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Morning Shorts

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Rich is going under the knife today for his wisdom tooth, so here is an extended version of Morning Shorts

Quinn

* Quinn Wants Mail-In Ballots To Cut Election Costs

“Very, very modest turnouts, certainly for special elections, I think we ought to see that as an opportunity to do mail voting that they have in some other states, like Oregon,” Quinn said. “It’s worked out pretty well, more participation.”

Election officials across Cook County would also like to experiment with voting by mail, noting that Tuesday’s 5th Congressional District special election is costing Chicago’s taxpayers about $1.8 million or $58 per vote cast Balloting by mail would save $900,000, about half, they estimate.

Critics are dubious.

“Well it wouldn’t save that much money,” said State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale. “Illinois has a sorry history of vote fraud. And I don’t know how you make mail-in voting or Internet voting secure.”

* Elections by mail?

* Quinn makes juvenile offender program permanent

Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Tuesday to make permanent the Redeploy Illinois program. It’s been running recently as a pilot program in Macon, McLean and some southeastern Illinois counties, among others.

Through it, the state pays counties to direct juvenile offenders to counseling, substance abuse help or other rehabilitation plans instead of being shipped off to a facility run by the state Department of Juvenile Justice.

Department of Human Services spokesman Tom Green says fewer youth in state facilities means fewer of them away from home, less cost to the state, and fewer repeat offenders.

“The benefit is that the services … give the youth a much higher chance at being productive,” Green said.

Redeploy Illinois costs $3.1 million and is a part of Quinn’s proposed state budget. According to supporters, the state spends $70,000 a year on people sent to juvenile justice facilities. The alternatives in their home counties cost less than $10,000.

* Quinn: Canceled ethics order raised legal issues

* TRS’ Bauman to resign

Law that Quinn signed Friday fires pension system director effective July 1

Legislative Round Up and Editorial Advice

* Civil unions law would be good first step

* Follow Iowa’s lead on gay marriage

* Snap decisions at red lights

* Franks, Beaubien: “RETREAT!”

On the day the expand-abortion-rights-bill-as -as-Personal-PAC-could-imaged, both Franks and State Rep. Mark Beaubien withdrew their names as co-sponsors of House Bill 2354.

* Pharmacists may withhold some services

* Busting crooked pols

Do we really want to clean up this state? Then the people who would take a bribe, rig a contract or phony up a job application have to be worried about getting caught. We can’t rely entirely on the Justice Department.

Illinois needs to equip state and local law enforcement so they can join this fight.

Some things that have to get done:

* Illinois Senate president to speak at SIUC

Congress

* Quigley rolls to victory in race to replace Emanuel

* 5th Congressional District: Mike Quigley wins election to Congress

* Quigley Wins And Emmanuel Curses

* Quigley wants to make mark in Congress

* Alexi Giannoulias Fundraising

In light of today’s story on Alexi Giannoulias’ fundraising, I thought it would be important to highlight some potential donations to look for when his actual report is filed on April 15th. You should also be aware that on the same day the Illinois State Treasurer is trumpeting his fundraising totals, the State of Illinois appears on a credit watch list. Nice timing…check out our release here.

* Burris visits alma mater in southern Illinois tour

* Burris promises cooperation with investigators. Senator also visits VA Center, discusses time at SIUC

“It’s an investigation; I won’t comment,” Burris said during a news conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. “They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do. I will fully cooperate with them if they call me.”

* Durbin says taxpayers should subsidize pols

* Ethics board launches probe into Rep Jesse Jackson Jr.

* Report: Jesse Jackson Jr. faces ethics probe

* Chicago-area congressman meets Castro

Caucus leader Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said she found Castro “very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking” during his nearly two-hour session with the lawmakers. She said caucus members, including Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), also visited his home and met his wife.

Mini-Capital Bill Round-UP

* No time to waste on mass transit

And yet we continue to tiptoe around this critical issue. Gov. Pat Quinn faces a daunting task in dealing with the state budget, but his capital investment proposal woefully underfunds our mass transit system, which is used by 2 million riders daily.

The governor’s plan designates only $1.3 billion in new state money for transit agencies within the RTA region: CTA, Metra and Pace. These agencies, independent experts and even the Illinois Office of the Auditor General agree that more funding is needed. The RTA estimates $10 billion in state investments are needed during the next five years—significantly more than Quinn proposes.

To address this, I offer three proposals.

