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State essentially paralyzed

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Illinois

* This is the sort of thing that happens when you have a governor under siege…

Illinois regulators are moving forward with plans to select a suburban location for a new casino as soon as Tuesday even as Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces federal corruption charges for trying to sell numerous government perks and resources for personal gain, prosecutors say.

That greatly concerns good government groups, who stepped forward Thursday to call on the Illinois Gaming Board to put off the decision.

“To say that faith in state government is at an all-time low right now is an understatement,” said Jay Stewart, director of the Better Government Association. “We have no idea what else (federal investigators) know. Let’s wait and find out.”

The Chicago Crime Commission, which has raised red flags about the continued inclusion of a Rosemont-based casino bid, agrees, calling it a “controversy waiting to happen.”

“We need to stop, slow down, pause and think this through,” commission Chairman J.R. Davis said.

* Every decision will be questioned…

The state made its case Thursday night to close two state health care centers in Tinley Park, citing what it said were irreversible and systemic problems. […]

Tuesday’s public corruption charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich cast further skepticism among residents that his motives for closing the centers were based on the valuable land the centers sit on at 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue.

“We can’t trust anything that he’s done,” said Dennis Melas, whose brother John has lived at Howe for 24 years. “How can we be sure that he did not sell the land Howe sits on for a sizeable campaign donation?”

* And there’s a full-court press to undo everything he’s done lately…

The charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich paint a picture of a man who saw personal, political and economic opportunity in initiatives that crossed his desk and used some of them to help or hurt those in his path.

People in towns like Pontiac say they aren’t surprised. They’ve long believed the governor is using a plan to close a local prison and take away 570 jobs as a big stick to batter local political opponents. Now many who believe Blagojevich foisted unpopular, sometimes painful initiatives on them see the charges as a chance to undo some of the harm.

Much of their hope rests on the prospect that Blagojevich will leave office - on his own or otherwise - and be replaced by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. On Thursday, Quinn said he was willing to listen to people’s concerns, and, in at least one case, promised he’d undo the work of the governor, reopening state parks and historic sites closed last month in budget cuts.

“Any of those decisions, somewhat controversial, I think ought to be reviewed,” he told reporters. “Our state parks,” he said, “are precious. They should be reopened promptly.”

The Blagojevich initiatives include the closure of seven state parks and 11 historic sites, as well as a plan to move a state transportation office out of Springfield to the southern Illinois town of Harrison.

* Hopes are high…

Central Illinois lawmakers are optimistic about Pontiac Correctional Center’s chances for survival if Gov. Rod Blagojevich resigns or is impeached.

* And there is some worry from regions that benefitted from his largesse…

The Governor has repeatedly said the final decision regarding moving IDOT’s Traffic Safety Division from Springfield to Harrisburg is his. Even after a bi-partisan panel reccommended against the move the Governor held firm. B

ut some Springfield lawmakers are saying in light of the latest news about the Governor, the re-location should be put on hold. Immediately after the announcement Springfield Senator Larry Bomke called for the Governor’s impeachment, saying the decision was political. Now he’s calling for the move to be put to a halt. Leaving some uncertainty in our region.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:29 pm

Comments

Too funny not to share. From Nate Beeler of the Washington Examiner:

http://media.baltimoreexaminer.com/images/081211beelertoon.jpg

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:40 pm
Any word on now many employees have fled the exec branch this week? Is the Gov’s office fully staffed, half-staffed? What’s the status?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:42 pm
It could take a long time before any damage done can be repaired. Wow!

Comment by Levois Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:46 pm
If every contract needs to be halted and audited, and every move questioned over the past 6 years, we might be gridlocked for 2 years just sorting out the mess.

The timidity of those around him, and those he worked with, to help stop the snowball from rolling down the hill, will prove to have as least as big an impact as the gov’s actions themselves.

Even our squeaky clean Lite Gov, who may be promoted within the next week, doesn’t get a pass.

In 2006, when questions arose about Blagojevich’s daughter getting a $1,500 check from a family friend whose wife got a state job, Quinn said he saw nothing wrong with it.

“He’s always been a person who’s honest and one of integrity,” Quinn told reporters then. “I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time.”

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=257363

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:47 pm
I knew this would happen even without the events from this week. From 2004, it was clear to all that Blagojevich’s decisions were not guided by sound judgement. I had repeatedly said that the next governor will have to redo almost everything Blagojevich did while in office, if it is feasible.

When Ryan left, he left as a competent crook. We knew he was personally corrupt, yet didn’t doubt a lot of his daily actions concerning caretaking.

