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* The Pantagraph takes a look at the transition…
If Gov. Rod Blagojevich is convicted by the Senate and removed from office, the transition of power is designed to be virtually seamless.
Under the state Constitution, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn automatically becomes the state’s 41st governor if Blagojevich is ousted, but he would not be able to execute the powers of chief executive until he signs a formal oath of office.
That document is likely already prepared and ready to be forwarded to Quinn from the Illinois Attorney General’s office. […]
“I think probably Thursday, maybe Friday,” said state Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst. […]
Under the state constitution, Quinn wouldn’t have to be formally sworn into office by a judge, but could choose to do so as a ceremonial gesture.
* And the infamous Tollway signs will be taken down…
Should the Senate vote to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said Tuesday that he would immediately begin erasing some of the imprints his former running mate made on the state.
One target would be the signs displaying Blagojevich’s name over state tollways, which Quinn called a symbol of “pompous government.”
“The signs will go down, and we’ll probably have a ceremony to do it,” Quinn told the Tribune. “I might even ask some toll payers to help us out.”
Speaking in his Chicago office with the Senate impeachment trial blaring in the background, Quinn said he would end a period of “imperial governorship” that began under Republican Gov. George Ryan and was continued by Democrat Blagojevich.
* Quinn’s also been doing some hiring…
e Better Government Assn.’s executive director, Jay Stewart, plans to resign Wednesday from the organization.
Mr. Stewart, who has worked for the non-partisan watchdog group for nine years, said he has taken a job with Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. Mr. Stewart served as general counsel for Mr. Quinn for a year in between jobs at the BGA.
He informed the BGA board president on Monday of his intent to resign.
“I am sorry that I did not have more time to give the BGA notice of this development, but as you are all well aware, the situation with Gov. Blagojevich has thrown the normal course of business out the window,” Mr. Stewart said in an e-mail to BGA’s board.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:29 am
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Could a lobbyist for a goo-goo then be trusted to work for the government? /s
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:36 am
president obama. governor quinn. what’s next? world peace?
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:41 am
better a lobbyist for a goo-goo than the rezkos and kellys…
this admin is going to be polar opposties from what weve seen with blago
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:42 am
===“I might even ask some toll payers to help us out.”===
As a daily tollway payer all I ask is when and where and I will bring my ladder and tool belt.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:49 am
The only thing that bothers me about Blogo’s ouster is that Quinn will be our next Governor. Hopefully he wont cause too much damage before the next election.
Comment by stones Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:50 am
Jay Stewart is a good choice for a replacement for Bill Quinlan. Remember - Quinlan was the one who held up all the FOIAs, etc. So putting Jay there (or in another lawyerly role) will increase transparency dramatically.
I have met quite a few people on the Governor’s staff. With the exception of a few who I believe should suffer the same fate as the Governor (Harris, Quinlan, etc.), the people who I have met in the Office of the Governor have been really mission-based, smart, and dedicated to serving the State. And, most importantly, they have been as much, if not more, upset with Blago than most.
So I hope Quinn doesn’t get rid of all of them. There is some really good, bright talent there.
And, for the sake of our state, it just wouldn’t make much sense to clean out all that institutional memory and try to reinvent the wheel.
I mean, who knows better about what doesn’t work than them!
Comment by John Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:50 am
I think the state should auction the sign removal on E-Bay, “This sign of narcissism removed courtesy of… “
Comment by Lou Grant Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:51 am
Why’d you chop me?
Comment by Stooges Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:52 am
I don’t like the irony of an elaborate media-ready ceremony to dismantle Blago’s own PR infrastructure. Quietly take those signs down and other monuments to Blago’s time and go about undoing the bigger issues - creating transparency, pushing ethics reform, figure out our budget situation without hurting the most vulnerable in our state.
I think having Jay Stewart in there is fantastic. It is a great first step.
Comment by montrose Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:55 am
This Quinn guy could be very tough to beat come next February’s Democratic Primary. Of course, after Blago, the bar is set pretty low.
Comment by ivoted4judy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:56 am
It’s worth it for the increased transparency and for the appearnce of reform. If Quinn is going to beat Lisa et al in the primaries he needs to showcase the ethics issue big time because if he falters, it’s a huge oppportunity for
his opponents. And don’t think he isn’t running from Day 1.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:57 am
John (9:50):
The bright talent of which you speak were also very happy upon the Gov’s (re)election to completely disregard anyone in Illinois state government with any experience because they were deemed as a ‘holdover’…too bad for them. This will be a great life lesson in their new jobs.
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:58 am
I am so excited about the tollway sign removal. As convenient as I-PASS is - it never belonged to him and it wasn’t brought to us by him - it belongs to us and it was paid for by us.
