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[Bumped up to Thursday for visibility]
* THURSDAY 5:22 pm - Insult to injury…
A Chicago homeless agency has fired Illinois First Lady Patricia Blagojevich from her job as its chief fundraiser.
The board of the Chicago Christian Industrial League on Tuesday exercised the termination clause of Blagojevich’s contract, according to interim executive director Mary Shaver. She said she could not discuss why the board terminated Blagojevich because it is a personnel issue.
The Tribune first reported five months ago that the group hired Blagojevich, who amid federal scrutiny left her longtime job of being a real estate agent and broker. She was earning about $100,000 a year as the league’s development director.
*** UPDATE *** From Sneed…
• • The background: The Sun-Times reported Jan. 8 that the charity raises about $1 million a year but needed to increase that to $2 million. Its big hurdle: Repaying a $10.8 million loan it obtained with help from the Illinois Finance Authority — a state agency created by Gov. Blagojevich — to build the $25 million shelter. In each of Patti Blagojevich’s first three months on the job, the League brought in $10,000 to $15,000 a month — the same as it did before she started, the Sun-Times reported.
• • The backshot: “She did a good job, but the circumstances made it very difficult for her,” said a source on the League’s board. Quoth another source: “She was always a lady at work.”
• • Further translation: “It was obvious the League board found a loophole for her to leave,” said a source.
* The governor, by the way, missed yet another impeachment trial deadline today. He had the right, under Rule 15, to request subpoenas.
The House has filed documents with the Senate under the aforementioned rule, and they will be posted soon at the impeachment tribunal’s website.
* And then there’s this…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s brother said Wednesday the FBI may have recorded as many as 50 of his telephone conversations as part of the federal investigation of corruption in state government.
Robert Blagojevich, who chairs the governor’s Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund, made the statement through his attorneys in papers filed in U.S. District Court in the fraud and bribery case against the governor.
Attorney Michael D. Ettinger said federal prosecutors had given him only one tape of Robert Blagojevich on the telephone but he believes “there are 30 to 50 more conversations wherein he was recorded.”
* And on an unrelated note, Rep. Sara Feigenholtz has a new Internet video up. Feigenholtz is running in the 5th Congressional District special election…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 12:23 am
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This is the video I think voters are more interested in.
http://tinyurl.com/7k5wk4
Comment by Tom B. Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:28 pm
With the lack of defense by the Governor, doesn’t this push up the timetable for the trial’s verdict? Wouldn’t they have allotted more time for defense than is now necessary?
Comment by Peter Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:36 pm
I wonder if the Bureau of Prisons has a family plan? My guess is the G has made a visit or two to Mrs. B’s workplace. By the end of February there could be no gainfully employed adults in the Gov’s house. He better call a special session and push for extended unemployment benefits.
Comment by ivoted4judy Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:41 pm
Now that Mrs. B has been fired, I have a bad feeling that this means Blago will now be going all out to prolong this.
Maybe even a request for a new opportunity to provide a response?
Comment by tc Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:50 pm
$500,000 for Genson, $100,000 for Soronsky, and no defense in the Senate. Good work if you can get it.
I was curious that Blago’s disclosure didn’t list any payments to Sam Adam Jr. Maybe he’s paid through Genson.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:52 pm
Tom B, very appropriate video. Her campaign has no idea what they are doing. Yeah, let’s go out and make me the focus of everyones’ attacks. Great campaign work. Note to Sara, “You are not the incumbent!”
Comment by Heartless Libertarian Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 5:58 pm
He must not take his impeachment seriously. He really isn’t going to fight, fight, fight until he takes his last breath.
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:31 pm
I bet Patti Blagojevich is really mad now.
Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:34 pm
Maybe Patti can get work in the Cubs front office…………oh!
Comment by SpfldJimbo Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:37 pm
I can already see the Governor’s defense on Monday. “You can’t remove me. My wife is unemployed and my family needs my income.” Almost makes me want to shed a tear. Almost.