Blagojevich is a completely different situation. His inability to govern was obvious from the get-go. Those of us during his first year graded him on a curve since we usually do that. But by 2005, it was clear that this governor had no interest in his job, it’s normal duties and responsibilities. His decisions were ad hoc, mean spirited, vindicative and often stupid. Now we can just add tainted to the list of reasons his executive decisions should be reviewed entirely.

What a huge mess! And we have economic distress at the same time! Lord, we will need a whole lot of work to be done before we can hope to catch up to where we were in 2002. If we could, that is.

We’re out of credit. Out of time. With a General Assembly afraid of it’s own shadow.

And the GOP?! They knew this day was coming - so what are they doing? They are just as incompetent as the Democrats are bloated and corrupt.

Our entire state has a government culture of inaction and sleaze. We would be better off throwing all of them out from under the Capital dome and starting over appointing legislators at random.

Yes, we are in very deep!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:48 pm
Keep traffic safety fire stout

Comment by Anon again Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:48 pm
Still asking has anyone seen Slick Willie Quinlan?
Or he is still meeting with folks at the Dirksen Bldg?

Maybe the Pontiac folks should offered to make Blagoof the King of Livingston County with a dowery of $500K or so. Could have saved the prision. Looks like an opportunity missed to me. Cheap at twice the price.

Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:48 pm
I am sure there will be numerous attempts to examine all of the decisions he made, in an attempt to either “undo” or try to identify ulterior political motives. It would seem to be a full employment initiative for investigative journalists, political junkies, and potential book writers. The name of Blagojevich may become as well known as Lincoln, but on opposite ends of the spectrum of political morality.

Comment by Blogger2 Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:50 pm
And one more thing…
Imagine if we voted to have a constitutional convention! This week’s events would let us take a more mature look at how much power is concentrated within the few hands in Illinois.

We wouldn’t be paralyzed if we hadn’t turn the governor’s office into a kingdom. Thanks Dawn Netch, Edgar and you geezers who ham-handedly blew our chance to make necessary changes!

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:51 pm
Trib. and Sun-Times are reporting that attorneys for George Ryan will issue a public apology from Ryan at 5 p.m. Is this just part of the campaign to win him a pardon or commutation, or have they been informed that this is a pre-requisite to getting one?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:51 pm
George Ryan to have a press conference today: Former GOP Gov. George Ryan — who is seeking to be released from prison by President Bush — will issue a public apology for his criminal behavior while in office during a press conference set for 5 p.m.

Comment by Its Just Me Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:52 pm
Another possible fallout: a $20 million collection of priceless Lincoln memorabilia is NOT coming to the Lincoln Presidential Museum after all, but staying in Indiana.

I cannot help but wonder if this decision was made out of a sense that the state of Illinois cannot be trusted with or does not deserve these artifacts… not only in light of the most recent unpleasantness, but also because of the severe cutbacks to historic sites and the Historic Preservation Agency.

Comment by Secret Square Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:52 pm
Wow. Where could this line of inquiry end? Might as well extend it to campaign donations to all the state legislators too? What public policies suck? Who voted for them? And which campaign contributors influenced those votes?

But, by all means, we should put a new light on all of Blago’s decisions.

Comment by vole Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:53 pm
Any clue who is nominally in charge? I’ve heard it’s either DG Dean Martinez (on job for 10 days), DG Louanner Peters (aka Senate Candidate 4) or the CMS Director?

Where’s John Filan when you need him!

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:53 pm
George Ryan to issue an apology? No doubt calculated due to the taint that Gov Blago put on his pardon/commutation request by endorsing it last week.

He needs to rot.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:55 pm
This legal system and just plain logical thinking has as many holes in it as swiss cheese.

VM you took the words right out of my mouth.

Comment by Boscobud Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:00 pm
The gov’s decisions over the last 6 years were not guided by finance alone, but tempered with spite. Spite and hatred for those who dared to question his very questionable decisions. If a legislator showed any objections or went against the gov’s wishes their constituency suffered the consequences. Remember when he wanted to shutter Vandalia? With John Filan, henchman extraordinaire at his side, along with a cadre of North of I-80 sycophants, this man has from the start shown his open disdain for state workers, tax payers and the law. I just don’t understand why the legislature and others with the power to stand up to him did NOT do so LONG before now. It seems like many saw this train wreck coming, but were afraid to pull the emergency brake.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:01 pm
By the way, it’s not Ryan having the press conference (because he’s in prison, of course) but Big Jim Thompson, who will be reading Ryan’s statement.

Comment by Secret Square Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:01 pm
Sweet Polly, I predict that if the governor does resign, he will do it on a weekend, if for no other reason than to deny state employees another chance to do their happy dances and high-fives at the office (like they did on Tuesday).

