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Sun-Times catches up

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I wrote in the Capitol Fax last week (I think it was last week, may have been two weeks ago) that Mayor Daley’s comment about abandoning his pursuit of a Chicago casino was way overplayed by the Chicago media. His lobbyists, I reported, are still working on it and will also oppose any casino expansion that doesn’t include a site for Chicago.

Buried way down at the end of a Sun-Times article today about CTA funding was this little nugget:

Earlier this month, Daley said he couldn’t care less whether Gov. Blagojevich approves a land-based, government-owned casino in downtown Chicago. The mayor said he has only two funding priorities for the spring session: CTA and schools.

He’s now saying “people are working on it” in Springfield, but both requests are “still in a state of flux. It’s not there yet, whether it’s transportation, education or the [state] budget.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 22, 05 @ 7:48 am

Comments

It’s interesting that this item is not generating comments from the peanut gallery. Rich, you and the Tribune editorial board were correct in quickly condemning the Governor’s misplaced criticism of the Mayor’s Springfield lobbying team. However, for quite some time, the Mayor’s attitude toward Springfield can be described as malignant neglect. He hates the place. (Take, for example, Rep. McKeon’s foolish disclosure of a private conversation with the Mayor in which the Mayor, according to McKeon, wonders why anyone in his right mind would serve in the General Assembly.) As a result, some old Springfield hands believe that this is the weakest any mayor has ever been with members in both chambers, as their leaders humor the Mayor and his minions. Without a change in his approach, whatever lobbying activity you discern may be moot. The Speaker and the Senate President, as they have for the last several sessions, will find a way to help the CTA and the Board of Education–on their terms, with or without a Chicago casino.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 22, 05 @ 4:07 pm
Kruesi should be replaced

Victor Reyes should have never been on the board

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 22, 05 @ 8:48 pm
Did you see Reyes’ daughter got a nice paying job promoting the I Save Rx program? Not that it has anything to do with the money contributed to the Gov, of course. She got it, a position that never existed before, on merit alone…….

Too bad the casino expansion really won’t do the state any good.

Trying to understand the relationship or lack thereof, between Daley, Blago, and everyone else could really hurt the brain. The only real truth is “everything is in a state of flux and it’s not there yet.” Beginning to doubt it ever will be there.

Comment by Tessa Saturday, Apr 23, 05 @ 6:56 am
That should have read niece not daughter. Oops. And $60,000 says the Sun Times.

Comment by Tessa Saturday, Apr 23, 05 @ 7:18 am
If Governor Blagojevich says that he is “not business as usual” and is about “reform” and “there is no room” for people like Dominic Longo
THAN HOW COULD THERE BE ROOM IN STATE GOVERNMENT FOR VICTOR REYES????

He has been the biggest sleazy insider conflict of interest lawyer around.
ANGELO TORRES THE GANGBANGER IN CHARGE OF THE HIRED TRUCKS PROGRAM USED TO DRIVE HIM AROUND.

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Apr 23, 05 @ 12:02 pm
The Governor is not associated with HDO and is not that close to Victor Reyes.

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Apr 23, 05 @ 6:49 pm
it is amazing anyone keeps that arrogant incompetent Frank Kruesi around

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Apr 23, 05 @ 6:49 pm
Check out this new site, www.SaveChicagoTransit.com. Seems like there might actually be something to the CTA’s whining.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 05 @ 9:21 am
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 2, 05 @ 4:23 pm