Comment by jwscott72 Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:44 pm
Bummer. Now Patti and her attorneys can’t use the “but she works for the homeless” character defense if and when she is indicted.
Comment by Zora Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:51 pm
Was she given all the due process rights that her husband believes he should have before losing his job?
Comment by formerGOPer Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:51 pm
If Blago’s not contesting, they should just default him, saving time and money. And I think criminal defendants who put on defense because they feel they are being railroaded find courts less than hospitable. If you don’t even try, come on. I bet he resigns either Monday before noon or just before the vote is taken just to say nyah nyah.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:52 pm
That would be no defense.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 6:54 pm
Ironically, the Illinois Senate is about to exercise the termination clause on her husband’s employment contract too. Bad week for them both. And the future is no brighter.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:04 pm
i wonder how many on the video can actually vote for S.F?
Comment by anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:10 pm
Blago’s next move will now be to appoint his wife to the vacancy on the MWRD Board. While it will be a pay cut, she’ll still get $50K a year for the next 2 years along with health benefits. With the Gov out of a job, she’ll be the bread-winner.
He can’t appoint himself b/c of incompatability of office and because a part of the impeachment vote will bar him from holding future public office in Illinois (thank god!).
If this happens, it will be interesting to see if Daddy Mell then tries to slate her in 2 years to run for re-election. I doubt even he would be that bold but who knows…
Sounds crazy but you heard it here first!
Comment by Helm Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:15 pm
Crazy to think a non-profit was paying her $100K. It’s not my field, but a friend who is sent me several adds for positions as head of development in non-profits in Chicago and NY and not one listed a maximum salary above $60K. Many listed $30-40K as the range. I’d like to know what the next employee in that post is paid.
Comment by zeke Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:20 pm
Now Patti has time to serve on some corporate boards!
Comment by Bright Side Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:28 pm
Is their house paid for? If not, how are they going to make the mortgage with no incomes?
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:42 pm
Who cares how he’ll pay his mortgage? He should’ve thought about that before this insanity occured…
Comment by anon-athon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:48 pm
Anon, he has mortgage payments on the house and the Washington, D.C., condo.
Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 7:54 pm
As much as the Gov has been a pain in the you know what, I don’t take a lot of joy in the fact we are watching a family be taken part little by little and two young girls having their young lives destroyed. I think some on this blog would do well to think of that.
Comment by Just Watching Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:01 pm
Remember, early on the powers that be gave the Governor the option to step asside temperarily while he was working on his criminal case. This would transfer his powers to Quinn. That would have let him keep his health benefits and salary. I doubt he has that option now.
I do feel sorry for his kids. Grandpa Mel will help out. The question is will he help the Governor?
Comment by Lake Voter Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:01 pm
Obviously, the Blagojevich’s personal income is becoming more and more of an issue. This may affect his decision-making. The public pension he is entitled to is at jeopardy if he resigns.
Here’s one plausible scenario:
Impeachment proceedings begin on the 26th. The governor and defense keep claiming how unfair the process is. Then, the day or days before the vote gets scheduled the Governor holds a press conference declaring he is “stepping aside” and that he pleads with the public to give him sometime to defend himself. Obviously, he will call for the senate to suspend the impeachment proceedings while he does this. His intention will be to turn the tables on the Senate and make them look like they are prosecuting him needlessly.
In the end this wont work but it will be entertaining.
Comment by Fitz 2010 Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:06 pm
We very well may be watching a family disintegrate, and that’s sad, but this situation is entirely of the Governor’s creation. Clearly he’s not thinking of them now, only of himself.
Comment by anon-athon Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:09 pm
Just Watching, I think most if not all on this blog feel for the kids. And if there was a less painful way to keep Blago from further harming his family and his state than this current awful drama, we’d opt for it in a heartbeat.
But it’s been his choice, not ours. At this point, we can only hope he implodes sooner rather than later.