Comment by Secret Square Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:03 pm
To Anonymous - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 3:53 pm: –That was a joke, right?

Comment by HearMeRoar Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:08 pm
I guess George is still paying his legal bills with Winston and Strawn. Poor Rod, what a time to run out of money to pay your big time lawyers. His financial picture must be in dire straits for a law firm full of sharks like W&S to drop you like a hot potato. Must really be gaulling to the gov to see BIG JIM still standing at the side of George Ryan.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:08 pm
Regarding the Ryan apology - Nothing like a news item at 5 PM on Friday to light up the news wires. This is “news burial” time.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:09 pm
Secret Square - I can honestly say that my agency was the happiest I have seen it in 6 years. Although we did have a few Blagoites go to our Secretary’s office to report names of people they felt were a little to HAPPY about the arrest. And yes, I agree the if the gov resigns it will either be at 2:30 on a Friday afternoon - the gov’s favorite time to fire “enemies” of the regime or on a weekend - This would allow him to basically bypass a news cycle.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:13 pm
Secret Square - Indiana’s decision to retain the Lincoln items may also stem from the Blago administration’s last choice of curator of the A.L. Museum. I would most definitely hesitate to send my priceless artifacts to a museum that would not even do enough homework to find out their choice had a bad habit of accumulating items in a less than legal manner.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:16 pm
He may hang around long enough to fire a raft of celebrators first. Wouldn’t that be interesting…

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:18 pm
The Illinois Gaming Board, headed by former Rep. and Judge Aaron Jaffe, was purposely created far from political pressures to keep it pure and least subject to influence. It is probably the cleanest part of all of state government right now. So let it go ahead with its decisionmaking, and then put some of its staff into the new Quinn Administration front office if the new Gov is looking for honorable, quality public servants.

Comment by Capitol View Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:20 pm
Link to over 40 Blago Toons from around the country and counting. Enjoy. The “Nimrod” one brings out the adolescent boy in everyone. I’ll keep updating the toons until Blago surrenders. It could be awhile.

He might be channeling Churchill right now: I shall fight them in the courts, I shall fight them in the media, I shall fight them in Ravenswood Manor, I shall NEVER surrender.

Then take away his hair care products and he will surrender.

Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:21 pm
>Where’s John Filan when you need him!

Funny you should ask. He’s probably in his IFA office, trying to match up exactly what he knew about the Wrigley deal with exactly when he knew it.

For the moment, he’s still a couple degrees of separation from the heart of this, but my guess is he wants to stay out of the spotlight for a bit. Jesse Jackson had a bit of distance from it all just two days ago.

Comment by earnest Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:25 pm
Regarding things that need to be examined, how about examining all of Blago’s political hires. Or maybe all the people hired since Blago won his first Guber election. Oh, forget it. Just fire anyone hire by this administration. It would save a lot of time and money.

Comment by Big Mama T Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:34 pm
Who is running the State of Illinois? My guess is it is the same people that were running it before Mr. Fitzgerald gave every state employee the best Christmas present they could have ever hoped for. The movers and shakers in Corrections have been huddled up since Tuesday, but the real workers were doing hand stands since Fitz started tearing the machine down.

Comment by Southern Illinois Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:59 pm
Quinn isn’t even in office and he’s already doing the “political thing” rather than the “right thing”. Pontiac is a 134 year old prision while Thomson is a brand new $160 million hard shelled prison that is much safer for guards and inmates alike.

Comment by Huntingwithaswitch Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:01 pm
Big Mama T: That is not what a new Gov needs to do to make us think he is a breath of fresh air, that sounds like something Blago would do. I do know of some hard working qualified people who were hired by this administration. How about a new gov ask for their resumes, see who is qualified for their current jobs, then get rid of the dead wood.

Comment by Not A Good Start Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:08 pm
{The charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich paint a picture of a man who saw personal, political and economic opportunity in initiatives that crossed his desk and used some of them to help or hurt those in his path.}

Co-inky Dink?

HB1918 94th General Assembly
5/26/2006 House Public Act 94-0804

Restores to current law the provisions concerning the Horse Racing Equity Fund. Instead places the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund language from the engrossed bill in a new Section of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 and adds a provision repealing the Section 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Provides that, for a period of 2 years beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the specified owners licensees must make the 3% payment into the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund. After the 2-year period, the current provisions requiring certain owners to pay 15% adjusted gross receipts will apply (moneys that will go into the Horse Racing Equity Fund). Restores a provision concerning appropriation of moneys from the General Revenue Fund to the Education Assistance Fund in an amount equal to the amount paid into the Horse Racing Equity Fund in the prior calendar year. Replaces the severability clause with an inseverability clause.