Lou Grant’s eBay idea isn’t bad. My high school used to auction off a chance to bash an old car with a sledge hammer for charity. Maybe Quinn can auction off the chance to put those signs into an aluminum shredder (for recycling of course). Money goes to his favorite veteran’s group and the winner gets a nice photo opp with Governor Quinn at a metal recycling facility.
Comment by Paul Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:58 am
I actually like the idea of a ceremony to remove the governor’s name from public property and public life. To me it serves as a reminder that our leaders are elected to serve the people, not the other way around, and no matter how far you rise, you can also fall.
Comment by ChampaignDweller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 9:59 am
I would like to volunteer to be on the committee to remove the gov’s offensive “official” portrait from all of the offices across the state.
Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:00 am
Amy - I am sure those who started with Blago were quite vicious.
But I challenge you to name 1 person who came on with Blago in his office who is still there.
Like I said - it might not be true for all of them. But my experience with his staff has always been positive. And, even when the going was better a couple years ago, they still had a “we all have to put up with this…” perspective about Blago.
I don’t think Quinn NEEDS to keep any of them. Just think it might be smart.
Comment by John Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:02 am
And, yes, with regard to the signs. I think they have a couple options:
A) Bulldozers
B) Dynamite
C) A Thousand sledgehammers to pass around
Comment by John Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:03 am
John: I don’t think it would be appropriate to name anyone however, I did find it hilarious when those folks became ‘holdovers’ themselves. I believe the churn will be healthy for our state and Quinn is very capable of finding excited & talented staff to solve problems that were caused by Blags and facilitated by his staff.
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:10 am
There’s two things I’m hoping to see out of Quinn. First I want him to demonstrate that he has an understanding of the severity of the financial situation he’s going to inherit and to see him name the kind of team that will reassure people that some smart people are working on it. Second I’d like him to consider interviewing at least anyone who got fired by Blagojevich for standing up to him, such as the junior Governor’s office staffer who got fired on Monday. I would have preferred to see the Gov’s staff resign in mass protest, but some of them felt that they needed to keep helping but weren’t going to allow Blagojevich to run rampant, and at least one of them got fired for having a moral backbone. Quinn would be well served to evaluate a person like that on his merits.
Comment by Scooby Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:14 am
In addition, I hope Quinn has an executive order ready that all employees under the governor’s control preserve all documents/hard drives/ emails, etc., pending an audit. Hopefully, the audit is ready to go to.
Now that Arthur Andersen is no longer with us, who is the big hitter in the audit world? And I wonder it Daley’s IG, Hoffman, would like to take a job where he would be appreciated?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:15 am
I agree that hiring Jay Stewart is a great move. Jay’s a really smart guy with an encyclopedic knowledge of ethics laws and Illinois government. I’m curious about other moves Pat will make and look forward to seeing what staff he keeps and the new staff he brings on. Any word on his chief of staff?
As to Rod’s staff, I’m not sure I would be quite as generous, but there are certainly very good people there in agencies and in the gov’s office. Pat needs to clean house smartly.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:16 am
Quinn doesn’t have to fire people indiscriminately a la Blago; in fact, he doesn’t have to fire anybody at all. There are plenty of lower level jobs which are potentially available and, in fact, since the PSA’s went into the bargaining unit, there are more midlevel union jobs available with predictable raises and lifetime job security.
He does, however, need to make more than cosmetic changes in the agencies’ leadership.
And although early retirement has gotten a bad name, a beefed up early retirement program might
encourage many elderly civil servants to depart,
leaving more room for new hires with fresh ideas and no ethical baggage.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:23 am
With regards to cleaning house in state agencies and in the gov’s office. Mr. Quinn can follow up with getting resignations from top Illinois Tollway officials. They’ve enabled Rod Blagojevich for six plus years.
Comment by Wacker Drive Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:36 am
Leave the metal from the Tollway signs up, just take down the sticker that says “Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor” You can replace the sticker with some other informative message.
Comment by Its Just Me Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:43 am
John, Amy is right. The professionals from previous administrations who had real institutional knowlege were summarily fired or got out due the the rampant mismanagement and despicable treatment. The well has been thoroughly poisoned. Quinn has the opportunity to set a new path for Illinois government. He has the testicular virility and the smarts to do it. T
Comment by RobRoy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:44 am
wow, the other Amy is back. just wondering……
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:47 am
Amy: Maybe I’m your alter ego. ;U
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:52 am
Cassandra criticizes the lavish pensions of state employees, then proposes we accelerate thousands of them into pension-land. Time to call out the Auto-Cassandra repairman.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:53 am
what’s next? world peace?