Comment by Zora Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:14 pm
Just Watching makes an excellent point.
With regard to the race in the 5th, and I have to add that I know nothing about the race itself or much about the candidates:
The campaign video was nicely done. The testimonials were very effective. Defnitely designed to nip any criticisms before they even start. As a matter of fact, there were a few points that were raised in the film Tom B. linked to, which some Voters could think/say were addressed or quashed by the campaign video. That in itself is interesting not knowing which came first.
The second video was good, too.
No doubt this will be an interesting one to watch.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:20 pm
I, too, was very surprised to see an agency like CCIL has the kind of resources to pay someone a six figure salary to do fundraising. Patti was terminated 5 mos into her contract. I’d like to know how much fundraising she’s actually done for CCIL.
Does Blagojevich really lose his pension if he resigns? Wasn’t he vested after 8 yrs as a legislator?
Comment by Marianne North Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 8:20 pm
I fear this might make Blagojevich’s actions more erratic than usual. Sure I feel bad about his kids and what they are going through but sins of the father are still sins of the father. It’s not right or fair, but it is what it is. Only Blagojevich himself can make the attempt to make this situation right for himself, his family, and the people of Illinois. Other than what I just said, I have no pity.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 9:02 pm
Blago got his finance ideas from watching too many J.G. Wentworth commercials. He’d better count on a huge publisher’s advance on his memoirs, but will they be shelved under fiction or crime?
What about pension and healthcare from his D.C. service years?
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 9:32 pm
I tried to find it online, but couldn’t locate an annual report. How much as CCIL received from the State in the last year? Was it a large increase? CCIL is hurting financially, and as we all know, Blago’s not above putting the squeeze on a charity.
I hate to get all tinfoil hat, but this is Blago we’re talking about. I could see this being true, and CCIL is cutting the cord with Patti now because they don’t believe the Governor has enough power to rescind another grant.
Just sayin’…
Comment by South Side Mike Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:01 pm
Hey Rich, you’ve been given some free press. Last paragraph. http://cbs2chicago.com/local/rod.blagojevich.attorney.2.914496.html
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:27 pm
That’s kinda bizarre, since it wasn’t my story.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:28 pm
Patti could always become a greeter at Walmart. All she has to do is bring her happy face to work. Oh, and by the way, shaking down Walmart customers is not advised.
Comment by Wacker Drive Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:29 pm
Hey, take what you can get. The Capitol Fax is becoming a household word. If you go public, can I be in on the IPO?
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:31 pm
Stock market is not good, but the bond market is hot. Maybe we’ll do a variation on Bowie Bonds. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 10:33 pm
I also take no delight in any of this. It may need to happen, and I’m sure the list of people waiting for some sense of revenge is long, but that doesn’t make this something for any of us make jokes about or enjoy.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 11:07 pm
They would have a little congressional pension, when he reaches age 65. Wouldn’t they? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_pension
Comment by Shelbyville Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 11:10 pm
Wow, $100k for a nonprofit development job of any sort is ridiculously high! Most experienced people would be lucky to get half that.
Sara Feigenholtz has burned far too many bridges to win this fight. She’s just not a very nice person, in my experience. And it seems like it’s amateur hour over at her campaign office!
Comment by Undercover Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 12:20 am
I’m sorry if it offends others, but I do take joy in everything that is happening to the governor and his wife. This man has ruined more lives than we know. I worked for a state agency and have seen first hand how he and his cronies have caused extreme hardship for state employees merely because they were assumed to be Republicans. This man is evil, stupid, arrogant and pathetic and apparently his wife is too.
Comment by Stooges Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 7:02 am
There was an article about Patti’s job in the January 7 Sun Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1367193,patti-blagojevich-chrstian-industrial-010709.article
It included this heartbreaking quote:
“The charity won’t say how much Blagojevich has raised. But it has collected $10,000 to $15,000 in each of the past three months — the same as it did before she started, said president William Good.”