•Increase by 8 cents a gallon the state’s 19 cent per gallon motor fuel tax. In addition, increase the fees for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.

•Rename the state’s “Road Fund” the “Transportation Fund.” The Transportation Fund would permit the use of motor-fuel tax revenues on all forms of transportation, not just roads. This change would recognize that transit produces benefits for everyone in the state, whether one uses the mass transit system or not.

•Though the traditional ratio of state funds dedicated to roads and mass transit has been 2 to 1, respectively, the world has changed and we must reassess that balance. Reliance on foreign oil, increasing environmental costs and energy prices that are likely to go higher when the recession ends make it clear that mass transit is a critical investment. State funding for roads and transit should be distributed on a one-to-one basis.

* Hannig calls mini-capital plan an initial step

* State road crews could be at work by end of month

The first round of shovel-ready projects will be funded through federal stimulus dollars, according to new Illinois Department of Transportation Director Gary Hannig.

“The stimulus package doesn’t deal with the long-term needs of Illinois but the short-term needs and job creation,” said Hannig, a former lawmaker from Litchfield.

The next set will be funded by $3 billion from the state. Those projects should be ready to start later this summer, Hannig said.

The public works package could amount to 80,000 new jobs in Illinois during a time when the economy is lagging, lawmakers say.

The measure is not meant to replace a larger, $26 billion statewide construction program that is still being ironed out and could be approved later this spring.

“I don’t think there is anyone on the legislature or executive side that believes we’re finished,” Hannig said.

* Stimulus cash to pave Southland streets

Supporters say the bill, which is only a prelude to a much larger capital plan that lawmakers have been seeking to pass for years, will create an estimated 60,000 jobs. The bill’s price tag includes $3 billion from the state and $6 billion in federal stimulus money.

Southland roads to be resurfaced include:

* Construction zone fatalities down, photo enforced tickets to continue

Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said only 31 people — including two workers — were killed in constructions zones throughout the state in 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday to an IDOT release. In 2003, 44 people — including five workers — were killed.

With construction season approaching, IDOT personnel, State Police and Illinois Tollway officials reminded drivers to slow down and be alert in work zones throughout the state, including Chicago, the release said.

Additionally, work zone safety advocates will conduct outreach activities at rest areas across the state on Friday as part of the 10th Anniversary of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 6-10.

“Thanks to strict enforcement by ISP and cooperation from the public, we have made steady progress in protecting people in work zones,” Hannig said in the release. “Our goal is to protect the lives of the many dedicated workers who are improving our roadways, as well as drivers and passengers traveling through work zones.”

Financial Shenanigans and IL Government’s Reaction

* Building firm and CEO are indicted

A Cook County grand jury Tuesday indicted a politically connected businessman and his construction company on fraud charges, saying they falsely represented how much work minority subcontractors would receive on government contracts for a North Side fire station and several Chicago Transit Authority facilities.

Markham-based Castle Construction Co. and its chief executive officer, Robert Blum, 56, of New Lenox, were charged with fraudulently obtaining public funds reserved for disadvantaged business enterprises, wire fraud and mail fraud, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan announced.

The charges relate to two construction contracts Castle was awarded, the first a $9.8 million deal in 2006 to renovate several CTA bus- and train-washing facilities.

As a condition of the contract, Castle agreed to employ a minority subcontractor on the project and told the CTA it had entered into a $2.96 million agreement with minority-owned Mid-City. But according to the indictment, the contract with Mid-City was worth just $550,000.

* State blames financial adviser for funeral fund’s collapse

The Illinois secretary of state’s office is blaming a Merrill Lynch financial adviser for the collapse of a pre-need funeral trust that’s supposed to pay for funerals for tens of thousands of state residents.

The Securities Department of the Illinois secretary of state’s office is charging Edward Louis Schainker, a Merrill Lynch financial adviser with an office in Springfield, with violating six sections of the state’s securities law. Schainker, whose license to sell securities and act as an investment adviser was suspended in February, is facing fines of $10,000 per violation and a ban on selling securities in Illinois. A hearing is scheduled for May 20. Alleged misdeeds include:

* Illegally enticing funeral home directors to allow their lives to be insured by the Illinois Funeral Directors Association in exchange for free $25,000 life insurance policies, with premiums paid from a pre-need funeral trust fund.

* Failure to tell funeral directors how money was being invested.

* Failure to perform actuarial analyses to ensure money from life insurance proceeds would be available to pay for funerals.