Two more likely choices are Cubs winning the World Series and Armageddon.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 10:56 am
I don’t know…removing the tollway signs seems sort of hypocritical…the names of elected officials are ALL OVER THE PLACE.
Why is Jesse White’s name on my driver’s license?
I think I was probably in my late teens before I realized I lived in the ‘The City of Chicago’ and not ‘The City of Chicago, Richard J Daley, Mayor’ because I had never seen the words ‘The City of Chicago’ by themselves.
And what about all the forest preserve signs?
Do we just remove the names of politicians we don’t like?
Comment by Leroy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:02 am
the wrong Amy……I don’t appreciate the confusion. i post frequently. please chose another nickname. thank you.
Comment by Amy Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:02 am
Do we just remove the names of politicians we don’t like?
Apparently in this case, yes.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:28 am
I believe that a lot of these elderly state employees are already eligible for early retirement. It might not be that expensive to give them a bonus to move on out.
That would open up jobs for younger folks–primo jobs with good health benefits and increasingly rare defined benefit pensions. And, as our President has clearly stated since he came into office, preventing job loss and creating new jobs is one of our nation’s highest priorities. This is a relatively easy way to help in that effot.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:29 am
Cassandra, while it’s not a bad idea, what you’re talking about is moving those workers from one part of the budget to another.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:31 am
Jay Stewart is a good man.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:33 am
===Do we just remove the names of politicians we don’t like?===
No. But this was an advertising sign for a current governor. Once that governor is gone, there’s no reason for the sign.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:33 am
Let’s revivie an old inquiry of mine; should the portrait of a governor removed from office hang in the Hall of Governor’s on the second floor of the Capitol?
Personally, I say no - let there be a small plaque noting his name and the dates of state service (sic) leading up to the date of his removal by the state Senate.
Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:35 am
CV, he doesn’t even have a portrait yet. Maybe there won’t be one.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:36 am
Can’t we just use his mugshot?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:39 am
Now that would be something I support, 47.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:39 am
Dueling Amys, state workers talking bad about their bosses and hoping they get fired,GooGoos taking over state gov’t and pulling down Blagojevich signs. What could be more fun? The sign thing kind of reminds me of when the mob pulled down that statue of Saddam Husein.
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:42 am
The one “Amy” is a little confused. Blago kept numerous repub “hold-overs” —- which angered many dems looking for a change. Also, many of those that remain, in appointed jobs, share many of Quinn’s belief on issues. If Quinn wants to “hit the ground running” and seek re-election, it would be crazy to eliminate quality and many well-liked employees. Some of them even helped him become the Lt Gov.
Comment by diana Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:42 am
Bill, that gives me an idea. Do we have any National Guard tanks in Illinois? lol
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:43 am
I know. But it’s a win win for the employees. It’s voluntary, and new jobs open up.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:45 am
John and Amy, I’ve seen both bad agency directors and good agency directors appointed by Gov. Blagojevich. Some people in the Gov Office, particularly early on in the 1st term, were really obnoxious, but not everyone. Just like in any large organizations, there are good apples and bad apples. Let’s hope that Mr. Quinn will indeed evaluate his staff at all levels smartly. That will be true Renewal and Reform indeed.
Comment by Bebe Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:54 am
Perhaps Blago’s portrait could be one of those “dog paintings” Mark Brown mentioned in his column today.
I would suggest Blago playing cards marked “senate seat”, Children’s hospital, racetrack, etc with various luminaries. This would include Kipling, Gandhi, Nixon, and some of the various others he has mentioned during his ramblings.
Comment by IrishPirate Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:58 am
Cassandra wrote:
That would open up jobs for younger folks–primo jobs with good health benefits and increasingly rare defined benefit pensions. And, as our President has clearly stated since he came into office, preventing job loss and creating new jobs is one of our nation’s highest priorities. This is a relatively easy way to help in that effort.
Just so we understand…
Defined pension benefits and good health benefits for state employees are now a good thing.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 11:58 am
will Quinn be able to and how long will it take to get rid of the rats now leaving the sinking ship and going to various state agencies already top heavy with clueless appointees?
Comment by bman Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:00 pm
In addition to auction off all the Governor’s paintings and portraits. There was quite the auction of Lenin stuff after the dissolution of the evil empire. A great way to raise money for the state.
I would be willing to overlay a dartboard pattern over a portrait which we could sell with Senatorial darts as a keepsake.
But seriously about the names of politicians on public improvements. When I was in office, the plaques which were installed on building which were done on our watch contained dedications to the citizens of the community and quote from literature. No politician’s of employee names were used. That’s the way is should be. You can say the Mayor and or City Council welcome you to their community without using the temporary names of the local pols.
