revelation came after Franks issued a letter calling for impeachment proceedings to begin against Blagojevich.
Well, the Associated Press has been trying for years to get the hiring lists submitted to the administration without success. All their FOIA’s were denied because the info was supposed to be private. Naturally, the AP pointed this out in a recent story…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s office has repeatedly refused to disclose the names of people seeking state jobs, citing privacy concerns. But attempting to shame a legislative critic as lawmakers prepared for more state budget work, his staff freely distributed that very information.
Blagojevich aides last week released a 2003 memo from Rep. Jack Franks recommending a dozen people — including his wife, father and brother — for state jobs or commission appointments. Its release came just hours after the Woodstock Democrat said the House should begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.
A day later, in a letter under governor’s office letterhead obtained by The Associated Press, Blagojevich deputy chief of staff Victor Roberson accused Franks of “fraudulent behavior” and trying to “misuse power” by seeking jobs for family and friends. […]
The memo’s release is an abrupt flip for Blagojevich. The Associated Press has submitted at least three requests since 2006 seeking lists of state job candidates from his office. Each has been denied under exemptions in the state Freedom of Information Act, including an exception for releasing records that would “constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
Oops.
Expect Rep. Franks to raise a stink about this, and I can’t fault him for it, either.
* Related…
* Blagojevich draws comparisons with ex-Gov. Dan Walker
* Why nothing ever gets done in Springfield
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 8:53 am
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I suspect the administration’s actions will give legislators of all stripes pause about doing business with the governor. You’re not supposed to reveal what’s going on behind the curtain.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 9:12 am
The lists should have been released long ago. That side it would be interesting if the AP now submitted a new request. it would be hard for them to calim privacy anymore given their actual release. In fact, it could be sanctionable in court if they refused, and tried to defend by representing to the court under oath in the subsequnt FOIA suit this “privacy” reason.
That said, the law has always protected the right of politicians, party leaders ect to submit these kinds of lists on requests. And as I recall, the Gov was solicting these type of recomendations! But I have always said the only criteria that matters to me is qualification. The question is where the people Franks recommended qualified for the positions. If so, then who cares.
Comment by Ghost Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:00 am
Democrats do seem cursed - the only two Democratic governors in the last forty years have been renegades.
Walker did not disgrace the office of Governor. Walker had a lot more on the ball than Blago and was genuinely battling against a Democratic machine - party regulars who hated Walker from the very beginning and were determined to destroy him politically.
Blago seems more like a rebel without a legitimate cause other than his owm self-aggrandizement.
Most politicians elected to higher political office are egomaniacs - some are megalomaiacs. But not many contemporay politicians have been publicly and credibly branded as a “sociopath”. Blago’s achieved a rather unique niche in the Illinois politcal pantheon.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 10:17 am
Leadership requires credibility, something Blago never earned and continually diminishes. It would be refreshing if he could take a principled position in a context where it works against his immediate interest…but that’s not what he’s made of.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:20 am
I am glad it was released. It shows that Franks’ holier act is a farce. He shoul dnot be casting stones. Imagine a millionaire, like Franks, wanting his wealthy family to get jobs or pretigious posts. What a joke.
Comment by DHouser Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 11:57 am
I think someone should be asking about the thousands of dollars worth of lump sum bonuses that were given at IDOT to managers. A 3% Teamster raise in monthly salary compared or a lump sum of $7,000 or $8,000. I think I would have liked a nice lump sum payment.
Comment by Old Timer Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 5:52 pm
Does this mean they can take the case to a judge as proof that they are stalling the FOIA information, so they must release it all?
Comment by Gregor Monday, Jul 14, 08 @ 7:01 pm