* Failure to tell funeral home directors and funeral contract purchasers that money was being spent on life insurance.

* Funeral directors got free insurance policies, complaint alleges

The allegation is contained in a complaint filed by Secretary of State Jesse White on April 1 against Edward Schainker, a Merrill Lynch broker in Springfield who was an investment adviser to the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. The secretary of state, which regulates the securities industry in Illinois, seeks to revoke his license, alleging Schainker made misrepresentations and fraudulent statements in managing a trust fund on behalf of the Springfield-based association.

The trust holds the deposits of consumers who have prepaid for their funerals and were promised that their deposits would cover anticipated costs. More than 44,000 people currently have money in the trust that has a total value of $200 million as of March, down from $300 million at the end of 2007, the complaint says.

But the trust has not had enough assets to cover its liabilities since 2001. As of July 31, 2008, the deficit had ballooned to $54.4 million, the complaint said.

Local Elecions

* Officials: Voter turnout lower than expected

* City turnout appears higher than expected, almost hits 20 percent

* Election 2009

* Elections

Find local results here

* Election results for area communities

* Voters dump mayors in Palatine, Lyons, Carpentersville, Bensenville, Berwyn, Waukegan and Worth

* Voters Dump Chief Executives In Several Suburbs

Schwantz, who played for the Bears in the 1992 and 1993 seasons, came in first in a field of four candidates, with 42.12 percent of the vote, compared with 22.56 percent for Mullins, 25.88 percent for challenger Vito A. Maonla Jr., and 9.44 percent for another challenger, Warren Kostka.

* Former Chicago Bears player now Palatine mayor

A former Chicago Bears player has defeated the five-term mayor of the Chicago suburb of Palatine.

Rita Mullins was soundly defeated by Jim Schwantz, a political rookie who prevailed over Mullins and two other candidates

The 39-year-old Schwantz, who played pro football from 1992 to 1998, collected about 42 percent of the vote to defeat Mullins, who was running in third place with about 22 percent.

* Renner: I want a recount

* Belvidere mayor re-elected by 15 votes

* New mayor, higher tax rate in Midlothian

* Flossmoor Finally Gets a Real Mayor

* Metro East incumbents win most mayoral races

* Farmington mayor re-elected by 10 votes

* Ardis to remain mayor, takes 90 percent of vote

* Morrissey’s quiet voters overwhelm the angry voters

* 26-year-old pulls off upset in Champaign District 1

* Illinois 53: Lake County voters overwhelmingly support extending highway

* One Quarter Percent Sales Tax Hike Approved in Peoria County

* Voters reject Washington school referendum

* ‘She bought it,’ Springfield city spokesman writes about reporter

* Who are those folks outside polling places?

Olympics and IOC Visit

* IOC calls city’s bid ’strong’

* Chicago Olympic bid: IOC evaluators like Chicago’s bid for 2016 Games

* IOC Team ‘Most Impressed’ by Chicago Bid

* IOC panel calls Chicago a ‘vibrant’ city

* Daley: Winfrey stole the show, wowed Olympic committee

* City lucky that Oprah’s still got our back

* Olympic Inspection Team Addresses Finances

* Olympic Protester Bends IOC’s Ear

* International Olympic Team Listens to Community

Other Stories

* CTA: Fare hikes, service cuts unlikely in ‘09

* Online charter school rings bell with parents, students

* Heroin deaths spike across Chicago area, authorities say

* Chicago police union: FOP worries about new SUVs

* Daley halts closure of mental health clinics

* Mental health clinics on Chicago’s South Side avoid shutdown for now

* Cook County is a bastion of public health care

* State Public Health Director Announces Record Low In Illinois For New Tuberculosis Cases

In 2008, 469 cases of active tuberculosis were reported in Illinois, a decrease from 521 cases reported in 2007. However, reports show Illinois still ranks sixth for the highest number of tuberculosis cases in the nation.

* No probation for Eddie’s bison

* Museum artifacts on Field trip

* Most taxes filed electronically

* Move over, Bean, you’re about to get company

* Lake County landfills on borrowed time

With Lake County facing the possibility of running out of landfill space within the next decade, officials have begun exploring options for dealing with future garbage.

Expanding existing landfills or building a new landfill also are possibilities, but officials say there may not be enough land available. New landfills likely would face public opposition.

“I think this is the beginning of a dialogue for planning for the future,” said Lake County Administrator Barry Burton. “You put all the ideas up and get everybody’s opinion and come collaboratively to a solution.”