Comment by plutocrat03 Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Amy, you sound bitter. John is correct. At the end of the day, no one can control what the boss does in any profession. Its only worse in politics where the ego rules. This Governor seems like he could be a slightly difficult to work for. I have a feeling his staff works very, very hard.
Comment by Gracie Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:10 pm
Now 6,
I never said that they were a bad thing per se. I that taxpayers should not have to pay for benefits that they themselves do not have available in the workplace, especially since private/public salaries approach parity. Recent events have demonstrated the value of defined benefit pensions and employer-paid health insurance. Looked at your 401k lately?
Actually, I think the new WHouse admin is looking at both some kind of universal defined benefit pensions for all workers (beyond SS) and, of course, at universal health care. This is not radical.
Anyway, back to the topic, I don’t know that Quinn is going to have time to pore over employment records and applications. His admin has to deal with a lot of important budget stuff fast. He should require all agency heads and at will employees to submit pro forma resignations
immediately to give him room to maneuver.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:11 pm
Quinn should have a combination Super Bowl/inaugural tailgate party at the Mansion on Sunday afternoon, which is, after all, his favorite time for media availabilities
Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:18 pm
I’m betting that at some point Blagojevich has ridden around all by himself late at night and looked up at those tollway signs and said, “Yeah. That’s me. That’s me.”
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:26 pm
In order to gain back the public trust and if Quinn is thinking about running for Governor in 2010, he should clean out top agency directors, deputy directors, etc. and replace with a fresh start. With all the federal investigations into hiring, contracts, etc. it is these employees who had participated in this fraud knowing it was wrong.
Comment by Can't Say My Nickname Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:31 pm
That word “seamless” in the Pantagraph article gets a lot of use. And in this case, it seems just wrong.
In addition to the seaminess of the not-long-for-this-world Blagojevich administration, everyone seems to be looking forward to Pat Quinn’s causing quick and disruptive change. Seams everywhere.
Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Can’t say,
That’s an awfully broad brush you’re painting with there. I know a lot of these people and it’s not only unfair, but also a great disservice to the state to suggest a wholesale removal of all these people. There are very good people who have had to work within a very bad Administration. But they often know how to get things done, where to cut waste and eliminate problems and who is a worthless loafing ne’er do well and who is a top notch person.
This requires a rifle, not a shotgun.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:35 pm
Actually if you know anything about what’s really happening, seamless is just a joke!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:36 pm
taxpayers should not have to pay for benefits that they themselves do not have available in the workplace
So it’s a jealousy thing, then, rather than a “private sector should strive to provide similar benefits as public employees” thing. Large, unionized private sector employees had similar pensions and health care as state employees, and sometimes better, in their heyday. It is more that private industry lost benefits, not that public employment gained benefits, in the last 20-30 years or so.
The one thing I agree with is that public employees get excessive time off. Pay, eh. In my field, the average state employee makes half or 2/3 of private sector, and most have decent retirement and health plans, but public employees do enjoy a little better job security.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:37 pm
All this talk about an orderly transition by Quinn is nice-but watch out for the fireworks before they get Blagojevich out of the office. Look for Blagojevich to make a physical attempt to hold the office. He will probably have to be carried out kicking and screaming about his unconstitutional impeachment and removal from office-he will of course have notified the national media, so this further embarrassment will be on the national nightly news.
Comment by Downstate Commissioner Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:40 pm
My only hope is that Gov. Quinn will give us State workers (I’m on vacation today) a day or so to enjoy not having RB as our boss, before he cracks the whip too hard! We need to let our built up frustrations out and until this guy is out, it’s still scary to say anything around the office.
Comment by Can't wait Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 12:50 pm
word wrote, “Now that Arthur Andersen is no longer with us.”
The firm may be gone, but this AA is still here!
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Word we could always use Holland, he seems to have a handle on auditing
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 2:49 pm
Wouldn’t it be a stitch if Stewart went after some of the Senators now judging Blago when he starts to sing like a canary to lessen his sentence?…Methinks the drama will be coming on for years to come folks…fasten your seatbelt my fellow bloggers, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride…Wheeee!
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 3:35 pm
==The firm may be gone, but this AA is still here!==
Amen, AA
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 6:15 pm
Chicago Cynic - I don’t like guns. I also don’t like the fact that these agency directors approved and signed off on circumventing veterans preference. Most agency directors also approved and signed off on contracts that are a sham and many are now located in Fitz’s office. A fresh start is needed.
Comment by Can't Say My Nickname Wednesday, Jan 28, 09 @ 6:42 pm
It will never come to pass but maybe now is the time for some legislature to create a bill stating that only the title, not the name, should be used for all State office holders on buildings, signs, etc. It would save money in the long run.
Comment by retired non-union state guy Thursday, Jan 29, 09 @ 8:29 am