Associates Racing Association Inc.
819 So. Wabash Suiite 600
Chicago, IL 60605
$40,000.00
6/27/2006
Friends of Blagojevich

Balmoral Racing Club Inc.
24435 S Dixie Hwy
Crete, IL 60417-4313
$10,000.00
6/27/2006
Friends of Blagojevich

Egyptian Trotting Association Inc.
PO Box 308
Maywood, IL 60153-0308
$20,000.00
6/27/2006
Friends of Blagojevich

Maywood Park Trotting Association
8600 West North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160-0308
$10,000.00
6/27/2006
Friends of Blagojevich

Racing Association of Illinois
26435 S Dixie Hwy
Crete, IL 60417-4313
$20,000.00
6/27/2006
Friends of Blagojevich

Comment by $100,000 Bar Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:14 pm
Hunting, first of all, the BUILDINGS at Pontiac are not 134 years old by a long shot. Some were built as recently as the 1980s. Second, Pontiac has been extensively renovated to handle the VERY violent and dangerous inmates that are sent there. Third, didn’t you hear about the drywall ceiling collapsing at Thomson recently… or the thousands of dollars in renovations that have recently been done to it? New does not necessarily equal “more secure.”

Comment by Bookworm Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:27 pm
Who voted for these people? Jay Hoffman wins, Gary Forby wins, the constitutional amendment gets slaughtered, and all of this mess. I am bleeping mad about the mess that has been created in this state by incompetent leaders. Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are competent enough to cast a ballot! People in Cook, Madison, and Franklin Counties need to get really close to that mirror.

Comment by ex state employee Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:53 pm
The November 12th appointment of John Filan was interesting to me at the time, but nothing really noteworthy, but now armed with 20/20 hindsight and Fitz’s revelations makes the appointment not only noteworthy, but certainly taints the Wrigley deal with the state - maybe enough to catch Fitz’s eye…..

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 6:03 pm
For all those who regret that we didn’t get con-con this time, I’d like to point out that the last con-con was preceded by several years of citizen effort in developing the constitutional changes in advance. If we’re going to have a successful con-con in the future, people, especially people with expertise, need to start organizing now, and be prepared for years of work. A large part of why it was easy to defeat con-con this time with one quickie ad from Jim Edgar was that proponents of con-con simply didn’t have a clear idea of what they would do because, unlike in 1968-70, there had been no advance work.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 8:05 pm
This is all a dream, right?

Comment by Ahem Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 8:52 pm
Paralysis might be best right now. But I think today, more than I did yesterday, that things are going to move faster.

Lisa got her day in the sun. Dubin backed off from special election. Barring a Blago resignation this weekend, impeachment starts in earnest Monday. And once it does, it will go fast.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 10:56 pm
Does anyone find it ironic that Blago is being taken to task by an AG whose political career was entirely manufactured by her daddy who twisted arms and politically intimidated people to place her in a state senate senate and soon after the AG’s office. The fact that’s she’s already a candidate for guv in ‘10, her move today was political retribution and positioning at its highest and most intense. Not a shred of sincerity or legitimacy to do “what’s right for the people”. Not a single person in the media even bothered to question her motive which is so blantantly obvious to those of us familiar with IL politics… the embarrassment is spreading like wildfire.

Comment by Nero Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 11:27 pm
Yeah Nero the national media at least totally glossed all of that over as far as I can tell. And what the heck is up with MJM getting a total pass? He is the head of the ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY and this is an Illinois Democratic scandal. WHERE IS HE? I don’t care if Steve Brown calls Blago all kinds of names and MJM has made it clear he personally can’t stand Blago, this governor still was allowed to happen on MJM’s watch and MJM could have done a helluva lot more to stop Blago’s reelection in 2006 and he failed his state and his party by getting on board for the 2006 reelection and kicking the can down the road just to ensure Lisa’s 2010 plan doesn’t get off track. MJM should at least be expected to come forward and talk about what the House will do. I’d also love to hear a reporter ask MJM in light of the recent revelations if he can finally account for whatever “indiscretions” he knew about Blagojevich in 2002.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 12:28 am
Yes, we definitely should put state government on hold. We shouldn’t make our bond payments because their issuance was probably part of some criminal enterprise. We definitely shouldn’t send out welfare payments, vendor payments, etc, because they would just be the governor trying to buy votes on his upcoming jury, and so on, and so on. You just can’t fix stupid.

Comment by steve schnorf Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 10:42 pm
Filan should resign. That entire appointment smells funny. We are supposed to believe he was going to IFA anyway without the Wrigley/Bond Deal connection!!!!

Comment by BlagoFundManager Monday, Dec 15, 08 @ 6:45 pm