* Chrysler defies government, unveils SUV

* Memo details Tribune deal for Wrigley

* PJ-Star: Try ex-governor with all possible speed

* BLAGO, CELLINI, OTHERS TO BE IN COURT TUESDAY

posted by Mike Murray
Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:04 am

Comments

Here’s to the Pride of Peoria, Mr. Incredible himself, Jim Thome.

In a world gone mad, here’s a future Hall of Famer who packs a lunch, goes to work and does his job every day. No controversy, no posse, no Madonna, no nonsense. Splendid behavior.

Nifty play by Fields to get the lead runner at home to help Buerhle out of his bases-loaded, no-outs jam, too.

Advice to Ozzie: You might want to ask Dye to take the piano off his back the next time you have him try to steal second with two outs and Konerko up.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:26 am
Wow,one big Morning Shorts, don’t think you missed much of anything, Mike.

Turn out for voting in my dinky village was about 36% but we were voting an increase in county sales tax for a museum in Peoria.

As I’ve never voted by absentee ballot in any election and don’t know much about the process, I’m curious as to why mail voting would be less secure than when someone absentee votes now. In other words, how do they try and secure honesty in absentee voting and how could that method be implemented over into a more general mail voting?

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:26 am
One more for you, Mike..

“Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother, Robert, former gubernatorial adviser and fund-raiser Christopher Kelly and Springfield power-broker William Cellini are scheduled to be arraigned 11 a.m. Tuesday in front of U.S. District Judge James Zagel.”

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/2009/04/blago_cellini_others_to_be_in.html

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:35 am
Thx Anon

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:37 am
nice job on the morning shorts

Comment by corvax Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:37 am
Thx for the kudos y’all

Comment by Mike Murray Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:38 am
Vote by mail? Well, sure, it’s a start. Oregon does it.

But vote via snail mail? That’s so — oh — 19th century.

Let’s leap ahead to online voting.

Logistical problems? Sure. Access issues? You bet. Security concerns? Certainly.

But if we can bank online, surely we can devise some sort of impressive-enough security to vote online.

And I daresay voting-via-internet would drive down administrative costs — big time.

Ya think?

Comment by Scott Summers Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:40 am
The rehabilitation of Father Pleger continues after last summer’s Hillary-sermon fiasco.

Yesterday, he was sitting with the mayor in the Daley clan’s very excellent block of box seats next to the Sox dugout.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:49 am
mike, it’s been said above, but, still…..seriously great morning shorts!

Comment by Amy Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 11:09 am
How about Illinois charge members of Congress 1/3 the election costs if they resign prior to the end of their term?

Emanuel and Hastert didn’t die in office. They quit.

They are both worth plenty of money.

If Illinois charged politicians for quitting before the end of the term there’s a good chance Hastert would have stayed in office. And the Obama administration could pick-up the cost of appointing Emanuel.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 11:21 am
Carl, I’d chip-in if Burris resigned…

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 11:34 am
Morning shorts? The operative word is short. I enjoy all the info, but Mr. Murray, change the name to The ike Murray Takeover!

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 11:36 am
Morning shorts, the unabridged version.

Comment by Frank Booth Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 11:49 am
Does Rod actually have to appear in person Tuesday or can his lawyer do it for him? Wait, does he still have a lawyer?

Comment by Princess Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 12:13 pm
I don’t think I have ever heard of having a tooth pulled as “going under the knife”. Maybe “going under the pliers”.

Comment by Lefty Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 12:20 pm
I think at this point “shorts” is trending into a misnomer.

I don’t have to blog everyday /twitch I just choose too….

Mike how about a caption contest for the sans a tooth Rich? that or a contest to reprint AP stories around the net….

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Emanuel and Hastert didn’t die in office

No, but Hastert’s clout did:-)

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 12:59 pm
Having ones wisdom tooth/teeth removed as an adult is not fun. I had 3 taken out at once. Thank heavens for pain pills. Although Rich may want to parse his words verbally for a few days his fingers still can do the talking.

Rich had his wisdom tooth “dugout” today…
Then he sang, “take me out” to the ball game…
(sorry, couldn’t help myself-I know they are bad)

Meanwhile, on the morning “shorts” front, BAU

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 1:05 pm
If we do vote by mail, we should use ranked ballots. This will allow preferential voting, such as Instant Runoff Voting. Robert’s Rules of Order indicates that preferential voting is “especially useful and fair in an election by mail if it is impractical to take more than one ballot. . . . In such cases it makes possible a more representative result than that under a rule that a plurality shall elect. . .”