And this:
“[… former ED] McIntyre said she hired Blagojevich. She said she didn’t need — or seek — approval from the entire board, whose members include Fred Lebed. Lebed runs a lobbying firm with Roland Burris, whom the governor appointed to Obama’s Senate seat. Lebed has said he had nothing to do with Blagojevich getting hired. McIntyre left the charity shortly after hiring Blagojevich […]”
It states that Gary Chico was the one who recommended Patti for the job. It also implies that they might have been trying to get J.B. Pritzker to give money to CCIL in exchange for some sort of consideration for the senate seat.
Comment by Sandra Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 7:09 am
Actually, the nonprofit sector is finally catching up to the wisdom of paying people well, and holding them to high standards. (Although I do not know if this was driving logic behind hiring Patti Blagojevich.)
Entry level salaries are still low (where aren’t they?), which accounts for some of the anecdotal salary info reported here, but senior fundraisers often command low 6-figure salaries.
Patti wasn’t a senior fundraiser, of course. That’s what raises my eyebrows.
Also: CCIL’s stable revenues during her first three months is not unusual. It takes time for even a seasoned fundraiser to get to know donors and for donors to respond with gifts.
Comment by Way South of the Border Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 7:52 am
Blago will not lose his pension if he resigns unless he makes it part of the resignation. I can’t belive the legislature would reject his resignation to try and take his pension. I doubt they can take it if he is impeached. If he is vested they cannot take his pension if if he is fired for cause which is what the impeachment essentially is. However, with George Ryan setting precedent if he is convicted on Federal Charges he loses the pension so it is gone anyway. What Blago really needs to do is take a page out of VP Cheney’s book and have a good work related injury….Oh wait, the state isn’t paying their work comp claims either so that probably won’t help.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 7:53 am
South Side Mike, the CCIL’s annual report is readily available on Lisa Madigan’s fantastic charitable database. Go to www.ag.state.il.us and click on Building Better Charities and follow the instructions.
The report filings are usually 1 - 2 years behind, but that’s par for the course on any sunshine database covering the charitable sector.
Early into each report, you’ll find the names and salaries of the three highest compensated employees, which provides a good point of comparison to what Patti Blagojevich was paid.
Comment by Way South of the Border Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 8:23 am
A homeless agency pays a $100,000 salary. What percent of money raised actually goes to help the homeless….3%?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 8:47 am
Good link, Way South. Didn’t know about that.
Can anyone explain why part of the board is in a related org, 18th an Wabash d/b/a “The Studios.” Is that a spinoff SRO project?
Comment by Stuck with Sen. CPA Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 8:48 am
Way South,
Thanks for the AG link. I had already reviewed the 990 via Guidestar, but the audit was new. Unfortunately, neither document contains much info on government grants, other than lump amount combining federal, state, and city grants. And as you said, that’s from 2005-2006.
Many non-profits publish an annual report/newsletter that lists donors with their respective donation group (ie,
Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 9:00 am
Wow, I don’t know what happened with the rest of that post.
Anyway, I just want to know what the State of IL gave the past two years before Patti’s hiring and what, if anything CCIL received in the past 8 months (covering a few months before Patti’s hire). CCIL doesn’t publish a stratified donor list (ie, grouped by donation ranges), so the amount received from the State is unknown.
Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 9:03 am
I believe I spy a Blagojevich administration official in the Feigenholtz video. Is that wise?
Comment by Ahem... Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 9:38 am
It is a beautifully produced advertisement for a candidate running for office in the 9th Congressional District. Unfortunately, Feigenholtz is campaigning in the 5th District and not in Rogers Park, Uptown, Lakeview and Evanston Township. Does she expect to compete for any votes West of Ashland Avenue. Posing as a Jan Schakowsky clone may not play in the Western portion of the 5th CD.
Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 9:38 am
Stuck with Sen CPA, nonprofits that develop and / or operate supportive housing often set up a separate corporate entity to hold title.