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 1:40 pm
subbing for Rich is like pulling teeth, Mike.

Rich might have suggested a story and thread on the White Sosx - or the fact that all the area baseball teams are either in first place or tied for it.

Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 2:06 pm
What odds would any here give that Rod will end up representing himself in this trial? Given his delusional disorder, monumental ego and the recent track record of vanishing attorneys I think there is at least a 50/50 chance he will be alone at the defense table (or at least he would be 1st chair).

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
Mail-in balloting in Illinois is like…

…taking Betty Ford patients to Mardi Gras.

…staffing Bill Clinton with college interns.

…mailing a Blagojevich a $1500 personal check.

…taking the Octomom to a fertility clinic.

…giving a Vicodine script to Lindsay Lohan.

…asking Obama not to apologize for the US.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:25 pm
Does Rich’s Wisdom Toothectomy foreshadow a change in his patented rebuke from “Bite Me” to “Gum Me” ?

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:26 pm
dupage dan,

It would be more fitting for Milorod to have a public defender. After all, since he was always for the little man, he should have the defense counsel of the little man.

With all of the tooth pulling remarks, all I can say is that I expect Rich would reply “Bite me.” Of course, it doesn’t hurt us to chomp on anything!

(In all seriousness, Rich, a good way to deal with the pain is to make some very, very strong Lipton black tea and then soak rolled up gauze in it. Stick the gauze in the fridge to chill. As you replace the gauze in your mouth, use the cold, tea-soaked gauze. The tannic acid will help heal the mouth, and the cold soothes.)

Comment by South Side Mike Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Does Rep. Miller get a free CapFax subscription for removing Rich’s wisdom?
Barter is the Illinois way.

Comment by Frank Booth Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:33 pm
That is surgery. I had it done. I think the doctor took some of my wisdom along with the tooth. Advice to Rich: get lots of painkillers. If Rich comes back tomorrow, he’s gonna be nutty or very crabby or both!

Comment by Ahem Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:41 pm
A visit to Planet Darvon or its Moon, Darvocette is relaxing and restorative, definitely soothes the demons.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 3:50 pm
South Side Mike,

Public Defender - I like the sound of that. I wouldn’t want to be his attorney no matter who was footing the bill. Frankly, I can’t wait for the trial. It will likely be a circus but I hope that whoever ends up being the Judge will not allow too much shenanigans.

Lipton Tea compress? C’mon SSM, you sound like the gramma sitting outside the shack next to the river crossing in Outlay Josey Wales. I can just hear her now, “You can pay me back when you come thru here again, Josey Miller (Rich Wales?)”.

Sounds like a good treatment, tho. Wish I’d known about that when I had my 3 pulled. Cheap gin just doesn’t do it!

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 4:05 pm
From the TRS website this afternoon–

April 8, 2009
TRS Executive Director Resigns
Board of Trustees Appoints Interim Director
SPRINGFIELD, IL-Jon Bauman, executive director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS), voluntarily tendered his resignation to the TRS Board of Trustees on April 8, 2009, effective immediately. Mr. Bauman has served as executive director at TRS since 2001. He joined the Teachers’ Retirement System in 1993 as the System’s chief operating officer.

The TRS Board of Trustees has appointed Stan Rupnik to serve as the interim executive director of the retirement system. Rupnik is also the chief investment officer at the Teachers’ Retirement System and was recently recognized by Money Management Letter as a leader in the public fund investing community. Rupnik will serve as interim director of TRS until a permanent executive director is hired.

The TRS Board of Trustees has authorized the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search for an executive director.

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 4:24 pm
Vodka will help with the pain from the tooth but not the pain from Blago. Dad

Comment by Obamalac Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 4:35 pm
If Rich’s cousin, David “Dr. Pain” Miller is doing the procedure he is in big trouble. He won’t be back tomorrow or Firday.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 4:46 pm
Obamalac,

The only treatment for Blagopain is an immediate fedconvictionectomy.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 4:55 pm
- Bill -
Is he the Doc that takes the tooth and leaves the Pain behind? I think I’ve run into him too.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 5:04 pm
DD, the judge is Zagel, no stranger to state government.