Bringing some of the parent organization’s board members to the new board helps with stabilization and mission alignment. It’s not at all unusual.
Comment by Way South of the Border Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 10:22 am
To hit their $2M target requires $166,666 a month. That’s some serious local fund raising for any group. Just doing $10,000-$15,000 a month is kinda shy of the goal. A $25M shelter must be some pretty nice place. Tough job in this economy.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 10:41 am
I feel really bad about Patti. Maybe we can find something for her around here.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 10:42 am
Bill,
Your key word is “maybe”. You’ll need $100,000.
Comment by Josh Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 10:52 am
Fundraising in this economic environment is indeed challenging right now. And it is likely CCIL does have state contracts and grants that are behind schedule in payment or on hold alltogether. Most social service agencies are operating grant to grant and payday to payday hoping that their line of credit with their local bank will get them through. The state is behind on health care contract payments and on grants to arts, education and other agencies that provide services to low income families, seniors and others. Until the Springfield circus moves forward and we can take down the impeachment bigtop–and we can get moving on the business of the state, many of us working on behalf of non profits are greatly concerned about how services to those in need will continue and if the non profit sector in Chicago can manage during this difficult time.
Few senior staff and npo leaders working for Chicago-area non profits failed to note CCIL’s hiring of Ms. Blagojevich. It is unusual for someone to go from a career as a wildly successful commercial and private real estate broker to a senior level development position. That is not the usual career path. So when the position and the salary were announced it was clear that something was not right. CCIL has in my opinion made several questionable decisions including the move to sell its Greektown property to well-known and politically well-positioned property developers. The board’s decision to assume a $25 million debt for construction of a new facility and the staff level decision to put Ms. B. in the fundraising role–all look very bad.
I despair of the increasing influence of influential Chicago and State leaders in the non profit sector. It has been building for some time as more of the State’s work is being delivered by non profits. Other evidence of curruption include earmarks to single person
501(c)(3) agencies incapable of delivering services and corporate sponsorship table purchase deals that are really tribute payments, contracts and awards based on agreements to support major pending athletic projects.
Even if it gets a shelter built–this kind of service isn’t really helping anybody.
Comment by Careful Voter Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 11:43 am
Sara’s video may include many persons outside of the 5th, but it is intended to appeal to campaign donors as well as voters in her district.
Yes, she has a temper - but I have only see her apply to to incompetents and persons who go back on their word. I hope that isn’t the basis for your opinion of her, Undercover.
Amateurs at her campaign office? These are the Obama kids, the new faces to politics that the 2008 election activated. Be patient with them…
Comment by Capitol View Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 4:58 pm
So since the Mrs is looking for a new job does her old job make it to the resume?
The Blago’s have become the Illinois version of the Cheap Laughs family of Monty Python fame.
Comment by Plot Thickening Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 5:04 pm
Capitol View….be patient with the Obama kids running Feigenholtz?
google Becky Caroll (which someone mentioned on this
site some days ago) and Feigenholtz and the first article up is
from Roll Call, which details that Michael Rendina from Bill Foster run is there and the they have hired AKP & D for
media and message. and more. if these are still in, they
are not rookies.
Comment by Amy Thursday, Jan 22, 09 @ 7:00 pm
I heard today that Daley is about to come out and endorse Sara Feigenholtz from a city Government source I deem reliable. I think Mike Quigley would do a good job, but given all the men in the race, my money is on Sara to pull it out. Quigley got busy on calling and raising money a little too late. Quigley and Sara could be in the race to help divide votes in the Western area of her district where she is less likely to pull in less yuppified neighborhoods and to help Sara pull off a win. Quigley should continue to help fight for reform at the Cook County level, but staying in the race, may be a good thing for him if he wants too take on Stroger. This race is going to be a tough one for him to pull off when there are several strong male candidates running against a female candidate that has an army of volunteers and posted the top funds raised.
Comment by L : ] Thursday, Jan 29, 09 @ 8:48 pm