– Assistant Illinois Attorney General, 1969-77 (Bill Scott)

Under Thompson:

–Illinois Law Enforcement Commission, 1977-79

–Director, Illinois Department of Revenue, 1979-80

–Director, Illinois State Police, 1980-87

Very interesting perspective.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 5:23 pm
Little pain so far. Just very tired. They put me under and I slept most of the afternoon, perhaps from the pain pills they gave me. Kinda woozy.

And I used a Spfld guy. Not my “cousin.”

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 5:26 pm
Welcome back, sounds like all went well.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 5:48 pm
Rich, something to ‘play your day in’ tomorrow..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh45bBSOhkE

Comment by Anonymous Coward Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 5:54 pm
“U.S. Sen. Roland Burris said Wednesday his legal expenses related to investigations of his contacts with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich have reached $500,000.

Burris made the comment after touring the corn-to-ethanol research operation at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He met later in the day with steelworkers in Granite City.”

http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/722446.html

Comment by Anonymous Coward Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 6:46 pm
Rich, don’t forget to put that tooth under your pillow tonight! Be sure to let us know what the Tooth Fairy gives you. Dad

Comment by Obamalac Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 7:00 pm
- Anonymous Coward -
Sounds like Burris is headed straight for Chapter 11 or 7 Bankruptcy. My guess is he won’t want to or be able to pay his legal bill(s). Anyone want to step up to the plate and help? ….. No? I don’t either. Bye bye Roland.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 7:15 pm
Tequilla with a worm makes everything above your collarbone numb.

Nice shorts.

Castro?????!!!!! Jeez. Who opened the door for him?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 8:01 pm
And with regard to “Americans visiting ‘the island’”, plenty have over the last few decades and for good reason, too.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 8:06 pm
Hmmm….I feel just about like you do right now, Rich.

Comment by Jon Bauman Wednesday, Apr 8, 09 @ 10:35 pm
Here is a little extra fun fact from Pension & Investment concerning the TRS fumigation…
“…Bauman resigns from Illinois Teachers
…..Mr. Bauman’s name was mentioned in a 75-page felony indictment filed April 2 in U.S. District Court in Chicago against former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and five co-defendants. Two of them, real estate investment manager William F. Cellini and campaign fundraiser Christopher Kelly, were accused of talking to Blagojevich insider Antoin Rezko, also convicted on fraud charges, and others about moving Mr. Bauman to another job in state government “to ensure he would not cooperate with law enforcement….
Mr. Bauman started his 16-year TRS career as chief operating officer in 1993. He previously was deputy director for administration of Illinois’ Economic Development Department.

He succeeded Keith S. Bozarth as executive director in August 2001 after Mr. Bozarth left to become CEO of the $6.2 billion Orange County Employees Retirement System, Santa Ana, Calif. Mr. Bozarth now is executive director of the $58.6 billion State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Madison.

Although Mr. Bauman’s biographical profile on the system’s website states that his appointment followed a nationwide search, he was in fact promoted to the position on Aug. 9, 2001, when political appointees to the board of trustees gained a one-person margin needed to control the board.

He was promoted to head TRS a day before interviews were scheduled with the finalist candidates identified through the nationwide search, when the politically well-connected faction outvoted elected active and retired teacher trustees, according to previous Pensions & Investments reports……”
Let’s see 1993 that would have been under the reign of Blinky Jim Edgar….It might also be good to remember that Stu Levine was a gift to IL from StateWideTom’s former roommate, Lee A Daniels, and jimRYAN.
BTW can we get a show of hands if anyone believes the Levine/Cari episode was the only event at TRS.
Hands, Hands?
Yup that’s what we thought no one buys it.

Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Thursday, Apr 9, 09 @ 7:24 am
Is Blago eligible for the juvenile offender program? Seems possible….

Comment by Ahem Thursday, Apr 9, 09 @ 8:40 am
Yes. Blago has offended everyone, including juveniles.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 10, 09 @ 1:00 am
Steve, John, or whoever it is hiding behind 2ConfusedCrew, FYI-Pensions & Investments ran a correction on April 9 concerning the paragraph you so gleefully quoted above. Essentially, they conceded that the final two graphs were completely inaccurate based on information obtained from credible third parties.

If you have evidence of more crimes being committed at or upon TRS, it’s your responsibity to notify the proper authorities, as opposed to making an a** of yourself on a blog.

And BTW, if you do contact the Feds, you will have to use your real name, not some cute little blog handle.

Comment by Jon Bauman Sunday, Apr 12, 09 @ 11:18 am